Perhaps the “poor” can share the sacrifice

Sadie suggested the following topic for discussion, which fits nicely into the discussion we’ve been having:

“Interesting article and graph at NRO. We have spent considerable time discussing the debt ceiling, entitlements and what we believe should or should not happen. So many facets to the American way of life and so many more that are foggy due to a lack of clarity, which I believe is a tool used and abused by the elected representatives. In some ways poverty falls under the same umbrella as health care, who has it, who doesn’t and who chooses not to [I am referring to those eligible for Medicaid, but have not signed up]. Is it the same 4% who need health insurance, who pay for cable television (an expensive monthly bill). I would hope that most homes prioritize their spending habits and yet I know many do not. I have friends that complain about the cost of medicine and will still book their annual pilgrimage to Aruba.

Maybe it’s time to talk ‘definitions’ – how else can we identify a problem and fix it.
What is poverty? Americans might well be surprised to learn from other government data that the overwhelming majority of those defined as “poor” by the Census Bureau were well-housed and adequately fed even in the recession year 2009. About 4 percent of them did temporarily become homeless.

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/272081/what-does-american-poverty-look-ken-mcintyre ”

DQ here and I would only add, the chart is stunning.  The item that struck me most strongly is that 78.3% of “poor” Americans have air conditioning.  I’m not rich by any means, but I’ve never thought of myself as poor.  And I’ve never lived in a house with air conditioning in my life.  Maybe if we really need to have “shared sacrifice” these folks can share, too.  Might have to turn off the air conditioner or delay replacing that second TV (65.1% own at least two).  But maybe they could cope with more than we think they can. And maybe they should.