Are the poor useful for the society in any way?

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   Goodpalposted 12 years ago

   Are the poor useful for the society in any way?
   
   Is it that Poverty and the Poor are mere burden on the society? Do they serve any meaningful purpose?

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      gmwilliamsposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      The poor are really considered......fodder for use.  The poor are useful for mass labor, mass soldier power, & mass incarceration.

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   wilbury4posted 12 years ago

   I am not rich, nor am I poor but I do respect everyone as a human being. I don't class myself as better than, nor do I feel that I have more meaning than any poor person.
   Some choose their position, probably most need help, I wouldn't say they are burden on society and practically everything/everybody has a meaningful purpose.

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   lorlie6posted 12 years ago

   Hi Goodpal-great question.  The condition of the poor who have no or few resources are in some cases not of their individual making.  Often they have fallen victim to economic/social ills that they have little or no control over.  We who have these 'resources' often aren't aware how close we may be to joining their ranks.
   As to their purpose in life, who are we to judge such things?  We human beings serve unknown functions, and hopefully are able to follow our individual dreams.
   Burdens are in the eyes of the beholders-and certainly this is a problem, but the karma in helping them in whatever capacity must be considered.

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   Ashantinaposted 12 years ago

   We all contribute in different ways through work/economy, family, ethics, values/morals, ideas and on and on.
   EVERYBODY is useful to society!!! And every single human being [regardless of the superficial label you place aka 'poor'!!!] deserves respect just for being human.

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   stclairjackposted 12 years ago

   poor is a word that is open to interpretation,... poor in finance is not always poor in sprit,... the truth is that we cannot all be financialy well off,.... any more than we can all be blond blue eyed super models,.... all pieces of the machine must be in place for it to work properly,... the problemis not that we have members of our collective human family that might be less financialy secure than others,... but that we have devalued thier existance based simply on monetary standard.

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   Wayne Brownposted 12 years ago

   I think the answer to that depends heavily on how you define the term "poor".  I have known many people who live at or below the poverty line in terms of income.  Regardless, many of these people are hard-working and willing to do their part.  Their education or possibly even physical ability may limit their ability to make a significant amount of money but it does not speak to their value as a function of society.  Those are are living in poverty who are able to work yet not willing are a different story entirely.  This is a group of people who actually believe that they can get "free" things like money from the government when in actuality they are really just stealing from you and I as taxpayers.  Many government policies and programs tend to perpetuate this mindset thus I doubt we will ever overcome it as a society.  WB

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   feenixposted 12 years ago

   The truth is the vast majority of poor people go to work every day, pay taxes and make a wide range of contributions to the well-being and advancement of U.S. society.
   
   For example, I am poor but, in no way, am I a burden to society, and that is because I am not on any government programs, I do not receive any assistance from charities and every penny of the income I receive is earned by me.
   
   In summation, most of the poor people in the U.S. do not fit the stereotype. They are not such things as lazy bums on welfare, unkempt homeless individuals and aimless drifters.

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   Kamalesh050posted 12 years ago

   Everyone is useful to the society .  It really does not matter whether the person is rich or poor.  We should remember that most of the poor are not poor by choice of their own. A person who is rich today can be poor tomorrow, can't he ? We must not consider the poor as burden but have love and respect for them as human.

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   cooldadposted 12 years ago

   This is an interesting question and a very difficult one.  There are many different ways to define poor.  I guess it depends if you are speaking solely about financial status.  I think all people serve a purpose on this planet, whether rich or poor.  I think it's a bit sad that there cultural separations based on money, but I'm afraid it will always be that way.  Good question

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    ajuvrposted 12 years ago

    any way the set up is at the disposal of God almighty, we seldom know about.

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    haikutwinkleposted 12 years ago

    I find this quote below to be relevant to your question.
    
