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Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance?

Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

Yes, there's a psychological component, and it's negative. The nature of humans is to create and produce, and when we don't utilize that energy, it's bad for us psychologically. No matter if our needs are being met by other means, the energy is not being expended. It doesn't need to be used necessarily in a monetarily gainful manner, but the effects of welfare are far-reaching into the human psyche, and negatively effect self-esteem.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

A typical liberal crock to justify dependence on the gov't. Never discussed is when General Welfare comes to the rescue that the "stress" excuse is then gone, the "free" money has arrived, a good night's sleep can be had and the next day the IQ is restored to the normal level.

Funny that we were told that jobs were stressful; but it is really no job that causes stress. Who knew? Think goodness we now have that study to explain that the poor are just too stressed out to find work. ;)
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

A typical liberal crock to justify dependence on the gov't. Never discussed is when General Welfare comes to the rescue that the "stress" excuse is then gone, the "free" money has arrived, a good night's sleep can be had and the next day the IQ is restored to the normal level.

And the worst part of it is that the eggheads who come up with this stuff don't understand the cause and effect relationships. You don't get stressed because you are poor. You get stressed because you're not living up to your potential, and you're spending idle time worrying rather than doing something. It's a cycle that feeds on itself. My father came from a very poor family. He didn't sit on his ass and feel sorry for himself about how bad he had it. He worked hard, often at two jobs, and he loved working for the joy of work itself. Even after he retired, he got bored, and went back to work as a school crossing guard just to have something which made him feel like he was contributing.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

And the worst part of it is that the eggheads who come up with this stuff don't understand the cause and effect relationships. You don't get stressed because you are poor. You get stressed because you're not living up to your potential, and you're spending idle time worrying rather than doing something. It's a cycle that feeds on itself. My father came from a very poor family. He didn't sit on his ass and feel sorry for himself about how bad he had it. He worked hard, often at two jobs, and he loved working for the joy of work itself. Even after he retired, he got bored, and went back to work as a school crossing guard just to have something which made him feel like he was contributing.

Yep, there was another thread today about the percentage of seniors increasing in the U.S. workforce. The real problem is that the "safety net" now provides more income than an entry level job does. The stress is having to face that reality, as one's time on the dole eventually runs out.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

The modern liberal philosophy in our country encourages people to become pessimistic and envious of the heights of human potential.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

― Winston Churchill
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

I wonder how many people would find a job...any job...if welfare went away totally? I'll betcha it'd be more than you think.

Yes, there are people who might "need" it. However, you are a blithering fool if you think everyone who collects welfare "needs" it. I know three people myself who take a lackadaisical, and sometimes negative approach to looking for work. They are unmotivated and lazy with infinite excuses. Worse off, they seem to have more of a social budget than I do (because they've moved back home). They're total parasites on the government, and just love it.

But I know, if you took that fat unemployment check away, all three of them would have a job in less than two weeks.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

I wonder how many people would find a job...any job...if welfare went away totally? I'll betcha it'd be more than you think.

Yes, there are people who might "need" it. However, you are a blithering fool if you think everyone who collects welfare "needs" it. I know three people myself who take a lackadaisical, and sometimes negative approach to looking for work. They are unmotivated and lazy with infinite excuses. Worse off, they seem to have more of a social budget than I do (because they've moved back home). They're total parasites on the government, and just love it.

But I know, if you took that fat unemployment check away, all three of them would have a job in less than two weeks.

You know Velvet... isn't it odd... not too long ago we heard there were jobs Americans wouldn't do... so I think we should ask our Socialist friends... what happened to all those jobs Americans wouldn't do?

It's a perverse system that pays welfare more than work... and how much you wanna bet a good portion on welfare are making cash under the table too.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

The information in this study is valuable because the better you understand an issue the better you can equip yourself to address and resolve it. There is a difference between understanding root causes so that they can be effectively addressed and providing someone with an excuse so they can then do nothing.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

The information in this study is valuable because the better you understand an issue the better you can equip yourself to address and resolve it. There is a difference between understanding root causes so that they can be effectively addressed and providing someone with an excuse so they can then do nothing.

I believe I understand it better than progressive liberals. My position on poverty is best stated by Malthus (see my signature line).

I wonder how many people would find a job...any job...if welfare went away totally? I'll betcha it'd be more than you think.

