Working Woman Testifies About Reality Of Poverty In The U.S. | NowThis

[@jonyskyewolf]

This speech was four years ago. It's now 2024. Things really haven't changed 😢

[@SonyaHudson]

Facts!!! 💯

[@BSteelersB2600]

Well things got more expensive so the people got more poor but the stock market I'd at an all time high thanks to govt handouts

[@BERSERKTHIRD]

politicians won't give up their money. Everyone only thinks about themselves.

[@mikereid1195]

They've changed though! THEY'RE WORSE 😶

[@jeffreyjackson5229]

Baby, they are not going to change.

[@bobbiejones]

I told someone several years ago it’s expensive to be poor and they laughed at me. I’m a social worker I know this is true. I hope more people come to this realization.

[@yrp237]

It's VERY expensive to be poor. You can't afford costco membership for lower prices for bulk and even a minor problem with your car can be catastrophic!

[@Here4TheHeckOfIt]

Credit card interest. Look at the APR on your bill. Some are as high as 29%! Pay day loans, also high interest rates. Monthly bank fees, simply for having a low balance. All of these small things collectively contribute to a high cost of living for the poor.

[@THEDOORIZCLOSED]

@@yrp237talk ab it. I needed 3 tires replaced, needed a new service belt, oil change and one other minor issue and my bank account still hasnt recovered

[@priscillamoore5736]

​​@@Here4TheHeckOfIt- It's legal loan-sharking.

[@spongebobcirclepants3843]

No really I couldn’t pay my registration cause well I had to eat that week and what does the government do raise the price of registration for those who don’t pay have they ever thought maybe if we bring the price down they will pay it🤦🏾‍♀️

[@funkogalleries8342]

"Not poor enough to get help, not wealthy enough to get by."

[@jettanyiagumbs6091]

Facts

[@funnybones2677]

So Sad, but true.... this system is set up for us to fail.

[@juliagulia3617]

This was my mothers life. As a single mother with no high school diploma, she had to work multiple jobs to provide for a baby, while trying to earn her GED. I remember my mother hated to leave me, a toddler to go to work in the middle of the night. Missing out on motherhood, missing out on her baby growing up, to provide food on the table. Despite this, she got 75~ bucks of food stamps. What is a any one supposed to do with 70 bucks a months for 3 meals a day? Thank God my Grandparents had a spare room in 2008. We lost our rented 1 bed 1 bath house in the recession. My mother had to work even harder than before to make ends meet. At the age of 23 she lost the house, had to juggle school, motherhood, work, and career hunting. Finally she landed a small job at a state university and started to climb the ladder. Through years of penny pinching, hard work, and determination, we live an ok middle class life. We are fortunate enough to spend 200 bucks on a rug and even more to redo some rooms in our own 2b2b apartment. Not all people have success stories, it is extremely difficult to cross the lines of poverty, especially without help. If my Grandparents weren't there, we wouldn't have had a roof over our head for 3 years. Not everyone is as fortunate.

[@1jenniferlala]

Atom Gasp story of my family all our lives...smh.

[@Tony78454]

@@jettanyiagumbs6091 yea that's my economic life

[@Briskwarrior]

People need to realize, as powerful and moving as this speech is. The people she's speaking to, have mentally clocked out the second she opened her mouth. They are not listening, they are day dreaming about their bougie life and waiting for her to be done so they can go along with their lives.

[@roberthaynes488]

So very true.

[@roberthaynes488]

Even if they haven't checked out, they definitely don't care. Trickle down economics has resulted in 90% of the countries wealth being shifted to the top 5% of the richest people in America over the past 40 years. Kills me that people still support trickle down instead of build up economics. I have voted blue already and that's the only thing we can do to save America.

[@koahnoah]

You can't change the politicians but you can change the mind of the people.

[@jman1989]

If only this made people mad, but we are too lazy until it's too late

[@rickwaters3592]

They don't gaf

[@milesdyson]

She's speaking to an entire group of people who absolutely don't care, and will fight to keep the situation from improving.

[@OpeningsOpenings]

Agreed! Aldo White people are the same when it comes to the issues Black people face

[@actual_doge3221]

They wanna pay to feed the illegals though. That fancy hotel in NYC costs $1 million everyday. Our students of all ages always need supplies. I was expecting my financial aid in early August I still have not received it. Through these months I've been checking over and over that I put everything in right. I live with my parents 23 F. The elite benefit from the people in poverty not progressing, and even worse staying uneducated.

[@SugarSweetSandStorm]

Not sure who the woman on the phone is in the background or her stance, but it's pretty ironic that's she's just scrolling like that and not giving this matter her full attention. It speaks volumes.

[@futureglobal7258]

@@SugarSweetSandStormthe people on this side of the desk aren’t members of congress. They’re called to testify.

[@Junpei747]

​@@futureglobal7258 that doesn't make it exactly better...

[@pauldutram455]

That's the kind of person that should hold government office. She knows the real world.

[@hiltonwatkins6750]

Good team mate for KP.

[@jwatt247]

And then she would inevitably become corrupted

[@hiltonwatkins6750]

@@jwatt247 Well, blame the slack justice system for that. We need to have a definitive award for honourable. You don’t get it without an impeccable record and if you lose it.. you lose ability to run for office. Of course we will be on our own for a few years after I make that law when I am dictator for a day…😂

[@evilsharkey8954]

@@jwatt247Katie Porter hasn’t. Bernie Sanders hasn’t. Those two have stuck to their guns.

[@AlysiaIsAwesome1]

Was about to say that myself​@@evilsharkey8954

[@idalipayan474]

40k for furniture? You can rebuild your house with that kind of money that’s ridiculous

[@ThePsychicClarinetist]

Imagine being able to afford a house in the first place... Can't rebuild what you don't have. But then again, most senators are boomers who already have their share of the land while the rest of us wither away in the tenements graciously labeled as "apartments".

[@Here4TheHeckOfIt]

​@@ThePsychicClarinetist Tenements... haven't heard that word used in a while. Agree. Rentals are shocking these days.

[@RobertHillard-xw7xd]

You can build brand new trailer homes with that

[@Augusto_Tenorio]

That's why people don't need State...

[@Augusto_Tenorio]

​@@RobertHillard-xw7xdhere in Brazil we can afford half a popular car (here a Toyota Corolla with less than your basic is for rich people). Decent house is at least R$ 200.000,00

[@MTJL-m1w]

She’s so well spoken, she did her research, she made unarguable points and you can see the passion she has. She’s the kind of person who should be in our government.

[@JupiKitten]

Unfortunately only the wealthy can afford to run at all.

[@jman1989]

This is the way it is supposed to be. It's OUR country

[@karlatantra1882]

No, I don't agree. While I like your Idea, I will approve her more if she had suggestions on the solution. Acting without a solution is not a good things. She said it herself is not demanding people to ractified the laws immediately, instead she needs the goverment to think of the solutions and the solutions must help before doing any ratification. The reason I disagree is, while she has a heart that is in the right place and her empathy is good, I think a lot of countries need people with not only the heart or the will but also the solutions. I think many countries need people that can act as a 'think tank' to give solutions and goverment that can act to make the plan feasible and actionable without changing much while managing the citizen. People that can become 'think tank' only need to be smart in giving a suggestion and able to think logically, they don't need skill to manage people, nor skill in politics or ability to sway peoples heart. They must be the best of their division. Dare to suggest a change, dare to debate and dare to try those suggestions. The goverment will be the ones that think whether the plans is feasible or not, they must be the ones that set contigencies upon contigenties for what planned, they must be the ones manage the citizens and ensure everythings running smoothly. The goverment must be able to understand the heart of citizens, able to empathize with the citizen and be able to see the problems that need solution and throw it to the 'think tank' group to think about the solution. They mustn't run from a problem they see. Well, that is the ideal way. Other people can go and give some additional requirements. Anyway, this is impossible idea, because the countries already exist. Except if a country is rebuilt or mass reform happens.

[@MTJL-m1w]

@@karlatantra1882 okay

[@boydc.5629]

"I've picked myself up from the bootstraps so many times I ripped em off." There's power in that statement, and man it hurts.

[@nilawarriorprincess]

That's incredibly relatable. I live with a chronic illness & I'm in poverty. & I'm not even sure what boot straps actually are.

[@barbaralarosa4942]

That's right about the bootstraps and I'll add that when those straps break from overuse, it's sobering to know you probably can't take 'em in to get fixed because...it's too expensive!

[@Alwaysintheroom]

The reality of the statement is that it's not even possible to pick yourself up by your bootstraps. People always use that phrase as something that means "you can do it" but that's not what the phrase actually means.

[@breyette4697]

@@nilawarriorprincessSame, what are boots lol

[@crimsonrosez5097]

@@Alwaysintheroomhi, so what does it mean?

[@Tejah]

"I'm not asking you to apologoze for your privilege , I'm just asking you to see past it" Well said.

[@samariemartinezserrano7478]

King Amen-Tut-Ankh there are a lot of types of oppression. Blacks are oppressed for their skin, women are oppressed by perverts, men are oppressed to act a certain way in order to be “manly”, the poor are oppressed by the rich, and the list goes on and on.

[@Anne_Alphaz]

@King Amen-Tut-Ankh this is plain stupid. Hope your daughters or sons won't get this from you.

