The average poor.

[warrior queen]

I was listening to our National public radio broadcast station last night, and there was a segment on the rise of poor people/families in Australia.
They defined poor as below a certain income level, renting rather than owning a home, having a car 10 yrs old or more, and not having any savings.
Then they had an elderly man on, who was dismissive of their definition of poor - because he grew up during the depression and his family lived in a single room, had meat once a week if they were lucky, and struggled every day just to survive. He noted that today, even the lowest socio-economic level had flatscreen tv's, mobile phones, access to reliable welfare and health care, and ate regular meals (even if they were mainly junk food).

What would you define as 'poor' in your country?

 

[Sean Renaud]

Pretty much what was described by you. The old fuck can shut the fuck up. Either that or we need to raise his grandfather from the dead so he can tell that young whippersnapper about a time when there were no trains and if you couldn't get it off your own farm you went hungry.

 

[semen4her]

Poor people.

 

[loquere]

I think there are many categories!

 

[TexasWife25]

I like that description, and would also add, anyone who is 1 emergency away from homeless. People who live paycheck to paycheck where things like an accident or a car repair can send them spiraling.

 

[warrior queen]

Pretty much what was described by you. The old fuck can shut the fuck up. Either that or we need to raise his grandfather from the dead so he can tell that young whippersnapper about a time when there were no trains and if you couldn't get it off your own farm you went hungry.

He does have a point though.... Being poor now, is not the same as being poor back then.

 

[loquere]

I also believe poor people are a myth like global warming!

 

[Sean Renaud]

He does have a point though.... Being poor now, is not the same as being poor back then.

It's never the same. The poor before him didn't have access to trains and before that didn't have mail or libraries and before were peasants. Are we really going to say that because technology is better you aren't poor?

 

[warrior queen]

It's never the same. The poor before him didn't have access to trains and before that didn't have mail or libraries and before were peasants. Are we really going to say that because technology is better you aren't poor?

I think he was more pointing out that the poor of today have no idea what it feels like to eat only every second or third day, that kind of thing.
I really don't know, as I haven't been poor in my life.

 

[klingle]

There's no such thing as "poor" in the Western world.

 

[Sean Renaud]

I think he was more pointing out that the poor of today have no idea what it feels like to eat only every second or third day, that kind of thing.
I really don't know, as I haven't been poor in my life.

And the poor in his day didn't have to worry about Indians, sorry Native Americans, attacking his city. He needs to make a better point than the world has gotten better or I'm just gonna stick to "how many Sabretoothed Tigers have you slayed?

 

[klingle]

And the poor in his day didn't have to worry about Indians, sorry Native Americans, attacking his city. He needs to make a better point than the world has gotten better or I'm just gonna stick to "how many Sabretoothed Tigers have you slayed?

It's "slain", SEAN!

 

[warrior queen]

There's no such thing as "poor" in the Western world.

Would you define a homeless person, who relies on soup kitchens for food and has no income as poor?

 

[klingle]

Would you define a homeless person, who relies on soup kitchens for food and has no income as poor?

I would define that person as either crazy or on drugs/alcohol.

 

[Sean Renaud]

It's "slain", SEAN!

Still if he never had to drop kick a Whooly Mammoth he doesn't know shit about what a hard life is about and should shut the fuck up.

 

[Bert Notorius]

less than average.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

The US has eliminated poverty or the "poor" in terms of absolute poverty. There is no such thing as deprivation the way it was in the Great Depression. The basic necessities of food, water, shelter are available to everyone. Everyone.

I think that is why the political arguments we are having today are so filled with vitriol. The "haves" have drawn a line and with everyone's basic needs being met - anything in top of that is a luxury.

So the more socially conscious are forced to make an argument based on relative poverty and it is subjective, of necessity.

 

[Noor]

The US has eliminated poverty or the "poor" in terms of absolute poverty. There is no such thing as deprivation the way it was in the Great Depression. The basic necessities of food, water, shelter are available to everyone. Everyone.

I think that is why the political arguments we are having today are so filled with vitriol. The "haves" have drawn a line and with everyone's basic needs being met - anything in top of that is a luxury.

So the more socially conscious are forced to make an argument based on relative poverty and it is subjective, of necessity.

As long as you have a minor child in the US, you have income and housing.

If you are an adult without a minor child, a diagnosed and accepted disability by ssi and under the age of 65, you can easily be living that kind of poverty. I live in a very progressive county that has general assistance for set amount of time and there are food stamps. if you do get some income that is sporadic you may not be able to get any help.

Poor working adults without minor are in serious trouble here.

 

[Noor]

Would you define a homeless person, who relies on soup kitchens for food and has no income as poor?

Yes, I would. I would also count someone who can make their rent, maybe their medical insurance and not much else as poor.

 

[run_silent]

The US has eliminated poverty or the "poor" in terms of absolute poverty. There is no such thing as deprivation the way it was in the Great Depression. The basic necessities of food, water, shelter are available to everyone. Everyone.

I think that is why the political arguments we are having today are so filled with vitriol. The "haves" have drawn a line and with everyone's basic needs being met - anything in top of that is a luxury.

So the more socially conscious are forced to make an argument based on relative poverty and it is subjective, of necessity.

I agree with the kid next door except he leaves his garbage cans out two days after pickup.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Real poverty still exists in America. Such people pop-up occasionally. All of them are older, single men without jobs, or money to pay bills. Most have sold every asset they have.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

I am not saying it is a good life but everyone eats. I cannot find any evidence that anyone has starved to death in the US. Homeless are mostly homeless by choice due to mental illness. People homeless due to economics can find a way to fit a category of assistance and get transition assistance, then they get in the system get Section 8 etc.

It is a real credit to our society. The safety net is working.

So to the OP - i guess I'd say in the US you are "poor" if you are "in the safety net" and not above it, but all in all you are still able to survive, in air conditioning and with a TV.

 

[Liar]

Poverty is relative to the cost of operating as a functional member of the society in which you live. 21st century post industrial west is another beast than rural Bangladesh. Or even the western world in the 1940's.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

Poverty is relative to the cost of operating as a functional member of the society in which you live. 21st century post industrial west is another beast than rural Bangladesh. Or even the western world in the 1940's.

I disagree. There is a basic level of resources needed that sustains life, have access to potable water and provides shelter for the elements. Real poverty is defined by that line and it does not matter where you are.

 

[renard_ruse]

I was listening to our National public radio broadcast station last night, and there was a segment on the rise of poor people/families in Australia.
They defined poor as below a certain income level, renting rather than owning a home, having a car 10 yrs old or more, and not having any savings.
Then they had an elderly man on, who was dismissive of their definition of poor - because he grew up during the depression and his family lived in a single room, had meat once a week if they were lucky, and struggled every day just to survive. He noted that today, even the lowest socio-economic level had flatscreen tv's, mobile phones, access to reliable welfare and health care, and ate regular meals (even if they were mainly junk food).

What would you define as 'poor' in your country?

All the welfare programs have mitigated the effects of the Great Recession.
Losing your job doesn't mean going hungry anymore.

The only real poor in the US are a few homeless bums and most of them have mental problems, substance abuse issues, or simply enjoy the excitement and freedom of living on the streets.