Its fustrating to me....

[roguenuke]

If you have an iphone, you're not poor and can afford lunch.

Except it does not mean that. You cannot say why that person has an iphone. You yourself has said that your boss gave you a phone as part of your job and that your parents sometimes have trouble paying for your lunches. So what if that other person does have an employer who gave them an iphone for their job (maybe they work at Apple) and they also help with the bills in their home. Now they need to give up the iphone (which could have no effect on their income level, particularly if they are working for Apple, someone needs to test those phones/apps) just to hope that they get a little more money to pay for lunch?

 

[Dittohead not!]

I spend $800/month on groceries PLUS money for all our children to eat lunch at school - and you think the one time cost of a phone and $30.00/month is going to affect that at all?

Obviously we're not on financial support of any kind - but I don't think you realize how much food actually costs.

You can buy rice, beans, and potatoes for a lot less than that, which is what people do in much of the world. We don't realize just how rich we really are in this country.

One reason for that is that the poor do have a safety net that allows them to live better than they would in, say for example, India. It also provides a market for agricultural products that otherwise would not exist, which in turn, helps the grower, so he can continue to produce, and in the process provides jobs all up and down the line which reduces the need for food stamps, and increases the general standard of living.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

You can buy rice, beans, and potatoes for a lot less than that, which is what people do in much of the world. We don't realize just how rich we really are in this country.

One reason for that is that the poor do have a safety net that allows them to live better than they would in, say for example, India. It also provides a market for agricultural products that otherwise would not exist, which in turn, helps the grower, so he can continue to produce, and in the process provides jobs all up and down the line which reduces the need for food stamps, and increases the general standard of living.

Indeed - agreed.

 

[iliveonramen]

If you have an iphone, you're not poor and can afford lunch.

So in other words you're only allowed to have luxury goods if you're born into wealthier families. We don't want those poor kids acting like they aren't living in poverty

 

[Tucker Case]

I would normally agree - but he's focusing on *the children* here: CHILDREN.

I know that's his world because he's underage and *in school* and that's all he knows of life right now.

But I have a serious problem addressing these children who have done nothing wrong in their lives as if they're the source of the problem - if he was trying to discuss their parents then that's fine.

I think it's shameful and disapointing that children can be so judgmental towards *other children* and then seek out an adult-populated outlet to voice their concern and expect the mommies and daddies to all gang up on the poor kids.

If that attitude came from one of my children towards other kids in their school I'd be swift to set them straight. children cannot contro lthe environment they are being raised in.

Bingo. The first thing I'd do is disabuse my kid of the notion that he does anything to earn that which he has by selling every damned thing he has that I paid for. I'd also start charging him rent and utilities. He certainly wouldn't be bitching about how poor kids have iphones on the internet because that broke as bitch wouldn't have a computer and internet connection. He'd also be taken out of that socialist public school system since he doesn't pay property taxes.

Once I laid out the total bill he'd nee dot pay in order to earn every luxury he has, my guess is that he'd change his tune right ****ing quick.

 

[andrew]

Except it does not mean that. You cannot say why that person has an iphone. You yourself has said that your boss gave you a phone as part of your job and that your parents sometimes have trouble paying for your lunches. So what if that other person does have an employer who gave them an iphone for their job (maybe they work at Apple) and they also help with the bills in their home. Now they need to give up the iphone (which could have no effect on their income level, particularly if they are working for Apple, someone needs to test those phones/apps) just to hope that they get a little more money to pay for lunch?

I never said my boss gave me a phone as part of my job. I said my employer pays for my phone. Your scenario is one in a million. Needing an iphone is for work is one thing, so is working and buying an iphone, and having your free lunch. Like I said earlier, I have paid for my lunch some, with the money I make. You won't see me taking a free lunch.

 

[soccerboy22]

I never said my boss gave me a phone as part of my job. I said my employer pays for my phone. Your scenario is one in a million. Needing an iphone is for work is one thing, so is working and buying an iphone, and having your free lunch. Like I said earlier, I have paid for my lunch some, with the money I make. You won't see me taking a free lunch.

Is your employer your parents because that would explain a lot.

