Affording Perspective

[Klukie]

Over the years my finances have varied. Growing up, we didn't have a whole lot and that fact coupled with neglectful parents gave me an insight at a very young and inappropriate age. My siblings and I often went hungry and we were the "dirty kids" in school. We never saw a dentist and doctor visits were infrequent. I went without much needed glasses for most of my school years and what really sucked through all of this was that my siblings and I could have easily been the top students and we could have achieved so much more had our environment been one was conducive to betterment. As a child, I gained a perspective that I have carried through to my adult years. I realized early on that poverty can kill the spirit. It killed my mothers spirit which in turn affected my own and my siblings. Now don't get me wrong, I am not whining here. I am simply stating what I have found to be true throughout my lifetime. I have since improved myself through many years of emotional struggle and self awareness, but I have to say that financial improvement played a huge part in my ability to do that. Without financial burdens and all that comes with it, I was afforded the much needed breathing room to assess my own strengths and weaknesses, something that should have been done in my formative years. So here I am at thirty six years old enjoying my life for the first time but I never forget that there are many out there that have not yet been afforded that opportunity. I am writing this because I am in favor of proposals that will help ease the financial burdens of people so that they are able to achieve happiness in their lifetime. Health care reform with a good comprehensive PUBLIC OPTION is one way to do this. It is beyond time that we as a society recognize some of the problems that ail us and do something about them. This is a good first step.

[handmade34]

1. good post

your story sounds like mine... I still mourn the loss of wasted years and talent and dreams that didn't manifest because of ignorance due to poverty (money and spirit). Once I became a teacher and worked in the schools, I saw so much of what you describe. Now that I am working throughout the U.S. I go into both rural and urban neighborhoods and see even more. We are doing a great disservice to this country by not alleviating poverty.

[Klukie]

2. thanks

"We are doing a great disservice to this country by not alleviating poverty." This is so true. I don't think everyone needs to rich.....but everyone needs the basics.