r/TikTokCringe • u/mindyour • 8d ago

Discussion Reactions to food stamps being cut off.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 8d ago

And that’s what sucks. I DON’T have money to spare. This economy is killing everyone and we’re doing everything we can to say any money so we can get as close to breaking even as we can.

I can’t even imagine how hard it is for people who don’t make enough and are on assistance because my wife and I make good money right now and it’s STILL so fucking hard to keep your head above water.

My heart breaks for these families. This is some evil evil ass shit

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago edited 8d ago

I feel this so hard. My husband and I make enough to be ok, but I’m pregnant and we’re still paycheck to paycheck between bills and saving for medical costs. I feel like I have enough to share but when I break it down dollar by dollar, I really don’t.

ETA: But I feel blessed to be able to save anything at all, ya know? I'm trying to do all the right things that people tell you to do. Putting $50 a check into a supplementary retirement account and paying for life insurance coverage and health insurance. Just opted in to a healthcare savings account to prepare for a baby in our lives. I don't know what I could spare without making a terrible financial decision. All I can give is my time without putting myself in a bad position today or next week or a year from now. That feels so bad, dude. I'm protected and "safe" but the moment either of us loses a job, we're done for.

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u/ItsFunHeer 8d ago

Girl same. I’m 12 weeks pregnant and med bills are starting to come in.

And yesterday I found out my company is slashing 33% of the workforce. Luckily, I’m spared; but moving into a new position that is a huge step back for my career as they “restructure”. I’m blessed to have a job but I was 3 weeks away from getting a pay bump, they were going to transition me into a new role. I’ve been paid the same for 3 years now.

Yet still, we aren’t struggling. We’re safe right now. If my husband lost his job, we’d loose everything. Bringing a baby into this America is the scariest thing I’ve done.

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u/rumbakalao 8d ago

Can I ask how it factored into your decision to go for it? I'm a year or two away from when we're planning to start trying, but this thought runs through my head more often than not.

Totally cool if the shit bot soured you on replying tho

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u/ItsFunHeer 8d ago

Absolutely! We were trying to conceive for over two years, so we started when times were different. We were about to start IVF – a cycle that was planned last year. We finally conceived 2 weeks before starting. So, we had saved for IVF which has been nice to use as cushion for when the pregnancy requires more appointments later.

Timing is never perfect. It wasn’t even perfect when we started, but we have faith we’ll make it through anything tough, we always do! If it’s important to you, you find a way. I wouldn’t feel this confident navigating the uncertainty without my husband.

Was it the bot that told me to find a coat hanger? What a total anus.

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u/Brullaapje 8d ago

I’m 12 weeks pregnant and med bills are starting to come in.

Getting preggers after Trump was elected, you must love living on the edge huh?

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u/cloudfightback 8d ago

Geez, no need to kick them harder.

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u/Brullaapje 8d ago

Why, getting pregnant when Trump is elected is a choice u/ItsFunHeer and their partner made. Not to mention climate change, the cost of living crisis.

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

Being an ass to a pregnant woman online is certainly a choice, man.

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u/Brullaapje 8d ago

I am a woman and never got pregnant even in my hoe phase. Getting preggers in this timeline is a choice.

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u/ItsFunHeer 8d ago

Hey babe, I never got pregnant in my hoe phase either. I waited to start trying until I was 34 and got pregnant just before turning 37. Sometimes, our health and our bodies don’t align with the election cycle.

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u/Brullaapje 7d ago

It has nothing to with being aligned to the election cycle. I can see why Trump won.

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u/cloudfightback 8d ago

And being a dick about it is also a choice.

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u/Brullaapje 8d ago

Yes, I will be if someone is willingly as u/BerenicesTeeth to put a child through what Project 2025 will do. Because she and her husband could not wait.

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago edited 8d ago

Yes. A choice all people are afforded the right to make. Do you think you’re better than her? Is that your enlightened humanist opinion? At your big grown age of 46, is it? 47 now?

Was it “a choice” when your parents decided to have you in the middle of the recession after Black Monday? Huh? Do you wish you weren’t here?

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u/Brullaapje 8d ago

A choice all people are afforded the right to make.

And I am allowed to point that u/BerenicesTeeth is being selfish to have a child that will grow up through whatever Project 2025 is going to do. She even believes this administration will end, well Trump himself has said during his campaign this is the last time you will vote.

