Very interesting article

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2007
Very interesting article
14
Thu, 05-21-2009 - 7:08pm

I found this both very informative and incredibly sad.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/17/AR2009051702053.html?g=0


Robyn


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Thu, 05-21-2009 - 7:24pm

Very true, and t did not even touch the most costly part for being poor - healthcare (or the lack of). All the lousy food, poor living conditions, and little access to preventive care add up.

I know a few cities experimenting with mobile grocery trucks with some success. They help bring sorely needed fresh produce to people otherwise have no means to get to a proper store.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2008
Thu, 05-21-2009 - 10:55pm

A very difficult and somber read.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Thu, 05-21-2009 - 11:30pm

What I struggle with is how we, society as a whole, contributed to this exploitation. For example, many people on this board enjoy shopping at Walmart because of the low prices. In order to keep prices low, the workers do not receive a "liveable" wage. Many of of them do not have health insurance. The majority of the products used to be made in the US, now they are often made in China or some other developing countries. Not only are we losing manufacturing jobs, but we also have to worry more about consumer safety issues.

On the surface it appears as if we are saving money. But in reality it is a vicious cycle: people are broke, so they want cheaper products, so they make these products somewhere else with cheap labor and pay the retail workers in the US poorly. Because of the jobs lost and poor pay, people are broke and can only afford cheap products ...

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Fri, 05-22-2009 - 12:02am

That was my life for a lot of years except the checking account. We had ours at the credit union. saving too


One thing they don't say is that neighbors in a poor area act like neighbors. They are friendly and welcome you into their homes. Tell you in poor neighborhood if a person is not seen out on the street for

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2006
Fri, 05-22-2009 - 6:49am
The reality is that the situations described in that article don't just apply to the US. I live in New Zealand, and could identify with just about everything in that article. I think everywhere you go, there is some degree of those situations for the poor.
Lyn

bpeblink.gif picture by beautifulmandaPhotobucket


Lyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Fri, 05-22-2009 - 9:11am

I will take your word it as I have never spent time in New Zealand (Australia, yes, but the only time in New Zealand was during a connection on my flight back to the US). The only reason I mention US because it is where I am most familiar with.

I don't think we can completely eliminate poverty, but for us who are not so poor (all things relative), I feel there is a responsibility to, say, TRY purchasing products made in conditions where worker are paid a decent wage. I don't begrudge paying more (and buying less) if I know the people who produce these products are treated more fairly. Don't have millions and millions to fund more sweeping changes, but just doing what I believe is right with what I can afford.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Fri, 05-22-2009 - 9:23am

Perhaps not all poor neighborhoods are the same. Mine is completed with drugs deals going on at the street corners and the occasional gun shots and free decorating service from the kids with spray paint cans. Just looking at the graffiti, I must say some of them do have artistic talent. ;-)

I like my place for different reasons. It is practically next to downtown, where I work, and it has character.




Edited 5/22/2009 10:02 am ET by marie_1229
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Fri, 05-22-2009 - 9:58am

We had a couple of drug dealers standing on the corner too. But at least if you passed them they would say "Good Morning Miss Mary How are you today?" That is more

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2008
Fri, 05-22-2009 - 10:05am

I'm speculating here, but I'm sure that the stores and landlords justify "screwing" these folks because of public assistance dollars floating through the neigborhood.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Fri, 05-22-2009 - 10:11am

This is kind of off topic, but perhaps it is an issue about not having enough time? I agree with you it does not take but one second to wave back or say hello, not knowing anything about your neighborhood and just speaking for myself, I simply don't have time to engage in a conversation. Sometimes I even meet my best buddy of over 10 years at the gym: each of us on a treadmill so we can catch up and work up a sweat at the same time. Talk about multi-tasking. Right now I am reading this board, waiting for a repairman to show up, got a load of laundry going, and having my morning coffee.

And I don't think money has much to do with it but how one's brought up. A friend's house got burned down a few weeks ago during the Santa Barbara fire in California. His neighbors were very helpful during the evacuation. These are multi-million dollar mansions.

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