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Working poor not about to be wealthy
In response to the letter from Linda McKeen Monday, I would like to say this: The idea that the working poor will become wealthy is ridiculous. Greed is ugly.
McKeen has been blessed to earn a living wage and be able to care for her family in a way that some people can only imagine. $120,000 a year? Please don’t make everyone want to cry you a river.
She is complaining because we finally have someone in power who wants to help the working poor? I am incredulous at her remarks.
She says she wants some of the wealth? Are you kidding me? I highly doubt that anyone will become wealthy from having a president who only wants to make things like having health insurance available for everyone so that, yes Virginia, even poor people don’t have to die for lack of funds.
I believe he wants to help the people who are working two or three jobs just to make ends meet by not having to pay as much taxes so that they can buy luxuries like, oh I don’t know, food and clothing for their families.
You have no idea how hard it is to try and raise your family at or near poverty levels, all the while working and trying to keep hope alive for your family.
People are struggling to survive. A roof and two new cars? Good for you. But McKeen should be aware not everyone is so fortunate as she is. She should count her blessings.
Merry Christmas to her, too.
Stephanie Crain
Klamath Falls
McKeen has been blessed to earn a living wage and be able to care for her family in a way that some people can only imagine. $120,000 a year? Please don’t make everyone want to cry you a river.
She is complaining because we finally have someone in power who wants to help the working poor? I am incredulous at her remarks.
She says she wants some of the wealth? Are you kidding me? I highly doubt that anyone will become wealthy from having a president who only wants to make things like having health insurance available for everyone so that, yes Virginia, even poor people don’t have to die for lack of funds.
I believe he wants to help the people who are working two or three jobs just to make ends meet by not having to pay as much taxes so that they can buy luxuries like, oh I don’t know, food and clothing for their families.
You have no idea how hard it is to try and raise your family at or near poverty levels, all the while working and trying to keep hope alive for your family.
People are struggling to survive. A roof and two new cars? Good for you. But McKeen should be aware not everyone is so fortunate as she is. She should count her blessings.
Merry Christmas to her, too.
Stephanie Crain
Klamath Falls
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| Buying more things at home would help |
Reader Comments
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Shelly wrote on Nov 24, 2008 1:48 PM:
" Wow, I happen to know that there a lot of familes catogorized in the "working poor" category who have made great choices but have not put money above their calling, really you can't tell me that teachers are making $120,000 a year, but they made the choice to serve our children. Pastor's probably do not make over $50,000 a year, and again they probably made good choices too. I for one am thankful for the choices that our teachers and servents of GOD have made. I realize the letter was about making choices, but the choices that were used as examples were so very negative. The economy is bad for everybody right now, even those who have worked hard all of their lives and invested into their 401-K's. So many people have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the stock market, maybe they should have made better choices too? I think not, I believe everybody is doing the best they can considering the times. "
pete wrote on Nov 24, 2008 7:23 AM:
" We make our choices; we live by them. Have kids early or get further education? Have kids with a husband for support or become instant poor [for most young women] by going it alone? Party and raise h.... in high school or bother to study? "Enjoy" booze and drugs or stay sober? Sit on your fanny in Klamath Falls with or without a college degree or mover to another state for the better job? [I worked jobs in 6 states myself.] Stay in the military for 20 years of often unpleasant service and earn a retirement or quit after 4,5,6 years? Cry about being a poor person or work hard at all the opportunities for education and job training? ...For most people, it is your choices, your fault. Sad but true reality. Those that kept their noses to the grindstone during their young years have nothing to feel ashamed or quilty for. Most "poor" people had plenty of opportunites and have plenty of excuses. "
Debbie wrote on Nov 22, 2008 10:41 PM:
" I happen to know Stephanie is not on Welfare or gets any help whatsoever, but she is having a struggle, both she and her husband have degrees, but neither have jobs that their degrees were for, Klamath Falls does not have that many jobs available, her husband works very hard at two jobs to take care of the family, and she is trying to find a job everyday. They pay taxes and they do their very best to take care of their children and bills, so do not put her down for having an opinion and hope. "
Stephanie wrote on Nov 22, 2008 2:01 PM:
" To lawman: You crack me up, just so you know, I am blessed and fortunate and don't consider myself "poor Stephanie" your condescending comments are just what I would expect from someone who is rich and greedy and is so worried that someone is going to take what is theirs. I think you may have missed the flaw in your own thinking. The working poor do pay taxes, but are graciously given some back if they are so lucky as to have earned below the poverty level. So according to you they shouldn't get anything back and become even poorer? Is that it? It is only common sense that people who earn more can pay more. "
Not my President wrote on Nov 22, 2008 10:50 AM:
" Your right, the working poor won't become wealthy,you will become even more poor. Unfortunately for you you fell for the political promise, but failed to read the big picture.