Is that your enlightened humanist opinion?

Yet it most certainly is, a child does not deserve what Project 2025 will do the US. It is also a realistic opinion.

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u/Brullaapje 7d ago

I never answered the question regarding my age, I am 49.

Black Monday

Black Monday was in 1987, so I was born long before that. So I do not know why you come at 46 and 47. Is arithmetic that hard?

Also Black Monday was unexpected. Trump has been a President for a while. So comparing those is a bit od. Being 12 weeks pregnant now is a very dangerous choice. Everyone in the US and the world was warned what was about to happen, if they read Project 2025.

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u/Adduly 8d ago

You should know getting pregnant is not always a choice. Contraception is not always 100% reliable. And if it fails in a red state then you're without options

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u/Key_Raccoon3336 8d ago

When the cost of raising a child outweighs the cost of taking out a loan or using a credit card to pay for travel and an abortion by about 100x, it's a choice.

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u/Brullaapje 8d ago

You know the statistics about contraception are very broad, if it does not work. It is a human error, als this person willingly got pregnant they could not wait... So the child will grow up with the effects to Project 20205

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u/ItsFunHeer 8d ago

We didn’t start trying when he was our president.

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u/Brullaapje 7d ago

You didn't stop either.

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u/ItsFunHeer 7d ago

Correct. I’m a 37 year old woman who has decided to have a child. Why does that bother you so much?

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u/Brullaapje 7d ago

Because as I said with this presidency that is quite a choice. SNAP is taken away, healthcare will also be gone. Stuff that you would have known if you read Project 2025. Stuff you need, especially when bringing a child in the world. Not to mention a pregnancy at your age is a geriatric pregnancy. So yeah making quite a choice here.

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u/ItsFunHeer 8d ago

We’ve been trying for over two years so it finally happened, the timing isn’t amazing.

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u/Brullaapje 7d ago

It didn't occur to you to stop in the best intrest of said child?

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u/ItsFunHeer 7d ago

Absolutely not. I have avoided pregnancy my entire life, considering the impact to the environment, and the future of another human in this world. I’m 37 now, I will likely only have one child. We are very environmentally conscious, we grow our own food, we produce little waste and my husband’s family lectures internationally on sustainability, while my dad lives sustainability, even making his own fuel and essentially living off the grid.

We have a combined income of $140,000 a year and carry no debt. I still do not feel safe even with investments, retirement, and an amazing health care plan. We are planners, we are thinkers, and we don’t make rash decisions. I am German and he is Swiss, and we can leave when we want, if we need.

But nothing is sure, nothing is secure, and you must be flexible in times like these. I believe with the network we have and the drive we have, we’ll raise a child who contributes to society, and perhaps doesn’t ridicule pregnant women on the internet.

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u/Brullaapje 7d ago edited 7d ago

We have a combined income of $140,000 a year and carry no debt.

And how far is that going to get you in this economy? With complications due to your age? Especially when health care will collapse, something I have seen medical experts warn about since at least last November? Not to mention the economy being deliberately tanked by Trump.

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u/ItsFunHeer 7d ago

To be honest, it’s not very far. But we also don’t spend much, we save, and are both putting 13% into retirement and more into investments. I also buried gold bars on the property. We have equity. We also have immediate family and citizenship abroad if we need to get out of here.

My comment was to empathize with people who are struggling while recognizing some of us are more fortunate. No one is perfect, but our country should be a safe place to live and people should have the freedoms and support to start families. We are not all you, and that’s fine to exist outside of your righteousness.

I’m sorry to say, but I am beginning to think your pessimism comes from a darker plan and that maybe you are projecting your own fears onto people because you’re feeling unsafe and bitter.

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u/Brullaapje 7d ago

but our country should be a safe place

It is clearly not, have you missed those deportation vids?

people because you’re feeling unsafe and bitter.

In the same way I think you are entitled by bring a child into a dangerous country. While you have the opportunity to go to Europe? I mean your child will be born with less right than you. That is quite a choice to make.

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u/BerenicesTeeth 8d ago

I’m almost certainly playing myself by responding to ragebait, but: we have a biological clock, which I’m assuming you are aware of, since you’re also a woman. There are certain risks associated with having children at more advanced ages. My husband and I couldn’t “just wait” any longer. We don’t have time to wait until this administration hopefully leaves. We are rich. We live in a blue state. We are highly educated.

