Comments about ‘'Coming Apart' — Author points out the widening chasm between haves, have-nots’

It's called "the pride cycle."

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, meekness."

The US Government, in its pursuit to be all things to all people, has perverted the definitions of "poor," "low income" and "poverty" to include far more people than it once did. In that manner, the individuals who are tasked with helping the "poor" find themselves with an endless supply of people "in need" and tons of job security. That is not to say there are not poor people who are in need. Jesus told us the poor will always be with us, so we can rely on the fact that there will always be people relying on those who are better off to help them. But the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines anyone who makes less than 80% of the median income for a particular area as being "low income." That's 40% of the population no matter their income or actual need. For example, for fiscal year 2012, an individual earning less than $39,950 in Salt Lake County was considered "low income." Even if said individual was paying $1,200/month for rent and utilities, they would have over $25,000 of "disposable income" for discretionary spending. Having lived in poverty, and been so poor I sold plasma twice a week for food and gas money, that doesn't sound like hardship to me. Am I wrong, and if so, why?

Government regulation are making it harder for people to start their own businesses and get pull themselves out of the middle class. Regulations only help big business in the long run because regulations prevent people without large amounts of money from entering the those industries. I have a small business and recent regulations have made it too expensive to enter many industries. Government almost always consults industry leaders when creating legislation and of course it will benefit those companies involved in the process and hurt the competition. Many entrepreneurs cannot afford all the legal fees required by the government. I wonder if legislators know this or they don't care because of money they will eventually make by helping their buddies.

When you have a POTUS who professes sharing the wealth all the while his policies trap another 15 million on welfare, up from 49 in 2008....is it any wonder the chasm is expanding? People need freedom and opportunity, not govt jobs that create no GDP!

The best social program known to man is a job.

Re:OnceUponaTime

Well, we hear about the Steve Jobs types that start a business in the garage etc, so the barriers to entry don't seem so big. Specific examples of the costs, regulations are hurdles you experienced will enlighten (us) people. You should also share specific examples with your legislators. Of course when starting a business you have to get outside financing, like asking your parents for money such as Romney suggested the other day.

Re:Comsen1
So what type of benefits would be available to an individual making just less than $39,000? My guess is none. The monthly net income level to qualify for food stamps as an individual is $908. They wouldn't qualify for housing benefits either. Isn't the $39,000 gross, not net income, so you would have to subtract about $2200 for income tax, more for FICA etc. Discretionary income would be closer to $20,000, not a lot after gas, food, car insurance, tithing(?), utilities etc.

The economic crisis put many out of work. Some of the hardest hit are middle-aged who have a very hard time finding employment. And there is job discrimination against people who've been out of work.

Why is this ALWAYS the first response? " ...the definitions of "poor," "low income" and "poverty" to include far more people than it once did."

We have one duty when it comes to judging who's deserving: don't. If we find ourselves doing so, repent.

"Jesus told us the poor will always be with us ..." Yes and we have one duty there too: give. Until our brothers are rich as us.

The scriptures we're so quick to quote are unequivocal on both.

"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." (1 Corinthians 10:26)

Perhaps the poor are always with us because the rich are not being good stewards of what God has entrusted to them.

"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." (Acts 4:32)

We may not live the law of consecration today, but I think that the spirit of that principle is very far from the Tea Party "me, mine, more" agenda.

Take a look at the interview Bill Moyers did with Jacob Hacker & Paul Pierson on Engineered Inequality. Whether it is what is going on here, or what Putin is manipulating in Russia, or the seeds of what we have seen in the Arab Spring, people are getting tired of getting stepped on by rich and powerful interests. Sometimes those interests overplay their hands and there is push back. I have to wonder if we are edging closer to that push back, here and abroad. The interesting thing is that media and propaganda are so effective now that the very people getting crushed (the middle class in the U.S.) become apologists for the oppressors, the modern day Gadianton Robbers. I see it in the comments here.