When YOUR president raise taxes, who do you think that will be on? The majority of it will be small businesses. Do you think that these small businesses will actually lose money on this?
No they won't they will pass the increase on to you an I. So lets take this time to thank YOUR president for raising the price on that gallon of milk, that loaf of bread, and that dozen of eggs.
It's too bad that those of you that fell for the glamour, the smooth talking, and the pack of lies will now make all of us pay more for our everyday items.
Lets thank YOUR president for enabling those that don't want to work by giving them bigger tax increased (welfare) and more food stamps. Why work when they get more money by being lazy?
Thanks Hussein. "
When YOUR president raise taxes, who do you think that will be on? The majority of it will be small businesses. Do you think that these small businesses will actually lose money on this?
No they won't they will pass the increase on to you an I. So lets take this time to thank YOUR president for raising the price on that gallon of milk, that loaf of bread, and that dozen of eggs.
It's too bad that those of you that fell for the glamour, the smooth talking, and the pack of lies will now make all of us pay more for our everyday items.
Lets thank YOUR president for enabling those that don't want to work by giving them bigger tax increased (welfare) and more food stamps. Why work when they get more money by being lazy?
Thanks Hussein. "
marcellalasley wrote on Nov 22, 2008 8:50 AM:
" Wow, Linda! You are considered rich compared to us poor working stiffs. If I made what you make a year, I would be singing with happiness. We (and many, many like us) are trying to figure out what we have to give up next. I have relatives that have worked all of their lives and can't get enough money together to fill up their gas tank.If you think that Obama, or anyone is going to help you or us you are sadly mistaken. He will bail out these big companies that have robbed and squandered all the monies that came through their companies...and WE get to pay for it. Aren't we lucky..I say let them file for bankrupsy, just as we would have to do...I'm sick of supporting all these losers..... "
Dave wrote on Nov 22, 2008 7:50 AM:
" There will always be the poor. They made poor choices in the past, not thinking about the future. School curriculum could give kids a better idea what is in store if they don't either go to higher eductaion or some kind of skilled labor. Redistributing the wealth will just continue the cycle. Education and training will help. What is BO going to do? Nobody but BO knows at this point. Talk is cheap. We'll find out in the future. Hopefully he will do his best and what's best for the country and not himself or politicians. "
Michele wrote on Nov 22, 2008 6:03 AM:
" I agree that people who make good money should be thankful for thier blessings. However, most of those folks also work thier behinds off to make a higher wage too. If you make over a certain amount you loose most tax breaks. Facing even higher taxes is frustrating. It seems as though we will be busting our butts to pay for everyone elses situations. "
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OneChick wrote on Nov 26, 2008 10:01 AM:
I have worked two and three jobs at a time to support my family.(barely) And I thank Creator that I could do that. I work one job now that I am "educated" and scrape by. My family sleeps warm, eats well and wears clothes from Wal-mart K-mart and good will. I am thankful for that.
We help each other out when ever we can to keep lights and water on. What more do we need?
Why does any one have to look down their nose at us or any one else, because the money somtimes just isn't there. We are not diseased. Quite the contrary we are a healthy functional poor family. All we can offer is love and acceptance to our friends, family and occasionally to strangers. I will never be rich because I try to share when I can. I will never be rich with material things, but I have wealth beyond measure spiritually and emotionally. No matter what I have my family!! "