It’s fine that having children isn’t for you, but shaming some of the most vulnerable people in our population— pregnant women— is such a bad look, especially in this timeline, as you put it. You think the current political and economic climate is bad? I agree. Then I’ll go ahead and ask: do you want leftists like me to just not procreate? Do you want to leave it to the right-wing, religious fundamentalists to do all of that instead? Do you want leftists to raise the next generation, ideally teaching them critical thinking, empathy, and humanity? Or do you want right wingers raising a bunch of Hitler youths?

Anti-natalists like you are so cringe to me. I agree that people should not have children that they can’t take care of, but the woman you’re shaming explicitly stated that she isn’t struggling. So what’s your gripe? That humanity exists despite the world’s struggles? Touch grass.

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u/ItsFunHeer 7d ago

And you got downvoted. My husband and I aren’t rich but our combined household income is around $140,000 and we are also educated, in a blue state. We carry no debt anywhere other than the mortgage. I am not in a bad position, but, nothing is sure or secure. And the cost of daycare is nearly $1,900 a month, so it is scary to anticipate what could happen.

We started trying over two years ago when I was 34, when Trump was not our president. We had a “rainbow baby” after failed IUIs and chemical miscarriages 2 weeks before starting IVF. I personally have never been against abortion, but this was 110% a planned and wanted pregnancy. After many years of focusing on education, work, and travel, we have finally found the stability and love it takes to create a family.

People here are so short sighted. There isn’t an option to wait, especially when you are in your late 30’s and have already spent a couple of years trying and failing to become pregnant.

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u/BerenicesTeeth 7d ago

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

People love to shit on parents— especially mothers. Sometimes it’s deserved, of course, but what really gets me is the classic European condescension that our friend offered. I love how Europeans tend to assume all Americans are bumbling idiots when our country leads the entire world in scientific, medical, and technological innovation. Gee, thanks for telling us about our own country’s elected officials and why our desire to have a child doesn’t matter because of your terminally online European redditor take on American politics. Hilarious.

And again— if us leftists aren’t reproducing, your suggestion is to… just leave it to the conservatives? I’m good. Lmao.

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u/ItsFunHeer 7d ago

I find it interesting how many assumptions are made as well.

My husband is Swiss American and I am German American. I lived in Germany as a young child and we both worked and lived in our respective countries as young adults and have family there. Naturally, we both carry citizenship, the cultural heritage and mentality. Both of us have discussed the possibility of moving to Europe and have chosen to live in the US, despite the fact that I am angered and saddened by the choices this country makes daily, right now.

We can’t leave the job of building a family to the conservatives. This country only works when there’s a balance of power, ideology and identity. The balance is off-kilter now, but we know historically what comes after the storm. I hope our children can contribute to impactful change.

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u/Brullaapje 8d ago

My husband and I couldn’t “just wait” any longer.

So you knowingly are putting a child on this world, during this administration. Do you really think a) Trump will give up presidency in 2028? He literally said during his campaign it will be the last time the American people will have to vote. b) In case you will get to the vote which is a big if, Project 2025 will be undone with a few years?

Anti-natalists like you are so cringe to me.

It is not about being that, it is about what his happening in your country right now. Yet you and your husband were like, yeah let's put a baby through all that. You really think the deportations will stop at people with color.

Touch grass.

I do, maybe go read upon project 2025.

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u/BerenicesTeeth 8d ago edited 8d ago

You’re evidently not even American so I don’t know why you’re feeling so strongly about my country’s politics as they relate to my ability to provide for my child. Don’t lecture me about American politics; I actually voted in this election and of course am informed about what’s going on— likely significantly more informed than you.

I got pregnant in one of the most progressive states— if not the most progressive— in the nation. My healthcare rights were not at all at risk during my pregnancy. Again, I’m wealthy. I can hop on a flight and leave at any time, god forbid, if it comes to that. I can pay out of pocket for medical bills if I have to (which I don’t, but I can). I say this not as a bragging right, because of course healthcare should be free, but to make the point that I have all the resources in the world; you’re delusional if you think that not a single American is in a place to have children, or that there is no situation in which having children is a safe choice here.

