What's the bare minimum

Spexxvet · 02-07-2012, 08:37 AM

What's the bare minimum standard of living that an American should have, and how much will it cost?

Should every American have food, clothing, shelter? How about a TV, phone, heat/ac? Should we minimally have an education? If so, to what level?

How much does a household need to gross in order to provide this standard of living for itself?

henry quirk · 02-07-2012, 09:18 AM

The bare minimum standard of living for an individual is best determined by the individual for him- or her-self.

glatt · 02-07-2012, 09:26 AM

I have it on good authority that no more than one angel at a time can sit on the head of a pin. Although I can picture them sitting side by side and wrapping arms around each other, and resting one cheek each on the pin to stay there. It would require some balance and strength, but I think they could do it. So, I'm not sure I believe the one angel answer.

Spexxvet · 02-07-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henry quirk

The bare minimum standard of living for an individual is best determined by the individual for him- or her-self.

So what's the bare minimum you need for yourself and your family?

henry quirk · 02-07-2012, 10:00 AM

No offense intended, but, that's no body's business but mine.

I'm no body's baseline...

henry quirk · 02-07-2012, 09:42 AM

I'm sure angels on pinheads have all manner of woes (where and how to go poop is the one that comes to mind first).

Fortunately, for me: I'm no angel, and I don't live on a pinhead (though, often, I'm surrounded by them).

jimhelm · 02-07-2012, 10:22 AM

these are communist thoughts.
knock it off.

Clodfobble · 02-07-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

What's the bare minimum standard of living that an American should have, and how much will it cost?

Why are you limiting your question to Americans? That seems rather arbitrarily nationalist of you.

limey · 02-07-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimhelm

these are communist thoughts.
knock it off.

I see nothing communist in the original question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Why are you limiting your question to Americans? That seems rather arbitrarily nationalist of you.

That's what I was thinking, too ...

Spexxvet · 02-07-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Why are you limiting your question to Americans? That seems rather arbitrarily nationalist of you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

I see nothing communist in the original question.

That's what I was thinking, too ...

Ok, make it humans.

glatt · 02-07-2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

What's the bare minimum standard of living that an American should have

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimhelm

these are communist thoughts.
knock it off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

I see nothing communist in the original question.

I kind of do. I have a problem with the word "should," which is why I compared this question to arguing about angels on the head of a pin.

"Should" implies that there is some sort of obligation. That people have a right to certain physical possessions simply because they were born. And if they are owed these possessions, then they are owed them by somebody or some entity. Who? Who owes them that?

lookout123 · 02-07-2012, 05:00 PM

This is where I stop with most of these types of discussion. My feeling is no one owes you much of anything and if they choose to do well by you then that's wonderful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

"Should" implies that there is some sort of obligation. That people have a right to certain physical possessions simply because they were born. And if they are owed these possessions, then they are owed them by somebody or some entity. Who? Who owes them that?

Quote:

where a blue collar working person cannot earn enough to supply the bare minimum

I think the highlighted words are the whole point of this thread. My idea of bare minimum is probably different than yours.

Based on my knowledge of a guy I see nearly everyday when he heads in for his daily wash at the circle K, I'd say you don't need too damn much to exist. He doesn't want to go to a shelter and gets by on his own. That's his choice.

jimhelm · 02-07-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookout123

Based on my knowledge of a guy I see nearly everyday when he heads in for his daily wash at the circle K, I'd say you don't need too damn much to exist. He doesn't want to go to a shelter and gets by on his own. That's his choice.

I thought a Circle K was a convenience store like 7-11. what is he washing? his car? clothes? person?

jimhelm · 02-07-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

I kind of do. I have a problem with the word "should," which is why I compared this question to arguing about angels on the head of a pin.

"Should" implies that there is some sort of obligation. That people have a right to certain physical possessions simply because they were born. And if they are owed these possessions, then they are owed them by somebody or some entity. Who? Who owes them that?

I imagined, instantly... and with no real thought...that the next question would be something along the lines of....if X is the bare minimum, and we have Y amount of Z (wealth, food, whatever) would you want to make it so Z is evenly distributed to make sure all of us have at least X.

So, my quip was but a quip... and I don't know if that's where spexx's thoughts were leading... I was just predicting kind of... probably wrong.

anyway... stop being a commie.

limey · 02-07-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

I kind of do. I have a problem with the word "should," which is why I compared this question to arguing about angels on the head of a pin.

"Should" implies that there is some sort of obligation. That people have a right to certain physical possessions simply because they were born. And if they are owed these possessions, then they are owed them by somebody or some entity. Who? Who owes them that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimhelm

I imagined, instantly... and with no real thought...that the next question would be something along the lines of....if X is the bare minimum, and we have Y amount of Z (wealth, food, whatever) would you want to make it so Z is evenly distributed to make sure all of us have at least X.

So, my quip was but a quip... and I don't know if that's where spexx's thoughts were leading... I was just predicting kind of... probably wrong.

anyway... stop being a commie.

There is the same sort of implied obligation in passages from the Bible, but it doesn't make me a Christian to allude to them

.

02-07-2012, 08:37 AM	#1
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	What's the bare minimum What's the bare minimum standard of living that an American should have, and how much will it cost? Should every American have food, clothing, shelter? How about a TV, phone, heat/ac? Should we minimally have an education? If so, to what level? How much does a household need to gross in order to provide this standard of living for itself? __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

02-07-2012, 09:18 AM	#2
henry quirk maskless: yesterday, today, tomorrow Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,162	"What's the bare minimum standard of living that an American should have(?)" The bare minimum standard of living for an individual is best determined by the individual for him- or her-self. __________________ like the other guy sez: 'not really back, blah-blah-blah...'

02-07-2012, 10:00 AM	#5
henry quirk maskless: yesterday, today, tomorrow Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,162	"So what's the bare minimum you need for yourself and your family?" No offense intended, but, that's no body's business but mine. I'm no body's baseline... __________________ like the other guy sez: 'not really back, blah-blah-blah...'

02-07-2012, 09:42 AM	#6
henry quirk maskless: yesterday, today, tomorrow Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,162	I'm sure angels on pinheads have all manner of woes (where and how to go poop is the one that comes to mind first). Fortunately, for me: I'm no angel, and I don't live on a pinhead (though, often, I'm surrounded by them). __________________ like the other guy sez: 'not really back, blah-blah-blah...'

02-07-2012, 10:22 AM	#7
jimhelm a beautiful fool Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 39.939705 Posts: 4,504	these are communist thoughts. knock it off. __________________ There's a Shadow just behind me. Shrouding every step I take. Making every promise empty, pointing every finger at me. _tool

02-07-2012, 09:26 AM	#3
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I have it on good authority that no more than one angel at a time can sit on the head of a pin. Although I can picture them sitting side by side and wrapping arms around each other, and resting one cheek each on the pin to stay there. It would require some balance and strength, but I think they could do it. So, I'm not sure I believe the one angel answer.

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