posted on September 3, 2005 07:38:17 PM new
I lived in New Orleans from 1989-1999,in Uptown area within walking distance to Tulane University campus,the RITE AID store which was looted,I know where it is.
I will be very candid-there are many poor people in New Orleans,black and white and cajun.
Many live in section 8 housing,the local utility companies pay their bills every 6 months and they get a break from the local telephone company as well.
Many poor single women have children,they get welfare aids for themselves and for their kids-money and food stamps and medical assistance,and when you have a few kids and your kids have kids,it can add up to a bundle of govt $$ every month.
GOvt aids is a double edge sword,we become complacent as we know the checks will arrive on time and never bounce,when this month check is spent,there will be another one coming next month.
These people do not save,why should they?
If they have managed to save for rainy days,they would have a sizable amount to buy or lease a car and plan the great escape,and enough money to stay in a motel for a few days.
Of course social issues are never simple,if they know enough to save for rainy day,they may even go to school and acquire a skill and get off welfare!
Every one loves to come to BIG EASY for that jazz,the food,the french quarter,even the hot sticky weather,they know they will enjoy their stay and then they will leave ,it is not their problem,in fact the poverty and the racial divide is part of the attraction of the city.
Most of the whites are not rich ,many are not even well off and no one sends them a check every month,they have to hustle and they do it poorly.
So how do they plan their great escape?with their car which is not paid off and with a credit card !
Here is the irony or the key to a better life-the privilege of being a member of the educated middleclass-leveraging your credit and knowhow to a better life,of getting a car with a car loan,getting a credit card so you can spend now and pay later,of dressing and acting the part so you are accepted everywhere you go-Hyatt,Best Western etc.
So now everyone feels sorry for the folks trapped in the city,they are going to raise money by singing??yeah,another middle class trick,let them eat cake!!
WILL SOME ONE TELL CELINE DION TO SHUT UP?SHE IS SINGING NOW ON CNN LARRY KING LIVE !!
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
