Being Poor

Good Article McSpocky. Been there, done that on a lot of the items listed. What is really sad is having the fear that everything you have worked for to get out of the poor status may get taken away any moment.

I think many of us can relate to being poor- or at least having gone through some very difficult, economically challenging times. It makes us look at everything, all of our life's choices, and we have to re-evaluate every single aspect of our lives. The wealthier, the 'richer', and the rich, rarely need to consider anything- except perhaps to try a different wine next time with dinner. They cannot possibly relate to any of the life realities that any of us, even the moderately stable remaining 'middle class' have, much less what the poor go through.

I think it would be a good idea if any member of Congress was required to live with a household in their district, for 2 weeks, prior to beginning any term of office, and as a requirement of accepting that office. Maximum income of $22,000/yr, for a family of 2 might help that politician understand things from the 'real people'.

That said, there was a time when I think I was poorer than poor... there has been more than one time that I fed my daughter, but did not eat. When I was single, there were times when I figured out the highest nutritional value of something to eat: and I would eat 1 home-cooked hamburger patty/day. Added to that was 1/2 package of (chocolate) instant breakfast, made with powdered milk, as that could be made a little MORE nutritious if it was made a bit thicker, twice a day. The chocolate added a bit of energy, plus allowed one the feeling of a 'dessert'.

Another time, I had 1/2 of the Dell Taco Super Burrito in the A.M., about 10:00, and the second half about 2:15- 4:00. If by chance that did not sustain me for the day, I would add 1/2 pkg. of instant breakfast again, or MAYBE 1 hot dog. I am relating how poor I was, and how thin things were from time to time, in order to stand by this next thought, in response to McSpocky's initial statement:

He (speaking of Mitt Romney) would realize that the safety net for the poor in this country falls way short.

Only one time in my life did I go for any assistance, and that was for about 9-12 months, and that was due to a car accident, after which I could no longer stand upright. It took me 2 years to finally be able to do any work, and then, I was left with some residual damage that made me change careers. It is hard to be a machinist when one has become somewhat dyslexic, and turns numbers and letters around. As a waitress, I had saved enough to support my daughter and myself for the first year or so, and then, needed assistance... I was glad it was there for the period of time I used it. I was also glad to sign off of the assistance, even though most of the other recipients in the office lobby advised against it, stating there was no way I could earn the equivalent same amount of income as the assistance was providing, and that our QUALITY OF LIFE would drop. I would be paying for my own dental, or medical bills, and those of my daughter, when I COULD be having those covered for me.

It is not easy when life isn't easy, and I was now broke, with medical bills standing. I paid them all, even though they ruined my credit at that time, because it took so long.

I also learned many lessons, by being broke and poor, and in the decision to fend for myself: I learned to not just survive, but to thrive. I learned to re-evaluated myself, my habits, my spending, my life and way of life constantly. I learned how to save, how to earn more, how to grow things, how to sew, how to bid on 'side jobs' from the very machine shop I wasn't able to work for, at that time. I learned how to do physical labor jobs- cutting trees, pruning hedges, sweeping, mowing lawns, and how to take out, rebuild and replace my own motor from my $500.00 car that blew a head gasket, and I did not have the money to fix it immediately, so it scored the cylinder. I learned to rebuild that motor, on a $10.00 piece of linoleum, in my dining room, with 2 repair manuals in my hands.

I learned how to bake and sell specialty cakes, out of my house, and delivered them in my own rebuilt auto! Mostly, I learned: I CAN!

Are there times for a 'safety net'? Yes- of course! Are there many abusing it? Yes- of course! Are we supposed to sit back and watch these rotten, corrupt politicians vote themselves more riches- lifetime salaries- more benefits, while they aren't representing any of OUR needs, and when they have blatant disregard for the theft- harm- absolute ruination they have done to ALL of us in the US? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Being or becoming poor knows no boundaries. It doesn't matter your education level, nor lack of education. Doesn't know the color of your skin, nor heritage. Money in any form doesn't know the hands into which it flows, or diseminates from.

I may never have known how to survive and become a strong person with alot of tenacity, if I wasn't poor. I have been looked down upon, bullied, for I am a baby born from World War II. That's okay, it has been their loss, not mine.

As the saying goes, money can be the route of evil. My family and I will continue to live frugally, as that is the only way we know, and are very happy with our way of living. I am only too aware of all the people suffering these days, I have never seen it this bad before. McSpocky, here's wishing you and your family some good news soon.

TDR

Being poor is having that one thing, whether it is a health incident, losing your job, something that has you closer to not having anything at all, that comes up and bites you right in the face!

When I was married we were worth a really large amount of money. When the divorce was over, I had $350 to my name, and the Franchise Tax Board tried to take that. I worked 3 jobs at times, and over the years was able to get to the point that my head is finally above water. I'm not totally out of that water, but it's slowly getting better.

I have the utmost respect from my daughter who witnessed just how hard it was to get to where we both happen to be, now, and I think this is one reason why we are so compassionate to other people in need. When I have the extra cash, I tip a little larger, send extra to my horse's farrier at Christmas time, and put some bucks in the red kettle.

I can't speak to karma or god, as I don't think I believe in either. All I want is to be treated the way I would treat someone else. And I firmly believe that unless you have been through a rough time, it's difficult to relate - not on a gut level.

And that is one of the problems with our leadership, today. They are pretty well off financially before they even run for office, so where is the real hurt that they can pull from? Very few have it. Many more need it!

Being poor is reading that whole damn list and not finding anything on it that doesn't apply to you.

Yeah, I know the scenario as well.....

"Nine Meals from Anarchy" and all that.....

"Concentrated power can be always wielded in the interest of the few and at the expense of the many. Government in its last analysis is this power reduced to a science. Governments never lead; they follow progress. When the prison, stake or scaffold can no longer silence the voice of the protesting minority, progress moves on a step, but not until then." Lucy Parsons

What IS that quote?

I can't get the quote thing to work, but that above is a quote. :-)

Tex: I like that quote!

"Concentrated power can be always wielded in the interest of the few and at the expense of the many. Government in its last analysis is this power reduced to a science. Governments never lead; they follow progress. When the prison, stake or scaffold can no longer silence the voice of the protesting minority, progress moves on a step, but not until then." Lucy Parsons

That seems to be where we are at, in this time and place, with all of our politicians, with our nation. The voice needs to become heard.

I can add some to this.

Being poor is wearing your older sister's home-made-hand-me-downs that she got from a cousin.

Being poor is only eating what your father catches in the lake and your mother grows in the garden because you can't afford any food at a store.

Being poor is stealing your neighbors newspaper to use as toilet paper.

I can think of a few more but this is depressing to remember so I'll stop now.

We ate fish one whole year, plus what I grew as soon as the weather allowed, and then, we raised meat rabbits, too after that. We are back on our feet now, for now, but to me, it isn't depressing, it's just a part of life- some times are leaner than others, and sometimes, we need to change in order to have some things change.

If I want to help others, I must have something to give. I cannot give if I don't have, and I won't have until and unless I look at everything that put me there, accept me and the situation fully, and change what didn't work for me. Yes, we may have been harmed by others, but then what? Move on. I am unable to help others if I am broke- so even if the process is a long one, make a goal and continue to move along those lines one step at a time.

Yup, now if there was only some way to make it harder for them to vote with stringent ID laws , poll taxes, or confuse issues with political smoke and mirrors, or invoke religious peripheries to distract them from voting in their own interests.

HEY, WAIT A SECOND!