Archived 'I see no way out': Living paycheck to paycheck is disturbingly common (philly.com)
submitted ago by One-Way_Bus
Posted by: One-Way_Bus
Posting time: 1.9 years ago on
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Archived on: 3/30/2019 10:00:00 AM
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Archived 'I see no way out': Living paycheck to paycheck is disturbingly common (philly.com)
submitted ago by One-Way_Bus
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[–] Aranarth 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
Please see the article below, for a clearer look at the same type of data collected by PEW. It reviews how comparatively the mobility hasn't been fantastic compared to other countries, but as an absolute comparative America has increased mobility due to to overall increase of wealth and prosperity. This increase in economic success gives more mobility overall, though it does call out there has been no comparable studies done for other countries to give a definitive metric. Basically, the rising tide and everyone's boats, except for those actively sabotaging themselves through poor choices.
So no, I am not saying "hurr durr America is the best at everything, even though I have no idea what the data actually shows!"
I am saying the US has a whole host of issues, and one of them is a culture of instant gratification that robs the population of real opportunities if they were not raised fiscally responsible, which most weren't.
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/economic-mobility-united-states-compared-europe-scandinavia/
[–] HAESisalie ago
Well, I totally agree with instant gratification, lack of work ethic, entitlement attitude "Give me!" etc. and POOR choices being factor in why SOME people fail to rise up the economic strata, but in many cases those are not the reason, and many people who fall into the upper strata make even worse personal choices, but succeed despite of that simply because of how the system is rigged. And it is rigged. Surely you understand that the rich are not immune from poor personal choices, they just have built in protection against suffering the same repercussions as the rest of us.
[–] Aranarth 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I don't think anyone could argue with the fact that money or connections make life easier, hurdles lower, or emergency less world destroying.
I too came from a background that was suboptimal, to say the least, and we both know people who could have done more and didn't. We both must be know people who who sneered at hard working people trying to better themselves, and took joy at their stumbles, but the fact that you and I are having this conversation not living in the same conditions must indicate something. Even anecdotally.
Some have, and take advantage of it, as anyone would. Some have it and squander it away, some say because they don't understand what value is.
Others could have worked for it, and didn't, while others preserved and got as far as they could.
That is something I hope we can agree on.