Modern Poverty Includes A.C. and an Xbox

reply to post by getreadyalready


While I have to agree with you for the most part, there are those out there that are capable and willing if just given a chance. As I have posted many times here I work closely with homeless and needy people. While yes, the average “Under the bridge dweller” is either mentally unstable or on drugs, there are a few in this category that are not. However indeed the gap between “Homeless” and just “Needy” is big. We have many people that come to our shelters looking for free meals, a place to sleep etc, that have no real business being there. They are capable of work, and many are even in possession of cell phones, nice homes, TV/Xbox, etc. as mentioned. However if even one of the “Needy” people we help each week is really in need the rest of freeloaders are worth the hassle. As for the families living in “poverty” that have homes, TV, Phones and what not, many have only just recently lost a job, or the husband has died and they lost his income. So while on the surface it seems that the “Needy” are not so “Needy” the fact is that even if they sold their TV/Xbox. If they sold all their computers, cars, microwave etc. That would only give them a few thousand dollars, and that would only buy food for a few months. What these people need is a hand in finding a new source of income, or assistance while they do that for themselves. So food stamps etc. for a few months while this family gets back on their feet, is not such a big price to pay.

However, in my opinion it is not a problem for the government to solve. It is a problem that the “People” need to solve. If more people just took the time to assist when able. This would be far less of an issue. People tend to look the other way when they see a person in need. However if instead they would just help where able, those that can, and will, take care of themselves would soon be back on their feet and supporting their families. While there is no help for those that do not want to help themselves or those that can’t. But with the relief from the system provided by the average citizen, the government systems already in place would not be hit so hard. Simple things like donating a few cans of food, or a few dollars here and there can make a big difference if enough people do so. This does not mean necessarily giving cash to the guy on the corner, while this can help the individual, this many times just goes to buy alcohol, and does not help that individual in any way. I do not say to stop assisting “on the spot” however; In fact I say just the opposite. I say if you assist one needy person per week, then soon you will find that your assistance you gave, be it time or money, will not be missed. Once the people realize the few dollars, or the few hours they donate are not really missed, they will tend to donate more time and or money, and generally in more productive ways. Basically the more you help the more you are likely to help in the future. So even if just one of the people you help each month actually needed the help, and used it to better their situation, the other three freeloaders were worth the loss.

I do not advocate socialist societies, or any form of communism, just a helping hand to your fellow man when able. No need to raise taxes, to pay for even more wasted aid. Just a helping hand now and then from the citizens and this issue would be moot. We would still have the lazy, crippled, drugged, handicapped, etc. that will not or cannot help themselves, using the government aid. However this will be far fewer than we have now. Thus the government does not need to “fix” the existing system, does not need to raise taxes to fund more programs that will be abused etc. Just help your fellow man when able, and the world can change.

reply to post by jaguarsky


Perhaps you should go back and read my posts prior to castigating me. The point of the thread and my subsequent comments within the thread is that we simply have insufficient information regarding the poor upon which to base policy judgements. Individual cases are compelling and in many cases heart wrenching, that is for certain. Our challenge today is that we attach no value to the programs we provide - actual value in dollars and cents and then calculate how much in in-kind income someone who is "poor" is receiving. Why is that important? It is important because absent placing a value on it we can not attest to its worthyness. We have dozens of programs targeted at the poor, yet many have difficulty getting on them. We have dozens of programs for the poor, yet it is difficult to find folks who use a bunch of them. If we had an actual value we could make a determination regarding keeping them or not.

In my mind, assistance to the poor is a critical component of a functioning society. It is something that needs to be done wisely with a strategic objective and that objective should be to assist those who can be self sufficient to become self sufficient. It is other folks money we're spending and as such needs to be spent respectfully, mindful that the vast majority of those paying taxes that will be used for these programs worked very hard for their money.

Today, all of the poor are lumped together - they're the poor. All funding for programs targeted for the poor are lumped together as "investment" as if all of these programs were of equal value. They can't be. The point being that we have a complex problem and are attempting to solve it with fear mongering and bromides, which is why these problems have never been solved and why they continue to get worse. Question the value of a program and you are looking to kick babies into the street. Seek to enhance a program that is working effectively and you are a socialist. Black and white depictions of a problem this complex make it impossible to solve and childish even to attempt to solve.

