Our local school cafeterias will be open for breakfast and lunches for ANY child who needs a meal- how low we have sunk?- this is a nice community- no slums anywhere and 69% of families are on free/reduced school lunches-
First, I'm very glad you posted that, dear Moshe (peace to you!), as the perception is this country is that only poor minorities play the system and live off the government. Let me tell you... folks from EVERY income class... and a LOT of them... play the system and live off the government. And, yes, the government knows it. But it's not the "government", per se. It's the folks that folks put IN government... and not in the Executive branch. It really is the Legislative branch. Because most there have THEIR hand in the pot... one way or another... or has a loved one/friend whose hand is. The Executive branch, which usually gets blamed for it, isn't in charge of Taxing and Spending, dear ones. That is an exclusive Legislative power... and function.
I did marvel, however, at how fast the economy jumped from the 60's to, say, the 80's. Astronomical, actually. My father bought his house in 1968 for $16,500. $16,500!!! You can't even buy a decent USED car for that price now. When he died in 1988 my [wicked, evil] stepmother (his ex) called for it to be sold... and it did... for over $100,000. In 20 years, folks. And... it wasn't even fixed up! So, I had to ask about it... and what I learned was:
This phenomenon isn't caused by the government. Indeed, the government is going bankrupt (government spending is out of control, but that's really due to 2-3 wars in the past 10 years. The result, however, is that government budgets are being cut to the hilt and the postal service is a hop, skip, and a jump from insolvency!).
Nope, it's really not government. It's because of private industry and technology... along with explosive increases in the interest in entertainment (including sport, recording, television, and film)... that are making even more "noveau riche". The new rich. No more "old" money - people are making fortunes overnight. Which means they can pay MORE... and quicker. Lightening speed. And so the price of "everything" is going up, up, up. And if you don't have a trust fund or haven't sought (and made) your own fortune... you are simply left behind. It is almost impossible to keep up with a regular job... even TWO regular jobs, sometimes.
And there's ONE thing causing it: the Internet.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying the Internet is bad or evil. It just is. It is the beginning of a new "age", just as industry was at the turn of the last century. It has provided an impetus that has catapaulted people into overnight successes... at a FAR, FAR greater rate than ever imagined. It has created such "new rich."
And the new rich and their spending power have caused a "domino" effect, in that the not so rich, but not necessarily poor (i.e., middle class), now find it necessary for BOTH partners to have to work at usually very high-demanding jobs... to at least keep pace with the tail end. But... they're losing ground. The lower class isn't even in the running. The rich... are getting richer... at a much faster pace than anyone ever imagined (how long did it take Mark Zuckerman to be declared a "billionaire"?? How old is he??)... and so there is a huge wasting away of the "middle class", because they are fast become the "lower" class. Because what used to take a lifetime... or two... now takes less than ten years. For some, less than two years. Some, even overnight (virtually).
But it's not the government's fault - heck, they can't keep up themselves! Nor can they "regulate" what's going on to slow it down. That would interfere with commerce, commercialism, and capitalism, all of which are the very foundation of this country. The rich... simply won't allow it. There would be a complete change in government, if not a coup altogether.
SO... what's a body to do? It used to be "get an education." Right now... that may not be such good advice. The cost of education has skyrocketed (so that graduates start off with enormous debt)... and jobs are hard to find, even for the educated (which is resulting in them taking lower jobs, those usually filled by the less- or un- educated... which is knocking those poor folks right out the box!).
I can only see about 5 solutions:
1. If you don't already have them and/or you're an intravert, hone up on your Internet skills. It is the FUTURE folks, for as long as the "system" stands.
2. If you're extroverted enough, hone up on your people skills. People today LOVE talkers, advisers, counselors. Hence, the huge boom in motivational speakers and talk shows hosted by women.
3. If you're young enough, hone up on your athletic, singing, dancing, or "I'm crazy enough to jump off a cliff, eat bugs, get bashed in the face or let a TV crew into my personal life... for money" skills.
4. If you're not young, look into long-term life insurance. 'Cause you're probably gonna need it.
5. Consider relocating/retiring to a third world country... or something close (like Mexico/Central America, which my husband and I have been toying with for a few years - we could retire "comfortably" in either).
Oh... there is one more: throw your burdens on Christ and take up HIS "load." For for HIS yoke is kindly and HIS load is light. That's what gotten ME through... and I'm not doing bad at all.
So, I hope this helps those of you who can't see any "light" at the end of your "tunnel." As my last example implies... he (the Light) IS there, though. Keep seeking him.
Again, peace to you!
A slave of Christ,
SA