The issue of poverty has pretty much fallen off our cultural radar. It's not an issue in political campaigns, and no one really spends much time talking about it.
But we are surrounded by poor people. They are all around us. I would have become one of them after my divorce without significant family help and support that got me back on my feet, something many mothers going through a divorce DON'T have.
Here is a very EXCELLENT INTERVIEW with former Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, Senator John Edwards in which Knoxville's Randy Neal talks with him about the issue of poverty circa 2006.
I encourage you to read it and give it some thought.
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I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.
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2006
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July
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- elliot and the dentist
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- I am having a very bizarre day - not altogether pl...
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12 comments:
Thank you for a fine link! And for your giving gratitude where it's due, in your life, to those who assisted your transition.
Anybody read Barbara Ehrenreich's *Minimum Wage*, btw?
My current temp gig has me researching mobile-home repos, and as I decode the account histories into real lives, I just keep "meeting" people whose narratives I recognize, mine included.
An even bigger eye opener: the people in the office chasing collections for these loans-gone-bad seem to do so without a trace of judgment--against the slant of the scripts they've been given. Because, I think, some of them are toeing the line themselves....
I don't think I've read 'Minimum Wage', but I did read 'Nickel and Dimed' last year. I'm guessing similar conclusions. I'm always very aware that at any given time, I'm only two paychecks or one serious injury away from a financial nightmare. As it is, we maintain pretty well month to month.
DOH! Nickel and Dimed is the name of the book I was thinking of. Thanks, firstimpressionist.
There's no reason for anyone to be a paycheck or injury away from financial disaster. Please read The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. This isn't spam or hate mail: I live in Tennessee and read Katie frequently. I just believe people need to change their own financial situation, and his plan (which is old fashioned common sense) can help anyone do that, regardless of income.
While she said its not "hate" mail, I am @@ at the last poster. While a "How to" book may offer some useful financial tips for the masses, such a book is not going to solve the problems of intergenerational poverty, racism, sexism and the myriad of other -isms that contribute to persistent poverty in our society. Katrina blew away your house and you;ve been living ina FEMA camp? (Hey, just manage the money you do have better and soon you too can own a new McMansion.
or You're a single parent with no family support or access to decent childcare? Just lock your kids in the apartment, hope noone calls DSS, get a job (or two or three!) and start saving!
Thanks for sharing the article Katie. I like what Edwards has to say, but I'd like to see more action on this issue as well as discussion.
Karrie, (my name is Jenny by the way), the book I talk about is for poor people the most. The book (like the author's radio program) helps those who are disadvantaged overcome whatever "-ism" (your term) they may have by decreasing their reliance on others, including the government.
Take the single mom in the article to which Katie linked. She made (or tried to make) some really foolish financial decisions. A financed mobile home, a financed car. These are mistakes poor people often make and they are decisions that keep them poor. Ramsey teaches how and why not to make them.
The principle is to live within your means -- WHATEVER your means may be -- and yes, save the balance. As you say, "manage the money you do have better," and you can be secure. If you suffer from a tragic -ism, maybe you won't be Bill Gates, but you won't have to be one paycheck away from disaster.
Who would argue with helping people achieve that? No one, least of all me, says it will be easy. Why not check into it before thinking you know me and what I'm about? The website is the author's name. Your intergenerational poverty is addressed at length: He is dedicated to helping people change not just themselves but their family tree, by reversing the trend of living beyond your means through credit.
Not to sound like a cult weirdo, but Ramsey helps struggling people every single day through radio and personal counseling. That's a far bigger help to poor people than your sympathy and outrage. In fact, while we're judging people without really knowing them, I'd say that you're pretty racist and sexist (and the list goes on) yourself. I know that minorities and women can earn a living as well as anyone else through hard work and education, REGARDLESS of what obstacles society may present.
Especially if they just quit worrying about what -ism has got them down. Or who's going to help them besides themselves.
Ok Jenny.
No single book, regardless of its intent, is a quick fix for the complex situations that contribute to real poverty. And its real poverty that I'm talking about, not someone who got in over their head one month and is a bit short for their rent because they wanted a new flat screen tv. How does spending beyond your means relate to, say the skyrocketing cost of an education that Edwards talked about in the linked to article?
If this book helped you, great. Most books in this genre help those who have a little extra money to work with. For someone who is living on minimum wage, which is not a living wage in this country, its not a matter of a few quick tips=financial freedom.
The rest of your comment is a personal attack and I'm not interested in slinging shit back at you Especially not in a blog where the author was interested in thoughts on the issue of poverty. Race and sex are factors that contribute to poverty. To pretend otherwise is irresponsible, IMO.
