Obama Redefined Poverty
by Marilyn Mackenzie
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Just do a Google search for "Obama Redefined Poverty" and you'll discover dozens of news reports about it. I'm not sure how I missed it.
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Here's how one blogger explained it:
For the first time in nearly 45 years, the US is changing the way it defines poverty. Last Tuesday, March 2, the Obama administration announced a new formula that redefines “poverty†and who “poor people†are in America. Instead of defining poverty as absolute deprivation (or absolute purchasing power, the ability/inability to purchase basic goods such as food, clothing and shelter), Obama’s new poverty measure will define “poverty†as relative deprivation (or relative purchasing power).
Relative deprivation means you are “poorâ€Â not because you are unable to purchase the basic goods of life, but because you have less compared with others. In other words, even if all Americans become wealthier as measured in absolute dollars, as long as there are some who have more than others, there’ll be “poor†people. The only way to get rid of “the poor†is if everyone is equal.
Obama’s new definition of “poverty†is, therefore, not about poverty at all. It’s about achieving economic equality, that is, communism.
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One news commentator that I heard explained that you could be considered poor in your neighborhood if you don't have as much stuff as your neighbors.
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Another news personality said that with this new way of defining poverty, we'll end up with more "poor" people than some third world countries. And he asked, "Does anyone really think that we're as poor or poorer than Bangladesh?
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Read more at the link above.
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Comments: 50
I don't care what anyone says, there is a problem with giving money away when the person should be working and pinching pennies.
As a welfare worker (sorry I bring that up so much but I learned a lot of first hand info there) I had MANY young teens deliberately get pregnant to get their own cash and food stamps. Of course, if they were under 18 and not emancipated it was given to their Moms.
But the problem is ... their expectation of 'the good life' was to get their own cash and food stamps. The government, without meaning to, encourages their dependence.
Newberry brings up some excellent points. He reminds us that we are supposed to be imitating God, striving to be more like Him.
We imitate God when we are productive human beings, when we employ our natural gifts, and when we encourage others, especially our children, to do likewise. When God created you and me, He planted within us the instinct and drive to work, invent, produce, create, and own, because in doing so, we imitate Him, assign credit to Him, and further His creation.
A natural validation of biblical truth, capitalism brings out all these qualities of character that God wants to develop within us. To succeed in the free market, we have to be creative, industrious, self-reliant, frugal, and resourceful. Whether we are a small business owner, plumber, banker, or chief executive, capitalism is all about learning from our mistakes, overcoming fear, and serving others in ways that are desired, appreciated, and rewarded. Developing these character traits mimics God and honors His acts of creation.
God made us with free will, with the insatiable appetite for freedom, for designing our lives to fit our individual dreams. And this is what inspired the Founders of our country. They wanted to create a government that is most in line with God’s creation, most in line with rewarding and enhancing the positive aspects of human nature that lead to productive behavior. As historian Johan Norberg wrote, ―Believing in capitalism does not mean believing in growth, the economy, or efficiency. Desirable as they may be, those are only the results. At its core, belief in capitalism is belief in mankind.
When I read this chapter, so many things clicked for me. It's no wonder people are so unhappy, if being industrious is what makes us happy.
It is now Welfare to work. Maximum time allowed on welfare. 5 years.
And during that time
Look it up!
There are plenty of people like that.
How would you analyze the differences between how poverty has been determined and the new way to determine it?
Marilyn hunted until she found a story to back her wacked right wing agenda.
No facts, please, no facts.
The summary of seems to be hype and exaggeraton.
YOu Diana B are afraid to read a credible write up. Admit it, Marilyn dismisses it because facts don't fit her agenda.
From the article linked:
The government’s own data show that the typical American defined as poor (according to the traditional, pre-Obama poverty measure) has two color televisions, cable or satellite service, a VCR or DVD player, and a stereo. He also has a car, air conditioning, a refrigerator, a stove, a clothes washer and dryer, and a microwave. He is able to obtain medical care. His home is in good repair and is not overcrowded. By his own report, his family is not hungry, and he had sufficient funds in the past year to meet his family’s essential needs. While this individual’s life is not opulent, it is far from the stark images conveyed by the mainstream media and liberal politicians.
Clearly, “poverty” as currently defined by the government has little connection with “poverty” as the average American understands it. The new Obama poverty measure will stretch this semantic gap, artificially swelling the number of “poor” Americans, and severing any link between the government’s concept of poverty and even modest deprivation.
The thing is, Gail, that many conservative families have one working parent and don't consider themselves poor, even though they would be considered such by the old government standards. This new standard is going to have lots more people defined as poor. It's absurd.
I'll be doggoned if I want to help someone who makes bad life choices over an over again, who has all the latest in technology and fun stuff in their house, but says they can't afford food on the table or to see a doctor once a year. Bologna butts.
THIS ONE IS A GOOD STARTING POINT
Go to the Berchtesgaden to bone up on the virtues of National Socialism........