Class Peace.

I'm sick of this war on the classes. What does poverty look like? Well, I know what it doesn't look like. It doesn't look like the glow of a computer screen, in the morning, over coffee. It doesn't look like family photos on the wall. Poverty doesn't look like an owned fridge stocked full of wholesome nutritious food. Poverty isn't a quick trip to the drug store for cough syrup because you had an extra ten in your pocket and if you didn't you could just use the debit card. Poverty does not taste like steak and steamed vegetables, it tastes like 75% lean ground beef and generic hamburger helper. Poverty doesn't feel like a warm car on a cold day or a trip to Starbuck's on your way to the office. It doesn't feel like the cushion of a savings account. It doesn't look very proud or well dressed. It isn't even as fun as prioritizing things you WANT because of so many things you NEED. Poverty doesn't come with pets or little league teams that cost $20 a kid. It isn't powerful. Not even a little. It isn't lazy, but oh, wouldn't it like to be. It isn't drugs and free loading, and most of all it isn't FAIR to be lumped in with people who aren't even trying, not that you blame them.

You want to know what it feels like? It feels like awkwardly fitting clothes. Shame at seeing your children wear the same three outfits over and over again and hoping that you will have the time to wash them this week. It feels like anxiety that checks will get to electric companies before you get paid that week. It feels like fear of illness or injury, because you can't afford any hospital bills.

The poverty stricken can't afford to make the same mistakes you or I can because it they accidentally buy the wrong type of milk, or lunchmeat, they have to live with a diminished quality of life because they can't afford to simply buy another carton or package. Poverty should at least look like little white or pink pills given to them for free to try and avoid further burden of pregnancy, but even that is being threatened.

I understand that there are people who take advantage, but they exist in all social classes. Look at the millionaires who dumped money in overseas accounts so the US government couldn't tax it. That wasn't taking advantage of a situation? I bet their kids had nice shoes though, huh? What about this schmuck Charlie Sheen? What a role model. He's been on and off of drugs his whole life, and his life hasn't even sucked enough to warrant an escape from reality. He's just spoiled. If you don't like seeing people take advantage of the system stop celebrating them by putting them on television like the OCTOMOM!! You watched it didn't you? Sick o's! So, it's okay to be a piece of shit, as long as your entertaining the general public. But as soon as you try to change the world or have a voice, suddenly you're a heroin addict on government assistance.

I lived in poverty. And didn't pull myself up by my goddamn boot straps, either. It wasn't a matter of discipline. I had plenty of discipline. What I needed was time. I needed time to build my credit, time to pay off debt, time to figure out where I was going and what I wanted to do. These "poor people" that the rich like to talk about as though they are scum, are the ones taking your trash from your curb in the morning. They're working their asses off, cleaning your office at night. They are trying to get ahead and all they need is TIME. But in that time, they may need to feed some babies, or clothe some children. People with money like to act like everyone is entitled to a great education and a decent paying job, and I say, to those people:

Try to find a place to live, a car to drive and fridge to stock for under $1,100 a month, because that's all you get paid if you work for minimum wage. Oh, and don't have any kids! Or get sick, or take vacation, because minimum wage is NOT salary. If you don't show up, you don't get paid! And F@&% You if you ask for help.

My tiny little house: $735/ month

My tiny little car: $312/ month

Food for four: $560/month

Not to mention electricity, water, gas(heat), gasoline, oil changes, doctor's visits... Vacation? eating out? the luxury of shopping in the organic section?? The list goes on. Who am I to judge how someone is making it work on less than what we make? Who are you?