Poor people oppose social programs for the poorer....

People are just dumb in this country. The Republicans can give the rich tax cuts they don't need but when it comes time for the working class, they oppose it vehemently.

They want to cut spending knowing the economic pitfalls, they pushed the country to nearly defaulting, and don't give a crap about the middle class.

And yet people still vote these guys into office. Maybe people aren't ready for sane leadership and don't care that the economy is being sacrificed for political gain.

 

Speaking of social programs, SS disability is struggling to keep up with all the new applicants...

 

Well abortion, gun rights, gay marriage etc make up a large percentage of these people. They don't care about anything else, Democrats should just let Republicans outlaw abortion, that will help them more than anything else.

 

reminds me of the study that asked people who made $80,000/year whether they would rather continue making $80,000 and live with neighbors that made $60,000 OR make $100,000 and live with neighbors that made $120,000. the majority chose to continue making $80,000.

 

Bingo this is it in a nutshell.

The idea of keeping up with the Joneses is not a character flaw but a natural part of being human. Kind of Darwinian. As part of the survival of the fittest we are always in comparison with each other. As long as I have more money saved, more education, nicer house, nicer vehicle than my competitors (friends/family/neighbors) then I feel good. We only feel as happy as we are in relation to others. I can make ten times what I make now but if I am still the poorest person around I would prefer my current station.

Thus to make ourselves feel better even if we're poor we look to make sure there is someone worse off. As long as we're not the worst then we can always say "hey it could be worse at least we're not so and so."