There is no question that there are large number of families who struggle to make ends meet, that can't afford some of what many of us consider common pocessions. But in reality, even though I live in an area known to be poor, I don't think there are many children who go to bed hungry at night unless with the exception of those affected by drug or alcohol abuse. If I knew of one I would try to have groceries at that house by nightfall. There are a myriad of government programs, charities, and concerned neighbors who just want let that happen. Children can get at least two healthy meals at school each day at no cost. Food stamps, WIC programs, and local churches all offer help for the asking.

Maybe it biased me too much but in the mid-80's I remember Dan Rather broadcasting live from Ohio, doing a thing on poverty in the midwest of this country. How bad these families had it. How they struggled and struggled.

 

He was broadcasting from someone's living room. There were ashtrays full of cigarettes. They had a cable box on top of the television. There were brand name soda pops and even a beer can on the end table.

 

I am sorry but if you are that desolate, here is an idea. Don't smoke, that will save you about $3 or $4 a day. Don't go out and splurge on a case or two or three of beer a week.

 

I don't even buy name brand soft drinks. Sam's Choice at 50 cents a two liter is good enough for me. I can get 3 of them for one Coke two-liter. Or better yet, KOOL-AID!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

And we didn't get satellite or cable television in my parent's home till 2 years after I had graduated from college. A year later, they ran it to my room in the basement.

 

I am sorry but those screaming how bad they have it were the students that I went to school with and education was stupid and they didn't need it. They are the students I had when I was first teaching who fought us tooth and nail as we were trying to teach them.

 

Now my personal struggle is that this is the mindset, I WANT TO HAVE. But my faith in Jesus Christ and what he tells us to do in the Holy Bible is to take care of the poor and the needy.

 

Of course, in this country, you have to leave your Christian faith at the door when making government decisions, so I guess I should just use that first mindset.:sssh:

Thank all of you for re-inforcing my point - what we have looks like communism. The american dream doesn't exist for a large # of people. 1% of the people in the country control 97% of the wealth - that is not capitalism where everyone has a chance to make money!!

 

BTW - the poor are overweight in this country, not because they have too much to eat, but b/c they cannot afford to eat healthy. Fresh fruits and vegetables are much more expensive than processed foods and generally more expensive than fast food. If that is all that you can afford to purchase then that is what you are going to eat and it is not going to be a balanced diet.

 

The poor are poor in this country b/c we have given in to the notion that everyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps and make without any help from anyone - and those that need help are simply fat and lazy. We have created systems that make it hard to make it and it is a sin that we live in this wealthy country and allow people to be without health care a decent living conditions and healthy food. A SIN.

:lol:

Do you actually believe this garbage, or are you just trying to irritate people?

:lol:

Do you actually believe this garbage, or are you just trying to irritate people?

No its just addressed to elitist snobs like me that make 40K a year.

No its just addressed to elitist snobs like me that make 40K a year.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Seriously, how many people do you know working 2 or 3 jobs that are fat?

 

That's an open question to all who see it. I'm just curious.

Seriously, how many people do you know working 2 or 3 jobs that are fat?

 

That's an open question to all who see it. I'm just curious.

I have a close friend with 6 kids, divorced and works 2 or 3 jobs (not sure right now). She's got bigger biceps than I do. :lol:

I have a close friend with 6 kids, divorced and works 2 or 3 jobs (not sure right now). She's got bigger biceps than I do. :lol:

 

:thumb:

 

Well...it could be muscle?

:thumb:

 

Well...it could be muscle?

Trust me, it is. She's a slim little thing. Works the ramp at the airport.

Trust me, it is. She's a slim little thing. Works the ramp at the airport.

 

Well, nevermind then...:lol:

 

I guess you were backing up my point, rather than disproving it. :thumb:

Maybe it biased me too much but in the mid-80's I remember Dan Rather broadcasting live from Ohio, doing a thing on poverty in the midwest of this country. How bad these families had it. How they struggled and struggled.

 

He was broadcasting from someone's living room. There were ashtrays full of cigarettes. They had a cable box on top of the television. There were brand name soda pops and even a beer can on the end table.

 

I am sorry but if you are that desolate, here is an idea. Don't smoke, that will save you about $3 or $4 a day. Don't go out and splurge on a case or two or three of beer a week.

 

I don't even buy name brand soft drinks. Sam's Choice at 50 cents a two liter is good enough for me. I can get 3 of them for one Coke two-liter. Or better yet, KOOL-AID!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

And we didn't get satellite or cable television in my parent's home till 2 years after I had graduated from college. A year later, they ran it to my room in the basement.

 

I am sorry but those screaming how bad they have it were the students that I went to school with and education was stupid and they didn't need it. They are the students I had when I was first teaching who fought us tooth and nail as we were trying to teach them.

 

Now my personal struggle is that this is the mindset, I WANT TO HAVE. But my faith in Jesus Christ and what he tells us to do in the Holy Bible is to take care of the poor and the needy.

 

Of course, in this country, you have to leave your Christian faith at the door when making government decisions, so I guess I should just use that first mindset.:sssh:

No one made a comment so I will ask especially for those of a Christian faith, do you struggle with this issue also? Am I offbase with my views?

No one made a comment so I will ask especially for those of a Christian faith, do you struggle with this issue also? Am I offbase with my views?

 

Our Christian faith is part of our moral make up. Other than promoting a state sponsored religion, why should we leave our faith out of politics? Give me an example of a decision a political leader could be faced with (again, excluding religious promotions) that he couldn't call upon his faith for guidance.

Our Christian faith is part of our moral make up. Other than promoting a state sponsored religion, why should we leave our faith out of politics? Give me an example of a decision a political leader could be faced with (again, excluding religious promotions) that he couldn't call upon his faith for guidance.

Kerry was very honest that he had to separate his faith from his politics when going to DC. That was one of the reasons why I did not like him as a candidate. A lot of people agreed with him that you have to leave your faith at the door when making decisions.

 

I disagreed.

 

 

As far as your question, the argument of illegal immigrants and the Christian faith sort of stands in the way of each other. Also, on the issue of welfare, I believe Jesus would stand for helping these people out much more than we do as a country.

As far as your question, the argument of illegal immigrants and the Christian faith sort of stands in the way of each other. Also, on the issue of welfare, I believe Jesus would stand for helping these people out much more than we do as a country.

 

 

On the welfare issue, I don't see a Christian conflict at all. Christian or not, it is our moral duty to help those who truly need it. Those who take advantage of the system are a different story and it is Biblical that man will eat by the sweat of his brow.

 

Imigration may be a bit more of a conflict, but I think as a nation we have always accepted those fleeing persecution. We have also extended a helping hand to many in their homelands. Uncontrolled imigration is a bit of a gray area though.

On the welfare issue, I don't see a Christian conflict at all. Christian or not, it is our moral duty to help those who truly need it. Those who take advantage of the system are a different story and it is Biblical that man will eat by the sweat of his brow.

 

Imigration may be a bit more of a conflict, but I think as a nation we have always accepted those fleeing persecution. We have also extended a helping hand to many in their homelands. Uncontrolled imigration is a bit of a gray area though.

Show me where Jesus says that we are to "judge" the poor on whether they are poor by their own lack of effort or means that were out of their control?

 

Let's say a person is flatout lazy and does not help themselves, should Christians help them? I don't see where Jesus put quantifications on helping the poor.