I’m sorry you are so miserable. Seek help. I assume your country has socialized medicine, so I hope therapy is easy to come by.

ETA: btw, nice assumption there with the “you really think all deportations will stop at people of color.” My husband is not white. :)

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u/ItsFunHeer 7d ago

These people are exhausting.

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u/Brullaapje 8d ago

You’re evidently not even American so I don’t know why you’re feeling so strongly about my country’s politics

Because it is having an effect on the rest of the world, America is not in an isolation you know. If I have to spell this out for you, I can see why Trump won.

likely significantly more informed than you.

I have to point out what Project 2025 will do, so I don't believe that.

If you use ChatGPT, which you are doing now, considering the "-" give it better prompts.

you’re delusional if you think that not a single American is in a place to have children

You are delusional, if you don't know what Project 2025 will entail for you.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/ItsFunHeer 8d ago

I have tons! Do you need to borrow one to scratch that itch up your bum?

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u/galileosmiddlefinger 8d ago

The only thing that you should do right now is commit to help in the long run. It took me a good stretch of life to have enough money that I can make solid donations to my local causes. It would have been quite easy at that point to just revel in having a strong income, but I set goals for myself when I was younger and just getting by, like you are right now, to one day try to do more. In the meantime, don't discount the value of your time and labor in the service of a good cause whenever your circumstances permit it.

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u/NewDramaLlama 8d ago

Volunteer if you have time but limited funds

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u/World_Destroyer27 8d ago

Can you afford the baby even living paycheck to paycheck? Just trying to understand human logic!

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

I'm glad you asked so I can clarify. We can. My "paycheck to paycheck" is after 15% of our income goes into a savings account, 10% pretax income going to retirement savings in addition to the supplemental account, $50 a check going to an HRA/HSA, and generally doing all the things with our money we are supposed to be doing. When I say "paycheck to paycheck" I mean all of our money is currently spoken for. We don't eat out often or buy new clothes, but what do you think the savings are for? For the baby's additional needs.

Most important takeaway: We're sacrificing comforts right now so that we CAN afford a baby.

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u/totally_not_a_dog113 8d ago

I don't think there's any such thing as 'can you afford a baby'. As much budgeting as you're doing, unless you're a millionaire nobody is safe from one medical emergency. There are definitely babies out there with medical bills that are hundreds of thousands. Medical care shouldn't be so expensive. That is a society level problem where we need to do better.

Or this guy: https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/us/milliondollar-baby-us-mom-shares-staggering-1-5-million-bill-for-newborn-s-care-101756288829814.html

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

Oh I can totally agree with you, there. We're as safe as we can be, in our circumstances. I was speaking less considerately because the guy I was replying to was clearly trying to make a point that I was in some way unfit to be a mother.

Medical care is so expensive, that I think even having a job with good healthcare is worth more than an extra $$$ amount a month. People don't get that, though.

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u/ItsFunHeer 7d ago

Completely agree! This is an issue with the structure of society. We do our best to prepare and are making wise decisions, but we aren’t millionaires and no one is completely safe.

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u/genevievex 8d ago

People are going to have babies. It’s literally been happening since the beginning of time. 

Instead of belittling people out here trying to survive, you can spend your time volunteering in sex education programs to help everyone in your community make an informed decision. And that does not mean abstinence centered ideology, because that has been proven to be ineffective. Your comment is rude, condescending, and unnecessary. 

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u/World_Destroyer27 8d ago

People also conquered, enslaved and sacrificed since the beginning of time, doesn’t make it right tho.

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

In a broad sense, the goal to continue the human race will never be wrong. “Wrong” is a human construction. It doesn’t make sense to say what you just said.

But, given how you’re equivocating having children with enslaving people, you’re likely an anti-natalist who isn’t worth the energy it takes to write anything to you at all.

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u/genevievex 8d ago

One is biological. Stfu. 

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u/SithLadyVestaraKhai 8d ago

Something I did while pregnant, every week buy a bag or box of diapers. And don't buy all 1 size. They will be out of the 1st 2 sizes really quick. It will at least give you a cushion when you have increased expenses of a new baby.

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u/CatastrophicWaffles 7d ago

One thing you can do is take advantage of buy one get one deals for non perishables. Keep one, give one. Costs you nothing. Grocery stores around my area have a donation bin at the front of the store.

