And just what do you think E. Ky needs to get rid of poverty? If you were President, what would you do? Serious questions.

 

First of all, I think that the local government officials have more say so in this problem than the President or say the Governor do. But it would take pressure from higher forces within the government before they will do anything to change this situation. There is too much corruption within local governments and those local government officials are too worried with "taking care" of the wealthier people within their communities instead of taking any sort of action to help with the poverty issue. For example, in the great city of Prestonsburg, our city has developed one of the most amazing golf courses and residential areas in the south, StoneCrest. It is a beautiful place! But, the city has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into developing a horse park type area with barns, stables, etc. This is something that COULD bring in some tourism, but it moreso caters to those few within the community who have and want a place to show and keep them. Central Kentucky is the horse capital of the world, not Eastern KY. Why would the local government not want to construct something within the community that EVERY resident, especially childre, can use and benefit from such as a YMCA, community center, or something else to that nature? I know you may think that I am getting off track from answering your question, but the solution to poverty in EKY begins with the youth of the area. Many of the children growing up in a poverty stricken home end up thinking that they aren't good for anything and are destined to live the life they grew up in for as long as they live. Living off of the government, becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol is the life that they often think they are supposed to live. Postive role models, that these types of centers bring, come into play here! A child who grows up in a low income home does not have to pay 1 single PENNY to get a college education. There are COUNTLESS numbers of grants that these kids are eligible for, that will cover their tuition and board to a state university, ex EKU or MSU, or to the local community and technical colleges that are located in almost every community. That is a secret that most people do NOT know about! So, the problem with poverty in Eastern KY has only 1 solution, and it begins with educating the youth of the area to know that they can make their life into anything that they dream! Any business or any other type of organization that has had unlimited success has started with a solid foundation. The foundation to the solution for our problem is children and the education that they receive! :thumb:

And like PepperII said, we need to take advantage of what we have in the area. Especially in regard to tourism. The Elk population is flourishing here! Also, there is a growing number of Black Bears coming into the area. We need marketing plans to get the maximum potential out of what we have!

spe690, wouldn't you think that golf course and stable might attract the type of role model you mentioned? Also, any bit of culture or representation of wealth serves as an inspiration to those who have only been accustomed to a lower living standard.

When Edwards sells his mansion and makes very sizable donations on a regular basis to causes that fight poverty I will believe he genuinly cares. Right now all he sounds like is a typical tax and spend liberal who is just pandering to a special interest group.

spe690, wouldn't you think that golf course and stable might attract the type of role model you mentioned? Also, any bit of culture or representation of wealth serves as an inspiration to those who have only been accustomed to a lower living standard.

 

The horse stables are just an example of local politicians pursuing area developments for their own benefits and not the benefits of the community. :thumb:

In most cultures, you would think that a representation of wealth would serve as an inspiration, but I don't see that to be the case in EKY. I have heard alot of people with wealth actually be made fun of by those who are stricken with poverty, especially in youth situations. Strange, I know! That goes back to me saying that the problem of poverty must be realized before there can EVER be a solution. Alot of people see nothing wrong with their way of living and see nothing wrong with their lifestyles. That is the major problem, from my point of view!

When Edwards sells his mansion and makes very sizable donations on a regular basis to causes that fight poverty I will believe he genuinly cares. Right now all he sounds like is a typical tax and spend liberal who is just pandering to a special interest group.

 

You hit the nail on the head! But, at least he is making the trip this area, unlike other Presidential candidates. I'm sure that it is just a publicity stunt, but at least he is here. I'm still not voting for him though!!

When Edwards sells his mansion and makes very sizable donations on a regular basis to causes that fight poverty I will believe he genuinly cares. Right now all he sounds like is a typical tax and spend liberal who is just pandering to a special interest group.

 

:creepy: Which would be?

Other tax and spend liberals and the poor people he claims to care about.

In most cultures, you would think that a representation of wealth would serve as an inspiration, but I don't see that to be the case in EKY. I have heard alot of people with wealth actually be made fun of by those who are stricken with poverty, especially in youth situations.

 

Sometimes jealousy can be a powerful motivator.

Thanks for the good and well thought out responses. Of the solutions proposed, about the only one that I think the federal govt could really help with is perhaps funding more tourism venues. The rest seem like the local folks and local govt officials need to step up to the plate.

 

SPE 690, you raise a very good point about free college education being available to most/all of the kids living in poverty. I want to believe that the high school admininstrators, counselors and teachers are constantly telling the kids that they need to go to college to break the bonds of poverty. If I'm mistaken here, let me know the case and why it is the case. Is it simply the fact that they are ignoring the advise of the educators because their parents are not encouraging them to go to college? Not being from the area, I admittedly have a hard time understanding why kids growing up with not much wouldn't want to better their lives. What more, if anything, can be done to convince the kids and their parents that the kids could have much better lives by going to college?

 

I fully realize its not an easy fix or it would have been fixed by now. I just don't believe or see how the federal govt can play big role in making the fix.

You hit the nail on the head! But, at least he is making the trip this area, unlike other Presidential candidates. I'm sure that it is just a publicity stunt, but at least he is here. I'm still not voting for him though!!

Some of the others will visit poor, pitiful, Appalachia before the election, don't worry.

Eky gets more money spent on it than the local governments know what to do with, so it is either lost because no one can agree how to spend it or it is wasted on foolish things like signs for ???? . Like the Tug River they have studied it for 50 or more years and are just now doing something. But putting flood walls around towns that have nothing in them is just wasteful.

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Prestonsburg/Eastern Ky. Area where imo this man is coming to exploit it for his own personal gain.

Eky gets more money spent on it than the local governments know what to do with, so it is either lost because no one can agree how to spend it or it is wasted on foolish things like signs for ???? . Like the Tug River they have studied it for 50 or more years and are just now doing something. But putting flood walls around towns that have nothing in them is just wasteful.

Really???

What about the eastern Kentucky residents and taxpayers that do not have running water???

I would imagine some eastern KY local officials could provide the basic services( running water), (paved roads) if the money were there.

 

I have a question, if I may.

 

I have heard it said before that EKY officials just waste money.

Has there never been $$$ wasted in other parts of the state???

Is there anyone that believes that this is anything other than a publicity stunt? He will come in, tell what his plans are to help the area and all of Appalachia - then climb aboard his private plane, laugh at the people that he just made promises to and say how "good" he sounded :irked: Yada......Yada.......Yada....

 

 

That is my take on pretty boy's visit. If the guy above that mentioned a haircut - I might consider watching a good ol' country barber give him a haircut :lol: . If not, I will boycott the local news tommorrow.