The Working Poor
Poverty hits home more with television's bombardment of the latest this and that: things that cost enough to feed a family of three for a month, TV shows in which contestants sell their dignity for what I consider peanuts.
Poverty is not local, but worldwide. Before I get responses that "anyone can make it if you have talent, brains and drive, skip the lecture. There is always going to be the rich, the poor, the yin and the yang. As the gap between the two widens each day, those in the middle, barely hanging on, are loosing ground.
Poverty has different levels, all of them cruel. I see the working poor as the fastest-growing group - living check to check, praying the strange noise from the refrigerator stops soon but not the refrigerator itself, hoping their car continues to run without a new muffler just a little longer, an unexpected illness or death in the family cutting into the money for rent and utilities.
Poverty can cause deadly stress just trying to make it day to day. A little alcohol, a little toke or toot on the weekend to unwind or relax can quickly become a runaway roller coaster when you're invisible at your job, taken for granted with no power or voice against unjust and uncaring employers.
It's easy to board that downhill ride to escape life's pressures for just a few hours when you can't afford that vacation cruise or that annual car trip to visit the grandparents. Disney anywhere world is just a TV commercial, a place where the pro athletes go after a victory. You don't need luggage for the trip to destruction.
Then there's the final poverty level where you have nothing. No shelter, food or hope. Death might be welcomed if it means an end to pain and suffering.
It is the 21st century. I'm not upset we don't have flying cars. I am damn angry that there is still slavery, abortion, that there are people on this Earth dying of hunger and curable diseases.
Why hasn't war been declared on those issues? When fighting does occur from the downtrodden, it's called rioting, rebellion, coup or civil uprising. Why? These people are driven to desperate measures to survive.
I suggest you write, call, fax or e-mail your politicians, (do this if you can without the finger because you happen to be a democrat or republican . Use your phonebooks and look for organizations that share your views. Surf the Internet (carefully). Get more active and create support at your local church, volunteer. There are many organizations and causes that can utilize any and all help.
Poverty is worldwide; it can even be next door. A little can go a long way when you have nothing.
