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Originally Posted by mschluckbier
For 4 years I was a single mom of 3 young children. For most of that I worked as many hours as I could at whatever job I could find, always looking for something better. I made mistakes when i was younger, I quit college to get married, had kids, then ended up divorced with nothing but my brain and hands. While my exhusband went and bought himself a brand new truck, I STILL drive my 10 year old car I paid off, because it works, and I don't have the money to get a newer one. For the last year, I went to school more than full time, taking 16+ credit hours each semester, plus worked at least 50 hours a week so that I could stay OFF assistance. And what did that mean?
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Now this is someone I would give assistance to. I would babysit your kids for free! You sacrificed and did what it takes to make a better life for yourself and your kids. I am proud of people like you!!!!
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Originally Posted by asmom
Yes it was. Surely you must realize that your experience is not the sum total of the way of life for the poor. Far, far more poor people do not get government assistance than do.
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First of all what do we consider poor? 20k per year, 15k per year, or 50k per year? For me it is 20k or less per year. That's $10 per hr for 40 hrs per wk.
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Originally Posted by asmom
So while you may know some poor people with bad budgeting skills who take advantage of the system, there are many more who work and work and who do not. And to sflippantly ay, just get a better paying job is just silly. If it was that simple to just trade up to a better paying job, wouldn't we all?
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If you can't make enough then you need to work more hours or find a new job. The grocery stores pay $10/hr to stock shelves. My wife made $14+ per hr (tips included) delivering pizza after gas expense. I can tutor for $12/hr. Money is there to be made if you look around and don't discount a job because you think it is beneath you.
I think a lot of the poor people I know are happy enough that they do not have the initiative to get a better education or to work harder. Would I ever work construction again? Heck no, too hard. Would I work 80 hrs/wk? No way!
Last time I looked, trucking companies will pay you to learn to drive to eventually work for them. Most of those companies pay 35k+ to start around here.
This is the land of opportunity afterall!