I'm depressed about people's poor choices

[backagain]

This is quite true. In my own situation, I work a part-time job that has recently been giving me under 20 hours each week. I have not been able to supplement this low income with any other job, even though I have been trying to find something for 2 years. My savings and retirement are both gone and I live very simply. I have sold everything that had any monetary value. I am now relying on charitable institutions for food and often have to do without the medications I need because I can't afford to buy them ( I have diabetes). Because I work, and live in a red state and have no dependent children, I am not eligible for healthcare through medicaid. I cannot afford to purchase healthcare through my employer, as it would take half my income each month. I am too young for medicare (53). So, without the help of my best friend each month, I wouldn't be able to pay my rent and would end up on the street. Times are really hard for a lot of people these days and limiting or removing our societal safety nets is not the way to handle things. Some of the people on this board need to shut the fuck up about things they have no personal experience with, such as poverty, hunger and employment problems. When they have lost everything and are personally acquainted with hunger, deprivation, and need, then they may offer their opinions of these situations!

BUT, your internet service is more important than the medication for diabetes.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

got luv internet 2
betta then stephan king movie fa toons

haaaaaa

 

[PreTTy PeTe]

BUT, your internet service is more important than the medication for diabetes.

but idiots think like you think that people who are poor should not have any comforts in life. the internet is now and it's how you secure education and employment.

honestly the stupidity of society just boggles my mind.

 

[backagain]

but idiots think like you think that people who are poor should not have any comforts in life. the internet is now and it's how you secure education and employment.

honestly the stupidity of society just boggles my mind.

No, I am not an idiot. I value my life over comforts.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

dr who gonna turn up ans script rest thread ?
maybe balaika play ans get a maroi dance goin fa background cocktails
or maybe turn serengeti intaa golf course ans folk discuss wot do there lost balls

anyway

luvly

thankyou

 

[gingentleman]

BUT, your internet service is more important than the medication for diabetes.

That is an assumption you have no right to make. I do not have an internet connection, nor do I have cable telly. I have a neighbor that permits me to use her internet connection. Or I go to the public library for a free connection. You just made an ass of yourself, hope you are happy about that.

 

[peeonme]

The beggar's father was also a beggar.

If the beggar has a son— he will be a beggar.

By hard wired I mean that were are equipped with what we have, some folks are smarter, some have better personalities. Some are smart and likeable, we can learn to our capacity and improve our people skills, but we will still basically be who we are.

We all have limits, our problem solving skills vary, when I see a person who has fallen through the cracks I feel that their limit or capacity has overtaken them. I don't judge as I feel that someday I too could meet my limit.

So, no I don't think a beggar son will be a beggar, he may never meet his capacity or might be better equipped than his father was.

How our parents were or are does not dictate how we will be, it just plays a part, we are more complex than to just be a Macintosh apple just because dad was one. We are not fruit, when people reproduce there is no knowing of what the off spring might be like, he/she could have mom's eyes, but grandma's smarts.

 

[backagain]

That is an assumption you have no right to make.

Ah, yes I do.

 

[eastofeden]

Ah, yes I do.

...do you get something out of being an ass to this guy?...or is it just fun for you?

 

[gingentleman]

...do you get something out of being an ass to this guy?...or is it just fun for you?

I suspect it is fun for him, indeed. His opinions of me and my situation mean less than nothing to me and I will not respond to any future comments from him. I shared my situation to illustrate a point, not to play back-and -forth with an ass. One of the most pervasive societal ills today is the lack of empathy and compassion for others. This rather soulless attitude is running rampant in republican politics in this country and makes me ashamed to be an American. We have become a nation of finger-pointers and ignorance, intolerance and entitlement are the standards by which many live their lives. I do not enjoy living in this age of gracelessness. I am appalled at the lack of concern for one's fellows. I have spent my life helping others and doing charity work in my free time. I find, through circumstance, that I am now in a position to need assistance, just like some of those I have helped in the past. I wonder how long it will be before he and others like him will be in a similar position and if there will be anyone around who will lend a helping hand.

 

[backagain]

Just as a FYI, I am a democrat.

 

[zombiekiller]

He could be a loon, a lot of people on the street have mental health issues.

The thought has occurred to me. Which was why when I went out there again I talked to him. The few things I managed to get him to say sounded sane enough to me. Then he avoided talking to me and moved away. I later saw him "working" another street.

 

[bankside]

That is an assumption you have no right to make. I do not have an internet connection, nor do I have cable telly. I have a neighbor that permits me to use her internet connection. Or I go to the public library for a free connection. You just made an ass of yourself, hope you are happy about that.

If you had had an internet connection and cancelled it to save money, he would doubtless have complained that you weren't very serious about finding more work, obviously, because otherwise you should have realised the importance of searching online for job postings. OBVIOUSLY!!!!!

You just cancelled your internet to avoid hunting for work didn't you? I know your kind.

 

[vulgar_newcomer]

I know it shouldn't depress me. People can do whatever they want. It's their choice. But it still depresses me that at some point in this man's life he simply gave up. He looked to me like an able bodied guy. He could do a lot of things. He could, for instance, work in construction. But instead, he walks up and down that street and begging the stopped cars.

