Quote:
|
Originally Posted by filtherton
I think a more interesting question is why certain folks find it necessary to lump poor folks together in a package conveniently labeled with tired and misinformed justifications for their poverty. It's like they need some sort of way to blame the poor for their plight instead of the obvious and reality-based conclusion that american capitalism can't function without a broad underclass. "Poor people deserve their position because they are dumb and lazy" seems to be the underlying assumption. Which is why you get answers to the question in the op of the "well, it's obviously because they are lazy and stupid" variety.
|
I agree with you completely. (I hope my post did not make any of those assumptions, but I apologize if it did.)
My point was that "poor" people are most likely working too hard for low pay to really have time or care for being "healthy" (and by working hard, they are therefore not "lazy," quite the opposite I would say!). I see it every day in the factory. When you are that tired, and you have no capital to speak of... yes, you want life to be easy. We all do. It's just that most of us (on this forum, I would guess) can afford to make our lives easier AND healthier... whereas many poor people can barely do either one, and comfort is going to take higher priority over health. Poverty demands a focus on the short-term, not on the long-term, because it's simply not financially feasible to think farther ahead than tomorrow or the next paycheck or meal.