[@5373NSMAG]

OMG everyone wants to be a victim. Sad AF.

[@samariemartinezserrano7478]

JP777 sadly you are a victim of stupidity

[@sheilahall9060]

The rich are the ones with privlage no matter what race you are if you don't have lots of money the justice system is against you we are punished not for a crime but rather the crime of being poor. I am not saying that African Americans are not targeted unjustly rather I am saying that all poor should unite against this injustice because we all see and feel the insustice even though it may not be in the same amount any amount of this injustice needs to be changed. We can change it by uniting for justice for all humans.

[@robinmahan101]

I’m watching this in 2024 and it STILL resonates true. The federal poverty line needs to be adjusted.

[@bobhope8404]

Wrong. Taxes need to be abolished.

[@florpleborp2275]

Reminder to folks-Bezos would still be richer than he was at the start of the pandemic if he gave every Amazon employee $100,000 bonus.

[@blackcoffee2002]

It was adjusted during COVID, and now we have Infation. It's still terrible

[@opa8928]

That's because things got only worse.

[@roamiblu1833]

@@bobhope8404. And without taxes, then what? What do you think taxes are for?

[@JoshuaDady-e1y]

I work 7days a week and have for almost 3 yrs and..... This woman is 100% correct...

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

I hope you get rich one day

[@user-by2sx9qk1e]

Don’t vote for some that will make big corporations thrive while you strive to make ends meet! Trump’s campaign is receiving most of its funding from the 1% wealthier! Don’t fall for this lie!

[@callanpepper9920]

The government will just ignore this, like they ignore every other systemic issue in America.

[@Clara_Elena]

Applies for the entire continent.

[@Ss-hn5rf]

@@Clara_Elena maybe the whole world. Edit: I'm happy that I was wrong. Kudos world.

[@Ss-hn5rf]

@ISAAC ONG ZI EN example?

[@gracieb.3054]

@@Ss-hn5rf Canada, France, UK, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand and Australia all have Universal government healthcare, and many have Universal Higher Ed too. There are also quite a few countries I left out b/c I can't remember all of them off the top of my head. Other countries make sure they have a strong safety net so that they don't live like we do. No one goes bankrupt from getting medical care or going to college. In Denmark, McDonald's workers make $22 an hour, have paid sick leave and great benefits. All of this data shows it is possible, but neither the Democrats or Republicans want the gravy train to slow down even a little, so even the Dem's are almost universally against Universal Healthcare, Higher Ed and the Green New Deal. However, the Republicans, by and large, are trying to turn America into a fascist oligarchy, and that is worse. Trump is acting like a dictator. Getting rid of anyone 'disloyal' and attacking those that uphold justice. Ignoring data from the WHO warning of Coronavirus and wishing it would go away instead of providing real leadership. Lives could have been and could still be saved. This is why we need to vote democratic in this election. Correcting the ills of our country starts with voting for those who will at least uphold the rule of law and start to rebuild this country after all this destruction. Btw, to everyone who is reading this, I want you to know that I have been through extremely rough times and I understand it is hard not to give up hope. As the Brit's used to say in WW2, we must "keep calm and carry on." We must also fight for democracy once again. Don't forget, we deserve better than this.

[@jeanclaude6856]

Because we are asleep, brainwashed, devided and conquered by social media and the media, we are asleep in the matrix being used as batteries, nothing will change unless we change and revolt.

[@JohnPaton3]

"Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor." -James Baldwin

[@katinjegat]

@Oh my Josh writing fairy tales for a living

[@elpi2804]

The comments here also show how the opposite is true. How the heck are you supposed to get by when the government actively makes your life harder the poorer you are?

[@serenitynpeace104]

James Baldwin got that right.

[@serenitynpeace104]

@KZbin Isbroken stop doing what? Being poor?

[@serenitynpeace104]

@polskakingredwhitepill zak too bad you don't really know the truth. When i was well I worked, all my saving went, even disabled I paid the majority of my college loans back. But when I had a couple thousand left, couldn't pay tried to get disability to pay, which I could do. But after a few years of fighting, being ignored, they took the money out of my social security disability check. Which was all of it. Plus on top of that I guess it wasn't enough because they did it again. Won't get into explaining here, but your clueless. I'm sorry. Don't have to explain anything to you or anyone else. Just want you to open your mind. Its not as cut & dry as you think it is.

[@superbob24]

This made me realize, how can they justify a 40 hour a week salary being lower than the poverty line. If you work ANY job you should not be below the poverty line.

[@lipglosslover83]

I’m with you on that ! ❤

[@obinrin_arewa]

There are plenty of trades that pay good money. Also bring back two parent homes.

[@koreanjesus1983]

​@@obinrin_arewaThere aren't enough jobs that pay good money for EVERYONE to have one. You're still going to have people filling those lower income jobs because SOMEBODY has to do that work. Even single people with no children have a hard time getting by because of one income and everything being crazy expensive. No one should have to work two or three jobs their whole life to survive, but SOMEBODY has to work at that gas station or that grocery store or at McDonald's or whatever.

[@Hanno300bc]

​@Omalicha_Nwanyi, what do you mean? Two parent homes?

[@winning3329]

​@@obinrin_arewa The privileged always telling the poor "let them eat cake" 🙄

[@RockHawk69]

The fact that they increase the senators' furniture allowance to account for inflation, but they don't do the same for the federal minimum wage and poverty numbers is insane. Really goes to show where the government's priorities lie.

[@cherylsmith4826]

I couldn't believe it when she said that about the furniture adjusted for inflation??? Astonishingly ridiculous. She's right. Shame on all of us.

[@Iamrightandyouarewrong51]

She spoke beautifully, but it will fall on deaf ears. You can’t embarrass Congress. They have no conscience.

[@tomstdenis]

If you turned the camera around I bet half of the seats of the committee were vacant.

[@gladysgladorlino6729]

They will if a shooter comes after them

[@FinalB055]

@@gladysgladorlino6729 Unfortunately they only go after innocent people in malls and concerts. Not the real threat to all of our lively hoods

[@jackkraken3888]

@@FinalB055 sadly true. Not that's I'm ok with them killing politicians.

[@reductio1000]

even worse, most likely in private they were laughing at her afterwards.

[@Vyndora]

Unfortunately the people she is telling this to literally don’t care.

[@ghostsheet777]

Then why should we allow those people to be in charge. We shouldn't.

[@ariremel7571]

@@ghostsheet777 How could we stop them?

[@Peppermon22]

Ari Remel this is where we need to riot. We are rioting in all the wrong places

[@matthewrussell9256]

@@ariremel7571 Literally vote them out. People who complain of corrupt politicians are the usually same ones who do not attempt to vote, claiming that their vote means nothing, and continuing this exact issue.

[@vaughnpeterson3162]

@@matthewrussell9256 I agree to a point, we can vote, and trust the next person will clean up the mess. Truth be told it's the whole flawed system that needs change, and that won't happen in on sitting term or two.

[@Nadia-yo8lt]

The lady behind her was scrolling her phone all the time she spoke. That says it all. Washington couldn’t care less

[@obsolete_5807]

That’s disheartening

[@eadruna]

No silly. Shes holding her phone. Her thumb moving like we all do when we scroll our phones??? NO!

[@jcsrst]

They are evil for not caring.

[@obsolete_5807]

Tacqueso Timestamp| 0:32 watch closely for the next couple of seconds.

[@that.ll_do_pig]

@@eadruna you really don't see her thumb going non-stop!??

[@Red-pq4xx]

I applaud this woman. That was a KILLER speech falling on deaf ears, I wish her the nerve to continue to fight for a better quality of life for children and families in the face of blissful ignorance.

[@nafeezabolia9724]

It's not necessary to replace furniture every year.Those laws need to be changed soon.Thank you for highlighting what is happening in America.

[@Fido-vm9zi]

Ridiculous

[@carmar208]

My home furniture is decades old, who replaces furniture yearly??

[@KayWagner-j5k]

@@Fido-vm9zi

[@summerohara554]

The old stuff was built to last.

[@sunnylilacs]

I’d be interested to hear what the full context is. If it’s $40,000 for all furniture in government buildings in even one state, that would actually be a way lower budget than I’d expect. For one town hall it’s rather high. Honestly, even if it’s the budget for one city’s government buildings’ furniture, it’s still low. Consider that one piece of decent large furniture can cost $1000, and it puts it into productive. Edit: perspective

[@redactedrider7606]

This poor woman…she must be absolute devastated today cause things have got much…MUCH worse than it was when she made this amazing speech.

[@masoncross-om3oc]

Sad, really.. she most likely voted for biden too.. ?????

[@jameswesten2018]

The pot is bubbling, its reached a rolling boil and is very close to boiling over, all its gonna take is for a few people to make the first move toward revolt for tens of millions of others to follow. And the mistake those in power are making is thinking people will destroy each other, poor people aren't gonna steal from other people that don't have anything, they're gonna band together to take from those that have what they don't have.

[@bernardr7182]

Shes eating better than fine. You literally cant convince me shes not lazy. Two jobs one probably Avon.

[@TimmyTouchy]

​@@bernardr7182maybe she has a health issue, my mother was obese but she had only 25 percent of her heart working and diabetes. Diabetes you have to eat because if your sugar dips too low it can be fatal. That's just sh!tty dude. What horrible people we have in the world smdh

[@acookrez6150]

​@@bernardr7182 ah, more proof dementia will always be better than us as a species.

