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| Po Folks | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 7 2006, 08:45 PM (97 Views) | |
| Jolly | Dec 7 2006, 08:45 PM Post #1 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16077694/ |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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| big al | Dec 8 2006, 06:28 AM Post #2 |
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Bull-Carp
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A lot of suburban poverty is nearly invisible. People often strive very hard to keep up appearances as they slip into poverty. Some of it occurs among the elderly, who strive to stay in their homes on much-reduced incomes while property taxes and other expenses continue to balloon. Others become unemployed or disabled, divorced or widowed. Our church maintains a food bank and I have often been surprised at the number of clients we have from our local neighborhood which by all broad measures is one of the more affluent in the area. We forget that in the range from rich to poor, there are tails on both ends of the distribution. Another place to find both poverty and loneliness is to participate in a holiday (Thanksgiving/Christmas/etc.) meals program to provide special dinners either in a group setting or delivered to homes. Some people have no relatives or social network and live a barren life largely confined to their homes and dependent on the institutional support systems or the kindness of strangers. Visiting some of these people is particularly eye-opening for many children. I would urge anyone to look for some opportunity to reach out to a less fortunate person, particularly now when the general level of festivity and merry-making reach a peak that seems all the more unacheivable for some. Big Al |
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Location: Western PA "jesu, der simcha fun der man's farlangen." -bachophile | |
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| Frank_W | Dec 8 2006, 06:33 AM Post #3 |
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Resident Misanthrope
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Amen, Al. People whine about not being able to get into the Christmas spirit, when what it really takes, is to see one person's face light up with joy at some small kindness. To get into the Christmas spirit, go to the soup kitchens instead of the local mall. |
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Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin." Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!" | |
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| Jolly | Dec 8 2006, 06:41 AM Post #4 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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"Invisible poverty" is a tagline which has long been applied to rural poverty. OTOH, rural poverty may be a bit easier to handle if you are able-bodied. There's almost always a spot for a vegetable garden, fertilizer can be had for free, you can get materials for a chicken coop for free, people can and will hire you to do odd jobs for barter. I think it becomes toughest on those who are not able-bodied, particularly the elderly. A lot of these guys are living in paid-off homes, but eking out a living on Social Security alone. When you've never worked better paying jobs, and you've not saved for a rainy day, it gets tough for a couple to make ends meet on a thousand bucks a month..or less. |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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| LadyElton | Dec 8 2006, 07:10 AM Post #5 |
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Fulla-Carp
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I work at an outpatient mental health clinic. We see clients who are on welfare and medical assistance. Some are even homeless. I agree that suburban poverty is almost invisible. We see the struggle a lot of these people go through to make ends meet. And, yes, we do have some that are just plain lazy. Although I think you can say that about any group of people. |
| Hilary aka LadyElton | |
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