Do I think that someone on public assistance should have cable tv? If they are not able bodied, yes. If they are able bodied, no. Do I think there are folks on assistance who should not be? Absolutely. Are their folks who need assistance who are not getting it or are not getting enough? Absolutely. Are their folks ripping off these programs? Absolutely.

The point of the thread is merely that we have insufficient knowledge of this problem to craft proper solutions. We hear discussions of the "poor" bandied about yet many of these folks have amenities that many would call a luxury.

I would gladly pay more in taxes were those taxes spent in competent, respectful manners to support the poor that had a compassionate emphsis on the elimination of the need. Programs that were run by folks who not only had compassion for the poor, but respect for the tax payer. As it stands today, I don't want another nickle spent on these programs as they are rife with abuse, ineffective and historically have led to more poverty, not less.

The irony is that the folks who should be the most outraged about the underlying problems with our poverty programs are not the folks who are paying for them, but the poor. It is the incompetent and corrupt managment of these programs which yield so little benefit that cause the costs to escalate and downward pressure on the expansion of the programs to fester. The poor rely on these programs and it is about time the poor took some responsibility to ensure that they had the proper level of governance.

What good is an education when there are fewer and fewer jobs for those WITH an education? I'm a software engineer and I work for an evil global corporation. You might say that I'm biting the hand that feeds me, but I know they'll get rid of me as quickly as an old shoe if they think they can increase their profit hiring in China and/or India. And believe they already have done that to thousands of highly skilled people, who are now unable to find employment!! I always laugh at you Republicans, you always talk big about not taxing the job creators. What about the job destroyers! What about the destruction of the middle class? These idiot count jobs created as if all jobs are the same. Can you really be that naive?

People need to wake up, it isn't the poor that are draining the economy, it is the large multi national corporations, the international banks, the government and its 3 wars on terror and the 1 war on drugs! They spend huge sums on Homeland Security to train the people to give up their liberty in the name of false security. Stop being so naive! I don't really care if some poor person is smoking a joint to chase his plight out of mind for a while. It bothers me a whole lot more that the wealthiest are destroying this country so they can increase profits. I hate that they've managed to hypnotize a large segment of society into believing that allowing huge corporations to increase their profits while destroyong our economy is GOOD for America!! Thanks for that Fox News and Rupert Murdoch!!!

I agree we need some punishments for making bad decisions!! Why not start with the CEOs of the banks that are receiving welfare from TARP and the Federal Reserve at the tax payers expense!! Are you so totally blind as to WHERE the problem IS?! Continue with punishments for the CEOs and executive officers of AIG and BP!! Then hold Bush and Cheney accountable for the needless war in Iraq where no WMDs existed!! Hold Obama accountable for signing extending the Bush policy of rendition, nullification destruction of Habeus Corpus and assassination of anyone without a trial!

Where is your accountability when women and children are killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Libya? I don't blame the troops, I blame the leaders that sent them there.

Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by moonleaf

 

Good question.

First and foremost, we need education, and back to work programs that are actually utilized. We need partnerships with the industries that are currently hiring illegals. It is usually hard work, but it also usually has temporary housing on site, and it they are used to some of the headaches that come with hiring the homeless.

Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, we need some punishments for making bad decisions while on the aid. We need drug testing, we need instant disqualification for convictions, drugs, DUI's, and we need some type of curtailment for additional pregnancies while on the aid. If one cannot support their current family, they definitely don't need to be increasing its size.

Thirdly, it needs to be temporary help. If there are viable alternatives like work programs, and disability programs, then there is no need for extended assistance. It is there to help with transition periods or retraining, or unexpected health issues. It isn't a career.

Also, I have no problem with some of the programs, like HUD, and income adjusted utilities, I mainly have a problem with cash assistance. If someone is working, but the income is just low, then they should be rewarded with scaled rents and utilities and foodstamps where appropriate.

I'm poor and I have a wii and a 40 inch flat screen internet and cell phone, but I got most of that stuff because my mom helped me. Without my parents I would be living very poor. That goes for most of my friends. My mom charged the stuff and slowly let me pay it off. I bought My own cell phone and its basic not an android. This is her laptop but she basically gave it to me.

I say let the American poor have their entertainment and electronic essentials. I don't want to see babies and people on the streets begging.

the premise of this thread is complete nonsense.

