I tossed and turned last night, worrying my dreams over how I am going to feed my family. The cost of living, fuel, food, inflation and health care are all rising. Income levels however are not. Less than a hundred years ago an ounce of gold was valued at 23 dollars an ounce, today gold is valued at more than 1400.
That should indicate how valuable gold is. What it actually indicates is how little gold there is backing up paper money.Imagine splitting that tiny chunck of gold into 1400 pieces instead of 23.
I may need to toss one of my kids into The Hunger Games to feed the rest.
Its amazing the value our literature can have if we look at the world through our stories. Works like "The Hunger Games. " George Orwell's "1984". Orson Scott Card's "Enders Game" shows us a glimpse of a deteriorating society which can only be saved by the children.
We live right now in a country where individuals are rewarded with free healthcare, childcare, food, and housing for being under-productive and/or under-employed. A significant portion of Americans drift below the poverty line because the perks will be lost if they work more.
As a blind writer, I am disabled. I am also working to make more money than I'm allowed. My goal is to cross the poverty line and lose my benefits, because I'd rather earn my self respect than have the federal government tell me what I'm worth.
Many of the social situations portrayed in "dystopian" novels like "The Hunger Games" occur in our society today. We are too focused on getting what we want right now. We aren't looking to a future society where our kids may have to kill for food.
I reviewed the novels of Ryan Hunter this past year. authorryanhunter.blogspot.com
I was impressed with her work and told her The One Federation Series was one of the best "dystopian" series I'd read.
Hunter was adamant. The books are not dystopian. They are current events.
The premise in her books appears very futuristic at first glance, but the details are not.
They include: A media system that broadcasts misinformation. Computer chips voluntarily implanted to keep track of personal, health, and financial information. The governments hand in commerce, travel, education, and health care.
So...The Hunger Games may be further in the future, but think about it.
Do we invest time, energy, and money into forms of entertainment that allow us to cheer for, idolize, and laugh at the violence and harsh treatment of each other?
My dystopian novel includes a government that is taxing me for NOT purchasing their product. My imagined society believes that although funding for the poor is provided by the working middle class, being dependant on the government for everything is freedom. The 'future' in my novel is based on a rich, and powerful but bankrupt government who encourages people to remain empoverished because the perks are better than the work it would take to get out.
What year shall I create my world in? Perhaps 2014?
Well said Traci, Why you will always be my hero. Love you
ReplyDeleteWell said Traci! You will always be my hero. Love you
ReplyDeleteWell said Traci, Why you will always be my hero. Love you
ReplyDeleteI like your analogies, Traci! So here's a question: Does the Welfare State provide a "floor" through which poor American's cannot fall?
ReplyDeleteI like your analogies, Traci! So here's a question: Does the Welfare State provide a "floor" through which poor American's cannot fall?
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you, Chad. Are there poor Americans who cannot be taught, trained, or provided opportunities to learn how to rise above the welfare state? Or, are all of us doomed by death, disease, handicap, and inherited poverty to rely up on the floor which the wellfare state provides? A system based on rewarded dependence will always become overburdened. If we care for those who can fall through the floor, then is it the state that is responsible for the cost? What are the responsibilities of the citizens of the state to care for their own? Does everyone have someone they can rely on, and if not how burdened does the system become before it breaks?
DeleteOkay, more than one question. Sorry.
Good questions, Traci. I get carried away with questions myself. A few of the questions this brings up for me is who has the power and is it distributed in such a way that the poor American's have just as much opportunities to rise above the welfare state as you and I do? If the answer is that the power is not distributed equally, than that suggests that some have more opportunities for learning and training than others. If the opportunities to rise above it are not the same, than it is possible some have little or no opportunities at all. Most in America will never experience poverty to the degree that some citizens of other countries do. There are some countries where whole cities don't have a single school. What of them? Why are they not being taught and trained and provided opportunities to rise above it? Even here in America, there are schools who provide the most current textbooks and up to date technologies for the benefit and learning of their students. Other schools, even here in Utah, only provide second-hand textbooks with antiquated technologies. Why does this happen? Possibly even more troubling, when a student from both types of schools applies for a job that will finally help him rise above the welfare state, who is the employer going to hire?
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the interaction on this post. I am aware of the imbalance of power, resources, and education that exists in not only our nation but globally. My interest is to empower the individual with a desire for the freedom our founding father's died for. The dependence we place on our 'stuff' has over taken our inner desire to fight individually, for the rewards and consequences that come with our own choices. No matter what each person has or has not, each person chooses how to deal with it. If we become victims to circumstance, then we also give away our freedom to be grateful, productive, and valuable. my desire was simply to write of an inner desire to fight for personal freedom.
DeleteYes! While the poor, or those who find themselves dependent on the welfare state, might not have equal chance at rising above it, what is equal is their accountability. No matter what happens to us or what cards "life" has dealt us, we are free to choose how to be. When I first started working for DCFS, I always thought true freedom was in being able to choose our response to a stimulus. Fascinatingly, I have since learned that real freedom lies in being able to choose the stimulus! A whole new world becomes available when we are truly able to see the stimulus differently than we might have when we are blaming. The trick is to figure out how to get to that blame-free frame of mind!
DeleteI great talking with you, Traci. I love it!
