General Discussion

Dash87

(3,220 posts)

131. Here's why I disagree that life skills are the predominant issue at play -

Wed Nov 27, 2013, 12:44 PM

Nov 2013

Welfare, from a government standpoint, is a feedback system. It's an investment in you, much like a bank giving out money. The idea is that the recipient will take the investment and make something out of it. Logically, the purpose of this ranges from creating tax revenue to preventing a re-enactment of Les Misérables.

The issue now is that wages are so low, money is instantly put to use with no long term benefit. It can't be invested, used to create a small business, etc. because it is needed for essentials like medicine, food, water, etc. You can't teach someone to use their money wisely when they're already doing the most logical thing possible with their money: spending it on essentials. In return, this acts to create a resentful underclass and a hole they can't get out of.

Currently, wages and joblessness are the predominant issue. I think we both agree that personal financial acumen is a very useful skill, but there is no point if nobody has jobs and low wages make it impossible. Welfare can only be successful if the conditions are right in the first place.

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The 5 Stupidest Habits You Develop Growing Up Poor [View all] KamaAina Nov 2013 OP

I know I'm going to get shit for this... lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #1

No poor people need money. 655351 Nov 2013 #2

Seriously? Just take peoples' things? nolabear Nov 2013 #5

It's not like the rich'll suffer one iota. Geez. Keeping so much for no reason is wrong. nt valerief Nov 2013 #15

Rich people should have given of their fortunes not hoarded vast amounts of wealth. 655351 Nov 2013 #19

I cannot see through you Skittles Nov 2013 #47

Yeh--We got a live one here. Jackpine Radical Nov 2013 #49

that one is not Skittles-worthy Skittles Nov 2013 #51

I think she/he has a point or I'm seeing something that's not there. BlueJazz Nov 2013 #57

hey I'll post what I think sounds like LIBERALS and SEE WHAT HAPPENS Skittles Nov 2013 #63

I give people more room or rope than you do. I like to be sure cause I can be fooled. BlueJazz Nov 2013 #69

those people are correct Skittles Nov 2013 #71

*snort!* nolabear Nov 2013 #74

ever noticed arely staircase Nov 2013 #101

Ya gotta keep the sockpuppets straight SOMEHOW. Jackpine Radical Nov 2013 #115

Someone did not train this guy well enough murielm99 Nov 2013 #153

actually MOST of them are like that Skittles Nov 2013 #168

dittomasters arely staircase Nov 2013 #185

Partially agree but it can be said that Wealth used to destroy the happiness of the populace.... BlueJazz Nov 2013 #55

Greed is one of the Seven Deadly Sins... Fla_Democrat Nov 2013 #67

*facepalm* You're having me on, aren't you? nolabear Nov 2013 #70

Apparently so Hekate Nov 2013 #95

the spelling passes the smell test, but not the grammar or sentence structure. magical thyme Nov 2013 #161

Exactly. Many of us were "middle class" until we lost our jobs and can't get back in the labor duffyduff Nov 2013 #24

Are you serious? aristocles Nov 2013 #42

Nobody is denied the right to achieve in the US. Boudica the Lyoness Nov 2013 #93

Enjoy your stay Hekate Nov 2013 #94

It's funny how the rich don't need life skills, they have connections and money to handle that. Sirveri Nov 2013 #96

Wow. This post was allowed to stand. reflection Nov 2013 #120

Why do people troll message boards? IronLionZion Nov 2013 #138

Trolling for his friends at the Imprisoned Republic. AAO Nov 2013 #143

Must be lunchtime... ElboRuum Nov 2013 #145

THINK MASLOW - Shelter, Food, Security provide a base to the rest. Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #183

If you can't magick up more $ though, your still faced with the same choices riderinthestorm Nov 2013 #8

Horse... cart... horse... cart... lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #16

it is possible hfojvt Nov 2013 #44

I know a lot of people with solid middle-class incomes that have the same problem. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #172

okay, it seems that has changed hfojvt Nov 2013 #177

Beautiful stereotyping of a random sampling of people. Half-Century Man Nov 2013 #56

Already been there. n/t lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #60

What type of training do you recommend. Blanks Nov 2013 #152

It was mentioned elsewhere... lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #170

You'd also be a good choice for a teacher. A been there - done that kind of guy... Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #182

Making and decontextualization lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #187

Ruby Payne YarnAddict Nov 2013 #126

Fully agree. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #129

Yup YarnAddict Nov 2013 #134

^^This!^^ BrotherIvan Nov 2013 #139

Ruby Payne is a twisted perspective on poverty that comforts middle class folks. LuckyLib Nov 2013 #156

In what way does her perspective comfort middle class people? YarnAddict Nov 2013 #163

You make a good point. We behave in ways that help us adapt to our social and financial reality. LuckyLib Nov 2013 #191

I'm unable to connect the act of a teacher acknowledging their own privilege lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #192

I guess my point is more basic YarnAddict Nov 2013 #193

apparently the problem with Ruby Payne's claims is that they aren't actually magical thyme Nov 2013 #164

