That’s true!
I remember back in the 80’s losing a wheel & tire (no spare) out in the middle of nowhere in PA and hoofing it to the nearest house (no cellphones back then). Walked up on a small ranch house with chickens and junk like the homes being trashed in this thread. The man living there looked to be in his final months of life, unable to get out of his chair. We knocked on the door and he welcomed me in to use the phone. We sat with him a while until help arrived. He was a farmer and a veteran. He had lots of pride for what he did, just no money.
Stayed with me forever. Woke me up to the millions of poor people living lives of suffering, pain and financial hardship all over this country. I believe they were also referred to as “bitter clingers” a decade or so ago.
Great story.
Can I also assume the man was white?
What about black women living in the city with kids they can't afford?
Do you understand how many domesticated pets are killed in the US because their owner didn't spend the time or money to have those pets "fixed"?
Do you understand how many unwanted children there are in foster care because their parents can't either afford them or have a VERY unhealthy living environment because their parents can't care for them properly?
I was "woke" up a long time about our society in general.
My father was not only a veteran, but spent a career in the military. On his headstone he was involved with two wars (Korea and Vietnam, also he only worked in Thailand and Laos, which I found interesting from veterans affairs). Father also came from a family that didn't have a pot to piss in when he grew up, but he made a life for himself after he spent 20 plus years in the military.
I remember helping a family for their pets. Man who we helped spent 20 years in the military and retired as a Master Sargent. He didn't have a pot to piss in even after 20 years in the military. We still helped him and his family, but it dawned on my that this guy and my father was no different other than what they did AFTER they got out of the military.
I'm a veteran. Does it help my argument with you because I served my county? For some reason, we put veterans as a "higher status" because they served. I'm of the opinion that EVERY citizen should serve.
What stayed with me after "growing up" is that life can suck. The question is what can you do to make changes? That said, what I decided to do was help locally through my church where I know my time and money helps directly.