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[Jayhawk]

There are days when i regret having a middle-class income and wish i was poor.

Today's herald police news has a near-theft of a 60-inch TV from a house on Cedar in Sharon, just around the corner from Idaho Street. A few inches down, someone stole a 50-incher from the 400 block of quinby street.

the other day we had the theft from one apartment on malleable of two giant TVs and something like a dozen computers and game systems.

It sure reinforces what i alwas thought was an incorrect stereotype of people in the projects with a higher standard of living than most others. If nothing else, it sure indicates people's priorities with their limited resources.

[Zipper]

All it indicates is a lack of proper upbringing,  a sense of "entitlement", and the truth that all people have a desire to live well, despite the circumstances.

Not much different than the chained dog that longs to be free.

After a while they lose hope.

[Amidala]

I also think that a significant portion of the "project people" have mental illness and one of the way of acting out, coping, whatever is with these extravagant purchases.

[NightmarePatrol]

I can't say one way or another. There's a lot of cross sections in the population that inclde the abusers of the system, entitlements and so on. There's also a lot of people in the system that just can't earn a living due to physical and mental disabilities. I don't think they can all be lumped into one category except for being in the system. It was put in place to help those that could not help themselves. THe problem is the abusers figured out how to make it work for them. Once again the 90/10 rule aplies.

[bluebomber]

I live in Sharon and am freinds with many of the policemen in town, the ratio is more like 60/40 and not in favor of the non abusers. Ami the only illness these people suffer from is sitonmyassitis.

[Amidala]

No, I have seen a relative who is has very serious mental health issues, can't get along with anyone, ever and all she could do is maybe - maybe - clean a little or sweep sidewalks, etc. Nothing that involved any sort of interpersonal skills. It is a really sad situation, but I can see that social services are her only lifeline.

[Zipper]

Everyone has a purpose though... even a seemingly worthless soul can inspire compassion in a cold-hearted man. Some people are good at making babies. Some people are born with great minds, or blessed with great skills. Some achieve little more than picking up aluminum cans and recycling them for beer money. I don't know, it all seems to have a natural rythm.

[lifefeedsonlife]

When poverty induces hopelessness, it also engenders victim status . . . which comes with a laundry list of disincentives to self-sufficiency.

Folks with disabilities are one thing (and they are fewer than are being claimed) - but capable folks behaving ncapably are quite another. I see both. In the former case, permenent help may be truly needed - in the latter, a change in context.

That's no easy feat . . . as the way to lead folks out of one place into another is to truly meet them where they are - then walk with 'em on the way.

[Jayhawk]

just to be clear, i wasn't condemning anyone for being poor or mentally challenged.

My point was: There seems to be a rash of examples of people who are so financially hard up that they qualify for and are condemned to live in public housing, some of it being the worst neighborhoods in the valley. No doubt they probably also qualify for food stamps and free- or reduced-price school lunches.

Yet, based on theft reports, somehow some who rely on various forms of public assistance still find the resources to acquire top-of-the-line consumer electronics that fall under the category of luxuries.

[Zipper]

"Yet, based on theft reports, somehow some who rely on various forms of public assistance still find the resources to acquire top-of-the-line consumer electronics that fall under the category of luxuries."

Hmmm... I wonder who's electric bill just went up in that neighborhood? LOL

[Amidala]

We have been dealing with a homeless, mentally ill relative the last week.  She is paranoid schizophrenic and nothing and I mean NOTHING we do is right. Anakin has spent hours on the phone learning about resources, two or three trips to Erie on her behalf, I have cooked meals, etc and it is so frustrating that her mindset is such that we cannot move forward with getting help for her. Even knowing the aid is available and she puts up a stumbling block at every mood. I don't know how she will survive.

[Puffin]

Ami,some similarities there to dealing with someone with ALZ.

[Amidala]

You know, it crossed my mind, What if she has mental illness AND Alz??  We will see. I have no clue has to how this is going to play out.

[Puffin]

I assume she is on meds. It also sounds like they are not very effective. Is that something new or is that the norm for her.
 

[Amidala]

We don't think she is on meds. Or not enough. This is the norm. Long, sad history of problems.