Exclusive: 4 in 5 in US face near-poverty, no work

Wolferz · 07-28-13, 07:33 PM

The governments have practiced deficit spending so long that now even the rank and file are forced to do the same thing due to all this runaway greed. At first it was all hinged on the price of a barrel of oil but now not so much. Prices keep rising even when oil prices drop back because the CEO's and their ilk get paid a king's ransom to do nothing and that expense is always passed on to the consumers. It's just a vicious circle with no end in sight other than the complete collapse of the entire house of cards.

TarJak · 07-28-13, 07:43 PM

The real key words in the frame for this bit of statistical scaremongering are "for at least parts of their lives". This makes these statistics fall into the category of not worth the bandwidth used to download them.

AVGWarhawk · 07-28-13, 08:00 PM

Conduct a war. The US is a war machine that manufactures war materials. Nothing else is manufactured here.

Skybird · 07-28-13, 08:03 PM

Distraction tactics again, I see: endlessly fighting over one phrase while ignoring the bigger picture.

http://www.infowars.com/21-statistic...e-should-know/

Germany: the price for the economic endurance - which is now showing signs of stalling - has been reported about again in the press recently: only Lithuania has a higher quote of low-wage jobs than Germany. The phenomenon of the so-called working poor has reached Germany already yeas ago, and currently is pushing the income environment over here completely over the edge. The compensations for top managers failing in their jobs and getting fired, nevertheless have reached new record highs. Wonders and miracles. Could almost turn me into a believer.

I wish I would have such a top job for just once in my life. I promise you I would make sure to fail so monumentally and faster than you can say "you're fired" that they could not avoid to fire me after just one month and pay me a compensation that enables me to live like a pop star for the rest of my life. With not knowing anything needed in such a job I think I would qualify perfectly for that scheme.

Failure and lacking success pays off for fat cats!

---

There are two kinds of capitalism: the one is represented by the honest salesman who indeed wants to deserve what he earns. The other is the one who wants to get away with as much quick money made as possible for as little work and investment possible, not caring for the damage he does, and not caring for the big flood that follows him.

The first we should respect and encourage and reward by supporting him by doing business with him.

But the latter we should mercilessly slay wherever we find him, for he is the cyanid of the Earth.

mookiemookie · 07-28-13, 10:23 PM

For everyone jumping on that "oh yeah, 'for at least part of their lives' so this article sucks" bandwagon, think about this - what does it say when our system rests on such a tenuous position that 80% of people are destitute at some point in their lives? Shouldn't someone that practices the right-wing, Rand-ian ideal of self reliance enjoy at least some measure of insulation from abject poverty? Does this mean that 80% of people are not hard workers and responsible for their own fortunes in life? I doubt that.

August · 07-28-13, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

think about this - what does it say when our system rests on such a tenuous position that 80% of people are destitute at some point in their lives?

Point out a time in American history when 80% of people hadn't been destitute at some point in their lives. You won't find it in the 20th century that's for sure.

07-29-13, 01:58 AM

Quote:

For everyone jumping on that "oh yeah, 'for at least part of their lives' so this article sucks" bandwagon, think about this - what does it say when our system rests on such a tenuous position that 80% of people are destitute at some point in their lives? Shouldn't someone that practices the right-wing, Rand-ian ideal of self reliance enjoy at least some measure of insulation from abject poverty? Does this mean that 80% of people are not hard workers and responsible for their own fortunes in life? I doubt that.

But it doesn't say that mookie, the 80% is just nonsense.
Take me for an example, I was unemployed when I broke my leg. Therefore I am one of those 80%, yet I was not destitute.
You simply cannot link the figures with the claim made about them as they are so broad as to be meaningless.

TarJak · 07-29-13, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

Point out a time in American history when 80% of people hadn't been destitute at some point in their lives. You won't find it in the 20th century that's for sure.

