Poverty in America: Why are they poor? (2008)

[rohseungsu]

What a poor american.

[rohseungsu]

99% americans have to go immigration better than live in america. 99% americans are zero to be rich. 1% leave america or 99% leave america.

[rohseungsu]

Because of 1% make poor 99%

[carryclass]

and yet, we need illegal immigrants to do jobs americans dont want. i dont get it.

[Dimitri0809]

So when will there be the time where things are completely automated and the work works it's self??

CALL IT LAZY ALL YOU WANT YOU KNOW YOU LOVE IT!!

[backpackr]

@sidestreetryan it's the nationwide average, some HS grads earn more in other states than may earn where you live. Additionally various communities and states (like CA and NY) have higher minimum wages thus inflating the average.

[beau2fullyhuman]

@backpackr I would have to disagree with you. I have lived my entire life (30 years) in NYC and despite the minimum wage being higher than most states you are not able to make $31,400 a year as a high school graduate.  This state strongly relates education to salary and there are many jobs that are paying professionals with master degrees in the high 30k's low 40k's.

[LenoraForest]

The people on the escalator are a perfect metaphor. Instead of standing still and shouting for someone to do something....walk up the escalator !!

Poverty is a state of mind. Asian people come here and work for low pay, work together with family, scrimp and save and they do very well. It's our American entitled attitude that makes and keeps people poor.

[mrduffy1100]

@LenoraForest well said.

[InspiredMuse74]

@hajispecialist The main cause of poverty is GREED. All these businesses hike up their prices. Don't you see it? We are paying $3.50 per gallon for gas and $3 for a gallon of milk. Sure your reasons may be true in some cases but not in most cases. Don't blame Americans blame the system. If you blame the citzens then there will never be any hope for recovery and someday you and everyone you know may be in poverty.

[InspiredMuse74]

@icthruu4evr Are you for real in this economy. Sure you might get the 10% who don't want to do anything. In my experience it is 90% who either go to college or work 2 jobs; work 50 hours + just to make ends meet. I have many friends and family who are may be considered poor. They are all hard working and only ask for help when needed. YOu can't judge all poor by the 10% who are bad.

[redhot916spd]

8 dollars an hour or 16 thousand a year, that is if you work your normal 40 hour work week. I grew up working multiple jobs to make ends meet and I never went hungery and I never ever took a dime of welfare. I worked hard and went to school to become a medic. Between my school schedule and work I managed a 100hours /week for 15 months. I wanted out of poverty and now I am.

[Skekzyz]

If you give lip service to wanting to end man's suffering at the hands of man but ignore the fact that Cannabis can feed, clothe, shelter, alleviate suffering and stress, provide a wide range of power sources, and a rediculous amount of other helpful truely sustainable things to this world, all the while never killing a single human being solely from the drug it produces, then you are either completely brainwashed or just plain ignorant. If you agree with me great, if not, educate yourself.

[acajudi100]

Hire Americans first!!!!!

[tomblack2112]

PS. Everclear ROCKS! Long Live Santa Monica!

My point from a moment ago, yes, the reasons for poverty are individual and limitless ranging from bad choices to injury/illness to lack of education, etc., but we the people can make political choices that help lessen The job of government is to protect the social contract. Our biggest problem IMHO is we've lost our vision of a coherent future mainly due to a system designed by lawyers to provide loopholes for the powerful.

[tomblack2112]

1. Establish a flat 10% individual income tax with no deductions, especially not for dependents.

2. Eliminate enduring incorporation as Adam Smith would have wanted. It favors mercantilism and political cronyism.

3. Mandatory education for everyone for a primary and secondary skill set. Eliminate the age=grade system.

4. National healthcare through already established military facilities available for a 5% increase in income tax. No income, no tax. Don't like it, go private.

5. Tax the churches.

[redhot916spd]

@tomblack2112 I like alot of your ideas

especially not for dependents? what did you mean by this

[acajudi100]

Hire Americans first!!! Bring troops home from all over the world!! Close all prisons, and outsource their rear end to Singapore. Free education for teachers! homes for everyone and basics!! stop the vulgar fund raisings by politiciansI no foreign aide, until all legalAmericans have jobs. Jobs for everyone now, with controls on housing etc.