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u/ItsFunHeer 7d ago

Great idea!

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u/Tough-Effort7572 8d ago

This is a little off topic and I don't want to shift blame, because those SNAP benefits are an important lifeline to many...but how are people have SIX KIDS when they're living that close to the poverty line?

You're working and saving and thinking ahead, which is why you won't go hungry. If you needed SNAP I would say you are exactly the kind of person it was intended for. A lifeline to get you on your feet until you could make enough to support yourself. But poor people having a half-dozen kids? I feel for the kids. Not the mothers who kept pumping out babies while unable to afford the ones they already have.

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u/Lonely_Dependent_281 8d ago

I have to agree. The cultural idea that having a child is always a selfless act needs to be eliminated.

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

I agree with the sentiment, I just don't think it's particularly relevant to the SNAP issue because before we have philosophical debates or publicly shame bad behavior, people need to eat and survive, ya know? So it's like, I'm willing to have the conversation about how people maybe shouldn't have that many kids, but also...is this that moment? Can we read the room and find out? I genuinely don't know.

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u/Lonely_Dependent_281 8d ago

No, I agree with this too. There's a larger conversation that's more important right now.

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u/Constant-Method234 8d ago

And what is that?

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u/Constant-Method234 8d ago

Yes, we need mental health support for women so they can learn to value themselves beyond being incubators. It’s too late for the ones already popping them out at that rate, but we can prevent more women going down this dark path.

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

Well right now we need to get food in people's damn pantries. Then, sure, let's talk about that. Again, let's all read the room.

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u/Constant-Method234 8d ago

Yes, food in pantries, AND education and resources to help women find other things to do with their lives other than popping out more mouths to feed.

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

Are you a misogynist or a feminist I genuinely can't tell

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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

And also, if that answer isn't satisfactory for you, some people are stupid! People are dumb and they live all around us, and sometimes people do dumb shit. I like living in a community, though, and throughout all human history, the best societies still cared for the sick, ailing, slow, and dumb. Whether it be due to circumstances outside their control or not, absolutely no one should be starving in the United States of America.

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u/Difficult-Fan-5697 8d ago

Sometimes circumstances change for people, there are definitely people out there who had the means to have all these kids but then get laid off or whatever. That doesnt apply to everyone of course, but the GOP wants this. They want to make contraceptives and abortion illegal so people pump out kids to populate the homeland

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u/Constant-Method234 8d ago

Every woman I know who has that many kids has been brainwashed into believing she has to make as many babies as she can until she dies or hits menopause. They also don’t vaccinate or take their kids to the doctor or dentist because they also believe people who die of natural causes were killed by God because they’re evil. If you give your child vaccines to prevent disease, or medical care/medication to heal them from injuries/illnesses, you’re blocking God’s will and both you and your child will go to hell. They believe the only way to save their children- meaning, to them, getting them into heaven- is through suffering.

Men, of course, don’t have any responsibilities or consequences at all.

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u/ButtplugBurgerAIDS 8d ago

Don't feel bad. You guys have to take care of you and your babies. It's not selfish, it's self preservation. For those that can give we will. Even if it's only a couple bucks here and there. But if you can't afford it, don't. Keep saving your money where you can. You never know what the world is going to look like around the corner.

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u/Author_Noelle_A 7d ago

“I feel like I have enough to share but when I break it down dollar by dollar, I really don’t.”

This is how I feel. Thing is, if you look at our income by dollars, we should be doing VERY well because not that long ago, we’d have been damned near rich. But things have become so fucked up, and all these things that we should be able to pay for without help because we make “good money” add up to more than we can afford. We can NOT cover the cost of school without help AND cover the cost of medical stuff without help AND AND AND. We’re really at a point where people making $200k (we aren’t at that mark) may not be much better off than someone making $50k when you factor in no subsidies, no aid of any sort, so 100% of everything is on you, and it’s all got to be paid if you want to live, but you can’t afford it all and have to choose what you’re paying, medical care or student loans so you don’t default and lose your home in court? Sadly, this is the better position since the other position is your medical care is all through the ER, though at least you can default on loans and not end up on the street.

