UNITED WAY says almost half of U.S.households can't afford the basics

they strong arm the gov and many within the gov cater to them... follow the money and see why things are done the way they're done...

 

Bout that was 6 years ago...

 

See what happens to large businesses that don't play the game.

 

They pay taxes and lobby? If you are referring to corruption, it’s up to the Govt agent to be corrupt the business doesn’t do it

 

Worry free- that would require getting rid of all the people running around declaring that the sky was falling, Trump is Hitler, all white people are racists/nationalists/zionists/, bla bla bla
And how would we do that? Export, of course. Venezuela has some huge challenges and needs an independent news media. Send them CNN, lock stock and barrel. Then, let's look around for the people promoting this garbage storm, and send them where they can complain about real issues. Haiti, perhaps. Or Central America. Someplace they can decry evil honestly.

 

He was an idiot. I watched that movie and kept wishing I could reach through the screen and bitch slap him.

I have to commend you on your honesty. Most lefties aren't quite willing to flat out admit that they would love to be fluffy the house cat.

 

You wouldn't like the Philippines where they use fingers. Back in the day, our pioneer forefathers used corn cobs kept handy in a bucket of water in the outhouse.

 

That of course would assume they could tell the difference between good and evil in the first place.

 

Garyd, that does not matter to them. It's the thought that counts, and the details don't matter. As for me, I would settle for having improved the quality of life in America; Venezuela can look out for itself.

 

If these people (the 43%) spend more than 1 cent per year on the following:

cigarettes
drugs
alcohol
entertainment
fast food
restaurants
new clothing or shoes
technology other than basic phone
new or 'hobby' cars
tattoos
privately rented homes/apartments

they are not in any way impoverished. if they were genuinely impoverished, they would not be spending a single cent on any of these luxury options.

 

Only if you refuse to adapt.

 

Don't forget Feline AIDS.

 

Depends on who's fingers they are.

 

And in the Glorious West, we're all free to become kings. However, most of us don't want to work that hard.

 

Umm....

All I can say is that the first time takes a bit of will power. Don't worry, there's a bucket of water to wash off.

 

We do it this way:

We only buy fruit and vegetables fresh and in season (and therefore much cheaper than out of season stuff). We eat very little meat. We live on complex carbs (brown rice, lentils, pasta, other grains) and vegetables. We don't buy or eat processed foods, and we don't buy or drink soda. Our 'luxury' items are good quality aged cheddar, herbal teas, and good quality dark chocolate.

 

We do all the above minus the meat. We have a small quantity of beef about once a month (probably a small handful each, at most), and fish once a week. We also don't use salt in our cooking, but do use a wide array of herbs and spices.

 

I would suggest learning about the local plants to learn what is edible and what is not. It's like an easter egg hunt, but you come back home with all kinds of stuff that is as natural as veggies and mushrooms can get.

 

Unless you're a millionaire, why would you do it any differently? At least in terms of budget.

 

We grow a good proportion of our fruit and vegetables. Even in the worst growing years we have leafy greens, various citrus, and plenty of herbs. All the hardy stuff!

 

If you skipped the meat and grew your own organic veg, it would be MUCH cheaper.

 

Exactly. Our surplus (a result of living well within our means for many years) has been invested.

 

What? In AMERICA? In 2018?

I know of people who live many miles from the nearest neighbour, much less grocery store. They manage.

 

Offering it is one thing (and the right thing) - whether people take it is another.

 

Sure there is. Plenty of self-made people out there. But for every one who is ambitious (and ambition is just the driving emotion, the real deal is the work needed to realise it), there are ten who aren't. Or perhaps a thousand.