Quote from thunderinvalley:
pabst, is it your opinion that the poor are poor largely through there own inaction and lack of ambition, laziness, perhaps stupidity?? it is their own fault?
Quote from thunderinvalley:
the levy weakness needed fixing for quite some time. the govt should have acted in a rational manner and kept us safe with OUR $.
Quote from Pabst:
I think life's opportunities are predicated by a combination of character, talent and random luck. A bright guy who does the right things only need stay away from bad luck. If you're stupid and lazy you need to hit a lot of inside straights on the river. Happens though........
Quote from thunderinvalley:
oh, and if they are poor by necessity doesn't THEIR govt have an obligation to provide them a humane existence?
just wondering what your thoughts are pabst
Quote from Pabst:
I think in this post a couple of weeks ago I hit upon it:
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1117881&highlight=working+poor#post1117881
Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 4704
06-29-06 10:38 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote from ZZZzzzzzzz:
Take home pay...being above poverty level.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're making assumptions that have little practical value. Studies show that the overwhelming majority of minimum wage employees either do not head households (students ect.) or are seniors supplementing retirement income. Bumping the 16 yo working behind the soda fountain in the Fashion Plaza is not a paramount moral concern.
We should all be sensitive to the plight of those raising families at or near the poverty level. However the reality is most "working poor" are already making more than the MW. (jobs in the $7-$10.00 per hour zone). For many poor it's not so much about wages as it is other factors like available time that make economic survival difficult. Try being a single mom raising a couple of toddlers and still be able to put in a 40 hour week.
This is where conservatives often differ with liberals. The goal of society should be rooted in justice and solutions. Empty symbolism is pointless. We must deal with a wide strata such as developing transportation networks that help folks commute from affordable neighborhoods to jobs in outlying areas, enabling mom's with innovative child care options, free alcohol and substance abuse help, and job training/networking programs. However those institutional changes require wholesale commitment. I guess it's easier to just say "raise MW by a buck and call it a day."