[@Gus-x3z]

This woman is an amazing speaker. She is passionate and articulate. Most of all she stated the truth,,, the reality of poverty here in the United States.

[@zenguidancetarot]

Same in other countries

[@youareworthalot1228]

But we are supposed to be the best country in the world. It is definitely not true.

[@flossietube2065]

4 years later and things have only gotten WORSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jerryvahnknight218]

Yep, this! ..and I’m a disabled veteran. Nothing worse than hearing that I am not worth being paid more money, or having a better job, or better healthcare all for some lame excuses and then being thanked for my service as I am being shepherd out the door! Thank you for speaking to congress!

[@revgordon91]

God bless you sir and thank you for your service and sacrifice to our country.

[@lizzyblitz07]

The amount of times I've had to explain to other 20-somethings that army brats get kicked off their parent's insurance 3 years early (23) is crazy. Obviously the U.S. needs to cover and protect its soldiers better first and foremost, but the poor treatment of military members also expands to families in a lot of ways ppl don't think about. As a disabled 24 y/o who isn't a fan of the military as an institution, thank you for your service, im sorry for all youve dealt with, and i feel you in more ways than you would imagine. Something's gotta change

[@jerryvahnknight218]

@@lizzyblitz07 I was also a military brat, and a lot of policies and health care available isn’t the best for the families, especially with regard to insurance. My parents were divorced and when living in the states with my mom as a civilian, a lot of doctors wouldn’t take the insurance and I’d have to sometimes go from multiple hospitals to get seen. Which as 7 year old, when your friend accidentally cuts your finger off and the ambulance takes you to a hospital that doesn’t accept that insurance, then they take you to a another hospital, only to have them decide they weren’t going to take you to a third, so everyone has to move from the ambulance to the minivan (and not forget my finger) before finding a hospital that will reattach the finger, really sucks! Years later when I moved in with my dad, and we lived overseas on the military bases and depending where and what country you are in, the healthcare can be spotty at best. Also, something people don’t think about is; when you go and see a doctor realize that they all didn’t graduate at the top of their class. They aren’t all great, or even decent. Some just squeak thought. This is more often than not on display when you are at a VA hospital or a base hospital, and you are looking at the doctor, listening to the doctor, and watching what they are doing, when all of the sudden it hits you, “oh ok, this person may be a doctor, but from what school? Was it a party school? What were their grades? Do they drink? There’s no way this was the best student in their class, I’m not really sure they should be a doctor!”, and that’s when it’s like, “ok, the government is hiring the cheap doctors that barely make it, the military is hiring doctors where this might be the only type of place that win give this person a scalpel! And now I am screwed” However, congress, scotus and the President and all have lifetime access to the best healthcare available while the rest slum it at the bottom. It’s horrible!

[@mandyharewood886]

You were fighting in the interests of the one percent, dear. Your country is hegemonic, a new form of empire, dominating, bullying, crushing all other countries, especially the non-white countries, forcing us to operate in "America's interest" rather than our own. You lot need to interrogate your foreign policy and all these military "interventions" you found out were based on lies! Think about it! If they don't care about you, do you think they care about us non-Americans? If they lie to you on domestic policy, do you think they tell you the truth about foreign policy? And yet you sign up to fight!

[@mandyharewood886]

​@@revgordon91Exactly what service did he provide to you? He served the one percent who bully and pillage the rest of us non-white countries, dear. Have you delved into your foreign policy at all? There is no such thing as benevolence with an empire.

[@Claire-zg2di]

Poverty guidelines for 2024 in NYS for a family of 2 is $20,440. If you make a dollar over that you do NOT qualify for any assistance yet the average 2 bedroom apartment in Syracuse NY is $1300 a month. After taxes are taken out and rent is paid youre literally left with roughly $250 a month to live on and thats without health insurance, life insurance or any kind of retirement fund. Shame on our government!

[@killpretty13]

The crazier part is a person wouldn't qualify to rent the place to begin with because you have to make much more than what the rent is to move in. I wish the lady here would have mentioned that, too. It's why a lot of people with jobs are in one way or another homeless. They don't make enough to get the place to begin with

[@AaZz-x7p]

Shame on people who cant support themselves for bringing children into poverty that others have to pay for. It needs to stop.

[@josephmayfield945]

It’s pretty cheap to live in most places in the US. Just move out of the major cities.

[@Gfy69ytb]

In Vermont you can get a crackhead efficiency for $1800.00 per month, that probably has a shared bathroom. If you want something better, you better be prepared to pay the big bucks.

[@Gfy69ytb]

@@josephmayfield945 nothing like showing your ignorance and privilege! Great job!

[@elvis2goya]

Disgusting that this is 4 years old and the federal minimum wage is still $7.25

[@lisarichardson8639]

Yep, I made in 1987 8.05 an hour as a manager at a Supercuts hair salon. I can't believe that decades have gone by and I made more then than an unskilled worker at minimum wage now in 2024. That blows my mind.

[@ChrisM-zm4li]

Thank a Republican for that. Christians disdain and hate the poor

[@DVolvoguy777-x7o]

Minimum wage was created to keep people from hiring blacks back in the day.

[@Trendsthismonth]

Wage is decided by the states and towns. The cost of living is different for each state and town. Therefore there is no point in changing the federal minimum wage because it is a dumb thing to begin with. It can't be enforced because each state and town has different costs of living . The bottom of the bar. Not the MAXIMUM wage a person can earn.

[@teresaproaps3621]

The only entity to benefit from a raise in minimum wage is the government. They get to collect more income tax. Raising minimum wage contributes to inflation and all prices go up accordingly as employers must pass it on in some way. Raising minimum wage does NOTHING to contribute to quality of life for the workers. We have to start at the top. But, no one will believe it.

[@niradnagrom2356]

"I'm not asking you to apologize for your privilege, but I am asking you to look past it." What a wonderful plea from a brave American speaking for a majority of us!

[@tonitouchberry6257]

WOW! One of the most powerful speeches I've ever heard spoken and I'm 79 years old!! Lady!!! Please be in my government🙏🙏🙏

[@thenightking7167]

I agree. Superbly powerful speech.

[@facecy1427]

Absolutely agree my friends

[@conraddevera]

If Getting a raise means getting less.. Even my kid would tell you something is wrong

[@sonicvenom8292]

It's called hard/mismatched benefits. America has many of these, where there is a grey area where the system encourages worsening yourself off. The 'for example' is common sense, don't need to read that unless it is unclear. For example, if you earned 10 gold per x time, you got 5 gold from the heavens(govt. Benefits). But when you get a raise, and you earn 12 gold, you lose your benefits, and suddenly you are worse off. And often, these gaps can be LARGE in some places, often with people getting trapped in systems like this. One good thing is that some countries are varrying the amount of benefits, so that benefits from the government WILL still lessen, but as you climb the ladder, you are constantly rewarded by what you have done, due to the pace. For example, you earn 10 gold, get 5. You earn 12 gold, you get 4. Earn 16, get 2. Constantly benefiting. We just hope that people will get on the idea soon enough.

[@JamieM470]

@@sonicvenom8292 Another example is the current Corona Cash. I have several co-workers who are refusing to work at all until August because they make a lot more money staying at home collecting state unemployment plus $600.00 a week from the federal govt. I'm just astounded that the company is letting them get away with it. In order to qualify for unemployment (and the Corona Cash) you have to be "available for work" and "have not refused work that's offered/available". They refuse every week.

[@sonicvenom8292]

I have a distaste for America(government mostly) but this has gone too far, ignoring its own citizens.

[@conraddevera]

I'm no lawyer or politician, but yeah hitting a certain point should not eliminate your benefits entirely, make it gradual. Otherwise people will choose to be below poverty line if they get less with higher salary

[@Timdeenter]

They also add like 10x more work for like 25 cents more

[@mrbobert6312]

And they all did.... Nothing, for her, for us. They just said, "omg, how sad" and then, "okay, she's gone, which 5 star restaurant are we at tonight, guys?"

[@zazzue5131]

No, most of them probably said that they'll pray for her, and then go to the 5 star restaurant.

[@cyan8921]

I remember watching this video when it first was published to KZbin. I remember crying because everything she said resonated so deeply with me, not because this is my lived experience but because I see it every day as a healthcare provider in a public hospital system. It is now 10/14/2024 and this video showed back up in my feed…yeah, I cried again when I watched it…not just because it was such a passionate speech, but because not enough has changed. Senators and Representatives continue to receive that $40,000 furniture allowance on a YEARLY BASIS. The ultra wealthy continue to get away with paying very little in taxes. Children continue to go to school hungry. People continue to lose their homes over medical debt they cannot overcome. And healthcare continues to be a privilege instead of a right of EVERY American. We can do so much better than this. We HAVE to do so much better than this. I love you all. ❤

[@byuftbl]

I lost a cousin to suicide earlier this year because he had so many medical bills and other debts even though he was a talented and hard working welder. Plus he had depression and I’m not sure if he ever went to or could afford therapy, and he just didn’t think he could ever get out of the situation, and his mental illness told him so. People are dying because of poverty, either ending their own life or dying because they can’t afford healthcare

[@adelaferreira4575]

She is so right,defining poverty by the government is just ridiculous ,she should run for office !