[gorillashop]

No real issues discussed just a bunch of meaningless statics where used in the video

[TrikeryMusic]

/watch?v=OKGxx-UpcpU  here's me and my friends dedication song to the struggles of the poor. we relate life to a carnival, how only the people with money can ride the rides. Thumbs up so we can spread the message!!!! thank you! and lets hope this recession ends soon! :)

[abokwu]

inflation



[smarty3000]

Some people think all people in poverty must have gotten in that situation because of their own stupidity...i.e. drug abuse, alcoholism, etc...but most of the time it is because of plain old ignorance...what we need is education, that is the true key to getting out of this mess.

[mikeshanklin]

They are poor because of statism. Statism is slavery

[coolrayfruge]

For those who haven't notice alot of people are trying to live off the grid, get out of the system .

Which is hard to do, because of our dependencey on money to provide for some of our needs.

It like trying to be weened off of Heroin.

How do you beak away from something you've been dependent on all of your life.

When the system won't allow you to live independently or freely off the land.

We all been raised to be slaves to serve this system.

If you think not! ,try breaking free of it.

[proatmetazine30906]

3 ways to almost surely make sure you wont go into poverty

1.Dont do drugs

2.Get an education at a state school(private is better)

3.Do not have a kid outside marriage

Follow these three and you wont be a homeless man blaming the rich.Wealth envy is all over America right now.

[coolrayfruge]

@proatmetazine30906 Although your three things you point out is good advice!

Its doesn't garantee you won't be homeless in this economy.!.

You fail to look at the big picture of what's going on in this world..

Its very arrogant of the wealthy, to say they are not part of the problem.

Sorry it isn't envey, the wealthy are seeing from the people, its discuss of the arrogance and the nerve of the wealthy to blame it on the people for this recesssion!

[wolftreetree]

Terry Jean needs to gather proof, she should be able to do so by getting tax records

the banks have to file tax receipts with the state and the deposits are taxable so the information is there somewhere. It's tough to prove a negative (that you didn't take out and spend the money) but perhaps it can be done. Best wishes and blessings.

[ImATiger4487]

Sorry for the post but some poor people are like that, some have no other option to work up or have no motivation. But most of all just be thankful for what we have and hopefully our ship comes in and lifts us up out of poverty. Thx.

[ImATiger4487]

I believe this is true, but with my own eyes I see why poor stay poor. Some just sit on their butt and eat welfare. Not caring to work up. Some are die hard freeloaders that sleeps in free housing, eats free food, and use McDonald restrooms. Some beg you for cash and use it go buy beer and cigs instead of food. Some that do beg are already on welfare. But I can understand marginalization

, but is that a excuse or a explanation?

[coolrayfruge]

@ImATiger4487 I agree some are just lazy as you said.

Others though are just tire of serving a corrupt system.

That if you haven't notice is trying to take our freedoms,our independence ,liberties and other rights away.

Why support that?

Some don't want to support the police state this system has created.

They want to keep their freedom and independence and liberties.

For some its better to live that way, than to give into the demands and expectations of this society.

less stressful.

[Blessed1MiracleMoney]

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[InspiredMuse74]

We have no protection when it comes to jobs a person can be laid off for ANY reason even after 10 or 20 years. There is way too much corruption in big business and government. The government does not care if people are poor. The rich have too much.

A top CEO at KCPL makes almost $1 million, plus stock options plus a $50,000 bonus yet this company who profits annually around $2 billion is asking for ANOTHER increase this is the second in 4 increases they are planning. They pay employees $8/hour!

[backpackr]

@InspiredMuse74 true you can get laid off for anything, that is why if you don't like that constant worry you go into business for yourself. From experience this has it's own set of worried but this is the price we pay for true freedom. Yes going on SSi or whatever is a sure guarantee. but is comes at a price...you soul. I suggest everyone who is political read Alexis De Tocquevilles book "Democracy in America". I admit it is a hard read but well worth it..especially book two chapter 6

[coolrayfruge]

@backpackr True Freedom is with no restraint.

