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Originally posted by The Emperor Fabulous
Here, let me explain it to you socially.
John Doe is born into a family that sits well below the poverty line. His father is a works two jobs attempting to pull together enough money to feed his family. His mother is home caring for her other two children.
John Doe goes to public school. Because of the tax cuts, teachers salaries and certain programs are cut, creating lower level of education. Teachers who are willing to accept a small wage (usually those who are not very good) teach John. The afterschool programs he wants to go to are cut, leaving John with nothing to do once the bell rings.
However, John Doe sees where his parents are, and works hard. He avoids the prevalance of drugs, gangs, and other things which could take up his time since he is devoid of any activities afterschool. He does, however, take on a job, working 20 hours a week at minimum wage (plus another 15 hours under the table at below minimum to provide for his family). He takes on a second job when his father loses one due to his company downsizing.
John Doe goes through high school. While a smart and hardworking kid, he is unable to maintain more than a 2.5 GPA because he spent so much time working to help relieve some of the financial burden on his family. Due to this, he is unable to recieve any scholarships. He applies to State schools, but due to severe cuts in public funding, he is only offered 10% of what he needs to go to school.
John Doe decides that he must attend college in order to get a better future. He goes to a community college which, by picking up more hours at his second job, he can afford to go to. However, the community colleges were also hit by funding cuts. The professors have little experience, because all the good professors moved to good schools for more money. Again, John is faced with an education that is sub-par.
John Doe will not be disuaged. However, his mother is diagnosed with a dangerous but treatable disease. His family is without health insurance because of cuts in Medicare, and his father is unable to find work that will provide adequate health insurance. John finds more and more of his hours dedicated to working for a little more than minimum wage. He is still a hard worker, and while his grades are not stellar, he pulls out a 2.6 GPA for two years.
John Doe is accepted into State college. Due to his two years at community school, he is able to recieve funding for half his tuition. His father has found a second job, and while it doesn't pay as well as the one he had before, it does have health insurance. While John Doe still must work 35-40 hours per week to pay for school, he graduates with a degree in Computer Science.
John Doe is now in the workforce. At least, that's where he'd like to be. However, it is almost impossible for him to find a job in this economy. John Doe ends up taking a job that is below his qualifications, as well as below the money he needs. He is still a human as well: somehow between working and school he has found a girlfriend. Long story short, they marry. John must now provide for a family.
Slowly, as you'll see, though John has worked hard to get himself out of poverty, there are few jobs for him. His parents tried to provide for him, but he ended up providing for them. With cuts to welfare, he had no choice but to work as much as he did. With lack of jobs and a good salary, with a family to provide for, he falls right into his parent's situation raising him.
(The above scenario, in regards to his ability to work while attending school, is best case scenario.)
So you go ahead, Ming, and complain that a third of your money is taken. Go ahead David Floyd, and cry out that people are lazy. This has nothing to do with laziness. This is a common story. This, my friends, is real life.
Here, let me explain it to you socially.
John Doe is born into a family that sits well below the poverty line. His father is a works two jobs attempting to pull together enough money to feed his family. His mother is home caring for her other two children.
John Doe goes to public school. Because of the tax cuts, teachers salaries and certain programs are cut, creating lower level of education. Teachers who are willing to accept a small wage (usually those who are not very good) teach John. The afterschool programs he wants to go to are cut, leaving John with nothing to do once the bell rings.
However, John Doe sees where his parents are, and works hard. He avoids the prevalance of drugs, gangs, and other things which could take up his time since he is devoid of any activities afterschool. He does, however, take on a job, working 20 hours a week at minimum wage (plus another 15 hours under the table at below minimum to provide for his family). He takes on a second job when his father loses one due to his company downsizing.
John Doe goes through high school. While a smart and hardworking kid, he is unable to maintain more than a 2.5 GPA because he spent so much time working to help relieve some of the financial burden on his family. Due to this, he is unable to recieve any scholarships. He applies to State schools, but due to severe cuts in public funding, he is only offered 10% of what he needs to go to school.
John Doe decides that he must attend college in order to get a better future. He goes to a community college which, by picking up more hours at his second job, he can afford to go to. However, the community colleges were also hit by funding cuts. The professors have little experience, because all the good professors moved to good schools for more money. Again, John is faced with an education that is sub-par.
John Doe will not be disuaged. However, his mother is diagnosed with a dangerous but treatable disease. His family is without health insurance because of cuts in Medicare, and his father is unable to find work that will provide adequate health insurance. John finds more and more of his hours dedicated to working for a little more than minimum wage. He is still a hard worker, and while his grades are not stellar, he pulls out a 2.6 GPA for two years.
John Doe is accepted into State college. Due to his two years at community school, he is able to recieve funding for half his tuition. His father has found a second job, and while it doesn't pay as well as the one he had before, it does have health insurance. While John Doe still must work 35-40 hours per week to pay for school, he graduates with a degree in Computer Science.
John Doe is now in the workforce. At least, that's where he'd like to be. However, it is almost impossible for him to find a job in this economy. John Doe ends up taking a job that is below his qualifications, as well as below the money he needs. He is still a human as well: somehow between working and school he has found a girlfriend. Long story short, they marry. John must now provide for a family.
Slowly, as you'll see, though John has worked hard to get himself out of poverty, there are few jobs for him. His parents tried to provide for him, but he ended up providing for them. With cuts to welfare, he had no choice but to work as much as he did. With lack of jobs and a good salary, with a family to provide for, he falls right into his parent's situation raising him.
(The above scenario, in regards to his ability to work while attending school, is best case scenario.)
So you go ahead, Ming, and complain that a third of your money is taken. Go ahead David Floyd, and cry out that people are lazy. This has nothing to do with laziness. This is a common story. This, my friends, is real life.
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