Comments on: America, Welcome To The Poorhouse – Book Review

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:07:26 +0000

Today, I think I was using even plainer English (so-to-speak) on a myriad of problems that have put the common person into the dire straits they are today. My thoughts:

Today I was thinking about the movie; I wondered if Walt Disney was ‘tuned’ in on what the future of America might be as I thought about 2009 and the end of this decade. The names of the dwarfs reminded me of this:
Sneezy – all the ailments like allergies; the many varieties of flu, allergic reactions to food additives and boosting the growth of animals with hormones that we kill for consumption. As I thought of this, I also thought about all the money that’s being made by the big pharmaceutical companies who treat these ailments and health problems that have resulted from these issues.
Sleepy – most of us working folk are sleepy because we’re working over-time to hold our jobs; pay our bills, and keep up with the day-to-day obligations.
Dopey – because our educational system stinks, and because too many people are taking legal and illegal substances.
Doc – of course they’re making a bundle of money from our illnesses and additions.
Happy – which is what we’re trying to be, so too often we’re using alcohol to excess – pills to excess – eating to excess, and the only real happy people are the rich people and big corporations.
Bashful – which we’ve all been as it pertains to demanding an end to unnecessary wars and interference by big government – it’s time to stop that habit because that’s what’s made us
Grumpy – the 7th dwarf……………..
As for the name ‘Snow White’, I think most of us can put our imagination to that name, and come up with more than just one ‘applicable meaning’, don’t you????

By: Simple Living News Update

Simple Living News Update — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:29:11 +0000

[...] America Welcome to the Poor House [...]

By: heather

heather — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:11:40 +0000

Hi Jane,

Thanks so much for writing in! I thought the book was fantastic, and think it’s going to help a lot of people. Thanks for the opportunity to review it!

By: Jane White

Jane White — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:25:51 +0000

Hi, Heather!

It’s Jane White, the author! Thanks so much for the great review! You are spot on that community college is a fantastic deal and as I point out in my book, many community colleges now offer four-year degrees as well.

By: heather

heather — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:40:37 +0000

@Queenstuss- thanks so much for writing in with that information! It’s amazing what a nice system you have over there. I wish we had that here.

By: heather

heather — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:38:22 +0000

@Deb- I hear you. Being self-employed, I don’t have any kind of 401(k). My retirement is all in a Roth, but I still don’t think it’s going to be enough. Could your son go to community college for the first two years? That’s what I did. I was able to pretty much put myself through school by working (and had a little help from my parents). I left school with no debt, which was such a huge relief. It was hard, because I had to work full time and go to school full time, but I lived. Anyway, community college is much cheaper than university, and he could get his basics out of the way!

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:15:37 +0000

Very interesting. I’m adding this to my list of books that must be read. I’ve always felt that I would never be able to retire. My father had a pension fund, but my generation….definately no pension funds availalbe (& 401k is a joke, imo). I’m also concerned for my children. My son is suppose to go to college next year, but we are struggling trying to figure out how to pay for it. I really don’t want him burried in student loan debt when he is out of school. Not sure if the book offers any solutions, but it sounds like a really good read.

Wonder if Australia would like some new citizens………….

By: queenstuss

queenstuss — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:29:21 +0000

In Australia, 9% super contributions are compulsory, not matched. As long as you earn over $450 a month, your employer has to put 9% of what you earn (that is 9% extra, not 9% of your pay) into your retirement fund. We also have tax breaks for voluntary contributions: pre-tax contributions are taxed at 15%, rather than the 30% bracket that most Australians are in, and post-tax contributions are tax-deductible. To top it off, if you are a low income earner (under AU$58000 p.a.) the government will match a $1.50 for every $1 you contribute voluntarily.

By: RowdyKittens

RowdyKittens — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:33:52 +0000

Sounds like a fascinating book. It’s too bad U.S. policies are debt-based. I think that’s the route of our financial problems.

I’m really curious to read the book; especially the portion about policy suggestionsâ€¦

Also, if you have a chance, watch: http://www.moneyasdebt.net/

By: Mrs. Money

Mrs. Money — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:23:04 +0000

Ok- that fact about 2011 IS scary. I hope things don’t get worse than they are now in 2011. I don’t know if I could handle reading that book. My anxiety might get the best of me!