3 ms·

The idea is that they’ll find mentors in a middle class neighborhood. Attacking the character of suboptimal decision makers isn’t fair. They have lives and the

The idea is that they’ll find mentors in a middle class neighborhood. Attacking the character of suboptimal decision makers isn’t fair. They have lives and they have every right to decide how they live it. At the same time, they’re beholden to the economic forces that govern everyday life. Thinking back at my childhood, my parents gave me a computer, a $300 baseball glove, an N64...etc despite not being able to afford it and I’m grateful for that. It allowed me to not be seen as the poor kid, ostracized by my peers, and provided me with countless hours of entertainment. When my friends went to summer camps, I played counter strike and Mario Kart at my house with the other kids who couldn’t afford camps while my parents worked. Sure, summer camp and a nanny could’ve provided me with a more meaningful experience, but let’s be real. Without friends, and families of friends, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They’ve fed me countless dinners, driven me to school, and even took me on vacations. The parents most definitely knew my economic situation, but my peers didn’t. Don’t judge the kid. Don’t even try to understand. Just be there if you want. If not, then that’s fine too, just don’t be so patronizing about how his mom should optimize her life. I’m thankful for it all.

theandrewbailey 7y ago
> Attacking the character of suboptimal decision makers isn’t fair. It is fair when a family routinely buys big ticket electronic items or vacations every month, but still runs out of food every month, despite being on food stamps.
axaxs 7y ago
Like everything else in life, this isn't fair. In my early 20s, they started moving these people into my father's neighborhood, which I couldn't afford so led a worse quality of life. Why should people who contribute nothing be given more consideration than those who are trying? This program is wreckless and just leads to whatever the modern day version of white flight is in the end. Please don't argue this point, I watched upscale areas of town turn to little more than ghettos under an extreme version of this idea. It's one of the biggest reasons I left. To be clear, I absolutely agree with your point, just not the method of attempting to achieve it.

theandrewbailey 7y ago

> Attacking the character of suboptimal decision makers isn’t fair. It is fair when a family routinely buys big ticket electronic items or vacations every month, but still runs out of food every month, despite being on food stamps.

axaxs 7y ago

Like everything else in life, this isn't fair. In my early 20s, they started moving these people into my father's neighborhood, which I couldn't afford so led a worse quality of life. Why should people who contribute nothing be given more consideration than those who are trying? This program is wreckless and just leads to whatever the modern day version of white flight is in the end. Please don't argue this point, I watched upscale areas of town turn to little more than ghettos under an extreme version of this idea. It's one of the biggest reasons I left. To be clear, I absolutely agree with your point, just not the method of attempting to achieve it.