Skyhook79;873403 wrote:Maybe both Parents had jobs when they had the children and then found themselves unemployed during the 4 year recession like millons of people did??

Sonofanump;873429 wrote:I don't care if they have a cell phone, it's their choice how they spend their money, just don't ask me to pay for their food if they can afford a luxury item.

Scarlet_Buckeye;873432 wrote:I would say no. People who receive Pell Grants should NOT have flatscreen TVs, should not be sporting smartphones, and probably shouldn't be having children either since (a) they are busy with attending school (and likely working too) and (b) they obviously do not have the means to take care of the child.

power i;873434 wrote:Has anyone seen the show Downsized? I think it's on Oxygen. Anyway, it's about a blended family with 7 kids who were obviously pretty well off in the beginning, then the husband's construction business went under. It's followed them thru their home being foreclosed on, getting on medicaid and food stamps and totally changing their lifestyle. The second season just started and they've gotten off the public assistance. It's taken alot of hard work for them to get to that point, but it shows what I believe the system is actually meant for.

LJ;873431 wrote:Is a home phone a luxury item?

Sonofanump;873451 wrote:Yes. I am of the belief that poverty does not exist in The United States. No way is it 20% of the population, maybe 3% to 5% live in poverty, I’d bet most of those live in Appalachia. Real poverty exist in Haiti, Guinea, Chad, Zimbabwe and the like and that is where I send my money so children can have something besides mixing dirt with water for lunch.

People asking and people receiving handouts with luxury items in their apartment or even house is appalling when real poverty exist elsewhere, but that is the society that we live in.

Sonofanump;873451 wrote:Yes. I am of the belief that poverty does not exist in The United States. No way is it 20% of the population, maybe 3% to 5% live in poverty, I’d bet most of those live in Appalachia. Real poverty exist in Haiti, Guinea, Chad, Zimbabwe and the like and that is where I send my money so children can have something besides mixing dirt with water for lunch.

People asking and people receiving handouts with luxury items in their apartment or even house is appalling when real poverty exist elsewhere, but that is the society that we live in.

LJ;873458 wrote:Good to know your viewpoint. I have nothing to discuss with you....

queencitybuckeye;871348 wrote:Basic economics tells us what you subsidize, you get more of.

Skyhook79;873460 wrote:Did you ever stop and think that if our Gov't acted like those in Haiti,Guinea,Chad,Zimbabwe and many other places that the USA would have those same kind of poverty levels? Thank God our Gov't doesn't...

Sonofanump;873451 wrote:Yes. I am of the belief that poverty does not exist in The United States. No way is it 20% of the population, maybe 3% to 5% live in poverty, I’d bet most of those live in Appalachia. Real poverty exist in Haiti, Guinea, Chad, Zimbabwe and the like and that is where I send my money so children can have something besides mixing dirt with water for lunch.

People asking and people receiving handouts with luxury items in their apartment or even house is appalling when real poverty exist elsewhere, but that is the society that we live in.

bigkahuna;873487 wrote:A/C is a luxury item, so let's get that out of the way.

Skyhook79;873442 wrote:Then I think you would be very disappointed if you checked out some College Dorm rooms and other College housing units.

Sonofanump;873451 wrote:Yes. I am of the belief that poverty does not exist in The United States. No way is it 20% of the population, maybe 3% to 5% live in poverty, I’d bet most of those live in Appalachia. Real poverty exist in Haiti, Guinea, Chad, Zimbabwe and the like and that is where I send my money so children can have something besides mixing dirt with water for lunch.

People asking and people receiving handouts with luxury items in their apartment or even house is appalling when real poverty exist elsewhere, but that is the society that we live in.

bigkahuna;873487 wrote:Also, comparing the U.S. to 3rd world countries is apples to oranges.

Scarlet_Buckeye;873291 wrote:As a college graduate, I could walk into a McDonalds (without a mobile device) and land a job in a heartbeat.

As a product of a project development, it would probably be more difficult (i.e., landing a job instantly just by walking into a McDonalds and applying for one), but I'm sure if this person spent an entire day walking in-and-out of lower end places, they could find something to get them started (without the need of a mobile device).

Sonofanump;873414 wrote:Please expand. I am pretty sure you have no grasp on the principles this country was founded on.

Sonofanump;873500 wrote:Disagree, they (3rd world countries) don't have access to either apples or oranges.

LJ;873489 wrote:Depends on health and where you live. A 70 yr old ex refinery worker with emphazema living in Houston? A/C is definitely a basic need.

bigkahuna;873502 wrote:If you need someone to expand, then you failed US History.

bigkahuna;873505 wrote:They live in the jungle, bananas then haha.

Scarlet_Buckeye;873303 wrote:But that's what's wrong with this economy... why are we entering ourselves into contracts that we can't afford?! You're saying it would cost you $400 to cancel your two cell phones. Why would you put yourself into that situation if there's even the chance that you might be forced to cancel and you couldn't afford it?