Poverty isn’t usually about bad choices. People whose needs have always been met?seem to think that people are poor because they’ve made bad decisions about how they spend their money. Certainly most people occasionally make bad decisions about spending, but for poor people, it comes down to simply not having enough money. If your essential bills total $2,000 and you make $1,800, there’s some simple math that can be done to see that this isn’t a workable situation. There are choices that have to be made.
For most of my life as a working adult, I consider that my family and I have been blessed. It was never easy, but we always made it. If I didn’t have enough for bills, I could usually attribute it to poor spending choices. But there have also been times?when I had to make tough decisions.?Phone or auto insurance? Electric bill or rent? Groceries or school field trip? Doctor’s visit or gas?
Whichever choices one makes in these scenarios have hidden costs. Late fees. Re-connection fees. Tickets for driving without insurance. God forbid an accident. Illness that worsens. Eating low-quality food that doesn’t contribute to good health. And…heartbreak.
Walmart employees receive?a lot of empathy and support from Liberal America. But the problem never gets better. It’s a problem that just keeps getting talked about and talked about and talked about. Walmart refuses to address the issue. Will these people ever overcome? I don’t know.
This video gives them a voice. The video is from OURWalmart, an organization that advocates for Walmart employees. Let us know your thoughts at the Liberal America Facebook page. Sign up for our free daily newsletter to receive more great stories like this one.
Transcript via Upworthy:
At Walmart it’s a choice between paying our rent or getting our car fixed to get to work.
Not having enough hours makes it hard to survive.
In 37 years my husband and I have never been able to take a vacation.
I have been receiving late notices for the last four years every month.
My dad depends on the cost of living with me and he is the bread giver.
My brother used to work in a grocery store and he got fired. He just got fired…
I was struggling a lot trying to pass my bills on time because the pay is low.
Also learned…
I was scared to tell my manager I was pregnant.
I work two jobs and still can’t not afford…
I had choose between paying rent and going to the doctor.
Even after three and half years I always used to…
I had to make it up to pay the bill…
I did a salary manager’s job and was paid $9.80 an hour.
They have all the money but can’t take away my hope. They can’t take that away from me.
There may be small errors in this transcript.
Tiffany Willis is a fifth-generation Texan and the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
h/t Upworthy
