so... saw another tearful mother digging for change when her check bounced today.

[w8liftinglady]

This is getting to be a daily event here in Texas.

mom wrote a check..obviously hoping it would pass....it didn't.
She had milk,bread,cereal, and a cupcake for her cute little three year-old.
I picked up their tab.The kid smiled when she handed him the treat.


What have we become?

[Pterodactyl]

1. Yeah, this "recovery" ain't happening... for millions of people.

[ZombieHorde]

2. You've become a compassionate person who cares about your community. nt

[w8liftinglady]

3. I hate what I am seeing...we are truly becoming a thrid-world nation in Texas

Leading in no health insurance,high school dropouts, minimum wage and hate groups...geez!

[Drahthaardogs]

Typical red state.

The redder they are, the poorer the people seems to be my experience. You would think it would be just the opposite wouldn't you? Is it that poor people do not bother to vote?

[w8liftinglady]

13. I think it is a combination of things

1.lack of public transportation in Texas
2.The right-wing religious machine
3.Democrats who run these days are crucified by out-of-state entities...so there is NO incentive for good Democratic candidates.I worked on David Harris' campaign in the 2006 elections...crap turmn-out

[TheMadMonk]

20. No, it's just that poor people (taken in the agregate) tend towards...

...the lower end of "the bell curve". No indictment. Just a simple statement of facts.

The meme is pushed that it's "taking from below" which is the cause of all the world's ills, and dagnabit, their own simplistic observations bear this out. Those above stomping on their fingers are making out like bandits, so to them the obvious solution (reached with the help of "hints" which demand below average reasoning ability) is to go looking for someone else's fingers to stomp on.

And it's not a particularly new meme either. "Darkies", welfare queens and immigrants: Irish, Italian, Greek, Japanese, SE Asian, Eastern Europeans, and Middle Eastern. Each with their own dehumanising labels used to keep stupid people from realising that they are going after people just like them and are doing it to the detriment of both and to the advantage of those for whom NO AMOUNT of momey will ever be sufficient.

[ZombieHorde]

10. Yikes. So overwhelming, but you did something anyway. nt

[eilen]

4. This past weekend was very strange

Normally on the July 4th weekend there are many parties/bbq's and unauthorized fireworks-- at least 2-3 on every block sometimes more, with cars parked in the road in front of the houses and driveways filled. Not this year. Plus, more people seemed to be at home-- cars in the driveway. Not much celebrating. Normally I'd be hearing the firecrackers and bottle rockets going off -- scattered on Friday with increasing momentum to all day on the 4th-- crickets this year. Also, very little yard decorating. All I saw was a few flags over mailboxes.

I don't know if this is because people are way less enthusiastic or if they are just flat broke. Probably a combination.

A whole lot of nothing going on.

Tuesday, the day after the 4th our hospitals census was way low. Seeing how it was after a holiday weekend, I fully expected business to be brisk in the ED and Dr. offices-- direct admissions. I ended up leaving early as I was redundant.

[w8liftinglady]

5. we have seen that in my old hospital...elective surgeries are WAYYYY down.

I am working in rehab now...census has risen...because of Medicare/insurance reimbursement rates that make the hospitals dischrge these folks sooner....these lucky ones who HAVE insurance.

[madrchsod]

11. same here .....

we have a 4 day festival and this year the neighborhoods were quiet. seems no one was really excited about the 4th this year.

[BlueJazz]

15. Wow....I noticed that also but thought it was just a local thing. I've never seen...

...such a lack of excitement or enthusiasm regarding a holiday.

In years past, lots of Fireworks, cookouts..etc.
This year...almost nothing...

[underseasurveyor]

6. It's probably a good thing her check didn't pass

Already she's broke and check fees would have made it that much worse.

Then there's you, the right place at the right time and helped that woman out of a jam.

You are a gem and a heart of humanity and now there are tears welling in my eyes.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

4-U

[madokie]

7. The you and I's of this world are still the same

but our politicians have taken us for a ride and have just about destroyed our country. If we don't do something soon we'll loose this once good country.

[madrchsod]

8. a nation of cowards........

[Snoutport]

9. Thanks w8liftinglayd :0)

Your name sounds tough but you are a softy. :0)

I'll bet that mom went home and cried over what you did.

[Honeycombe8]

12. Nice of you to pay their bill. nt

[Odin2005]

14. That was me last Wednesday.

:(

[Liberal_in_LA]

17. On the receiving or giving end?

[Odin2005]

19. Receiving end.

[Liberal_in_LA]

21. .

:grouphug:

[Odin2005]

30. !!!

:hug:

[Liberal_in_LA]

16. sad. Glad you helped out.

[Kaleva]

18. Rec'd. Best and also saddest story I've read all day.

[Bryn]

22. How does a check bounce that quick?

Is it now like ATM card?

[Kaleva]

24. Some businesses can run the check thru right then and there.

[xmas74]

32. Some businesses,

like a few of my local gas stations, run checks immediately upon presentation. The amount is electronically drawn and you leave with the check. Writing the check is a formality and I've watched checks bounce immediately upon presentation at those places.

[Dappleganger]

23. How sad...

I can't count how many times we've been out shopping at the grocery store, or the unnamed-big-box-store-who-is-the-devil and a person will have their card declined. First their debit card, then one credit card after another. It's so embarassing for them and disheartening as well.

You are very kind to reach out and help someone like that. :)

[givemebackmycountry]

25. Understand this. They just don't give a shit about us anymore. Not that they ever did.

w8liftinglady is not alone in her generosity.
Any one of us would help if we could.
But we are now outnumbered BIG time and any one of us could be on the other end if things go wrong.
I believe in Karma.
w8liftinglady has Karma due and I hope that I do as well.
I help when I can, because I have been in that line.
And I have a real good memory.


:grouphug:

[Iwillnevergiveup]

26. Texas needs more like you

because you are a treasure.

K&R

[Horse with no Name]

27. I've been seeing it more and more

In a time where being able to float a check would be a Godsend...our corporate overlords now take it out of our accounts immediately at the checkstand.

I have joined a friend in her boycott of a local merchant. Her child support bounced and a check she wrote to a local gas station bounced. Although she immediately took care of it....the merchant left her name on his hot check list and refused to take her off--even though she had written hundreds of checks in the store without any other bouncers...he judged her worth on that one check.
Sad for him really, because she spent close to $350 a month in that store. I spent about $160 a month there as well. That is all business lost.

There is very little kindness and almost no compassion these days...thank you for extending it.:hug:

[BoWanZi]

28. Very sweet that you picked up her tab, I bet the kid's smile made it all worth it.

[unhappycamper]

29. Pay it forward

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[w8liftinglady]

31. you set the example, bud!

:pals: