What would you do with the low income of this nation?

[Just-Like-Hatching]

I have no problem supporting the elderly and those incapable of working. However, those that can work should have to work for everything we give them. Public works need to be done. So before anybody that can work is allowed to pick up there food stamps or other public assistance, they should have to put in so many hours of community service. I don't get to sit at home and collect a pay check and neither should they. I have no problem with giving support to couples or individuals that are working and just need a little help to get by on. But there shoud be no free ride for anybody capable of working. Just my humble opinion and don't forget the military is always hiring and you can learn some great trades there.

 

[hoosier]

I used to help out in a 'soup kitchen'. There were always 3-5 entrees and 5 or 6 side dishes to choose from. I was stunned by those that would look at it, curl their nose and say there was NOTHING there they liked! This was good food donated by local restaurants. Personally, I don't think they could have been all that needy.

Of course there were those that were very grateful for anything and wanted to wipe tables or do something in return. They made up for the others. Some of them broke my heart.

 

[seedcorn]

so can I assume you like the concept of soup kitchens? what about public lodging for those that would be homeless?

 

[redhen]

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well...to me, feeding someone is differant than handing out money(welfare checks)...we feed africa's people....when ours should always come first!...

 

[The Chicken Lady]

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I'm flattered.

Of course, since Nifty-Chicken is already running for President (do a search for the related hilarious thread...), maybe he'll put me on the ticket as VP. Our campaign could run on the themes of "a chicken in every backyard and a paycheck in everyone's pocket."

 

[debilorrah]

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you didn't say anything wrong - shouldn't take others not wanting to go there as a personal affront. others don't want to say anything negative, so they follow their mother's counsel.

Oh. I thought it was aimed at my comment. My mistake. Sorry!

 

[debilorrah]

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you didn't say anything wrong - shouldn't take others not wanting to go there as a personal affront. others don't want to say anything negative, so they follow their mother's counsel.

It's simple--help them, don't help them. If you chose to help them, how would be the best way. If you want them to starve, stay off the post or say it and take the abuse like an adult.

Apparently I offended you and for that I apologize. My views, however, remain the same. Some people NEED assistance, and some people WANT assistance. Big difference.

 

[debilorrah]

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It's simple--help them, don't help them. If you chose to help them, how would be the best way. If you want them to starve, stay off the post or say it and take the abuse like an adult.

Wow! - - - i can see why people just browse forums. 1. find a church with a food pantry; 2. purchase a little extra at the grocery store because they cannot take canned items; 3. donate extra to food pantry; 4. take extra produce from garden to food bank or community center in town; 5. anonymously adopt a family, if you know one; 6. if you can, pay on a utility bill; 7. NEVER give cash - rather, assist with a tangible need.

I agree with the never giving cash. I will always give someone a meal, but never money as I don't know what it's being used for. However, if someone I know is really in need I have offered to pay a portion of a bill they have - myself, not give them money.

 

[EweSheep]

We are one of those working poor and we hated to ask for handouts when I lost my job, got pregnant after a month after losing job, hubby got terminated and boy, it was like a stack of dominoes we could not plug it back up. We were qualified for WIC, and food stamps and Medicaid. I had to file bankruptcy because I could not get a job when Firestone went downhill from there on.....lost my own home, my truck and my credit cards.

Now, being on disability, hubby works part time at newspaper and odd jobs, DD started preK school, we now have a nice, stable home, nice used vehicles and tried to do some budgeting after we lost Medicaid, switched to AllFamily Care health insurance and no longer qualify for WIC or Food Stamps and we are making $1735 a month....comfortable but with the mortgage and insurance premiums and pay out of pocket for my heart meds, it gets harder and the assistance centers said we make too much money! Well I have to say it is nice to get off welfare but jeez, we can only stretch so far with our money and a few times we had to go to food pantries to get more food and they dont provide much meat either so its more eggs for us from our girls.

Obesity is common, because if you look at the stuff they give to pantries, its mostly starch, sweets and very little fruits and veggies given to us. We get tons of pork n beans, noodles, rice, beans, cooking oil and mac and cheese. It may be the wrong thing to have but what else can you do to feed your family in what it was given to you. Many times I made some soups out of the canned goods and they are not bad either!

Wished the gov't will help more but with all the funds going overseas, not much are given to our country.

I dont give cash to them either. Canned goods or donated clothes is what I do.

 

[VT Chick-lit]

I am for limited assistance of no more than one year unless there are extenuating circumstances such as an illness that prevents a person form working. Legitamate debilitating illness or old age would be the only reason for an extension.

Unfortunatly, in today's America, many Americans have the misconception that if they can only afford pasta and sauce or hamburgers and generic veggies, they are impoverished. We Americans need to look around the world to see true poverty. Children in Africa, who have lost their parents due to AIDS, and are living with an elderly grandparent in a fly blown hut with one meal a day (provided by the US) are living in poverty. Many of the people that live in Haiti in their tin shacks are living in poverty. People who live in squalor in some of the South American countries, without running water or electricity, are living in poverty. We (for the most part) do not live in poverty. In many countries, the poor are living on less than a dollar a day. We are in poverty if we are a family of four and living on $20,000 a year.

Our poverty is relative. We look at others around us and see that we have much less. The government gives statistics that tell some of us that we are in poverty. They get this information by doing comparisons between the various strata of haves and have nots. This gives the government one more reason to exist. There was a time during my life when we had TRUE poverty. In the 1960's we had people in the south and in Appalachia who had no running water or electricity and lived in hovels. This is no longer the case. I think many of the people living in TRUE poverty, elsewhere in the world, would give their teeth to come to the US and live in what is considered poverty here. Their lot would be better right off and they would also have a better chance of improving it even more.

Our problem is that we take for granted the government will never let us go hungry, and we will have a place to sleep at night (even if it is a shelter or a car). There are many people who rely on assistance for a period of time when calamity hits them, these are not the people that I am talking about. They will be off assistance within a year and back on the road to a better future. I am concerned about those who make a career out of living off the system. I KNOW two people in their late 20's that are getting SSI because they have ADHD. They will be getting this assistance for the rest of their lives and they do not have to work! I have a problem with that because they are able to work! I also have a problem with those who do not even bother to get a High School Diploma when their education is FREE! A child from Africa, Haiti, or South America would cry for joy if they had that opportunity.

We need to stop with the pity party that we Americans are throwing for ourselves and take a look around. Many of those who remain in what we call poverty are their because they have not done enough to get themselves out. Get an education, dont have kids until you can afford them and have a partner to help with the work and cost, do positive things to improve your chance of getting a better job such as dress for success ( no tatoos visable, pants not drooping, clothes that are not too revealing and ditch the piercings) Dont limit your job search to only a few areas and positions, there is an old saying " the more mud you throw at the wall, the more likely that some will stick". There are many who have learned how to "work the system". The Government loves this because it gives them a purpose to exist. I, for one, believe they need less reasons to exist!