Hello Everyone.....Apology.

[Mercury]

I just wanted to apologize if people thought I was jumping down other's throats. I wasn't trying to be obnoxious, it just came out that way.

I'm a REALIST, and I tend to NOT sugarcoat things. If that upsets some people......well, sorry.

Anyway......just wanted to say "Hi". I've been running a few machines for a couple of months now, and have quite a few more on the way.

I really enjoy the tips I've gotten here, there are some really knowledgeable people here.

Thanks for the info.

Merc

[alyssamma]

Merc,

I didn't reply to your post on the other thread because, in general, I believe in free speech. It is a little tough on a public forum because this is a place that people come to in order to learn and help each other. In that case I think those needs are outweighed by the right to free speech. Think of it as yelling fire in a crowded theater. When hate speech comes into the equation, it tends to be the thing everyone focuses on, and the learning and helping stops.

This isn't to say you can't express unpopular thoughts. And, indeed, there is an area of the forum where you can pretty much say whatever you want - including things others might consider racist - and that is the Break Room. Free speech reigns supreme there

But here, in the Vending Topics foums, the emphasis is on helping each other.

For the record, I don't agree with your statements. Everyone else was ganging up on you, so I didn't want to pile on. But like sherlock, I am a minority also - black instead of hispanic, but still a minority. I can tell you with 100% certainty that the vast majority of people who live in poverty and areas with high violence don't want to be there. They also want something better for their children. The ones who "glorify" it are a very vocal minotity and the ones that the media focuses on.

Most in poverty are trapped there for many reasons - more than there is space here to list and discuss.

I appreciate you wanting to be a "realist" and not "sugarcoat" things, but get your facts straight.

Also, realize, that simply living in an area, or having customers who are of a certain ethnic background doesn't mean you understand those people. For example, I've worked with Indians (eastern, not American) for all of my adult life. I've been to their houses for parties and been invited to weddings. I *know* about their culture and history, but I don't pretend to *understand* them as a people.

And really, when you think about it, how could I? Other than work, there is very little that is similar in our lives. They grew up on the other side of the world and moved here. They believe things that seem "strange" to the people who I grew up with, and aren't represented at all in my country. Their language is something I don't understand. I'm not a vegitarian. The list goes on.

So, while there are many things I *know* about them, truly understanding them is something I can't do. Therefore, I would never make a blanket derogatory statement about them.

Anyway, this post is too long Welcome to the forum

Kevin

[Mercury]

Kevin,

Thanks for the welcome. I agree, not EVERYONE in one area is the same.

BUT......poor is poor, and the vast majority of poor people I know don't do JACK to improve themselves! I'm including pretty much my entire family in this category. I grew up DIRT poor, as in "one pair of school clothes that I washed every night" poor. As in "eating navy beans AGAIN" poor. I know poor. IT SUCKS.

Yes, it is nearly impossible to pull yourself out of poverty. I know this.

But it *really* pisses me off when I talk to people, and they complain about being poor, then spend all their money on beer and cigarettes!

Merc

[alyssamma]

Merc, what you have to understand is that the primary reason why people remain in poverty is education. Poor people often don't understand how to manage money. They don't have parents who have taught them about savings, money management, the importance of education, etc. It becomes a vicious cycle.

There are other factors at play too. Teenage pregnancy, lack of good teachers, poor home environments, etc. The list goes on.

And yes, there will always be some that rise above regardless of the obstacles in their path. But what those people should understand, and you seem to be one of them, is that what they did is the exception, and 99% of the rest of the population *can't* do that.

It's like the guy who used to weigh 400lbs and now weighs 170lbs. He had the willpower and determination to lose the weight. But most people can't. It isn't so much that they are "weak" as it is the first person is "strong".

People who spend their money on beer and cigs are doing something foolish. You can see this, and I can see this. But *they* can't see this. Or, as is sometimes the case, they do see it but don't believe they can do anything else better so they might as well.

What you should do, is work to educate those people. Work to help them. Don't criticize them or put them down. Help them.

Kevin

[Poplady1]

What a wonderful outlook on life.  I agree with everything you said about being poor, without the benefit of learning.  Kevin thanks for saying what all of us need to hear.

Bev

Blue Moose

[Mercury]

Kevin,

I KNOW why people stay poor, you are 100% correct about the education! Did I mention that I was the FIRST person in my ENTIRE family to graduate college. Ever. Took me about 6 years, and I worked the entire time. At one point, I was working full time, and taking 21 units. SLEEP IS OPTIONAL!

You are correct about losing weight, it is tough! Thats what I'm working on now!

Merc

[whaletail116]

Mercury,

Are you from inner-city Pittsburgh?

[alyssamma]

Merc, congrats on getting the degree. For me personally, I see nothing more important than being educated. If only I could get my kids to understand that...

Education gives you options - and that is the key.

It sounds like you have an excellent work ethic, and that is great. That combined with education will get you very far in life.

Good luck in vending, or whatever other ventures you might go into!

Kevin

[Mercury]

No,

I'm from middle-of-nowhere-in-the-sticks Missouri. Where unemployment runs about 15%-20%, and jobs are SCARCE. When you found a job, you KEPT IT, no matter how crappy it was.

Merc