'Tis the season and all the big charity groups are out there to make sure the poor get something for Christmas.  It's the only time of year when people accept that, yes Virginia, there are poor people in our society and, no, they don't want to be. At least at Christmas a poor family can give their kids presents and, possibly, a nice dinner, just like the rich folk.

In our society living below the poverty line is unacceptable.  After all, they can work, they just don't want to, they're lazy, etc., etc.  You read it in the papers, you hear it from politicians (although they couch their terms slightly differently) but the upshot is that nobody in our society has to be poor therefore they must want to be.  It can't possibly be that they are ill, or have low paying jobs or are single mothers who have the choice of spending 10-12 hours at work, or actually seeing their kids, not to mention raising them.  There can't be people who earn what is laughingly called a living on minimum wage under the poverty line or people who can't afford to get a college degree and are not qualified for higher paying jobs.  Nope they're just lazy.

Since western economy is based on consumerism, those who can not afford to buy the latest in anything are not welcome.  However, what seems to be forgotten is that our economy is also based on competition. By definition that means some people will win and some people will not.  Those who win the big prize like the house, car, colour TV and all the other things our society contends we absolutely must have look down on those who don't have extra money for anything but essentials and some who have even less than that.  They have no idea how hard it is to decide which bill to pay this month  - heating or electricity.  The rent comes first, then food then the rest of the bills, hopefully.  If you aren't able to work because of illness, including mental illness, or injury or circumstance the accepted wisdom is that, naturally you don't want to.  Trust me, I have never heard any child say "When I grow up I want to live on social security."

So, this Christmas season, as you drop some money in the Salvation Army bucket, or give to the various food drives or Santa's Anonymous  remember that most of the people on the receiving end of your genourosity would rather be giving of what they have to others.  Take with you through the rest of the year the idea that nobody wants to have to chose between feeding or clothing their kids.  Most of us dislike going without.  Many of us volunteer our time, if we have any and are capable, to others.  From the point of view of those on the bottom of the economy pile, there are always others who are less fortunate.  All of us deserve to be treated with dignity, regardless of our income. 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Poverty Competition Economy Humour

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