Why Poverty?
“You will always have the poor with you.”
Poverty affects everyone. (Photo 1)
Before I sat down to write this post, I spent a lot of time thinking, asking questions and doing research on the “whys” of poverty. Most of what I read, heard or saw made me angry.
When you think about it, we are living in the most advanced times (medical, technological and intellectual prowess) in human history and we still cannot find a way to take care of the basic needs of people.
This does not make sense to me. There is nothing that can rightly justify poverty, but I will speculate on my reasons of why we will always have the poor with us.
Our own foolish choices.
I handle most problems by focusing on the root of an issue, not the symptom, and I find myself in the Garden of Eden, the once home of Adam and Eve.
From my reading of the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were provided with a place to live, plenty of food to eat and they lacked nothing. It wasn’t until after their choosing to disobey that this sentence was handed down:
To Adam he said, ‘Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ ‘Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life… Genesis 3:16-17, 19. In my eyes, this is when Adam and Eve (and future mankind) became poor. They went from having all of their needs being met to being dismissed from their home and having to provide for themselves.
I guess I could compare this relationship to that of a parent and child. As minors, when we are under our parents roof and rules, we experience a certain amount of protection or benefits. When we remove ourselves from under their guidance and experience, well woe. Sometimes because of choices we make, we experience poverty at our own hands.
There is no excuse for this. (Photo 2)
Another reason why I think poverty exists today is because there will always be someone to take advantage of poor people.
We can look at the current worldwide economic situation and see the effects of greed and corruption.
If you live in an urban community you might see check cashing centers, pay-day loans, lottery, rent-to-own and pawn shops sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. The interest rate and penalties alone for doing business at such place are oppressive enough. These places prey on the misfortunes of the poor and are bleeding people to the point of desperation and hopelessness!
For thousands of years, mankind has, through many efforts (FreeRice.com, EndPovertyBlog.org and United National General Assembly, etc.) tried to win the war on poverty but have been unsuccessful. Do you see any hope to the end of poverty? Will the poor always be with us? If you haven’t blogged about poverty on your blog, please share your views or solutions to this growing problem. Since this post is a part of Blog Action Day, I will not be responding to the comments, but I will leave the comment section open should you care to leave one. Thanks for reading.
Photo 1 by azem
Photo 2 by neweldorado
In: Food, Social Issues · Tagged with: Poverty
on October 15, 2008 at 6:34 am
Permalink
I feel like crying.
on October 15, 2008 at 8:35 am
Permalink
Why do people always try to take advantage of others?
Is this really the root cause of poverty?
And if it is, what can we do about it?
I like your post. I think you make a good point here but it just gets me more upset. I’ve read a half dozen poverty posts today and I haven’t found any real answers to erase poverty for good. There are things we can do. But what can we do about selfish and greedy people who take advantage of the poor and downtrodden?
Chase March´s last blog post..Poverty in Schools
on October 15, 2008 at 9:43 am
Permalink
Poverty will exist as long as there are those who feel that they should have more than their share of all the resources and goods on this planet. As long as those in power go into other regions to rape and drain those areas and people of what is considered most valuable until these lands and people are bled dry and turned desperate, poverty will continue to exist. Many of the “civilized” “first world” countries were built upon and continue to thrive by these tactics.
As for why there exists a poor class here in America, where I live, well, that’s a blueprint of society that was laid down long ago; the institution of classes. There has to be an upper class and then, therefore, a lower one, even if you have to go and create one. Once again, the people who govern and have the lion’s share of money and power create and help facilitate this state of being, by making sure that the rules of the game are not equal on both sides. You know what I mean… you see it everyday.
Now, to be honest, there is a segment of folks that are poor because they just don’t try to do anything to improve the state of their life. They just accept being in the lowest of conditions, and learn to just get along because that’s easier than working hard and being ambitious. In some cases, it’s really not society’s fault that these people don’t make it….it’s their own.
But, to sum it up, yes, poverty and a poorer class will always exist. It’s like the yin and yang of this planet, and there are those who will do what they can to insure that things remain this way.
The Fitness Diva´s last blog post..Top Fitness Tips
on October 15, 2008 at 9:48 am
Permalink
I think poverty is caused by powerful groups of people motivated by greed and need to stay in power. The very people who could do the most about it certainly don’t want to change it, because it benefits them.
Where do these action days come from? I’m always seeing them after they’ve here (or past).
