"The Poor Have it Easy"

Being poor in America means suffering. It means not being able to survive, giving up food for shelter. It requires a person to choose between being happy and being alive. Poor people are attempting to survive on unlivable wages. They work harder than anyone else and they are given the bare minimum.
Necessities are priced as luxuries. It is nearly impossible to survive in modern America without a cell phone, computer or car. Despite this, they are hundreds of dollars and out of the question for low-income families. Businesses have risen their prices, inflation has driven costs higher and higher, but wages have failed to raise with them. Job openings have diminished and poor people are left to face the consequences of this.
Some believe that the assistance low-income families receive is too much. They believe that giving struggling families extra support only encourages them to stay out of work and live only on their benefits. People believe that those with government help have everything paid for and don't worry about money or a job. What these people don't understand is that the government can only provide so much. Many families are given very small amounts to live on. They are given low-quality housing and can buy very little food. These systems help people, but they do not provide everything they need.
The poor have to think about every move they make when money is tight. Buying laundry detergent may mean not being able to drive to work at the end of the month. Poor people are forced to budget down to the penny and most have to live their life burying themselves in debt they may never repay. It’s a life of constant stress and worry. A life with little room for enjoyment. The poor are working as hard as they can and getting nothing in return. This is not an easy life.

The Circus

This Friday I am going to the last show of Ringling Circus in Cincinnati. I have seen the circus many times when it has come into town and I enjoy the fond memories it has given me. I remember big circus hats, acrobats, cotton candy and of course, the animals. Now, as I am older, I understand what the animals in this circus have had to go through. I think the freedom of the animals is important, but I can't help but feel upset about losing this part of my past. The circus has always been a wonder to me; that's the point. I've always wanted to be an acrobat and fly on the trapeze. I've wanted to live with clowns and travel the world. I love the wonder of the circus.
The animals mean very little to me in terms of being in the circus. That was never the part I was looking for. I was looking for people doing amazing things. The animals were a sight to see, but they were never the show for me. I understand not everyone feels this way. It's upsetting that losing the ability to show animals makes enough of an impact that people will no longer go to the circus.
Many big circuses can't keep performing without the income that the animals provided. It pains me that so many people will be out of a job and so many talents will go to waste. A circus is about wonder and spectacular things and it should not function only at the cost of an animal's health. I am so overjoyed that these suffering animals can retire to a nicer life, but there is so much that will be lost due to it.