What does it mean to be poor in America, when so many "poor" families have cars and cell phones and ps2s

Question

2 cars
microwave
3 tvs
internet access

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Im all for raiseing wages in america, but still, poor isn't the same as it was

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I know some will say "they bought it on a credit card"

Understand that im 60grand in debt myself, but dont consider myself poor when at the end of paying bills i have 0

Answer 1

My opinion is that we do not have people starving in this country.
I have actually done significant research in this area and spoken with (via e-mail) people involved in this issue. There was a recent big deal made in Oregon about hunger and basically things were presented to the public as starving kids in Oregon and the USA.
The actual analysis is a whole new definition a new language used to describe this issue. The new word is food security.
And in oregon it was stated that people were food insecure. Since I saw dozens of obese children and obesity in the USA is at all time highs I had to write the guy that wrote the article. An intelligent and articulate man responded by saying that oregon kids were food insecure. Obese but food insecure.
Heres the twist from Wiki:
Food security exists when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. (FAO)
Food security for a household means access by all members at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food security includes at a minimum (1) the ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, and (2) an assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (that is, without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies). (USDA)[citation needed]
so technically when the Chinese sent the poison seafood well the country would have been defined as food insecure.

Answer 2

If you really want to understand what poor is try volunteering at your local Salvation Army for a week, a day, or even an hour. Even though the most of the poor in this country are richer than 90% of the rest of the world there are still decent hard working folk that strugle to pay the bare necessities utilties, morgage, rent, food, and clothing.

Answer 3

Ummm, I doubt a family of four with a combined income less than 24 grand a year has:

2 cars, 3 TVs, and internet access (unless their city has Wi Fi access for all).

I think you believe the propaganda a wee bit too much.


What it means to be poor in America by definition of poor according to the government is to have a combined income of LESS than $24,000 and raising 3 kids.

If someone can get 2 cars and 3 TVs with LESS than $24,000 while single let alone poor, hell I would like to meet them!

Answer 4

Was there a conservative press release today? I've been seeing this claim a lot all of a sudden. I'd love to meet some of these poor people you're talking about. me, I deal with people who can't go anywhere the bus doesn't go, who have to call me from a pay phone because they have no phone, cell or otherwise, who don't have to worry about paying their cable bill because they don't even have a TV. There are many people in this country who have to worry about how they're going to pay their rent and feed their family. Please stop spreading this lie and go out and find the truth.

Answer 5

You're poor, all right. With an ending balance of $0, I'd think that would be obvious.

Isn't the Commerce Dept's definition of poor about $30 000 per year?

Answer 6

unlike most of the rest of the world, where many people can't have what they want if they can't afford it, America's can get whatever they want via credit.

as a result, "poverty" in America has more to do with income/debt ratios as opposed to say, starving to death, like you would expect the definition of poverty to be in a 3rd world country.

that isn't to say it isn't serious, just different. after all, load of people that have recently been living beyond their means have lost their homes due to combined credit ignorance and predatory mortgage lenders.

Answer 7

No offense--but you are living in a fairy tale. The poor--those living below the poverty line--have any of those things only in rare cases, even a car. And if they do, its a broken down clunker tha tmost people woud just drop off at a junkyard. As for PS2's and the like--most of them are a lot more conscerned ith getting enough to eat.

Answer 8

Volunteer some time in a homeless shelter and meet some of the families there. Then come back here and try and write your same question, I'll bet you can't.

Answer 9

They are morally "bankrupt" and that is why they are poor. The girls around here actually attack the men for sex. Not the other way around like it has been for most of human history. I'm not really complaining though, just observing.

Answer 10

"Poor" is a state of mind. If you have dreams and ambitions and are willing to work hard, you don't have to be poor. Everyone has the same opportunities in this great country of ours, but some people would rather sit at home and live off the government.