When we moved back to Vermont in 2003, I was terrified. Without a steady job, I didn’t know exactly from where our money would come. We were always on what I believed to be the edge of poverty. But then I started to think about it. Were we truly poor?
Everywhere I look “books, radio, television” there is someone telling me how to “eliminate debt” or “build wealth.” And the majority of these programs are geared for people who have high-paying jobs, huge homes and new cars and are feeling the “burden” of too much debt. What I don”t see a lot of are books or shows dedicated to helping people live ” and live well – off $10 an hour. In order to be on a “debt diet” one needs to be able to acquire debt. I dare say that most financial experts would argue that you can”t live well off $10 an hour. Those families who make $10 an hour are impoverished and should be educated as to how to make more money. And that”s where the help ends: “Get a better job, get some debt and then I can help you.”
So what is poverty?
Is it families who try and exist on Mom’s salary of $10 an hour? Or is it not having food in the house? Or is it not having the house? Is it not having electricity? Running water? Heat? (more…)
Please click here to download the plugin required to make recent comments work!