The other day I had a conversation with a girl I work with at my part time job (grunt work). This being grunt work should rightfully imply that those around me aren't all that educated or even well to do financially. I always like comparing it to Mos Eisley . :) This conversation really bothered me and I think it will continue to bother me for a long time.
The girl in question is HS drop out and an unwed/uninsured mother in her early 20's that is partially supported by the father who does similar grunt work. The child is appx 5-6 years old and is being raised in a very unpleasant neighborhood. Race is intentionally being withheld because it's a non-factor. She brings her Nintendo DS to work regularly in addition to her iPod. They have a Wii and a PS3 at home and I'm unsure about the TV situation for those consoles. She can't/won't work overtime because the additional money will change how much government assistance she receives. Yes, she found the loop holes and is using them to her advantage.
I'd not seen her in 6 months so the conversation consisted of her showing me her new iPhone that she now has. Apparently they have matching iPhones in addition to matching iPods.
What bothers me the most is the amount of technology that they have despite lack of income. There's a child growing up in this environment. These people are partially funding their technology habits with government money. Rather than working hard to get ahead and earning their toys, they're using loop holes to cover their daily expenses while spending what money they have on pop culture technology.
Is it fair that those that earn less than I do and pride themselves in working as little as possible have nicer things than I do? Is it fair that tax payers are helping support them and others like them? The only thing they've learned from our “system” is that it discourages them from working more to get ahead. Pride? Whats that? Why would you need pride when you've got your electronic devices that everyone covets without putting forth the effort to earn them?
Something is seriously wrong here. They genuinely believe that they are entitled to stuff like this because they work hard raising their kid AND they have jobs. Congratulations! You bothered to attempt to do your parental duties while bothering to get out of bed and go to work a couple days a week. Wow. You're such a trooper. We should build statues in your honor because of how noble you are. You clearly deserve your desert for your dinner even though you didn't eat your vegetables or do your homework. You're entitled to the best that society has to offer solely because you made an effort within the confines of your situation. That's OK though. You deserve it all.
This is one of many people I work with. This is actually a very typical scenario for those that work there. These jobs will be gone in < 5 years and everyone knows that. Yet they keep self medicating with material possessions like this. No one seems to care that this is happening. Everyone that I work with has the attitude of “they beat the system and so more power to them”. I guess this is should be chalked up as my jealousy fueled rant. I've done my share. I've worked hard for years and have next to nothing to show for it. I feel as though I deserve all of those toys more than others do. Why? Because I'm special and I get out of bed every day. I pay my bills on time and sacrifice personal comforts so that I can continue to pay. This must be jealousy. Someone has something that I covet and therefore I'm bitter because I want what they have.
To the Right wing conservatives out there: I'll make sure to pass on a hearty “Thank you” to these people for your ammunition against social programs.
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