The working poor are lazy and all poor people...

Is this really what people seriously believe?

I work in human services, with low income families who have emotionally challenged family members, some former drug users, and the general working poor population. I will not even say what I make. Let's just say not much more than my rent.
Just fifteen years ago a house my family bought for $40,000 sold last year for $290,000. That is 7 times as much, yet my wages have not doubled or even gone up 50%. A car fifteen years ago that cost $6,000 new is now $36,000, 6 times as much. Rents have went up so high it isn't even funny. In 1987, I paid 550.00 for a two bedroom house near the beach, three bedrooms went for 650.00. By 1997 rent for a two bedroom in the same area was up to 980.00, a three bedroom 1150.00. In 2006, rent for a two bedroom is 1300.00 on the same block, a three bedroom going for 1650.00.

Utilities have at least doubled. I qualify for government aid going by my take home pay and family size, although I refuse to obtain it.

My insurance through my employer does not cover anything near what my family requires.Not counting any "extra" medical needs.I have many medical bills due to a serious illness in my household.I pay what I can after the rent but am unable to pay every month so my credit is awful.

Still I do not give up. I am happy if I can feed my kids and keep my lights on. This month I worked overtime so I paid all I needed and sponsored a child for Christmas who would have received nothing otherwise and you know what? That made it all worthwhile. I may not be rich but I have a kind heart. In the end how much I make will not matter.

Below is link to an article with some interesting information on the working poor. Check it out.

"Making America work for the working poor"

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/02/17/making_america_work_for_the_working_poor/

Comments: 14

greg smith Dec 23, 2006, 4:04am EST

As a self--proclaimed intellectual conservative, I find comments like you've mentioned, A Joy, so stupid that they don't bear a response. (I'm not syaing you believe them -- I'm simply referring to them. :) :) :) ) I and other conservatives fully believe in the goodness, decency, and intelligence of ALL people. That's why we need lower taxes, less regulations, less paperwork, etc. in order to unshackle the people you're describing and allow them to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be.

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~JOY ~bringing it 2 every1 she knows ;-) H. Dec 23, 2006, 4:10am EST

I and other conservatives fully believe in the goodness, decency, and intelligence of ALL people. That's why we need lower taxes, less regulations, less paperwork, etc. in order to unshackle the people you're describing and allow them to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sounds good to me Greg.
I am trying to pursue my dreams without all that.
It's better to do something other than waiting around for someone to give a hoot.
Thanks for reading.

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John L. Dec 23, 2006, 5:56am EST

AH, the working poor.....are mostly just that....working, and poor. I always thought that the show THAT'S INCREDIBLE should have showcased men and women who worked, raised their families, and contributed to society.

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Melissa The Pirate Princess is still alive! Dec 23, 2006, 6:32am EST

Thank you for sharing. Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone out there, that there is someone else like me.

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Larry H. Dec 23, 2006, 9:26am EST

Thanks for sharing.

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Firoze H. Dec 23, 2006, 10:34am EST

Joy...money comes and goes...but what you are, rich in spirit and compassion, is eternal and all that counts on judgement day

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Annamarie H. Dec 23, 2006, 10:41am EST

I think (okay..hope) most of the people out there really know that there is a mix of people out there -- those who use and abuse all systems offered them and those who really work hard and for some reason just never seem to get ahead. Granted, barriers to getting ahead are getting higher, such as outrageous income taxes and housing that can any longer be referred to as affordable housing, and wages that haven't kept up, to name just a few. I really wonder also, how many people can really afford those huge homes and fancy cars and all the good clothes and shoes and toys and etc., as I don't think a lot of people can (check out the median incomes in these areas and do the math). Which means, they are possibly hidden behind earth-shattering debt, which also does a number on our economy. You, though, have a perfect opportunity to instill belief in people -- that critical belief that is true -- all individuals have the ability to rise above their circumstances no matter what they are. We see it every day, people who climb monumental mountains of trouble and create a wonderful life for themselves. So, no matter what others' beliefs might be, be it to believe all working poor are lazy, etc., or whether the working poor person actually does believe they "can't" as they have likely heard so many times before, you have a rare opportunity to say..."yes, you can." Giving hope and light and inspiration to everyone you meet.... Do this for everyone...

