Would you prefer being dead? How about living in fear for your and your daughters life every single hour of every day? That's what that money in Iraq is going towards.

It's kind of hard to feel sympathy for people who have cable, a computer, and Internet access.

The "poverty" level described here is dubious.

Yes, your post only demonstrates that even those in "poverty" can afford luxuries like entertainment.

Most of the money going to Iraq is paying for American soldiers who are actually risking their lives so that you can complain about not being able to have a new car to go along with your cable TV.

Hey, stop blaming Dub, our president, for your problems! Wealth ain't necessarily money, and rich ain't having a lot of "things" that cost money. It appears you've been sucked into the materialism abyss, and you are believing everything wrong in your life is due to the president and not having "stuff?"

I grew up poor, without running water & and inside toilet. Our family had one car my father used to go to work. I slopped the hogs every morning and evening, never had an allowance, wore hand-me-down clothes and for some odd reason, I didn't think we were poor. Look around you! Most of us do live hand to mouth. But we have options. You can do something about your situation, make a positive contribuition to your life and the life of your child or you can sit there and sulk because of your situation.

Do something constructive...make some cookies, make some Xmas cards with your kid, tell stories, get out and visit with your neighbors...In other words, don't blame the world for your misfortune. Make your own fortune and happiness. This is from one who knows where you are, have been there myself, but attitude is everything.

Good Luck to you, darling.

I do happen to agree with you somewhat kiddo. Mainly though, the war on Iraq wes bogus. We should be taking care of Korea. THEY HAVE THE WEOPANS TO DESTROY US! Iraq not only had NO woepans, they were 5 years away from making any type of mass destructive weopanry.

If you are looking for sympathy from anyone on this blog site (although I feel bad for you)....you've come to the wrong place....there's mostly republican, conservative Bush supporters on here. Like you, I also can't wait to vote that asshole out.

Another tip, though (from one "formerly single" mom to another).....find their Daddy and make him pay the child support he owes your kids.

It is always easiest to blame others for the way things are. I agree with Patty O that material stuff isn't what it is all about. I grew up with parents that had nothing. They didn't feel sorry for themselves. They got married, struggled and now have a nice life. Everyone expects to have everything NOW these days. I remember how fun it was to look forward to birthdays and Christmas but not because of presents. I looked forward to being with friends and family, and having special foods and doing traditional things that were only done those couple of times a year.

My parents instilled in me a great appreciation for the things I did have and a feeling that I could do anything I set my mind to. My kids have everything but I am trying to keep them from taking it for granted. Many people spent a lot of money on my older son for his birthday this year but the one thing he keeps talking about is this Bionicle Mask of Light we made together from paper mache.

As for the money going to Iraq, there are things that need to be spent on our soldiers that people don't even consider, also the Iraqi peoples' lives are in utter chaos. Isn't it a little selfish to say "Poor me. Those Iraqi people are getting money and I don't have a new car." In the US there is absolutely no excuse for anyone going hungry. I personally know how long you can stretch a pot of bean soup and a pan of corn bread. Beans, rice, flour, etc, cost next to nothing. Sure, you won't be eating porterhouse steaks but you can be healthy. Computers, TV, etc are luxuries not necessities like so many seem to think these days. If you have trouble paying the phone bill, try canceling your cable (of course that is assuming you are PAYING for your cable).

I think our country has an epidemic of confusion between need and want. I am in the lucky position of coming from next to nothing and growing into having a lot. The beauty of that situation is I know how little I can get by on. I don't worry about what ifs because I know I will survive without all of the extras I have now if need be. People who come from having everything they want then have to get by with less have it more difficult.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year if you let it be. Don't fall victim to the pressures of having to buy for everyone. Make traditions that you can afford and enjoy. Compare down instead of up. You may not have a new car but you have a daughter. Think of all the people out there that can't have children and are depressed about that during the holidays. Be thankful for what you have instead of envious of what you don't.

Best wishes.

I know where your coming from. It's really difficult to live in a country where society is defined by the (stuff) that can be purchased, especially when you don't have money.

You will also find that we as Americans are not only greedy as hell, but 100% self centered. So, unfortunately, you'll find little sympathy here, because Americans as a whole aren't worth the space they tend to take up.


In any case, you can do 2 things, keep struggling, or give up.

In essence I agree with the statement regarding money sent over to Iraq. I don't believe that billions of dollars should be spent on weapons while people in both Britain and North America are suffering. Unfortunately though that is the nature of capitalism. Instead of thinking about who to take out next; for example: North Korea, Libya, Iran, Syria, Cuba etc etc. (Firstly I don't even see how Bush and Blair have the right to make these ridiculous statements) Take my advice, get rid of Bush - save your country before it is too late.
So for the sake of World Peace, do everyone a favour this Christmas - send George Bush a Pretzel and hope that he chokes.
Believe me the World will thank you for it!!!

Beth.
U.K

Do you guys above think that your president is making a war to protect you?
If you are, you're wrong!
Learn that if Dear mr bush makes war it is to get money from the gas? Will this money go to american citizens ... Yes because it will go to Bush and it's family and to the people who supported while his campagne
If bush wanted to protect you he would have beatten corea but maybe they are any wealth their ( compare to irak and its strategic position (pipelines ...)).
So don't trust this man. Americans have been cheated because they were frightened. Bush abused you and the world.
I'm from belgium (next to france and also french speaking). We got nothing against americans the only things that we don't like in your country is your president and some of your internal policy stuff
(right to have weapon ,...)

So to go back to the subject, I wanted to say that bush should beter take care of what is appening inside than that what is happening out .

This man is no good for the country the most powerful in the world

Bush sucks?? Why? because your poor? Thats not his fault...maybe you should have considered how you were going to support your family if your husband/boyfriend wasn't going to be around nothing is guarenteed in life. My fiancee and I are making sure both of us can be on our own and support whatever family we plan to have before getting married. Stop blaming others because you cannot think ahead. Maybe if you didn't spread your legs you wouldnt have this problem? There are goverment programs to help and if you are struggling that bad then sell your computer and stop the internet access. America is about oppurtinity and its there if you want it. You might have to work a LOT harder then the next guy but you put yourself in the position your in and you cannot blame ANY president for that. Its your fault, grow up, get a degree and get a hold of your life. Or sit on forms and post about how much America sucks and the president isn't helping you.

Reading the responses to Tylor's criticism of Bush brings home the true meaning of Christmas in America for me. What a truly grateful, compassionate group of people we are! I really appreciated the number of people who thoughtfully offered her the suggestion to sell her computer and cancel her internet subscription as a way to save money. I loved the response that implied she might be stealing her cable access. I enjoyed visiting this website. I have to go now. It's almost midnight and a group of us are going to get together to go to church. After that we're going to go throw water balloons at some homeless guys downtown. It ought to be great; It's FREEZING!

Excellent! I read some of the comments here and they made me laugh. Well, the ones favouring the "idiot in chief". Why, they think Bush is actually protecting America's interest with this war on Iraq... Yeah, Bush sucks and you Americans should get rid of him ASAP. If there is a lunatic with access to weapons of mass destruction that is your president, morons!!

VERY well put!TY.

I HOPE YOU DIE A MISARABLE FUCKING DEATH