You don't know squat about what hand this guy has been dealt. You are not the decider. All these fucking Dr Phils running around passing judgement on things they haven't a clue about. Don't you have a hard enough time walking in your own shoes without judging others whose shoes you've never worn?
Anyone who thinks a person on the streets is living the life of fame and leisure is a village idiot. Try it for a couple days and maybe you will be looking for a buzz from a 2 buck beer to make it through another miserable night alone, in the elements, bugs, and potential violence.

 

[oakpope]

Very interesting thread, with great posts.

Very difficult subject, I don't have an answer but I'm torn between the human instinct to give help to a fellow human being, and the duty to educate and be tough so that this person can fight for himself.

Fine line to walk, to not be blind to misery, but not be enabler of sloth.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

There is a degree of truth in the conflicting arguments made again in this thread. There is always a need for more empathy for our fellow men, but that is not the same as enabling behaviors that are self-defeating.

I was raised in grinding poverty. Will spare you the repeat litany of suffering, but I saw then both sides of the coin. Many, many people do not look within themselves to take the steps necessary to get out of poverty. They squander their chances at education, they blow money when it does come, and they also often lack any work ethic at all.

Of course there are those who have been knocked down hard by this or that hardship, but the ones who view the world as a chance to overcome do indeed in my experience.

In the meanwhile, we can feed and house those who struggle along. And we can support programs that help them find a foothold to begin working. Only a fraction of these street people are mentally unable to work.

We don't need to look down on them. We need to see them as more of us, but at a time in their lives when they need to be nudged to try again. But we don't need to call black white. There are indeed many who are simply indolent, and in whatever way they can hear it, we need to remind them that we all need to do our share to earn our daily bread. To suggest that we are entitled to the basics for simply being alive is to inadvertently teach that we have no obligation to help ourselves.

Help others, but expect them to work. We can all do something to contribute. Do not help a man to continue living as an addict.

enabling behaviors that are self-defeating < dat is way a alls lands great cultures of awsums supa folk ans da millions a happy populations enjoy da great cake end day fa eons

anyway

alway nice a folk pull a sumthang out hat ans keep da chattin calsses busy carvin anoda day up
while etc so on continue as eva ans anoda rerun
* ooh dat not nice *

thankyou

 

[Kabluey]

There is a degree of truth in the conflicting arguments made again in this thread. There is always a need for more empathy for our fellow men, but that is not the same as enabling behaviors that are self-defeating.

I was raised in grinding poverty. Will spare you the repeat litany of suffering, but I saw then both sides of the coin. Many, many people do not look within themselves to take the steps necessary to get out of poverty. They squander their chances at education, they blow money when it does come, and they also often lack any work ethic at all.

Of course there are those who have been knocked down hard by this or that hardship, but the ones who view the world as a chance to overcome do indeed in my experience.

In the meanwhile, we can feed and house those who struggle along. And we can support programs that help them find a foothold to begin working. Only a fraction of these street people are mentally unable to work.

We don't need to look down on them. We need to see them as more of us, but at a time in their lives when they need to be nudged to try again. But we don't need to call black white. There are indeed many who are simply indolent, and in whatever way they can hear it, we need to remind them that we all need to do our share to earn our daily bread. To suggest that we are entitled to the basics for simply being alive is to inadvertently teach that we have no obligation to help ourselves.

Help others, but expect them to work. We can all do something to contribute. Do not help a man to continue living as an addict.

Very true.
Trouble we have here is that some people like to kick a man when he's down. Might make that person feel superficially better.
The problem is when people with a superior/inferior complex deem themselves morally superior to others and decide to punish them for the trappings of poverty.

Casting judgment about lifestyles, choices and values only helps to make you feel better about yourself.
But attaching punishments and criminal charges to the trappings of poverty only ensure social mobility is reduced.

Plenty of people are unemployable due to debt defaults, fine defaults, tax arrears, healthcare bills, untreated conditions, and defaults on things like motor vehicle licensing fees and safety standards. All things that are easily solved and avoided with a bit of cash.
Things that aren't proper criminal acts like the above have severe consequences for the people affected.

The common attitude of those who wish to feel superior is that 'they should've known'.

 

[luckynumbah7]

but idiots think like you think that people who are poor should not have any comforts in life. the internet is now and it's how you secure education and employment.

honestly the stupidity of society just boggles my mind.

There's also that the internet bill monthly is much cheaper than any medication, particularly when you have no health insurance.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

You're most welcome, Slops.

You are welcome to buy them all the beer you like. It's your choice. I've housed them in my home several times. I know what I'm talking about.

For me, I'm happy to buy them a meal and do whenever they ask. But I don't have any desire to help them with the booze. They can buy that out of their spending money.

dat okay

world upside down ans sure a great awsum folk supa is ruunnin lands fa eons figa da actions set in motion etc so on ans play happy hour wit internet 2 deedin da millions alls wot need etc so on

folk wot need help top folk cause haaaaaa

thankyou

 

[Kabluey]

^ most democracies pander to the swing voter.
The same people who when surveyed tend to want to punish both the wealthy, and the poor (as well as those frightening minorities), and punish minor crimes with vigor.