POOR PEOPLE ARE RUINING AMERICA - Democratic Underground

hoffmanmotors

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Thu Dec-15-05 12:46 PM
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POOR PEOPLE ARE RUINING AMERICA

Poor people are ruining America. This is what I learned from reading some conservative websites lately. First of all the conservatives point out that the poor don’t really exist. We progressives have apparently been all wrong on this point. They point out that although real hardship does occur in America, it is rare. Most of the so-called "poor" live in material conditions considerable more comfortable than when the motherless David Copperfield was shipped to London to live with Wilkins Micawber for example.

Now, technically they will admit that there are over 35 million Americans under the poverty level. But they argue that those census numbers are misleading. First, most families under the poverty level have color TVs nowadays. David Copperfield had no TV (he may have had TB – but we’ll talk about healthcare in a moment). Can you really call someone “poor” if they have a TV?

A "poor" Mom contemplates a drive to McDonalds while her children enjoy a program on their wide screen TV.

Furthermore, the folks at the Heritage Foundation point out that most “poor” people today are not starving. “Most poor children today are, in fact, supernourished” (I think this means fat) “and grow up to be, on average, one inch taller and 10 pounds heavier that the GIs who stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II.” How different a world it might have been if David Copperfield could have had an occasional “quarter pounder”.

Another important point is that the “poor” can now easily obtain medical care. This can be accomplished by leaving your sick child at the entrance of any county medical facility, or most bus station restrooms in hopes that the authorities will see that they get medical attention. Of course you’ll never be able to see you child again unless you can somehow come up with the huge medical bill that will result, but at least you know your child will be well taken care of. If you need medical attention yourself, however – well, then your fucked.

The Bush administration and Congress have worked diligently with major corporations, and other filthy rich Americans to try and help the “poor” pull themselves out of there so-called poverty. The White House has been on a mission to help the rich add to their obscene wealth in order to fulfill the enlightened destiny of Reaganomics. Recognizing the sound economic principals of “trickle down theory”, the Republicans in recent years have concluded that if cutting the marginal tax rate is a good idea, then forklift loads of cash delivered to numbered accounts in Switzerland is an even better one. Some of that money has to trickle down to poor people – its science after all.

But, while Congress and the White House and a nation of people - rich beyond measure -have been doing their part, the poor are failing their responsibility to be trickled down upon. The rich need gardeners, housekeepers and cooks now more than ever. Where are the poor when a lonely nation calls?

Our nation has moved from a people’s democracy to a corporate “kelptocracy” for only one reason – to make the filthy rich, stinking rich…so that they can help the poor. This has been such a focus of our government that (lamentably) a lot of people’s rights and liberties have been trampled upon, the environment has been laid to waste, the working class has been ignored, and our grandchildren’s futures have been mortgaged. But are the “poor” thankful? I think not.

The conservatives point out that there seems to be one main reason for the cycle of poverty: “Poor” people don't work much. Now, as for this point, I have to say there is a certain logic and symmetry to it. Yes when people don’t work they don’t make much money and thus risk being poor. I only wish a liberal had of thought of that.

And, of course, what has perpetuated all this laziness and sloth in American is the government. I must say it never occurred to me, but apparently programs such as food stamps, public housing, and Medicaid continue to reward idleness. It’s like when your polo pony is not ridden for a long time it gets fat and lazy. If you let it think it can get away with just eating and lounging around it will lose its edge and you’ll look foolish in your next chukka.

The conservatives have sure taken a load off my mind. I had worried about the 45 million American who are uninsured – most of them children. I had been concerned about the how poverty affects the kind of education children get. I have worried about the physical, emotional, and social impacts of sustained poverty on adults and children. But, now that I know most people under the poverty level own TVs and eat Big Macs my sense of responsibility to my fellow man is completely set at ease. How could I have been so misguided.