Lets not forget that most of what these poor people have was paid for with credit.........

Lets not forget that the bottom 50% of wage earners in the US have 0 (that's a zero) net worth...


None of that matters because a poor guy has a TV.

Then lets not further forget that the "poor" guy also works effing 40 hours a week or more, at a job that probably isn't that fun. And yet he deserves nothing for his work?

I'm sorry but our society is absolutely wrong in thinking that a person who wants to live a simple life with a low stress job so that he can spend more quality time with his family should be punished with no reasonable retirement, and no net assets of any kind. Just so the rich can get paid their interest. Its retarded. And needs to change.

reply to post by dolphinfan


Any way you look at it, Americans have more luxuries than a lot of other countries, especially when compared to places like Africa. We should be grateful for that and never forget how lucky we are compared to the poorer nations in this world. HOWEVER........

You CAN'T compare the African poor with the U.S. poor for one simple reason; Societal expectations and "norms".

1.) You can't get a good job unless you have a permanent residence.

2.) You can't get a good job unless you have access to showers/running water so you don't stink up the office during your interview on a hot summer day.

3.) When you have a job, you're expected to have access to a washer/dryer so you have clean clothes.

4.) You can't hold a job unless you have transportation, or money to get you from point A to point B every day, on time.

5.) When you have a job, your boss or co-workers expect to be able to reach you anytime anywhere, which means that a cell phone becomes necessary.

6.) In order to stay on top of current events, you need to either have a TV, a radio, or internet access. Sometimes (though not frequently) these things are relevant to your job, and even to your survival. The internet has become one of the best ways to find jobs across the country. Some people work from home using the internet.

7.) Due to stress of this busy lifestyle we lead, one way to relax or escape is to either enjoy a little brain-dead TV, or play a game or two. These aren't necessities, but they have become relatively cheap and affordable. With minimum wage and a couple of room mates sharing bills, it's possible to own several entertainment consoles. Don't forget credit cards. That's also a way to buy things, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the person is paying off those credit cards. Some people end up in large debt that way.


So, our American "poor" may not be fighting off flies or eating a cup of rice per day, but they too feel the struggle to survive in a society different from Africa. We can't compare African poor with the American poor, because we live under completely different conditions and rules! This country (unlike Africa) has advanced to a point where it is capable of producing enough food and energy to feed most of the population. We were raised in a society where these basic luxuries are the norm.

There are other things that "much" of the poor has also . Pagers , 200 dollar Nike shoes and great jackets . Whiskey , cigarettes , dope and guns while 60% of the world has never made a phone call and don't own a tv , they toil and forage 12 hours per day for 1 meal and the firewood or charcoal with which to cook the meal .

Originally posted by bandito
There are other things that "much" of the poor has also . Pagers , 200 dollar Nike shoes and great jackets . Whiskey , cigarettes , dope and guns while 60% of the world has never made a phone call and don't own a tv , they toil and forage 12 hours per day for 1 meal and the firewood or charcoal with which to cook the meal .

Then maybe 60% of the world needs to step up their game, unless they enjoy living the way they are. Some countries became advanced enough where their poor are better provided for. You can't blame them for progress, and you can't make them feel bad that while they're able to watch their 10 year old TV or make a call to their aging parents across the state on their cell phone, there's an African or Indian family sharing one strip of meat between them. Americans also toiled and foraged 100 years ago, some still do, but society as a whole learned to make life easier, providing better lifestyles and more luxuries even to their poor. Those other poor countries will someday reach the level of provisions that we have today, and I'm sure they're not going to regret making that move, nor would I criticize them for it. "Poor" is a relative term.

You people that sit around blaming the poor, disabled and destitute for everything really are just evil cold-hearted elitists that would probably fit in well at a Bilderberg meeting.

The government takes your money through taxes. After that it's not your money anymore. How come you don't spend nearly the time complaining about the trillions upon trillions that the government wastes on itself, on war, on a myriad of things that don't benefit you in the slightest? No, you lot are constantly looking to accuse people whose lives are miserable beyond your understanding of being lazy bums stealing your cash, when these social programs hardly constitutes but a miniscule percentage of the tax fund.

Like stories about prisoners living it up with fancy weight rooms and televisions in every cell, these stories are designed to incite rage amongst the working class that lazy bums are the ones responsible for their economic hardship, keeping your eyes focused wrongly on each other instead of looking at the slavemasters and propagandists who have stolen your money right out from under you.