Dot´s last blog post..Weeping Willow
on October 15, 2008 at 10:32 am
Permalink
People are poor because of the way they think. Period.
Now the root cause of this, there are so many variations. Environment, the way they grew up, parents, self image, etc.
But if they could somehow change their thinking, then they could change their bank account.
PaulsHealthBlog´s last blog post..Sarah Palin Speaks at East Carolina University
on October 15, 2008 at 10:37 am
Permalink
Natural: There will always be people who try to take advantage of others. But there are also people who will try to help. In my blog post for Blog Action Day I wrote about Muhammad Yunus. He saw how loan sharks took advantage of the poor in Bangladesh, effectively preventing them from ever making enough money to live in any sort of dignity. He then started a bank which gives micro-loans to the poor. Over 100 million people have benefited from these loans. That being said, when I read data that says that over 1 billion people are living on less than $1.00 a day, I couldn’t even move.
Marelisa´s last blog post..Eradicating Poverty Through Human Ingenuity – Blog Action Day 2008
on October 15, 2008 at 11:55 am
Permalink
I don’t think you can point to any one issue and say that it is the cause of poverty. There are several factors that seem to contribute more than others, strong taking advantage of the week, war, education, lack of opportunity.
John Edwards´s last blog post..Baltimore Real Estate
on October 15, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Permalink
Poverty exist because we have rich people and rich countries. The world has enough resources but we just don’t know how to share. We want more than what we need.
Chris´s last blog post..The Morning Ride
on October 15, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Permalink
wonderfully written, well thought out post.
meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..Happy 1st Birthday…To My Nephew M.D.W.
on October 15, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Permalink
We have seen a nation of proud, hard working people stripped of everything, including their pride. Worse than that, they were stripped of all hope. In fact they became resigned to their fate. This happened in WWII, but it shows us that it is never as easy as we may think, for the poor to improve their situation. They become resigned to their fate, as they see it.
There will always be poor people. Greed will make sure of that. Most of us suffer at the hands of greed in a small way. But some suffer far more.
Babs – beetle´s last blog post..Ducks, ducks, everywhere ducks!
on October 15, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Permalink
I agree. It makes me angry too. Those photos of hungry kids – there’s absolutely no way to justify it.
on October 15, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Permalink
Hi Valerie. I’ve read quite a few posts now for this Blog Action Day. I’m starting to think there is no “cure” for poverty as long as people and money exist. Poverty is a human condition in the mind and the way money is handled is the symptom of something deeper; a loss of connection with the Self and with others, and not recognizing that we are all connected. It’s about not taking responsibility for Self and others and money seems to have become the scapegoat.
It pisses me off when I see people being taken advantage of, especially those who are already vulnerable. I can’t stand to see people sitting homeless on the streets begging for money. I can’t stand to think “what if this were me?” and sit hopeless not knowing what to do about this (and secretly feeling glad that it isn’t me).
It seems like we are trying to fill a bucket one drop at a time and there is a “whole” in the bucket. I’m thinking now of ideas about how I can help out as per some suggestions given at OnSimplicity.net
Davina´s last blog post..Blog Action: Pass The Change, Be The Change
on October 15, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Permalink
“the most advanced times (medical, technological and intellectual prowess)”
Ware are advanced technologically, but in terms of spiritually – humanity has a lot to be desired.
Sometimes poverty is the outcome of poor choices. Other times, corrupt leadership. The list can go on and on, as to the whys of it existing.
I don’t know if poverty will ever be lifted from the world. I sincerely hope so, though. I think all of us should make an effort to chip away at it; this being the case even if we can’t fully eradicate it.
I remain hopeful that one day, it will no longer be a scenario in our world.
Bamboo Forest´s last blog post..7 Paths to Excessive Wealth
on October 15, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Permalink
Wow, great thoughts & opinions. It makes me angry and sad to hear and see poverty. There is no excuse for it. It should be a crime. Maybe that’s an idea?? Poverty begins with lack of education and is passed down from generation to generation. It isn’t necessarily that people want to live that way, sometimes they don’t know there is another way. I agree also that greed spreads poverty. This subject just ticks me off.
