Nyboy
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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/22/b...derclass.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=1s New York Times Book review
New Book Different Look At American History
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thistlebloom
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Everyone has an agenda.
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Nyboy
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I ordered the book, I think so much of our history is written from the wealthy point of view.
so lucky
Garden Master
This will be interesting, but probably not a hopeful ending. I was just thinking about the stories of poor people who climbed out of the slums. They may have made it but everyone else was left behind. Think of all the millions of people who have been born, lived and died in abject poverty. What was their purpose? Did they ever sit and contemplate their "authentic self?" or use mindfulness to "live in the moment"? Did they "Follow their Passion?" Maybe it was just to find enough to eat to live another day.
I don't think I will read that book, Nyboy, unless you read it and tell me it has some hope in the last chapter.
I spent a lot of years working with "white trash" trying to help them find ways to get out of their financial/spiritual/emotional/societal/educational hole. I have a pretty grim grasp on reality already.
But I hope a lot of people read this book. It might help.
I don't think I will read that book, Nyboy, unless you read it and tell me it has some hope in the last chapter.
I spent a lot of years working with "white trash" trying to help them find ways to get out of their financial/spiritual/emotional/societal/educational hole. I have a pretty grim grasp on reality already.
But I hope a lot of people read this book. It might help.
journey11
Garden Master
Well, I haven't read the book, but as someone who grew up below the poverty line, I kinda doubt I'll be impressed.
My dad has dyslexia, a farmboy who only attempted one semester of college. The condition wasn't well understood, nor was there much they could do in the way of therapy for it back then (he was born in '55.) He went through several layoffs from industrial jobs and other low paying jobs and had to take food stamps in between, but he never stayed unemployed for long. He'd take any job he had to in order to get by.
I gathered up his tax stuff this year for him. He has worked as a car salesman for the past 30 years. Last year's gross income was only $24,555. But somehow he has managed to put nearly $20,000 in savings which with no 401K or supplemental insurance has kept him afloat during this devastating illness. He did have good health insurance through his employer at least.
It is my opinion that we all could get by on a whole lot less in life, reappropriating what we truly consider to be wants and needs. And a healthy work ethic and some initiative will take you where you want to be. Now, of course, there are those truly wanting who suffer disabilities and such. I'm not discounting them. They deserve assistance.
I think a healthy job market would do a lot to remedy the alarming epidemic of drugs and addiction in this country. People need something they can take pride in and feel good about. Idle hands and all.
Our education system needs rehauled to foster the innate gifts and talents in each child. Not just herd them through like cattle, all held to the same meaningless standard. Just IMO...and you all know we're homeschoolers, of course.
If you really want better and are willing to work for it, you are going to get it. Plain and simple. Yeah, there's plenty of people who have it undeservedly better than some of us, but they're not the ones holding us down (at least in modern society.) Also need more of families and communities sticking together and helping each other through hard times. People tend to be more isolated and spread out (and perhaps less faithful too) today. That's been my perspective on it anyway.
Let us know what you think of the book. I might be interested in reading it. I'll be curious to hear what she says about Dolly Parton too.
My dad has dyslexia, a farmboy who only attempted one semester of college. The condition wasn't well understood, nor was there much they could do in the way of therapy for it back then (he was born in '55.) He went through several layoffs from industrial jobs and other low paying jobs and had to take food stamps in between, but he never stayed unemployed for long. He'd take any job he had to in order to get by.
I gathered up his tax stuff this year for him. He has worked as a car salesman for the past 30 years. Last year's gross income was only $24,555. But somehow he has managed to put nearly $20,000 in savings which with no 401K or supplemental insurance has kept him afloat during this devastating illness. He did have good health insurance through his employer at least.
It is my opinion that we all could get by on a whole lot less in life, reappropriating what we truly consider to be wants and needs. And a healthy work ethic and some initiative will take you where you want to be. Now, of course, there are those truly wanting who suffer disabilities and such. I'm not discounting them. They deserve assistance.
I think a healthy job market would do a lot to remedy the alarming epidemic of drugs and addiction in this country. People need something they can take pride in and feel good about. Idle hands and all.
Our education system needs rehauled to foster the innate gifts and talents in each child. Not just herd them through like cattle, all held to the same meaningless standard. Just IMO...and you all know we're homeschoolers, of course.
If you really want better and are willing to work for it, you are going to get it. Plain and simple. Yeah, there's plenty of people who have it undeservedly better than some of us, but they're not the ones holding us down (at least in modern society.) Also need more of families and communities sticking together and helping each other through hard times. People tend to be more isolated and spread out (and perhaps less faithful too) today. That's been my perspective on it anyway.
Let us know what you think of the book. I might be interested in reading it. I'll be curious to hear what she says about Dolly Parton too.
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