You people are great big suckers, gigantic tools for the elites who play you like fiddles against each other. Tragically, the most vulnerable of our human brothers and sisters are who truly suffer for your ignorance and hatred.

reply to post by dolphinfan


That is the one of the stupidest # I have ever read, it has no points what so ever just a bunch of bull#. What are you trying to get at? So you saying that some people who don't make that much money are not poor because they bought an x box with there hard earned $$$. And what they shouldn't be able to afford A.C and basic human commodities?

Really the whole thing just made me dumber reading it.

reply to post by dolphinfan

Making assumptions and basing policy on those assumptions is an extremely slippery slope. All rich folks were not crooks in the same manner that all great atheletes are not taking juice.

As someone who is into sports and has been around that click. All I can say is...yes there all on steroids and its not even a secret that a lot of the great athletics if not all of them, are on some type of performance enhancing drug, of which steroids is really old school but the most well known by the masses.

In fact if you were to head into a gym you would find 16 year old on steroids, not to even mention professionalism athletes. There all on something, and the ones who are not are very few.

And though all rich folks are not crooks, but depending on what rich folks and rich lifestyles your talking about, then yes a majority of them got there wealth by some sort of white collar crime. And the really rich people who throughout the generations became what people call tptb, yes there wealth was in most cases gotten trough crimes such as slave trade, or drug running, or pirating, or sex trade businesses of all sorts, and so forth.

Improve laws that root out corruption if thats the issue, but based on the Obama class warfare schemes, the rich are not folks like Warren Buffett or the Kennedys. The rich are folks like Joe Blow who owns the plumbing supply store down the street and declares all of his business income as personal income.

Obama and every president this country has ever had going back hundreds of years have been working for the real rich people and there interests. So off-course there going to go after the smaller business that is there job to eliminate the competition that there bosses have. Your making no sense dude.

Go ahead and take all the money from everyone who has more than $500M and see where your at. Not too hard to find that place because its where you are right now.

WTF are you talking about? If you have anywhere near $500M your set for life and have no problems at all of which to speak of. With that kind of cash especially in america your set, and in other countries you can hire your own personal army with it. I smell a troll. You have no points dude.

The problem is institutionalized entitlement. Lets all realize that many of the "poor" folks with the video games get: Free medical care via Medicaid Free
or subsidized housing Subsizided utilities including internet in some places
Free job training
Free schooling
Free mass transit passes
Food stamps and WIC cash

Another big WTF, there is nothing free in this world. And especially in the land of the free there is nothing for free. In one way or another sooner or latter, they pay for all those free things they get.

Pathetic attempt at disinformation, but there are many idiots in this world that would believer all that junk. In fact this world depends on idiots and churns them out left and right. You could even say that they are the oil that lube the machinery that is called societies, on this planet. And yes the rich depend on them the most without them there would be no rich people.

Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by dolphinfan

 

Awesome post!

People in the US are really out of touch with reality. People here commit suicide over the possibility of losing amenities that are unheard of for regular folks in other areas! We don't have roving gangs kidnapping our teens and forcing them into revolutionary guards. We don't have roving gangs killing, ransacking, and kidnapping our wives and daughters. We don't have gnats and bugs and squalor eating at the eyes of our children. We don't have to walk for hours to the nearest clean water.

Does anybody realize what a daily shower is really worth? A daily shower in high-quality drinkable water, that just runs down our drains.

Does anybody realize what 4 walls and a door are worth? A place to escape the mosquitoes, flies, and gnats.

In my opinion, those two things along with a decent amount of rice and/or oatmeal puts a family in extremely better condition than many other areas.

Thanks for the reminder! We need it from time to time.

Why should we allow other cultures and continents to hold us back? We must remember that the people you described facing such "hardship's" as walking a mile plus for drinking water have always done so. What right do we have to continue to interfere in a less advanced culture?

Most of the hardship's in Africa are caused by meddlesome do gooders who end up causing more harm then good. Or is charity just another measure used to keep them enslaved? Because that is all our "charity" towards them is causing.

reply to post by 0001391

You people that sit around blaming the poor, disabled and destitute for everything really are just evil cold-hearted elitists that would probably fit in well at a Bilderberg meeting.

