America's POOR 101

thinkingblue's picture

Isn't it strange that we need the BBC to tell us that America does not give a damn about the poor (mostly working poor) of our country (or the middle class for that matter), even though it is apparent and all around for us to watch how quickly our country is becoming a Plutocracy. The Republicans, who are blatantly leading the way, with a Mitt Romney, so out of touch with we-the-people, he remarks…He’s not concerned about the very poor… That says it all, of course they (GOP) are not concerned about the poor that is why they try to gut ANYTHING that tries to help the poor and lift them from their poverty shackles.

It does not make sense but I guess as a member of the 99%, spending most of my life physically working hard, trying to make an hourly wage in order to feed family, while fending off any fear that homelessness could possibly become a reality, I along with the other 99%, WOULD find it difficult to make sense of the Republicans' revulsion with poor people. I don’t think the rich could ever lay claim to that affirmation. thinkingblue

 

PS: Here's a guy with a great idea: William Gay http://www.timesargus.com/article/20111214/OPINION02/712149958/0/NEWS01

Give the wealthy a dose of ‘reality’

It seems that the “reality” shows are all the rage. “Dancing with the Stars” and “Survivor” have captured the attention of an audience that only dreams of becoming more than what they are.

Given that, I have come up with another reality show that may not only serve those with a hunger for distraction but also those who see our social network and the politicians that effect it way out of touch with reality. I call it “Poverty Survival for the Wealthy.”

It would entail taking 10 of those of the 1 percent and putting them into an impoverished situation. It would also mean that their family would also be part of survival without means. Each of the contestants would be placed in poverty in either a rural or urban setting. They would have to survive facing government cuts to health care benefits, food stamps and assisted living. Their children would learn what it is to be in schools that are not about education but about survival. They would actually have to shop for groceries knowing that they are limited to only buying food that is not only inexpensive but relatively unhealthy. Also, they may have to face the fact that the clothes they wear make the Salvation Army the haberdashery of choice.

The only problem I have with this is how to decide the winner. I think that it would be the one who most strongly realizes that those of wealth need to understand that being poor is not a choice but a reflection of a system that only favors the wealthy, a system that is stacked against those who are poor and offers them no escape. I can’t wait to see how the “Donald” survives.

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THISAA
THISAA's picture
Are you including these

Are you including these people as examples of how to stay in touch with reality?

FIRST LADY OF LUXURY TRAVEL: THE COSTLY TRIPS

SPAIN: AUGUST 2010

  • Michelle Obama and 40 of her friends paid for personal expenses, such as hotels and meals themselves.
  • But the U.S. taxpayer would have paid for the 68-strong security detail, personal staff and use of presidential jet Air Force Two.
  • Payment for the secret service team ran at around $281 each - nearly $98,000 for the duration of the summer break.
  • Use of Air Force Two comes in at $149,900 for the round trip, not including time on the ground. 
  • Mrs Obama's personal staff, of which there were an unknown number, should also be taken into account

HAWAII: DECEMBER 2010

According to the Hawaii Reporter the costs were:

  • $63,000 on an early flight bringing Mrs Obama and the children to Hawaii ahead of the President
  • $1,000,000 on Mr Obama’s return trip from Washington on Air Force One
  • $16,000 to rent nearby homes for Secret Service and Navy Seals
  • $134,000 for 24 White House staff to stay at the Moana Hotel
  • $251,000 in police overtime
  • $10,000 for an ambulance to be on hand at all times 

SKI TRIP TO VAIL: FEBRUARY 2011

  • Michelle Obama and her daughters stayed at the Sebastian hotel on Vail Mountain, where rooms cost more than $2,400 for multi-bedroom suites.
  • The family appear to have flown there on Air Force Two.
  • They were escorted to the resort by about a dozen vehicles, including 15 state and local law enforcement officers.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD: AUGUST 2011

  • The Blue Heron Farm estate, where the Obama family stayed, rents for about $50,000 a week.
  • Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama flew to the estate just hours before the president to make the most of the holiday - again, incurring extra flight costs.
  • According to U.S. News and World Report, the Coast Guard was required to keep ships floating near the property. The presidential helicopter and jet remain at the ready and security agents will be on 24-hour duty.

HAWAII: DECEMBER 2011

According to the Hawaii Reporter the costs were:

  •  $63,000 on an early flight bringing Mrs Obama and the children to Hawaii ahead of the President but add security and personnel for a total of about $100,000
  • $3,271,622 on Mr Obama’s return trip from Washington on Air Force One
  • $151,200  to rent nearby homes for Secret Service and Navy Seals
  • $72,216  for 24 White House staff to stay at the Moana Hotel


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