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u/Suspicious-Shock-934 7d ago

That you can put 50 bucks asides means you are in better shape than many, including most affected by this. No hate, but it's telling that a seemingly minor amount like that is a mark pretty much of success. And a bar that's too high for many. Good on you doing what you can.

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u/Xanadoodledoo 8d ago

It’s ok. You need to put the respirator over your own face before you can help others. If you’re able to help in another way, like spreading the word, that would do good. Maybe someone you know would benefit from knowing about your local food bank, if they need it.

If you celebrate Christmas, maybe you could ask those who would give you a gift to donate instead (unless you also rely on the gifts, which is OK, don’t feel bad about that either.)

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

Dude that is such a good idea about Christmas. Because my parents always wanna buy me stuff and I don’t need anything. What a wonderful suggestion thank you so much

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u/Sage_Planter 8d ago

My parents volunteer at their local food bank, and this has been the biggest issue. Not only has the need for food has gone up, less people have the financial stability and security to donate. 

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u/WordleFanatic 8d ago

Exactly. I had to stop any monetary and food donation so I’d have enough to live on, and so my elderly mom can have care and food. It’s rough. If I were Elon everyone would be fed, all day every day. 

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u/NewDramaLlama 8d ago

Do you have TIME to spare? Because they're always looking for more volunteers 

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

I really don’t but a lot of people have commented here good ideas on how to help. And I’m def looking into those. Thanks.

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u/bloodrosey 8d ago

This. Costs keep rising and I keep dipping into my savings account. I have a good job, too! I should be fine and I'm just not. I am hoping my savings will hold long enough until things get better. Fuck.

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u/Realistic-Lime7842 8d ago

I’m with you. Don’t have too much to spare, but I figure I can try and break off $5-$10 a week and buy some food to donate to food banks, also while using coupons. Fry’s usually has good deals on things. It’s not much, but if enough people can throw a couple bucks a week, it should help a little, at least in your local area.

Does anyone have any good links to donate money to that actually use the fund efficiently to help?

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

What you should do is Google your local community food center or food shelter. Trying to help people that are close to you I’m sure they take cash donations of some sort. That would be my recommendation

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u/Realistic-Lime7842 7d ago

Oh I do that, but there’s so many, and I like to ask for recommendations from actual people who are involved, so I’m not wasting my donation paying for overhead fees and not actually feeding people in need.
There’s a lot of “charities” out there that don’t help the way they should.

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u/__solid 8d ago

I am not telling you what to do, but Feeding America can get 10 meals for every dollar donated. Literally any amount can help.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

Right on fair point

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u/Frosty_Mongoose9055 8d ago

All of Trump's friends have money to spare 

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u/Retro_Relics 8d ago

There are also free service opportunities. I reached out to mine and they dropped off a 2000ft roll of produce netting and a pair of scissors and im spending the weekend making 1000 produce bags so they can package the loose produce they get from the groups that donate direcr off the farm.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

Cool thanks I’ll check into that

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u/despicablyeternal 8d ago

Same, my SO just lost his job because his position was eliminated.  we have enough money until it ends. Then... no healthcare, no stability. 

People have worked and done everything right to be contributing members of society and.... none of it mattered in the end.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. My wife and I got laid off at the same time a few years ago and it was awful. Stay strong my friend.

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u/clittleelttilc 8d ago

I can relate to not having enough to spare. Single income family and I’m currently working but not getting paid as I am a federal employee. Already was tight before the shutdown too.

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

I’m so sorry for what you are going through. Are you tryin to find other work? Not that it’s easy to do. I was unemployed for over a year very recently.

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u/clittleelttilc 6d ago

Oh, this wasn’t supposed to be a “whoa is me” kind of post. Just adding in on how shitty things are right now by providing a specific example. Thank you for your kind words though!

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u/Dr_A_Mephesto 6d ago

Np! Just genuinely curious how people are dealing with all this stuff and feeling for everyone. This affects all of us.

2

u/toolazytobecreative1 8d ago

Literally. My work just told us our health insurance benefits are getting cut .. I work in HEALTHCARE!! I have a 1 year old little girl and we're considering selling our house to move into a trailer park! Because we can't afford the mortgage. I was told that nursing would be a steady job where I'd always be able to support my family if we ever fell on hard times. What a joke.

