American economic crisis vs. genocide and starvation

[WilyWestbrook0]

In discussing the economic climate of today with a friend, who makes $7.25 an hour and is struggling to pay his bills, he honestly made the analogy that him adjusting to the current economic climate is "harder to cope with" than what people in The Sudan and Bangladesh go through, because they are "used to" genocide and starvation. He tried to back up this claim with statements made (likely out of context) by anthropologists, etc. that people have a harder time coping with drastic change than those who are allegedly "used to" situations, no matter how challenging those situations may be.

Am I the only one who thinks he is utterly full of crap on this issue? How on earth does one GET USED to GENOCIDE AND STARVATION, and find it EASIER TO COPE WITH than a minimum wage job in the United States?

[centrehice]

That Mademoiselle/Madam, is a point well taken. Our societal model only allows for those that can keep up. You are spot-on in that regard.

I suspect over time we will start to see good people gather collectively. In this area, we will see older adults that are unattached share a larger living space, similar to kids at university, where 5 or 6 rent a large house so that they can afford to have some semblance of a decent life.

If you have the burden of children, and I only call it a burden if you are unable to afford children, then this is a political, and social quagmire. Single parents that must work and be in a situation where others depend on them, what happens when that vocation is replaced by something that pays 4-8 times less?

I am married and nearing 60. I have poured my heart and soul into helping my child, and being loyal to both my wife and child. I am a stay at home provider. If I had to be on the street tomorrow, I would have to depend on what I posted above in regard to my living situation, simply because of my age.

Some people are resourceful enough to take care of themselves, having dependents and having to make decisions on possible good outcomes for your children is beyond tough, and to the point of impossible for others.

You are correct, if you were a living person that had to scrounge to exist, then your World and your experience are much different. But those saddled with debt, then never being able to gain the foothold they once had, then watching the cost of their lives be greater than their income before they buy food, is a frightening reality of adaptable behaviour.

I see us moving to a more communal society, that is living in groups so that we can all get by, while the rich get richer.

The Australian politically motivated activist band, Midmight Oil penned one of the greatest lines in history to describe the plight of society on the lower end of things in "Read About It";

"The rich get richer, the poor get the picture, the bombs never hit you when you're down so low"

[mrveggieman]

That sir, is a point well taken.

You know that DunkingDurant35 is a female don't you?

[centrehice]

Apologies to the Lady poster DunkingDurant35. Glad to have you hear with all of us knuckle-draggers. I have edited my response to reflect my shame on assumption.

[Star_Cards]

I agree that your friend is full of crap. I'm sure he's speaking from a bit of frustration. Most would gladly choose a 7.25 hour job, struggling than to live under the threat of genocide or starvation.

[WilyWestbrook0]

Yeah. I understand it's not easy per se, but him making that comparison just really annoyed me, and it reminded me of how spoiled Westerners really can be.

[Wickabee]

I do sort of see your friend's point on lack of food, but I don't think it's possible to get used to genocide.

[shrewsbury]

I think he was making a bad attempt to say he was not use to his situation and they are use to being in theirs, but for obvious reasons, it is a flawed comparison.