'Extreme Makeover' house faces foreclosure

[Sheldonrs]

I think one of the things that bothers me about the show is the fact that at any given moment they could walk into any homeless shelter in the US and find a family that would love to have even the worst falling apart house from the show. The homeless families don't even have the video cam to make a tape to send in to even TRY to get on the show.

[Sundae]

But the vibe I often get in the Cellar is that money spent on the destitute is money spent on slackers who haven't worked as hard as those who are now comfortably off. So I assume helping those with moderate income is a halfway measure. It's - Look! These people really tried, but they still need help! Help them because they're not slackers, they're just unlucky!

Dunno, haven't seen the show. But I do feel that the American in general shies away from helping those with nothing. Not saying Brits would be any different (just try reading the Mail), but we don't have this kind of show so I can't compare.

[Shawnee123]

That's about right, SG.

The show is based on some sort of "heart tug." A child with autism, a single father returned from Iraq, minus a leg...that sort of thing.

There are some families who I felt joyful for, knowing how much better their lives will be...but sometimes I do see what I would construe as "gimme." Some "single mom" with "fibromyalgia" for example, would make me shoot the television.

Usually I just let myself be carried away on the neat designs, for the kids' rooms mostly.

[Clodfobble]

I've never seen more than a moment of the show while surfing by. But about two years ago they did a house in my neighborhood, about three blocks from me. I only knew what was going on because the local elementary school marquee said "Welcome Extreme Makeover Congratulations [Family Name]." I think theirs was a family with like 3 autistic kids or something, I don't know. I had the urge to drive by and see the house after it was done (I was sure I'd be able to pick it out on the street,) but I never managed to actually bother.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

But the vibe I often get in the Cellar is that money spent on the destitute is money spent on slackers who haven't worked as hard as those who are now comfortably off.
~snip~ But I do feel that the American in general shies away from helping those with nothing.

I couldn't disagree more. America gives more to everyone else than any other country on the planet. I have not the time nor energy to provide hard facts, but I'm sure they are available. (Hope I'm right)
If not, then this is just national pride talking.

[Sundae]

I'm not talking internationally.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by classicman

America gives more to everyone else than any other country on the planet.

That wasn't what she was saying--it's who we tend to give it to. Would you rather give money to a homeless person with no job, or a single mom with two minimum-wage jobs who is just barely able to buy groceries every week? Technically speaking, the single mom is scraping by and the homeless man has no dinner, but Americans tend to reward people who are seen as working to help themselves.

[classicman]

I'll rephrase for you - I think America is a very generous nation, if not the most... To the mom with two kids struggling to get by, and also to the woman on welfare who keeps popping out kids just to get a larger check so she doesn't have to work.
The homeless guy - I dunno I have very mixed feelings on that situation - there are plenty of programs in place for him, but he has to take the initiative to go and get help.

[lookout123]

I'm not a fan, but Lil Lookout loves to watch that show. He fell for it the first time he saw them do a Star Wars bedroom for a kid. I guess I don't really see a problem here.

I can understand your dislike of the show if you are looking at it like a waste of charitable money. Habitat for Humanity is much better. They have to work for what they get. They get good quality, comfortable housing with help from the community around them. Yay!

The show isn't a charity. I'm willing to bet that every company and individual involved with the show has a separate charitable donations budget that has absolutely nothing to do with the show. The houses may not be top quality under the paint and they may be extravagant on the surgace but think about it. The network wants a show that people will watch. That is how they get advertisers to pay them. The advertisers require a show with a steady following, that is how they get customers. The customers want to see new, cool things they can ooh and ah over and as an extra bonus they can see a story that tugs at the heart strings.

This week it was a family with a ten year old daughter that will literally die if she is in conditions about 62 degrees. For ten years they've made it but the medical bills just keep piling up. They were at a point where they were going to lose their house because of the bills. I don't know them or anything else about them. Simply that here is a family with a need for a home with special conditions. The show steps in and builds them a 4200 ft home. Simple but nice upstairs, downstairs a home school set up, movie area, an ice cream bar, and a one lane bowling alley. Over the top? Yep. But the family can't take the girl out of the house for recreational purposes, so kind of neat ideas.