[@donnadanielson3532]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for speaking out about this country’s poverty problem. You did an excellent job.

[@sueellenwalkerspencer5647]

❤

[@Javiera_Random]

From 4 years ago :( what changed?

[@Un1234l]

​@@Javiera_Random What changed? Things got worse due to woke Democrat policies and rhetoric. Literally giving citizens' tax money to non citizens by the BILLIONS. Inflating the currency due to incompetent economic policies.

[@hammertime9183]

Poverty isn't the problem, it's greed. 2.4% of the wealth is owned by the bottom 50% of the population, 36% of the wealth by top 10%, 16% by top 1% and 9% by top 0.1%. That means 1/1000 people own/earn more than triple the poorest 500 combined. There's plenty of wealth, the system is broken.

[@Un1234l]

@@Javiera_Random Progressive Leftist policies are whan happened. That's what happens when you vote for poor economic policies and mass illegal immigration, and for sending taxpayer money overseas instead of using it domestically to help out citizens

[@wbrito8617]

Government officials only got out of this: " Boy, I'm lucky not to be her"

[@inaj27]

Definitely made me see my blessingy more ! I’m glad I’m not in her shoes and I also see how it’s all a set up . I hope she’s finds a way to get through this , eat healthier , learn new skill sets to get a better job . It’s sad but I know escorts and strippers that make a lot of money and can take vacations . She’s trying her best to make a good living and yet here we are .... tsk tsk

[@hubertsumlin9697]

you got that right. maybe even closer to "if she had done like i did she wouldn't be in this position." in my experience wealthy people often feel there's something exceptional about them as people and something wrong with poor people and ignore all the circumstances that lead to both. like my doctor used to say, "they're born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple."

[@Sailor-Dave]

No, they're thinking, "I'm so much better than her."

[@XHitsugaX]

got mine dont care!

[@I.love.chease]

But it’s not just her it MILLIONS of people and they are going to have to do something about it

[@benitalpaxton8120]

This is 4 years old & still true!!!! 😢 TODAY 2024 HomelessNESS in the USA is @ its all time HIGH!!! My grandchildren will not make enough to buy The American dream of owning a home 😢 Please Be the CHANGE !!!

[@latisabutler8964]

She couldn't have said it any better than that!!! She's absolutely correct!! This system is horrific😭

[@ohumhi1203]

This is us, I'm sitting here in tears because she's talking about my family, and the people listening don't care.

[@Jmars58]

This is so many people in America. You’re not alone.

[@leslieroycroft3569]

❤️ how many times I have grocery shopped with a calculator...now my phone calculator. My husband is an electrician and he has been for 20 yrs. (we’ve been married only 7) I thank the universe everyday that he has insurance because he is a type 1diabetic. He can’t survive without constant insulin. This country is so incredibly backwards. Not to mention how this has been years in the making. History shows that inequity has been built into the system from the very beginning. Keep the poor poor. Keep them uneducated and keep them sick. 😢 sending you love and peace. I truly hope things get easier for you. Don’t give up.❤️

[@willkeyes8859]

Please go to a mosque near you so they may hopefully help you out. May God bless you and your family.

[@Sandrae7560]

Hang in there..

[@nothingman3542]

Sometimes you have to rattle their world and put their livelyhood at stake. They only have positions because we ALLOW them to.

[@badtvbad1]

She is talking about the dollars and cents, but hunger, lack of clothing, being unable to pay the rent on time every month, etc. etc., is just the tip of the iceberg. Not only do impoverished people lack these essential material things, they are paying with their health due to the constant, unending stress. Stress is linked to many physical illnesses and mental illnesses, and nothing is as stressful as being housing/food/medical care insecure. People who have never experienced grinding poverty can't really understand how constant and oppressive the stress is. You go to bed worrying, you have nightmares at night, and you wake up to another day of trying to survive. It's dreadful, and shameful in our rich country. People should not be living like this when we have the resources of the richest country in the world.

[@lmor7110]

My heart goes out to everyone struggling in the USA. I’ve experienced extreme financial stress & food insecurity in Canada, but still had sufficient health care to survive.

[@deborahaumiller7391]

Thank you. Right now, being an American stinks ​@@lmor7110

[@williamsmith4278]

Not all people are born into poverty. Some people put themselves there through bad choices, but what this woman is talking about is the truth.

[@badtvbad1]

@@williamsmith4278 It's possible to become impoverished through no fault of your own and not be born into it. It's not like there are two choices...born into it or you deserve it.

[@laughs150]

Please don't lie and try and say that the lady goes to bed hungry.

[@WspiDigits]

Damm right, and it gets worse than that too. Here is a real patriot.

[@lilrenstar1]

“I’m not asking you to apologize for your privilege, but to see past it”!!!!! FACTS!

[@maythesciencebewithyou]

Not going to happen. They can't grasp it at all, nor do they want to. The irony is that most rich people see themselves as poor.

[@thedbcooperforum]

Sounds like "defund" is in order...I'm sure AOC would love to give up her extra income..

[@seju9959]

May the Science be with You my family is rich and that’s true, my dad worked because he liked his job and not for the salary then when my older brother was born he started thinking about money now he downplays it and tries not to spoil us and says we don’t have that much money, but in reality we have a lot of it

[@thedbcooperforum]

@Sydney Piper Bristow so she is going to take a pay cut? H-E-L-L-O

[@thedbcooperforum]

@Sydney Piper Bristow Pay cut of 100k would give her double the amount of the $15 minimum she fights for...that's plenty for all Senators, no?

[@Calcifurr]

My dad was a janitor and my mom was a casino dealer. They were “above” the poverty level where we didn’t get any free lunch at school. I remember my mom would give me $10 a week and I had to decide what days I would get to eat breakfast and lunch and what days I couldn’t as I had to pay $3 for lunch and $1.25 for breakfast. I basically starved half the week and hid that I was starving while my friends ate. No child should have to choose if they get to eat lunch or not. It is not their fault they don’t have any money nor is it their fault if they have bad parents who don’t give them any money or care about them. My parents loved me but they just couldn’t make ends meet.

[@DHGcrimson]

dam im more thankful for what i have now. Also sounds like rent is just murdering ppl out there. im lucky and have a 1 bedroom for 200 bucks a month. Saved me 5k this year.

[@sonicvenom8292]

I live in a 'third world' country, and things are very bad to say the least for quite a lot of people here. Corruption is rampant, people are starving in the streets, and the government does little about it.

[@sylviaross5486]

MissGreenThumbs I hear you, & don't EVER think it's your fault or your parents' fault. I've had clueless morons actually tell me it's my fault I'm struggling at 60 because I "didn't plan better". How dare they? I didn't plan better by going to work for a soulless company that cheats hardworking citizens & the more you cheat these people, the more money you make? No way! I may have almost a master's degree & have never worked in my field, but at least my conscience is clean & I can sleep at night with this knowledge.

[@CapedCrusader77]

Same. We finally qualified my senior yr and it exhilarating to eat everyday. Early 1990s when lunch ladies still made cinnamon rolls, amazing spaghetti, and their rolls.. 😁

[@101perspective]

They serve breakfast at school now? We always ate breakfast at home. And it sure as heck didn't cost over $1.25 to do it. Eggs and toast are pretty cheap. As for lunch, why not a bag lunch? Once past grade school I even would run home for lunch. It was good exercise and the meals were definitely less than $3. Granted, I only lived about 1.5 miles away.

[@greyline1012]

These people this lady addressed are so out of touch with reality that they probably yawned behind her back. Personally I think she did absolutely amazing.

[@sunrae7680]

I feel blessed for what I have. But, I cry because of families that live like this.

[@NUBIANS2009]

You say, these people are so out of touch with reality, did you vote them into office?

[@greyline1012]

Saunya Harris NO

[@Blacksheep-Ba-Ba]

I live in west virginia. This woman is not lying!! It's really bad here!! My heart is broken!! I stand behind her❤❤❤❤

[@krystalmills1622]

She LITERALLY said EVERYTHING I have been feeling for the last 10 years so greatful she had the guts to say what most Americans are feeling today

[@gracieb.3054]

@Wang chi an Lam Really. When is the last time you set foot in West Virginia? If not, you have no idea what it is like. Perhaps you don't recall that Hillary Clinton went there on the campaign trail and said one of the dumbest things I've ever heard a politician say. She came to coal country and told them that she was going to close the mines! Like the miner's would be happy about that when it is one of the main employers there. She also didn't say what new jobs would be there to replace the ones she shut down that they were desperate to hold on to. As my grandfather and great grandfather were miner's, I understand how it is. It is amazing to me how many people judge what they don't really know.

[@abdulghaniawnallah7921]

Brought tears to my eyes

[@tonygarwood63]

That's the problem right there..You said she said everything I've been feeling for the last 10years..Not enough people are saying his they feel..This is nothing to be ashamed of as there are too many people in the same position..You have to stand together

[@luciolynx5443]

It’s grateful not greatful, not a knock just saying.

[@eunicecaseres5164]

When I found my self with no job, I face poverty, then you realize how millions of Americans suffer everyday.

[@icoachmyself9980]

THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!! POOR AMERICANS! As a German, I hope you will rattle the windows a bit more and get justice and above all enough money to have a life.