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Martha Jette, Author/Editor Dec 23, 2006, 1:08pm EST

The simple fact is that the "working poor" comprise the majority of the population and you should never be ashamed of that. You are doing your best to provide for your family. Who could ask for more? Hold your head up high, Joy.

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Jeff H. Dec 23, 2006, 3:42pm EST

I am really not even sure how to respond to this. I can say your choice to work in human services, probably the most underpaid employees of government, says alot about you character and compassionate nature. I am sorry that you have to struggle the way you do.

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~JOY ~bringing it 2 every1 she knows ;-) H. Dec 23, 2006, 6:53pm EST

John L.

I would love to see a show, THAT'S INCREDIBLE or otherwise that showed how some families make it.

Melissa L.
No, you are NOT alone. Keep holding that little one tightly. That is what matters at the end of the day, that & nothing else.

Larry L.
Thanks for reading

Firoze
THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOU MADE MY YEAR.

Annamarie,
I agree about the types of people you mention.No matter what I end up making years down the line, I won't be one of those who tries to buy a house in Beverly Hills or live beyond my means. (A credit based or greed based life)
It's true, you can't always get what you want, but you can get what you need.
Just like Mick Jagger said. Making things better is always possible.
If I stopped trying, how could I tell others to keep on trying?
That is only one reason why I will never stop. :-)

Kathleen,
Thanks for reading & commenting. It helps to know others see things in a similar light.

Martha J.,
I will never be ashamed. Thanks for the kind words.

Jeff H,
I chose to work in human services so I would have the opportunity to help people. I did not even pause to consider the paycheck. Thank you for the comments.

All:
Fortunately it feels good helping people. Not always having the money to buy "wants", does give you the chance to think twice about what you really need.
Thanks for the comments everyone.

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Ron (in complete sheeple overload) W. Dec 24, 2006, 11:29am EST

That "that's incredible" show is sort of covered by an episode of "Thirty Days" in which a couple try to make it on minimum wage jobs, the man two of them, the woman one, and the results are outrageous. Catch it if you can, sometime.

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Chris H. Dec 24, 2006, 6:17pm EST

Many people are barely making it these days.
The important thing if you are making the best of it.

Lucky Louie is a good show about a working poor family, who is barely making it. It is a tad raunchy with the language but fairly real.

http://www.hbo.com/luckylouie/
Louie C. K
It's about a guy in a dead-end job who has a wife and a kid. He works in a muffler shop, but he's not even a mechanic. If you work at Dunkin' Donuts, you can just go over to Midas and retrain for two days, and you now are a muffler guy. So that's what this guy is. He's working in the service industry, and his wife is a nurse, so she's got an actual profession, an actual skill. And since her job has benefits and real pay, she's the one that works full-time. It happens in a lot of families. The guy's job has to be part-time, 'cause if he did it full-time it would only cost too much to put the kid in day care. So we're just in a common situation.
(Louie C.K interview)

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Connie C. Dec 31, 2006, 1:11am EST

I too work with low income families. Their are those who will not work but they are very few. Most poor people are poor because of circumstances beyound their control. I get upset when i hear comments like this. They dont deserve to be made like they are not as good as the rest of the population.

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Gloria D. Apr 5, 2009, 7:37pm EDT

I hear you. I've written a couple article about my situation. I am the working poor, and I have a college education. I've worked two and three jobs at the same time, so no one EVER should dare to tell me the reason I'm poor is because I'm lazy. Last summer, I took a job the majority of people wouldn't dream of taking (Ice cream truck driver) because at the time it was the only place that would hire me. I have a "real job" now, but it's in retail, and you all know how well retail is doing right now.

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The working poor are lazy and all poor people don't try

Comments: 14

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