American attitudes towards the poor
Dec 5th 2012, 1:07 am
#63
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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.
Dec 5th 2012, 2:36 am
#64
WTF?
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Where do you get your information from? Have you ever looked in the yellow pages for a plumber, HVAC repairman, mechanic, carpenter/hardware floor specialists - there are hundreds of them. Look down on a plumber? - are you kidding, they are very highly paid. There are technical schools in every area in the US where you can learn all these trades. Most of these positions are very well paid.
Perhaps you should enroll in a carpentry or plumbing course at a local technical college if you want to earn good money - I'm certain no one would be looking down on you. You would probably make double what you earn now in your low paid job.
Perhaps you should enroll in a carpentry or plumbing course at a local technical college if you want to earn good money - I'm certain no one would be looking down on you. You would probably make double what you earn now in your low paid job.
I'm not entering the general discussion here, just want to comment on what craftsmen/artisans/repair guys are paid these days.
Just had a handyman at my home looking at a few things - 65 bucks per hour
Just had an electrician here - 95 bucks per hour
Repair guy for my microwave - 60 bucks for call out and by the hour.
I'm waiting on a roofer (my home is only 10 years old but things just seem to be breaking down recently) - can't wait to hear what he is going to charge.
I don't think these guys get looked down on - we rely on them too much.
Just had a handyman at my home looking at a few things - 65 bucks per hour
Just had an electrician here - 95 bucks per hour
Repair guy for my microwave - 60 bucks for call out and by the hour.
I'm waiting on a roofer (my home is only 10 years old but things just seem to be breaking down recently) - can't wait to hear what he is going to charge.
I don't think these guys get looked down on - we rely on them too much.
At the end of the day, the most successful tradesmen (small business owners) are probably making middle class wages. The guys working on the crews, unless in a union, are probably barely getting by on working-class (and in some cases working-poor) wages. There's nothing wrong with being working class but the prospects are less and less for these people as the wealth in this country is continually shifted up to the top 1% and out of the pockets of normal people trying to make an honest living.
Dec 5th 2012, 2:38 am
#65
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Personally, I'm still for 'DeGrasse Tyson/Nye 2016'
Dec 5th 2012, 8:13 am
#66
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Dec 5th 2012, 8:20 am
#67
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Dec 5th 2012, 8:21 am
#68
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Strange when you contrast the ideals expressed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights with the reality on the streets of the US today.
But somehow I do not think they will change their minds and ask for King George (and his successors) to take them back !
But somehow I do not think they will change their minds and ask for King George (and his successors) to take them back !
Dec 5th 2012, 8:25 am
#69
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Not knocking the US, it has it's points, but for a nation founded by secular humanists to have been on the verge of becoming a theocracy in 2012? That's a bit nuts if you ask me!
Dec 5th 2012, 8:38 am
#70
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
The "ideals" expressed in the Consitution and Bill of Rights were expressely for the protection and promotion of white, male, land owners. Some of the amendments are nicer though.
Dec 5th 2012, 11:57 am
#71
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Dec 5th 2012, 12:07 pm
#72
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
The US of today has so little to do with the ideals of the Founding Fathers, it is my belief they'd be rather disappointed in how it turned out.
Not knocking the US, it has it's points, but for a nation founded by secular humanists to have been on the verge of becoming a theocracy in 2012? That's a bit nuts if you ask me!
Not knocking the US, it has it's points, but for a nation founded by secular humanists to have been on the verge of becoming a theocracy in 2012? That's a bit nuts if you ask me!
Just like how many Christians have twisted the bible to oppress certain groups, many CONservatives here have twisted the Constitution of the United States.
"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". How can the Americans born in inner city ghettos be happy, free or have any kind of life, unless they are somehow born athletically or intellectually gifted (and even that's no guarantee)? Hard to pursue happiness when there's no free healthcare and where university costs a fortune.
Dec 5th 2012, 12:14 pm
#73
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Posts: 1,065
Re: American attitudes towards the poor
If anything, King Charles I would most likely appreciate the US of today more than the founding fathers would, all of whom are most likely violently turning in their graves.
Just like how many Christians have twisted the bible to oppress certain groups, many CONservatives here have twisted the Constitution of the United States.
"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". How can the Americans born in inner city ghettos be happy, free or have any kind of life, unless they are somehow born athletically or intellectually gifted (and even that's no guarantee)? Hard to pursue happiness when there's no free healthcare and where university costs a fortune.
Just like how many Christians have twisted the bible to oppress certain groups, many CONservatives here have twisted the Constitution of the United States.
"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". How can the Americans born in inner city ghettos be happy, free or have any kind of life, unless they are somehow born athletically or intellectually gifted (and even that's no guarantee)? Hard to pursue happiness when there's no free healthcare and where university costs a fortune.
Dec 6th 2012, 7:54 pm
#74
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
I think it also helps to note that in the UK the working classes are perfectly proud of their own station. Yes they may aspire to moving up the social ladder (far more acceptable now than 20 years ago). And it has been soured a great deal by the ready availability of credit and the blind rush to own as much consumerist shit as possible. But still - to be working class is a respectable end goal in itself. We celebrate and glorify it to some respects (and there is a sense of pessimism and entitlement that is infuriating) - but there is an admirable pride in it also.
Yes the torys love the working class.Which is why Cameron goes to work on a pushbike in his jeans and joins mumsnet .So if we all act working class there is no rich millionaire upper class so they cant be taxed. No upper class no taxes.
Yes the torys love the working class.Which is why Cameron goes to work on a pushbike in his jeans and joins mumsnet .So if we all act working class there is no rich millionaire upper class so they cant be taxed. No upper class no taxes.
Dec 6th 2012, 8:09 pm
#75
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Re: American attitudes towards the poor
Hyperconsumerism has screwed up the US and we are pretty far down that road now here in UKANIA.