Much of what she presented was YarnAddict Nov 2013 #165

my comment is based on reading the links provided by the poster below magical thyme Nov 2013 #169

Yes, that kind of thing is considered condescending. Igel Nov 2013 #11

Okay. LWolf Nov 2013 #12

How can free medical not be a benefit? lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #22

"free medical" LWolf Nov 2013 #99

You're going to deservedly get shit for it Prophet 451 Nov 2013 #53

Thank you. Well put. uppityperson Nov 2013 #83

I'm extremely poor. I work as an adjunct professor, have an M.S. and nearly a PhD in a hard science enki23 Nov 2013 #54

20 years ago everything you have done, would have made you successful already. Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #184

People don't appraise the value of education rationally. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #188

No, I get that you're just trying to be an infuriating ass. I understand that, I promise you. enki23 Nov 2013 #194

Yes, this is why we need more outreach and publicity for the Navigators dem in texas Nov 2013 #62

Sorry Jeff, this is not the shit you expected tech3149 Nov 2013 #76

The op wasn't a laundry list of exemplary skills lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #79

What good are fucking skills if there are no jobs to be had? What, we need to ChisolmTrailDem Nov 2013 #91

I'm talking about the OP. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #100

Not just financial type knowledge One_Life_To_Give Nov 2013 #103

To some extent, but I think idolizing them isn't justified either. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #107

Alternatively, you could actually read the article and find out why you're wrong. jeff47 Nov 2013 #109

I learned how to drive without crashing any cars. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #111

And that car was what gave you practice. jeff47 Nov 2013 #118

Don't even suggest that I'm the one with the reading problems. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #123

They did put instructors in the car. jeff47 Nov 2013 #124

You're the one calling them morons and idiots. Three times now, by my count. n/t lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #127

I'm just stripping off the BS you layered on to your proposal jeff47 Nov 2013 #128

I'm sure you will, but I think you have a point. Marr Nov 2013 #119

Exactly. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #132

If you give a man a fish, you'll feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you'll feed him Dash87 Nov 2013 #122

Exactly. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #125

Here's why I disagree that life skills are the predominant issue at play - Dash87 Nov 2013 #131

All the jobs that were outsourced coming back (which will not happen) would maddiemom Nov 2013 #154

Good article...I've lived this Boxerfan Nov 2013 #3

Yes. Americans knew how to manufacture good products. JDPriestly Nov 2013 #58

Poor folks know that windfall will be nibbled down to nothing in weeks Warpy Nov 2013 #4

More than that Bozvotros Nov 2013 #59

If you're saving it in a coffee can or sock drawer Capt. Obvious Nov 2013 #114

Grew up in a poor community; parents and relatives squeezed every nickle until the buffalo shit FarCenter Nov 2013 #6

ROFLMAO!! KamaAina Nov 2013 #86

Poor People need a life changing program, not stop gap measures. Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #7

Now you're cooking with gas. TheKentuckian Nov 2013 #13

Or solar!! Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #18

it's a great idea for urban planning. good luck on your presentation. BlancheSplanchnik Nov 2013 #162

Been working on it for awhile. Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #181

Maybe spread out tax refunds. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #20

In my plan that would go into PPCV - Pre Paid Credit Vouchers Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #32

I like the way you think, Tigress DEM gristy Nov 2013 #64

So life skills are okay, provided we mix a bunch of "save the whales" into the curriculum? lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #104

If I read the article you linked to correctly xulamaude Nov 2013 #140

I'm simply stating that giving people who have given up hope some inspiration works. Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #180

No. We need politicians who will actually do something duffyduff Nov 2013 #28

A habit I picked up from my Depression-era mother... Blue_In_AK Nov 2013 #9

I'm 40 Aerows Nov 2013 #30

Thats not a "STUPID" habit Blue - - ur off-topic ConcernedCanuk Nov 2013 #135

Yes, I do save eggshells for the compost, Blue_In_AK Nov 2013 #141

Poor folks yeoman6987 Nov 2013 #10

Poor folks remain poor because the system is rigged to keep them poor. Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #21

But for the grace of God go you. duffyduff Nov 2013 #26

Definitely - I scratched by through the last recession and finally came out ok bhikkhu Nov 2013 #33

Better idea - take the kids away Capt. Obvious Nov 2013 #117

Take the kids away yeoman6987 Nov 2013 #121

I'll soon be experiencing this myself therehegoes Nov 2013 #14

This was very accurate as I remember - TBF Nov 2013 #17

Maybe I'm an idiot Aerows Nov 2013 #23

Does not compute tkmorris Nov 2013 #31

Sure it does Aerows Nov 2013 #34

Welcome to the DU Food Snob Zone OmahaBlueDog Nov 2013 #41

Indeed Aerows Nov 2013 #43

I understand what you are saying, but here is what I have been told: left on green only Nov 2013 #77