Now that I've had a good look at his website, its obvious to me that Ramsey is preaching overly simplistic solutions and in the meantime, likely racking up a lot of dosh for himself.
Sure, individuals need to take some responsibility for their immediate circumstances, but you cannot ignore the persistent inequalities in our society. Because you or I or some other random person may have been able to overcome some of those issues does not mean that everyone else should be able to do so. There are too many variables at play for that kind of solution to work on a large scale without major societal changes.
There is nothing inherently wrong in avoiding debt or building a nest egg. Its common sense for those of us lucky enough to have any extra at the end of the month. Ramsey's advice would not work for the majority of people who are actually poor. Saving 3-6 months living expenses is simply not possible if you do not currently earn enough to cover your family's most basic needs. And that is the unfortunate reality for many of the working poor in today's society.
If you want something to balance out your celebrity financial advisor, read Barbara Ehrenreich as a previous poster suggested. Or Jonathan Kozol. Or David Shippler's "Working Poor: Invisible in America."
Or continue to pat yourself on the back for improving your own situation and ignore the real causes of poverty in our society. We have the highest poverty rates in the industrial world, and that cannot possibly be soley attributed to individuals spending beyond their means.
I actually have participated in a Dave Ramsey "Complete Money Makeover". If you delve (word?) deep into the Ramsey theory, it isn't a quick fix or just for people who want to save for a flat screen. It is a long term painful change in lifestyle. And while it won't help re-build a Katrina victim's home quickly, it can help make changes that would prepare for the future. I know several people living on minimum wage who are using this book to rebuild their financial life. The thing I like about his concepts is it takes you from where you are, no matter where "that" is. Yes, I'm sure he's made tons of money from teaching people to manage. But I sure don't be-grudge him his right to make money.
I do not begrduge him the right to make money Suzette, but I think suggesting a book like his as a way to stop poverty is like putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound.
In order to begin to save money you need to be able to meet your basic needs--food, shelter, health care. Just how are these people you know managing to save money and care for families working a minimum wage job? If they're really pulling this off, then they would be worth listening to. Not some guy who overspent his way into trouble while earning a very healthy income, and now sees the error of his ways.
One in five children in this country lives in poverty. That is beyond shameful, and as I said, this is not because of irresponsible spending. There is much more going on and the solution needs to look at the big picture and not simply blame the individual. If we expect poor people to change their lot in life, we need to offer real support and real opportunities. Not books or courses designed to earn a quick buck for a fast-talking author.
I've had the intense displeasure of making the acquaintance of Dave Ramsey.
Uppity white male. And I say that as a white person who is most certainly NOT a male-bashing female.
It's easy to high-hat others for living in poverty when society has handed you so much. And you cannot escape that fact: this is still very much a country skewed for white men. Look at all of the pukes that we have in power. I lump Condi Traitor To Women Everywhere Rice right in there with them.
This person, when I met him, was at a function that was attended by a bunch of Rich White Men just like him. They all sat around patting each other on the back for being Rich and White. Isn't the rest of the world stupid for not being rich, lovey? Hand me another cigar.
I mean, doesn't this person (and those who so slavishly follow him) think that if a poor person could figure out a way out of such circumstances, that person would? Do you think that people honestly CHOOSE to be POOR? Have you ever been poor? I have been. As in, destitute. I climbed my way out of it through hard work and determination. I sure as shit didn't need any white man ramming his theories down my throat and making me feel like I am less of a human being because I wasn't a katrillion at the age of 10.
"Poverty is a choice." That's a horrible thing to say. For one thing, it's untrue. It's also a simplistic overgeneralization that completely disregards any societal implications. "Poverty is a choice"? Try being a woman just going into business for herself and asking a bank for a business loan. You know, when you have good credit and all, and a good work record. You might be surprised what the answer is.
I would just challenge others to listen to Dave Ramsey's radio show for a little while (it's downloadable) before deciding that he's in it exclusively to enrich himself.
It's not based on partisan principles, and it's not "his" theory. He teaches why you can't get ahead with debt, and exactly how to succeed without it. The message has been the same, and he's been on the radio, talking with people of all incomes, for over 15 years. It's not about "secrets" or being a "slavish" follower.
It's just common sense: If you can't pay for it (in cash), don't buy it. If you can't afford food, shelter, clothing, and health insurance, then then you've got to get your income up. Minimum wage jobs are not for people to live their lives on. They're for people to start out on and work up. Please, someone, give me a reason why a person would be working at minimum wage for more than two or three years.
Laura: Screw the bank if they won't give you a loan. Figure out how to get your business going without their money. Call Dave and he'll outline how because that's how he did it. And I'm sorry you think Condi Rice is a traitor to women everywhere. That's really sad.
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