 

[andrew]

So in other words you're only allowed to have luxury goods if you're born into wealthier families. We don't want those poor kids acting like they aren't living in poverty

No. You're only allowed to have luxury goods after you have taken care of all of the necessities. Food is a necessity.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

I never said my boss gave me a phone as part of my job. I said my employer pays for my phone. Your scenario is one in a million. Needing an iphone is for work is one thing, so is working and buying an iphone, and having your free lunch. Like I said earlier, I have paid for my lunch some, with the money I make. You won't see me taking a free lunch.

Maybe you should worry about your life - and not be so judgemental of others. You still have yet to say one single thing about these children's parents - you seem to truly believe that these kids all have control over their lives and such :shrug: I don't get it: you have such a heavy level of smug contempt for them as if they're slime but yet - again - you know absolutely nothing about them.

You come across as more of a snobish bully who's spiteful of all others rather than a 'decent all american hard working kid' taht you're trying to pretend you are.

If my kids broght home your attitude I'd be far less lenient with them.

 

[andrew]

Bingo. The first thing I'd do is disabuse my kid of the notion that he does anything to earn that which he has by selling every damned thing he has that I paid for. I'd also start charging him rent and utilities. He certainly wouldn't be bitching about how poor kids have iphones on the internet because that broke as bitch wouldn't have a computer and internet connection. He'd also be taken out of that socialist public school system since he doesn't pay property taxes.

Once I laid out the total bill he'd nee dot pay in order to earn every luxury he has, my guess is that he'd change his tune right ****ing quick.

I don't understand how you don't understand this concept: If you have an iphone, you're not poor. Therefore, you can afford lunch.

 

[X Factor]

Bingo. The first thing I'd do is disabuse my kid of the notion that he does anything to earn that which he has by selling every damned thing he has that I paid for. I'd also start charging him rent and utilities. He certainly wouldn't be bitching about how poor kids have iphones on the internet because that broke as bitch wouldn't have a computer and internet connection. He'd also be taken out of that socialist public school system since he doesn't pay property taxes.

Once I laid out the total bill he'd nee dot pay in order to earn every luxury he has, my guess is that he'd change his tune right ****ing quick.

LOL, Tucker that's funny but someone being supported by their parents (as they should be) is not the same thing as welfare. I think choosing to have a child means you should be obligated to support him, especially since he's not even legally allowed to work until he's 15.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

I don't understand how you don't understand this concept: If you have an iphone, you're not poor. Therefore, you can afford lunch.

Well - go tell their parents and report it to the school so they can investigate their income level and determine the seriousness of the situation.

You're all about judging other but aren't handling criticism of yourself very well at all.

 

[roguenuke]

I never said my boss gave me a phone as part of my job. I said my employer pays for my phone. Your scenario is one in a million. Needing an iphone is for work is one thing, so is working and buying an iphone, and having your free lunch. Like I said earlier, I have paid for my lunch some, with the money I make. You won't see me taking a free lunch.

Your situation is one in a million as well. Very few teens would ever get their employer, unless it was a family member, to pay for their phone, no matter what kind of phone it is. Hell, most military members can't get a phone for their job, yet we are all required to have a cell phone. Even those of us in the reserves are required to have a cell phone. Those few who do get one, it is a government phone and is restricted in use.

And it could be any amount of other things mentioned as to why they have an iphone but still not be able to pay for their lunch. Kids have very little say over what their parents do with money the parents earn. So if their other family members or even their parents get them an iphone, it doesn't mean that those same people will hold lunch in the same regard, particularly if they know their kid otherwise will qualify for free lunch.

 

[iliveonramen]

No. You're only allowed to have luxury goods after you have taken care of all of the necessities. Food is a necessity.

Does this apply to you as well? Are you only allowed to have luxury goods once you start paying for all of your necessities or are you given a free pass since your parents can afford them?

 

[Aunt Spiker]

Does this apply to you as well? Are you only allowed to have luxury goods once you start paying for all of your necessities or are you given a free pass since your parents can afford them?

