i haven't read the responses, but the first thing i thought of was:

Quote :

"Winning isn't everything, but losing isn't anything. -- Vince Lombardi "

8/16/2007 4:19:48 AM

Quote :

"I guess everyone has their own definition of "poor" and "happy"... so this discussion will end up being moot. Again, I'm not arguing that you can't be happy with very little. I'm just making a statement for the poor. The day that you can't provide the basic necessities of life is the day that life becomes "poor", and the person becomes void of this "happiness". It's just that we American's (whether black, white, or yellow in skin) have defined our "basic necessities" as a car, a house, a guitar, and a 12-15k+ job. "

Both of my parents grew up in extreme poverty. My father especially. I'm talking there were times when they had no car (for a family of 6), my grandfather would have to leave looking for work for months at a time, most of their meals came from the food they grew themselves and almost all of their clothing was made at home or hand-me-downs.

My mother had it slightly better, because they didn't have to move several times due to defaulting on mortgages. She lived with her mom & dad and 4 siblings in a 1 bedroom house until she left for college. They did have a car actually, so another step up. And they made the absolutely most of the money they had. But by today's "poor" standards, they were still destitute.

Quote :

"It's just that we American's (whether black, white, or yellow in skin) have defined our "basic necessities" as a car, a house, a guitar, and a 12-15k+ job. Challenge: Go ask the homeless guy on Hillsborough St., "Are you happy with your life?" Even if he lies to you, you still know that in reality, he goes to bed really lonely, hungry, and depressed."

See again, I disagree. There's a BIG difference today between the working poor and the people who just don't give a shit. This country is amazing in that if you WANT work, it's out there. You can survive, you can provide yourself a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food on your table. Asking a homeless man if he is happy is a worthless pursuit because they have no pursuit.

Quote :

"Until you are walking down the road and have to consider buying the dead dog or cat a guy is offering so your wife and kids can eat... you have it good. In this country there is always a safety net."

This is just plain wrong. That safety net you speak of is not as profound as you think. As an educated member of society, you instantly have access to thousands more options than those with less education. Your typical high school graduate will have a much harder time finding help in the bad times than you or I would.

And comparing it to a 3rd world country is ridiculous too. You find happiness in whatever situation you are in, not based on the situations of others. I'm not doubting or belittling the strife and tribulations people go through just for food and water in some areas of the world. But at the same time, they are afforded certain liberties and simplicities that we can never have here. It's always a two way street.

8/16/2007 11:06:53 AM

more income = more interesting / rewarding leisure time

8/16/2007 11:18:38 AM