[@deborahaumiller7391]

Most of us working Americans are that poor and even worse poor. Thank you for your heartfelt concern.❤

[@SeerSeekingTruth]

All these people have to do is start getting involved at the local level. In my state there is a property tax exemption and most people don’t even know it. I try to help broken people all day long and where our government is corrupt, the people are 99% the reason why it continues that way. They don’t and won’t change or do what required. They sit in a bubble all day and are not active at all in their governments. All local, state and county code and law is readily available in the internet and no one reads it, no one attends public city hall meetings, no one does anything. So don’t feel too bad. They have to get up and do something. It’s our duty to get up and do something.

[@ludwigvonmiseswasright4380]

This is the consequence of our Federal government printing trillions of USD. In 1912 Henry Ford paid $5/day for factory line work. But that was before the US ditched the gold standard. Gold was $20/oz. So, those ment qere earning 1/4oz gold per day, which is $600 USD per day. And their taxes were less too. The USD has lost 97% of its purchasing power since the Federal Reserve started printing money (about the same time as Henry Ford was paying $5)

[@Playsinthedirt]

​@@deborahaumiller7391Yes ma'am! Living in Washington State. Working 40 hours a week, forced to rent a room in a stranger's basement with my dog and cat just so I can survive. A one-bedroom apartment is $1,200 minimum here. Anything less expensive has permanent breeding insects in the walls. I consolidated all my credit cards so I just make one payment a month and have car insurance and health insurance and a cell phone bill, And after dog and cat food I have just a minimal amount for gas and food for me. And I don't see any way out of it other than Jesus returning!☝🏼👑

[@debbie4503]

Mr. German, it is not wise to put your 2 cent's in a Family Squabble. 😂

[@youuurstruuuly]

this is the type of video that should be viral

[@jenniferibarra7737]

Not even one minuite in I’m crying had to pause this felt the chewing on cloves , and using herbs and prayer 🙏 God bless her soul I feel like her twin after hearing that .. this woman is being the voice for many of us my heart is rejoicing that she had the voice to help others ❤

[@JosepiThe13th]

Keep in mind: she made this speech when Trump was in office. So don't go voting him back in or something stupid like that.

[@MelissaJetzt]

Their office furniture keeps up with inflation but the minimum wage can’t???

[@racheltucker8054]

Honestly makes my stomach sick

[@icinsights8650]

This part!!! Spot on!

[@hameedullahkhan4441]

I just DIED when I heard that. Like how low are on their priorities that FURNITURE is above us?

[@paradoxical_taco]

The COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment - basically another term for “adjustment for inflation “) for Social Security Disability for 2021 resulted in my monthly benefits going up $14/month. Doesn’t do much.

[@PlaceStillMatters]

And worker productivity has steadily climbed over the last three decades while wages are hotly discussed by one side and totally denied by the other. It’s unconscionable.

[@stevegoodman7789]

Sad thing is, if you turn the camera, I’m sure she’s pouring her heart out to about 3 politicians who are likely just checking emails and watching the clock.

[@lydiabell6218]

Yes, but there is a distinct difference between WHICH representatives CARE and WHICH DON'T. It is the Dems who have created the safety net and fought desperately to keep it in spite of all the Republican efforts to repeal it.

[@Fafnd]

@@lydiabell6218 Not accurate it's conservative democrats and republicans that want to repeal the safety net while progressives and socialists want to expand it.

[@Angela-lb9zi]

@@Fafnd What you said.

[@Angela-lb9zi]

@@lydiabell6218 The Democrats and Republicans are in bed with each other robbing the American people blind.

[@jalemairliha]

Fafnd - learn the history of the democratic party. they’ve been fighting for safety nets for the last 70+ years. I dare you to name more than 3 dems-conservative or otherwise-that are fighting to repeal any of it, today.

[@dantederi5062]

This woman might be poor, but she ain't lazy or stupid.

[@tristunalekzander5608]

Well statistically she is stupid.

[@CONQUISTADOR79]

Lol that’s funny

[@jnetworthm7394]

I don't really know how u got a master's in something but still poor . Edit: I Now understand how it possible , with stuff like student debt and other things.

[@xekron61]

johnmark muthemba well here in Colorado if you get a masters in any Engineering, the avg salary you can expect is around $80k after 10yrs of work for big corporations like Lockheed, $100k if you’re lucky to get into higher sr management. The salary you’d need for a comfortable standard of living( meaning you don’t need to sacrifice anything to make ends meet) is around $87k in Colorado. Let that sink in. A masters degree in one of the higher paying programs you could go to University for only gets you to or barely above the standard of living. Now a masters in anything less than the most lucrative jobs will have you sacrificing to get by and ever closer to poverty. For reference the threshold for middle class in CO is above $70k

[@serdnae]

She may be poor, but she’s had plenty to eat. And probably not smart. Intelligence is the highest predictor of economic success.

[@shanebohlender5010]

This is real. And she is on point.

[@ariyathammavong5377]

“They’re not poor enough to get help. They don’t make enough to get by” That’s how the system traps you, so you can keep on feeding into the low level labor force. Sad to see people blaming the poor for being poor.

[@trudycolborne2371]

Now the poor are being mocked by being called essential and heroes when three months ago you told them to get a better job.

[@jrlovepll1215]

Yes it is, people hate the poor b/c they are poor.

[@lsour8546]

If I didn't get a big break thanks to my relative letting me stay at his house for only 100 dollars a month for a whole year and ended up with a partner who drives me to my job every day I would have still been in the position you're describing at this very moment. It's a trap that destroy people's potential and their health and undermines their intelligence. Without a big break or miracle you won't be able to get out of this trap. And when people are trapped, they start to get desperate. Crime increases. People go to jail, they come out. Good luck finding a decent job after that.

[@AaZz-x7p]

sad to see people who refuse to face reality and blame others for their very very bad decisions. How is it my fault that she had kids she couldnt support or refused to become educated?

[@marciamartins1992]

Did you not hear, she is educated.

[@imambaybars3405]

In the land where the dollar is worshipped, being poor is blasphemy

[@shimanopetermann9068]

@Harry Hatesu Dude have you even listened to what is said in that video?

[@tankmain3243]

imam Baybars How is being poor blasphemy in this nation?

[@AaZz-x7p]

In the land where hard work and intelligence is worshipped, being lazy and stupid is blasphemy

[@MarisaFrasure]

​@@AaZz-x7p: er, sir.....try to get a job with a bachelor's degree, or even a h.s. diploma in the Midwest these days that is sustaining..... I'll wait.........

[@MarisaFrasure]

​@@AaZz-x7p: er, sir.....try to get a job with a bachelor's degree, or even a h.s. diploma in the Midwest these days that is sustaining..... I'll wait.........

[@thealchemistdaughter3405]

This woman is desperately needed in our politics.. She is an intelligent sincere orator with a tremendous grasp on the situation many are facing.. such a refreshing change from the agenda driven frauds we are forced to accept as political representation..May God bless and Strengthen her journey 🙏🏻💪🏻

[@Playsinthedirt]

Ahmein!

[@debbie4503]

I agree. I don't care if she's Democrat, Republican or Independent. We need her NOW!

[@kristylisak.3310]

God bless her and her work to represent those who don’t have the power to petition for more.

[@NarrowRS]

America is beyond broken 🤦‍♂️ It’s a ridiculous notion to think the US is great if it can’t provide a prosperous life for its citizens; it makes me wanna cry

[@chrisrios4303]

Ya your right, bet you want to just leave and go to Mexico were you would have a great life, bye

[@hoosiernative9668]

Chris Rios yeah cuz that’s the way to fix things “if you don’t like it leave!!!” Pathetic!!! This is our home I will always try to fix my home before leaving my home!

[@darikai219]

I'm thinking North Korea was like that. But we're worse? Crazy

[@ghostofsilence2697]

Why do you think there are flags everywhere? Why do you think those in power keep reminding us every chance they get between breaths and speeches that "america is the greates country on earth"? Its to divert your attention away from its shortcomings, to distract you from its flaws and make you think everything is okay enough to keep working and maintain the status quo. No other country does this, at least not to the same level america does.

[@chrisrios4303]

Motor what's pathetic is you crying and always trying to blame and point fingers for mistakes of your life, that's pathetic

[@danielzunigagutierrez6300]

She just unvailed the reality of the "geatest country in the world."

[@toniawills1465]

I don’t know about great, how much more greatest. Oh I see!... you mean the most hypocrite country🤔. Your so smart!.

[@Covid--ts5cw]

Yeah, she's definitely going hungry. 🤣😂 They could've at least used a pock of colour.

[@crispri3919]

@@Covid--ts5cw unfortunately if it was coming from a poc they might take it less seriously. Them hearing it from a white woman is the best shot because it might make them relate to her. And also poor people are sometimes fat even when starving because they live in poor neighborhoods with food desserts where healthy meats and produce are hard to find or expensive. And what little they do eat is so nutritionally terrible their bodys hold onto fat for some kind of nutrition

[@MrSamialbeik]

@@tomross350 nope . racist lies. This is what you get with a political two party system were corruption is legalized as political contributions.

[@betoortis9977]

@Estrogen Fury Obliviously or obviously!?

[@lifewithdraco4242]

Sis, they are way past caring. They sold their souls, those are empty vessels you are speaking to.

[@acidroofproductions9378]

Cannot shame someone who cannot feel it. Same as I cannot comprehend their level of outright GREED.

