'Fear of Always Being Poor and Struggling'

[The Straight Story]

'Fear of Always Being Poor and Struggling'
Working Families Feel Pinch Even More


Mary wants people to know that her family looks like anyone else's.

"I don't think that anyone could pick us out of a crowd if they had to choose the family living in poverty, even though we do not wear designer clothes, jackets, or shoes," said Mary (not her real name), the mother of three. "But with that said, it is very hard to raise children in such an affluent area when you are struggling just to provide the most basic of needs."

Mary and her family are illustrative of the segment of society explained in a new national report by the Working Poor Families Project titled "Still Working Hard, Still Falling Short." Fifty-six percent of low-income working families in Connecticut do not have post-secondary education, ranking the state 34th in the nation. Additionally, of these families, 32 percent fit into a racial minority category. The result is a connection between education, income and minority status in America and in Connecticut specifically.

The stereotyped image of the impoverished in America is that of lazy individuals who take advantage of the welfare system, but Mary was adamant about eliminating that mindset. "We are not lazy or dumb just because we are poor," she said. "I am a regular person who started a family and thought it was going to be for forever.

http://www.fairfieldcitizen-news.com/breakingnews/ci_11203709

[Hydra]

1. Poverty is a trap

You struggle daily just to get to zero(and fall short too often), and then, despite your extreme efforts, you have to be happy with bare survival.

Gov't doesn't currently help with that- programs that help you when you are poor penalize you as you dig yourself out...and thanks to Republican Economic scamming(Which they call their "economic policies"), there are more poor than ever.

[The Doctor.]

2. And everything costs more.

When you're poor.

It's just so ass-backwards.

[earth mom]

3. Living as the working poor is hell. I lived it.

:argh:

[Joe the Liberal]

4. k & r

:kick:

[roguevalley]

5. My dad worked from 3am to 9 pm every day except weekends, when he would

sleep for two days and try and catch up. He drove logging trucks and after taxes made $800 a month. My mom worked half time at the public library eight hours a day, sometimes split shifts and took home $250 a month. They raised four kids on that. They worked like slaves and you would never know how hard it was for us. They never took a nickel in help though their taxes entitled them. These are the heart of America and they are being left behind. She could have been telling my story. Oh, and my parents are the greatest most wonderful people I ever knew. They were then and now ever my heroes and if things go tits up for me, they taught me how to make ends meet. God bless us all.

[Danascot]

6. If your Dad and Mom

knew of the tribute you've given them here I have no doubt they would say it was all worth it to have a child who feels the way you do.

One of the few positives to come out of this mess is I believe people will realize that family and friends mean more than material things.

[roguevalley]

7. in the end, you only have each other. Thank you for your comments. My parents

are my anchor now. Merry Holidays, whichever if any you observe, my friend. :hug: