Surprised By How Many Families Are Living In Campground

**Inkstain82** · 11-12-2009, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by Lora88

"are there no prisons are there no workhouses"

Prisons and workhouses? Please. This isn't a Dickensian novel. This is the most prosperous nation in the history of the world where people have a very funny idea of what it means to be poor.

The country spent $714 billion on welfare in 2008, and the total is expected to reach $10.3 trillion in 2009. That's not even including private sources.

I have no problem feeling sorry for their plight. I do have a problem blaming the government or acting like there's something wrong with America these days other than a slight economic inconvenience.

**pop goes the weasel** · 11-12-2009, 08:43 AM

I live in a rural area in Pa. No stores of any kind. You don't have to pay water and sewage either.The cheapest place that is considered livable, bathroom ect is almost 500 a month without the utilities. I know my dh's uncle can't get any kind of help because he makes 25 bucks too much on his social security. He is in a nursing home right now but will have to leave soon even though he can't be on his own because he can't get help. all the low income elderly places in the nearby towns are full so he can't get in there either.What's sad is you work all your life and then outlive your social security so to speak. That was suppose to help you through your later years. JMHO Some of the people that rent places just want entirely too much. Even renting just one room around here runs at least 300 a month

**Inkstain82** · 11-12-2009, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by pop goes the weasel

The cheapest place that is considered livable, bathroom ect is almost 500 a month without the utilities.

If you're other choice is living in a campground, I imagine what's considered "livable" shifts downward considerably.

**annymoll** · 11-12-2009, 09:00 AM

It sounds as though the families have access to both electricity and to water. If this is their home, I believe they will have resources such as food stamps,WIC and energy assistance. These programs assist the working poor.I once did home visits to a family that lived in a shack- dirt floors, threadbare walls,no indoor plumbing. The dirt floors were swept, there were flowers in a little vase on a worn out table. The kids were fed. It was hot inside, but they tried to make it into a home.They were living in what I deemed extreme poverty, but they felt no need for my sympathy.They were making ends meet the best they could.I appreciate all that I have, but I know I can make it, regardless of my circumstances.We do what we must do. I feel very lucky.The poorest of the poor here are rich indeed compared to other less fortunate souls.

**Brat** · 11-12-2009, 10:52 AM

I know for a fact that here in rural america min wage don't pay the rent...

Last month 70% applyed to the food bank.. Sure most of these kids get free lunch program, and they are even some of them on the backpack program but that don't feed them all.

I realize that some of them are here by choice, but you would be suprised at the ones that aren't. The shelters are full and they split up the family. Many of them don't qualify for help even if the goverment had the funds (which many of them don't right now).

I don't know what the answer is but to say something needs to be done is an understatement. Many are elderly, Many are childern (some being raised by the grandparent)..There sure is a need for even the working poor out there.

**Lora88** · 11-12-2009, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Inkstain82

Prisons and workhouses? Please. This isn't a Dickensian novel. This is the most prosperous nation in the history of the world where people have a very funny idea of what it means to be poor.

The country spent $714 billion on welfare in 2008, and the total is expected to reach $10.3 trillion in 2009. That's not even including private sources.

I have no problem feeling sorry for their plight. I do have a problem blaming the government or acting like there's something wrong with America these days other than a slight economic inconvenience.

Sorry Inkstain I couldnt resist I had read your post about not having a Christmas tree and being happy about it and then your post was slighly unsympathic here and it just reminded me of Scrooge again my apologies

**Thevail** · 11-12-2009, 03:12 PM

Minimum wage varies from state to state and the amount you make on unemployment is capped differently too, so that may be a factor.

Also the rents are going up, up, up on apts. because so many people are losing their homes and they've got to live somewhere. Increased demand leads to higher prices.

Food prices for even the basics have shot through the roof, and unlike most of us many of these people don't "stockpile" or "loss leader" or coupon other than casually.

I thought that was kinda dumb until I realized that I had to learn it from you guys and then explain it to several of my friends who'd never even heard of a "loss leader".

Needless to say if you have no pantry and no freezer/fridge, food gets expensive rather quickly.

And it's very rare that anyone who is "gaming the system" is living in a tent.. if you're gaming the sytem you get food stamps, and HUD housing, and free medical care, and usually some money too.

(which is not to say that all people who recieve such help are gaming the system, just that those who are making a living by gaming the system usually do a pretty good job of it.)