contracycle writes:
Whether or not Reagan - or anyone else - really knew how bad AIDS was going to get is beside the point.
Actually, that
is the point. Much like America's decision to enter WWII. Is FDR to be held responsible for not doing more or acting sooner to save the Jews extirminated in camps because now, in 2004, we know how bad it was in 1940? No, individuals should be judged primarily on the decisions they make based on the information they have at the time.
contracycle writes:
This is clearly false, as the US still has high degree so poverty and homelessness; its difficult to understand how one can own a DVD player when you are living out of a Ryder truck migrating across the country in search of work.
Really? Care to present your data showing how many people live out of Ryder trucks? Obviously the absolute dregs of those in the poverty bucket (as opposed to middle-class and rich buckets) will have nothing. You choose to ignore that I am not singling out the worst of the worst; I am speaking of 'the poor,' I refer to the entire group of individuals below the poverty line.
That is, specifically, an individual with an income less than $9,000 per year (based on the
2003 HHS criteria). Now guess what, with that level of income you qualify for food stamps (varies state to state but in CA it averages $200/month which is another $2400/year). You also qualify for, depending on your state, low income housing where you might pay as little as $300 a month for a fairly decent apt ( I know because I tried to get one but although I was 'poor' I was a student, and therefore could not qualify). Additionally, there are all sorts of other state, federal, and local programs and aid one qualifies for if his/her income is this low. That people are unaware of this, or choose not to seek it, is another issue.
When I first started going to college, I fell into the 'working poor' bucket. I made less than 9,000/per year (but I did not get foodstamps because I thought it was only for poor people - in retrospect I should have). My fellow students at school were in a similar position. Guess what? We all had cars (or some form of transportation), we all had televisions, VCRs, all sorts of stuff.
While my personal experience is not a statistically valid sample set, it
does demonstrate that there are people who do live below the poverty line yet have a standard of living vastly superior to the majority of the world's poor.
contracycle writes:
Thats purely a propaganda position and undemonstrable.
Actually it is demonstratable; it is demonstrated every single day. Anyone, barring severe disabilities, can obtain a cheap or even free education in this country and use it to go on to achieve greater things.
One example of how this can be obtained is just about any poor person under thirty can join the military and qualify for practically a free ride (depending on the school they choose) once they get out after a few years. There are also things called grants and scholarships and loans that most people can obtain in one form or another.
It's all about choices. That you choose to ignore this fact is extremely fascinating.
This message has been edited by custard, 06-17-2004 08:18 PM
This message has been edited by custard, 06-17-2004 08:18 PM
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