Signs of a declining economy

[nanasohana]

"I look at all that is happening and simple say "There for the grace of God"..... Everyone, could be that next unemployment claim, food stamp application, foreclosure notice being taped to the door, or standing in line for that 1 Burger King job."

Isn't that the truth, Bob.

[mailesomaha]

Kathy, don't apologize for your sharing! People learn first by having someone share with them their thoughts, ideas, procedures and rules. Grateful are we to have someone explain where those thoughts etc. are derived! I've paid university professors for less info than you've provided on this forum; most particularly you're deep understanding of the true nature of the human condition. It takes a strong and healthy human being to exchange some of their dignity for barely enough food to survive through some food program. If we consider the man who committed suicide after killing his wife and children because they lost their jobs and home recently in California, we understand the mindset and the inevitable actions of the person who thinks poor people are lazy.

Tirades against what you bring to the table come from fear. You don't have to address them.

[Kapohocat]

Agree or disagree with you, KathyH, I appreciate your anecdotal examples.

[maud gonne]

I also thank you Kathy, for bringing up the non-rosy, reality of the Great Depression. Has anyone seen Walker Evans's photos of that time. The people look like concentration camp victims. Near-starvation. No "Hallelujah I'm a Bum" smiles on their faces. Funny, poor people these days quite often are overweight or obese (in the US, rarely in other countries). I figure it's due to cheap food - white bread etc.

[DaVinci]

The Great Depression was far worse than the most recent recession, which actually ended in June 2009. Employment is a lagging indicator however, and many businesses are hoarding cash reserves, so the growth is not noticed or appreciated by most regular folks. But seriously, this is only about as bad as 1982. And while I also appreciate KathyH for her anecdotal offering, and while I also strongly support food banks, I am dismayed by the tenor of the discourse here, on both sides, with regard to the poor. Some poor people are in fact undeserving, lazy, manipulative. Some are hard working and decent, and perhaps just incredibly unlucky. One cannot paint the poor with either a purely noble brush or a tainted one. They are many things. As are the rich... some deserving of their bounty and some criminally unworthy. But back and forth in this thread, I hear the familiar tropes of petulant class warfare. Let's please show each other enough respect to allow for all of the observations that have been made here.

[KeaauRich]

I hate to say it, but based on my observations of the past year or so, if you come to Punaweb and expect respect, you're in for a rude awakening.

[missydog1]

quote:

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Some poor people are in fact undeserving, lazy, manipulative. Some are hard working and decent, and perhaps just incredibly unlucky. One cannot paint the poor with either a purely noble brush or a tainted one.

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I would never wish to paint all alike, and I don't think I did. I was trying to add some balance ...

I also said that the welfare system is dehumanizing and is not pleasant, while at the same time granting the system is and has been abused.

There are indeed many reasons why people become poor, and poor people come in many denominations. That's why I balk at simplistic solutions that take the position that if so-and-so would just try to be more like "me" and follow "my" ethics, it would all be fixed.

I would never say that all poor people are noble, but I would say that judging people that we don't really know anything about is unjust. At least wait until you know the person's story -- the same as you would wish for yourself.

[DaVinci]

@KathyH: you're right. Wasn't really aiming at you...
@KeaauRich: you're right too!! And thanks for stopping by today IRL. Was good seeing you.