4 Bogus Right-Wing Theories About Poverty, and the Real Reason Americans Can’t Make Ends Meet

[bhikkhu]

22. That's what I was going to reply to a post above

having cellphones and computers and so forth doesn't mean anything, they're practically disposable objects in our current society. They have nothing to do with wealth. Who hasn't seen the stacks of "obsolete" computers and monitors at the recycling stations? Once they're three or four years old there's practically no market, its time to find someplace to donate them to, or someone who needs one. And its about the same with phones, and even cars. In my family, where some of my older aunts are well enough off, as are my parents, its common for things to get passed around, and down to the younger generation that's trying to keep on its feet.

That someone has something decent isn't by any means a sign of wealth; wealth is having a decent job that pays the bills. That's what most people want and deserve, and have the hardest time finding. Anyone can get a damn phone, but you have to be pretty fortunate to get a decent job.