The government takes your money through taxes. After that it's not your money anymore. How come you don't spend nearly the time complaining about the trillions upon trillions that the government wastes on itself, on war, on a myriad of things that don't benefit you in the slightest? No, you lot are constantly looking to accuse people whose lives are miserable beyond your understanding of being lazy bums stealing your cash, when these social programs hardly constitutes but a miniscule percentage of the tax fund.

Like stories about prisoners living it up with fancy weight rooms and televisions in every cell, these stories are designed to incite rage amongst the working class that lazy bums are the ones responsible for their economic hardship, keeping your eyes focused wrongly on each other instead of looking at the slavemasters and propagandists who have stolen your money right out from under you

You people are great big suckers, gigantic tools for the elites who play you like fiddles against each other. Tragically, the most vulnerable of our human brothers and sisters are who truly suffer for your ignorance and hatred.

Amen to that. You hit the nail on the head dude.

They whine and incite hatred about all the things that don't matter, and never mattered at all, and all the while there making out like crooks, and the mindless idiots are there vanguard that perpetrates there goals, with there propagandists in tow to incite there tactics upon the sheeple.

Really its kind of hard to feel sorry for any of them, because "as above and so bellow" There really is very little difference between any of them.

This whole divide and conquer thing works wonders every-time, but its the same old same old thing each time. You would think they would learn after the first billionth time, its not like its a new strategy that they use, its been used since like forever.

Originally posted by Stovokor


There are only 2 of us but our student loans are more than our mortgage..By about $500 a month..and we have a decent house...

I have no clue how people that make under 100k do it with kids..

I have no clue how our parents did it...Raising 4 kids making what they did..

Sure we have a few 'toys' like iPads, xboxs, and other thing that make life bearable...but we still shop at discount stores and live paycheck to paycheck...

We have dipped into our savings account and 401k from time to time..

Why would anyone begrudge someone at the poverty line any measure of comfort?

All I hear is right wing propaganda to divide us so we are too busy fighting with each other to see what they are getting away with...and it's working....shame on you OP

I would love to have a savings account to dip into for emergencies. My company offers an up-to-6% match on my 401K contributions. Unfortunately, I had to reduce my contribution to zero several months ago because we needed every dollar that we made to pay bills, and then some. Retirement prospects are looking ugly.

So many of the so-called "higher class" commenters that glorify themselves on so many of these sites, are far from aware of, much less prepared for, changes that are taking place at this very time. Their bank accounts, BMW's, gold leaf name on their office doors, will not save them from the total evil that has been unleashed by the Super-Rich "Owners" of this world against those that do not fit their "mold". Serious proposals have been tabled within their secret conclaves calling for a population reduction to 500 million, to eliminate those they consider unworthy, who are doing nothing more than stealing, depleting, contaminating, and not paying their fair share for, the resources they are using (energy, agricultural, water, oil). Afterall, why should these self proclaimed Owners abilty to survive be interfered with by these little undeserving "Nothings". Simply not enugh to go around! Have none of you noticed the hugh windowless brown brick buildings that have and are still, popping up around our nation? Furthermore, do any of you know what they are and what threats they pose against America's citizens? What truthful conclusions resulted in the abandonment of our Space Shuttle Program? How about the Unified National Police concept that has been instituted? The change, nationwide, to the LAPD "model", Black and White Cruisers should have been a big hint.

So, while so many of you have been busy being disgusted at the idea that those in poverty have TV's, Video Games, etc., they are the ones who will be putting up their best fight against these dastardly attempts to eliminate us. I am far from poverty, but I did have the advantage of growing up in the 'combo' environment of NewYork City, where as a teen my Grandfather told me, after we learned about a street fight that took place between a local tough guy and a guy who owned a Martial Arts Training Center. The Martial Arts guy was knocked out cold in a fair fight with the tough street guy. My Grandfather looked me straight in the eyes and said, "remember this and remember it well. A "Street Fighter" will always win 95% of the time", and as I have traveled around the world, I have seen this to be true.

