First Democratic Presidential Primary Debate

June 26th. Today is the day.  In Miami the "field" finally takes center stage. I think I can speak for us all in saying that regardless of political affiliation, wealth, poverty, etc...this is going to be one interesting debate to watch. The number of candidates, the number of issues to be touched on...the liberal field definitely has their work cut out for them.

From a poverty standpoint, I don't expect to see much progress from this debate. I doubt any meaningful proposals or announcements will headline.  But I think we will see a much clearer picture of what is to come in 2020 and beyond.

Fingers crossed for something good!

SGAF

Another Day (Part 2) (David Logsdon, Guest Contributor)

Note: This is part 2 of a short series by Dave Logsdon. I have not received any further submissions in this series beyond this one as of now...so my assumption is that Dave is continuing to write them. Enjoy, and I will be certain to post additional portions as Dave sends them to me.

Another Day (Part 2)

By David Logsdon

It wasn't long until he found his stopping place. In a small, run down crossroads he saw a hand scrawn sign...

“Help Wanted”

He turned in and spoke with an older man. Weathered and worn, Frank could tell the man had lived a hard life. After explaining his situation to the gentleman, Frank agreed to work for cash at the man's produce stand. Suddenly, though, he realized he had no where to stay...and nothing but a few clothes packed in a suitcase.

“Boy, everything allllright?”

“Yes sir, just trying to figure out what to do about housing?”

“Housing? What the sam thunk is housing?”

“Somewhere to live...”

“Oh...well you don't worry bout that...just follow me...”

Frank followed the old man's station wagon down a dusty red clay road that would rattle even the best teeth straight out of your head. Suddenly, the wagon came to a hault at the dead end. Frank got out, as the old man pointed...

“There she is...you can have her for $100 a month.”

“She” was what appeared to be an old, overgrown sharecropper house.

“Might be a might bit rough, but she's got running water, electricity, and even a toilet. Nobodies lived in it since Mary Beth hung herself on the porch.”

Well that sounds lovely, Frank thought silently to himself. But beggars can't be choosers.

“I'll take it”

“Alright boy, see ya at 7 in the morning....bright and early, ya hear?”

“Yes sir, no problem. Will be there right on time.”

Frank watched the old man drive off into the sunset. Suddenly, he realized he didn't have a key....and then he realized he didn't need one...there was no lock on the door. Silently he entered...almost afraid as if someone was going to be inside...but he was alone. Besides an old couch, and a few other assorted pieces of furniture...he was all alone.

He munched on his cheese crackers while watching the small rabbit eared television that was in the house. Before he knew it...his alarm awakened him from his slumber on the couch...

Time for work.

David “Dave” Logsdon is an independent consultant from southwest Alabama. College educated, and currently looking to pursue a graduate degree after nearly a decade of work, he writes under a pseudonym to ensure his privacy. He does not maintain an online presence. He can be reached through the site on which this article is located for comments or questions.

Memorial Day

For all those who made the ultimate sacrifice...thank you. May God bless your families... freedom is most definitely not free!

Another Day (David Logsdon, Guest Contributor)

A Foreword: In the next few weeks/months, Poverty in America is looking for reader stories, both fiction and non-fiction. What follows is the initial installment in a fiction series by our friend Dave Logsdon.

Another Day (A Short Series)

By David Logsdon

As the sun set on another hot day, Frank looked back at what he had done. The ground before him was clear of the jungle which had been there that morning. As he sat there, alone, he realized just how lucky he was. He could still be stuck with his ex-wife. He could still be stuck doing the same old thing. But he wasn't.

The marriage had turned sour not long after it started. Sometimes marriage changes everything for the better...in this case it didn't.

She got everything. The house. The car. The kids. Probably better that way anyways...the kids didn't want anything to do with him anyways. The real kicker was the child support he was ordered to pay...even though she made WAY more than he did. His lawyer had told him, though, that if he was unemployed there was nothing they could collect. So to really show her, he had just vanished...straight off the map.