Money and capitalism is a restraint.

Although education is important! it doesn't garantee or entitle you to a job,no more than being ex-military does,....I know. I speak from experience.You have to compete for a good paying job,with others who might have a higher grade average than you.

Making good paying jobs scarace makes it easier for them to control our live's.to demand more out of us than just a honest day's work.They got uby the balls

[emilio124567]

@coolrayfruge true freedom is libretarianism that would be anarchy

[coolrayfruge]

@emilio124567 True Anarchy is often use to fight oppression. to liberate the people

As a Anarchist once quoted ".I care not to lead ,nor be lead."

[infinitehipshit]

@backpackr This is an inmportant issue you all have brought up.......There is NO job protection in this country.....They call it "At Will" which means that at the moment of hire you sign a document that says "Employment is optional and you can be terminated at any time WITH OR WOTHOUT NOTICE AND WITH OR WITHOUT REASON!!" Which means that if one of your senior co workers decides he/she doesnt like your hair you can be fired....Time for change and I aint talkin bout no obama..

[TopAce777]

@InspiredMuse74 That's so true.

[333danifilth333]

@InspiredMuse74 True. America's economy is completely corrupt and fucked up.

[InspiredMuse74]

People are poor because the big companies nickel and dime us to death then pay us maybe $9/hour. Another reason for poverty is a rising cost of living; people living on Social Security and disablity make well below the poverty line. Education is discouraged in this society and welfare is easier than working for a job that is NOT guarnteed.

Businesses outsource too many jobs that americans could do. Illegal Aliens take other jobs. Most people are not poor by choice. 

[TheLightOfDay247]

Personally i thought it was great to see how you took an unbiased look at the growing phenomenon of poverty in america. With the majority of the media focusing on radical views its refreshing to see someone incorporate all angles. Personally i believe in downsizing the government spending. Our government is set up to balance out. It simply cant work with so much power put into our governments hands.

[Garpalt]

I firmly believe that free market will sort out the poverty. The invisible hand of the market is a powerful tool to eradicate the poverty.

[redwine65]

I say there are lots of reason a person could be poor. Im not sure you could say one thing.

[ominousmaximus]

End the Fed Reserve, balance spending in Washington after an overhaul of the system getting out the old in with new Constitutionalists. get rid of media and education systems pushing debt created wealth and have more manufacturing less pencil pushing jobs.

[buyerofsorts]

I've met quite a few poor people and they ALL have a few things in common. 1. Smokers. 2. Don't work that much. 3. Piss poor desicions with their money and NEVER want to save a dime.

[whatdoyouwantandwhy]

@buyerofsorts You have met few poor people haven't you.

Well you may be ignorant, but at least your honest! ;)

[backpackr]

@whatdoyouwantandwhy I grew up poor..served 8 yrs in the military and have seen many things, trust me Americans don't know the true definition of poverty. In fact we fall under the top 10% of wealthiest countries even during a recession. We have a society that blames everyone and yet fails to be responsible for their own actions. the only poverty we face is the lack of intitiative and character..

[whatdoyouwantandwhy]

@backpackr Whsts your definition of poor? Because I can assure you America isn't that great for the bottom of the barrel. In the neighborhood I grew up in, the peace corps trained there because the conditions were the same as a third world country.

This only halted in the 80s.

You also fail to mention that 90% of the wealth in this country is owned by only 10% of the population. After you clean the top 10%, the bottom 90% only own the last 10% of the wealth. This being said.....

[whatdoyouwantandwhy]

@backpackr Since 10% of the wealth is left, what percentage do you think the bottom 30% own? How about the last 15% of the population?

I can assure you that your definition of poverty is not the same as those peoples definition.

[workergirls]

Money goes to foreign wars while millions live in poverty...

These pictures aren't from thousands of miles away...

but from our own backyards...

United States of America,

and its system called capitalism; the system of modern slavery.

[backpackr]

@workergirls you are gonna love my next film..Bumper Sticker Politics: The Political Polarization of America.

