When I was 18 I lived out of a backpack. In the army, we live out of a duffel bag. We can only have what we can fit in the bag and carry with us. If it does not fit, or if we can not carry it on our backs, then we do not need it.
Should taxpayers pay for what people do not need? What do they need? The government seems to feel we have a poverty level and we need to live above that level to provide for our needs. Is that accurate?
The Hasidic say there is a lot we do not need. We may want to eat but if we are overweight then we do not need to eat. How much do we need to pay for a home? Musk seems to be wanting to determine that for us. He is building a small home and claims that is all he needs when he is on the job and working. Of course, he has rich friends that let him stay in their homes.
I really wonder. What do we need in life? Does a homeless person still have what they need?
In reading your thread you seem to have touched a nerve for many people with your question. I think that reflects a general ‘resentment’ in how most people feel about their own finances. I have had the privilege to have been truly poor, working poor, working in social/work homelessness for years, lived well on charity alone as well being as I am now considered wealthy.
Of all these various physical conditions there was none more comforting than wealth. It felt better to be rich on charity than that same income when working for it, granted there is was a unique vulnerability that arose and caused odd beliefs. Of the many homeless I met or observed, just as myself in poverty their mental health was the real problem, money/circumstance alone changed nothing.
In all these various physical conditions everyone said exactly as we see in this thread there is an empathy problem.
I don’t think there is an empathy problem. I think many people are resentful they are not as wealthy as they would like.
Because of this…
Many call the rich greedy, well dismissing those that do embrace charity much as I did when I lived well on charity.
Many chastise the poor despite mental health issues being an impossible thing to just lift or fix.
Many facing mental health issues which cause poverty feel trapped and embarrassed as they don’t understand why them.
To answer your question, I’d argue people need extremely little. The problem isn’t lack of wealth but happiness, purpose and joy.
That said, everyone we can allow should experience wealth; it can be a source of joy and empowerment when we let it.
So to the claims, my thinking it's all mental health leads to a harding of hearts is a deflection in my humble opinion.
We must raise the hearts of the homeless. If that means money - great. If that giving things - great.
Whatever it takes to lift a soul, but first we should look to our own soul. For what greater gift then create a lifestyle of happiness you can share from.
Take all my wealth tomorrow. Best of luck, as I’m crafty at protecting what is trusted in my care, but so be it. Joy is worth more does come from food,shelter,clothing etc. Our society is not abundant in it and that scares us and makes us love to justify ourselves in terms of wealth which we do have in abundance. That is worth celebrating as not everyone has material abundance, but if we morn it rather than use it to lift hearts it will fade and rot.
