My friend Antony sent me this 45-minute You Tube video. It was filmed by a European documentary maker, at a time when Donald Trump was still the President.
Middle-Class homeless living in their cars. People working full-time, but unable to afford to rent anywhere to live. From Hollywood, to Texas, to Virginia, a whole generation with no hope.
(I know this doesn’t apply to everyone in the USA, but at the time of filming, it affected around 40 million people)
It is worth your time to watch it, as any of us could be next. (You can easily turn off the subtitles in the bottom menu)
beetleypete 
What a unbelievable horror, and it shows in Europe we will get similar things, very soon. ;-/ Thanks for sharing, Pete! xx Michael
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What happens in the USA normally arrives in Europe soon after.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thats true, only the usage of computers has a lack in Germany, since over 20 years. Not everywhere, but there, where they would give pupils a better change for their future.
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Hard to believe that you can hold down a full time job and still have to live in your car an rely on charity to survive. Capitalism gone wrong. A quick check on the percentage below the poverty line in the US: 15%, China 0.6%
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/population-below-poverty-line/
Now I wouldn’t want to live in China, but I’m not sure I would want to live in the US either 🙂
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I think I will stay in Norfolk mate.
Cheers, Pete.
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I feel sympathy for the downtrodden, but I also deplore the strong political bias of this video. Under the current administration, even the middle class is suffering.
(1) “Consumer prices rose at a 6.2% annual rate in October, well above expectations, as inflation continued its vice grip on the U.S. economy, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Wednesday.” (2) “Consumers are feeling it in the pocketbook at the gas pump, grocery store and tenants in many parts of the country could get sticker shock at their next lease renewal,”
[U.S. News & World Report, in an article dated 11/10/21]
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The film was made by a French TV crew, during the Trump administration. I think those interviewed are generally credible, and suitably self-effacing. They do not lay any blame on any political party, though some Trump comments are referenced, I didn’t really sense any strong political bias, David. They said in the film that it affected 40 million Americans, out of a population of 330 milion. Given those numbers, it is still not a big percentage.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Right now a senator from one of the poorest states in the union is the cause of Biden’s plan to help get people back on their feet including our vets of 2 twenty year wars. Of course this senator is rich, money from coal mines. And he also fights everything to clean up the environment.
People on Social Security finally after years got a big raise of 5% but inflation is at 6% and mostly thanks to Big Oil continues to rise. Jobs are not being filled because the pay is so low in them people cant live off the wages they pay.
Right now the US is in bad shape and will continue as long as these right wing rich hogs keep getting voted in office.
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I have read about that rich coal man on other blogs. He has no shame, and no conscience. What a hateful, spiteful man he is. If he has any belief in religion, he should be aware that he is destined for an eternity in Hell.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The tent cities, such as those in Los Angeles, began filling up more and more starting in 2009. The pandemic and loss of jobs due to Covid made it increase and become more visible.
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The pandemic has had so many more effects than just making people ill. Sad to see, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You are so right about the collateral damage from the pandemic. We’re going to be experiencing it for decades to come.
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In Austin, too.
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That’s a shame. I suppose most every city is getting that way.
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So sad and disturbing. I was rather inspired by those who volunteer their time and resources to help those in need!
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Me too. The huge dental clinic was amazing!
Best wishes, Pete.
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I find it very sad that the concept of money, which was supposed to improve our lives, only succeeded in enslaving us. We all want a decent life, but when the system appears to be stacked against us, many people struggle when there there should be no need. I won’t live to see the day when money is abolished, but I hope humanity sees sense before it’s too late. Cheers, Jon.
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I doubt any of will live to see a time when ‘fair bartering’ replaces currency, Jon.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Even bartering won’t be necessary when everything is made free, and resources are allocated according to need. It would take possibly at least a couple of generations for us to lose the tendency to take more than we need, but it would come. Check this out: https://www.thevenusproject.com/
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Thanks for the link.
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Wow, at least Maria and others have free parking and the mobile toilet and kitchen.
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It is good of that charity to provide the place for them to park, wash, and cook. Let’s hope that doesn’t have to stop.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Indeed.
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The poverty in America is shocking.
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This is a worrying film, as it mainly shows ‘respectable’ working people with full-time jobs unable to afford accommodation, and in many cases, food. I think this should be a warning to all of us around the ‘western world’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I m not so sure. The US is not the leader in what it provides to its citizens. The UK ad the rest of Europe and other developed countries are. We are caught in a right-wing delusion. Until we got past that, if we get past that, we will continue to lag behind. Warmest regards, Theo
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It is a shock to me to see middle-class and employed working-class Americans living in their cars on a parking lot, using volunteer field hospitals to receive medical and dental treatment, and asking for unsold stale pizza in restaurants so they can eat. Things are not great here, but nothing close to that yet.
We do have people living on the streets in tents in some cities, but many are alcoholics and drug addicts. Sadly, some of those are also ex-soldiers, who cannot readjust to civilian life.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The thing is, no one should be on the streets or in tents. This is especially true in lands where some make and keep billions! Warmest regards Theo
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The poverty in America is shocking. Particularly considering the fact that back in 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty.
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Yes, that features in this short film, Liz.
Best wishes, Pete.
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