Poverty is a criminal offense in America.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

3,000 a year or 30,000 a year? Um 30k where I live would put me in the middle class but I don't even make that I make maybe 11 or 12k at best, I was doing better before my boss gutted my hours. 30k in say NYC however wouldn't be shit. And certainly not 11k.

No, 3000 dollars a year. as in three zeros. So I don't really haven't developed a ton of sympathy for people who claim they can't get by in the United States.

Do you have a family? Anyone who needs support/medicine?

[Zazzy]

I honestly don't understand why homeless people don't go to a shelter.

One of my best friends from high school is a homeless junkie now, and every few years he goes to rehab and reconnects with me when he's sober (now is not one of those times). He lives in a doorway and doesn't go to shelters, and here are his reasons:
1.) You can't smoke crack in a shelter or they kick you out.
2.) The shelters are dangerous. Going to sleep there can get you robbed or abused.

That's what he said when I asked him about his choice of doorway over shelter.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

I honestly don't understand why homeless people don't go to a shelter.

One of my best friends from high school is a homeless junkie now, and every few years he goes to rehab and reconnects with me when he's sober (now is not one of those times). He lives in a doorway and doesn't go to shelters, and here are his reasons:
1.) You can't smoke crack in a shelter or they kick you out.
2.) The shelters are dangerous. Going to sleep there can get you robbed or abused.

That's what he said when I asked him about his choice of doorway over shelter.

I hear girls don't like to go to certain shelters they're afraid of rape. But is living on the street less dangerous though? If I were to do the homeless thing I'm not sure what I'd pick.

[Brian37]

3,000 a year or 30,000 a year? Um 30k where I live would put me in the middle class but I don't even make that I make maybe 11 or 12k at best, I was doing better before my boss gutted my hours. 30k in say NYC however wouldn't be shit. And certainly not 11k.

No, 3000 dollars a year. as in three zeros. So I don't really haven't developed a ton of sympathy for people who claim they can't get by in the United States.

Yep and that is the fucking problem. YOU think proving yourself is slavery? You are a moron and it is no wonder you think 3,000 dollars is good enough.

Wallmart's family makes 1,200 dollars an hour for every 1 a store clerk makes. You serving that gap mentality is what is keeping you at 3,000 an a year. You are as stupid fool for thinking 3,000 dollars is enough.

They real crybabies are the billionaires who say they cant afford it.

[CapnAwesome]

Certainly other people have it worse, but that's not something that's relevant to the discussion is it? Is there a point in bringing that up except to suggest that nothing needs to be done to bridge the inequality until things get as worse as it is in third world countries? I grew up in a developing nation and my parent grew up not having enough to eat and worked throughout their childhood.

We're not talking about which country it's happening in, all countries that have an obligation to their citizens. And the reason the poor are more likely to be fat is because they spend more time working (no time exercising) and they spend their money on fast food because it's more calories per dollar compared to fresh foods. Plus they don't have time to cook. Time is precious when you're poor, most work more than one job and have children. And then they get sick more often too, poverty is directly correlated with health. Getting sick in america is pretty expensive, no?

First off, just to reiterate, I'd be very surprised if anyone on these boards made less money in a year than me. I'm waaaay below the poverty line. I live off of around 3000 dollars a year and have so for the last half a decade. So when you guys try to lecture me on what the poor are like, you sound like asses. Also I've noticed that there are a number of inconsistencies in the claims made about 'the poor' They are hungry because they are poor, they are overweight because they are poor, so and so can't afford his car insurance because he's poor, (really throws me for a loop that someone can own a car and be poor.) An overweight guy with a car isn't poor. By what standard is the definition even set. I think maybe before you guys launch into tirades about what the poor are, you need to get a handle on the definition.

Also if it's unfair to compare to the average person in the world, by what standard do you judge who is poor and who isn't? Also are you guys aware that it is perfectly compatible to be both poor and happy. In fact some studies have shown that indeed, money is a detriment to happiness.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

Certainly other people have it worse, but that's not something that's relevant to the discussion is it? Is there a point in bringing that up except to suggest that nothing needs to be done to bridge the inequality until things get as worse as it is in third world countries? I grew up in a developing nation and my parent grew up not having enough to eat and worked throughout their childhood.

We're not talking about which country it's happening in, all countries that have an obligation to their citizens. And the reason the poor are more likely to be fat is because they spend more time working (no time exercising) and they spend their money on fast food because it's more calories per dollar compared to fresh foods. Plus they don't have time to cook. Time is precious when you're poor, most work more than one job and have children. And then they get sick more often too, poverty is directly correlated with health. Getting sick in america is pretty expensive, no?

