winston: blog 
winston's blog
poverty in the usa
Published Jul. 3, 2009Views: 1208
Why do most folk speak of poverty worldwide and then speak of poverty in the USA as if it's similar? I've traveled to some poor countries, seen the poor in the USA, and searched the internet for poverty stricken areas of the world. I conclude that the ONLY country in the world where the poor are FAT(comparatively speaking) is the USA...why is that?
Filed under: Lifestyle
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The question I would have is if they make poor food choices, why is that?
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:04 p.m.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:05 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:06 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:10 p.m.
GOLO member since April 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:10 p.m.
Define junk food.
Are fresh potatoes & bags of rice, sacks of flour, frozen chicken and canned beans JUNK food? If so, I agree.
Hunger is one thing, and poverty is another. There's no excuse for hunger in the USA.
Poverty is defined as an income under $10,400 for one. Add $3,400 for each other household member. That is hard to live on in Raleigh. That's $200 a week. Hard to pay rent on that.
Imagine someone living on a SSI check of about that. Now, if they get into section 8 housing, that would mean about 225 bucks for rent. Food, clothes, gas, sales tax are the same for them and others.
GOLO member since January 20, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:13 p.m.
Yep. I buy fresh fruit for snacks each week, and it's amazing how much it can cost.
Last night they were talking about a documentary called "Food, Inc." Supposedly our veggies have less nutrition and flavor today than they did 30 years ago because corporations are mass producing our food. I'm interested in seeing the movie.
GOLO member since April 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:14 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:14 p.m.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:15 p.m.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:18 p.m.
The point that I was trying to make is that a person might go to buy a bag of oranges and discover that they are $8. That seems pricey so they pick up the individual wrapped cookies on sale that are $4.99.
There was talk about food stamps being accepted at local farmer markets. Did that ever come to be I wonder?
GOLO member since April 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:18 p.m.
However, if the people we consider to be poor will just hold on - - they will have your money soon - - and then you too can be fat.
JOO
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 3, 2009 11:19 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:20 p.m.
WIC is for women, babies, and children.
GOLO member since April 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:21 p.m.
You've seen the poor, some of the countries I've been in there are people that do not know where their next meal is coming from, LITERALLY!!!.....now that's poor.....and very disturbing. Its been yrs since I was in India but its still haunting me. (I worked there in Andrea Pradesh for 3 months....south east India)
Manila in the Philippines and Guatemala City have very poor slum areas too, the abandon children live in the dump....like rats.
Whenever I went out of the country (usually for 3 to 4 months at a time) the first thing I always noticed when I got back was how fat everybody is.
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 3, 2009 11:21 p.m.
GOLO member since April 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:23 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:23 p.m.
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 3, 2009 11:26 p.m.
Yes. I know of at least one vendor at the State Farmer's Market that accepts food stamps.
GOLO member since February 15, 2009
July 3, 2009 11:27 p.m.
I was referring to the fact that the now poor fat people will be eating more healthy once they have your money and my money after the redistribution that is ongoing. Then we will all be eating the less expensive “fattier” foods and join their ranks.
JOO
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 3, 2009 11:28 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:30 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:32 p.m.
The poor in this country (truth be known) are probably no fatter than the rest of us.
Our nation’s girth is growing all the time.
I think I’ll go for a walk - - I need to lose some weight and I haven’t hit the poverty level just yet.
JOO
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 3, 2009 11:35 p.m.
Again, seeing healthy food is more expensive, this makes this question more controversial.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:36 p.m.
This could be another reason why the "poor" children are obese, compared to the healthy, athletic children of more financially prosperous families.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:42 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:43 p.m.
If one is truly poor for whatever reason, there is probably a certain amount of depression that goes with the financial situation.
Could be a lack of motivation to try to improve one's self.
I do know this however, legislation will not slim people down. People at some point have to do some things for themselves.
It's not all about money.
JOO
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 3, 2009 11:46 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:46 p.m.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:47 p.m.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:48 p.m.
GOLO member since February 15, 2009
July 3, 2009 11:53 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:55 p.m.
JOO
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 3, 2009 11:57 p.m.
Then you factor in the depression and possible low-self worth JOO talked about, and it is a difficult situation for people to overcome.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:57 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 3, 2009 11:58 p.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 4, 2009 12:01 a.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 4, 2009 12:03 a.m.
Did they not attend school? How old are these adults you're speaking of?
I do not understand how anyone can go to school and come out illiterate anymore, let's say, in the last 30 years?
GOLO member since July 11, 2007
July 4, 2009 12:09 a.m.
JOO
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 4, 2009 12:09 a.m.
Fat is very good for children, and adults. It is only bad if too much. Don't fall into the trap of FAT IS BAD.
GOLO member since January 20, 2008
July 4, 2009 12:09 a.m.
You are what you think about.
The person that thinks that they have always had nothing and will never have anything can’t see beyond the day. One of the very last things on their mind is how healthy they can prepare their next meal.
For any program to have any value to an individual, that person has to buy into the fact that it will do them some good and act on it.
Unfortunately in this country we have taught the less fortunate that we will throw money at them, thus enabling them to sustain life. Not quality lives but continue to eat and breathe.
True reform will only come when one can see that they can be a productive part of society and become a contributor as opposed to just waiting for the next food stamp or check. Until that time the cycle continues.
JOO
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 4, 2009 12:11 a.m.
Maybe it's the fact that our poor are so well off that makes Obama so determined to create more of them.
GOLO member since July 17, 2007
July 4, 2009 12:12 a.m.
GOLO member since January 20, 2008
July 4, 2009 12:12 a.m.
On a personal level I have little issue with some programs b/c somebody has to be the janitor and lunch lady. These jobs do not pay well and rent and utilities are high so I think they deserve some help (that is the bleeding heart side of me). On the other hand we shouldn't raise people to think it is okay to chose a low paying job b/c the gov't can help pay your bills. The purpose of such programs I feel should be more limited to how long you can receive the benefit. On the other hand you don't want to take food away from children whose parents make bad choices with money.
GOLO member since February 15, 2009
July 4, 2009 12:13 a.m.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 4, 2009 12:14 a.m.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefitsandservices/foodpkgregs.HTM
Food stamps can be used for any food item, not necessarily healthy.
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=2226
GOLO member since July 11, 2007
July 4, 2009 12:16 a.m.
I am trying to mirror this program in my budget class. I found a public health educator who is helping and I hope it pays off not just for the students but for all us taxpayers too.
GOLO member since February 15, 2009
July 4, 2009 12:17 a.m.
Then you get hooked on the high fat/ high carbs. Combined with culture eating ("southern cooking" and such).
GOLO member since December 18, 2007
July 4, 2009 12:18 a.m.
GOLO member since April 25, 2008
July 4, 2009 12:20 a.m.
JOO.."True reform will only come when one can see that they can be a productive part of society and become a contributor as opposed to just waiting for the next food stamp or check. Until that time the cycle continues."
JOO, what can make 'one see' ?
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 4, 2009 12:20 a.m.
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