[@malluenglishprofessor5090]

Go to Denmark 👍that's a welfare state. USA is a capitalist nation. If you want somebody else to take care of you , go to scandanavian countries. In a capitalist nation your life is your own responsibility

[@agees924]

Mallu English Professor We aren’t capitalist though. America is a welfare state for the rich. She literally said that these congressman get a $40,000 dollar per year office furniture budget. That is our money they are using.

[@abbad707]

Almost Blue yup.

[@malluenglishprofessor5090]

@@agees924 When you ask govt for many free services you will have to pay huge taxes . What did you expect ? Govt provide mediocre services for huge expenses . When private enterprise fail or become incompetent it goes out of business , another efficient business enterprise will emerge in its place . When a public school or hospital fail , it get more funds . They have more insensitive to fail than to succeed. It is your responsibility to take care of yourself and your family. Many of the rich people don't send their children to public schools , don't use public healthcare , then why should they pay for it . They only need a functioning govt and law and order . Govt is making you pay for the needs you asked for The tax code is built to incentives certain kinds of behavior, mostly around creating wealth and jobs. Employees and self-employed people, while providing value to employers, don’t themselves create jobs or wealth for the economy. They are key to it, but they don’t directly do it. Investors and business owners do that. As such, the government has very little in the way of tax breaks for employees and the self-employed. Everyone needs a job, so they don’t need a tax break to be incentivized to get one. But not everyone has the courage to invest and start a business that employs other people. The government creates incentives for those that do via tax breaks. While it seems like a good idea to get a good education and a high-paying job, the reality is that most people with high-paying jobs aren't rich. Why? Because they have no financial education and have no idea how money actually works-and can work for you.

[@Adro7221]

This lady is a true angel ❤being poor isnt a choice. The poor get poorer while the rich get richer. Only did I understand this once i had a family. Shame on you politicians

[@wrightterence680]

This woman made a great speech!!👏👏👏 It is a shame that America is like this!!

[@justanotherhappyhumanist8832]

It’s not just America.

[@justanotherhappyhumanist8832]

This is a problem that affects other places too...and it’s so wrong.

[@darkcrystal8646]

@@justanotherhappyhumanist8832 Indeed! Whole Earth has been taken over by "them" ✌❤🌎

[@macberry4048]

@@justanotherhappyhumanist8832 the problems start in America. Businesses run around the world creating destruction and when some country rejects a business we get KZbin video about why some antiquated company couldn't survive in some foreign country

[@edwall100]

That is what greed has done...it needs to be eradicated...they need to be removed...our Country is dying!!

[@frankie_CALB]

When being a “public servant” means serving themselves and not the people they’re supposed to “represent”.

[@robynparris1923]

And their rich donors.

[@hobomike6935]

The public servant often serves himself using the public’s funds.

[@attache675]

$40,000 for furniture and increasing?! That’s disgusting...

[@jessicah3450]

Those desks though are really shiny. People yell at single mothers for being on food stamps, they appreciate every dollar. Tax payer money is really being wasted on those desks and private jets. Congressman take it all for granted.

[@fuzzytrufflethe3rd500]

i fear thats per person/senator too

[@herewego1067]

And a bit more for taxi/drivers fees :)

[@faisalkhalid534]

@@fuzzytrufflethe3rd500 it is

[@daydream1066]

Isn't it? Yet, they can't give more money for education or something. :/ Look at all of us who have college debt because we want to do better for ourselves, and they can't provide relief programs or put a cap on how much colleges can rip up off. It's nonsense!

[@yasministryheals]

Wow. What an awesome lady, a wonderful speaker. Give her a job in government 🙏

[@moniqueyoung9656]

The things she is saying is very true, but they already know this. They dont care.

[@sampokemppainen3041]

Maybe someone who does, hears. Rich are affraid only of revolution.

[@louisriel6052]

Make yourself valuable to society.

[@davidbrown8303]

Republicans never cared if people lived or died.

[@pengchen9902]

@@sampokemppainen3041 They would eliminate people who dare to stand up b4 they can make any revolution

[@tombarclay7108]

But... but... we're free! Can't have those socialist programs in our free devolving "shithole republic" (Trump's words, not mine).

[@gemhunter616]

Well, America is a business, not a country. They serve the rich.

[@jesswinterstone9474]

Capitalism, Not perfect but far better than all other options ever tried in the history of the world....so that's what you have to beat to change it.

[@ashtinnickol216]

@@jesswinterstone9474 What about democratic socialism?

[@spindoctor358]

@@jesswinterstone9474 that's just a lazy excuse to avoid addressing the shortcomings of capitalism as a system.

[@TrollPriestZandum]

@@jesswinterstone9474 it's time for progress.

[@dangeo1020]

Hey, so are churches...they also serve the rich, themselves....

[@sumeaaden4276]

”It’s called the american dream because u have to be asleep to believe it”

[@konstantinosavramidis5771]

Quote by the GREAT MIND of GEORGE CARLIN of course.....sad but true.

[@boatymcboatface4120]

I wish he would be still alive.

[@philhardackermann4366]

Rename it to 'The American Nightmare'.

[@chrismacks3640]

One of the best responses I've heard

[@andrew_owens7680]

@@konstantinosavramidis5771 George Carlin was an optimist.

[@marylemay5517]

Thank you for your courage!!

[@imaamericangirl1406]

She is spitting facts. She is brave, yes courageous to speak out. Are they even listening?!

[@fcasias7]

Of course not. These people are old enough to be retired and rich enough to think that 40k is what your office furniture should be worth. I'd be surprised if more than 10% ever worked for minimum wage.

[@NotMe-st8qc]

No and they don’t care and it will only get worse.

[@DatFwad]

They couldn’t give a f*ck.

[@jugemujugemugokonosurikire4735]

4 years and nothing changed. I'm not from the US, but the cost of living is so much more in comparison to salary.

[@psyclone8614]

"Sucks to be you" should be the motto of the federal government and all major corporations. They definitely embody it.

[@te9591]

Exactly, "Your problem isn't one of my problems". Is the motto of those in power.

[@missymoonwillow6545]

Big Brother, is ABUSIVE.

[@redblankie1219]

Maybe she needs to make less mistakes and be an adult

[@psyclone8614]

​@@redblankie1219 I take it you are completely happy with your financial situation. I'm sure you're not underpaid or overworked, and I'm sure your medical expenses won't kill you in the future.

[@MrEvldreamr]

@@psyclone8614 who cares? Youre free to live in another place..oh wait, there are no better places...

[@Crippycooke]

She came with receipts. This is really good. Come prepared with statistics and be strong in your message. This woman killed it.

[@StampNStitch]

She did! Too bad government is deaf!

[@DarkZerol]

And yet some politicians are still worried that they would have trouble sourcing their $50 a pint ice cream.

[@ttystikkrocks1042]

As long as politicians get more money from the rich than from average Americans, no amount of receipts will make any difference.

[@WashingtonDC20032]

Yes she did. It's giving me life!

[@bbleticia8030]

StampNStitch government is not deaf, to equate the state of deafness with the willingness to ignore is not right. the government is ignoring us, they hear our cries & they just don’t care.

[@frankieclayton9303]

She is so right about everything she said about the poor and middle class kids mothers disability retired veterans

[@13lood13ath]

Meanwhile the rich and corporations are constantly dodging taxes and getting bailouts.

[@avantikaroy5146]

Amazon, jeff bezos.

[@krishivagarwal5189]

And getting 500 million dollar COVID reliefs after laying off workers.

[@aprila3203]

I wouldn’t say the rich are dodging anything. MOST of these politicians are doing it for them and CRAMMING bailout dollars down their throats. Some of them said they “didn’t even need” a bailout!! True story.

[@krishivagarwal5189]

@@q187k Market concentration is killing America. So is the power pyramid where the coorps have risen to the top. It's just slavery with extra steps now,

[@johnlaw1142]

The corporations are smart, why would they pay these government parasites to buy $40k in “furniture” FOH We should be doing the same Stop paying taxes and maybe they will start listening to you. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal....tax evasion isn’t. Find ways to pay less taxes through LLCs and maybe these bureaucratic parasites will be forced to start paying attention

[@jeannefraser330]

The people she is talking to do care, “that’s the plan” keep you poor, busy putting food on the table ,a roof over your head and suffering, living substandard, now your too busy to complain or protest, all your energy is used up putting one foot in front the other, I applaud your stance!! Very well executed, thank you

[@samjordan8800]

@Jeanne Fraser What most in Congress fail to realize is, whenever turmoil starts at the grass-roots level it's usually due to FOOD insecurity issues! Arab Spring? Started by a guy who was sooo frustrated trying to put food on the table and government working against him till he sat down in the public square, poured gasoline all over himself and then LIT A MATCH!!!! Don't even let me get started about France and that "Let them eat cake!" that led A trail straight to the guillotine. This has also been true at the heart of many other protests that end up as revolutions.

[@aprila3203]

sam jordan That is tragic and devastating! I need to have a quiet moment to digest.

[@jeannefraser330]

sam jordan - this is a “movement” and it’s gone global, equality for everyone, the timing seems to be right because globally everyone is feeling the same, the collective minds working together, we are powerful together and are making a difference, love it!