@Truth:

"When you have a POTUS who professes sharing the wealth all the while his policies trap another 15 million on welfare, up from 49 in 2008....is it any wonder the chasm is expanding? People need freedom and opportunity, not govt jobs that create no GDP!"

The Crash happened in 2008, which means the effects of that crash would be felt for the next two to three years, regardless of who is in the White House. What you said is the same if I blamed G.W. Bush for the 9/11 attacks. They were going to happen no matter who was President.

I didn't see any mention in the article that obama was the ghost writer in this article. He is doing a great job trying to divide the country.

LDS 1st Presidency and full quorum of 12 Apostles:
----

"The experience of mankind has shown that the people of communities and nations among whom wealth is the most equally distributed, enjoy the largest degree of liberty...are the least exposed to tyranny and oppression...

One of the great evils with which our own nation is menaced at the present time is the wonderful growth of wealth in the hands of a comparatively few individuals. The very liberties for which our fathers contended so...are endangered by the monstrous power which this accumulation of wealth gives to a few individuals and a few powerful corporations.

If this evil should not be checked, and measures not taken to prevent the continued enormous growth of riches among the class already rich, and the painful increase of destitution and want among the poor, the nation is likely to be overtaken by disaster; for, according to history, such a tendency among nations once powerful was the sure precursor of ruin."

==============

Just like the ancient Nephites --
It appears we are ripe for ruin and destruction.

We have been warned.

"You're my kind of people. The Haves and the Have Mores." GW Bush

Looking at this theologically one can see why the Old Testament prophets and then Jesus taught so often about caring for the poor. It seems the narrower the gap between the classes, the greater the chance for peace in a society. Mayhap that's why the Mormons have invested billions in their welfare program and why groups like Catholic Charities are so successful.

The author points out that the super elites do not understand life's challenges of those from 'poorer' backgrounds and not part of their society. I believe he has missed another event, one I think that was very important in helping us understand each other, and that was the elimination of the military draft. Having to serve in the military for two years brought many different peoples from many different lifestyles/economic backgrounds together with a common goal -- helping each other survive. Draftees learned of other cultures, hopes, desires, and the like. YES, there were deferments - but every economic level had deferments, not just some of the wealthy.

I believe that the author is getting at the self-segregation of the well off from the rest of society. I grew up in a small town in the 60's and 70's where there was a mix of social classes. When kids are not able to see good adult role models when they are growing up, they will become assimilated into the moral base that surrounds them. I don't know the solution to this, but it will be a problem unless we can reverse this trend.

It was said that there were 40% fewer millionaires with this recession. There are going to be a lot more wealthy in a thriving economy which we really do not have. The idea the "rich get richer and the poor get poorer" is found in economics 101, Marx, Karl.

** Romney: Campaign Not very concerned about the very poor By Z. Byron Wolf ABC News 02/01/12

** Study: Romney plan raises taxes on poor families By Stephen Ohlemacher AP Published by DSNews 01/05/12

The 12th man on the Jazz roster brings in at least $250 K a year. That is at least 5 times what we pay teachers, police officers and others who serve the public. This in not Obama's fault. I am not against prosperity. The real problem is wages are to low for the poor and middle class. Most of the poor in this counry are working poor. Wages have stagnated for all except the upper class. America's strength is in a strong middle class that earn enough to own homes, and save for the future. We are loosing that. America is on a downward spiral and I find that very disturbing. We need to put an end to bitter and divisive partisan politics. Divided government does not work.

'Wages have stagnated for all except the upper class.' - NeilT | 9:13 p.m. Feb. 20, 2012

Supported:

** Study: Rich get a lot richer, outpace middle class' - By Andrew Taylor - AP - 10/26/11

'It finds that after-tax income for the top 1 percent of U.S. households almost tripled, up 275 percent, from 1979 to 2007. - Article

You know what the Republican party has done to promote jobs?

** John Boehner: If GOP (Bush tax) Cuts Cause Federal Job Losses...'So Be It' - Huffington Post - 02/15/11

** GOP trying to use tax law to limit abortions' - By Stephen Ohlemacher - AP - Published by DSNews - 03/31/11

Nothing.