Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Clodfobble
Dana, we've had this conversation a bajillion times before. I will lay this out for you once, and then I'm done. I already regret that I even bothered to reply to this thread...
What one can "afford" is entirely subjective, it's all about what one chooses to spend one's money on. Compare the cost of the following items:
A single can of Campbell's soup - about $1.50
Shipping cost for that soup can in the domestic US - about $6.00
Dial-up internet service - about $10/month
A purebred puppy from a breeder - at least several hundred dollars
It is demonstrably false to say one can buy items 2, 3, and 4 (as mari has), but must rely on charity for item number 1 (as mari has). So yes, I do believe marichiko is, at best, "terribly misguided about her disposable income." I believe food banks should be reserved for people who are truly hungry, not people who waste their limited funds on other items. A homeless person may have one less meal now because mari, with her little cottage, working car, well-fed pets, and internet connection, chose to take advantage of a charity. However, I understand you are a socialist, so who knows what sort of a perspective you may take on who "deserves" the benefit of charities. It doesn't matter. The way mari lives her life has been the topic of conversation far too many times already. I wish I hadn't risen to the bait. Like I said, I'm done.
|
A year ago when I bought the dog, I was allowed to earn $400.00 extra dollars per month by SSDI. It was part of my voc rehab process. I delivered phone book all over my mountain town in blizzards, and on weekends sold rose in bars (it sucked, but it got me some money). I wanted that dog because I was all alone and needed a companion to walk with me and bark if a meanie came to the door. The breeder let me make installment payments.
It wasn't easy in Colorado Springs, but easier than here. The ex-axmurderer essentially drove me out of towm by physically abusing me, and destroying my property - smashing whatever he could. He scared me to death and made me want to leave. I have always loved the Western Slope, so when an opening came up here, I took it. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that my food stamps would be cut from $130.00 to $10.00 and the nearest voc rehab and neurologist would be 200 miles away in Grand Junction. Durango has an ordanist that prevents rose vendors like me from coming in and selling. The phone books here are so teensie that they are mailed, not delivered. I want to work but I can't.
I now live in Southwestern Colorado. The nearest town with a pharmact and a real grocery store i16 miles away (32 round trip). The next nearest town where my doctor has his practice is 19 miles (38 round trip). Durango where I sometimes have to go for a specialist is 52 mile round trip. There is NO, repeat NO public transportation out here. My well fed pets subsist on dry cat and dog chow - about $4.50/month for my new cat, $9.00 for my dog.
Apt: $191.00
Pets: 13.50
car insurance 60.00
gas 100.00
cleaning supplies 20.00
personal supplies (shampoo, soap, deorderant, lotion for the dry air here)15.00
laundry (4 loads) 9.00
shoes, clothing from thrift shop 15.00
Internet (dial up) (how dare she? 19.99 (that crap about $10.00 s a lie. I checked)
Phone 20.00
Medicines $14.00
car maintenance $50 (varies)
debt for traffic ticket (didn't come to complete stop on deserted road) 250
Total debt $777.49 on an income of $671.00.
I'll take those two loaves of white bread, mold and all, marked Nov 13, diectly back to the food bank, Cloddfobble. Feel better now? And thanks for your promise to not answer.