[@InvaderTak176]

Exactly

[@5pctLowBattery]

Exactly. Sustained low wages can lead to reduced economic growth and marginalize large swaths of the population. Disposable income is needed for a healthy economy, and people need the time and resources to take care of themselves and their families. Particularly in low-wage jobs, people are struggling to pay for housing, for health insurance, for child care. When people are working two and three jobs and are not able to put together a decent wage, then at a very basic level they don’t have time to be active in their children’s schools, they don’t have the ability to engage in their local politics. And still, executive pay, already excessive in the eyes of many critics, rises.

[@cindya.esquivel6876]

I was raising my children 20 years ago and nothing has changed. I was making $7.00 an hour with three children, working 50+ hours a week. I made to much to receive any help and not enough to pay for everything we needed let alone wanted. Absolutely nothing has changed

[@florencedebear1576]

You are a hero. Believe me. I understand.❤

[@jasondashney]

I promise I mean this question sincerely and I’m not trying to stir anything up: how did it come to be that you had 3 children if you didn’t make enough to support them? I know there are many paths life can take so I’m curious about yours.

[@cindya.esquivel6876]

@@jasondashney well if you don't know how babies are made, I can't help you. And the rest of it is really none of your business 😆 all relationships take different paths and I went mine and he went his. My kids and my responsibility. God bless

[@R3cuzican]

That’s when you get a second job

[@cindya.esquivel6876]

@@R3cuzican 🤣 🤣 lmao, already working 50-60 hours a week and raising children. And I wasn't asking for help I was pointing to the fact that nothing has changed. Prices are high compared to wages and the struggle has not changed. But thank you for your empathy

[@briannesanchez4456]

Not poor enough to get help and too poor to get by.... too too many Americans are living like this, we need to do better😢

[@LaLadybug2011]

This woman is very articulate and her passion is clear-she is speaking truth. This country is going down the drain because of our so-nothing politicians.

[@luffyyeet]

Not only America Germany isn't really better either and I'm very sure most of the other countries also aren't. Most of those people from the last few decades are a shame to the society imo

[@NoxiousStar]

God please let this country go down in flames by its own people being tired and fed up of its own Politics and ways of Governing.

[@Shinishiniiii]

I don't think so some women gets fatter in double after giving birth she said it in the speech itself she has two kids and she's probably has no medical care so she can have some nerve issues and the can't afford good food probably eating expired and junk food cus they cheap don't you just come here be rude 🙂

[@joeharris6798]

@@dogbreaththe3rd851 I know you're a Troll but in case anyone reading this foolish enough to think "hey this guys got a point". You should know that it is cheaper to buy High-fat, high sugar fast food than it is to buy healthy, organic food. When you couple that with the exhaustion of working multiple jobs and still barely making ends meet, escapism kicks in and you view fast food as that escape from your oppressing poverty.

[@emn7114]

The lady texting the whole time right behind her. Show this poor lady some respect. She took the time to do a speech

[@matt-eu-poland]

She's working her part time job

[@46993-r]

What entitlement. As if being passionate overrides someone's ability to disagree.

[@natenate2280]

People have their own lives they dont owe you their attention. She may have been busy.

[@idontgiveah00t]

Could be notes. It'd be crazy to think they'd allow phones in a place where people need to be heard for any other purposes than work.

[@thebeaverkidd2970]

@@natenate2280 Hah

[@truthiseverything9511]

The system isn't 'broken' - it was designed that way.

[@terricon4]

No, when it started it was much easier for random local people in a community to get support from their townspeople and start a campaign of sorts. Mixed with laws about not having any conflicting intrests in corporations and stuff that many of these positions have, it was mean to allow for standout people in normal comunities to have a chance at polotics. Today, with massive voting pools, and the heavy reliance on media, and complex legal systems and other issues, it's been made to be practicly impossible for any random person to get into any real position of power in the government. If you want in, you normally need very specific credentials, often in law for some positions, and/or the support of people with money and power to help spread your name all over the place, host conventions, and many other things. With the entry costs in minimum supporters to try for many positions, you can't even get your foot in the door without some major publicity these days, and most people can't easily start that without a solid bit of money. In the end, the current process requires money, and the politicians who get that are supported and payed for by those who are already in power and pulling strings behind or sometimes openly in front of the curtains. Laws have been passed to allow for noticable amounts of lobbying money and gifts from companies and others to these people, so they can and will be bought. You can go and vote for any politician you want, but all of the ones you'll see on a ballot to vote for are pushed forward by the main parties that all have these agendas, and people who are NOT struggling to get buy but those with spare money to spend on directing how our government ends up running. Sure some of these people are better than others, but you won't find them all agreeing to make major changes to things like poverty standards, minimum wages, and other things very easily as you need more than just one or two good people at any time to support these. And like we saw with Trump impeachment, plenty of the politicians will act sorry for how things are, and stuff, and act like they'd support change or the other side if it gets them attention and public support, but don't actually vote to change things if that vote would result any an actual change. The system started ok, it was just slowly broken and corrupted over the past several generations in various ways. To overcome this, you need major events or extreme force from someone else in power who can push these people to do things they normally aren't being payed to do.

[@tamm_mf]

and it is called capitalism

[@LdyVder]

@Life Matter A different economic policy, one that works for everyone, not the 1%.

[@junjujinz]

@LdyVder like what?

[@blitcut9712]

@@junjujinz Like Socialism, just not Marxism-Leninism though.

[@planejay]

Well said and well expressed!

[@gishgishgish]

This is what a Senator should sound like.

[@biggs8440]

You ain't lying...

[@denawagner360]

Gish Core This is what a president should understand. Every member of Congress & the Senate, too. Since they & family members, staff assistants and White House staffers don’t have to pay back student loans, there’s also a lack of understanding of how the struggle to pay those off if you the no a degree will help you. Some will, others are just another drain now, with the economy & the pandemic bringing certain job fields to a halt.

[@nicowalker2045]

You said it perfectly.

[@denawagner360]

@@nicowalker2045 Thanks, I have the input of a lot of my community to draw on. Be well. Thanks for joining the discourse!

[@denawagner360]

@777kSUBSbefore90days Oh, no,no,no. I am only here as an advisor, not an enforcer. People who crave power & get it face immeasurable pressure to give into temptations and resultant corruption. I'm just a regular person relating what I think needs to happen from my lived experience. I'll discuss, debate, strategize & implement happily, but I'm not dumb enough to set myself up as the face of representing a whole body of any populace! I'm an idea person..Thanks for the compliment, though!

[@angeliquerider-mitchell2538]

Whats so sad is that as moving as this woman's testimony was, the second their waiter starts describing that days lunch specials those Senators will forget everything she said.

[@someonehere8280]

Sad but true

[@charleynewman5057]

They don't listen in the first place. They don't care.

[@billybobkumar9231]

Especially the Republican ones.

[@EdSoCeRiAl]

When you vote for senators always vote NO

[@virginiaoflaherty2983]

Unfortunately some of those Senators will say she deserves it, she should move somewhere else, she should just die for all they care. For some reason West Virginia and other states with very high poverty and very low wages voted Republican in the last cycle. Democrats talk the talk but do not walk the walk. I don't know why. Why is my 150.00 dinner at a fancy restaurant fine ? Why is your 15.00 meal for a family of 5 just too much? I don't understand or like what my country chooses and wants to do to poor people. We who think this is wrong - should rise up and make the needed changes. But what really needs changing is peoples shriveled dried up hearts.

[@johnmartin2470]

People before profits! This nation has become a generation of swine, Strike!

[@peacefulbaby1]

It's always been this way.

[@NamisJC]

@@peacefulbaby1 why?

[@jesswinterstone9474]

Work at an unprofitable business for a while. See what happens. Clue: it's not good.

[@campkira]

do u just figure it out... come on now..

[@damienholland8103]

@@jesswinterstone9474 not the point.

[@Robman92]

Wtf America, that’s insane. I feel so bad for that strong struggling woman 😭

[@RONDIPOP]

She told it just as it is everywhere in America. God bless her.

[@calicokittenproductions591]

She told how it is around the world 😪

[@marybeighley676]

Facts.

[@alexartsme8934]

So grateful she is speaking up with the outrage felt by many in this insane system

[@sulizu0186]

Well. Nothing is going to happen

[@md.ashfaqulislam2960]

Why this video has only 24000 views while Steven Crowder and Ben Shapiro (who always blame poor people for their miseries) videos have millions of views !!?

[@gazesalso645]

@@sulizu0186 took the words out of my mouth

[@salemwolf4506]

I know what she means. I grew up in a family of six. They gave us about $500 a month in food stamps. My mom was a teacher in a poor school district and my dad was working as a mechanic in a small town. One day my dad got a raise of $1 an hour, which would have brought home an extra $140 to $160 a month. They took away ALL $500 of our food stamps because of that ONE dollar raise. My dad had to BEG his boss to take the raise away. His boss had to write a statement that the raise was a mistake just so we could eat.

[@mad8805]

Just be thankful you at least have that $500 help, where I live only the druggies have food stamps and the families who work hard and are on the verge of poverty get 0 help from anyone, instead they pay taxes aka they pay for the druggies to get their kids new iPhones and themselves more drugs

[@kristy5698]

@@deepenthebest6543 I’m so sorry that that happened to you guys. What state is this btw? I live in California and we get great benefits here, however I can’t speak for everyone who lives with 5 other families to afford rent. Those who are in unemployment are apparently getting taxed on that. I never got that free money, tho I never stopped working during the pandemic , we got raises at work, and food stamps never took my benefits away. I’m only benefiting me and my only child and we got and are still getting $500 a month

[@pearlsswine]

Did your mom ever consider not having so many kids or did she went that D that badly?

