I grew up "poor." We were tenant farmers in Eastern NC. 'Hardly had a "pot
to pee in." In 1938, Daddy was trying to buy a 300 acre farm in Wake Co.,
NC; total price for the farm was $5k; 'couldn't make the $500 payment for
that year; 'lost the farm and all our machinery and horses; 'went back to
tenant farming. I knew we didn't have much in the way of money, material
things, etc., but Mamma always put three full meals on the table EVERY day.
I reflect on it now a wonder how she ever did it. Considering what we had,
she worked a miracle every day.
My mom and dad gave me something worth far more than material things,
though; they gave me a strong sense of integrity (the ability to do what is
right when nobody else is watching), tenacity, persistence, and
perseverance. It's amazing what these characteristics can overcome. As a
child, I never felt REALLY poor; I had good health, a good mind and a
positive attitude about "getting ahead." I knew that I could do ANYTHING as
well as anybody and better than many. In about the fifth grade I realized
that the key to a "better" life was education, and I never missed another
day of school after that. In high school I was always at the top of the
class; some of my classmates called me "Brain," but that wasn't it at all;
many times I stayed up all night getting my homework done and went to school
the next day without going to bed, but the homework was done - that's why I
knew the answers - not that I was a "brain." I always tried to be a
gentleman, though; 'finally told a coupla these friends several months ago
how hard I had worked to be prepared in class - 'they could not believe it -
they still thought I was the class "brain."
So being poor can work to hold someone back if one LETS it. In MY case it
made me more determined to succeed. Too many parents, though, don't seem to
care about what their children are doing in school.
I MAY have turned out to be REAL arrogant SOB if I'd been a rich boy.
Wilton
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Ritchey" <ritche...@nc.rr.com>
To: "'Mercedes Discussion List'" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Socialism
> I must disagree ("no one chooses to be poor") in the sense that lots of
> Americans would rather be poor than do the study and work required to be
> more successful. Poor Americans (who have cars and shelter and who are
> entitled to Medicaid, food stamps, etc.) are rich compared to most of the
> people in this world; so "poor" is relative. I'd cite my own step
children
> as examples. They all started college, only one finished. They all are
> unemployed a lot and they work at entry-level jobs when they do work.
They
> are in their 40s and 50s now so change would be hard with that track
record.
>
> If anything, there is not enough repression to motivate folks to do
better.
>
> Scott
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com]
> On Behalf Of Rich Thomas
> Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 12:35
> To: Mercedes Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Socialism
>
> They must be victims of repression of some sort -- no one chooses to be
> poor. Repression!
>
>
>
> _______________________________________
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