First off, just to reiterate, I'd be very surprised if anyone on these boards made less money in a year than me. I'm waaaay below the poverty line. I live off of around 3000 dollars a year and have so for the last half a decade. So when you guys try to lecture me on what the poor are like, you sound like asses. Also I've noticed that there are a number of inconsistencies in the claims made about 'the poor' They are hungry because they are poor, they are overweight because they are poor, so and so can't afford his car insurance because he's poor, (really throws me for a loop that someone can own a car and be poor.) An overweight guy with a car isn't poor. By what standard is the definition even set. I think maybe before you guys launch into tirades about what the poor are, you need to get a handle on the definition.

Also if it's unfair to compare to the average person in the world, by what standard do you judge who is poor and who isn't? Also are you guys aware that it is perfectly compatible to be both poor and happy. In fact some studies have shown that indeed, money is a detriment to happiness.

I lived in a developing nation for the majority of my life. I've seen families who have to sell their children so they can keep the rest alive. My mum was almost sold when she was a child, my aunt was almost sold when she was a newborn. All the girls in that family starved for most of their childhood and worked throughout their childhood. My uncle's sister was sold as a baby. I fucking know what poor is. Try to raise a family in poverty, then tell me money is a detriment to your happiness.

[CapnAwesome]

No, 3000 dollars a year. as in three zeros. So I don't really haven't developed a ton of sympathy for people who claim they can't get by in the United States.

Yep and that is the fucking problem. YOU think proving yourself is slavery? You are a moron and it is no wonder you think 3,000 dollars is good enough.

Wallmart's family makes 1,200 dollars an hour for every 1 a store clerk makes. You serving that gap mentality is what is keeping you at 3,000 an a year. You are as stupid fool for thinking 3,000 dollars is enough.

They real crybabies are the billionaires who say they cant afford it.

I've been living off of it quite well for more than 4 years. I'm happy. I think that's pretty good evidence that it's good enough. Money isn't the key to happiness and your obsession with it is a little troubling.

The Waltons making money doesn't have anything to do with my happiness. If people in this country, and that includes everyone, don't learn to live with less than they are going to be in big trouble in the coming century. I really don't know why I'm even arguing with you.

[Brian37]

Certainly other people have it worse, but that's not something that's relevant to the discussion is it? Is there a point in bringing that up except to suggest that nothing needs to be done to bridge the inequality until things get as worse as it is in third world countries? I grew up in a developing nation and my parent grew up not having enough to eat and worked throughout their childhood.

We're not talking about which country it's happening in, all countries that have an obligation to their citizens. And the reason the poor are more likely to be fat is because they spend more time working (no time exercising) and they spend their money on fast food because it's more calories per dollar compared to fresh foods. Plus they don't have time to cook. Time is precious when you're poor, most work more than one job and have children. And then they get sick more often too, poverty is directly correlated with health. Getting sick in america is pretty expensive, no?

First off, just to reiterate, I'd be very surprised if anyone on these boards made less money in a year than me. I'm waaaay below the poverty line. I live off of around 3000 dollars a year and have so for the last half a decade. So when you guys try to lecture me on what the poor are like, you sound like asses. Also I've noticed that there are a number of inconsistencies in the claims made about 'the poor' They are hungry because they are poor, they are overweight because they are poor, so and so can't afford his car insurance because he's poor, (really throws me for a loop that someone can own a car and be poor.) An overweight guy with a car isn't poor. By what standard is the definition even set. I think maybe before you guys launch into tirades about what the poor are, you need to get a handle on the definition.

Also if it's unfair to compare to the average person in the world, by what standard do you judge who is poor and who isn't? Also are you guys aware that it is perfectly compatible to be both poor and happy. In fact some studies have shown that indeed, money is a detriment to happiness.

3,000 a year, living where? You'd be lying your ass off if you said America, you'd have to be on disability AND food stamps and medicade and live in a family members house, and not have a car or pay rent, to make that work. Otherwise you are lying your fucking ass off.

I agree money is a detriment to happiness but it is not the poor making it the issue it is the real welfare queens Corporate America.

I don't want to be uber rich or even rich. I would like enough to pay my bills though.

[rexbeccarox]

Capn, you've already addressed most of this in a thread you made a few months ago. Sure, there are happy homeless people, but my guess is the majority is not. Here's the thread:

http://atheistforums.org/thread-20095.html

The general consensus, IMO, was that you are an exception to the rule.

[Zazzy]

In fact some studies have shown that indeed, money is a detriment to happiness.

I'd be interested to see a link to this. I'm aware of studies showing that happiness plateaus at a certain level of income, but this is new.

I'm from a different life camp. My family isn't top 1%, but they're definitely top 5-10% income-wise. I inherited enough money to live well and do whatever I please- like being an old-ass grad student. It's absolutely awesome, and I never take it for granted, and I volunteer my ass off to help others.