Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Interesting
Just finished the book. The story didn't quite grab me like I hoped, but it was interesting. We (I) usually think of disparities in people's living conditions as a result of laziness or government handouts, but its crazy to think that many of the poor are working very hard, usually putting in more hours than most and living in terrible conditions. I liked her commentary at the end about how public services in other countries make up for the low wages moreso than in the US. What were all of your thoughts?
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Well, I just finished the book. But to be honest I kind of skimmed the last part. The book was definitely interesting. Like Debbie, I am often quick to think people's own choices have made them poor, and I still believe choices have a lot to do with it. I think one of the biggest factors, is that poor choices are so often made at such a young age and that limits and directs people's lives forever! Once that happens, it is almost impossible for them to recover.
I think a lot of our government programs are only putting small bandades on large wounds. We need to make sure our programs actually help people make changes in their lives that will allow them to support themselves and their families. The church welfare and employment programs are excellent models. But does that really surprise you?
Okay I've been trying to avoid these posts and comments because I haven't finished the book yet, but I probably shouldn't wait any more or I'll forget what I wanted to say.
I totally agree with the whole take responsibility for the choices you make thing. Really. In my mind the solution lies in education.
How do you let all these people know that there is a better way to live, or that if they would just hold off on making those poor decisions at such a young age they could have a fantastic life instead of trying to recover the whole time?
I even feel like that goes on in my own family. Not really about making money, but actually yes about money now that I think about it.
This summer I set up swim lessons for Catie to teach. She was worried about saving money and I wanted to show her that she could reach her savings goal more quickly by employing herself. I also wanted to help her learn to save (this was taught very passively in our family growing up...). SO the deal I made with her is that I would do everything for a "swim school": advertise, registration, etc. and all she had to do was show up and teach the lessons. I told her that she could keep ALL of the money if she paid tithing and then saved the rest (she had another job, so this was all extra). If she spent a nickel of the money then I would take half of it for all the work I was doing.
She went just over her savings goal and we could have done more, but we decided to stop. I wanted her to see the flexibility of being self employed and how easy it was to make money.
I thought I was so smart giving her this educational experience, but I'm not certain she learned everything I had in mind.
So that was my attempt at educating someone, and it didn't go so well. So how do you educate a whole society?
Political/societal problems like this get me all worked up, but I always decide in the end that I will be the best citizen I can be and do my best to help my family, neighbors, and all people I come in contact with to do the same. And then vote for people who I believe will do the same, which is ironic because I have never voted for anything in my life. (Totally lame, I know.)
I know this is getting really long, but I also wanted to say that I thought Randi's reaction to Barb was interesting compared to my reaction. I think Barb is being realistic so far. I also think that there is a statistical difference between Barb and her temporary co-workers. She makes more money than them. I didn't think she thought she was better than anybody, just makes more money than them. I haven't read the paragraph about fat people at Wal-Mart though. So I'll comment again after I read it and we'll see how much of a jerk I am then...
One last thing. I told Christine I was reading this book and she immediately said, "That book is so biased! She went to the three most expensive cities in the country and tried to live off of small jobs." I haven't thought about the merit of that point, but I'm sure there is some so if anyone has a thought please share.
Peace out!
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