General Discussion

Hestia

(3,818 posts)

67. But that's all they can afford! Frontline did a segment on 3 families who were homeless or

Mon Jan 14, 2013, 11:04 AM

Jan 2013

near homeless. All they could afford to eat is frozen pizzas and other horrible foods. The states were Iowa, Calif. and one more I forget. They couldn't grow a garden because they moved from hotel to hotel, just trying to get money to pay for the room where 4 or more people were crammed in. Or crammed into a one room homeless shelter that allowed men and boys to live there.

It was the kids who were really affected - they all had a home and their own rooms and now that their parents weren't working, their lives and mental health were really spiraling. They ought to do a program in 10 years to see how they have come out.

Their simply isn't enough money to eat well in a hotel room. How are they going to make beans and rice and other foods with only a microwave?

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" U.S. ranked near and at the bottom in almost every heath indicator. That stunned us." [View all] Follow The Money Jan 2013 OP

It's truly sad when the good news is you're not last. BlueJazz Jan 2013 #1

a reminder of reality samsingh Jan 2013 #2

But we're number one, by far, on the most important indicator MannyGoldstein Jan 2013 #3

Not just Cost Manny hootinholler Jan 2013 #70

Yeah, that's more important than humans. :P Cost thrumps everything esle. nt deafskeptic Jan 2013 #116

I'm not surprised at all ... much of America is a storybook myth. n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #4

But we are exceptional!!! lunasun Jan 2013 #23

Go USA!!! Go USA!!! Go USA!!! Land of Exceptionalism!!! RKP5637 Jan 2013 #28

Evidently Dr Woolf does not get out much Fumesucker Jan 2013 #5

Highest in cost though. YAY corporate America! cbrer Jan 2013 #6

Why wouldn't it cost the most? Indydem Jan 2013 #82

I'm stunned that the panelists are stunned Tsiyu Jan 2013 #7

Experts often know much less outside their area of knowledge HereSince1628 Jan 2013 #9

You have to live in a bubble to not know how bad it's gotten Tsiyu Jan 2013 #14

Yep, inside the bubble is where you get to be focused and expert HereSince1628 Jan 2013 #16

Let's hope the national experts agree Tsiyu Jan 2013 #19

^ Super post, Tsiyu! ^ Mimosa Jan 2013 #58

The people who govern our country KNOW. bvar22 Jan 2013 #114

Beautifully said. DogPawsBiscuitsNGrav Jan 2013 #20

Thankie DogPawsBuiscuitsNGrav Tsiyu Jan 2013 #21

They could have just called me. caseymoz Jan 2013 #33

Silly national experts Tsiyu Jan 2013 #43

Hmmm. Our rate of obesity is also twice that of other developed countries. Flatulo Jan 2013 #115

No, it isn't. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #131

Our obesity rate is 2x or higher than Canada, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Finland, Iceland, Turkey, Flatulo Jan 2013 #132

The biggest difference is in healthcare provision compared to other developed countries. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #136

Me too--plus, the WHO reported similar findings years ago spooky3 Jan 2013 #48

^^^^This^^^ eridani Jan 2013 #56

Well, remember, everyone the EXPERTS know have health care closeupready Jan 2013 #74

Yes, we have lots of stunned experts these days. bemildred Jan 2013 #61

The "stunned" statement really disgusted me. burnsei sensei Jan 2013 #63

+1 get the red out Jan 2013 #78

Exactly Tsiyu - it's this 'culture' that is killing us, who wants to live like this? I sure don't Hestia Jan 2013 #66

Yeah, as I posted below, "who could have predicted this?" closeupready Jan 2013 #71

And the MAJORITY of rightwing poor will NEVER hear or, if they hear, fully understand these facts. loudsue Jan 2013 #92

Or they'll just say: "This is all their own fault; they need to take personal responsibility..... LongTomH Jan 2013 #94

Funny you mention that bongbong Jan 2013 #152

hey loudsue Tsiyu Jan 2013 #95

no surprise at all Takket Jan 2013 #8

And we wonder why Medicare costs are high? JDPriestly Jan 2013 #10

What I found most amazing is that we rank on the bottom across the socio-economic spectrum... hedda_foil Jan 2013 #11

You're right according to some epidemiologists caraher Jan 2013 #17

But Hannity and O'Really told me that we has the bestest medicine in the world!!1 progressoid Jan 2013 #12

"a legacy of high smoking rates in past decades"--like Europeans weren't smoking? snot Jan 2013 #13

That Stuck Out RobinA Jan 2013 #88

Why is America NOT the greatest country in the world ashling Jan 2013 #15

I was hooked to this series when I watched this. Great beginning and great speech. riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #154

Stunned? Jesus, get out of the office from time to time and talk to people. hatrack Jan 2013 #18

