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I have so many rural family members that are like this. And so much of it is because they just actively and brazenly do not want to help anyone. Their individua
by notaustinpowers 3y ago
I have so many rural family members that are like this. And so much of it is because they just actively and brazenly do not want to help anyone. Their individualistic ideology runs so deep that they view people homeless, struggling, or unable to afford healthcare as a moral failing.
To them, the system is working as intended. They're cleaning out the moochers and welfare queens. But by the time they notice they need those services as they get older, it's already too late to do anything about it. Everyone they know then ostracizes them and they end up being the new moral failure of the community.
- notacoward 3y ago> they view people homeless, struggling, or unable to afford healthcare as a moral failing ...until it's them. If you really want to rile up an old white rural dude with a Trump placard on their lawn, threaten to take away their healthcare subsidies. Or really any other kind, and for most farmers that's a long list. Then the sparks will really start to fly. They believe that government assistance is a God-given right for "salt of the earth" like themselves, but an absolute crime for those "other people" in the cities. It's not hard to see the subtext, even when they're not consciously aware of it themselves.
- lowercased 3y agoPfftt.. they'll just have a church fundraiser! Then maybe a gofundme to top it off! I had some family members similar to this, and that was their actual thinking. "God will handle it. Our church always helps its folks". 30 years later... well.. pastor's changed, the focus is always on the younger families with kids and... my relatives, now in their 70s... just don't go to their church of 30+ years because "we don't feel all that welcome any more". So... their plans for church fundraisers is essentially off the table now. But it took them 30 years to realize this, and they'd consistently voted against their future selves all that time. And I won't even say they "realize" anything profound or deep here. They've not switched party allegiance. Trump will still save them. ugh...
- notaustinpowers 3y agoWhat's so sad is that is what happened to a grandma of mine. I had come out of the closet (she supported me 100%) and she spoke about it to her church friends and talking about how much she's learned in supporting me. Well, I guess one of those friends didn't share the same beliefs. And the pastor met with her and my grandpa and said that they were no longer welcome at the church. The church they've both attended since they were children. Thankfully they're fine and don't rely on the church. But it, again, reiterates how much so much of it is viewed as a moral failure. And how much our nation loves punishment more than we love support.
- lowercased 3y agoAmen. Sorry your grandparents had to deal with that.
- i2cmaster 3y ago[flagged]