What was accomplished? A family with special needs had a life changing experience. (hopefully they will choose wisely in the future, but that's their decision) Several companies got good advertising bang for the buck. Sears, the home builder, the TV company, and so on spend money they would have spent anyway, but they get to help someone along the way. The people at home got to watch a show that made them grateful for their healthy family. They got to see some really cool ideas for things to do in their homes if they have the money. They got to watch a show with their families without worry over content.

Who lost? No one. I find Ty and some of the other characters pretty annoying, but if they are annoying me too badly I can shut it off or just focus on whatever I'm doing with the kids. I guess see it as a win/win/win for the companies, the family, and the audience.

[Shawnee123]

We tend to forget what I like to call "The Forgotten Population" (I swear I'm going to do a My Turn for Newsweek out of this someday) meaning those who have not procreated but who are trying to make it on their own...and don't possess the skills or education to obtain jobs which give them even a modicum of financial security. This forgetfullness encompasses our tax system, our social help systems, and yes...federal and state educational financial aid. I see examples of this every day. The forgotten population of which I speak has a tax liability greater than zero (as opposed to tax liabilities of - $5000 which you receive in a handy dandy check), often cannot get help in cases of medical calamity, and you would be surprised at how very little you can make as a single and only qualify for federal stafford loans.

This is my (long time) soapbox, and I'm sticking to it.

[lookout123]

only qualify for federal stafford loans.

but they still qualify for something. and as inconvenient and annoying as it is, if they want to improve their living conditions enough, they will.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by lookout123

The show isn't a charity.

No it isn't. And that's my problem with it. It SELLS itself as a charity. It is phony and insincere and is really just a big commercial to get us to want more.

[Shawnee123]

but they still qualify for something. and as inconvenient and annoying as it is, if they want to improve their living conditions enough, they will.

And that's what I tell them: I don't counsel anyone to go into debt, but if that's the difference between them going to school or not then that might be what they have to do. Inconvenient and annoying are hardly what I'd call it: we're talking real actual debt. When Joe Schmo makes 14 grand a year and lives on his own and gets not one dime of grant money, while Rho Slow makes 19 grand, gets about 5 grand in EIC (and tax credit), gets 3 grand a year from her boyfriend for their child, has subsidized housing and some food stamps, and medi-whateveritispoorpeopleget, and is an auto-zero EFC (meaning full pell, probably full state grant...plus they often get the max loan) you gotta wonder what Joe thinks about that. Meanwhile, Flo Glow decides to pop out a kid because she'll get plenty of help that way. Yes, I've seen it.

[lookout123]

I'll tell you what he thinks about it. It sucks. It is complete and utter bullshit. At least that is what I thought just before I dragged the financial aid officer over his desk 13 years ago. It was a stupid, immature, foolish response to him telling me I should have saved more money in the military if I wanted to go to school. (a lot more led up to it, but in the end it was my stupidity that led to me pulling him over the desk) The kid that sat next to me got a bunch of grants and qualified for a big loan because of his "situation". his real situation is that mom and dad supported him while he lived in an apartment over grandma's garage.

I got $1500 in loans and a load of attitude because I made $10,000 the year before. I worked three jobs and took 21 semester hours until I got my degree. I wanted that piece of paper and knew it was up to me to get it done regardless of outside help.

I'm not special. Anyone can do it if they decide that is what they are going to do.

[Shawnee123]

I agree. We're not arguing here, being on the same side, right?

And again, that is what I tell those students who fall into those cracks...and if it's what they really want, and they are not just looking for a free ride, they WILL do it. But it has to suck, no, to watch garage kid? I see garage kid every day, as well as Flo Glow.

And I see you. I commisserate with you, I urge you to write to your congressman, I try to help you look for scholarships, I explain the loan process in painstaking terms. I exhaust all possibilities with you because I am unable to change the system...though I do get the rare opportunity to make my voice heard.

No system is completely fair. All I am saying is we have a definite population in this country which gets shit on from ALL sides.

(And I worked and borrowed my way through college as well.)