I Support Amnesty (America, Zen)

[Bishka]

This man doesn't qualify for assistance because he gets to much in disability (which all goes to pay for medical and rent).

He's 52, his health is poor and his skills are outdated. His savings have vanished, and without medical insurance, Donaldson has racked up huge medical bills. Yet he doesn't even qualify for food stamps. His monthly disability check -- about $1,650 -- puts him over the income limit. Housing is his biggest problem, with 80 percent of his check going to his $1,320 monthly rent.
According to the real estate agency Bay Rentals, a dirt-cheap apartment in Oakland runs about $1,000, and a family of four needs nearly $70,000 annually to live comfortably. But, according to census data, the median income is only $41,000. Donaldson would gladly move out of the city to someplace cheaper -- if only he could.
"Move where?" he asks. "Who is going to rent me an apartment? I've been unemployed for over two years, my credit report looks like a news report from Baghdad. Nobody will rent to me."

Link here

[Mister_T]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

Geeze, we have missions, food stamps, all kinds of assistance. No one has died of starvation in our country unless it was forced upon them (locked in a basement).

We have better food in our dumpsters than some other countries serve.

I don't recall reading any where in this thread, where somebody has stated that our Mexican population was the "starving."

I'm just wondering how you pulled Mexicans out of Mestemia's statement.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by nutshell

I hope you were being sarcastic. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...1/ai_n17087657

No, I wasn't.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0612-05.htm

I don't deny that the there is malnourishment in India, but there is malnourishment here too.

The idea that "people are starving in India" is something that we Americans perpetuate to support the idea that we are the best country in the world and everyone wishes they were like us. And yes, the American media perpetuates the myth too. I used to believe it too, until I talked to Indians who are amazed/insulted that this is the story that we tell.

After Katrina hit and pictures of human suffering in the U.S. were broadcast all over the world, the world was shocked that the supposed "richest nation on earth" could have people in such conditions. The way that our economy is based, those without money are completely dependent on government assistance. Whereas in other countries, people are a lot poorer, they may not have tvs and cars, but they are also supported by their own agriculture and friends and families and community.

[Reverend Rick]

Originally Posted by Mister_T

I don't recall reading any where in this thread, where somebody has stated that our Mexican population was the "starving."

I'm just wondering how you pulled Mexicans out of Mestemia's statement.

I'm just wondering how someone can wander into this country and do better than a citizen?

[Mister_T]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

I'm just wondering how someone can wander into this country and do better than a citizen?

I have yet to meet a person without citizenship who is better off than a citizen.

[Reverend Rick]

Originally Posted by Mister_T

I have yet to meet a person without citizenship who is better off than a citizen.

I have. They are hard working family oriented and very good folks. They appreciate the opportunities we have here. Believe it or not, some are buying houses now.