Poverty as a political statement

A FaceBook post by Mainely Butch got me to thinking about the economy and such. Also, I mispoke, I meant to say I don't have Medicaid. I do have Medicare.

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People & Blogs

[MainelyButch]

And you are so right, we are a nation of instant gratification. I am re-thinking lots of things I call "expenses" such as my stupid cell phone....I am beginning to see that I could cut further. You may want to reapply for foodstamps, the threshold for qualification has changed quite a bit with the 'new" economy...I am about to apply for heating assistance too throuh the national program called LHEAP...it's just crazy, but I am thankful for the programs that ARE available to help me a little.

[Dweebiedo]

@MainelyButch My problem with Medicaid and food stamps is the fact that I own my house outright. I don't have a monthly "housing expense" in the form of rent or mortgage. I saw things going south back east in 07 and instead of fucking around with a refinance to get my mortgage under control, I opted to sell the house and take the profit out here to the midwest where I could by a house outright for less than 50K.

So I'm penalized for being sensible.

[dontazz2003]

yep if you rent you get things but own and they want you to sell. And now nothing gets fixed it breaks buy new well that is what use stores are for. we shop used or use the freecyle on yahoo.

[MainelyButch]

Great post. I hear ya, I am on a fixed income as well, limpin on SS as well, food stamps, and stretching every dollar to the very limit. A far cry from the position I was in just a few years ago when I was donating to all of the organizations who are now helping ME. I can't even afford a car...was borrowing one of dad's trucks for the last couple of months, but it's broke and I can't afford to repair it. Yeah, poverty sucks...I'm not ashamed, but the struggle just seems so endless. Rock on!

[F2MRay]

I always appreciate your insight...

[tiresianphoenix]

I spend $300/mo in rent/utilities, $20/mo in bus fare, $58/mo for my cell phone (no internet package, and I have no other phone), about $200-250/mo in food, and $36/mo for internet. I have no other bills, except an outstanding hospital bill. I do not spend very much on anything else.