Category Archives: Poverty

Commitment

Posted on December 9, 2019 by John Swinburn

From time to time, I am surprised by the source of my own questions. This morning, for example, I asked (through Google) how Mexican per capita household annual income compares to that figure in the United States. I would not … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Poverty, Rant | Leave a comment

Spoiled

Posted on January 5, 2018 by John Swinburn

It boggles the mind to realize how utterly spoiled we are in this country. We (the collective “we,” not necessarily you and me) behave as if the good fortune to which we have become accustomed is our birthright. We assume … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty | Leave a comment

Assigning Worth

Posted on December 29, 2016 by John Swinburn

It seems to me that people who need help to escape poverty generally do not need, nor want, handouts. They need a break. They need a chance to demonstrate their worth in a world in which value is too often measured … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Empathy, Philosophy, Poverty | Leave a comment

Choking

Posted on April 28, 2015 by John Swinburn

I know the streets of large cities are filled with disaffected youths. I understand that their arrogance is hard to accept and harder still to deal with. I realize there’s a massive gulf between my experiences and the lives of … Continue reading →

Posted in Peace, Poverty, Racism, Rant | 1 Comment

I Should Have, But I Didn’t

Posted on April 4, 2015 by John Swinburn

Pay attention to your good fortune. More importantly, share it. Even in the difficulties you experience, you constantly learn that your fortunes are far better than they might have been. This hit home for me yesterday. I had “teeth work” done yesterday, beginning around 11:30 … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Philosophy, Poverty | Leave a comment

Singular Solutions

Posted on December 27, 2013 by John Swinburn

I once had enormous faith in the ability of science and technology to solve the monstrous problems confronting humankind.  Lately, though, my confidence has ebbed as I’ve come to acknowledge that astonishing breakthroughs in science and technology frequently come with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Food, Government, Philosophy, Politics, Population, Poverty, Urban planning, Water | 7 Comments

Privilege and Compassion: Incompatible?

Posted on December 23, 2013 by John Swinburn

I’d be very interested in getting feedback about this short PBS video from visitors to this page. What do you think about the research? Do you think financial advantage, real or fabricated, influences the way people treat others? Are rich … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty | 3 Comments

Rage is the only reasonable response

Posted on October 30, 2013 by John Swinburn

This piece makes me so angry I could scream. I don’t begrudge the wealthy for their wealth, up to a point. But when it becomes clear that it’s ALL about their own wealth and the system within which they operate … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Poverty | Leave a comment