    My greatest challenge has been to change the mindset of people. Mindsets play strange tricks on us. We see things the way our minds have instructed our eyes to see. (Quote by Muhammad Yunus, Founder of Grameen Bank for the poor)

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    Valemanposted 12 years ago

    As has been said, most poor people are actually working.  It is not their fault that their employers cannot find it within themselves to pay their workers a living wage.  If it were not for the huge numbers of poorly paid workers, the rich employers would not be as rich as they are.  So to an employer, a poor employee is very useful, as they put more money in their pocket.

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    KyleBearposted 12 years ago

    Every human being is special and valuable

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    mattdigiulioposted 12 years ago

    Barbara Eherenreich put it best when she said that the underpaid workers of this country are "the real philanthropists." They give their time, their work, and of themselves so that the rest can live comfortably.
    
    Another way to look at it. George Carlin put it so eloquently:
    
    "You know how I define the economic and social classes in this country? The upper class keeps all of the money, pays none of the taxes. The middle class pays all of the taxes, does all of the work. The poor are there... just to scare the **** out of the middle class. Keeps 'em showing up at those 'jobs.'"

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    Marie-AnneLeClercposted 12 years ago

    Poverty is a worldwide problem in our 'society.' If there were no 'class' -divisions, the state of poverty would Not exist. Therefore it is a problem with society itself.

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    JT Waltersposted 12 years ago

    I think the more relelvant question is whether those that have inherited wealth are of any use to society?  Poor people are oppressed and will always have function but those that have inherited wealth are the true burdens.

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    beachbuggy5posted 12 years ago

    Mother Theresa was very useful. She impacted every social status.  Everyone has a function and purpose in society and life.  Some people believe no matter who crosses our path...we may be entertaining angels unaware....that's a pretty cool thought.  It keeps me grounded.

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    JesadaBposted 12 years ago

    I usually do not answer questions like this because they make me angry and annoyed. I of course do not know if it is just the wording of your question or just the way it is stated, but to me it makes it sound as if because a person does not make "X" amount of dollars they are worthless to society.
    The only answer to this question that I can give is that if it were not for the "poor" people of this society there would not be any "wealthy" people. Almost every person I know would be considered "poor." Including myself and I may be poor "money-wise" (even though I do have a Bachelors degree) but I am rich beyond measure in friends, family, spirit and soul.
    I am also guessing that even though I do not live in a big fancy home or drive an expensive car my life is rich in many ways and the thought that anyone is useless because they are "poor" is totally ridiculous. I know people that are poor and people that have money and have found that the ones with money are poor in spirit and pay to much mind to what they have then what they can do for others.
    Hope I did not offend anyone, but this question just set something off inside me and I had to let it out. No one is a burden to society, we are all here for a purpose and if you look you will find amazing and beautiful people that we all are blessed to be among everyday.

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    Jonesy0311posted 12 years ago

    Not only are the poor useful, they are absolutely neccessary in order to keep the facade of civilization up and the wheels of the big machine turning. I don't know about you, but I'm not going to work for minimum wage or even double minimum wage. Of course, it really doesn't matter since all of those jobs are moving overseas now. So long as we have jobs that don't require an education, the lower classes will be vital to the survival of this nation. I don't look down (or up) on anyone for their socio-economic status. I don't think that money makes a person better or worse. Anyway, the short answer is that you need the poor. Now, currently our country is overcome with poverty. So we are now dealing with an inflated welfare state wherein the low class workforce is draining us. Everything in moderation.

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    someonewhoknowsposted 12 years ago

    I'm poor.Am I a burden to society?I'm only "seen" as a burden through the eyes of those who are not now - never have been or think they never will be dependent on anyone in anyway.Even billionares can be seen as a "Burden" in their own way,by using their money to the detriment of others by how they spend it.The average person even has an effect on the economy by how they spend their money.Does it make economic sense to spend money to jail someone because the law says it's illegal to be homeless?How about collecting unemployment because you can - even if you are wealthy and don't need it? The same goes for social security!

