I hope you do the photo essay; I'd like to see it.
This is a great post, if tragic.
I've gradually come to realize (I think) the origin of the big economic divide in this country. It's not that hard to make money... so long as you start out with some. If someone's got cash to invest in themselves or a business or some asset, likely they'll prosper. (All the while sure that they earned it all through their hard work!) But people who can barely keep up with their bills, have no savings -- especially if they live in an expensive area? Very little chance. Where's the opportunity going to come from?
Seems like California has the biggest divide, too. Huge money to be made, but that drives up the base cost of living for everyone. I assume you have to stay there?
I do think it's hardest to take the kind of cluelessness you mention from family members. My brother-in-law and his wife move every two years into a bigger, more expensive house, in a more exclusive neighborhood. They're about in the million dollar range, now. And then they complain that they have no money. Well, yeah, maybe if you didn't freaking spend it all like idiots on a giant empty box, you'd have some left. That's not poverty guys, that's stupidity. Grr.
Thank you. I think I will do the photo essay at least sometime before I move out of here. It needs to be done.
I believe you have a great understanding of the economic divide, both how it occurs and the social influence it has.
I actually have no need to stay in CA. I just can't afford to move and haven't found a job outside of CA that will compensate for the debt incurred. The joy of applying for positions outside the state is that somehow I have to travel for interviews, etc. I just don't have those resources. There is also the painful reality that if I move, for health reasons, I have to go somewhere that doesn't get very cold.
This is a great post, if tragic.
I've gradually come to realize (I think) the origin of the big economic divide in this country. It's not that hard to make money... so long as you start out with some. If someone's got cash to invest in themselves or a business or some asset, likely they'll prosper. (All the while sure that they earned it all through their hard work!) But people who can barely keep up with their bills, have no savings -- especially if they live in an expensive area? Very little chance. Where's the opportunity going to come from?
Seems like California has the biggest divide, too. Huge money to be made, but that drives up the base cost of living for everyone. I assume you have to stay there?
I do think it's hardest to take the kind of cluelessness you mention from family members. My brother-in-law and his wife move every two years into a bigger, more expensive house, in a more exclusive neighborhood. They're about in the million dollar range, now. And then they complain that they have no money. Well, yeah, maybe if you didn't freaking spend it all like idiots on a giant empty box, you'd have some left. That's not poverty guys, that's stupidity. Grr.
*hug*
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I believe you have a great understanding of the economic divide, both how it occurs and the social influence it has.
I actually have no need to stay in CA. I just can't afford to move and haven't found a job outside of CA that will compensate for the debt incurred. The joy of applying for positions outside the state is that somehow I have to travel for interviews, etc. I just don't have those resources. There is also the painful reality that if I move, for health reasons, I have to go somewhere that doesn't get very cold.
Yes about family members!
*hugs*
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