I agree that those who are "well-off" do not feel a connection to the poor. And I agree with your statement regarding the "beleaguered working-class" perceiving help to the poor will increase their taxes. I live with both. I am among those seniors who live in subsidized housing, receive food stamps, and help with my heating costs. I had …
I agree that those who are "well-off" do not feel a connection to the poor. And I agree with your statement regarding the "beleaguered working-class" perceiving help to the poor will increase their taxes. I live with both. I am among those seniors who live in subsidized housing, receive food stamps, and help with my heating costs. I had a fraction of wealth, working hard for forty years. My financial comfort was lost in 2001, and the final blow came in 2008. I have no complaints: I am healthy, content, loving, continuing with my art and writing. However, I live with seniors older than I who struggle in ways I would not wish upon anyone. Until one sees the loss of human dignity and hope through lack of almost everything, if not everything, then writing checks, et cetera, keeps one at a safe distance from the cold reality of poverty's face and hollow eyes. I know this, for I once had the finances to write those checks. I live in a rural area of upstate New York and know the children of struggling working families. Our small community tries to help with fundraising programs, childcare, making dinners in church basements so a child can eat at least one nutritious meal, too often the only full meal that week. We are a predominantly white community. Those who do have money share little or nothing at all.
We are called the 'have-nots' by those who have financial well-being. The cold fear of losing financial security creates an absence of generosity. I observe the fear among those who have more than enough, becoming a 'have-not.' I feel sad for the loss of basic charity once so vibrant in our nation. I love this country, but we are not who we once were. I hope our better angels prevail over the huckstering of FEAR by the media, our government, our churches, and every conversation I hear. Fear overpowers compassion; hence, the spirit of generosity.
I agree that those who are "well-off" do not feel a connection to the poor. And I agree with your statement regarding the "beleaguered working-class" perceiving help to the poor will increase their taxes. I live with both. I am among those seniors who live in subsidized housing, receive food stamps, and help with my heating costs. I had a fraction of wealth, working hard for forty years. My financial comfort was lost in 2001, and the final blow came in 2008. I have no complaints: I am healthy, content, loving, continuing with my art and writing. However, I live with seniors older than I who struggle in ways I would not wish upon anyone. Until one sees the loss of human dignity and hope through lack of almost everything, if not everything, then writing checks, et cetera, keeps one at a safe distance from the cold reality of poverty's face and hollow eyes. I know this, for I once had the finances to write those checks. I live in a rural area of upstate New York and know the children of struggling working families. Our small community tries to help with fundraising programs, childcare, making dinners in church basements so a child can eat at least one nutritious meal, too often the only full meal that week. We are a predominantly white community. Those who do have money share little or nothing at all.
We are called the 'have-nots' by those who have financial well-being. The cold fear of losing financial security creates an absence of generosity. I observe the fear among those who have more than enough, becoming a 'have-not.' I feel sad for the loss of basic charity once so vibrant in our nation. I love this country, but we are not who we once were. I hope our better angels prevail over the huckstering of FEAR by the media, our government, our churches, and every conversation I hear. Fear overpowers compassion; hence, the spirit of generosity.