He had worked the same warehouse job for 15 years...the day after his divorce he walked out with a box and nothing else.

“Send her whatever's left...she'll get it anyways...”

He hopped in the only possession left to his name...an old Ford truck his Dad had left him at his passing a year prior. With no real direction in mind, he just started driving.

David “Dave” Logsdon is an independent consultant from southwest Alabama. College educated, and currently looking to pursue a graduate degree after nearly a decade of work, he writes under a pseudonym to ensure his privacy. He does not maintain an online presence. He can be reached through the site on which this article is located for comments or questions.

Millennial Mayhem (David Logsdon, Guest Contributor)

Guest Post: The article which follows was submitted by an independent contributor. Though it is published here, this site does not specifically endorse anything within the article, nor do we hold any credit for the work within.

Millennial Mayhem...or Maybe Not

By David Logsdon

A quick note: I am greatly indebted to SGAF for allowing me to voice my opinion and views on this site. It has always been my stance that poverty in America is one of the greatest disservices to the growth and continued expansion of our nation. Lately, it seems that many believe that regardless of party we are on a troubled course. I would not hesitate to agree.

For many years, up in to the early 1900's in fact, those who where in poverty were assisted by private welfare organizations throughout the country. There were homes for unwed mothers, the elderly, the mentally ill...the list goes on. In no way am I condoning the actions of all of these organizations...many were true terrors to behold. But the reality of the matter is that most were able to serve the needs of their clients without placing an undo burden upon society. Many of these organizations operated under the assumption that the government had no business in handling the problem of poverty: and that in turn led to our modern debate...

Who is responsible for the poor: the people of America, or the government of America.

It is my personal belief it is a combination of both. It would be unrealistic to believe that private individuals would be able to handle the current mental and drug health related poverty in America. But it is not outside the scope of the average American to keep the “average poor” in a suitable living situation. Imagine the funds that could be saved by removing the “red tape” from our current welfare state and allowing those in need to receive help directly from the “haves”.

Of course, this would take a major moral change in America...it would take groups coming together to support those who need it...and luckily the “newest” generation seems to be taking note of such an idea. Though it is much too early to really tell, sites like GoFundMe have given hope to the concept of “people helping people” making it back to the forefront of society.

Though we have a long way to go, I am confident that unlike my generation, the “Millennials” and “'90's Babies” will make a change for the better in the world. Though many of their beliefs about government and democracy (or lack thereof) may seem “way off” to folks my age...I truly believe their hearts are in the right place...and that is a great start!

Dave Logsdon is an independent consultant from southwest Alabama. College educated, and currently looking to pursue a graduate degree after nearly a decade of work, he writes under a pseudonym to ensure his privacy. He does not maintain an online presence. He can be reached through the site on which this article is located for comments or questions.

Cinco De Mayo

Happy 5th of May to you all! Let us drink our worries under a bus somewhere...if only for a day!

Seriously though, everyone please be safe and responsible.  We'll see you back once you've sobered up. ;)

SGAF

Poetry of Poverty (Timmy, Guest Post)

Guest Post: The article which follows was submitted by an independent contributor. Though it is published here, this site does not specifically endorse anything within the article, nor do we hold any credit for the work within.

Poetry of Poverty

By Timmy

To lack of money,

To lack of food,

To lack the ability,

To buy the crude.

Nobody seems to care,

They all just pass by,

They could care less,

Or even wonder why.

Each day that passes,

It surely seems,

The pain in my body,

Busts at the seams.

My body is failing,

My heart is aflutter,

I don't know how much longer,

I can stand no butter.

My family is pained,

My back is worse,

I have no idea,

What comes next.

Please understand my trials,

And all these miles.

I don't want your money,

I don't want your time.

I just want a chance,

To get off my ass.

-------------

Timmy is currently in between jobs. His background is in computer science, but much of his training even with updating is considered obsolete. He, like many, is “too old to be relevant, too young to retire”. He is currently seeking a customer service position with a local grocery chain to make ends meet. As of now, he has been turned down for each opportunity for “too many qualifications”.