Poverty Is Not Cultural

Michael Harrington popularized the theory of "Culture of Poverty" in his book "The Other America"; later pushed by his drinking buddy Moynihan and becoming the cornerstone of conservative ideology since Reagan's day. Harrington's book galvanized the 'better people' (i.e. the non-poor) liberals and conservatives alike - into action. Readers and adherents understood that 'poor people' are different than 'us'. They have no impulse control, base instincts, and really need someone to guide them away from their indulgences and excesses. Money in the hands of 'the poor' deepens their depravity, while money in the hands of the "better people" is in its natural habitat. I guess that is why I am worried about buying gas for my car so I can visit my mother, instead of thinking about building a new library. Being in the 99% I can't seem to see beyond my immediate needs and imagine the Zastrow Library.

Now that the 'middle class' is sliding relentlessly into the ranks of 'the poor' perhaps it is time to realize that being 'poor' isn't cultural, it comes from a shortage of money (or resources if you like). While 'working hard' works for some, working hard alone doesn't get you riches.  The "working hard story" is the mythology passed through the ranks of the 1% and the wannabee 1%. Just ask a ditch digger or someone working 3 part-time minimum wage jobs to pay someone elses retirement dream (rent). It's more luck than anything - being in the right place at the right time, or being in the right group. I won't say what the right group has been in the country, you figure it out.

And now the 1% wants you to shovel more their way, by getting rid of the protections for the rest of us. "If we could only get rid of regulations..." they say "it'll be happy days again." What they mean is happier days for them and misery for those not willing to sell their soul to get into the 1%. Gee, all one need do is get someone in a third world country to put thousands of people into sweat shops and voilà, up go the value of your shares. Oh, those people volunteered to be in the sweatshops? Well yeah, I guess you are technically correct,... they wanted to feed their children and hopefully eat themselves. But they could console themselves by knowing that their "better people", backed by the US CIA, are in their mansion munching on caviar. In the voice of Daniel Tosh - wake up people on the side of the room who think they are immune to poverty. Or, join that country club and hope that the "better people" recognize you as one of theirs.  Wherever you end up, it won't be your personal culture that got you there.