Poverty in the USA is a choice, agree?

Question

For some reason, many people in poverty who have a strong desire to extract themselves from it usually find a way to do so. They work extra jobs, or save more money or get more education. Countless dirt-poor immigrants have arrived on US shores and built themselves a better life, even opening their own businesses...which is why they continue to come here.

However, other poor people have decided not to extract themselves from poverty. They are content with their lot in life, or do not possess sufficient motivation. In any event, that is their choice to make, not ours. But social welfare entitlement programs are likely to only further this malaise, this laziness, because for these folks (not truly physically disabled people!), why bother trying if everything is already handed to you?

Of course, some bleeding-hearts will make the argument that they are "disadvantaged" or "oppressed"... but even IF that were true, this didn't stop their ambitious counterparts from succeeding.

As stated above, this isn't meant to be a discussion about the TRULY physically disabled people.

Answer 1

I agree with you

My parents immigrated to this country 20 years ago.
LEGALLY, so no bullsh!t.
My dad came here with just the clothes. He has worked his way up to supervisor, making $1,000 + a week. We have a nice home. its just me , mom, and dad
no relatives or friends living with us. so yes i agree with you. America has soo much posibilities if you just work and try hard. People are being lazy, living off teh goverment.

FYI
NO WE DONT LIVE WITH 10 OTHER PEOPLE
NOT ALL IMMIGRANTS DO
*responding to other comments*

Answer 2

I think in some cases it's a welfare mentality passed on from generation to generation. Some laziness, some ignorance, some conditioned to believe that they are the have-nots and will never be anything else.
The ones I can't understand are the young men (and more so these days) women that live in poverty, inner-city ghettos, etc. They join the military, live outside the boundaries of their poverty-roots, have a chance to get an education, learn skills, have a steady pay check (not rich but not having to worry about where their next meal is coming from) then get out of the service, return to the same place they left and spend the rest of their life crying about the way they have to live because they are so down-trodden.
What happens? Do they find out that if you want to make it in the rest of the world, you have to work instead of hang out with the Homies? What is the lure that lands them right back where they came from?

Answer 3

Unlike some of the answerer's on here, I read the question. If they had paid attention you mentioned "truly disabled". That is the perfect description. Because there are fraudulently disabled.
Yes, poverty is a choice, aside from the truly disabled. This does not include people who can still communicate and think critically, they don't have to walk to be successful, many of our vets can't walk and are quite successful.
I lived at about 70% of the poverty level in the 80's. My mother struggled mightily God bless her soul. But she put in real effort to do better, but because she was well into her fifties when I was in gradeschool, who lost her job bookeeping because the position required certification she couldn't attain, she had to be a telemarketer and had severe heart troubles. All the while, she instilled these values in me: work hard, pay attention to your surroundings, get as much of an education as you can and listen to people who know more than you do, and listen more than you speak.
I could have been mad at the government, God, or the U.S. taxpayers, but that wouldn't have been logical thinking. I wasn't mad at all, I just kept my head down, worked hard, joined the military, and now earn an upper middle-class wage and I'm working on my MBA. So, being disadvantaged HELPED me realize what not to do and how to cover my bases.
Like you said it is a choice!
I do have to say though, that alot of these poor people aren't content with their lot in life, but they just don't have the motivation to do anything about it except complain because there entitlements aren't enough to help them finance their car/house/credit cards.
Money isn't everything, but everyone should strive to not live out of someone else's backpocket and be a burden on society. Real conservatives say "Take AWAY the benefits to the poor, and watch them learn how to succeed." (you may have heard this before but reworded this way "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, but teach him how to fish and he will be sustained for a lifetime.")
Well, I had to learn how to fish, and I do not feel sorry for any able-bodied American adult who is poor, a lawnmower and weedeater can make you 50k a year if you work at it.

Answer 4

no, thats idealistic thinking, and poverty has no guidlines, it has always existed, and always will. but poverty should not be what your determining success on. There is noting wrong with being poor. I grew up dirt poor in the 1970s, we lived in a chicken coop, and i could go on and on about it, but I was not any dumber than anyone else, I have never cared to pursue much when it comes to wealth, wealth seems to have to many head aches for the fleeting satisfaction you archive. I can tell you have never been in poverty, not gone a day or two as a child without food, or never got much under the tree. I have no stereotypes of those that seem to do well, I have done many different jobs in life, spent years in the service and at times made some real nice wages, but I don't see the point in it? Poverty is a reality, and beware that it can happen to anyone overnight, seen that to many times. people riding high or squeaking by, then loose everything, and most just can't deal with it. It's just a part of life, I wish there where no real dirt poor in this country anymore, . Some is by choice (choose not to work, choose to waste income on drugs etc), but there are some who just keep getting bad things in life upsetting there apple carts. Have mercy on the poor, don't criticize them, they need you help, and not in money, but in understanding.

