Why are there millions of poor people in America?

When you begin to ask that question, you are raising a question about the economic system, about a broader distribution of wealth. When you being to ask that question, you begin to question the capitalistic economy.

We’ve got to begin to ask questions about our whole society.

One day we must come to see the edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.

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BrandNewMan · M

There are many means to get an education, including in the trades, to prepare yourself for more gainful employment. Those of us who took advantage of those opportunities live a better life as a result.

Why should we accept "redistribution" of our earnings to help the people who chose to sit on their ass on a couch in their grandma's basement playing video games ??

bijouxbroussard · F

@BrandNewMan Some of the hardest working people in this country work two and three menial jobs while living in their cars or In shelters (I met them as a volunteer) . While folks with trust funds are the ones sitting at home playing video games. 🥺

BrandNewMan · M

@bijouxbroussard I respect anyone working to earn their way. There are vastly fewer people who live on trust funds and virtually none of them are on public aid and spouting about wealth redistribution. I have no trouble with some support to people who are doing their best and struggling .. my comments were targeted to those who simply expect to take from others while not taking responsibility for themselves.

Our system has serious issues. Do we need change? Clearly. That needs to include results oriented approaches, not just ballooning lifetime welfare and public aid. Rather see my tax dollars to help others go toward Jobs/skills training programs, taking control of college costs and retooling student loan programs that help people grow and prepare them to earn their own way.

We need a livable minimum wage .. and an expectation every person able to work does.

JPWhoo · 36-40, M

@BrandNewMan

We need a livable minimum wage

Yes! Because any work that benefits society is dignified, and everyone deserves to eat and have a roof over their heads.

Unfortunately a whole lot of contemporary American conservatives apparently think low-skilled work like flipping burgers is undignified unless you’re a teenager, so those people don’t deserve livable wages.

As for the expectation that everyone able to work does, I think we already have that. Being unemployed between the ages of about 21 and 65 is seen as shameful. Nobody wants to do nothing all day everyday and just let the government provide everything for them. I’m sure there are some that will try to game the system, but there will always be some of those people.

BrandNewMan · M

@JPWhoo That is part of the challenge though .. fast food jobs are not skilled positions and we have too many in our society only qualified for that kind of work. Are fast food only workers in other countries sustaining their lives without public assistance? I doubt that. If you have evidence otherwise please share.

bijouxbroussard · F

@BrandNewMan I get that it would be an entirely different approach for Americans, but some countries provide an education for their citizens targeting work in specific industries, schooling that doesn’t engulf them in debt.

Those countries are basically investing in them, with two results: their people have the foundation for earning a livable wage that no one can take away.

And the country has less need to import skilled workers from outside their shores.

BrandNewMan · M

@bijouxbroussard I would far rather see that kind of education/skills training programs here than what our higher education system has become.