The Poor Will Always Be Among You...' Except in Your Political Priorities? »
Posted by: elzorro2162 1 year, 7 months ago129 Comments Report this Story
After President Bush's State of the Union address, Bush barely uttered the words "poverty" or "the poor." It's as though our president has taken Jesus' words in Matthew ("the poor you will always have with you") to justify making scant mention of their crushing needs in what is arguably the most important political spe
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elzorro21621 year, 7 months ago
This one of my political/religious pet peeves. I cannot stand for a church that only emphasizes and cherry picks the issues to push (such as abortion, gay marriage etc) yet it forsakes those who Jesus explicitly points to us as our responsibility. Christians if we say we are just that, let us support not just some of the biblical agenda, but all of it.
Z
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jeffery11 year, 7 months ago
I think you're a Calvinist and don't like discussing what Jesus actually said about the poor or our obligation to the least among us.
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Blackace1 year, 7 months ago
Good post Z - The thing is Gay Marriage and Abortion is not in the good book because it's modern thinking. However, taking care of the less fortunate is all over the good book but this they ignore, oh and love your fellow man this is also all over the good book, but they seem to gravitate to hating their fellow men. Christians my ass they are all going to hell...The leader of the evangelist is gay what does that tell you about these Nuts...
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jeffery11 year, 7 months ago
You're correct. Jesus is quoted as saying nothing regarding homosexuality, Paul did. The anti-gay thing among purported Christians indicates that they are following Paul and not Jesus.
Not all Christians ignore that Jesus said nothing about gays thus indicating that homosexuality was at least not an issue Jesus thought important enough to discuss. These Christians are the liberal ones we need to make more noise simply because they tend to accept the greater obligations of "Christianity" than merely accepting Jesus as personal savior.
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whatever20001 year, 7 months ago
Well I guess we know who throws away the whole basket upon the discovery of one bad apple. One apple of course is figuritive. Their certainly are more than one.
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elzorro21621 year, 7 months ago
Remember not all of us agree with the holier than thou attitudes of some evangelicals. If you want to see what real christianity, look no farther than Jesus and his words in the Gospels, don't look at these loud and vocal groups that have hijacked christianity and think they speak for all christianity. If you are turned off it really is against hypocrisy and not the figure of Jesus.
Z
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BravoSierra1 year, 7 months ago
Here in Texas many pastors, especially of the churches of thousands and thousands of members, they preach the "Gospel of Prosperity". If you have riches or if you can get them by any means it is proof that you are one of "god's" chosen. If god didn't want you to be rich you wouldn't be rich and if you are poor you are one of those selected to be poor by god...because you can't handle the responsibility of wealth. It is circular reasoning and reverse logic at its finest. It's not Christian but it is certainly self-serving and is used to justify multiple unethical dealings of the "faithful" rich.
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Searunner521 year, 7 months ago
Years ago when I was a Children's Librarian I developed a reading program where children went out and found sponsors who agreed to donate 1 can of food for every book read or what ever deal the child and their sponsor agreed upon. The first year we had moderate success and collected slightly more than 1500 lbs of food. The second year that number more than quintupled and other libraries started to use my program. All the food gathered went to the local food bank!
My feeling is this.
We live in the richest Nation on Earth and we have absolutely no excuse for allowing even one person to go hungry even for one day - period!
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PatrioticAmerican1 year, 7 months ago
Searunner i can think of 1 reason why we should let them go hungry, And that is, If they are poor,which usually means no job, with an unemployment rate at an all time low then they are poor by choice, if they need food and money a Job would help them out alot, but most "poor" want to get food and money for free (without working). And i for 1 work hard for the money i make and i will not give it up to those who are just to lazy to provide for themselves. i have my own family to support, im not going to support someone elses
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tdash1 year, 7 months ago
Same old line of BS about how poor people are lazy, stupid, and to blame for their situation.
Visit an indian reservation (not one with a casino), and tell me that the people there are poor by choice. Talk to someone with a mountain of medical bills and no insurance, and tell me that they are poor by choice. Talk to an 80-year-old widow on Social Security who can't pay for both her heating bill and all her prescriptions, and tell me she's poor by choice.
Maybe the act of giving might make you feel a little better about your lame, selfish a$$. Give it a try!
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elzorro21621 year, 7 months ago
PatrioticAmerican, are you white? Are you well to do? Have you lived in the inner city? If the anwser to the first 2 is "yes" and the answer to the last one is "no", it would explain your lack of compassion and the fact that you're an outsider to the realities of poverty. NO ONE chooses to be poor, racism and poverty are INSTITUTIONALIZED in this country, thanks to right wing greedy economics.
Z
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elzorro21621 year, 7 months ago
We must declare war on poverty and take all these billions squandered every month in a useless war in Iraq and deal with poverty once and for all.
Z
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Searunner521 year, 7 months ago
Sorry, but I don't buy that arguement for a single minute. The fact is that there are many in this country today - even with a low unemployment rate - not an all time as if I remember correctly during December of 2000 the rate was at 4.2% - there are families struggling just to make ends meet with both parents working. Then there are those areas that have a much higher rate of unemployment because a scaricity of jobs and the fact that 12.6% of the population live below the poverty level.