Finding a job is usually associated with finding someone who is willing to pay you to do something for THEM. What would happen over time if welfare went away is people would engage themselves in productive activities to help THEMSELVES (whatever that means for them) regardless of whether someone else was agreeing to pay them over time. That's the point. If there is no safety net, you become motivated to work hard to see your own needs met. Even some homeless folks are hard workers (just that they're hard at work meeting their own needs, whatever those are).
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

And look a THIS gov asssistance, equal too 100 years of help for the poor.......

Tracking the $700 Billion Bailout - The New York Times

Whatts the Psycology of givng more yachts to the already rich?

From a Banker......."A month later, he used $381,487 of it to buy a place in Fort Myers,... in bank bailout funds to purchase a luxury condominium in Fort Myers, Fla"
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

And look a THIS gov asssistance, equal too 100 years of help for the poor.......

Tracking the $700 Billion Bailout - The New York Times

Whatts the Psycology of givng more yachts to the already rich?

From a Banker......."A month later, he used $381,487 of it to buy a place in Fort Myers,... in bank bailout funds to purchase a luxury condominium in Fort Myers, Fla"

Stupid premise is stupid.

Would you rather have had those companies lay off the hundreds of thousands of employees instead? Before you whine even more about CEO pay, remember that person's salary is only a minute percentage of what the company makes as a whole.

Your "psychology" is severely lacking, and is exposed as fraud.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

And look a THIS gov asssistance, equal too 100 years of help for the poor.......

Tracking the $700 Billion Bailout - The New York Times

Whatts the Psycology of givng more yachts to the already rich?

The same in both cases. It's not a legitimate function of government to make certain individuals or classes of individuals better off via handouts.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

I believe I understand it better than progressive liberals. My position on poverty is best stated by Malthus (see my signature line).



Finding a job is usually associated with finding someone who is willing to pay you to do something for THEM. What would happen over time if welfare went away is people would engage themselves in productive activities to help THEMSELVES (whatever that means for them) regardless of whether someone else was agreeing to pay them over time. That's the point. If there is no safety net, you become motivated to work hard to see your own needs met. Even some homeless folks are hard workers (just that they're hard at work meeting their own needs, whatever those are).

While I agree with you that the system would be improved by offering a more certain route out of dependence, removing it completely would not only be cruel but counterproductive.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

While I agree with you that the system would be improved by offering a more certain route out of dependence, removing it completely would not only be cruel but counterproductive.

I don't think it would be cruel, but as for what is productive vs. counterproductive, it depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you're trying to prevent anyone from getting hungry, you are likely to agree that giving a man a fish is the best route. If you're trying to prevent adults from turning into complacent dependents, you are more likely to think teaching a man to fish (rather than giving him any) is the better choice.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

I don't think it would be cruel, but as for what is productive vs. counterproductive, it depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you're trying to prevent anyone from getting hungry, you are likely to agree that giving a man a fish is the best route. If you're trying to prevent adults from turning into complacent dependents, you are more likely to think teaching a man to fish (rather than giving him any) is the better choice.

I actually always use this analogy myself. Unless you are teaching, thereby assisting them to become self-sufficient you are being self serving (you feel like the good guy buy how much good have you actually done?) But, you must give them one to sustain them while they learn.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

I actually always use this analogy myself. Unless you are teaching, thereby assisting them to become self-sufficient you are being self serving (you feel like the good guy buy how much good have you actually done?) But, you must give them one to sustain them while they learn.

You must not, actually. This is the precise point of departure between supporters and detractors of welfare.

Public education is how we teach our young men and women to fish. I say kids (minors/dependents) deserve a lot of educational and developmental support (I'll even tolerate it being through state-funded programs) to learn how to support themselves later. But at some point they need to be nudged out of the nest (age of majority/independence) and face the real and natural consequences of their autonomous decisions. That's the only way to learn and grow. The real world provides infinite cause-and-effect examples that will motivate people to think critically and make prudent rational choices. Welfare shields them from the effects of their actions or inaction, thereby undermining the natural motivators to think critically or make prudent rational choices.

If you entitle them to one fish after another, over time they learn not how to fish for themselves, but how to display hunger with the expectation another fish will be produced for them.
 
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Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

You must not, actually. This is the precise point of departure between supporters and detractors of welfare.

