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Why do Americans have plenty of money for the things they want, but never enough for the things they need?

Why do Americans have plenty of money for: ipods, iphones, itunes, lap top computers, designer clothing, designer hand bags, tobacco, alcohol, fast food, pornography, Hannah Montana concert tickets, sporting events, Disneyland annual passports, luxury SUVs, manicures, hair that's 3 different colors, and satellite TV? Yet everybody cries poverty when it comes to the costs of medical insurance? Gasoline? Electricity? Or a gallon of milk?

Public Comments

1. i agree.
2. Generalize much? Reliance on generalization is the first sign of a malfunctioning brain.
3. they use credit cards for stuff they need
4. People have their priorities wrong Maybe cause you cant wear your milk around outside and show it off
5. Because we are a material world
6. Wow, sounds like a very well to do household. How is it possible they could be pleading poverty? I think you need to get out more my friend.
7. I have plenty of money. It is called saving. I put over 20% of my income away every month either in a 401K plan or into a savings account. If I keep my current expenses, I figure I can live for almost a year off my savings without any income coming in. Once I get paid next month, I am going to move a huge commission check into my savings account and possible buy some cheap stock right now in some blue chip companies. So I don't struggle paying for things because I save quite a bit. No debt except for what is on my current credit card bills and I pay every month. I have a older car and I just had a large repair, so I may take 2 months to pay it off to not strap myself of spending cash. Some people do not save or they have put themselves in a situation where they can't afford things. But I do find it curious as to why people on welfare always have better clothes and shoes than I do.
8. amazing isn't it.... the hair & nails, cable/sat TV, phones and such is amazing. i know people complaining about money and yet going to the final four tonight. free tickets - maybe but the parking and other expenses will be astronomical. i don't get it and see it in my own family. how can you cry poor when YOU mad the choice to take out a second on your home to improve the kitchen - 3 times as large and add on almost a wing to your already big home - for a whole 4 people?! sadly people have their priorities wrong. living in Florida we saw that in the hurricane happenings. what people deemed "important to save" was amazing and foolish. things can be replaced - people can not. we saw that in Katrina - instead of hocking gold or other things to be able to get out - people cried save me. (granted that was a minority of the people harmed by Katrina!) however go to NOLA now and drive through the 9th ward.... there are folks who have done wonders with the money given and their houses are coming back better and stronger! there are others with a new pick up and motorcycle in the drive but a delapated home with a sign in the window saying - we need help. there are others what have been completely abandonded. it's promising on one hand and pathetically sad on the other. i have a neighbor who's commented she is worried about her husband keeping his job. their daughter in the 2nd grade got a 52" tv with cable FOR HER ROOM for Christmas..... amazing isn't it?!
9. Many people who live in poverty gripe about their living conditions but what little they do have was given to them. A lot of them never worked anything out or paid for anything in their lives
10. This seems to be a welfare mentality too. I remember going to visit some folks in my dad's parish community who were so poor and my dad wanted to provide them with some of the benevolence fund. When we got to their trailer, we were so surprised that they had just "purchased" a satellite dish for thier large screen TV. (Something our family definitely couldn't afford) Now this happened more than 25 years ago. The cylce of welfare dependents keeps on giving those same kinds of attitudes to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. It makes you wonder why the liberals have not yet had victory on the "War on Poverty". I say poverty is a mindset. No one in the United States should say they are poor. Our government (taxpayers) gives and gives and gives some more. There are food stamps, Medicaid, ER services, WIC, aid for dependent children... and on and on. It won't stop. There will always be cried for "more, more!". Giving more to the poor is not the answer for victory on the "War on Poverty". The liberals don't want to help these people get out of poverty, they just want to keep them enslaved so they will vote for the people who give them handouts. The African-Americans have especially been hind-sighted. I admire Star Parker, Bill Cosby, Clarence Thomas and Michael Steele. I've read and heard them speak. They make sense! Why many, many more blacks won't pay attention, is just sad.