h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What a beautifully written, intelligent and helpful post, thank you for your input eye2eye...

I'd be much more likely to take him seriously if he didn't feel the need scream at the top of his lungs.

sorry? What was that? I didnt caatch what you said... I've gone a little deaf, I dont know why...

I do respect your opinion, eye2eye, but not everyone in American is as you say. In fact, I am considered poor based on a income status in the US, but I have a good paying job, a roof over my head, food on the table, can treat myself once in a while and have a life. I do not have $5,000 shoes, a million dollar mansion or can travel anywhere I want to, but that's fine with me. I'm happy where I'm at because I'm in a job I love.

Not everyone is they way you described. I've never asked for more than I was due, in this case I had to ask for help and had to take unemployment pay (sorry, I do not know the UK equivalent for this). This case, I was downsized, not fired. In fact, when I did get a new job, the person in unemployment (who, BTW, you have to call every week to get a check) told me I was eligible for one more week of pay, and I told him no - because it was not right. I had a job now, and therefore I was not eligible to be paid by unemployment. There are people who would take that money regardless, thinking it was owed to them. It's unethical, but that's some people.

Those who are truly poor - all senses of the word - are the ones who don't bother to even try to get a job. I am NOT referring to those who are seriously infirm, elderly or cannot seriously take a job for real reasons. I'm referring to those who are physically able and can work in any job, from picking up dead animals off the road to retail to larger jobs.

The ones who can work are ones who demand handouts from the government and sue when they are told get a job or you can't be helped anymore. This is true for some people who were victims of Hurricane Katrina who still - over two years later - are being housed for free on our dollar. They just don't want to work, and complained when they were told to. Personally, if it were up to me, these people would have to work under programs such as the CCC back in the 1940s (Which, btw were created by a Democratic president), where you had to build and work in order to get paid and housed by the government.

What makes me sad is that these people overshadow the Katrina victims I saw who actually put their noses to the grindstone so to speak and actively searched for jobs - most of the time getting them where they were temporarily housed or in a nearby town. Quite a few people even stayed in the town they evacuated to with good paying jobs over the minimum pay. I admire those people because they had the work ethic that some so miss from the days of rationing and WWII.

Drinking I'm not going to elaborate on much, except to say that people need to know their limits. In my profession, I have had to take photos of wrecks that were caused by drunken drivers. They have been very nasty (I won't describe them because they would make some people ) and I still remember them to this day, in detail, some as long ago as 7 years now. In some cases, the drunken driver survived but not the people who were hit, so that only makes it worse to me. It's one reason I also do not drink, even though a job like that can make you at times.

Importing oil ... Well, there are factors there that I can really harp on, but won't to stay neutral. I will say a lot of problems is that we have oil, but in some cases there is debates over environmental issues where there are ironically ways to drill oil that would not affect the environment.

The real problem is, as you said eye2eye is that some Americans are not helping themselves. They expect to be given handouts by the government and don't try to find jobs or work out their problems. They blame everyone but themselves, but not all do as you see above.

Common sense should prevail. If you know trouble's brewing on your job (i.e. downsizing, backstabbing), go search out temporary employment (or just do so in general if you need a job - period). If you know you drink to excess go to AA, Al-Anon, or another alcoholic treatment program and really stick to your guns doing it. If that means have your friends decide to create a beer bottle xylophone or create and hock wine bottle coasters (people do and get a huge profit off it) then do it. Talk to clergy if you are promiscuous, and if you're homeless find a shelter that lets you stay as long as you find work. If that doesn't work, go to the Salvation Army for help. That way you get a job and start a new life for yourself - even if it's something like picking up trash for the city or flipping burgers.

USA isn't necessarily as bad as you claim, but yes, there needs to be some reform.

~*~AMERICA...IT HAS NOTHING OF ITS OWN EXCEPT FOR PPLE WHO CAME TO THE AMERICAN COASTLINE AND DISCOVERED IT...~*~


But, but, but..... We have Barbecues! Thanksgiving! Oh, and Jazz music! Can you imagine life without Jazz music?

I can, actually. It would be so lovely and peaceful.