Setting Priorities

Still have my dignity.

For many

The holiday season

Has started

With Black Friday.

With the long line-up

And overcrowded stores

Looking for

That right gift

To give.

Never mind

They can't afford it.

Or their debt level

Is so high

It comes

With it's own strobe light

To warn approaching aircrafts. 

And yet

They look down

On people

Like myself.

Who live

On a fixed income

From social assistance

Or disability.

Thinking

We're an economic drag

Due to our low incomes.

Except

I live

Within my means

Rarely going over

My monthly budget

With a few dollars saved.

My money goes

Directly

Into the economy

Without a middle man

To take their cut

Like the financial industry.

Never having to worry

If I can afford

This month interest payment

Over feeding myself

Healthy food.

And yes

I live below

The poverty line

Which you sneer at.

But I haven't sold

My soul

For a 55 inch TV set.

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

I haven't sold my soul for a 55 inch tv set. Yup! I get this one on a gut level.

[MomzillaNC]

Oh! Great commentary! "Or their debt level; Is so high; It comes; With it's own strobe light; To warn approaching aircrafts." and "And yes; I live below; The poverty line; Which you sneer at." and "But I haven't sold; My soul; For a 55 inch TV set."

NOTES: " They look down; [On] people"

[therisa]

Thank you, Momzilla, considering the great op-ed piece, you wrote and posted here. And for the correction.

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome.

[icelandicblue]

Priorities of the heart and soul are what we must concern ourselves with. The holidays are filled with such gluttony while so many others make due with the barest of essentials. I was most struck by your observation here:
Or their debt level
Is so high
It comes
With it's own strobe light
To warn approaching aircrafts.

[therisa]

Thank you, Icelandicblue, for your kind review. I knew too many people, who had to have the latest tech, whether, it's a new computer or the TV set. Myself, am happy with my 17 year old 19 inch TV, hooked up to a Blue-ray DVD.

[Lyn Anderson]

Priorities indeed. I remember the look I got from one of the moms at school when I said I only had one car. Greed is insatiable, and if you get caught up in keeping up with everyone else you will go crazy.

[therisa]

Thank you, KL, for your review and experiences. In my apartment building, "keeping up, with the Jones", means having food to feed yourself, as many of the tenants are, on social assistance.

[Lyn Anderson]

It is sad when the material outweighs the immaterial treasures in life.

[therisa]

I know, but it's a fact of life, for too many people.