Near Poor

A new term in the lexicon, the "near poor". It is term that describes a  lot of us out here (do you hear me Mr. President?) and seems to have evolved out of a new definition of what is poverty. It takes into account the impact taxes, medical care and the cost of living in your particular area and measures that against a new poverty threshold. The NY Times estimated that 34% of the elderly fall into this newly defined standard. A staggering number I think.

Some folks do not like the term. It is too emotionally charged with the images it conjures up. I am sure others want to quibble with what is defined as poverty as well. Remember the rich want to get richer and for that to happen the poor seemingly must get poorer. That old income gap appearing again. Perhaps we should heed the warning that so many Brits do everyday - "Mind the Gap".

My opinion, a label is a label. The point of labels is to try and pigeonhole all of us into something. I think the term near poor works pretty well to describe those of us who should we hit some unexpected expense will really suffer. We are nearly poor then aren't we?

Facts are facts. Just like a Barbie doll you can dress them up in any clothes you like, but clothes do not make the man or the woman. Reality handles that.

Happy Xmas, War Is Over

As I write this the war in Iraq has officially ended. A flag ceremony there made it official. The flag is wrapped and encased as is the tradition. (How sad there is a tradition to end a war - must mean there have been too many of them).


Funny how wars end. Funnier more so how they start. These are topics though for greater mind than me to ponder and debate. The main thing for me is that it is over. 


A war ending is perhaps one of the greatest and most meaningful events for me. Senseless killing, violence, greed and waste hopefully coming to end for a bit of time. According to some figures I read (but never checked out) the war in Iraq war has resulted in 4,500 American dead, 32,000 wounded and cost more than 800 billion dollars. To me those numbers are mind boggling - see why greater minds than me have to look at the deeper issues - I cannot even comprehend that we would send that many people to die, have their lives ruined and and spend that amount of money for whatever reasons. And I am not even taking into account the Iraqi dead, wounded and social costs there.


I never understood war. Never. Vowed at a very early age I would never allow myself to be forcibly sent to fight in one.  I still believe that, only now with more conviction. I knew very young that it was wrong.  January 27, 1973 forced conscription ended in the United States - a day and act I have always been grateful for. In March of that year the Vietnam war ended. Another great day. Do not remember any flag ceremony though.


This holiday pay tribute to those who have fought in the wars we have waged. They deserve our appreciation and support. The greedy bastards who start and fuels wars do not.


Merry Xmas, War is Over. (hopefully this link will remain active for you to hear John Lennon my favorite holiday song)

Happy Hiding During the Holidays

I always think of going into hiding this time of year.

Even more so now that I have read that Black Friday sales were "better" than expected. (Wonder if that included pepper spray? Only kidding - but how sad is that? - Are we really losing our grip on reality so badly that we are willing to fight in the real world to be able to do so in the game world?  I have now have yet another reason for going into hiding it seems.)

Why do I hide? Simple. The pressure to consume and buy without rational thought along with the incumbent guilt for not doing so.  The forced pressure to give. I have read the surveys that say people will spend money on toys for their kids rather than for food - because it is vital to keep the kids happy. I tend to think that perpetuating fantasy in this way and not facing reality is problem adults face because they were not taught how to do so as kids. A perpetuating myth that everything is going to be all right continues to linger and endure. You already know how I feel about false optimism. (Yes I will be a member of the one percent someday.)

I am not bah humbug. I know I do not have anywhere near the money to give to everyone who seems to be asking. I am not even exchanging gifts this year. I'll be a pariah of the holidays, but I am facing my reality. Looking at what is happening in the world and understanding is a valuable gift too. That ability is a great gift - and one I will use many times over (as opposed to stuffing it in a drawer or re-gifting it). A song for the holidays.