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To Not Be Poor
Author: BobR    Date: 03/07/2014 13:51:08

One of the primary dividing lines between liberals and conservatives, between Democrats and Republicans, is their view on money. To liberals, a person who is poor is someone who needs help, support, and guidance, and opportunity to find a way out. Particularly vexing are the working poor, those who have full time jobs yet still live in poverty. To conservatives, being poor is an obvious moral failing. A person who is poor obviously did something wrong, and they are now deservedly paying the price (or not paying, since - you know - they're broke).

This is why there is always a huge gulf between the two main parties when it comes to budgeting. The Democrats would prefer to spend tax dollars on programs that help everyone (especially those who need it most), and the idea that somewhere someone is getting something they don't deserve is anathema to Republicans.

This is why the topic of WIC, food stamps, and school lunch programs becomes such a testy topic. Paul Ryan (R-WI) - who benefited greatly from Socialist Security - is one of the loudest, staunchest castigators of the disenfranchised. Yesterday at CPAC, he poor-shamed kids and their parents for having the audacity to want to eat:
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) asserted on Thursday that liberals did not understand that kids who got free lunches at school did not have parents who cared about them at home.
[...]
He then told a story of a “young boy from a very poor family” who received free lunches at school “from a government program.”

“He didn’t want a free lunch,” Ryan insisted. “He wanted his own lunch, one in a brown paper bag, just like the other kids.”

“He wanted one, he said, because he knew a kid with a brown paper bag had someone who cared for him. This is what the left does not understand.”

Lesson to the kiddies: Your parents can't afford to provide you with a bagged lunch? That means they don't love you.

It seems, though, that Mr. Paul took a lesson from fellow Ayn Rand-ite Rand Paul (R-KY) by plagiarizing that little story:
The paper-bag lunch story is from a 2011 book about a hungry, panhandling kid in New York City.
http://www.aninvisiblethread.com/about
And the kid in the book wasn’t turning down gov’t subsidized lunches at school, he was reacting to a private benefactor’s offer to pay for his cafeteria lunches at school.

Whoops. I guess getting by on someone else's work is okay. Stealing words isn't really stealing, right? I mean - there are words everywhere, lying around, just waiting to be used. It's not like you're using the federal government to take money out of uber-rich hard-working people's pockets just to give it to the unlucky lazy poor people. In Republicans' minds, hard work = success + money. In reality, that is rarely the case.

Well Jesse Ventura has a few choice words for those who defend the rich and chastise the poor - you're sick:
Ventura said it looked like the ultra-rich had a “sickness” and were dangerously addicted to money.

“I think that’s what’s wrong with these one percenters. They have so much money they couldn’t spend it in their lifetime or their grandchildren’s lifetime, but it truly becomes a sickness.”

Ventura also questioned the conventional wisdom that billionaires earn their enormous salaries because they work more than the rest of Americans. He laughed at the notion that the one percent “work harder.”

“Is it work pushing numbers around on papers and moving decimal points?” he said. “Or is it work washing dishes or digging a ditch? Because I highly doubt that any of these one percenters — I’d love to know how many of them began like I did, at Mama Rosa’s restaurant washing dishes for $1.50 an hour. That’s work, and it’s as hard of work washing them dishes all day long as it would be doing what these CEOs do.”

So what's the solution? Some people work hard and still remain poor. What can they do? The answer is very simple, and I quote: "Stop being poor":



It's so simple!
 

55 comments (Latest Comment: 03/08/2014 03:05:12 by Raine)
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Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2014 14:05:15
Morning

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 14:11:38
Good morning!

Nice find, Bob. I am just jaw dropped about that invisible thread story.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 14:14:20
And then Miss Laura sent him to the orphanage and said FUCK YOU I AM A LIBERAL and then she aborted him and now he is dead.


Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 14:25:56
Birth justice and abortion access come together in one awesome clinic

Anti-choicers are going to be so confused. How can they picket a place where women CHOOSE to give birth!

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 14:58:27
WTF, Massachusetts. WTF.

I hope they get that legislation passed -- FAST...

ETA: the fixed that ish fast. Way to go MA Legislature.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2014 15:02:25
Mornin' all..

Nooooo autoplay videos EVER!

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 15:10:17
Okay cage match! Jesse the Body Ventura vs Paul the Liar Ryan. Two go in! One comes out! Who will it be?

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 15:12:21
Quote by Raine:
WTF, Massachusetts. WTF.

I hope they get that legislation passed -- FAST...

ETA: the fixed that ish fast. Way to go MA Legislature.



I didn't even need to read the article to know what you had linked. A friend of mine posted something about this on the BoF yesterdee. Stay klassy, Mass. Speaking of the Bay State, where has the Goodman TriSec been?

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 15:13:13
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
WTF, Massachusetts. WTF.

I hope they get that legislation passed -- FAST...

ETA: the fixed that ish fast. Way to go MA Legislature.



I didn't even need to read the article to know what you had linked. A friend of mine posted something about this on the BoF yesterdee. Stay klassy, Mass. Speaking of the Bay State, where has the Goodman TriSec been?


I think he's been having a bit of a work blockage to the internets.

I do hope he will breeze by soon.


Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2014 15:21:01
this is FANTASTIC!!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1379540_10151908231592026_33186707_n.jpg


Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 15:24:17
Quote by Scoopster:
this is FANTASTIC!!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1379540_10151908231592026_33186707_n.jpg



Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2014 15:29:08
Quote by Mondobubba:
Okay cage match! Jesse the Body Ventura vs Paul the Liar Ryan. Two go in! One comes out! Who will it be?




Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 15:41:29
Quote by Scoopster:
this is FANTASTIC!!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1379540_10151908231592026_33186707_n.jpg



:rofl:

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 15:44:19
Scoop i have shared that image with my gamer-girl and all around geek buddy, she thought it was brilliant!

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 15:52:39
Mother Nature, she's such a tease! Flashing sun like it was the top of her stocking then smoothing her skirt down.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2014 16:11:23
Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 16:12:47
Tease metaphors and geekism killed the blog?

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 16:15:15
So this is part of an email I just got:

We have (name removed) walking the floor today. Please use his expertise if you need help. Stand up and wave him down. He is walking around with a Red Shirt on.


The sup who sent this out is so not a geek.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 16:26:02
Pst... Double check the blog post.


Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 16:26:40
Quote by Mondobubba:
Tease metaphors and geekism killed the blog?
try as you might, that will NEVER happen.


Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 16:27:51
Quote by Mondobubba:
Mother Nature, she's such a tease! Flashing sun like it was the top of her stocking then smoothing her skirt down.
What did you do to fool Mother Nature?

You know, you fool her and she will exact her wrath...


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 16:28:29
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Tease metaphors and geekism killed the blog?
try as you might, that will NEVER happen.



Not with me, Mala and Scoop around

Okay it merely stunned. Sue me.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 16:34:55
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Tease metaphors and geekism killed the blog?
try as you might, that will NEVER happen.



Not with me, Mala and Scoop around

Okay it merely stunned. Sue me.



Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2014 16:38:52
*adjusts Crown of Geekdom then gets back to work*

Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2014 16:40:13
Quote by Raine:
Pst... Double check the blog post.

Aaargh! I see this stuff pop up on FB as if it were brand new and I'm just like

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 16:42:02
Quote by wickedpam:
*adjusts Crown of Geekdom then gets back to work*

http://cdn3.fashionablygeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/arwen-headdress.jpg


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 16:47:13
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Mother Nature, she's such a tease! Flashing sun like it was the top of her stocking then smoothing her skirt down.
What did you do to fool Mother Nature?

You know, you fool her and she will exact her wrath...



I'm not fooling with her! The sun came out then went behind the clouds. Hence the tease metaphor.


Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2014 17:00:36
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
*adjusts Crown of Geekdom then gets back to work*

http://cdn3.fashionablygeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/arwen-headdress.jpg



I was thinking more sparkly but that will work too

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 17:05:40
When did a good old fashioned vibrator become passé?


If that's the future, I rather have life imitate Art:

http://www.ronankavanagh.ie/public/orgasmatron_sleeper1.jpg


http://www.reverseshot.com/files/images/issue21/sleeper.jpg


Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 17:14:18
OMG, THIS Comment/picture was the best reason to click this Miley cyrus dildo story.

For beginners:
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-medium/vsnq3rfczk8b32fibhhl.png




Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 17:16:49
Quote by wickedpam:
*adjusts Crown of Geekdom then gets back to work*



Something more like this?

http://www.elocalrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/TIARA-COMB-SILVER.jpg


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 17:19:29
Quote by Raine:
OMG, THIS Comment/picture was the best reason to click this Miley cyrus dildo story.

For beginners:
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-medium/vsnq3rfczk8b32fibhhl.png





I can't unsee or unread that. I feel dirty...

Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2014 17:21:22
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
*adjusts Crown of Geekdom then gets back to work*



Something more like this?

http://www.elocalrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/TIARA-COMB-SILVER.jpg



Shiny

I'll use the other when I need to don some warrior ass kicking boots.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2014 17:30:09


Comment by wickedpam on 03/07/2014 17:31:29
For some reason I have found a bunch of writers following me on Twitter - I feel a little pressure to go write something now

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 18:12:02


Comment by livingonli on 03/07/2014 18:16:15
Good day, folks.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 18:55:22
Quote by livingonli:
Good day, folks.

