Now it seems like Obama has a long lost uncle living in poverty in Boston.
Yeah. He takes that Biblical injunction about caring for the least of us seriously. His whole F___'ing family is living in poverty.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5068613.ece
This is at least the 3rd thread about the same topic. Repetition doesn't transform ignorant ramblings into facts.
Have you ever taken on the financial obligation of bringing someone completely out of poverty? I would guess no based on this post....let me ask you. Exactly how much $$$ and assistance does it take before they no longer appear impoverished?
I have never taken on the obligation of taking someone "completely" out of poverty, since there is not exact amount that would do it.
However, I have given significant financial assistance to one sister who is needy, and I loaned money to help a cousin who was having problems. (He paid it back, so I don't know what that counts as.)
I will give you an amount that is "doable" for Obama. He could give $500 to his brother in Kenya, which would be an extremely helpful amount, since he is living on a dollar a week. My guess is that would pay the tuition in Kenya that his brother is trying to get together for a mechanics class, I think it was. (Memory may be a little off. I know he wanted to go to school.)
Indeed, if Obama gave up the cost of an espresso a day, he would immessurably improve his brother's lot.
As to his aunt and uncle, millions of Americans have taken on the financial responsibility to keep immigrant relatives off the dole. Ever since state welfare began, sponsoring relatives have taken the responsibility of doing exactly that.
I would like him to have done what so many have always done
I hope that answers your question
"For .35 cents/day, you can..." LOL...
You're sort of missing the point while helping me make mine. Let's put aside the fact that it's absolutely idiotic to feign outrage over this issue:
Is it prudent for me; as an outsider with no idea on what's transpired between your sister and you, an individual with no knowledge of the nature of your relationship with her, no frame of reference as to what condition her life was in BEFORE you forked over all that money to help her; make the case that she's got a real dick of a brother because he obviously isn't doing a damn thing to help? Wouldn't it be obtuse for me, not knowing either of you, to launch into commentary about how you'd make a horrible (whatever your occupation is) because you don't give a damn about family and charity? Wouldn't make a whole lot of sense for me to bring up your sister's living condition to argue against you whenever you attempted convey a positive and charitable message would it? It all really amounts to bullshit.
I have on several occasions donated what amounts to a modest yearly salary to families and individuals. Some of them were able to make drastic, picture-perfect changes; and others of them would appear to have received no help at all through the lens of a camera. You simply need more definitive information before you make this weak argument. All of these links that have been posted about Obama's supposed indifference to his family, have been simple fleeting descriptions of their lives - and NOTHING else. I've seen no PROOF of contradiction to the ideals he runs on. Just a bunch of baseless conjecture eerily similar to the attacks JM launches against him in the last days of his poorly run campaign. That argument is a bit tired (even on this board). It's been explored and shot down in multiple threads again and again - I'm just paraphrasing what's already been said. You need more facts and less emotional bias...
Could I make that argument that McCain's disregard for his first marriage is consistent with his attitudes towards {air quotes} "WOMEN'S HEALTH?" Probably. It would be a pretty weak argument, though; but stronger than your "Obama doesn't care for his family so he's not fit to run the country" logic.
-- Modified on 11/3/2008 7:46:02 AM
Now, now. Don't take Obama to task for not dipping into his own personal finances to help out his family members. That is our job as taxpayers, remember?
Indeed, the failure of Obama to take care of his relatives is exactly what is wrong with the nanny state.
As I pointed out above, for generations Americans have taken care of their immigrant relatives, accepting responsibility and keeping them off welfare roles.
Obama represents a new mind set, "Let the State do it. Not my job."
When family took care of immigrants, they became independent very fast because family would say, "So what are you doing today?"
When the government does it, they remain dependent for years.
YES, IT IS OBAMA'S JOB TO HELP HIS RELATIVES.
When the government does it they remain dependent for "generations". And yes Conroy, that includes trailer trash white people as well as minorities.
...once again based on personal bias and very little fact. You and your idiot sidekick, Gamb, are good for that.
What you've stated here hasn't been supported by hard numbers or statistics. Just some cursory examination of an imaginary group of immigrants who we have to assume meet the criteria for you to make your argument. How often do immigrants help family members avoid help from the government? Is it typical? Can we assume that these immigrants who are helping others themselves aren't also benefiting from some form of state, local, or federal government assistance? There's too many unknowns in your short story to make an argument against or for this "nanny state" you speak of.
This is generally the case with people like you who make this argument for a more hands-off government. You purport that that government programs (you didn't specify which one we're referring to, by the way) for individuals and families don't somehow contribute to the overall good of the national community. I believe that a government does in fact have an obligation to take a balanced approach to assist and spur the development of citizens in need that it imposes it's laws and regulations upon; and I'd need something a bit more solid than your perception of imaginary immigrants to be convinced otherwise.
-- Modified on 11/3/2008 7:52:27 AM
This is not a broad generalization based on little fact.
The undeniable fact is that for decades people were not allowed to come here unless they had a sponsor. The sponsor was responsible for the immigrant. If the immigrant "fell thought the cracks" and ended up on welfare, the government went after the sponsor to reimburse.
Even today, people can emigrate easier with a sponsor who guarantees they won't be a burden on the public. That is just a reality of law.
You do a common form of argument of "Show me the numbers" that is impossible. There are some things that are common knowledge and don't have to be backed up with statistics. I know that there are many Spanish speaking people in Los Angeles. Gosh, I don't have statistics or studies. I know that a significant number of the people in County Jail are illegal. Nope, don't have the studies handy. I know tens of thousands died in WW II. No, I don't have a source handy.
To deny that families played a major part in supporting immigrants is just a denial of history.
I will tell you one more thing the Nanny State replaced. Black benevolent societies. There used to be scores of black benevolent societies that helped people in the community. Years ago, I saw a book about how these ogranizations played an important part in the black community, providing aid to others. Almost all of them are gone now. Why should they exist?
IMMIGRANTS PAY TAXES TOO.
Of course, some immigrants pay taxes. But how much. For example, if an Hispanic immigrant has 4 kids in a public hospital at how ever many tens of thousands of dollars a maternity ward charges, and the then sends four kids to public school at about 7k each in L.A. for 12 years for $336K, do you think that person has paid taxes covering maternity and education.
In fact, Obama's aunt is a perfect example. SHE IS LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING. How much do you think she paid in the last 4 years, since she was ordered deported. Nothing.
Yes, some do, but not nearly that much.