(32) Poverty Stole Your Golden Shoes, It Didn't Steal Your Laughter

I don't understand why so many Americans are oblivious to the fact that poverty does exist in Ameirca. I'd say I'm pretty pro-health care reform for the most part, but I know, and everyone knows, there's going to be a lot of work before it really starts making its impact, whether you see this as a positive one or a negative one.

Anyway, the reoccurring theme I keep seeing among citizens' opposers of the health care bill is obligation to pay for the health care of "high school drop-outs", "drug addicts", "deadbeats" and other fun things. We all know that these people exist, and its extremely unfortunate. But what no one wants to admit is that some people live in poverty completely void of choice. Most of it starts in the family.

Families are filled with drama. Deaths, fights, job losses, pregnancies, abuse, jail, money, marriage, divorce, you name it. So how someone can just assume that a complete stranger had all the opportunity in the world to attend college, or to forget about the bad things that strike their homes on a daily basis and make their lives a perfect fantasy world. How can people assume so easily that making decisions concerning your life are so easy? At the same time, once someone makes the wrong one, all credibility on their behalf is lost, you had your chance, you threw it away. They deserve it because they chose that path.
Use your last $50 to send in the application fee for college, or stock the refrigerator. Which is the right decision?
Regardless of the fantasy world people are living in, not everyone gets the same opportunities. If you're a college grad or a student, you don't know how lucky you are.
Poverty has a terrible connotation that all blame completely falls into the shoulders of the one who is affected by it. Its as if there is no excuse. But the reality is, there are plenty of reasons why someone might be less fortunate. People run away from abusive partners with nothing but a car and $20 in their pocket. Or people open up businesses that don't succeed. Young women who get pregnant usually keep their babies, usually end up as a single parent. People get into accidents and become disabled living off disability checks. People get their identities stolen, and never get them back. Any of these, and far more legitimate reasons, can eventually lead to... poverty.

It actually makes me wonder how a nation can be filled with such narrow minded people, and yet there's a charity for everything; and you're put up on a pedestal for donating to charities. Charities, many of which can benefit families living in poverty. Why is this okay, but not tax dollars? Because one can control the amount of money that's donated, and you get to pick who you think is most deserving? Sounds a bit sketchy, to me.
Call me overly compassionate, but I can honestly say that I don't mind that my tax dollars are going toward people who are less fortunate, especially considering health-care. If it winds up in the hands of drug-addicts or deadbeats, that's one thing. But if it helps out a family striving to make the best of their lives while working for and granted with so little in return, I'd say that's okay with me.
Besides my mom and my brother (though he's dropped out quite a few times), I'm the only one who reached a university-level education and had this opportunity to do whatever I want when it comes to my education and dreams for the future.

I'm definitely not the most politically-inclined person in the world, but I guess this is just my two-cents. I guess I'm basically trying to say that poverty does exist, and it strikes the homes of many of its least-deserving people. I don't understand the fantasy world people think America is.