Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Aug 2, 2015 16:02:18 GMT -5
For millions of Americans, it’s not getting better. While the national unemployment rate has been on a downward trend in recent years—after reaching a high of 10 percent in October 2009—not everyone has been able to enjoy those benefits. According to a recent report from the Orlando Sun-Sentinel, the paper found that food stamp rates were on the rise in the region—a trend that correlates with national increases in government assistance. The Washington Postreports that since 2000, the “share of households on food stamps has more than doubled,” with states like Alabama and Louisiana seeing the most dramatic increases. Today, nearly 1 in 6 Americans receives food assistance. YouTube: Feeding America's poor - why food stamps won't go away | Channel 4 News While the #FightFor15 is raising the issue of national minimum wage, our problems are so much bigger. The Sun-Sentinel attributes the issue to “high housing costs, slow wage growth, and difficulty faced by many trying to move from part-time jobs” among America’s poorest residents—but that’s not the whole story. With the increasingly high costs of living in many areas, Americans are often feeling priced out of their own lives. A Bloomberg report from this year found that June was the fifth-consecutive month that the U.S. cost of living rose—largely due to skyrocketing rents in America’s cities. In New York City—the city I call home—the average rent is $3,402. There’s an old saying that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere, but these days, it’s likely you’ll need a little help from Uncle Sam to do so. With specter of rent payments, steep student loan bills, and the day-to-day costs of living in a city where residents joke that a dumpster in TriBeCa still costs you $1,000 a month, I applied for New York’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program last week—the service better known as food stamps. There’s an old saying that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere, but these days, it’s likely you’ll need a little help from Uncle Sam to do so. Raised by a single mother, I grew up on food stamps and put myself through college on food stamps. When I finally finished graduate school and took a full-time position in New York last year, I hoped that would be the end of federal assistance—the end of just getting by. www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/i-have-a-masters-degree-and-a-full-time-job%e2%80%94and-i%e2%80%99m-still-applying-for-food-stamps/ar-AAdBzMq?ocid=U305DHP
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2015 16:10:12 GMT -5
Why did it take pulling her credit report for her to understand that her student loan debt was over 100K ?
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Aug 2, 2015 16:11:01 GMT -5
Sooo, if you have a Master's degree and it is too expensive to live where you are, then move?
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Aug 2, 2015 16:12:53 GMT -5
A few things are missing for me to really judge this article : - her masters degree was in what? - she got a full time job doing what? - how much does she get paid? A quick google search points out that the income guideline for a single person to qualify for food stamps is $1,265/month or $15,180.... She took out 100k in loans to get a full time job paying less than 20k/year? And I thought my wife making 40k/year in academia was nonsense. I get it NYC is expensive, life is not easy etc etc etc. As someone that has been there, done that, got a picture and still moving forward... It's get easier I promise. Either the load gets lighter or you get stronger... You will make it out
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Aug 2, 2015 16:12:54 GMT -5
I thought that free market regulates itself! Is this proof that "trickle down" economics doesn't work?
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Aug 2, 2015 16:15:04 GMT -5
Why did it take pulling her credit report for her to understand that her student loan debt was over 100K ? I believe it!!! My wife did not know how much she owed in student loans till we got married and combined finances. Then I took over the finances and added it up; she never knew!
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Aug 2, 2015 16:19:38 GMT -5
"I remember the first time I saw my full student loan balance last year, buried at the bottom of a credit report. At first, my eyes brushed right past it, not realizing what it was, but my brain began to slowly process that number, as the gravity of what I was looking at finally sunk in. It read like a death sentence."
Well, Shazam! I didnt' have a clue that I owed 100K! All this time, I thought college paid for your itself! Aww shucks!
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Aug 2, 2015 16:20:53 GMT -5
"But no matter how well you play by the rules, the cards will continue to be stacked against you in today’s economy.
If it feels like a no-win situation..."
Woe is me!!!
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Aug 2, 2015 16:22:52 GMT -5
More of a proof that not everybody needs a college education. This one for example didn't need one.
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Aug 2, 2015 16:29:23 GMT -5
More of a proof that not everybody needs a college education. This one for example didn't need one. I don't think we can make that call until we know for certain what her masters was in which she carefully made sure not to disclose. Not the same but my cousin is currently in his second or third year of residency; same for his wife. She is going to be a anesthesiologist while him a pediatrician... As a resident she is making ~50k/year to well over ~200k-300k once she successfully completes her residency and becomes an attending. Someone might hear she makes 50k now and think it is was waste.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2015 16:30:42 GMT -5
It said at the bottom she was a contributing editor to the website I think... I looked because sometimes they have a bio...
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Aug 2, 2015 16:32:26 GMT -5
Going 100K in debt for medical school is fine. Going 100K in debt to be a Social worker, not so much.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Aug 2, 2015 16:32:59 GMT -5
I'm assuming that masters must be what cost 100k bcuz if she was the product of a single mom on welfare and food stamps, she'd have gotten a free ride in undergrad. So if she got a masters in bullshit, yes, she's going to make peanuts. If she'd have gotten a MBA, or an undergrad in a money producing major, money wouldn't be an issue. My roommate was a product of a single mom who made just enough to qualify for nothing. No way was my roommate going to major in bullshit because she was going to be well off and she is. Sorry. No sympathy for someone who picks a major they can't live decently on. Years of schooling wasted because you can't teach common sense.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2015 16:33:47 GMT -5
I expected to see social worker. If she's an editor... English?