Answer 5

Roman Emperor Julian (360-sixty 3 A.D.), interior the portion of tax coverage, he (Julian) confirmed sensitivity and theory. He understood that the main significant explanation for the state's economic issue became the extreme burden of taxation, which fell unequally on the inhabitants. the wealthy effectively have been waiting to ward off taxation by using criminal and unlawful measures, including bribery. in assessment, the conventional citizen became helpless against the demands of the an increasing form of brutal tax creditors. previous measures to ease the tax burden, besides the undeniable fact that, have been ineffective because of the fact they only relieved the wealthy. - if human beings do not talk up and say what's incorrect, then all people could have the theory that not something is incorrect. - we've the liberty of speech, and the liberty to assert we do in comparison to this or that. Telling us to circulate away or close up is against the 1st substitute. that is Un-American. BTW, I do have self assurance we've the suitable united states of america interior the international, besides the undeniable fact that it quite is a lot extra advantageous, and that i plan to do each and every little thing i will to make that ensue.

Answer 6

I will make this as simple as I can.
I came from a very poor disadvantaged area of Ireland, and trust me Ireland was very poor and disadvantaged up to the late 80s, now its one of the most affluent country's in the world. :)
so I cant speak for the US but this is Irelands story,
2006 Unemployment 4 % GDP per capita $42,000
1982 = 17% and only $13,000 :) havent we done well. anyway.

because of good parents and a strong will and determination I am now a very wealthy man, I have homes across Europe, and command a very high salary,
my parents have had tough time in what you would call the old Ireland .. my mothers parents died before she was 15 and my dad was from a average rural background,
so money was always tight growing up but they still managed to get us everything we ever needed and sacrificed allot. now my dad is doing very well and is holds I high rank with in his company.

I have had no more or no less than the people that a grew up with many are broke, dead, on drugs, or in jail.
its your mind set. and of course your family I have a strong family with the right altitude, my sister is in a prodigious university after getting outstanding academic results, and my brother is doing very well in a booming construction industry.

Poverty and wealth is noting, health and happiness is what is truly important and the support and love of your family. and trough this support and the right attitude towards life, wealth will come naturally to you.

Answer 7

You have got to be kidding! Poverty is a cycle many can't break out of. With no fixed address, many can't apply for a job. You mention the poor migrants, but don't stop to consider that they have had time to plan for their move into America, having brought appropriate clothing for a job interview... homeless persons don't have access to a nice suit, or even a laundry service. And just as a side note to the migrant population becomign successful, you have to look at the cultural differences and attitudes to work, but most importantly the expolitation that goes on. America homeless know when they are being expolited, Mexican immigrants don't. There is a difference, you need to watch Fast Food Nation.

You talk about these people as though they want to be homeless... and while it is true that some choose to live this lifestyle, if it far more accurate to say that social welfare is a means to an end for the cycle for most. America doesn't do enough to help the homeless, in fact you guys don't help anyone other than yourselves.

Answer 8

A lot of times people need a hand up, which is fine. but too many get used to getting a continual hand out. To be dependent on the government for your existence when you could be working only brings misery and self loathing even if it is on an unconscious level. This breeds more broken homes and other negative consequences that we see every day and scratch our heads wondering how this or why this is happening. Republicans blame the liberals liberals blame the rich and right now about 80% of people in the U.S. blame everything on Bush! And life goes on.......

Answer 9

I have lived in riches. My morals sucked, my values sucked ,I ridiculed others who weren't as ambitious as I. I now live in poverty, disabled at 34. I have nothing of material value, my spirituality has increased 99% and I realize that in the end, anything I own will cease to be and I too will cease to be. When I was wealthy, I was stingy, now I am poor and I donate everything that I can. I would rather skip a meal than see someone go hungry. I feel so much better living this life, even though it was forced on me. If I had the chance to go back, I wouldn't. I am a much happier person living the simple life and helping others.

Answer 10

I do agree with you to a point.

There are a lot of dysfunctional people. They look like the everyday ordinary person you see walking down the street.

There are some who were raised on welfare and all they learned is to use the system.

Addiction to drugs and alcohol has burned some out and are no longer able to function.

When I was young, I always heard about the Hobo's that liked to ride the rails. It is my understanding that was how they liked to live, just hitching one train after another. They spent their life doing what they liked.

It's a sad situation that I dare not judge.

When I see the homeless living in cardboard boxes under the freeway bridges, I just think," But for the Grace of God, there go I".

Thank You for the Question.

Answer 11

Your a real idiot, you were probably born into a wealthy family and that's why you think you have the balls to judge!! Yea living on welfare is a real walk in the park and every poor person enjoys being on it don't they? I am not disadvantaged or oppressed, But I wouldn't say I'm successful either I am a hard working single mother of four, and yes I work 2 jobs to keep up the little I own but I would never look down on someone who is weaker or that doesn't have the means to be successful. And if you have been paying attention or even did some research before your judgment call on welfare recipients you would know that you have to work after a certain amount of time collecting benefits. I feel sorry for your ignorance.