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The Federal Government claims that a family
of four earning $18,810 a year is living in poverty. So I ask myself, how do
you budget that amount? What do you leave out? How far will it go?
Last year the number of Americans living in
poverty rose for the third consecutive year. Statistics in the U.S. has
grown by more than 4 million with the Midwest and South seeing the greatest
increases, and Asian Americans the largest group.
It seems that opportunities for families
living in poverty are dwindling. Last year more than two million American
jobless workers had been out of work for half a year or more - this was the
highest level in twenty years according to the Center on Budget and
Policy Priorities. Forty percent of single working moms hand over half
of their paycheck for childcare... how can they possibly survive this way?
And what is the answer?
Do you believe that most people could get out
of the poverty-pit if they only had a job? Well that statement is false!
Nearly two-thirds living in poverty are children, and the elderly with fixed
or no income.
Yes Indeed! There really was such a thing as
a Poorhouse; it was not something made up by parents like a boogeyman. It
was meant to frighten you into saving your money and spending it wisely. In
the 1800s, County Poorhouses dotted the United States. We don't have
Poorhouses today, unless you want to count the cardboard shelters and soup
kitchens that the homeless depend on.
Here we are in 2005 and we finally have the
resources, knowledge and opportunity to end this shameful situation. Most
Americans believe the Federal Government has a responsibility to alleviate
poverty. But a more realistic solution lies with willing citizens to take up
the cause and help one family escape from poverty. This is not as
inconvenient or as laborious as you might think.
I viewed a story produced by a Rev. Dr. Riley
ministering in one of the poorest communities in Texas. It was his sincere
wish and hope that his entire congregation be blessed by gifts and learn to
live the Law of Abundance. I was so impressed with his complete success that
I began to duplicate it in my own home state. He has proven that what you
give in life will come back many times over.
Rev. Riley put it best.... "Come and catch
the spirit of giving".
© 2005 Esther Smith
About
the Author: Smith has published numerous articles and writes a blog for
all artists:
http://the-self-taught-artist.com/blog.html
She also coaches new students on how to leave the time-for-money trap and set up
Leveraged Income for life.
http://thepermanentventure.com/dcc.htm If you can’t sing or ride a
bull, you better learn how to make your money work for more money.
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