American attitudes towards the poor
Dec 4th 2012, 1:17 pm
#46
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Dec 4th 2012, 1:22 pm
#48
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Dec 4th 2012, 1:27 pm
#49
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Dec 4th 2012, 2:08 pm
#51
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Some Americans get it:
If I were American, I would be patriotic because of people like Springsteen.
If I were American, I would be patriotic because of people like Springsteen.
Dec 4th 2012, 2:13 pm
#52
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Dec 4th 2012, 10:12 pm
#53
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Two things for this thread.
First is that Englishmum started a pretty good thread with a similar tack on it here - some pretty good points in it.
Secondly was that to reflect on the re-emergence of Ayn Rand in some political circles and how that has greatly affected how large swathes of Tea Party folks view government social programs in the US. Years back William F. Buckley published this scathing review of Rand's Atlas Shrugged in National Review. The review by Whittaker including the line “Out of a lifetime of reading, I can recall no other book in which a tone of overriding arrogance was so implacably sustained. Its shrillness is without reprieve. Its dogmatism is without appeal.” Buckley was of agreement that conservatism should not base itself on a combination of elitism via intellectualism and gentry-status, and revulsion of the poor. The point being (as Buckley repeats in this four minute excerpt from Charlie Rose) he says that, "Her scorn for charity,for altruism was such as to build up an unfeeling system".
Anyhoo - I thought it was interesting that the GOP had listened to Buckley, ignored what he said and shaken off the intellectualism but kept the revulsion.
First is that Englishmum started a pretty good thread with a similar tack on it here - some pretty good points in it.
Secondly was that to reflect on the re-emergence of Ayn Rand in some political circles and how that has greatly affected how large swathes of Tea Party folks view government social programs in the US. Years back William F. Buckley published this scathing review of Rand's Atlas Shrugged in National Review. The review by Whittaker including the line “Out of a lifetime of reading, I can recall no other book in which a tone of overriding arrogance was so implacably sustained. Its shrillness is without reprieve. Its dogmatism is without appeal.” Buckley was of agreement that conservatism should not base itself on a combination of elitism via intellectualism and gentry-status, and revulsion of the poor. The point being (as Buckley repeats in this four minute excerpt from Charlie Rose) he says that, "Her scorn for charity,for altruism was such as to build up an unfeeling system".
Anyhoo - I thought it was interesting that the GOP had listened to Buckley, ignored what he said and shaken off the intellectualism but kept the revulsion.
Dec 4th 2012, 10:53 pm
#54
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Blame the politicians that spread the lies for political gain. Reagan coined the term welfare queen. Gingrich took control of congress based on hate for those on assistance.
Dec 4th 2012, 11:08 pm
#55
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
"Say it Loud
I'm poor
and I'm proud !"
Doesn't sound right, does it ?
I'm poor
and I'm proud !"
Doesn't sound right, does it ?
Dec 4th 2012, 11:17 pm
#56
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Another thing...
When you're poor in the US, there are numerous external forces that won't hesitate to kick you in the proverbial nuts when you're down. Whether it's the ridiculously expensive healthcare system, banks that will charge you a monthly fee just for having a small balance, non-dischargeable student loans for those who did try to better themselves, predatory practices by creditors/lenders and a total lack of regulation plus the joys of having a large chunk of the population that actually hates you and would most likely prefer to see you lined up against the wall and shot, rather then dare to ask for public assistance.
Notice how bad parts of town are littered with parasitic check cashing stores, making money out of desperation? Plus endless commercials for debt consolidation, lots of bottom feeding bankruptcy attorneys.
Not only that, but having a low credit score will actually limit the number of jobs you can actually apply for. Where's the logic in that?
Tuxedocat nailed it about Reagan. He coined the welfare queen term and popularised terms such as "personal responsibility" and "bad decision making", often used by neocons today to absolve the government of any responsibility in terms of welfare, thus placing the responsibility solely on the individual. "You're poor, it's your fault".
The whole system is broken, IMO. While the US does reward achievement a bit too well, those who fall off the rails through sickness, job loss or divorce along with those who were never able to get on the rails in the first place are penalised far too harshly, when in fact, they should be helped.
When you're poor in the US, there are numerous external forces that won't hesitate to kick you in the proverbial nuts when you're down. Whether it's the ridiculously expensive healthcare system, banks that will charge you a monthly fee just for having a small balance, non-dischargeable student loans for those who did try to better themselves, predatory practices by creditors/lenders and a total lack of regulation plus the joys of having a large chunk of the population that actually hates you and would most likely prefer to see you lined up against the wall and shot, rather then dare to ask for public assistance.
Notice how bad parts of town are littered with parasitic check cashing stores, making money out of desperation? Plus endless commercials for debt consolidation, lots of bottom feeding bankruptcy attorneys.
Not only that, but having a low credit score will actually limit the number of jobs you can actually apply for. Where's the logic in that?
Tuxedocat nailed it about Reagan. He coined the welfare queen term and popularised terms such as "personal responsibility" and "bad decision making", often used by neocons today to absolve the government of any responsibility in terms of welfare, thus placing the responsibility solely on the individual. "You're poor, it's your fault".
The whole system is broken, IMO. While the US does reward achievement a bit too well, those who fall off the rails through sickness, job loss or divorce along with those who were never able to get on the rails in the first place are penalised far too harshly, when in fact, they should be helped.
Last edited by Ethelred_the_Unready; Dec 4th 2012 at 11:20 pm.
Dec 4th 2012, 11:24 pm
#57
Banned
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,065
Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Two things for this thread.