I don't think you are a snob for saying that Aerows Nov 2013 #78

The Thing I Like To Do With Broccoli..... left on green only Nov 2013 #149

That sounds delicious! Aerows Nov 2013 #150

One man's food snob Capt. Obvious Nov 2013 #113

In my program, you'd be a teacher. Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #35

I'm absolutely addicted to cottage cheese Aerows Nov 2013 #39

I'm petrified of canning. Beacool Nov 2013 #84

Canning isn't that hard, really Aerows Nov 2013 #85

It's not quite that easy Retrograde Nov 2013 #92

So ultimately we agree Aerows Nov 2013 #151

Yes and no Retrograde Nov 2013 #173

I'm good with yes and no Aerows Nov 2013 #178

The Cooperative Extension Service - there's one in every country - teaches most of the skills Hestia Nov 2013 #68

I think I fell through The Onion hole Aerows Nov 2013 #80

I'd like to dovetail with existing programs where possible. Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #98

If you can read, you can can...... llmart Nov 2013 #176

Sodium levels, for one thing. Gormy Cuss Nov 2013 #46

Low sodium green beans Aerows Nov 2013 #48

Note that I also wrote they don't have the flavor you expect Gormy Cuss Nov 2013 #50

Uh, canning is pretty easy Aerows Nov 2013 #75

Canned veggies pipi_k Nov 2013 #61

I will never say that canned taste better Aerows Nov 2013 #65

Well, if there's any truth pipi_k Nov 2013 #105

Canned vegetables are just as nutritious as frozen. alarimer Nov 2013 #72

Canned vegetables are bad for you Capt. Obvious Nov 2013 #112

When Living in The RobinA Nov 2013 #136

Here in the reality based community Capt. Obvious Nov 2013 #142

Being poor can happen to anybody but the tiniest number of rich. duffyduff Nov 2013 #25

Donald Trump went broke how many times? Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #36

Went bankrupt, not broke KamaAina Nov 2013 #87

That's my point. He blew through more money than any of us could have & people kept handing him more Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #97

One that was left out spinbaby Nov 2013 #27

The worst habit I experienced is getting used to having nothing bhikkhu Nov 2013 #29

I hear ya... pipi_k Nov 2013 #106

Yes! Myrina Nov 2013 #110

I completely relate to this. Then Phlem Nov 2013 #37

Or how about guaranteed income of $2800/ mo. like in Switzerland? ErikJ Nov 2013 #38

Reminds me of another article I saw on Alternet. Nine Nov 2013 #40

K/R and I spent some time in Hawaii this month talking about this topic specifically. NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #45

I'll add two, although they aren't "habits" so much as orientations alcibiades_mystery Nov 2013 #52

So... pipi_k Nov 2013 #66

Thanks for this post KamaAina hibbing Nov 2013 #73

I beat the odds.. I grew up poor and am still Cha Nov 2013 #81

Poor people are "stupid"? Trillo Nov 2013 #82

Sounds strange but I'm deliberately poor: In deference to my body Populist_Prole Nov 2013 #88

I'm doing the same sort of thing... magical thyme Nov 2013 #167

With #5, Jamaal510 Nov 2013 #89

Poor people get checks for $5,000? Coyotl Nov 2013 #90

EIC can easily be $5000 renie408 Nov 2013 #102

This excerpt is so fucking spot on Capt. Obvious Nov 2013 #108

#1. You Only Spend with the Short Term in Mind Capt. Obvious Nov 2013 #116

This a rerun. Old. Quantess Nov 2013 #130

I didn't see this a year ago - I'm glad it was reposted. ConcernedCanuk Nov 2013 #137

Well said. raging moderate Nov 2013 #133

It's the failure to see the long term cost of refusing what's called "upfront" preventive spending. ancianita Nov 2013 #144

The myth of the massive tax return and the blowing of same exists only in the heads of the non-poor. Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2013 #146

And the author, who used to be poor. KamaAina Nov 2013 #147

People making low wages don't get big income tax refunds.... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2013 #148

That only happens pipi_k Nov 2013 #175

Another thing to consider is the changing demographics.... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2013 #179

This missed the worst habit of them all. Habit #0, ahead of all these. Self-blame, self-loathing. AtheistCrusader Nov 2013 #155

Or Systemic "Blame the Poor" kneejerk attitudes that lead to self-blame. Tigress DEM Nov 2013 #186

Help Of The Most Imperfect Kind grilled onions Nov 2013 #157

Another Blame-the-Poor thread on DU? bvar22 Nov 2013 #158

Actually, I posted it because it refutes the blame-the-poor threads KamaAina Nov 2013 #159

That is how I saw it, Kama! murray hill farm Nov 2013 #160

No, that article is a cheap knock off of Reagan's bvar22 Nov 2013 #171

I don't think so, this time. Of course the replies have been pretty well Egalitarian Thug Nov 2013 #166

While we're posting great Cracked.com articles.... C_eh_N_eh_D_eh Nov 2013 #174

Ugh. I'm reading about my childhood... devils chaplain Nov 2013 #189

With nearly 200 replies, this is my most successful thread ever at DU! KamaAina Nov 2013 #190