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    RandomThoughts...posted 12 years ago

    If this is strictly about money, then this is an unfortunate question. It just goes to show where the importance of money falls in relation to the richness of who we are in all other aspects. As many have said here, poor & rich can be defined in relationships, communication, health, creativity, family as well as money.
    
    I for one have friends with and without money. There may be less stress as far as bill paying, but my friends with money tend to be workaholics...not that all are. They tend to lack time for self care, friendships and other creative outlets.
    
    I used to define myself by my career until I left it and had a child. Then I defined myself as a mother and someone who didn't make money. Now, with time, I have a broader sense of who I am with or without money.
    
    Everyone I know contributes to society in so many ways. My friend has been a teacher of special needs kids going on 20+ years. She is not rich and at times can't make ends meet. She is USEFUL to society.
    
    Good question to shed light on what is really important here.

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    onegoodwomanposted 12 years ago

    Is this meant to be taken at face value?   I find it quite insulting!
    
    In all of my travels, this has prevailed......................
    
    need help.............ask a "poor person"........they know the value of struggle, need, the value of being a neighbor........
    
    
    "poor" is not a contagious disease, and I leave here, with a "poor" opinion of you.

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    Erin Braxtonposted 12 years ago

    I think everyone in society serves a purpose. I've definitely been seeing some hard times, lately, as a small business owner living on the west coast, but does that make me a burden to society?  Look what the rich did to the economy that ultimately effected society by putting people out of work and driving them further down the socioeconomic latter. 
    
    For me, poor and poverty stricken people cause me to think long and hard about my own situation and remain grateful for the situation that I'm in.  Most people are a paycheck away from being poor, so who are we to say?

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    woodamarcposted 12 years ago

    Everyone has purpose in life. Each one of us regardless of class in society contributes one way or the other at some point in time.  Even if a person appears to be a burden, it is then our purpose to find ways to provide a "hand up" and help those less unfortunate.  We will all experience hard times and will need a little help.

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    Julip Manorposted 12 years ago

    Jesus said, "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me"  Matthew 6:11  Whether or not you believe in the Bible, this is a fact.  The poor do serve a purpose........they allow people to come together and to care about something other than themselves.  What a senseless and selfish world it would be if all we did was work for money.

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    Joshua526posted 12 years ago

    I believe there will come a time that there will be no poor anymore in the society.
    
    Poverty is a real problem in the society, and when there is a problem, opportunities open up. If one is poor, she still has a choice to be a burden or an answer to a problem. Yes, they have limited resources, but they can also make a difference.

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    Mgbeadichie Chikeposted 12 years ago

    This is a simple question which demands a complex answer. It is because the word 'poor' could be considered from different dimensions. The question is, what is our view on the 'poor' in our society? Do we see them as the lazy people or the unfortunate? If we say they are lazy, are we as hardworking as they are? and If we say that they are unfortunate, do we consider fortune a man made gift? By this token, it is really difficult to place where the poor belong in our society. All I need to say is that, they form an intergral part of every society because they are humans just like evryone. They struggle to make ends meet; show signs of dissatisfaction with their present situation; accept challenges; and above all, they work for the alms which they recieve from the 'rich' by appealing to the sight of the rich who show sympathy to them (poor). Be that as it may, the poor are both useful to themselves as well as to the rich in the society.

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    Madeline Madisonposted 12 years ago

    Some of the most meaningful conversations I have ever had were with homeless people I encountered on the streets.  They taught me more about life and passion than anyone I've ever met.

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    muslima61posted 12 years ago

    It is the 'poor' of this world that are rich, what makes you rich is it money you are talking about, richness comes in many guises for me to be rich is to have happiness and peace, Money does not bring everything.. one may be rich in possessions but the heart can be empty..
    The rich need the poor and the poor need the rich.

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    Jennie Demarioposted 12 years ago

    i do believe that you need to define what you mean by poor..do you mean a lazy bum that cant hold down or job.. or do you mean someone struggling to get work and get by in this economy..

