# I pit Poverty and the current economic crisis **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 1, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487 "2009-01-01T18:38:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/181 "2009-01-02T03:46:56Z")
Wow, my ears are burning. It gives me some satisfaction to know that I’ve managed to make such a bad impression on a two dollar cum bucket like **Rand Rover**. As an aside, **Carol Stream** , would you do me a favor and send me some of the seeds your money tree has been dropping? I’ll be happy to germinate them and send a few seedlings off the **Blalron** so he can get some extra money to go to school. Apparently you don’t read for comprehension very well you dried out twat-waffle. His parents are apparently split up, and neither have money to spare. He admits that he could have done better in school, but getting a loan is difficult right now. Even if it was easy, he’s reluctant to throw himself into serious debt in an economic climate that doesn’t seem to value degrees overly much anyway. I don’t blame him one bit, my lack of any debt is a major contributor to keeping me financially solvent while I’ve been out of work. **Blalron** , So yourself a favor and try to get in with a trade job as a helper. You may need to take a “working vacation” to New City to spend a few days pounding the pavement. It sucks, but there you go. Stay with your friends, and eat cheap. Ramen cheap. Bug your friends for jobs, it’s how I’ve gotten the position I’ll hopefully be starting soon. It had little to do with my qualifications, and past experience, even though I had a good history in the field. Don’t be too proud to grab a meal at the soup kitchen or church if you have to. Many fast food joints have a dollar menu and you can get full for a couple of bucks when you are out. Keep trying, something will come up, but only if you keep at it. Put up some flyers for general labor around your neighborhood. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/182 "2009-01-02T03:47:21Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > Yeah, they secure funds to attend college, find a place to live, get a job, etc. That’s what every college student has to do. Millions of kids do it all the time. What makes the OP so special? He has trouble succeeding in doing that, he’s understandably worried and he feels the need to vent. There’s no more qualification required to open a pit thread. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/183 "2009-01-02T03:53:11Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > But there is some truth in what they are saying underneath all their negative emotions. This isn’t a problem with no solution. You can beat this. It will not be comfortable and it will take work. But you have to do it one way or another. But you can’t think of yourself as a loser. People can see right through that and will never hire you as long as you even have a hint of this attitude. Best to get over the self-pity ASAP and do what it takes. It’s going to have to happen at some point, might as well make it happen now. Go out there expecting to get what you want, and you will eventually get it. I hope the following doesn’t have a condescending flavor, or indeed any negative emotion at all, because it’s motivated by pure admiration: **even sven** , I remember your early threads in the early years, and frankly I can’t think of anyone who has matured and grown as well as you have. Your transformation in real life is something I can only guess at; here on the boards it’s nothing short of dramatic and well deserving of admiration and respect… which this post attempts in some poor measure to render. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/184 "2009-01-02T03:53:56Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > He has trouble succeeding in doing that, he’s understandably worried and he feels the need to vent. And if he opened this thread in MPSIMS, he would have all the {{hugs}} he was looking for. In the Pit, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/185 "2009-01-02T03:55:20Z")
**Acid Lamp** let me just say I’m happy to make your acquaintance. So you’re the one I’ve heard so much about - based upon your post I think I’m happy to be lumped in with you. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/186 "2009-01-02T03:55:29Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > OMG. Mr. GQ answer man doesn’t know what my username could possibly be referring to? Perhaps you should . . . ok I won’t say it . . . 😛 Your overpriced piece of shit British-built SUV? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/187 "2009-01-02T03:58:41Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > \*\*Brickner, \*\*I am no longer playing this game with you where you ask me a question and you shit on my answer. I do not have to make you privy to any more of my life than I already have. You have already decided I’m a horrible person and you are entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong it is. No doubt you will accuse me of being evasive or whatever, but I chose not to have every choice and decision in my life nitpicked by an internet asshole, nor do I need to account to you for every moment of my day or every day of my week. > > Go beat up some six year olds or steal from blind people for your jollies. Fuck off and die. Or better yet, be unemployed and homeless and begging for food in soup kitchens. Well, you DO have internet access. If I was barely scraping by for food and mortgage payments, cable TV, internet access and any extras would be the first to go. These things cost a LOT of money and are NOT necessary to live. No offense meant. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/188 "2009-01-02T04:00:44Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > **Acid Lamp** let me just say I’m happy to make your acquaintance. So you’re the one I’ve heard so much about - based upon your post I think I’m happy to be lumped in with you. You may live to regret that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/189 "2009-01-02T04:01:20Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Well, you DO have internet access. If I was barely scraping by for food and mortgage payments, cable TV, internet access and any extras would be the first to go. These things cost a LOT of money and are NOT necessary to live. Public libraries frequently offer free internet access to library card holders. While there are usually time limits, it’s certainly sufficient for a job search. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/190 "2009-01-02T04:02:43Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > And if he opened this thread in MPSIMS, he would have all the {{hugs}} he was looking for. In the Pit, not so much. There’s no obligation to hug the OP in MPSIMS, and I often don’t. There’s no obligation to flame the OP in the Pit, and I often don’t. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/191 "2009-01-02T04:05:46Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Public libraries frequently offer free internet access to library card holders. While there are usually time limits, it’s certainly sufficient for a job search. Again, no offense meant. I always do the internet thing from home, as I can afford to pay for it (for now, Comcast may yet be my undoing). ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/192 "2009-01-02T04:06:48Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Public libraries frequently offer free internet access to library card holders. While there are usually time limits, it’s certainly sufficient for a job search. For a search certainly, for completing multiple online applications, not so much. **Nashiitashii** ’s library offers a maximum of one hour per person, depending on traffic, most people don’t get more than one session. Most branches are not so generous with the time either. Remember that many, many companies have gone completely over to digital applications. An internet connection is a fair investment of funds in you are searching hard. The other stuff like cable tv, etc, I’m right on board with you in that they need to go. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/193 "2009-01-02T04:10:16Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Finally, as a French person, you are probably constitutionally incapable of understanding concepts such as personal responsibility and all that, so you get a pass. **Mod note:** I realize this is the Pit, but the above skates pretty close to hate speech, i.e., insults based on someone’s ethnicity. Don’t do this again. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/194 "2009-01-02T04:11:51Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I hope the following doesn’t have a condescending flavor, or indeed any negative emotion at all, because it’s motivated by pure admiration: > > **even sven** , I remember your early threads in the early years, and frankly I can’t think of anyone who has matured and grown as well as you have. Your transformation in real life is something I can only guess at; here on the boards it’s nothing short of dramatic and well deserving of admiration and respect… which this post attempts in some poor measure to render. I came into this thread to say virtually the exact same thing, even sven. I think your post here is a fantastic bit of advice, and it really demonstrates how you have grown. I am so impressed with how sensible and practical you have become, while still holding on to your ideals and desire to help others. That is really something to be admired. One other thing for the OP…if college doesn’t work out for you right now, don’t get too discouraged…even crappy minimum wage jobs can lead to something better if you work hard and look for opportunities. Hang in there! ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/195 "2009-01-02T04:16:06Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Well, you DO have internet access. If I was barely scraping by for food and mortgage payments, cable TV, internet access and any extras would be the first to go. These things cost a LOT of money and are NOT necessary to live. > > No offense meant. Nowadays, keeping an internet access when you’re looking for a job seems like a very reasonable decision to me. Having access to adds, your e-mail, etc… at any moment and for as long as needed appears to be at least very useful, and possibly almost mandatory. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/196 "2009-01-02T04:19:28Z")
Seeing as how I’ve found both my current job and the previous one on the internet, I wouldn’t recommend cutting off internet service to an unemployed person unless they truly couldn’t afford it. You can use the internet at the library, but only for a limited amount of time. Certainly not enough time to send out all the resumes, fill out all the online applications, and scour the job boards that you need to. **Bricker** , do you really think **Broomstick** hasn’t tried her hardest to find employment? Does it make you feel better about yourself to dump all over her? Really, it seriously bothers me that you’re picking an argument with her but don’t have anything to say about **Rand Rover’s** ignorant ass. Why is it that a Christ-lover like you has nothing to say about his kind of jackassery (your quiet disapproval notwithstanding), but you’re more than happy to jump on someone who is dares to talk about her struggles with unemployment? For once, I’d like someone like you, someone who has a reputation around here for being a good testament to conservative values, to battle against morons like **Rand Rover** or **Carol Stream**. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/197 "2009-01-02T04:24:24Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > I don’t think putting fraudulent information on a job application is such a good idea. Might come back to bite ya in the ass later on. As opposed to being bitten in the ass upfront? Can’t say as I see the downside to lying on an application if you aren’t going to get the job otherwise. It may be unethical, but the argument that it will make things worse for you is clearly false. That’s why people lie so often; they frequently get away with it, and it improves their circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/198 "2009-01-02T04:27:11Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > As opposed to being bitten in the ass upfront? Can’t say as I see the downside to lying on an application if you aren’t going to get the job otherwise. It may be unethical, but the argument that it will make things worse for you is clearly false. That’s why people lie so often; they frequently get away with it, and it improves their circumstances. It MAY be unethical? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/199 "2009-01-02T04:31:55Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Bricker, do you really think Broomstick hasn’t tried her hardest to find employment? Does it make you feel better about yourself to dump all over her? Really, it seriously bothers me that you’re picking an argument with her but don’t have anything to say about Rand Rover’s ignorant ass. Why is it that a Christ-lover like you has nothing to say about his kind of jackassery (your quiet disapproval notwithstanding), but you’re more than happy to jump on someone who is dares to talk about her struggles with unemployment? > > For once, I’d like someone like you, someone who has a reputation around here for being a good testament to conservative values, to battle against moron like Rand Rover or Carol Stream. I really think **Bricker** ’s only beef with **Broomstick** is that he perceives that she made a factual assertion, and that when its factuality is disputed, she will neither own up to the possibility that her assertion was not factual, nor rebut the evidence that suggested that it wasn’t. I don’t think he disputes at all her assertions that she’s been working exceptionally hard at improving her employment situation. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487/200 "2009-01-02T04:36:01Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > **Mod note:** I realize this is the Pit, but the above skates pretty close to hate speech, i.e., insults based on someone’s ethnicity. Don’t do this again. OK. I meant it as a reference to French politics and not the French people, so “Democrat” would be the better substitution for “French” than would “black person” or whatever, but I understand what you’re saying. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-poverty-and-the-current-economic-crisis/479487.md?page=11)