[@leesowden3870]

Thumbs down 👎 because that's disgusting $1

[@princesszeldaprincess447]

@@kristy5698 I have special needs and where I live acorrding to our government I am not allowed to work as in I'm not allowed to get a job because if I do get a job my special needs assistance pay or odsp will stop and I will be in the poor house

[@evanthompson1482]

4 years later my wife had to quit a job she loved because she made to much money for health insurance. When she gets a job she has to make sure they don’t pay her too much. That’s not a joke she can’t get paid too much or we can’t afford to live. That’s the reality.

[@LanxPenzenpepper]

"Shame on you, same on me, shame on everyone" She didn't Just point, she also took the blame... Not because she did it but because she couldn't help... It's not just the leaders fault... Its everyone's fault for choosing to stay silent.

[@amputechure]

That was one of the most level headed testimonies I've heard in a long time.

[@CrazyBear65]

Oh, but it's the _suits'_ fault more than anyone else's. Corporate greed, the 1% using lobbyists to purchase public policy through bribing the already filthy rich greedy policymakers. This is nothing new, it's been going on since the beginning, we're just finally getting wise to it. Dump Trump. Dump them all and start over.

[@LanxPenzenpepper]

@@CrazyBear65 but if you think about it... They're literally powerless without the people... Without the taxpayers money they're nothing but a bunch of old dude...

[@deadc0d368]

What if literally EVERY SINGLE ONE person stops paying their taxes in protest... what are they gonna do... ARREST us ALL?

[@devinneely6302]

It all stems from the central banking system known as the Federal Reserve Bank. It's a privately owned bank that dishes out fiat currency known as debt instruments. Attached to that borrowed note is inflation because the more the federal government borrows and the more the banks print it devalues the currency. That would explain the rise in cost of living. The socialist ideas also set us up for this inevitable failure because social problems give the federal government excuses to borrow more money to fund various programs which drives up debt leaving the us with the bill. Keep in mind, some of this money is funneled into "foundations" which most certainly enrich those exploiting the system. That would party explain how politicians/public servants are able to live lavish life styles. So, how do we pay that debt? Our labor was pledged to pay that debt back via federal income tax. That money goes into the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which is controlled by those who printed the money. What does that sound like? Slavery....We're distracted failing to realize that we're being played by a system based on lies. Wake up!

[@susanc257]

There isn’t a middle class anymore. We are the working poor. I have health insurance, but can’t afford the deductible and co-pays. At one time I used to donate to the food bank, now I have to go to the food bank out of necessity. Republicans have ruined us. Rich get richer. We are their slaves.

[@jesswinterstone9474]

Democrats are doing their part to keep you dependent.

[@emuriddle9364]

@@jesswinterstone9474 Anarcho-Capitalism isn't any better. If it wasn't for Left-wing people, Fire Exits wouldn't exist right now. Because that "totally costs too much money." That's not Dependency. It's to keep people from getting killed.

[@susanc257]

Jess Winterstone ... and how so? I don’t receive any assistance. Again, working poor do not qualify for anything. We make “too much” money.

[@ruiyuzhu7903]

in a globalized society, working hard plays a less and less important role in being financially successful.

[@jesswinterstone9474]

Susan C if I only give you fish, you are dependent on me to eat. If I teach you to fish you are dependent on yourself. Government hand outs will not solve this problem. Opportunity will. People no longer are dependent on their family, this is also part of the problem.

[@AD_MVP]

"they're not poor enough to get help, they don't make enough to get by" I don't live in the us but this line hit me

[@coreyanderson7424]

Shouldn't be punished for working.

[@rjbarton2010]

It has been like this in the USA for over 3 decades.

[@sarahpeterson9422]

She's absolutely right.

[@y1521t21b5]

This was painful to watch, yet it fell on deaf ears where it matters most.

[@marshaperez4158]

..., it falls on willfully deaf ear's and on willfully blind eye's because of their lies, greed and their corruption!!!🤔

[@johnabbot1585]

Ill bet your exactly right ! Fell on deaf ears! Each week , we need someone to sit in that chair and give the Senate floor a earfull. , and on and on untill we get a change!

[@arawello6]

She's right. We should all be protesting, together

[@ashleymistletoe]

since when did they care about protest? it's all pretense. America needs revolution.

[@macberry4048]

We should be fighting together but the people in power are very good at creating division and the people who do manage to bring people together get assassinated

[@krishna-club]

Yep fight against own govt. and make ur own country like Syria

[@booxxx9755]

You all should have been did that we wouldn't be and this pandemic if you all would have

[@RavenLys]

"I've pulled myself up by the bootstraps so many times that I ripped them off" I feel that👊

[@lisawalker216]

Yes It touched my soul

[@anonymoose116]

I am also someone with a bachelors who cant seem to break the poverty line.

[@gannibalof21st]

We can't even afford to strap up, but kept fighting with what we have.

[@TagGeorge]

@@anonymoose116 that's because you are like me. You don't have a friend or family in a place where they can put a good word in for you. Even a entry level white collar position will open world's for you. But those are hard to get when your uncle or grandparents die before helping.

[@frankieclayton9303]

Thank you lord Jesus christ for the bravery of this woman look at her spirit in her heart

[@grady.stu.8300]

She came prepared. There's nothing anyone can say to that but agree.

[@llll-xh1qr]

@J. D. May sound crazy to you, but having children is a human thing, an instinct, and its also a part of our culture as it is promoted to man and women in usa in all sorts of ways, and you just saying something like "poor people shouldn't have children" is so ignorant, but sadly, you will just not understand, cause you will not want to, i know your type, so this is meaningless i guess. Take care

[@joabjohnstone5217]

But they had a chance to vote for Bernie twice.. If they actually did it they would of got change

[@jemappellemerci]

J. D. You’re wrong. Maybe she has a bachelors degree in something that has now been taken over by machines/artificial intelligence because that’s cheaper. Maybe she had a good living with the baby daddy since had a higher paid job, but things eventually didn’t work out. Maybe she didn’t have the money to legally fix the child support. You don’t know how she got in that situation. You can’t assume it’s all her fault.

[@elisiegel5094]

@@jemappellemerci I completely agree, and in addition, it's incredibly ignorant to just say people should stop having children. If YOU don't want kids, that's your choice, not one that you should push on other people.

[@OutSideTheBoxFormat]

@@elisiegel5094 and if you can't take care of them don't push the responsibility onto others.

[@rosevan5485]

This is a strong woman ...eloquently describing the hardships of children and parents in her situation. I salute your courage and let her voice be heard out loud in the United States of America among all governments... I’m not American but why does she like so many American families still need to struggle? But God bless America....you have the best military toys on earth..... What price is one of the B-2 bombers worth each..... $ 1.2 Billon . People are starving and struggling. Peace...

[@DouglasJohnson.]

Don't forget the F-35 fighter jet, a trillion dollars spent in R&D and it barely works.

[@hepthegreat4005]

@@DouglasJohnson. I think someone said it best, for that one plane we could have had healthcare or forgiven federal student debt, but you know. The plane is nice too. :rolls eyes:

[@charlenejohnson5769]

Well Said.

[@bobrastamarley]

This administration put 1.5 trillion dollars into the stock market in 1 day and that money was gone the next day. But if hard working people want free health care, this administration can not find the money to pay for it. This is our government! What a shame!

[@darkcrystal8646]

People have been starving, struggling & dying since man-kind has had rich greedy ego based rulers....man-kind is living on a Prison Planet 😔 Human beings are the only species on Earth that pays to be born, live, die.....(survival needs) ETs live free too..... BIGGEST lie ever told to man-kind......is that we are alone ✌❤🌎

[@sandpiper2012]

The richest country in the world and there are 46 million in poverty, no words to describe this...

[@castelodomar846]

@Joey McCullough that's called "making America great again."

[@gl0ck912]

There’s no reason to be poor in this country.

[@modo1896]

@Tom Smith Food quality in America is apparently very poor, and that includes cheap food. American expats to European countries claim to lose a lot of pounds automatically just because the quality of the food is better and the portions are smaller. Better quality food means you don't need to eat so much to feel satisfied. Even the quality of their junk food, is superior. Like Oreos in European countries don't even have the same ingredients as American Oreos. When 71% of Americans are either overweight or obese, and other wealthy nations are slimmer, I don't think the issue has anything to do with poor people being too stupid to make it.

[@modo1896]

@Joey McCullough It's officially 40 million, but there are around 330 million Americans. America claims to have a 12% poverty rate which isn't more than many other wealthy countries. But the poverty threshold is lower than it should be because it should include people like the woman in this video but it doesn't. There are countries like France which have a much lower GDP per capita, yet have a higher poverty threshold than the United States. It means France has a slightly higher poverty rate than America, but more of its citizens who need assistance qualify for it.

[@tigersteele9552]

Joey Mccullough GET AN EDUCATION....STOP SPREADING YOUR LEGS ......AND HAVING CHILDREN ......YOU CANNOT AFFORD!!!

[@InsurethePanda]

Didn’t realize this was four years ago until after. Sad that NOTHING has changed.