Good day. Sir!

Comment by livingonli on 03/07/2014 19:46:08
Quote by Raine:
Quote by livingonli:
Good day, folks.

Good day. Sir!



I like that emoticon. It's so spiffy.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/07/2014 19:54:57
BobR, the problem with Paul Ryan's world view is that it is based on doctrine, not facts. It seems that the GOP has somehow wedded an extreme Calvinism to Ayn Rand's teachings. This is a dangerous combination, as it seems to lead to a meaner nation where only the wealthy are truly deserving -- and benefit from government programs like corporate welfare.

As for myself, I think that I finally broke my cold.

Comment by clintster on 03/07/2014 19:59:51
I recently had an interesting (if slightly morbid) thought:

If President Obama is able to not die of a sickness, an accident, or an assassination attempt before December 26 of next year, he will be the tail end of a new presidential record.

The longest period the US has gone without a Chief Executive dying in office was 51 years and 339 days, from the inauguration of George Washington to the passing of William Henry Harrison. From that time on through the JFK assassination, we had a President die in office roughly every twenty years or so (With Zachary Taylor providing the combo breaker in 1850).

If you believe the old "curse of Tippecanoe", Ronald Reagan would have been the next to die after JFK, since he was elected in a year ending in a zero. Dubya would have then followed. The fact that they didn't thus put the legend of the curse to rest. Let's just hope that Barack Obama continues the streak of good fortune and that it remains unbroken for a LONG time.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/07/2014 20:05:03
Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 20:19:21
Quote by clintster:
I recently had an interesting (if slightly morbid) thought:

If President Obama is able to not die of a sickness, an accident, or an assassination attempt before December 26 of next year, he will be the tail end of a new presidential record.

The longest period the US has gone without a Chief Executive dying in office was 51 years and 339 days, from the inauguration of George Washington to the passing of William Henry Harrison. From that time on through the JFK assassination, we had a President die in office roughly every twenty years or so (With Zachary Taylor providing the combo breaker in 1850).

If you believe the old "curse of Tippecanoe", Ronald Reagan would have been the next to die after JFK, since he was elected in a year ending in a zero. Dubya would have then followed. The fact that they didn't thus put the legend of the curse to rest. Let's just hope that Barack Obama continues the streak of good fortune and that it remains unbroken for a LONG time.
That is interesting. (and morbid... )




Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/07/2014 20:21:24
Quote by clintster:
I recently had an interesting (if slightly morbid) thought:

If President Obama is able to not die of a sickness, an accident, or an assassination attempt before December 26 of next year, he will be the tail end of a new presidential record.

The longest period the US has gone without a Chief Executive dying in office was 51 years and 339 days, from the inauguration of George Washington to the passing of William Henry Harrison. From that time on through the JFK assassination, we had a President die in office roughly every twenty years or so (With Zachary Taylor providing the combo breaker in 1850).

If you believe the old "curse of Tippecanoe", Ronald Reagan would have been the next to die after JFK, since he was elected in a year ending in a zero. Dubya would have then followed. The fact that they didn't thus put the legend of the curse to rest. Let's just hope that Barack Obama continues the streak of good fortune and that it remains unbroken for a LONG time.



I hope that is so, Clint. However, i do worry about President Obama's safety with a lot of the rhetoric being espoused these days. It is not that dissimilar from what was said about John F Kennedy. Still, we can hope that we have turned a corner.

Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 21:35:03


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 21:42:39
Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 21:44:38
Quote by Raine:



OMG! The CUTE! IT BURNS!


Comment by Raine on 03/07/2014 22:09:42
You smell something? I think it's horse shit.

Asked specifically if he felt like he had exhausted all other avenues before deciding to leak classified information to the public, Snowden responded:

Yes. I had reported these clearly problematic programs to more than ten distinct officials, none of whom took any action to address them. As an employee of a private company rather than a direct employee of the US government, I was not protected by US whistleblower laws, and I would not have been protected from retaliation and legal sanction for revealing classified information about lawbreaking in accordance with the recommended process.


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/07/2014 22:30:26
I was at the gym last night, later than normal so while I was doing part of the workout, The Kelly File was on. They kept show video and pictures of that angry black man, Elijah Cummings. But bless those fuzzy little ones at Fox, they never showed St Darrell doing the cut sign and shitting all over Rep Cummings. Dicks.