Exactly, not knowing the demographic of the survey, you'd have to consider that you would include at least some in the survey that lived through the depression of 1929-1933, and certainly the many downturns and upturns in the economy since then. Even during the boom times of near full employment there were always a high proportion of people who were not receiving enough in wages to subsist on let alone get clear of the poverty line.

I doubt that you'll find it in the 21st, 22nd or 23rd either. The stats showed here are just rubbish meant to point towards some failing or other. They should be treated with the contempt these numbers deserve.

CaptainMattJ. · 07-29-13, 03:03 AM

The entire system is one big mess and hardly good for the middle man.

Unfortunately, putting yourself in tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt JUST to start your usually average career at a comparably mediocre wage isn't even likely to work anymore for some people. College graduates are finding out more and more that the degree they slaved over for 4+ years and spent absurd amounts of money on is quickly becoming less and less a ticket to their success.

And then to raise a family on some of these incomes? My dad worked (and is still working) 36 years in electronics. Hes built, sodered, tested, inspected, filed, repaired, and ordered just about every electronic part there is. He makes 60k. Not bad, for maybe 1 or 2 people. Our family of four on the other hand, usually had about 10 dollars in the bank at any one paycheck. the cost of living is astronomical. It didnt help that the 700 dollar health insurance plan we paid into still stuck us with a 6 thousand dollar deductible after my sister went into the hospital. So much for those amazing, helpful insurance companies huh? Pay ridiculous rates for piss poor coverage. This is normal now with MANY families. Insurance costs, utilities, rent, gas, food, realty, everything has gone so far up in price, yet the wages of the workers have not. My family's entire life had been living paycheck to paycheck. My parents still do. If any big expense came up its credit card or wed be bankrupt.

Its not poverty but one slip and it could be. If my sister had gone into the hospital again we couldnt possibly afford to pay the astronomical and ridiculous deductible. Health care is unaffordable. Housing is becoming unaffordable. Schooling is unaffordable (and overcrowded, and unfair and biased). Everything is becoming more expensive. Yet wages aren't increasing. Many families live like this now, literally paycheck to paycheck, one slip or one missed check and you're out on the street. The entire system is just one big mess.

Skybird · 07-29-13, 05:38 AM

The cynism of those trying to give it a twist by remarking that a common phrase which should be obvious in its common meaning now even refers to the early and mid 20s maybe even was meant by the author to embrace all American history, is remarkable.

By abusing scaling that way, just everything in the world can be endlessly relativised until it means nothing anymore. Stage-acting as a pedantic is a great rhetoric weapon.

gimpy117 · 07-29-13, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ.

Its not poverty but one slip and it could be. If my sister had gone into the hospital again we couldnt possibly afford to pay the astronomical and ridiculous deductible. Health care is unaffordable. Housing is becoming unaffordable. Schooling is unaffordable (and overcrowded, and unfair and biased). Everything is becoming more expensive. Yet wages aren't increasing. Many families live like this now, literally paycheck to paycheck, one slip or one missed check and you're out on the street. The entire system is just one big mess.

I agree, thats the problem...these jobs pay SO LITTLE that if you miss a day or two at work, or you have unexpected expenses...you are out of luck...and then ti gets more expensive because now you have a bazillion late fees to deal with and bad credit

07-28-13, 07:33 PM	#1
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	The governments have practiced deficit spending so long that now even the rank and file are forced to do the same thing due to all this runaway greed. At first it was all hinged on the price of a barrel of oil but now not so much. Prices keep rising even when oil prices drop back because the CEO's and their ilk get paid a king's ransom to do nothing and that expense is always passed on to the consumers. It's just a vicious circle with no end in sight other than the complete collapse of the entire house of cards. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

07-28-13, 08:00 PM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,281 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Conduct a war. The US is a war machine that manufactures war materials. Nothing else is manufactured here. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