I would urge those, who know who they are, to stop wasting your time trying to play like a Super-Rich, because when all is said and done, you are not going to qualify for their "Club". I would suggest you get to know some of these people you consider "little people", because they might forgive you enough to give your Suburban attitudes as wake-up call and hopefully show you a little about becoming a Steet Fighter. It will take all of us, regardless of social status, race, country of origin, immigration status, education, gender and political leanings to stand against these Clowns of Misery who are proceeding with their plans for our demise. Stop falling for their Silly Rabbit Tricks of Deception and Diversion from the Truth while they carry out their agendas.

reply to post by dolphinfan


I think all this is true because before they were The Poor they were called The Middle Class.
2nd line.

Does the study take into account the cost of living in areas?

People living in areas with a low CoL can afford more fore less, but still fall behind on the poverty scale, though it is not true poverty, due to the lower CoL.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

reply to post by dolphinfan


--I usually qualify for LIHEAP, so I guess that means I'm poor. They will send about $250 to my gas company, one time, each winter.
--I have 4 televisions, I didn't pay for any of them, they were all given to me.
--I have cable, internet, and house phone, MOST of the time. It's my biggest bill (around 150 a month), and I struggle to pay it every month.
--I have no a cell phone.
--No non-portable stereo.
--I have a PC. It's second hand, from my dad. He upgrades, and gives us his old.
--3 Christmas's ago my 2 boys wanted ps3. I told them that would be it no other gifts, and they went for it. My mother found a great deal through Sony, and I paid 300 for it, and was able to buy them each a used game.
--Last year my son wanted an Xbox 360 for his birthday. I saved for 2 months, and still had to borrow $50 the day before his birthday to buy it. He had no game, and no hard drive. He used money from family to buy them used.
--The majority of my money goes to rent, which includes a stove and refrigerator. I buy NO household items new. The toaster oven you paid $30 for new, I got slightly used at the thrift store for 5 bucks.
--My 2 year old daughter could wear a different outfit, everyday, for a month, and I haven't bought her one thing this summer. All of her clothes are given to me from friends with older girls.
--I use coupons in combination with sales to save a lot of money on food. I grow vegetables all summer long. I do things like buy whole hams and chickens, butcher them myself, and end up spending about $2-3 a day on meat.
--My 15 year old doesn’t have a cell phone or cool clothes and shoes like ALL of his friends do, and he doesn’t complain too much.

It's a major struggle, and a lot of work to provide everything I do for my family, but with a little ingenuity, self sacrifice, and help from people, I am usually able to make ends meet. I would guess that the other people who are "poor" like me, and have all of those things either live like me, or are lying about there income. (ie. Drug dealers, baby's daddy's provide unreported, under the table work...)

Interesting topic, looking forward to reading the thread

Originally posted by Cuervo
Almost all of those people are hardworking and half the people that will get steamed towards the "poor" people reading this are poor themselves and just don't know it. Poverty line for a single person is $35,000 by most standards. There are a lot of "poor" people who don't even know they are poor. It's not their fault that people like Heritage Foundation are whining on their behalf.

It detracts from the very real problem of a large portion of American society who truly does struggle day to day in order to pay electricity and feed their families. This article is a work of obvious propaganda to foster a class-war. Disgusting.

edit on 19-7-2011 by Cuervo because: deleted long quote

The OP in this thread makes me pretty sick to be honest.

There is class war in this country, no doubt about that, but it wasn't started by the "poor" who work long hours and get paid in peanuts in return. Enough is enough of this propaganda BS.

Some of the things pointed out in this article are ridiculous. Just because someone has a color TV, or even two, does not make them NOT poor by today's standards. How much does a used color CRT TV at a pawn shop cost? Anyone could easily purchase a color TV for $50 or less. It wouldn't be a good TV probably, but it would still be a color TV. Same goes for a Playstation. Are we talking PS3? doubt it. A PS1 or PS2 can be easily had for under $100. What has been presented in the OP is vague to the point of being useless.

When people think of the "poor" are they picturing someone living in a carboard box in an alleyway or what?

lol so because these people don't live in mud houses with no electricity they aren't poor?

I''ve been poor and was born and raised in the ghetto. It IS hell, poor people arent allowed to have an xbox to entertain themselves? I don't get the logic here. Most poor people struggle to keep a car, car insurance, food in the fridge, pay their rent and live less than pay check to pay check.

Not to mention the neighborhoods they HAVE to live in because that is all they can afford. How would you like being afraid to walk down your street in fear of getting robbed or shot? It's not a fun life regardless if you have a cellphone or not.