[redhot916spd]

@workergirls capitolism is not slavery its defined by people like myself who literally get off their ass and do something and make a living for themselves. I should not have to pay for you to sit on your ass.

Socialism fails!! A society that produces nothing fails eventually and America is nearing that status quickly. We(gov't) are broke from entitlements and future entitlements. See National debt clock for the facts

[buddybleau]

@workergirls Capitalism is not the problem. The problem is the bottom feeding politicians we elect to office. Good example, Obummer. There is no such thing as someone earning too much money. It isn't greed, it's ambition! You're not gonna get CEO pay if you're a ditch digger! The more education you have, the more you are worth and deserve. Life is choices. Make bad choices, like dropping out of school or too fucking lazy to earn it, it's your fault. People that have plenty....."EARNED IT"!

[333danifilth333]

@buddybleau Of course capitalism is the problem. It causes polarisation - the rich become rich and the poor become poor. The politicians are only another problem. The main problem is capitalism. It is falling apart. Of COURSE greed exists - the billionaires list? Wtf do they need that for? And a lot of wealth isn't actually earned, just passed down the line. And people are born UNEQUAL in terms of home environment, education, poverty etc so some have more advantage - didn't 'earn' it, 'born' it.

[buddybleau]

@333danifilth333 No, the rich do not become rich. The educated become rich, the dumb shits stay poor. And those that inherited it had to get an education in order to carry on with their families fortune. It's very simple. You earn it, or you don't get it. Life is choices. If you chose not to stay in school, if you chose to be ate up with dumbass, then that is your worth. Capitalism is the best way, but only for a man with "AMBITION"! Lazy people hate capitalism.

[NuJoiseyMAN]

333danifilth333, The lie that the American aristocracy "earn" their money keeps average people who get fucked by them from being outraged.

[333danifilth333]

@NuJoiseyMAN Completely!

[puremetal1106]

u should of made it longer, but it was good though

[dude176AAA]

Hire a better narrator, even I would volunteer.

[backpackr]

@dude176AAA yeah the budget was pretty much nil..I offered the job to James Earl Jones but he couldn't "it it in" to his "busy" schedule..lol Thanks for the critique..

[DSXmachine]

@backpackr I gotta agree with the other guy. I'd volunteer to narrate this for you as well.

[backpackr]

@DSXmachine it was a school project..got an "A" on it. there's tons of things I wished I did better. Feel free to check out my other work. Each time I get better. Thanx for watching.

[DSXmachine]

@backpackr Cool, man. It was a good project. I think that's why people are offering to help. ;)

[donzaliko]

revolution is near

[sovietninja3]

@donzaliko bullshit

[circusmaximus10]

Lazy, fat, dumb-just a few reasons

[AnarchoSyndicalistt]

They dont have enough money duh

[tuftful]

its the american way extreme right wing governments, western europe doesnt have the kind of poverty the us has &always has had the mass immigration of mexicans certainly doesnt help either.

[ani451]

unemployment in the county i was born and raised in is 13%. i dont remember there ever being jobs there though. and the town i lived in was the poorest. the only jobs are heathcare (geriatrics) the whole county is considered a "retirement community" but most people who live there grew up there(many have never been newhere else). and a cpl family diners but its the "good ole boy system" to get a job anywhere. they will hire a man over a woman for almost any job too. its still home and i miss it.

[ani451]

unemployment in the county i was born and raised in is 13%.... i dont remember there ever being jobs their though...

[anyname666]

not sure why this is on here

[anyname666]

????????????????????

[MissDtheoneandonly]

that homeless woman in the wheel chair is full of shit. Oh please, she is not fucking homeless and poor because the bank wouldn't giver her her goddamn paycheck, that's illegal- what a fucking liar

[riverlioness]

I hate these idiots who think they can solve the world's social problems. They just majored in the easy program, such as sociology. You can't end poverty. There isn't an answer.

[cherrytothecola]

@riverlioness I disagree. We can end poverty. We have the resources to so, so its unfair to say it is not possible. But to do it we need to get everyone to work together. We also need to show that it is a real problem and get rid of the "drug addict" and "lazy" stereotypes. And no I didn't major in sociology, I went the route of Supply Chain and Operations. Working for Corporate America now.