Hm...Teens have the highest rates of transmitted disease and teen pregnancy... Moonwalk Jan 2013 #22

yes ! You get ignorance lunasun Jan 2013 #25

Here's a GREAT movie on the subject: FourScore Jan 2013 #144

The worst health care money can buy! yardwork Jan 2013 #24

This statement from the NAFC breaks my heart! Joe Bacon Jan 2013 #26

It sounds like most of these poor health outcomes are based on unhealthy behaviors. Flatulo Jan 2013 #27

True, But If People Could Afford Regular Doctor Visits...... ChoppinBroccoli Jan 2013 #31

It's up to parents to lead by example. Children need to learn healthy habits before they become Flatulo Jan 2013 #35

When I'm in a grocery store, I look at other peoples carts and cringe. RC Jan 2013 #64

But that's all they can afford! Frontline did a segment on 3 families who were homeless or Hestia Jan 2013 #67

Our health problems are equally distributed across all income levels. Flatulo Jan 2013 #68

And a craving for sweets is a sign of malnutrition Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #96

What about wealthy people? Indydem Jan 2013 #102

That's exactly what the report says. Obesity Flatulo Jan 2013 #113

Which refutes the poster I was responding to. Indydem Jan 2013 #118

Well, this being DU and all, expect blame to be placed elsewhere. Everything bad that happens Flatulo Jan 2013 #122

Indeed. Indydem Jan 2013 #123

No, but really, what is the ratio of fat rich people to fat poor people? Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #125

Amen! nt raccoon Jan 2013 #134

Good on ya. It's no guarantee of a long healthy life, but you can stack the odds in your favor. Flatulo Jan 2013 #126

That's a big leap. Indydem Jan 2013 #83

If your 6 year old child weighs 150 lbs, do you really Flatulo Jan 2013 #112

No time. Dash87 Jan 2013 #164

I know, I know. I was in that position for many years. In my last job, we were expected to Flatulo Jan 2013 #165

Ugh. That sounds horrible. Dash87 Jan 2013 #166

Life in Work Camp America. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #168

American exceptionalism strikes again. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #29

"Something at the core is causing the U.S. to slip behind these other high-income countries" ChoppinBroccoli Jan 2013 #30

for profit healthcare, consistently falling wages, Warpy Jan 2013 #34

Single Payer Health Care Protalker Jan 2013 #81

How does single payer help these issues? Indydem Jan 2013 #84

It Actually Does, In Certain Circumstances ChoppinBroccoli Jan 2013 #87

That will work with some people, but others will not listen to sound medical advice. Flatulo Jan 2013 #124

fornicating? Really Tsiyu Jan 2013 #89

I'm sorry you don't know the definition of words. Indydem Jan 2013 #100

I'm sorry you don't know the cultural significance of words Tsiyu Jan 2013 #105

So because fundamentalists use a word Indydem Jan 2013 #106

Not irritated at all Tsiyu Jan 2013 #108

Someone who knows words? Indydem Jan 2013 #109

You've made yourself clear in your posts hereYou really need use no more words, Tsiyu Jan 2013 #110

I guess it must be easy. Indydem Jan 2013 #120

I understand what you're saying Tsiyu Jan 2013 #128

Developing diabetes wickerwoman Jan 2013 #93

More fornicating! (not less!) Its healthy, burns @ 200 calories for a frisky ride riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #119

Don't get me wrong. Indydem Jan 2013 #121

YET GREED wants to Unfund Planned Parenthood Tsiyu Jan 2013 #130

+1000 FredStembottom Jan 2013 #99

When it became all about me instead of being about us.... WCGreen Jan 2013 #40

With the plutocracy talking openly of "culling the herd," Warpy Jan 2013 #32

Ask yourself why we're getting sick in the first place. Flatulo Jan 2013 #38

Untrue. Warpy Jan 2013 #41

The vast majority of us aren't born sick. We get that way from poor diet and a sedentary Flatulo Jan 2013 #46

From the article it is our diet, smoking and guns siligut Jan 2013 #90

Uh, some of us are born sick Warpy Jan 2013 #137

Uh, the vast majority of us are not born sick, which is what I wrote. That leaves room for "some". Flatulo Jan 2013 #140

It has little to do with access to health care. Obesity and the resultant health problems Flatulo Jan 2013 #50

^ Amen, Warpy! ^ Mimosa Jan 2013 #55

+1 what Warpy said. area51 Jan 2013 #86

+1000. nt raccoon Jan 2013 #135

I suddenly feel the urge... Oilwellian Jan 2013 #36

#1 in profitability? moondust Jan 2013 #37

Candidate for this year's "You Call This NEWS?" Award rocktivity Jan 2013 #39

Kicked and recommended for belated stunning. Uncle Joe Jan 2013 #42

This has happened in my lifetime. Hekate Jan 2013 #44

I'm a half-full kind of guy... we are the MOST PROFITBLE! Demo_Chris Jan 2013 #45