Fella - I work just as hard, perhaps harder for my money than you and I still find enough to help others. Be thankful for what you have because in this day an age you never know when a major illness or job loss could occur. No one who works for a living is immune!
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whatever20001 year, 7 months ago
I have to agree with PatrioticAmerican to a point. Instead of a soup line as the solution to the problem, I would like to see some kind of job placement or even working for the food and welfare monies. Even volunteer service to the charitable organization providing the meal is a step in the right direction. The welfare line treats the symptom not the "disease". Searunners comment is relevant in that any poverty and hunger in the most prosperous country on earth should not be tolerated.
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tchef1 year, 7 months ago
I think it's important for us to work to reduce poverty. This would do more than just help the poor, it would also reduce crime, drug use and many other things that are directly related to poverty.
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EDWARDIII1 year, 7 months ago
Those in poverty are the responsibility of two groups-- The well-off and the poor.
People who have should share and people who have-not should work toward improving themselves. Specifically:
Don't have too many children.
Educate the children you have.
Stay in the habit of work within your ability.
Don't abuse your health.
Shop using common sence.
I bring it up because so many poor people in my experience do the exact opposite of these things.
Searunner, that was a wonderful thing you did. Imaginative too.
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Searunner521 year, 7 months ago
Education is the key to all of what you list, but unfortunately there are too many ready to criticize and not enough willing to educate!
Thank you for the kind words, but I am by no means the only one out there attempting to do something - desperate situations require creative thinking and there are a great many actively working on alternative solution - they should be encouraged and supported!
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elzorro21621 year, 7 months ago
I agree with you SR52. The right wing pundits have brainwashed common folk to believe their agenda including blaming the poor for their misfortunes. Education and not criticism is the key to lifting them out of poverty.
Z
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Watchemoket1 year, 7 months ago
WOW do you have a dark view of human nature. Is it not possible that education can change the nature of a person for the better?
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walden31 year, 7 months ago
all good points. i remember seeing a story about how not having kids early and staying in school have a huge impact on economic health.
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RedstateLib1 year, 7 months ago
Yes and one of the keys to not having children early or to many of the is to STOP TEACHING ABSTINENCE ONLY. We must teach people about birth control before they become sexually active. The truth is those young people who are going to be sexually active are going to be sexually active no matter how many times you tell them not to. ABSTINENCE ONLY does not stop young people from becoming sexually active it only stops them from preventing unwanted pregnancy.
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Mat3471 year, 7 months ago
Poor is relative...I'm more worried about the middle class in this country as it is what keeps this country afloat, yet is a dying breed.
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lalady2161 year, 7 months ago
I am in favor of "helping" the poor, but we need to find the best way(s) in which to help the poor: for example, giving poor people "hand-outs" tends to perpetuate their poverty. I refer to the welfare system that was developed in this country years ago. We now have possibly 3rd and 4th generation welfare families. I agree that education is one part of the answer, but what if the people aren't willing to do their part in becoming educated? My children were in elementary school with children who were on the "free-lunch" program. At snack time, many of the free-lunch children lined up with their $5 bills, ready to buy their snacks, while my children and others, whose lunches were paid for by parents, often had no money for snack time. Such is a frustrating element in the situation.
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lalady2161 year, 7 months ago
I worked for several years in our church's committee which dealt with people who needed food or gasoline or clothing, etc. It was sometimes frustrating to take food to someone who was smoking and who had empty beer cans visible in their home. They had managed to buy cigarettes and beer, yet they had no money with which to buy food for themselves and their children. I dealt with people who went from church to church throughout our community, getting bags of groceries from each church. In addition to these groceries, these people were also drawing food stamps. Before anyone "corrects" me, I will acknowledge the plight of many people, who through no fault of their own, have no means of supporting themselves.
I "see" the problem. I do not yet "see" the answer(s).
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moortiez1 year, 7 months ago
As far as Fuhrer Bush not mentioning it, Suprise , suprise. Wow, What a shocker. You don't suppose it's because he is a liar and a hypocrite who only uses religion as a cynical charade to dupe moronic religious fools into buying into his insane rhetoric and agenda, do ya? Let's get serious folks. Propaganda from the reich wing notwithstanding, could their greed and malfeasance be any more naked? Any more obvious? How can anybody still turn a blind eye, or be an apologist for these people? At this point the only supporters the Bush crime family has are paid sycophants (like our own MP here at netscape) and brainwashed thuggish sub verbal proto-humans, Like our own slate and also the one called "thisisfact" among others. Now ,after really looking at the facts, isn't it time to
Impeach and try for war crimes and treason?
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sprtn1 year, 7 months ago
I agree completely that it is every person's duty to help those less fortunate. However, each person must attend to that duty as she or he sees fit.
Generally speaking, and certainly in the impetus for this thread, when people talk about helping the poor, they are talikng about forcing people, through taxation, to fund badly conceived and badly managed government programs, which waste literally billions of dollars, since they actually do more harm (overall) than good.