Well - there's mortgage, electricity, water, auto, insurance - all that, too. . . .sounds silly to hinge 'poor / not poor' on whether your child has a phone or not in a day and age where upgrading gives you a free phone and no one has a landline these days.

 

[Deuce]

I don't understand how you don't understand this concept: If you have an iphone, you're not poor. Therefore, you can afford lunch.

Off the top of my head, situations in which someone could be poor and own an iphone:

1) Given iphone as a gift
2) Given iphone by employer as required work item
3) Won iphone in a contest
4) Used to be not-poor, purchased iphone, lost job, gets on various social support programs because that is what they are for
5) Got a used iphone for cheap, or even free with 2-year contract

I don't understand how you can't grasp this concept. Yes, even people with an iphone can be poor. Should a person be forced to sell a basic communications tool before they are eligible for assistance? How about a car? House? Yeah, I'm sure that will be good for the economy...

 

[Tucker Case]

I don't understand how you don't understand this concept: If you have an iphone, you're not poor. Therefore, you can afford lunch.

I know you don't understand. But if you were treated in the manner I just described, then you might begin to understand.

 

[Mr. Invisible]

Your situation is one in a million as well. Very few teens would ever get their employer, unless it was a family member, to pay for their phone, no matter what kind of phone it is. Hell, most military members can't get a phone for their job, yet we are all required to have a cell phone. Even those of us in the reserves are required to have a cell phone. Those few who do get one, it is a government phone and is restricted in use.

And it could be any amount of other things mentioned as to why they have an iphone but still not be able to pay for their lunch. Kids have very little say over what their parents do with money the parents earn. So if their other family members or even their parents get them an iphone, it doesn't mean that those same people will hold lunch in the same regard, particularly if they know their kid otherwise will qualify for free lunch.

My personal theory is that his employer is his family and that he works at a place owned by his parents but he's trying to act as if he went out and looked for a job.

 

[andrew]

Does this apply to you as well? Are you only allowed to have luxury goods once you start paying for all of your necessities or are you given a free pass since your parents can afford them?

My parents work hard to be able to do all they do for me. So yes, I am given a free pass from having to pay for my lunches most of the time.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

My parents work hard to be able to do all they do for me. So yes, I am given a free pass from having to pay for my lunches most of the time.

Well then there you have it: their parents figured out a way to swing getting their kids a cell phone - maybe they don't pay the bill, maybe their employer covers the cost . . . and there you go. The parents figured out how to make it happen within their financial confines. No different than you relying on your parents to put a roof over your head.

 

[andrew]

Well then there you have it: their parents figured out a way to swing getting their kids a cell phone - maybe they don't pay the bill, maybe their employer covers the cost . . . and there you go. The parents figured out how to make it happen within their financial confines. No different than you relying on your parents to put a roof over your head.

The employer shouldn't be paying for the cell phone if the kid cannot afford lunch, once again food is a necessity.

 

[Tucker Case]

My parents work hard to be able to do all they do for me. So yes, I am given a free pass from having to pay for my lunches most of the time.

You should tell your employer that, instead of paying for your cell phone they should give you money so that you can pay for your own lunch.

 

[Tucker Case]

The employer shouldn't be paying for the cell phone if the kid cannot afford lunch, once again food is a necessity.

You can't afford lunch, yet your employer pays for your cell phone. Why don't you put your money where your mouth is and live up to the same standard you invent for them?

 

[Dittohead not!]

What does a school lunch cost now? Aren't they all highly subsidized, whether the student is on "free and reduced price" or not?

I recall helping people fill out applications for free lunch, farmworkers who didn't have much education and who didn't speak English. I was quite amazed at (1) how low the family income had to be to qualify, and (2) how much lower than that their actual income was.

but, that was not in an upper middle class area, as you can imagine.

 

[grip]

andrew I knew a poor guy who bought a used Cadillac that was pretty nice looking (older, many miles) on payments. I asked him, why would you buy something so extravagant in your position when you barely have any furniture or money for food and living expenses? And he pleaded, "I'll be poor the rest of my life, since I'm older and have almost no income or ability to get any; please don't deny a sick old man one last luxury before this world takes his life." Would you crush his spirit out of angry spite?