I know that some people wind up in dire straits not for lack of trying. I had two friends who (respectively) lived in their cars for a period of time before I knew them. One simply could not find a place to live (it was in a college town as school started back up); the other was shafted in a divorce and her husband has siphoned all of the money out of their bank accounts prior to filing divorce. The latter learned a lesson about not allowing husbands to control the money.

However, one gets a feel for this type of person and people who are in dire straits due to other issues.

Both of my friends pulled out of their situation. The first got her MA and became a prof in Alaska. The other remarried and went on to build a successful design business. Their experiences haunted them "forever" and pushed them to succeed.

Also, it is not just a case of "intelligence." For me, it was because my education is what makes my living. However, I also know people who have different types of intelligence who support themselves. My mechanic has probably never read a book, but he can fix my car.

I hate to think of that, too.

When I was a kid, I heard people criticize other countries by saying, "At least we don't have beggars in the streets here." Well, the "beggars" have now been in the streets for decades.

Thanks--it is good to be validated!

I have heard people say that when we give money to someone, it is not our concern as to how they spend it. If I work hard to make that money, I am not going to give it to someone to buy alcohol or drugs.

Years ago, I was in Branson when a woman approached me in a Walmart parking lot. She said she hurt her arm and needed money to get to the hospital. I told her she could call 911 and they would be required to help her. She curses at me and walked away. A few months later, the SAME woman approached me in a Walmart parking lot in Springfield. Not only did I remember her face, but she had a distinctive voice. Same excuse--she hurt her arm and needed to get to the hospital.

I said, "Sorry, you tried that tactic before and when I turned you down, you cussed me out."

She cussed me out again!

@Gwen_Wanderer Deja vu all over again.....

@annewimsey500 it was a bit amusing--sad, but amusing.

Agreed.

Or cut "defense" spending!

@PaddyO Sure, the defense industry is like a bloated tick. But it does serve some important functions. Obviously it's a good thing to be able to defend ourselves. And certain industries (e.g. ship building, aerospace) never left our shores (when so many others did) because their products, by law, had to be made domestically.

Most of the military budget is actually service pay and pensions. (Pensions being the larger part, by far).

The military can and does bring people from many different backgrounds together. It can have a beneficial, unifying effect.

I propose that we do like the Israelis: everyone serve at least two years in the military. That way everyone is a veteran, eligible for veterans benefits including medical. Just combine the VA with Medicare, and expand it to cover 100% of the population. Automatic universal health care! Boom!

We can talk about which overseas bases to close.

We can ferret out waste, fraud, and abuse.

We can make the service more equitable and safe for women, gays, etc.

We can refuse to allow politicians in the pockets of billionaires to use our military to protect the interests of multinational corporations whose products are destroying the natural environment. Yes, I'm talking about the fossil fuel industry.

I agree that is is fine line. Though I don't usually walk the "middle line," I feel that protecting self is important.

Thank you, my friend!

@Gwen_Wanderer Uncertainty should always err on the side of self-protection.

@Betty always!