It is very easy to be "charitable" with other people's money. If you wish to help the poor, do as I do, and directly fund useful, non-governmental programs like Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, etc., etc.
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patchett1 year, 7 months ago
No matter how you look at living is expensive. However, without breaking the chain of goverment asisted programs where it's too easy for many to live off the govermant and ultimatly us. I agree that programs should be in place to help those who really need it, however the checks and balances should be in place to get those off govermant asisted living. Those that want to pull themselves up by the boot straps will, and those that don't want to won't. I'm considered middle class, however the middle class can be broken down as well. Upper, middle and lower. Many I know, many college educated many not, are living on the edge. Those middle class families trying to do the right thing, pay your bills and try and I mean try, to save a little at the end of the month are silent majority. One wrong move or one unexpected bill can swing the scales of financial stability. One must learn to live smart, I know from personel experience.
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jumpmaster1 year, 7 months ago
I agree mostly. I am totally against throwing good money after bad. There are so many jobs out there for those that want them.
I do believe that stuff happens sometimes and people need a hand up, not a hand out. I think it is good to help out your fellow man when he needs it. But I also firmly believe that you give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.
I am totally against the government being the clearinghouse for charity. That usually means being charitable with your and my money. Uh-uh.
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elzorro21621 year, 7 months ago
The answer is simple Jumpmaster, because it didn't work before. If you recall your US history, it was that failed philososhy that made the nation to realize its failure and hence thrusted FDR to establish the Social Security Act of 1935. The great depression was a rude awakening to irresponsible right wing economics. They just sound good but they don't work!
Z
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walden31 year, 7 months ago
I read an interesting article about bernie sanders, the only socialist member of congress. He's from vermont. Vermont is pretty rural with many poor folks. One of senator sanders pet programs is dental care for poor kids. He actually tries to provide dental services in public schools. Cuz as sanders says, 'if you don't have teeth employers aren't going to hire you and if you teeth hurt you can't concentrate on schoolwork.' Makes a lot of sense and seems like a good investment. Harry reid is also in on the issue because he grew up dirt poor and his mum didn't have any teeth either. When reid got his first job pumping gas he bought his mum a set of teeth. Sanders also grew up pretty poor. His family never owned a home.
I like having people in office who know what it's like to worry about car repairs, insurance and making rent.
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jumpmaster1 year, 7 months ago
I agree. We threw out our last govenor (Gray Davis-CA). He was so far removed from the reality of the average person's needs that it was laughable. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and he just had no ability or interest to understand or relate to the common man.
It would be great if all politicians were like Sanders and Reid but we will all turn purple holding our collective breaths waiting for that to happen.
If more people took matters into their own hands to get things done, we wouldn't be so stressed out about our politicians' incompetence. However it takes a lot of initiative and committment to do that as individuals. Unfortunately, most people think that this is a good idea for "the other guy" and not themselves.
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walden31 year, 7 months ago
and davis got replaced with a movie character, the terminator. people make such informed decisions.
speaking of silver spoon. how does bush get to masquerade as a regular guy, when he is the definition of legacy!?! he actually gets the votes of poor folks and working people. talk about successful marketing. it's like seeling ice to eskimos.
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contrast1 year, 7 months ago
I think what the problem here is this: Just because George knowingly or unknowingly puts forth this image that he is devout and the "role model" for chritianity doesnt mean he is. The Pope speaks for the christians mostly please do not forget that. W does not speak for christians. I can claim to be and put forth the image that I am the king of Rhode Island...I only am if you begin to believe it.
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MarsDlugosz1 year, 7 months ago
well, Jesus walked amongst sinners. that pretty much covers alot of ground ehh?
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bobshotme1 year, 7 months ago
Most poor are poor for a reason, most of the time its their fault. you reap what you sow. I feel bad for poor people who are not to blame for it and give money away to them but as far as lazy morons i dont care they deserve it.
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bobshotme1 year, 7 months ago
I forgot to say that pretty much goes for America not for most the world.
Just because you work hard does not mean you deserve the money, its about intelligence too. A idiot could work hard as hell all his life and not make much money. Usualy people are poor because they are lazy or stupid. Its a tough world out their, but most your problems are caused by you. I hold that true to myself too. You reap what you sow.
But in america the large majority are or were lazy at one point and that is why they are poor. Maybe they're working hard NOW but probably were lazy in school
you were always told pay attention and get good grades in school...most the poor are the lazy morons who didnt...well ding the fries are ready....
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RedstateLib1 year, 7 months ago
"Usualy people are poor because they are lazy or stupid."
Wow BOOB. You must be living in abject poverty using your own logic. Many people who work live below the poverty level. Some people live in areas that almost all jobs pay poorly. I know they should move right. How can they move they can barely pay the rent? It cost money to move, where are they supposed to get that money? How about all those people who worked all their lives only to lose everything due to a major illness? You are so simple minded you can't even see that there are decent hardworking people in this country falling further and further behind.
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