So let me get this straight....?

Question

In U.S. society, if you have cable TV, you're not poor:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhSET3ExlNmtzpgbbymXEh7ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080129060716AAYyK58

Basically what some think, in our society, with rising gas prices, utilities, people having to work two jobs, cost of medical care and decent food, if you have cable you have no room to complain about anything--this seems to be a thought pattern here on Y/A--Am I right?

Thoughts??

Answer 1

What do you do if you're the government and have no idea how to fix the mess over which you presided?

What to do if you're the government responsible for a terrible economy, devalued dollar, loss of good paying jobs that were there when you squatted in the White House?

What do you do to cover your sit-down?

Simply...redefine poor!

Ahhh. That should do it!

Gross incompetence coupled with condescension and of course the Republican stand-by....D E N I A L !

Answer 2

I don't have a big screen TV, and I do have basic cable which is less than $8 because my TV will not work without it.  I am a low income working person.  *sm*

Answer 3

IF YOU DON`T VOTE, you can not complain about anything

Answer 4

I wouldn't say that having cable TV (or a cell phone, or whatever) necessarily means that a person is not poor.

It does indicate that the person may not be making wise financial decisions, and should bear at least some responsibility for his or her condition.

Answer 5

Yes some think that. Like the ones bringing home more then 15,000 a year.

I live in a house with my 2 kids my fiance, Uncle, 2 cousins and a friend. So lets add this up I have in 1 house 8 people! 2 of which are children the rest pay bills. Why do we all live together? Because none of us on our own can afford a place to live.

Yes we have cable and a truck. We even have a cell phone and Computer. Are we middle class? No!!!!!!!!

Last year I made under 10,000 for me and my 2 kids! My Fiance made just about 13,000! Wow we must be middle class right?

No we are not and will not be for years to come. Does that mean my kids should not have T.V's or Bikes? Or that I should of said no when a family member offered us his 6 year old computer?

I am and always have been poor. My mom raised 3 kids on her own and most our clothed (like my kids') where hand me downs and years out of style. We ate what we had and liked it. Even if it was 5 days old. And twice a year we went to McDonald's if mom could save enough. And guess what my kids have more then I did but are still poor. They just have more family to help.

The people who say stupid things like you are not poor if you have cable need to come to my house and go shopping with me. Because for 8 people I only have 400 $ a month for food, And yesterday we had stake!!!!! If you now where to go you can eat like the middle class on less and still have extras.

Most poor family's get cable so their kids don't know they are poor. My daughter got into a fight at school because some snob of a kid from a snob of a middle class family called her poor. She believes she is like the rest of the kids not poor. Why because as she put it she have a T.V. in her room (given to her by grandma) and cable. Why make then see things better left in the dark. For 40$ a month my kids get to be like the rest. ( it just means mom goes with out for the year )

Answer 6

The poor will always have enough money for Beer, smokes & cable.

That's just the way it is.

Answer 7

I think they're making two points:

1) Our idea of "poor" qualifies as "middle class" or  even "well off" in some countries.  We should be more thankful for what we have.

2) Don't claim to be poor while you still have luxuries, like cable tv.  There are obviously still things that can be done to cut expenses if someone has, say, cable tv, or a DSL line.  Those who have been truly poor know that unprocessed foods are less expensive than processed. It's cheaper to make soup from scratch than to just buy a can of it.  That sort of thing.

There are folks who make a point of living frugally, from either necessity or lifestyle.  Many people who think they've cut back still have a long way to go on the frugal lifestyle.

Answer 8

Thats' precisely correct. On top of that, if you don't vote, you can't complain about anything either.

If you have enough money for cable tv, and EXTRAS like magazine subscriptions, going to hair/nail appointments buying stereo equipment, etc, then you're not poor.  the sad thing is that some of the people who ARE considered poor use their welfare, etc to buy stuff like that.

This also depends on what your definition of poor is. Personally, if you're not bringing in enough money (or resources) to take care of the things you need to live - food, shelter, clothing, basic health/cleanliness ... then you're poor. If you're making enough for that and have extra coming in, then you cease to be "poor".  

there are things that everyone can do to get themselves out of debt and into the 'middle class' but most people refuse to do them. We as a country, even the poorer class, are enamored with labels and trends and what's "in" and popular. how many times have you seen someone wearing Roca wear or Southpole or other $50+ per pair jeans, but when they go home, there are roaches everywhere, and  barely any food in the fridge? I see it all the time around my city. On the other side of the coin, there are people that don't do things that way...They're the ones that really should be helped because they're the ones that are really trying to make something!

Answer 9

It can be an unnecessary expense, I would certainly recommend getting rid of it before stavation sets in.

Poor people are free to spend what little they have as they wish, that does not change the fact they are poor.

Answer 10

Spending money on entertainment (an unnecessary outlay) while necessities go unpaid-for means there's some mis-prioritization going on.

So, if someone is spending money on non-necessities but comes begging, no, Demanding that we pay for their necessities, then the people whose money is being taken get unhappy.

Answer 11

I do not have cable for many reasons. One, I fall in the working class category at the moment and I do not feel that cable is a necessity when I have other bills that are more important. Two, I also choose not to have cable because it's full of brain-rotting junk - which includes the news. There are a few channels that I wish we had, but we are waiting for the day when you can buy channels individually. I refuse to pay for sports and news. Actually, I get my news from Yahoo News and NPR. My husband and I collect used movies and tv series - we choose what to watch and make our own schedule of re-runs. Then we can decide what we want to watch, instead of sitting like a drone in front of the TV wondering how it can entertain me. We are in control of our entertainment, not the TV.

Answer 12

I know poor people with Cable they just dont pay for it. Since the cable guys are'nt making as much money they can normally be found patrolling the ghetto selling a cable connection for $30.

You cant really talk to people that arnt poor about poor people.

Answer 13

Totally depends on YOUR own definition of poor. I have never felt I was Poor in my life. However, looking back on it now I'm sure others may have thought I was poor. I don't dwell on the past. I'm very thankful for where I am now, and try not to be envious - that just drives you crazy. Try to go by:

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a Mystery. Today is a Present.

Enjoy the Present.

Answer 14

If you ask me any one who owes or barrows money is poor. Which is the majority of Americans. This is called the working poor. Then there are people that lack opportunity which is the poorest.

Answer 15

Yes that is right. If you have enough money for cable , cell phone and other items that you don't need to live then yes you are not poor. You might not be rich but you are not poor. The real poor barely have money for food , cloths and housing.

If working people were not taxed , perhaps we/they would not have borry money