Don G. Dinsdale Loc: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)

Helping The Poor


“I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I travelled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.” –Benjamin Franklin, “Management of the Poor” (1766)

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

The fundamental failure we have here, is that we treat the poor as an object and even ole Ben got that wrong, "do good TO the poor". The poor and disenfranchised are not cattle to be herded or tended to, they are human beings - just like us.

When dealing with people, whether it's about their problems, or they've become the problem, we have to include them in the solution - not throw a solution at them - and that's why we've failed to do anything significant to end poverty.

Giving people things for nothing, even basic life saving things, is an insult to them, but we either do that - or nothing. Neither approach is acceptable. Those that don't realize they're being victimized by our war on poverty, due to the fact that this is all they've ever known, have to be taught that, among a great many other things.

The poor have to be educated. first and foremost, and they have to be included in finding a solution - and any solution MUST include a "fee for service" component, whereby the poor work for their supper, so to speak, and thus break the dependence cycle. The poor are people, victims to our own feelings of superiority that has caused us to treat them like cattle, to be herded and cared for, or abandoned to the wild when it becomes too expensive or onerous to continue caring for them.

We should all be ashamed that we HAVE poor in this country, because there's simply no excuse for it. We have the means ( and have had for a century ) to put everyone to work, get everyone educated and generate self respect - but we lack the political or moral will to do so. The poor have become too convenient - as scapegoats, banners, philanthropic outlets and a way to feel better about ourselves, because we always know where to look to find someone in worse shape.

We ALL should be ashamed.

Don G. Dinsdale Loc: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)

I disagree, I have nothing to be ashamed of... When I was working they taxed the hell out of me to give a good portion to the poor, without my okay, so if you wish to beat yourself up go for it, I won't... Don D.


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lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

That's not what I meant. I was referring to our acceptance of the PTB's f&cked up way of dealing with the poor, or NOT dealing with the poor. The poor aren't the problem - our Government is - and we keep on letting them treat poverty and it's victims as a political tool.

We could have ended poverty a long time ago if we'd wanted to, but we let the Government deal with it however it wished - and we got the useless and expensive "war on poverty" as a result. THAT'S what we should be ashamed of.

We know what to do, but refuse to force the Government to do it.

boatbob2

Im NOT ashamed,I didn't make them poor,or,tried to keep them poor...Ive had so called POOR,work for me,where the top salary could be $20.00 an hour,after 2 years,all they had to do,was do their DAMN JOB,most quit,because it would take them too long to make $20.00 an hour,but with their government bennies,it didn't pay them to work.

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

Great post except for one thing. There will always be and have always been poor people in all countries just because some people will take the easiest path in life.

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

boatbob2

AND besides,A lot of so called poor people HAVE NO P***E...

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

That's why we need to remove the ease of that path. Nothin for nothing.

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Right on!

SGM B Loc: TEXAS but live in Alabama now

Really, you feel you should be ashamed? Why? Did you have a hand in their plight? Have you done something to cause their situation? I have urged the young people I have come in contact with to 1) stay in school, 2) don't have kids until marriage and 3) take responsibility for your own actions. No sir, I do not feel any personal shame, none of their situation is my fault. I do feel fortunate I had parents who cared about me and would not allow me to loaf when I could be working. My dad, born in 1913 said it is not a shame to be poor, but it is a shame to stay that way when you can make your own opportunities to help yourself. I still believe the opportunities are out there, but no one will find them with their heads all screwed up with chemicals. These people need a hand up, not a permanent hand out.
Hope you have a plesant evening and enjoy your Easter Sunday.

:)

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Having read all comments thus far I agree with everyone..

Government intentionally keeps people down to control them and get that "v**e from them later...

It is not discrimination but rather because people don't or won't produce for them~self..They have been conditioned to believe they are one, owed, and two, government will take care of them..An expectation at this point in time..

Liberals, academics, universities, the media and civil rights leaders, along with anything that smacks of m**************m or social justice work diligently to keep the poor suppressed and in need, rather than that hand up referred to earlier...

Geographics may play a factor, the poor live in the poor communities where excelling is really not the motivation but rather the deterrent to achieving...

Knowledge, sk**ls, experiences and habits that lead to economic growth are absent in those poor area's and they lack the will to achieve because they know no different..Customs, value and attitude is dictated by their surrounding environment that typically breeds resentment and frustration with no real outlook of ever having it differently...Family values are lost to a single parent either working and never home or who does not have the sk**l them self to instill anything but how to survive and make do with wh**ever they do have or get as the best its going to be...

People excel when motivated and it starts and stops with them, period..A hand up should always be considered, but a hand out, never.....It stagnates and enables as we see time and time again......

I will help anyone truly in need but I will not do it without seeing them doing for them self first..If they have no desire to be better, then they choose that path and all I do for them isn't going to change them one bit, but continue to enable..

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

That's right. Few of our programs anywhere are empowering the poor, instead, they empower the bureaucrats running the programs. People have to be taught how NOT to be poor and doing anything else victimizes them.

I'll say it again; the poor are not the problem, it is the programs and the folks running them that are the problem. People do what they know. There will always be folks just plain lazy, but they can be weeded out pretty quickly if we wanted to. The vast majority of the poor - would rather NOT be poor. Give folks a chance at some dignity and they'll take it.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Dignity is the self motivator and I agree with you major..Once dignity is there they will find self worth and WANT better..Seen that too~~ :thumbup: :thumbup:

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

You hit it out of the park with those statements. Great post. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: