I was going food shopping yesterday when my friend Lucca called. She decided to meet up with me and go food shopping too since her dads have the flu and we met up and went in together.
We went into a shop on the way to the supermarket and looked around. Lucca stole two bags of Jelly Bellys. Then we went into a fancy food store to look around and she stole almost $20 worth of food, two bracelets and a candle. In the supermarket I bought $57 of food, and walked out with about $80 worth of food. I stole cheese, deodorant, avacados, cough medicine, and some other stuff.
On the way to the train we were talking about stealing and the level of wrongness. Lucca doesn't think it's wrong, because the stores are ripping us off. That it's not fair that gas prices went down but food prices haven't. We were once in Old Navy and she tried on a pair of boots (like fake Uggs) and then walked out wearing them, and she said "They've gotten enough money out of us."
If we had more money I wouldn't steal food. We only steal stuff we need. It's still wrong to steal even if we need it, but I don't feel too horribly. Lucca told me I shouldn't feel bad at all. "The world OWES you. ALL poor people should help themselves."
I am not so sure about this. Danielle pointed out everything Lucca steals is fun stuff, not real things, and that she steals because it's fun, not because her fathers can't afford things for her. I have to think some more about this.
8 comments:
I think your sister is onto something. Esp if your friend only steals luxury items, it's more about the thrill than any need.
Even though we had no money growing up, we weren't allowed to steal. My Mom hated lying. For us, when food was short, we'd pray. God always provided...sometimes in really strange ways. (One night a yuppie in an overcoat rang the bell, he had a ham in his arms. I was about 8 years old. He said, "I heard you might need food." I said, "Yup! Thanks", took the ham and shut the door in his face. Took the ham into my mom and said, "Look what just came to the door!" She ran outside, but he was gone.)
If the world owes you, are you at least getting food stamps? That seems like a more acceptable form of getting what you need.
Sorry, Sam, I guess all of us could say the "world owes us" but we don't all steal. If everyone chose your friends way of thinking, we would have total chaosis in this world. Times are tough. Money is tight. I sometimes don't have what my teens want in the house but guess what, we survive, just like above commenter said. And yes, your situation is more serious, I can't even say I understand it, but there is ways other than stealing. You may think your getting away with it but it will catch up. I know your on the fence with it, jump back to where Danielle is. You don't have to steal.
I agree with above comment. It sounds like your friend is stealing for the thrill of it. But, stealing is wrong no matter which way you look at it. A good strategy are food stamps, going to food pantries, etc to get food that you need.
And there is always the possibility of getting caught and the consequences of those actions. Is stealing food really worth the risk of getting caught and the example you set for your sisters?
You may not have a lot of money but God does provide. Think back to Thanksgiving and how you came home with a week's worth of leftovers. :-)
Yes, the world owes you. You've been given a shit deal in life and you're going to struggle for a few years until you get your adult feet under you but, and this is a huge BUT, if you get caught stealing you're screwing yourself AND your sisters. You want to do what's best for them, I know you do, and if something happens to you then they will be that much deeper in shit. I know it's hard to see the longterm when the short is so damn hard to survive but that's what having responsibility is all about. I know you didn't want to raise your sisters but you have to or you won't be able to live with yourself.
And btw, I stole a few things in my time, many of us try it on.
The world might owe you, but do the stores?
When some people steal, other people -- including people in great need and people trying to help them -- end up having to pay more and buy less.
Maybe you wouldn't feel the need to steal things you need if your friend didn't drive up prices by stealing luxury items. Maybe the items you steal are luxury items to someone who hasn't eaten or bathed in three days.
Stealing from stores also affects the wages paid to the workers. Someone just like you might be working at the stores just like you work at the diner.
Getting caught is a real danger. You are going to have to do some legal maneuvering to get custody of your sisters and you don't want to risk anything that would add to arguments against your becoming their legal guardian and your being trusted with family finances.
Being in need stinks. Having to ask doesn't feel good and can be humiliating, and stealing is all about not asking and instead getting exactly what you need or want, so it is understandable to wish to go that route to avoid being made to feel like a beggar, especially a beggar who can't be a chooser.
All the same, there are ways around it. As earlier commenters indicated, the world might be giving you a bit of what you are owed through other means like Thanksgiving leftovers and there might be more to get back if you seek it in an ethical and legal manner by asking.
But wrongness and moral relativism and karma aside, there are immediate consequences to stealing that you must consider.
This is an interesting one. The comments have been with the understanding of Christian-Judaeo principles. So, assuming you would want to hear something based on that - scriptures in both the Old Testament say that people who steal food should not be penalized- the community should have been taking better care of them. The New Testament doesn't talk about it, it assumes the community will give to poor people what they need.
If you don't want a response involving God and all that jazz - I suppose it's moral relativism. I would agree that stealing luxury items is wrong - you can live without those. You can't live without eggs, milk, and bread.
Do remember though - even if stealing food is morally okay - the law won't see it that way. Be careful :)
After years of working retail, I can tell you-if you're going to steal, don't go to the Mom and Pop's who ARE genuinely making the money.
Bigger stores-they account for a certain percentage of shrinkage.
I'm not saying stealing is wrong-but who else is feeding you? Who else is ACTUALLY looking out for you and your sisters? How many social services won't try to suck you into their little grasp? Poke around, see what you can get that WON'T get you a record, but be careful.
And god doesn't provide, obviously. If a god did, she wouldn't be stealing to fucking eat.
Wow, Thodora, you are fully of wisely advise. So murder is ok to if I don't like someone right. I mean really, no one else will help me take care of this problem person. Gotta love America with minds like yours!!
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