But the economy has taken its toll on cities like Melbourne, and we don't hear many of their stories on the evening news. Alicia Rapp, the minister of the UCC church where Greg learned the pastoral ropes, is featured in Newsweek's My Turn column this week. In "Dinner for Eight," she explains how very different people bond when faced with a common circumstance:
One family is now on food stamps, largely due to a son's special needs; another is living on a disability check. One couple is in danger of losing its home to foreclosure, while a second family is living off its home, mortgaged to the teeth to pay for college and, now, groceries. A young man who has struggled up from the misery of an impoverished childhood is frustrated to find that his sparkling new medical certification—acquired with the help of $35,000 in student loans—is practically worthless in this job market. A brilliant, midcareer engineer, living for the last decade in a gated community, is startled to find he can't provide for his family. Not one of us is eligible for unemployment benefits. We are not counted in the monthly statistics cited on television. We are the new poor.
The new poor are in Melbourne, and in West Michigan. Keep them in your prayers.
I understand, not to this extent, the pain the 'new poor' is going through just from a teenagers POV. My sister is losing her job, my dad worried about being laid off, and my mom is suffereing from back injuries. My parents are saving up and preparing for the worse. I feel like I should help them but there's not much a 17 yr old can do except go to school. Which is exactly what I'm losing sleep over. I'm trying to take so many AP classes I can begin college at a sohpmore level so my parents don't have to pay that extra year. I'm also busting my butt finding private scholarships. I just believe there are small happenings that ease the hardships, I just have to work to find them and once I do, I have to work to make it happen. And believe me, looking in some places I don't want to is the hardest.
ReplyDeleteI believe this will become more and more common in West Michigan. Just over hearing my parents conversation, I realize how difficult the economy really is. Both my parents are school teachers and both stress about not being on contracts. Although I am very lucky to have two parents with great jobs to support my family. I feel sorry for all those that are apart of this "new poor". You will be in my family's prayers.
ReplyDeleteKelly Stevens
1st hour AP Language
I know that this is happening all over not just West Michigan but all over the country. Just turning on the news is depressing because you hear about the horrible economy.My mom is thinking about finding a new job because with the job she has now she can barely pay the bills.I am thankful my parents can pay the bills and I too feel sorry for the new poor. They deserve better.
ReplyDeleteKelly Roth
1st Hour AP Lang.
This article(excerpt) is really eye-opening.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I've always known that Michigan's economy is going down the tubes and has been for a while, and I've known that the U.S is in debt and the economy isn't a great as it could be, but this article really was interesting.
I don't want to say it's shocking, but it kind of is to see that in Florida this "new poor" stuff is happening, not just in Michigan.
The whole idea of "new poor" is just mind-boggling. The idea of people not being able to survive or not being able to pay for simple things yet not being able to apply for welfare is just something I've never been able to fathom and this article just really sheds light on the problem.
Your family, and every other family in America, will be in my thoughts and prayers. =)
I can say that I've experienced a small amount of this with certainty. Father possibly out of a job (works with car parts, see), mother barely making ends meet. And the calls, so many calls from whatever collectors. I've learned to be hesitant and screen calls often.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time our cupboards are practically bare. Had a cup of hot cocoa and some Dr. Pepper this morning, to give you an idea.
Don't take this the wrong way! What I'm doing is pointing out the troubles, not inciting pity or anything like that. Listen. What you've got to do is find something valuable you can use your time for. Read, doodle, take a walk, ride your bike -- fill your time up. It's more valuable an asset than any money you'll ever come across, so don't kill it!
I can certainly see where these people are coming from. It’s hard to believe our economy has hit rock bottom like it has in the recent years. With GM and other major car companies also facing the rough reality that they may have to close down, the “new poor” will definitely grow in number which is very sad and unfortunate. I can’t imagine many people will stick around without jobs… so, to those last few jobless citizens leaving Michigan, don’t forget to turn out the lights.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly see where these people are coming from. It’s hard to believe our economy has hit rock bottom like it has in the recent years. With GM and other major car companies also facing the rough reality that they may have to close down, the “new poor” will definitely grow in number which is very sad and unfortunate. I can’t imagine many people will stick around without jobs… so, to those last few jobless citizens leaving Michigan, don’t forget to turn out the lights.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie Roerig
1st Hour AP Lang.
I like how the AP Lang students put their names up with their comments.
ReplyDeleteThey're going for that extra credit, eh?
I'm not so shocked hearing about the "new poor". Since the economy has been dumped down the drain, people who were solidly set in the middle class are even having trouble making simple ends meet. Granted, it's upsetting to hear about this, but you wonder how many of these "new poor" cases are due to people spending their money on useless items, rather than food.
Prayers are definitely needed for them, though.
Having read the article I see the faces of the people Rev. Rapp is talking about. These are my friends. I never knew it was this tough. Too many people fear talking about personal finances in this world. Too many people fear asking for help and fall farther into the depths of financial despair and hopelessness. Those of us who may be more fortunate are left to discover where help is needed and, hopefully, respond. I hope the youth of LLL will respond with me. Let's provide a few "dinners for 8."
ReplyDeleteThis article is just another in a long line of realizations about these hard times. This same thing is happening to my family, but it just seems like us as americans are trying so desperately trying to hold on to the same lifestyle. While very few of us now-a-days can afford it. I mean isnt part of the problem in this whole mess.... trying to live beyond our means. Now living like this in america today may be a necessity to go farther, but living a higher life than we can afford also seems like a problem...
ReplyDeleteCharlie Young
1st Hour AP lang
What else can be said that hasn't? Yeah our economy is struggling to stand on its own feet and yeah it is having a devasting effect on many people nationwide. I guess the question is how do we fix this?
ReplyDeleteSara Nagy