The Maelstrom of Violence

[Classic-Xer]

(09-27-2017, 11:01 PM)pbrower2a Wrote:

(09-27-2017, 08:17 PM)Classic-Xer Wrote:

(09-27-2017, 03:05 AM)Bob Butler 54 Wrote: The problem being, too many of the red and blue have similar doubts.

In welfare, there are victims and cheaters.  You’d like to think most would agree that both exist.  The proper thing to do is help the victims and frustrate the cheaters.  Alas, once you buy deeply into one of the two world views, you tend to see either victims or cheaters.

In Pbrower’s case, I’m seeing a victim, but there are more than enough cheaters.

On one side, there are those those who see lots of cheaters, few victims, who might be seen as cynical economically centered misers.  Then are those who see lots of victims, no cheaters, who can be seen as economically ignorant bleeding hearts who should know better.  It isn’t hard to find imbalance.

Then there are those who want to help those who need help, but spend their money wisely.  I'd prefer to be in that camp.

Do we want to force fit an individual into an ideal example of what is wrong with America?  I’m dubious that we want to juggle a guy’s reputation for a political ends.  Yet, that is where we are.

Welfare attracts all kinds of folks. A portion are lazy. A portion are complete idiots who are incapable of providing for themselves. A portion just don't give a shit about themselves, their kids and their quality of life in general. A portion actually need it (no other option) and are using it to get through a major setback (loss of a job, illness, divorce, death of a spouse, ect.) of some sort. A portion use/abuse the system because it's a relatively easy system to become accustomed to once you're in the system. Based on my real life knowledge and experience with welfare's, the portion who need it/ use it as intended are the minority group. You're so-called liberal worldview is way too black (victims) and white (cheaters) for my taste. PB has issues (lots of issues). I have issues. I bet you (Mr. Cozy Blue) even have a few issues from time to time. Americans in general have their own issues to attend to or address on a regular basis. I don't view PB as a victim. He's to old to seriously view him/accept him as a victim.

In my case it will be disability. I have plenty of things wrong with me. But I can live cheap. The community in which I exist (it is not living!) is relatively cheap and safe. It is also an easy place in which to run out of experiences.

I took care of two dying parents with degenerative diseases in three years. Let's put it this way -- having seen my mother dying of Parkinsonism and my father dying of senile dementia. I have become poor in a country that treats the poor as objects of exploitation and abuse, people obliged to smile through their suffering. I wouldn't wish what I went through on anyone; that character-building experience has brought me personal ruin. I have contemplated suicide after I lost my life savings in trying to keep a house up in case of a miracle.

Unemployment, alimony, child support, and pensions are not welfare. Neither is disability. Issues?

Sure, I have talent. At 61, 'talent' is worthless.

Spending the rest of my life as a retail sales clerk in a community that I despise? That Kafkaesque prospect night as well be a prison term. Poverty in America is a prison.

You shouldn't have been counting on receiving your parents money *inheritance*.  My mother died of Alzheimer's a few years ago. I helped take care of her for a year and witnessed her decline. I was in charge of managing her retirement funds. I never viewed her money as my money. My father was physically disabled by a severe heart attack that damn near killed. A year later, he suffered a major stroke which eventually killed him a month later. I witnessed it all and inherited a plate full of his responsibilities as a kid. His death pretty much ended my childhood and placed me in a similar situation as you until I was old to get a driver's license and begin to work for a living. So, I can relate to what you've been saying/feeling about your life. However, I can't relate to you/ your issues/ your views as a fellow older adult.