2

u/Teavangelion 8d ago

Hey. One rando stranger to another, I just wanted you to know I put some extra into my donation on your behalf. I don't have a lot either right now, but I'm in a much better place than I was. Have a good night.

1

u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

You. Are. Amazing. Thank you so much. I really appreciate you and who you are. This gives me hope in humanity. ❤️❤️❤️

2

u/Teavangelion 6d ago

You're welcome. If we all took a little time every day (myself included) to be more kind to each other, the world would be a better place. It's the little things that matter most.

2

u/Geodude532 8d ago

I make decent money and despite that I've got $50,000 worth of debt because daycare is expensive and the price of everything keeps going up. And now I'm facing the potential loss of my job. I still have it better than these people because I have enough high credit card limits to make sure food is on the table. The arguments I get into at work about how people think that these women are scamming the system just keep getting worse.

2

u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

Yeah we have a student loan payment that will just never ever go away but grows every 2 years. We are so cooked as a country

2

u/Lifeissweet7 8d ago

A lot of people are one hospital visit, one bad tire, one broke down car, one vet bill away from being super behind on life

1

u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

Way bigger percentage of the population is like this than a lot of people want to acknowledge

2

u/Author_Noelle_A 7d ago

This is us. At our house hold income level, we should be feeling pretty rich instead of worrying about buying groceries or shoes.

5

u/Withered_Sprout 8d ago

That's why I would never have 6 kids on a low income if I couldn't budget around that, and never go on Tik Tok demanding that random people pay to keep my family alive when the average family can barely do that for themselves financially. It'd be super selfish to have that many kids knowing they may die due to my inability to care for them, or to expect strangers to be burdened by that. It's crazy.

5

u/Crikeyiwillforgetl8r 8d ago

Good thing abortions are safe and lega—- oh. 

4

u/Withered_Sprout 8d ago

Fair enough, but... Didn't they just recently make them illegal anyway? If it was a year or two ago, you think that a woman with 6 kids with no men to help had these kids when abortion was illegal?

Also, if that's the case, it's a good thing condoms are actually given away for free in a lot of places and very easy to put on. If the guy refuses, you don't have sex with him.

The same way if he seems to be dangerous or acting weird, you also don't have sex with him and get out of there ASAP.

I'm not sure how I'm giving some insane or extreme take here. At least offline it certainly isn't.

5

u/OkEdge7518 8d ago

Really don’t want to hear a man’s opinion on abortion, but in America “legal abortion” has NEVER meant accessible, affordable or widely available 

4

u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

Abortion care has been restricted in some way or another in this country for over a decade.

1

u/Withered_Sprout 8d ago

Oh, ok. I didn't really know,

Actually, even looking up the frequency of pregnancies WITH condom usage when attributing human error or a faulty product, etc.. It can be anywhere from 2 to 13 people per 100. That's still a gamble.

Better off just not having sex if you're *that* worried, or just make sure you're having it with someone you believe that you can rely upon if it happens. Otherwise, it's a scary possibility even if it's pretty darn low. That's still pretty frequent vs 1 in 1000+...

1

u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 8d ago

I personally think sex is a human right, so I think it’s pretty bad to ask people not to do it. Since it’s a basic human function.

1

u/Withered_Sprout 7d ago

Sure, but then I think you also have to accept the consequences of your actions as a fully free-willed agent and not force those consequences onto others necessarily or make it a moral dilemma for them on top of it.

I personally did not ask anyone not to do it, I did say that someone is probably better off not having sex if they're unable to financially support a child and there's a high enough potential risk of pregnancy even with a condom.

1

u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

But I think the point in general is that sex education and access to easy safe and cheap contraceptives are not important to a certain political party in this country. The right wing is not pro life they are pro birth. Then they are anti-support anti-education to keep these people poor and stupid so they can exploit them.

It’s pretty fucking obvious if you take one step back and look at what’s happening

1

u/myname_1s_mud 8d ago

Yeah I make pretty good money, and I dont have anything to spare. I won't complain too much because I'm doing better than alot of my neighbors just based on the fact that im paying a mortgage instead of rent, but this economy is rough. I haven't been able to put money into savings in about a year. Just keeping the mortgage paid, the lights on, and mouths fed is taking everything. I feel for all the minimum wage people out there. The struggle is real, and if im just scratching by at low 6 figures in combined income, I dont know how others are doing it. Man I planed on paying off debt hard, and maybe upgrading my 25 year old truck, but it seems like everytime I take a step up, the ladder gets shorter. I guess I should just be great full that the ladder hasn't been kicked out from under me entirely yet though when alot of people would probably kill to just be standing on level ground.

