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Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:07 am Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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How can somebody be 'poor' in the US where you have every opportunity to earn a living? You can either get a job or work as a free lancer. If you are disabled or handicapped there are organizations that will provide for support you. The Americans are a proud nation and one reason for their national pride is the fact that their system allows for entrepreneurs to thrive while it takes care of those who are not able to provide for themselves. As Jamie said, in the US you are either rich or poor by choice. _________________ Test Of English for International Communication TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary |
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Torsten Site Admin

Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 7900 Location: EU
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:16 am Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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| Quote: | | If you are disabled or handicapped there are organizations that will provide for support you. |
And if your ill? Unable to work?
| Quote: | | As Jamie said, in the US you are either rich or poor by choice. |
| Quote: | | !! I'm shocked that you should both think that way? Have you lived in the USA, Torsten? |
40 million Americans without health cover.
How so? |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:52 am Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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| Quote: | | Do you agree with Jamie. |
Do you? |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:00 am Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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Hello,
I do not agree. There are poor people all around. Some are such due to laziness, others just don't get the chance.
Regards _________________ If you find any typographical or grammatical errors in my post, please let me know. |
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SkiIucK I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 259 Location: Varna, Bulgaria
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:12 am Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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| Quote: | | Correct me if I'm wrong, but AFAIK you live in India which is far away from the USA |
Molly!
May I know where you live? Is it India? _________________ Non-native speaker of English
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I intend to live forever - so far, so good. |
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Daemon99 I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 362
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:18 am Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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Hi Dimitar,
What kind of 'chance' do you need to become rich and who 'gives' you that chance? Other words, do you really think that your life depends on just one single 'chance'? The USA is the country number one when it comes to the amount of freedom an individual has. Freedom always means taking responsibility. In socialist countries many people think that the government, the party or the authorities are responsible for everything. If a person in a socialist country doesn't reach the standard of living they want to, it's easy for them to blame it on the government because it is reaching a decent standard of living is indeed much harder in a 'socialist' country than it is in a 'capitalist' country. So Americans have a tendency to see the advantages of a free society. Their entire system is based on the principle of personal initiative. The average American is much more willing to assume responsibility for their personal situation than a person from a socialist country. As a result, the average American is much more capable of taking decisions that influence their personal and financial situation. Many people in communist or socialist countries think that any government must be corrupt and that the a person can only become rich by ripping off others. That's the because under socialism is much harder for the individual to take responsibility and make decisions. _________________ Test Of English for International Communication TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary |
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Torsten Site Admin

Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 7900 Location: EU
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:22 am Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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| SkiIucK wrote: | Hello,
I do not agree. There are poor people all around. Some are such due to laziness, others just don't get the chance.
Regards |
It seems that in the US of A, everyone gets the chance. |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:25 am Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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| Quote: | | May I know where you live? Is it India? |
Spain. |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:28 am Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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| Quote: | | The USA is the country number one when it comes to the amount of freedom an individual has. |
Really? Where did you get those figures from?
| Quote: | | As a result, the average American is much more capable of taking decisions that influence their personal and financial situation. |
Like immigrants creating mafias, right?
According to Robert E. Rector, 'For most Americans, the word "poverty" means destitution, an inability to provide a family with nutritious food, adequate clothing, and reasonable shelter.'
Does it mean that for you Torsten, Jamie et. al.? |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 18:57 pm Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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Hello,
Thank you for the thorough response.
| Torsten wrote: | | What kind of 'chance' do you need to become rich and who 'gives' you that chance? |
In my opinion, regardless of one's efforts, abilities, aspirations, in the end it all comes down to chance. Be it a random find of a new oil source, winning the lottery, or just meeting the right person at the right moment - it is all chance. The latter, however, only occurs after a given amount of efforts has been put.
| Torsten wrote: | | Other words, do you really think that your life depends on just one single 'chance'? |
No. I think that input equals output, only after the 'fluke' presents itself.
People who always ascribe their failure to someone else are too superficial for me.
Best regards _________________ If you find any typographical or grammatical errors in my post, please let me know. |
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SkiIucK I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 259 Location: Varna, Bulgaria
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 19:56 pm Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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Hi Dimitar,
How many people do you think have become rich by winning the lottery? Also, how many of those people who win a million dollars in the lottery get broke after a year or so? I don't think that is possible to find a new oil source by chance. _________________ Test Of English for International Communication TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary |
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Torsten Site Admin

Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 7900 Location: EU
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 20:15 pm Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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Hello Torsten,
I think you got me wrong. People who get 'rich' in such a manner often, as you said, lose their 'fortune' due to their finanicial illiteracy. I mention 'chance' as the final step to becoming successful.
Best regards _________________ If you find any typographical or grammatical errors in my post, please let me know. |
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SkiIucK I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 259 Location: Varna, Bulgaria
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Thu Apr 10, 2008 22:38 pm Is anyone poor in the USA? |
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The poverty quiz:
http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/povquiz.shtml
"a majority of Americans believe it takes at least $35,000 annually to provide adequately for a family of four."
Are you in that majority? |
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Molly I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 4017
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| Panglish | When and where is one a competent communicator? |