(no subject)

[pastorlenny.livejournal.com]

In what ways are poor people oppressed?

Comments

[hey-its-michael.livejournal.com]

Just the two ones that often come to my mind:

1) Poor people have far more limited representation in our government due to the influence corporations and individuals with greater amounts of money. As a result, those who have power are too often deaf to those who have none (i.e., the poor).

2) Poor people often get sucked into a cycle in which higher education and / or a means to improve their lot in life seem out of reach due to low income, high crime and a system that doesn't do enough to actually lift the poor into the middle class.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

The first is not oppression,(after all, Aboriginal Autrailians also lack representation in US politics) it is neglect, which coinicidentially leads to your second premise.

[hey-its-michael.livejournal.com]

In terms of the United States, I consider citizens who are entitled to a political voice under our constitution being denied that voice due to their economic status a form of oppression, and one that I believe some in Government and many in the corporate world intentionally exploit.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Funny, I don't recall having anyone ask me for my paystub before I could vote.

As for your original comment, money is representational of influence. The only problem is with corporations.

[mybodymycoffin.livejournal.com]

He thinks voting means you're well represented!

[hey-its-michael.livejournal.com]

Most. Appropriate. Picture. Ever.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Congrats, you can put words in other people's mouths.

[ninboydean.livejournal.com]

Sure, it couldn't possibly be that accumulated wealth can buy off politicians (or private security, if you ever got your Brave New World dream).

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Funny, I didn't say anything that would contradict that statement.

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

Thy lack representation in Australian politics, which often means they don't have much of a voice; ie. they are oppressed. You should be talking about indigenous americans.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

You should be talking about indigenous americans.

The juxtposition was intentional.

Lack of representation does not equal oppression but it can lead to the factors in hey_its_michael's second premise which arguably do.

[ofbg.livejournal.com]

"1) Poor people have far more limited representation in our government due to the influence corporations"

Blame SCOTUS. Their decision in Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad in 1886 gave corporations 'personhood', and all the rights that come with that designation, somehow out of the 14th amendment even though the word 'corporation' nor any of it's synonyms appear in the 14th, thereby opening the floodgates of corporate money for the politicians.

[hey-its-michael.livejournal.com]

Oh, I already blame SCOTUS. The 5 majority in that decision reflects my point #1.