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    R. Andersonposted 12 years ago

    I'm sure there is a better answer than mine, but if there were no poor then how would we understand how much we have who are not poor?

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    clintonbposted 12 years ago

    There should always be balance in every thing. It can be your life, food you eat , money you earn so on. The same way there should be a balance in the society in terms of rich and poor. I mean to say poor in terms of finances. Behind every Rich guys success story there will be a poor guy. This in fact can be said in opposite way that poor guys life is good because there is rich guy behind him. This shows the balance of rich and poor life in a society. Actually this is a very complicated and hard topic debate on!

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    OneFineG467posted 12 years ago

    Give the poor a chance to get better and lets see whether they are able to retain it and grow further and contribute to the society...some might and some may not..

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    cupajoposted 12 years ago

    I think most of us are going to be poor by the time this administration gets done with us. There is only going to be the poor and the rich.
    Spreading the wealth is nothing more then taking the middle class down, and putting them with the poor.

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    hotwebideasposted 12 years ago

    I think the poor help us feel rewarded when we can help them or teach them how to make money.

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    Arlene V. Pomaposted 12 years ago

    There is nothing wrong with being poor, especially if you're trying to change the situation through hard work or are in pursuit of an education.  Why judge?

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    danfresnourbanposted 12 years ago

    Yes, the poor are useful to society. Many people are poor because they value art or charity more than worldly possessions. Some are caretakers, or new immigrants who perform difficult jobs for low pay. The reality is that it takes people from all walks of life and values to create a diverse and tolerant society.
    
    Studies show that diverse groups are more creative and less likely to be blinded by public opinion. All people are useful for society. Thank you for positing this query, it has really lead to reflection and serious consideration of the contribution of each member of society.

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    Zubair Ahmedposted 12 years ago

    Good question - and I am sure many rich people are asking the same question in this toff economic climate.
    
    I would most definitely say that the POOR and LESS fortunate in society are as valuable to the world as the rich and better off are.
    
    Unfortunately we live in a very selfish world where the rich just want to hoard all the wealth and get even richer at the expense of the poor in society.
    
    If you look around the world there are more poor people then there are rich - those that are rich are filthy rich and do not actively contribute to society unless it brings them financial gains or publicity.
    
    You may argue that the rich create jobs etc - that is a false idea, they only do things to benefit themselves nothing more or valuable as helping the poor in society.
    
    If all the rich people in the world were to really want to help the poor the world would not be in the state that it is today.  Don't take my word for it look at the statistics.
    
    Cheers
    
    Zubair

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    MammaEposted 12 years ago

    Yes. That is why it is called a society. If there is not room for growth or some layers in life it becomes a very boring, uniformed march. And the wealthy in this country need every opportunity to be reminded to be grateful. And are we speaking of only money? Because there are many who have plenty of the green but are some of the poorest to roam this earth. I am not rich by any means but I have an abundance beyond this world that I find in my faith.

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    Bubblegum Senpaiposted 12 years ago

    Yes. The existence of the poor is used to justify the existence of the not poor. In other words, society creates poverty so that the people who are not poor can say "Thank goodness, I'm better than that."

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    edhanposted 12 years ago

    Contribution to the society does not matter whether one is poor or rich.
    
    Every person born into this world has its purpose.
    
    Imagine if there is no one doing the dirty jobs like cleaning the rubbish, clearing toilet chokes, etc. Then the city will turn out a place of junk.
    
    Whether a person is rich or poor, everyone has its purpose in life. We are all born to help one another in society.

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    RockerGingerposted 12 years ago

    You cannot judge someones "use" in this life by how much money they make. Period.

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    DANIELPRASANNAposted 12 years ago

    Poor is not always poor.There are people who came from poverty & ended as very rich people.  eg-South Indian super nstar Rajinikanth

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    sharonchristyposted 12 years ago

    If not them, who's gonna do your work for you?