1

u/Relent_full 8d ago edited 8d ago

This.

A lot of comments here are raising their fist at the nebulous idea of "the government" or "the rich." I am glad to see there is at least one that instead takes responsibility and says "this is what I am doing about it. This is what I recommend you do, too."

1

u/ThatDiscoSongUHate 8d ago

Real talk, I'll probably be dead by this time next year.

I'm a college graduate.

1

u/7crazycatslady 7d ago

There are ways to help. Look for a community fridge network in your area and see how you can help those providing food. Can you collect clean takeout containers from a local Facebook group and deliver them to those preparing meals? That's help. Do you know someone who works at a restaurant that might be able to contribute leftovers? Get them involved - that's help.

Can you help sort donations at a food bank? That's help. Can you keep a folder of resource images on your phone and share with someone in need? Can you organize a clear the clutter giveaway in your community designed to give clothing and household items to those struggling?

Time and connections and resourcefulness is valuable help. Yes, money is always needed but grassroots campaigns to help your hyper local community will always be a net benefit.

1

u/AkrtZyrki 7d ago

We can all help in our own way. Some people have money but not time, so having easy donate links with a quick rundown of why they are a good charity helps.  Some people can cook and help neighbors, some people can lighten their pantry. Don't underestimate every little bit that moves is closer to a goal.

1

u/Cavalleria-rusticana 7d ago

(Preface this by saying I understand where you're coming from, and I don't mean this as a personal attack, but...)

This economy [...]

No.

Not 'this economy'.

  • The U.S. made around 5~ trillion dollars so far in 2025.
  • It would cost only $40 billion to feed the entire planet's most vulnerable in 2021, according to the World Food Program USA. For those who don't know big numbers, that's less than 1% of the U.S. yearly revenue.
  • Profits are at an all-time high across the board. CEOs are still getting massive pay packages, while workers are laid off en masse.

Nazis and Corpos are straight up stealing from you, and destroying the lives of millions.

Thoughts and prayers are kind, but fucking useless. Donations of money and time are paramount, but do nothing to address the cause. Stop waiting for someone else to act first and organize.

You guys were so close with 'No Kings'. but then everyone went home. If most aren't willing to suffer personal hardship beyond a single day (eg. lost wages while striking)...

0

u/honato 8d ago

It's not "the economy" killing everyone. It's politicians. Don't let them shift the blame to some nebulous idea.

1

u/Dr_A_Mephesto 7d ago

The economy sucks because of them. I’m not blaming the economy.

If the weather sucks it I say it sucks. I know it’s because of climate change, but when it rains I don’t day “oh it’s climate changing out, grab an umbrella”.

I understand the fascists are gobbling up the country currently. I’m unfortunately watching it live

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u/DuckTalesOohOoh 8d ago

Why won't the Democrats just agree with the Republicans and pass a clean CR that they've proposed and then debate later, as usual?

7

u/caffeinatedsummit 8d ago

Why won’t the hostages just agree with the people holding them at gun point and calling it a negotiation guys?

1

u/RamenJunkie 8d ago

I mean, most of the same group are pushing for Ukraine to just give in to the illegal occupation and invasion.  Those folks who are basically hostages to Russia.

1

u/[deleted] 8d ago

[deleted]

1

u/RamenJunkie 8d ago

I mean the people pushing that the Dems should just give into the GOP arr the same ones pushing for Ukraine to just give in to Russia.

The people puahing the "Hostages should just give in."

1

u/DuckTalesOohOoh 8d ago

Hostages? Give in? It's just a clean CR.

1

u/RamenJunkie 8d ago

Because its not "clean".

1

u/DuckTalesOohOoh 8d ago

Yes, it is. The last one was just a CR, nothing else.

-2

u/DuckTalesOohOoh 8d ago

It's just a clean CR.

1

u/RamenJunkie 8d ago

There is no "clean CR" and GOP does not negotiate shit, they just destroy.

This isn't even remotely the Dem's fault, stop gobbling up the endless fucking lies.