I really enjoyed watching the Republican Convention this past week. I think it's fascinating how the pundits and news reporters discuss what we saw. If you didn't see it, you would have a completely different perspective of the convention depending on who you watch or which station you spend more time listening to. Some of the pundits say that Governor Romney was inspirational and knocked it out of the park. Others say that he didn't get past his "wooden" persona and is out of touch with the regular people.
Some of the people I find caustic and rude. I got to watch a bit of Mrs. Romney's speech and thought she did a lovely job describing her husband as she saw him. However, I read one reviewer that still believes that the privilege she experienced while going to school, living in a basement apartment, and scraping by isn't the same as others who live in poverty because she always had a back up system of her family. When people don't have family to back you up, or your mother is on drugs and you are raised in foster care, those who haven't lived that life can't relate to those who can.
I wonder if that's true?
I find it admirable that Mrs. Romney chose to be independent given that she had such a strong support system from her family. However, I do think it is different from a person who does not have that support system. People who do live in poverty without a "back up system" of their family also suffer emotionally. Not only are they struggling financially, but life tends to look bleak when you're not surrounded by people who love you and encourage you. I believe when someone who comes from money chooses to be independent and chooses to "scrape by" they always have something to fall back on. However, when someone from poverty fails to survive, they don't always have someone to fall back on, or to help them relieve the load of everyday like. I could be wrong but those are my thoughts on the subject.
ReplyDeleteI like Kellie's explanation, there are some ways that Mrs. Romney would be able to relate to those who are in poverty or at least feel empathy towards individuals in the circumstance since she lived that way for a period of time in her life. It is very different when you are in poverty for a long time and do not know how to fix it or move forward. Many times it may be linked to personal choices but there are times it can be due to real circumstances or disability that an individual has no control over rather than the choice to be independent and doing it by yourself. It is always easier if you have a good support system that can provide aide when needed. I think as humans we really want to feel empathy to those who are in need but when it comes to understanding, it is very hard for those who haven't been exposed to certain situations to really understand. I think we can try the best to understand how that must feel to be in that persons shoes but we will never fully understand unless we have had a very similar experience in life.
DeleteInteresting ideas! What do you think about the government being a back-up system for those who don't have the family?
ReplyDeleteI think that the government can be a great back-up system for financial needs. However, the emotional support is still not being met. My concern is that people who actually need the government for assistance such as: housing, WIC, health insurance, and food stamps are often times to proud to ask for the help. Also many of these services are not available to the single individual, they are mainly given to people who are already raising a family. My other concern is that a lot of people take advantage of the back-up system that the government provides; so that the people who really need that back-up system can’t obtain the resources or services available to them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Kellie's saying. The Romneys did have to work hard to make the life that they wanted for themselves, and I believe that on some level they certainly can relate to anyone who has had to struggle to build a life. However, like Kellie pointed out, the Romney family and people in similar situations still have a "plan B", and just having that in mind and knowing that there are people who love you and will back you up in the worst-case scenarios is powerful. While the government can possibly provide support to anyone who really needs it, that support is still nothing compared to a loving family.
ReplyDeleteSo, is it possible for the government to provide for a plan B? Or should the government take on that role? What might the consequences be if they do?
ReplyDeleteI think in some ways the government can provide a "plan B" such as help. However, it seems that help is mostly provided to those who are in poverty and as we all know that sometimes families even in the middle classes will have something unexpected happen which they may also need aide but it is much harder for middle class to get temporary aid that is needed. Many of these families also do not have back up support systems and deserve to have supports when needed as well. The biggest concern with this is where would we get the funding to provide the "plan B" supports for those who are in need. How would they regulate the "plan B" supports of who qualifies and who does not qualify to receive help. What about students? Students are not even considered for food stamps even if there is a need or poverty. I think one of the biggest consequences would be that there would be people who would end up relying on "plan B" instead of trying their hardest to recover from circumstances, we see this all the time in the welfare system. However, I do understand how hard it is to get back on your feet after situations happen in life,it takes a lot of time and effort especially in financial hardships. I do not think the supports people receive from the government would be as helpful and natural support from family, there are key factors such as emotional support that would be missing. Emotional support can relieve a lot of burden and help a person endure the hardship.
DeleteI think that the government does have different plans such as "B" and "C" - it is just that the "people" do not know about them. I was watching TV late one night and there was a program on interviewing people who had their education, house payments, received money for their children, from different programs only these programs are not out their for everyone to know about. The program was telling how there is a lot of money that can help people, but you have to know how to go about applying for it ---- AND, it is money that you do not have to pay the government back (grants). So, there is money/programs out there for the people, but because they are kept hidden/secret from the people you could not depend on them as a "support system" like you can your family, which is your natural support system.
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