[jrmints2788]

imhotep1,

Yes, parents have a choice whether or not to have children if they can't afford them. Think about their children, though. They didn't choose a life of poverty.

And consider giving people a second chance. Don't let the few people who cheat the system through laziness ruin it for people who are truly in circumstances out of their control, especially with the recent recession.

[riverlioness]

@jrmints2788

What class was Andrew Carnegie born into?

You guessed it.

Poverty.

Know the facts before you make judgements.

[lerock1000]

BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny, is a national, nonprofit religious organization dedicated to Rebuilding the Family By Rebuilding the Man. BOND was Founded by Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson who is also its President.

Since 1990, BOND has helped men and their families regain control of their lives and overcome lifes challenges. The commitment of the organization stresses the importance of self-reliance, honesty, and helping others through patience.

[backpackr]

I'm familiar with Rev. Peterson as a matter of fact I ordered his book "SCAM: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America" on Amazon a few weeks ago. From what I read online it reminds me of Booker T. Washington's prediction in his book "Up from Slavery" about how men will profit by creating problems in the community and seperating folks black and white.

[Baraquiel62]

Good video man! I think that after you know why there are poor people you know the idea what rich people do, and what we do wrong, greetings from Mexico City.

[RussShellyandkids]

Hey Imhotep1, You do not seem to understand...and I will try to remain calm while I say this....YOU GET OVER YOURSELF and EDUCATE yourself on what it is like to be impoverished and WHY people are impoverished BEFORE opening up your mouth...or keys in this case and being so flipping judgemental...it is not as easy as you think, but is EXTREMELY easy for you to choose not to educate yourself and judge others while being an ignorant ass such as yourself! Be in the shoes for 6 months, I DARE you!

[318ray]

this is a stupid fucking video it pisses me the fuck off.. why would you ask wealthy people y people r poor.. so they can talk shit bout poor people.. try putting the fucking video camera down n give a helping hand stupid bitch..

[backpackr]

Thanks for watching..glad you liked it..

[NocturnalFoster]

@backpackr I don't think he liked it. Seemed to me he found it rather distasteful.

[backpackr]

@NocturnalFoster yeah probably so..oh well..back to my video camera.

[TheDystopiaInside]

It's true that unemployment isn't as bad as during the depression, but due to the loss of well-paying manufacturing jobs the people employed are working at Wal-Mart and McDonalds and earning less.

We can tell people to "pull yourself up by you bootstraps" but the fact is that incomes have stagnated since the 70s and costs continue to rise. It doesn't matter what the individual does as long as that fact remains true for the society as a whole.

[meleszenawi1111]

oh by the way anyname666 your from a stupid insignificant country that has no culture and the only thing they have done is prostituted them selves to tourists for money the DR sucks ass and cuba should invade it and blast Santo Domingo back to the stone age. You would probably cry like babies to the us fucking wimps your country sucks.

[meleszenawi1111]

This is not a joke why does everyone think all these videos are a joke it is not.

[meleszenawi1111]

You guys should move to Europe wages are higher and everything is paid for or maybe move or india or china where the future is at trust me I moved and america I was poor but I moved to India and I became much wealthier.

[anyname666]

Hey Mele

I do not think any of the viewers of this video are smart enough to get your sarcasum. I do and it is great. IF U DO NOT LIKE AMERICA then move to INDIA or CHINA where u can make way more money and live much better than u do here. Besides cigarettes are not taxed in CHINA and so you can smoke much cheaper. Go on now, get along, move it, get out, leave already we dont want your sorry ass here anyway. Poverty is a choice. You choose to make nothing of yourself then u get to be poor

[Laddre]

haha comfertable? yeah working in a factory 10 hours a day standing up mmm easy livin! what an idiot

[backpackr]

Huh? Factory work is an honest living, not everybody chooses white collar work.

