Does the US take care of its own? (Earth, America)

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by Christiangirl0909

I feel bad for the poorer countries, but it's their job to take care of their people. America takes care of its own.

This isn't aimed at you in particular, but where was America when my best friend had to choose between heat and food in the winter? Where is America when pregnant mothers don't go to the doctor because they can't afford it? How does America take care of its own when it demands that we pay if we want medicine that makes the difference between living through the year and living another decade?

Do you guys think America takes care of its own? If you do, why on earth do you think that?

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Jensa

This isn't aimed at you in particular, but where was America when my best friend had to choose between heat and food in the winter? Where is America when pregnant mothers don't go to the doctor because they can't afford it? How does America take care of its own when it demands that we pay if we want medicine that makes the difference between living through the year and living another decade?

Do you guys think America takes care of its own? If you do, why on earth do you think that?

America does take care of it's own.....unfortunately not everyone knows where to look for help. That should be changed. You can get help with food and heat. You can definitely get medical help..You just need to ask questions and be diligent about it.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

America does take care of it's own.....unfortunately not everyone knows where to look for help. That should be changed. You can get help with food and heat. You can definitely get medical help..You just need to ask questions and be diligent about it.

Which is a little tough if you're uneducated and practically illiterate, stuck in some rural area with no transportation, got no phone, and don't even own shoes.

Yup, people like this still exist in this country.

[Lindsey-Loo]

This isn't aimed at you in particular, but where was America when my best friend had to choose between heat and food in the winter? Where is America when pregnant mothers don't go to the doctor because they can't afford it? How does America take care of its own when it demands that we pay if we want medicine that makes the difference between living through the year and living another decade?

Do you guys think America takes care of its own? If you do, why on earth do you think that?

If America didn't take care of its own, we would be like Suriname in South America, where having a heated house is nearly unimaginable. Or Burkina Faso, where pregant mothers are twelve-year-olds, who couldn't get a doctor even if they had enough money to pay for one.

It irks me to hear people talk like this. America is a land of oppurtunity. Anyone can find a job somewhere, even if it pays just a little. And disabled people who can't work can be on welfare. And many of the poorest people in America are rich compared to the citizens of other countries.

By saying that America takes care of its own, I was saying that America is America's responsibility. Suriname is Suriname's reponsiblity. Burkina Faso is Burkina Faso's responsibility. And most people in America are well taken care of.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Booko

Which is a little tough if you're uneducated and practically illiterate, stuck in some rural area with no transportation, got no phone, and don't even own shoes.

Yup, people like this still exist in this country.

I understand this...but it's not the government's fault,...though I am sympathetic. Often a kindly neighbor or church will help in cases like this. But, if you never leave your house....how could anyone know to help?

[Jaymes]

A friend of mine tried to get help from the state to pay for her medical bills because she couldn't afford it. She found that where she lives, a pregnant woman can make 138% of the two-person house poverty line and be eligible for it. However, since she is a housewife-type person, she can only make 36% of that and still be eligible. A working person gets 45%.

Obviously if you make ~6.5K a year you can afford your medicine. :|

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by Christiangirl0909

Anyone can find a job somewhere, even if it pays just a little.

What use is a job if you can't live off it? People can't live off minimum wage! And that's assuming they don't get a job as a waitress... their pay is even lower. If you get sick, well, tough turkey. Some jobs just don't give insurance or benefits.

And disabled people who can't work can be on welfare. And many of the poorest people in America are rich compared to the citizens of other countries.

Yea, instead of dying of starvation they die from getting sick over and over and not going to the doctor for it.

I just don't buy that America takes care of its own.

[dawny0826]

This isn't aimed at you in particular, but where was America when my best friend had to choose between heat and food in the winter?

I've been in a similar situation before, Jensa. I've lived on my own with incredibly limited resources and have barely had enough money to eat. MANY people find themselves in this situation.

If you mean American government when you say "America"...I'm not sure that it's necessarily the American government's responsibility to be there to support every American who falls on hard times.

If you mean America as in the American people as a whole...I've BEEN blessed by the kindness of American people in my lifetime...I've seen first hand the kindness and outreach of others within my own community...helping those in situations similar to your friend's. Help sometimes has to be sought...and help isn't necessarily far away.

Where is America when pregnant mothers don't go to the doctor because they can't afford it?

Having had two babies...not many people...even those who live comfortably can afford medical care and birth outright. And I haven't been to a single medical facility which WOULDN'T work with a mother who was in a rough financial situation. A mother who needs medical care CAN receive medical care. She can go to the health department for starters, for information...some care can be provided at no cost thru the health department, I believe. Many areas have free clinics and a woman who cannot afford health care, especially while pregnant can tap into government aid programs.

There's a way...it's not always easy...but there is a way...

How does America take care of its own when it demands that we pay if we want medicine that makes the difference between living through the year and living another decade?

I'll never claim that our health care and insurance systems are perfect. I just lost a loved one to leukhemia and trust me...she didn't have the money to pay for her meds. And she wasn't denied her meds...the hospital and doctor's office worked with her family to find suitable financial arrangements for her.

It costs to produce medicines. It costs to care for the ill. I don't think we were promised a free ride as Americans...regardless of our situations...

It's easy to focus on the negatives but there are a hell of a lot of wonderful doctors and medical facilities out there which bust their buns to give good and fair health care to their patients...regardless of their financial situations.

Do you guys think America takes care of its own? If you do, why on earth do you think that?

Beyond all of the uglies...and there's a lot of crap in this country, I'm not going to deny that...

There's also a whole heck of a lot of good in this country. People reaching out to touch the lives of others...giving selflessly of their time and talents...to touch lives. This happens EVERY day but is often overshadowed by scrutiny of the negatives.