First is that Englishmum started a pretty good thread with a similar tack on it here - some pretty good points in it.
Secondly was that to reflect on the re-emergence of Ayn Rand in some political circles and how that has greatly affected how large swathes of Tea Party folks view government social programs in the US. Years back William F. Buckley published this scathing review of Rand's Atlas Shrugged in National Review. The review by Whittaker including the line “Out of a lifetime of reading, I can recall no other book in which a tone of overriding arrogance was so implacably sustained. Its shrillness is without reprieve. Its dogmatism is without appeal.” Buckley was of agreement that conservatism should not base itself on a combination of elitism via intellectualism and gentry-status, and revulsion of the poor. The point being (as Buckley repeats in this four minute excerpt from Charlie Rose) he says that, "Her scorn for charity,for altruism was such as to build up an unfeeling system".
Anyhoo - I thought it was interesting that the GOP had listened to Buckley, ignored what he said and shaken off the intellectualism but kept the revulsion.
First is that Englishmum started a pretty good thread with a similar tack on it here - some pretty good points in it.
Secondly was that to reflect on the re-emergence of Ayn Rand in some political circles and how that has greatly affected how large swathes of Tea Party folks view government social programs in the US. Years back William F. Buckley published this scathing review of Rand's Atlas Shrugged in National Review. The review by Whittaker including the line “Out of a lifetime of reading, I can recall no other book in which a tone of overriding arrogance was so implacably sustained. Its shrillness is without reprieve. Its dogmatism is without appeal.” Buckley was of agreement that conservatism should not base itself on a combination of elitism via intellectualism and gentry-status, and revulsion of the poor. The point being (as Buckley repeats in this four minute excerpt from Charlie Rose) he says that, "Her scorn for charity,for altruism was such as to build up an unfeeling system".
Anyhoo - I thought it was interesting that the GOP had listened to Buckley, ignored what he said and shaken off the intellectualism but kept the revulsion.
Cheers
Dec 4th 2012, 11:30 pm
#59
Banned
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,065
Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Another thing...
When you're poor in the US, there are numerous external forces that won't hesitate to kick you in the proverbial nuts when you're down. Whether it's the ridiculously expensive healthcare system, banks that will charge you a monthly fee just for having a small balance, non-dischargeable student loans for those who did try to better themselves, predatory practices by creditors/lenders and a total lack of regulation plus the joys of having a large chunk of the population that actually hates you and would most likely prefer to see you lined up against the wall and shot, rather then dare to ask for public assistance.
Notice how bad parts of town are littered with parasitic check cashing stores, making money out of desperation? Plus endless commercials for debt consolidation, lots of bottom feeding bankruptcy attorneys.
Not only that, but having a low credit score will actually limit the number of jobs you can actually apply for. Where's the logic in that?
Tuxedocat nailed it about Reagan. He coined the welfare queen term and popularised terms such as "personal responsibility" and "bad decision making", often used by neocons today to absolve the government of any responsibility in terms of welfare, thus placing the responsibility solely on the individual. "You're poor, it's your fault".
The whole system is broken, IMO. While the US does reward achievement a bit too well, those who fall off the rails through sickness, job loss or divorce along with those who were never able to get on the rails in the first place are penalised far too harshly, when in fact, they should be helped.
When you're poor in the US, there are numerous external forces that won't hesitate to kick you in the proverbial nuts when you're down. Whether it's the ridiculously expensive healthcare system, banks that will charge you a monthly fee just for having a small balance, non-dischargeable student loans for those who did try to better themselves, predatory practices by creditors/lenders and a total lack of regulation plus the joys of having a large chunk of the population that actually hates you and would most likely prefer to see you lined up against the wall and shot, rather then dare to ask for public assistance.
Notice how bad parts of town are littered with parasitic check cashing stores, making money out of desperation? Plus endless commercials for debt consolidation, lots of bottom feeding bankruptcy attorneys.
Not only that, but having a low credit score will actually limit the number of jobs you can actually apply for. Where's the logic in that?
Tuxedocat nailed it about Reagan. He coined the welfare queen term and popularised terms such as "personal responsibility" and "bad decision making", often used by neocons today to absolve the government of any responsibility in terms of welfare, thus placing the responsibility solely on the individual. "You're poor, it's your fault".
The whole system is broken, IMO. While the US does reward achievement a bit too well, those who fall off the rails through sickness, job loss or divorce along with those who were never able to get on the rails in the first place are penalised far too harshly, when in fact, they should be helped.
Unless one hits rock bottom, one is painfully unaware of how tough it can be out there.
Murphy and Aykroyd for Prez!!
Dec 4th 2012, 11:47 pm
#60
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 302
Re: American attitudes towards the poor
And those lies that are spread keep everyday people brainwashed and believing misconceptions about the poor. Not only that but they can't believe it to be any other way even when something else is right in front of them. I've seen it my entire life, they think anything different than what they believe about the poor is the exception.
The hate and expectation for people to jump social classes by sheer willpower is already there, but those lies just make it worse.
Also people do not see how much they were given by their family. They think living at home during college breaks and cashiering at McDonalds means they were self made worked their way through college. They do not see how much their family did for them, helping them to transition into adulthood.
The hate and expectation for people to jump social classes by sheer willpower is already there, but those lies just make it worse.
Also people do not see how much they were given by their family. They think living at home during college breaks and cashiering at McDonalds means they were self made worked their way through college. They do not see how much their family did for them, helping them to transition into adulthood.