"we" either fix it or not. and if not, what kind of legacy do "we" leave green for victory Jan 2013 #47

American Exceptionalism - Our Finest Hour - The FrightWing Is Ecstatic cantbeserious Jan 2013 #49

Why are the French not obese yet have the best food in the world? graham4anything Jan 2013 #51

So you agree that our health problems are largely lifestyle related? nt Flatulo Jan 2013 #104

Because in America, health care is not about health but it is about Skidmore Jan 2013 #52

Personally, I think that's a big part of why so much is so wrong closeupready Jan 2013 #75

Posted in another thread thought it would fit here as well. Kalidurga Jan 2013 #53

Tragic, compared to where we ranked in the 1950s Mimosa Jan 2013 #54

It won't stun the US aandegoons Jan 2013 #57

What I find stunning is that anyone would be surprised by this etherealtruth Jan 2013 #59

My first husband FlaGranny Jan 2013 #60

I am so sorry for your loss etherealtruth Jan 2013 #139

Even when you can afford to see the doctors they don't take time csziggy Jan 2013 #145

I am so sorry for your loss etherealtruth Jan 2013 #147

Thank you - that BIL was a great guy and he is missed csziggy Jan 2013 #148

Thank you. FlaGranny Jan 2013 #149

How's that health care for profit burnsei sensei Jan 2013 #62

Dam* straight! And we pay good money for that too! AllyCat Jan 2013 #65

"Who could have predicted this?" closeupready Jan 2013 #69

Lotta talk here, but nobody's got it right... TreasonousBastard Jan 2013 #72

Except for one thing: standards of living of typical Americans closeupready Jan 2013 #76

Crappy food, ignorance, bad choices, corporate profiteering, and for-profit health care. Maineman Jan 2013 #73

II would be curious . . . Brigid Jan 2013 #77

= UN-HAPPY! patrice Jan 2013 #79

The Worst Health Care Money Can Buy: per capita expenditure is highest in the USA. nt Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2013 #80

Exactly, that's why people have shitty diets, don't exercise, hughee99 Jan 2013 #98

k&r n/t RainDog Jan 2013 #85

It's not like the USA is a first world country for the 99%. nt valerief Jan 2013 #91

Wait just a darn minute here.. Permanut Jan 2013 #97

Yet not me. aquart Jan 2013 #101

Doctors can help to keep you alive, but they can't make you healthy. Flatulo Jan 2013 #103

I think the study reaches a wee bit further than merely what we eat... LanternWaste Jan 2013 #117

Yes, it does. But arent most or all of the root causes of our overall poor health Flatulo Jan 2013 #133

i get your point about obesity, however, knowledge keeps you alive noiretextatique Jan 2013 #138

You have to be your own advocate. My appendix ruptured in 1998 and an incompetent MD sent Flatulo Jan 2013 #146

wow...that's just frightening. noiretextatique Jan 2013 #150

Yeah, but our military is AWESOME! Gregorian Jan 2013 #107

Captain Obvious says... krispos42 Jan 2013 #111

The top 1% is hogging all the profits and not paying taxes on it, so what do you expect? ErikJ Jan 2013 #127

No one in the developed world lives shorter lives, or pays more for HC, than american men. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #129

We may be almost last but we are still ahead of Somalia,and we get to carry guns! Rain Mcloud Jan 2013 #141

Many of the social evils in the US are associated with excessive INCOME INEQUALITY. 99th_Monkey Jan 2013 #142

It seems like every single person with half a brain knows this, so why is it so fucking difficult Flatulo Jan 2013 #151

Because we've been largely entranced into believing a lie 99th_Monkey Jan 2013 #153

Maybe if we took profit out of "healthcare" and used a preventive course of care and action DearHeart Jan 2013 #143

You know , that sounds like Canada's health care system. riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #155

You are very lucky to live in Canada! I hope that your son and husband are doing well and DearHeart Jan 2013 #156

Sadly they died but riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #157

OH my! I'm so very sorry for the loss of both your husband and son! DearHeart Jan 2013 #160

thank you dear heart riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #163

Thank you for your kind words! Our cousin just past due to colon cancer right before DearHeart Jan 2013 #167

I don't think that will last much longer if you guys keep Harper. FiveGoodMen Jan 2013 #159

Many of the suggestions made in this thread burnsei sensei Jan 2013 #158

Very true! There is just so much wrong with our country and the world and I tend to DearHeart Jan 2013 #161

K&R woo me with science Jan 2013 #162