07-28-13, 08:03 PM	#4
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,674 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Distraction tactics again, I see: endlessly fighting over one phrase while ignoring the bigger picture. http://www.infowars.com/21-statistic...e-should-know/ Germany: the price for the economic endurance - which is now showing signs of stalling - has been reported about again in the press recently: only Lithuania has a higher quote of low-wage jobs than Germany. The phenomenon of the so-called working poor has reached Germany already yeas ago, and currently is pushing the income environment over here completely over the edge. The compensations for top managers failing in their jobs and getting fired, nevertheless have reached new record highs. Wonders and miracles. Could almost turn me into a believer. I wish I would have such a top job for just once in my life. I promise you I would make sure to fail so monumentally and faster than you can say "you're fired" that they could not avoid to fire me after just one month and pay me a compensation that enables me to live like a pop star for the rest of my life. With not knowing anything needed in such a job I think I would qualify perfectly for that scheme. Failure and lacking success pays off for fat cats! --- There are two kinds of capitalism: the one is represented by the honest salesman who indeed wants to deserve what he earns. The other is the one who wants to get away with as much quick money made as possible for as little work and investment possible, not caring for the damage he does, and not caring for the big flood that follows him. The first we should respect and encourage and reward by supporting him by doing business with him. But the latter we should mercilessly slay wherever we find him, for he is the cyanid of the Earth. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

07-28-13, 10:23 PM	#5
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	For everyone jumping on that "oh yeah, 'for at least part of their lives' so this article sucks" bandwagon, think about this - what does it say when our system rests on such a tenuous position that 80% of people are destitute at some point in their lives? Shouldn't someone that practices the right-wing, Rand-ian ideal of self reliance enjoy at least some measure of insulation from abject poverty? Does this mean that 80% of people are not hard workers and responsible for their own fortunes in life? I doubt that. __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

07-29-13, 03:03 AM	#9
CaptainMattJ. The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,364 Downloads: 55 Uploads: 0	The entire system is one big mess and hardly good for the middle man. Unfortunately, putting yourself in tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt JUST to start your usually average career at a comparably mediocre wage isn't even likely to work anymore for some people. College graduates are finding out more and more that the degree they slaved over for 4+ years and spent absurd amounts of money on is quickly becoming less and less a ticket to their success. And then to raise a family on some of these incomes? My dad worked (and is still working) 36 years in electronics. Hes built, sodered, tested, inspected, filed, repaired, and ordered just about every electronic part there is. He makes 60k. Not bad, for maybe 1 or 2 people. Our family of four on the other hand, usually had about 10 dollars in the bank at any one paycheck. the cost of living is astronomical. It didnt help that the 700 dollar health insurance plan we paid into still stuck us with a 6 thousand dollar deductible after my sister went into the hospital. So much for those amazing, helpful insurance companies huh? Pay ridiculous rates for piss poor coverage. This is normal now with MANY families. Insurance costs, utilities, rent, gas, food, realty, everything has gone so far up in price, yet the wages of the workers have not. My family's entire life had been living paycheck to paycheck. My parents still do. If any big expense came up its credit card or wed be bankrupt. Its not poverty but one slip and it could be. If my sister had gone into the hospital again we couldnt possibly afford to pay the astronomical and ridiculous deductible. Health care is unaffordable. Housing is becoming unaffordable. Schooling is unaffordable (and overcrowded, and unfair and biased). Everything is becoming more expensive. Yet wages aren't increasing. Many families live like this now, literally paycheck to paycheck, one slip or one missed check and you're out on the street. The entire system is just one big mess. __________________ A popular Government without popular information nor the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives - James Madison

07-28-13, 07:43 PM	#2
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	The real key words in the frame for this bit of statistical scaremongering are "for at least parts of their lives". This makes these statistics fall into the category of not worth the bandwidth used to download them.

07-29-13, 05:38 AM	#10
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,674 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	The cynism of those trying to give it a twist by remarking that a common phrase which should be obvious in its common meaning now even refers to the early and mid 20s maybe even was meant by the author to embrace all American history, is remarkable. By abusing scaling that way, just everything in the world can be endlessly relativised until it means nothing anymore. Stage-acting as a pedantic is a great rhetoric weapon. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.