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Aug 2, 2015 16:35:44 GMT -5
Why did it take pulling her credit report for her to understand that her student loan debt was over 100K ? I believe it!!! My wife did not know how much she owed in student loans till we got married and combined finances. Then I took over the finances and added it up; she never knew! Bull. You might believe that but I doubt anyone else does.
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Aug 2, 2015 16:39:00 GMT -5
Going 100K in debt for medical school is fine. Going 100K in debt to be a Social worker, not so much. In their case it is more like over 300k each.... My cousin joined the army reserved to get part (if not all... Don't remember) of his loans forgiven.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2015 16:40:23 GMT -5
I thought that free market regulates itself! Is this proof that "trickle down" economics doesn't work? America is nowhere close to a free market. There is government intervention in all parts of the market, from the price of college to who can rent what for how much etc.
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haapai
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Post by haapai on Aug 2, 2015 16:41:31 GMT -5
It's not a particularly focused or informative article. Apparently, everyone needs an editor.
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Aug 2, 2015 16:42:07 GMT -5
It's not a particularly focused or informative article. Apparently, everyone needs an editor. LMAO
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Aug 2, 2015 16:43:49 GMT -5
I expected to see social worker. If she's an editor... English? Social workers make at least 50-60k in NYC so that is definitely out. She is single, no kids... Per The income guideline she needs to make less than 16k/year....
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Aug 2, 2015 16:44:46 GMT -5
Fault lies on both sides: those that go to college and colleges themselves. Some go to college just because everybody else does and choosing a major is irrelevant as long as they enjoy the experience Loans are readily available and all you need to do is more or less apply and you're almost guaranteed to get them. Banks and such don't have a problem putting out loans since they are guaranteed by the government. Colleges offer degrees in fields that have no relevance to the needs of the market. Just because 50 high school kids declare that they would like to go for Egyptology doesn't mean you have to create a new major. Unfortunately they do because it is the "demand" of the market. What is even worse is that other colleges pick on the trend and you end up with a few hundred kids educated to decipher the secrets of the pyramids. Flash news: those spots are taken! Try a degree in education for a change! Or engineering or something useful. Kids see what colleges offer and flood to fill the spots. If as an educated person you still wonder where did you go wrong that you can't find a job, I pity you: your time in college was nothing but a waste!
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Aug 2, 2015 16:44:56 GMT -5
If she was an English major, it is a pretty poorly written article. Doesnt' really make the case or get into specifics to answer our questions.
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Aug 2, 2015 17:01:08 GMT -5
I thought that free market regulates itself! Is this proof that "trickle down" economics doesn't work? America is nowhere close to a free market. There is government intervention in all parts of the market, from the price of college to who can rent what for how much etc. You missed the poin there hickle! You are about right in your statement but the intention was different. There are those of us that don't believe in trickle down and those that do. Most of us admit that the gov is involved in regulating things(as any government should) but doesn't take it far enough. Does that help you understand my statement? To clarify, there should've been some sarcastic emojis in there.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2015 17:05:48 GMT -5
America is nowhere close to a free market. There is government intervention in all parts of the market, from the price of college to who can rent what for how much etc. You missed the poin there hickle! You are about right in your statement but the intention was different. There are those of us that don't believe in trickle down and those that do. Most of us admit that the gov is involved in regulating things(as any government should) but doesn't take it far enough. Does that help you understand my statement?To clarify, there should've been some sarcastic emojis in there. Are you saying you want more regulations when the regulations are the main problem?
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Aug 2, 2015 18:44:16 GMT -5
There are some rules put in place by the government that are a bit antiquated or overstepping. But that can be argued What are you specifically reffering to?
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Aug 2, 2015 19:17:35 GMT -5
A few things are missing for me to really judge this article : - her masters degree was in what? - she got a full time job doing what? - how much does she get paid? And why was she so oblivious to what she was taking out??
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Aug 2, 2015 19:20:02 GMT -5
A few things are missing for me to really judge this article : - her masters degree was in what? - she got a full time job doing what? - how much does she get paid? And why was she so oblivious to what she was taking out?? Simple: she just signed to get the loan; never bothered to add them all out!
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phil5185
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Post by phil5185 on Aug 2, 2015 19:38:01 GMT -5
The author - The Daily Dot writer also contributes to the Huffington Post. Probably trying for some sensationalism - or he is a minimum wage protestor. The anecdotes are likely made up.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Aug 2, 2015 19:51:53 GMT -5
If she was an English major, it is a pretty poorly written article. Doesnt' really make the case or get into specifics to answer our questions. If she's a journalism major, she should ask about a refund
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Aug 2, 2015 19:55:26 GMT -5
Probably unprepared for college so chose an easy major.
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