Eat the rich, Hate the poor

Something occured to me today in the lunchroom while I was nuking a veggie burger and having a casual conversation with a fellow coworker. Ok, well actually, Ive known this for a very long time, but its one of those things that still kind of blows you away when you hear someone say it. So, anyhow, were making conversation and of course the subject turns to the economy, as Im sure it is in any similar situation. In this conversation, my coworker asked me who I voted for, and I have no problem telling him, because I personally think that being shy about what you believe is silly. I told him I voted for Nader, and I thought that it was pretty clear that he had voted for Obama, based largely in part by the bumper stickers on his car. So, we get to talking about things that Obama is going to have to face, and I start the conversation with my dissapointment in his staffing choices, largely due to the fact that I think weve had Clinton once, and who needs that again, and he kind of agrees. Then we talk about the proposed billions to the automotive industry, and how that isnt going to really change anything, just sort of puts a bandaid on it. And then, in this small talk exchange he says that what our country needs to do is "end welfare". And Im thinking because of the topic of the conversation that he is speaking of corporate welfare, to which I agree wholeheartedly. However, I quickly learn that this isnt the case. He then goes on to say that it sucks how much money we give to people that dont need it, and that welfare is a scam, and people can get jobs, etc. This hits me pretty quick, and luckily the microwave alerts me with a loud beep that my veggie burger is done. This signals the end of the conversation.

So anyhow, the statements that were made really bothered the shit out of me, because I realized that I am somewhat guilty of a typical ignorance from time to time. The truth of the matter is, America hates its poor. Over the years, we have been so programmed to despise the poor that we let stereotypes control the way that we feel about them. Of course there are some people that abuse the welfare system. Does it costs us as much as it does when the automakers do? Hardly.. Also, not every struggling person in this country is doing so because they are lazy, in fact, thats not the case at all. Yet, weve been made to assume it. When my band played our first show back a month or so ago, one of the bands playing before us went on a tirade about how " when people on the street ask for change, I give em a McDonalds application". I wanted to let this guy know that he probably wasnt smart enough to work a McGreasetrap, though he looked like he had slept in one.. But thats here nor there. Anyhow, I hear shit like this all the time. Sure, there are some people that ask for change because they just want some fucking change. Then there are people like the gentleman I met on the streets of uptown Clifton a few years ago. It pains me that I forget his name, but Im not entirely sure he ever gave it to me. I was playing a show at Sudsy Malones, and I was standing outside in between bands, more than likely breathing beer fumes and huffing on a cigerette. An older man approached me, and he said that he didnt want anything from me, but that he was having a hard time and would appreciate it if I would just keep him some company. He was a Vietnam veteran, and was injured in the war. He came back home at the time and started drinking heavily(he actually scolded me for drinking) and became very addicted to alcohol and pain killers. He had a son, who he admitted he didnt treat very well, mainly because of the drugs and booze. Now his son wants nothing to do with him, and he doesnt even know how to get ahold of him. He said that he had heard that he had a grandson, but he knew he would never be allowed to come near him. He said that he had been on the streets for years, and drifts from city to city out of desperation. I listened to him, and I really didnt say a word because I know that he wanted me to listen. Of course this kind of story is what some would say is expected; a sob story from a panhandler that just wants your money. Ive met those people, but Im a trusting man and I dont judge people based off of stereotypes. I wasnt sure if he was telling me the truth or not. At that minute, he proved it to me, at least in my eyes. He pulled out a tattered wallet and showed me pics of him and some of his buddys from the Vietnam war. He also showed me a picture of his son, a child at the time. The picture was so worn out that I could hardly make it out. Now, this could have been a hoax too, why not. However, right around then someone yelled from the open door that it was time for me to start loading on the stage. At that time he asked me my name, shook my hand, thanked me, and continued on into the cold night. I ask myself if there was more I could have done, but I truly believe that he just wanted to vent his story. If he was shitting me then wouldnt he have wanted something more than just my company for 10 minutes? I sure think so.

I think about this from time to time, and its sickening to think that men and women all over this nation of ours are living on the streets like this. Sure, some are out the door because of booze, other drugs, others mental illness, etc, etc. I dont fucking care how they got there, personally. I know that alot of people fear the homeless, and simply tolerate the poor. However, it could happen to anyone, and we always need to remember that. There comes a time in every man and womans life that they need help, be it emotional, physical or otherwise, and everyone needs someone to be there. Alot of people dont have that, and our best response is to lock our car windows at stop signs and joke about McDonalds applications?

How dare we think these thoughts!

However, everyone has to have an enemy. In the average joe's world, that enemy has to be one that you can see, smell, hear and be annoyed by in the line at the grocery store. Yes, that would be the poor. And weve not only pitted the middle class and the rich against the poor, but the poor against the poorer. The low income working class person that I was speaking to earlier today thinks that the biggest problem in this country is the fact that we have a welfare system. Why? BEcause hes angry! People are pissed off and they want to have something or someone to take it out on, and you sure as hell arent going to be in the posistion to slug Rick Wagoner Jr anytime soon. So what do we do? We lash out at the poor.

The poor dont have it easy either. Everyone is shitting on them, even the guy down the street thats only a tad bit less poor. This is where everyones favorite long haired white asshole in sandals comes into play; yes, Mr. Jesus Christ. When you are desperate, you need answers, and you need a reason to wake up and face the day. Enter religion, and in this rant, Christianity. You ever drive through the most poor areas of a city? Youll find churches in every run down, failed building that used to be a family business. These places pop up out of complete and utter desperation. When you live like some of these people, you cant accept that this is it. This is why the poor are so close to God. And who can blame them? And these churches are making it worse with every Sunday morning sermon. "This is a test!! IN N HEAVEN WE WILL PROSPER!" These falls hopes keep beaming smiles on the faces of the poor. These beliefs keep them rooted in their situation with the false hope that the party in the sky will all be worth it. How sad. At the same time, little other things tend to get thrown into the mix. For instance, "family values". They are taught to love, but not those that the people pulling the puppet strings wouldnt want them to. They become the foreground of the wars that are waged in front of womens clinics. And they dont care, because this is their reason to live.

Of course, I am generalizing, and a bit stereotyping. However, its very scary how easy it is to manipulate the underpriviledged of this country and pit them against each other while the people at the top continue to push their agenda on them and force them to carry it out under the false premise of faith of love.

And yet, we dont even notice, because we are so appaulled by the guy asking us for change. How dare he do that! WHAT DID HE DO FOR ME?

Well, he may have taken a bullet, 30 years ago, never to be the same again.

But youll never know that because youll never stop to talk to him.

The moral in my longwinded rant is that sometimes you learn alot about the world simply by taking the time to talk to the people around you. Sometimes, youll learn alot about yourself in the process....