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    tilinaoitaposted 12 years ago

    I don`t see how being poor can be a choice. This question has no meaning.....

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    HappieHeadcaseposted 12 years ago

    This question makes me sad. If we are speaking in strictly financial terms I'm poor; not just kind of poor either, I'm dirt poor. I live well below the poverty line. And yes, I'm saddened by this question...I feel sorry for you.
    I am not currently able to work due to a neurological disorder I was born with. I'm supposed to be having a brain surgery sometime soon, but it isn't always easy to get approval for these things when you are on medicaid. I would love to work, I was working, until the doctors wouldn't let me work anymore. I still write for a little bit of money, it's all I can do...and that's hard since my condition causes terrible headaches...imagine staring at a computer screen with a headache equivalent to a migraine on steriods...but what am I supposed to do? I have kids too, they are on medicaid and food stamps as well. Did I mention we are poor?
    And yet, I will be the first person to help some one out. I regularly babysit (for free) for other "poor" people so they can go their minimum wage paying jobs, because I know what it's like when you are working just to pay a sitter.
    On more than one occasion I've given my last dollar to help out friends in need when they couldn't afford to feed their kids or pay their rent. I've even helped strangers, just because I've been there, I know what they are going through.
    I am a single mother and a full-time student who is working to better myself and my community. And I am very poor. But I've never turned some one away that I could help. So you tell me...Am I useful to society in any way?

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    Jeremy1234posted 12 years ago

    Children are at the mercy of the choices of their parents, but for anyone in America over the age of 18, poverty is a choice plain and simple. This isn't The Great Depression, it's the Information Age. Recessions and news of unemployment rates and the like are mostly just scare tactics from the administration, the media, or both working together to instill fear in the average person in an effort to control his/her actions and spending habits. These tactics actually CAUSE recession.
    
    There are people making money for doing "nothing", like blogging. Stephen Hawking is almost completely paralyzed, yet he finds ways to continue generating income. Physical disabilities and your geographical circumstances are no longer limitations on the what you can achieve.
    
    Anyone who is on Welfare, food stamps, or any other government handout for longer than the minimum time necessary to fix their situation is a burden and a liability and a freeloader. Non-citizens should never, in any case, be receiving government handouts, ever. Yet they do, reaping benefits without contributing to the source.
    
    I say stop every one of these social programs and force those dependent on them to get off their asses and start singing for their supper again. Being a ditch digger is more honorable then just going to mailbox on the first of the month.
    
    But, to answer the question as it is written: the poor play a very important role in society, they vote for liberals who make them believe they will wave a magic wand and make everything ok, or at least pass tax laws on the rich so they can "get even" with those money hungry bastards who have done nothing more than work for a living and invest their money wisely instead of buying lottery tickets and weed every payday.

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       gmwilliamsposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       GREAT ANSWER, HERE!

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    SanXuaryposted 12 years ago

    Sanctuary states that if everyone was given the same opportunities and sanctuary, a whole lot less of us would be poor or lost. Life is not fair and I know people who physically work harder and earn less then most average people I know. There jobs are considered unimportant and not worthy of decent pay so that when they contribute it is considered worthless. Some places where people work they still qualify for all state and federal assistance because of lousy pay. These places often earn more money then some nations and are ran by billion dollar CEO s. The poor contribute in so many ways unconsidered. A prison industry paid by a phony war on drugs. An entire Government corporation dependent on having thousands of poor children. Not to mention the profit to be made in education. Profiting at the misery of others and insuring such profits continue is huge money. The only profit I care about is the one that allows me to live.

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    Vidrobreakerposted 12 years ago

    There are many ways of being poor and these are not always an indication of luck of money.
    One can be poor of health, others can be poor of compassion.
    Poor of spirit and living worthless lives.

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    vickers753posted 12 years ago

    the poor help us by making us surpoort people inneed of help it also makes people felling bad about them selves feel a bit better because your doing some thing great

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