Public education is how we teach our young men and women to fish. I say kids deserve a lot of educational and developmental support (I'll even tolerate it being through state-funded programs) to learn how to support themselves. But at some point they need to be nudged out of the nest and face real and natural consequences of life. That's the only way to learn and grow.

If you entitle them to one fish after another, over time they learn not how to fish for themselves, but how to display hunger knowing the safety net is forever beneath them.


You assume they can't be weaned. I think you also assume that people stay on welfare forever. They don't
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

You assume they can't be weaned. I think you also assume that people stay on welfare forever. They don't

I don't assume any of those things, but my comments about welfare, motivation, and independence all still stand.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

The same in both cases. It's not a legitimate function of government to make certain individuals or classes of individuals better off via handouts.

its the function of Gov to prevent violent revolution because of starving masses. A lesson louis the 16Th did not learn.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

You must not, actually. This is the precise point of departure between supporters and detractors of welfare.

Public education is how we teach our young men and women to fish. I say kids (minors/dependents) deserve a lot of educational and developmental support (I'll even tolerate it being through state-funded programs) to learn how to support themselves later. But at some point they need to be nudged out of the nest (age of majority/independence) and face the real and natural consequences of their autonomous decisions. That's the only way to learn and grow. The real world provides infinite cause-and-effect examples that will motivate people to think critically and make prudent rational choices. Welfare shields them from the effects of their actions or inaction, thereby undermining the natural motivators to think critically or make prudent rational choices.

If you entitle them to one fish after another, over time they learn not how to fish for themselves, but how to display hunger with the expectation another fish will be produced for them.

fishing is illegal to live on.
Building a home is ILLEGAL
Having a tent is illegal

Welfare DOES NOT EXIST to live on.
No HC
No homes
No retraining
No TP
No bus passes
No way to get the food your allowed
No tooth brush or paste
No cloths
or any other nessesitys
ONLY FOOD. (and dont bother with your minor programs for kids or closed programs)

And the key thing you fail to mention is EMPLOYERS are required t o hire to get people off the streeets. they are NOT ALLOWED to "live on thier own".
 
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Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

Stupid premise is stupid.

Would you rather have had those companies lay off the hundreds of thousands of employees instead? Before you whine even more about CEO pay, remember that person's salary is only a minute percentage of what the company makes as a whole.

Your "psychology" is severely lacking, and is exposed as fraud.

The banks employ NO ONE. What about the MILLIONS of USA jobs lost because of WS and "free trade".

WS could burn to the ground, and USA would not notice.

Maybe pay sould be a set % of profits........:)

No fraud in exposing the greed and criminal activities of WS.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

A typical liberal crock to justify dependence on the gov't. Never discussed is when General Welfare comes to the rescue that the "stress" excuse is then gone, the "free" money has arrived, a good night's sleep can be had and the next day the IQ is restored to the normal level.

Funny that we were told that jobs were stressful; but it is really no job that causes stress. Who knew? Think goodness we now have that study to explain that the poor are just too stressed out to find work. ;)

Typical conservative trash which, of course, you've proven them right.

The video was not talking about people depending on the government based on the lack of will, it's talking about the psychological effect of stress upon those who run into financial problems. If you actually did research (which I'm sure you don't anyway to justify the conservative ignorance) you'd understand that their are elements to being impoverished such as resorting to drugs and alcohol along with a host of other psychological ailments.
 
Re: Is there a psychological component to being poor, and/or on government assistance

And the worst part of it is that the eggheads who come up with this stuff don't understand the cause and effect relationships. You don't get stressed because you are poor. You get stressed because you're not living up to your potential, and you're spending idle time worrying rather than doing something. It's a cycle that feeds on itself. My father came from a very poor family. He didn't sit on his ass and feel sorry for himself about how bad he had it. He worked hard, often at two jobs, and he loved working for the joy of work itself. Even after he retired, he got bored, and went back to work as a school crossing guard just to have something which made him feel like he was contributing.

Another person with no idea...

your families situation is different from the next so your story is simply anecdotal and not a proven fact that from one impoverished family that arises out of a condition does not necessitate that another will. The cause and effect relationships may vary based on the circumstance of the individual. For example (as I mentioned previously), a person who is divorced has a foreclosed home may resort to drugs as an outlet to alleviate themselves of the stresses of life. The person could also have a genetic predisposition for alcohol so the individual not only resorts to drug use but is an alcoholic and the process becomes perennial.
 
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