I love talking to you about this stuff Chad, your thoughts stimulate reflection and self awareness. I love the freedom that comes with choosing the stimuli, I am my own best friend or worst emeny when I react. When I choose what to respond to I am much happier.
DeleteKeep up the good work, Love ya.
"My goal is to cross the poverty line and lose my benefits, because I'd rather earn my self respect than have the federal government tell me what I'm worth." (You're not alone, I have met many with this earnest desire. Many of those- not all- are trapped by the gap of a poverty level set too low and no proper transition program.)
ReplyDeleteHence "A significant portion of Americans drift below the poverty line because the perks will be lost if they work more"
BUT as far as "We live right now in a country where individuals are REWARDED with free healthcare, childcare, food, and housing for being under-productive and/or under-employed." I just feel the word "rewarded" is not thoughtful towards those that truly do need... and they are many.
If 'entitlement' programs are causing the problem, what happens, really, when they are gone (I would look to history for that answer - Howard Zinn is a GREAT read). These days I just feel that these very important programs have been named 'entitlement' programs because of the entitlement complex those that make wealth have over the 'work of their own hands'. Isn't it all really HIS, not ours anyways.
If a poor person asks me for my cloak I just hope I have the huztpa to offer him my robe also! The poor are not evil sneaky stealing fiends as much as they are the trial and purifying test of the wealthy (some of whom would rather never think of themselves that way when the poor are near.)
Good for you, Traci, in trying to rise above the swells and trial of disability, and facing your dreams with tenacity and courage. You are, and always will be an amazing example to me. Thank You
I too, hope that I would offer by cloak as well. This was not an attack against programs that help and lift those who fight against poverty and disability or disease. I am grateful for the many helpful and productive programs that support me and mine. The word reward is used for those who take advantage of systems rather than rise above. You are not being rewarded for the fight, if you are a part of the battle. You are being cared for as you face an uncommon enemy. However, If you lie on the bloody field bemoaning your torn and bloody palms, instead of rising to grasp your sword, because all you need is blood to prove you fight, then you are being rewarded for showing up and falling down. You have already lost the battle. If this doesn't apply to you, then don't take it personally. I don't know your wounds, only you do. Please don't take offense at a word with many meanings. Simply search your soul for the one that applies to you.
DeleteThanks for the input, I love it.
"My goal is to cross the poverty line and lose my benefits, because I'd rather earn my self respect than have the federal government tell me what I'm worth." (You're not alone, I have met many with this earnest desire. Many of those- not all- are trapped by the gap of a poverty level set too low and no proper transition program.)
ReplyDeleteHence "A significant portion of Americans drift below the poverty line because the perks will be lost if they work more"
BUT as far as "We live right now in a country where individuals are REWARDED with free healthcare, childcare, food, and housing for being under-productive and/or under-employed." I just feel the word "rewarded" is not thoughtful towards those that truly do need... and they are many.
If 'entitlement' programs are causing the problem, what happens, really, when they are gone (I would look to history for that answer - Howard Zinn is a GREAT read). These days I just feel that these very important programs have been named 'entitlement' programs because of the entitlement complex those that make wealth have over the 'work of their own hands'. Isn't it all really HIS, not ours anyways.
If a poor person asks me for my cloak I just hope I have the huztpa to offer him my robe also! The poor are not evil sneaky stealing fiends as much as they are the trial and purifying test of the wealthy (some of whom would rather never think of themselves that way when the poor are near.)
Good for you, Traci, in trying to rise above the swells and trial of disability, and facing your dreams with tenacity and courage. You are, and always will be an amazing example to me. Thank You
"As a blind writer, I am disabled. I am also working to make more money than I'm allowed. My goal is to cross the poverty line and lose my benefits, because I'd rather earn my self respect than have the federal government tell me what I'm worth." (You are not alone. I have met many- not all- with this desire. Many cannot bridge the gap from what I feel is a poverty level set too low or at least an improper transition plan.)
ReplyDeleteHence- "A significant portion of Americans drift below the poverty line because the perks will be lost if they work more."
"We live right now in a country where individuals are REWARDED with free healthcare, childcare, food, and housing for being under-productive and/or under-employed." I just feel that many who have no choice at all would not appreciate the word 'rewarded' and I agree. They need not feel guilty for taking what they need, and what many have more than enough of. (Though I am sure that was not your intent... the word still bothers me though.)
What would happen if we took away the 'entitlement' programs all together. I think we should look to history for that answer (Howard Zinn -historian- has an excellent read on that!) Honestly I think that those that are calling these very valuable programs entitlement programs seem to be suffering from an entitlement complex themselves. Many wealthy seeking to reduce or get rid of entitlement programs feel themselves entitled to the 'work of their own hands'. Isn't everything really HIS anyway.
Seems to me that many wealthy don't want to view themselves that way when the poor are near. The poor aren't evil, conniving, lazy leaches... at least if there are such I think one is more likely to find a larger ratio of that breed amongst the wealthy. The poor are the rich mans trial and test.
I personally hope that if a poor person were to ask me to give him my cloak that I would have the huztpa to give him my robe also.
Good for you, Traci, for trying to rise above your disability. I am impressed with how far you have come and love the goals you have set for yourself. You are amazing. You always have, and always will, inspire me. Thank You!