My 1st impression on America
In summer 1997 when I 1st came to the USA, I noticed the street at Rolla (middle of Missouri) was quite clean. It’s just I was in a honeymoon period with America and I didn’t notice.
In recent years I saw more panhandlers at intersections (also seeing panhandlers playing fake violin too); this is not entirely new. But it’s getting worse nowadays.
At Louisiana, people got crazy at Walmart, old story (I wrote this a while ago):
The food stamp program, we all learned a few months ago, the madness at Louisiana Walmart store, basically when the food stamp recipients got opportunity to shop “unlimited”, they don’t have much self control.
Recent I had opportunity to have a new neighbor: sometimes things made me to think “Is poverty is a habit or a mindset”. Some of the things I think they can potentially improve on – less eat out or door dash delivery; in addition to cook more, be more self-sufficient overall, for example clean up their own snow on driveway, walk to the grocery store or gas station and so on.
I recall when I was new to the US, I shop at Aldi and discount store near Rolla. I also lived in dirt cheap or government subsidized apartment and drove old car. I recall the rent for the 1st apartment was about $70 a month back in 1997. It doesn’t have air conditioning for summer.
At my 1st real job in St. Louis: I noticed cleaning lady always brought a brown bag when came in the pm cleaning duty. But I cannot say for sure that she brought that brown bag, or she bought food from nearby Burger King every time. If it’s the latter, it would probably cost her at least one hour of the custodian work for that fast food. Adding up bus fees, I don’t think she has much left for her 2 to 3 hours office cleaning part time work.
Things we can do or have some control
Be kind to others.
Old car accident: 最倒霉的一次, 过绿灯时车被一个黑人撞了(估计是急着去上班). 跟她说好大家把车都停到加油站, 结果她趁机跑掉. 第二天自己当了一回侦探把她抓到, 她又没有买保险.
Resilliency
Teach our kids right
YouTube Videos
Or those problems may have existed 27 years ago? Look at the PBS documentary by Bill Moyer Two American Families: 1991-2024 (full documentary) | FRONTLINE below.
Also another one The Working Poor | The Price of the American Dream | ENDEVR Documentary made by ENDEVRDocs. This reminds me of the Movie The_Florida_Project that I watched a while ago.
To be watched for me: PBS Left Behind
What’s Being Hidden: Questions persist in deadly Amazon warehouse tornado investigation
Last but not least: today’s YT video I took when I was doing morning walk at the Stacy Park.