BloggerNewbie´s last blog post..Blog Action Day – Poverty
on October 15, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Permalink
well, i must say poverty is just a mindset. it changes with ones thinking. when we think more of wealth, we will bring it more about us, and vice versa. anyways, the post was so well written. keep up the good work.
jaky´s last blog post..Pure form of happiness
on October 16, 2008 at 12:44 am
Permalink
I wish I had the answers. Poverty is terribly sad and I wish that I knew how to change it. I started crying when I saw those pictures of those children.
on October 16, 2008 at 1:07 am
Permalink
Thank you for sharing at Bonoriau. Poverty is world system. Poverty will be exist forever as long we have rich people BUT the most important the level of poverty must be improve not decline. The politician make it worse because they can make use this society for their purpose to achieve the target. Not many politician really work hard to improve the system to change the community landscape. I’m really want to see a change especially in my country.
on October 16, 2008 at 7:22 am
Permalink
Great post. I participated in Blog Action Day also. Well done Natural
Roschelle´s last blog post..Bill Maher’s Religulous…watch out for lightning bolts!
on October 16, 2008 at 7:53 am
Permalink
Neale Donald Walsch presents a solution on how to end poverty in book 2 of his “Conversations With God” series.
I believe it’s possible.
Human kind will reach that state where everyone will be equal.
Peace all, and good health!…
Leo (Healthy Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle)´s last blog post..Health Tip #89: Stop your sugar cravings by brushing your teeth
on October 16, 2008 at 8:52 am
Permalink
Hi Val… nice read… proverty is as old as the book of Genesis… and just like the book of Genesis… it’s here to stay. Is there a solution, i doubt it.. but if we (the human race) continue to “feed my sheep” then we are way ahead of the game and the Word goes forth… for that one homeless person you give a bed to, or buy a cup of coffee for, may very well be the Lord Jesus Christ. I am know that “feed my sheep” isn’t always about “food” and I know that spiritual food is also needed… show me a country where there is no poverty at all.. and I’ll show you HEAVEN….levels are a way of life… some are richer than others, some are poorer than others… we who have must share with those who don’t. Cause if the truth be known, many of us who don’t consider ourselves as “poor” are probably just a paycheck away from the “poor house”. Just my opinion.
Keep up the wonderful “blogs” that you put out.
on October 16, 2008 at 10:01 am
Permalink
It all boils down to one word…selfishness. We just don’t care enough to work together to make sure that “not one more person” dies due to hunger or malnutrition. Then the next level would be to make sure they had a means to provide for themselves. But as you know, some of them are no longer in the right frame of mind to do ANYTHING constructive.
Jacqueline´s last blog post..Shenea Winston Joins The Network
on October 17, 2008 at 12:58 am
Permalink
Hi Natural
My understanding of the story of Adam and Eve, from things I have read, is that with mankind’s decision to eat from the tree of knowledge, we were putting our logical (knowledge) mind ahead of our inner guidance, or intuition – which is why we were chucked out (or chucked ourselves out) of the Garden.
We can restore health (eg cure poverty) by following that inner gudance again – in practice for me this means training myself to always follow my intuition – then the effect spreads so other people do too.
I know its a bit esoteric, but I think the world’s woes can be cured this way – that’s how I think of it, anyway.
Robin´s last blog post..Galaxy For Blog Action
on October 17, 2008 at 8:36 am
Permalink
I have grown to love and appreciate your blog, so I have chosen you for an award. You can find it over at my blog. I hope you like it.
on October 17, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Permalink
I so agree with you. I have been pondering this over the last year and came to the conclusion that I cannot save the world but I’d do my part. And I’d try to influence the people within my circle to also do their part. Especially in my country where material wealth seem to be the only sign of success, people are just spending and spending and spending on fruitless stuff. Stuff they do not need at all. Exorbitant stuff that cost the same to feed 5000 children. It is mind boggling.
Big Pumpkin´s last blog post..Astro Channel 313 TVB8 – who has this?
on October 17, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Permalink
Hi..I am new here… your page got my attention to stop and read your poverty topic…yes…it’s too sad that greedy and powerful people are the ones who discriminate those who are needy…instead of helping they abuse people. Sometimes people are not contented of what they have…they create something to make them more powerful which affects the lives of others. In reality, we are all equal, all of us are striving and struggling to have a better life…but because of the circumstances around us, in our environment, in our country, we’re affected, its too sad that our fellow brothers and sisters suffers in poverty. Hope and pray that rich people will get look at the poor people and extend their hands to them, to offer them a good education and help them to understand the beauty of life…it’s not too late to help…
on October 18, 2008 at 8:31 am
Permalink
Very well thought out post. I think you got most of it right. As far as answers, I wish I had some but I’m too busy trying to keep ahead myself.
