Quote:
Originally Posted by ChotooMotoo
There are plenty of people who have jobs, but cannot earn enough to live. There are plenty of working homeless families, and working families who rely on the foodbank.
Right. Blame the poor. I've heard that attitude plenty, usually from people who have never experienced what it's like being poor themselves. There is only so much you can do to change your situation, sometimes things happen which are beyond your control.
TV is not a luxury item. You can get one from the Goodwill store for $3. You can also get one for free from people who are moving or bought new ones. I saw a National Geographic picture from the 80's, they were in an Afghan refugee camp, and the people had a TV in their tent. It's not a luxury item anymore. Radios are not a luxury item. A BMW is a luxury item. A 3 bedroom Condo on the top story of a high rise appartment is a luxury. Living on the back of someone elses propery in a travel trailor (we had a family do that at our house) is not a luxury.
No, most of America does not have buses, or any other kind of adequate public transportation system.
There are also many many immigrants who come to this country, and live just as badly as they did in their home country, except here they have running water and the added stress of eviction if they can't pay their rent. Many immigrants come here and live in horendous conditions. I've seen many of these immigrants and their lives. Many immigrants make the comment "gee, life here is a lot harder than in my country" especially if they simple came for economic reasons, not political ones. Many of them actually leave, and go back to their home country.
Poverty is relative. It's all relative to the society in which you live, and your climate. Fur coats are considered a luxury item in the west, but if you're an Eskimo, it's a necesity (and it's made of seal, not mink). Electricity is considered a luxury in parts of Africa, but in the west where you rely on electricity for everything from food preparation to heating your home, it's a necessity. Do you see what I'm saying?
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I see it and I've heard it before. And in response to what you said, people who claim absolute and relative poverty are similar, are the ones who've never experienced absolute poverty. At least there are opportunities and ways to get out of the cycle in America, and a legal system to protect you. In third world countries it's a completely different mindset...and that's why you get dozens of Africans packed onto a small leaky vessel trying to get into Europe.
Measure poverty in relative terms and you'll end up in a situation where poverty will always exist, as you're continually seeking to redefine it.
And televisions are a luxury item. Just because they're cheap, doesn't mean it isn't a luxury. I consider chocolate biscuits a luxury too.