[toddghall]

@backpackr

Ya, it as simple as a choice.... sheeesh

[axxs]

@Laddre do u know how much more stressful it is to interview for a semi decent paying knowledge intensive job compared to a dish washer or burger flipper that requires no education no prior experience needed or a fancy resume?of course people are going to stick to areas where they feel comfortable or competent to perform

[jesaintlouis]

my parents were poor and I can tell you they were the cause of it due to irresponsible ignorant behavior that could have been solved by simply going to any church and a AA meeting

[meinside99]

Not to mention a college education is pointless in many aspect of the American workforce. The reason? Employers now a days require so much experience even for entry-level positions that it is impossible to get a good job unless you have been working 10+ years or more.

[backpackr]

Thank you. Stay tuned for my next documentary coming in september..(it'll be better, promise)

[kainedamo]

A couple of honest criticisms. The sound was fairly dodgy in places, some shots were overexposed, and the camera work was a little off here and there. Besides that, this is a well edited and well written documentary.

[rnstuffy]

Your documentary was interesting and well done. Is there any area in the United States where rent for a family of 4 (2 bedroom apt. minimum) would be under 1200.00/month?

[imhotep1]

There are country towns where the rent is less than $1200 a month. Unfortunately, some people do not want to move to improve their way of life. I know a Katrina evacuee who returned to New Orleans and refused to move out of state for a better job. Also, in some cities the cheaper the rent, the more crime ridden the neighborhood.

[rnstuffy]

Hopefully, you don't actually believe that a family of 4 can live on $22,000/year? That is part of the problem. The government B.S. A family of 4 in todays USA could not live comfortably on $40,000/yr.

[backpackr]

Depending on where you live in the USA it's possible. No doubt it would be a challenge. No cable, cellphone, internet etc. there are numerous books on the subject. Economist Clark Howard on HLN says it's possible... Thanks for watching my documentary, I value your input..

[imhotep1]

It is possible. Cook your own meals at home. Have no debt by incurring unnecessary expenses which includes cable, no more than one phone (either cell phone or landline), gym memberships, processed food (the more "ready" a meal is the more you pay), only one car or public transportation depending on where you live (in some cities a car is a must because the city is so spread out and the transportation system is not the best.)

[kmarinas86]

"It is possible. Cook your own meals at home."

In America, less money means less property taxes, which means less invested in education, which means more demand for low paying jobs, many of which are retail (especially fast food jobs). This means more is spent in advertising to entice people to eat out. This also encourages rich people to learn the unhealthy eating habits of fast food.

Follow the pattern!

job opportunity → income → ***(property taxes → education)*** → job opportunity

[SylviaNCali]

There are a lot of reasons, but the main reason is poor choices. Our choices lead us to either fail or suceed.

[wasserkopf61]

Choices at what point? If you are born into generational poverty or you are mentally ill or handicapped, what choices do you have?

[backpackr]

Generational poverty is no longer mom and dads fault when a child becomes working age. I've been working since I was 13 yrs old and have always had a roof over my head and food in my belly. If I believed the lie of generational poverty I would have never been able to make this documentary, let alone afford to buy a Video camera and a computer.

[wasserkopf61]

While it it true as an adult you are certainly responsible for yourself. In America there are millions of working poor, so hard work or personal choices aren't the entire story. In addition many people raised in poverty have resources that people raised in generational poverty simply do not have. I am an example of this.

[imhotep1]

Please spare me the sob story. You have a choice on whether or not to have kids you can't afford to feed. You have a choice not to get a credit card. You have a choice not to get an expensive car. I chewed out this one "Woe is me because my parents were alcoholic and we were constantly evicted blah blah blah" person before. GET OVER YOURSELF and GET A JOB!

[cherrytothecola]

@imhotep1 Wow, so poor people shouldn't have kids? That seems harsh. We are human, it is what we do. I understand your point though. It is a choice and it definitely will make life harder.

[SylviaNCali]

At the point when they're grown and accountable for their own life. There will always be exceptions, but the average person who can do for themselves should. Most people have choices to make a nice life for them self despite their upbringing. I never blame someone for their start. But how we finish is up to us. People who have the victim mentality never go far, becasue they feel as if life controls them, instead of them controlling their own destiny.