Preston´s last blog post..The SITS Photoshop Contest Makes My Chocolate Contest Look Bogus!
on October 18, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Permalink
Yes…like everything else in humanity, it boils down to insecurity. Someone needs big, fancy things to boost their ego, so others starve to appease them, directly or not. Sickening & saddening.
Lana´s last blog post..Etc. New Orleans Shots, Oct. 13th.
on October 19, 2008 at 10:29 am
Permalink
Poverty is not something that God gave or that God will take away, it’s something that mankind is responsible for learning about (like through your blog post), it’s an awareness.
There are many reasons for poverty; Government, drugs, alcohol, gambling, mental illness, to name but a few. You showed photographs of two very different scenarios, one is poverty the other is starvation – they are very different. Poverty is man made, starvation is world made.
This is a huge topic that we could (and should) discuss for years, there is no immediate fix but there are fixes when we are ready to look the problems head on.
on October 20, 2008 at 7:35 am
Permalink
Paul, not everyone can solve their impoverished disposition with a simple change of thought. That is sadder to read than the post.
on October 20, 2008 at 11:24 am
Permalink
Very sad…a very well written post.
on October 20, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Permalink
Putting “poverty” and “why” into the same sentence can be misleading. Your post provides an excellent example of what YOU consider poverty to be. Many do – or have – not. I get the sense that “imposing Western standards of wealth” is frequently confused with poverty.
PaulsHealthBlog’s comment was a good example of what concerns me when one tries to deal with the issue of “poverty.” I don’t like to “flame” people, so I will not start now. I will say only that increasing what one has in the bank has to do with wealth – not poverty.
The two are NOT opposites. Perhaps if those children lying on the floor “thought better,” rather than about safety, food, clothing and shelter, poverty would end? I somehow doubt it…
You wrote a beautiful, thoughtful post, down to an appropriate Biblical reference where the punishment is “toiling” for man and “painful birth” for women. Well done!
Rita
on October 21, 2008 at 7:37 am
Permalink
i do believe that it is an integral part of all of us to look out for our fellow man as our Savior does for us and so that is a given but certainly in this country politics and big business have become way more important than the mnimum wage and giving to our own…not handouts but pure kindness….purity is somehow gone…
sandy k´s last blog post..One Giant Leap for Acorn Kind (the good one)
on October 21, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Permalink
I wrote two separate posts on poverty for different blogs because I felt it was an important enough topic to discuss. The main thing about poverty is that most of us have seen it somewhere, even if we tried not to. It always begs the question “why doesn’t someone help these people”. Well, sometimes, it just has to be us.
Mitch´s last blog post..Blog Action Day – Poverty
on October 21, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Permalink
I didn’t write anything for Blog Action day, because I doubted I could say anything worthwhile and profound — as you did. Thank you so much for writing this. I wish I had some answers. Awareness is one step, but realizing that each one of us can make even a small but important difference is, to me, the main step. We all think it’s “someone else’s” problem or that we alone can’t really do anything to make an impact. But if we each did something, no matter how small, I think we could make a difference. Thanks again for writing about this.
JD at I Do Things´s last blog post..I Know Fred so you don’t have to
on October 23, 2008 at 10:30 am
Permalink
[...] seems to be an attitude that the homeless are “bums” and that being poor is a state of mind. (I want to make it clear that these comments do not necessarily reflect the point of views of the [...]
on October 27, 2008 at 4:17 am
Permalink
Hi, Give something to help those hungry people from Africa and India,
I added this blog about this subject:
on http://tinyurl.com/5qlbzs
on October 28, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Permalink
What a deep philosophical post ! Very moving indeed. I think we all can play a part in reducing poverty by making small contributions to may be one or two organizations at a time. If we all collectively work together, we can ensure the whole world is rid of poverty. This post has made me think more about the goodness I already have. Thank you so much.
Raj Krishnaswamy´s last blog post..Thermal Spray Credit
on November 11, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Permalink
I don’t see poverty as a binary thing, in that it’s not a simple ‘have poverty’ or ‘have not’. It’s more like a percentage, no matter what, you will never have zero poverty. What can be done is working with the percentage, increase or decrease poverty. That said, IMO, the number one cause of poverty is corruption. Eliminating corruption is almost impossible too so that’s the way it is, we have to live with poverty.