Public Assistance - To Increase or Not

This was a question posed from my friend Beverly, on Face Book.  It proved to be a very interesting discussion.

QUESTION Re: Entitlement cuts: “Would you “support” or “protest” a law that said any family currently receiving government assistance would be Denied an Increase in assistance if they had more children while receiving assistance???”    

Jimmy: Protest

Beverley: Why jimmy?

Marina: You can't keep helping people who not only don't help themselves but make things worse for them. Making babies takes effort. You don't have to plan for it, but you have to put out the effort to create it.

Kevin: Support

Victoria Thomas Poller: If I were still paying taxes, are you asking me if I would give a woman a raise for having more children out of wedlock?

Jimmy: I am 60 percent disabled from Iraq and Afghanistan.  I still work a full time job and the $469 a month I get for food stamps to feed a family of 5 my VA disability pays my rent AND MY job pays the bill combine with my stamps i barely have enough at the end of the mouth and we don’t buy national brand stuff on junk food just the needed stuff and if i have a another child then i feel i should receive some more assistance.

Kennard: I support helping people but if they are trying to help themselves then they don't deserve additional assistance. When the Great Society programs were developed they were intended to be temporary whereas Americans have come to see them as a permanent benefit. I could support some type of restriction.

Kennard: My mom got assistance but she was like Jimmy, she worked.

Beverley: It could be a married couple Ms. V receiving a housing allowance & food stamps

Jimmy: and Mrs. Marina, I can understand that there are those that take advantage of the system and yes if you abuse the system then boo on you but if you are like most Americans that’s struggling and need the extra help and your trimming to do better then why not help them

Victoria Thomas Poller: If I couldn't afford to give my children that I already have a good life, why would I bring more children into this world. I was once a single Mom and I worked, went to school and received "public assistance for a year. I sent the department of public assistance a note to thank them and I never looked back. Welfare (as it was once called) is not a "source" but it is an avenue while other means are obtained.

Shaun: No more kids I'm sorry!

Rhonda: I would protest. The problem is not that people aren't working who receive assistance. The vast majority of the poor do work. The problem is that companies don't pay a living wage. If they did, there would be fewer people on govt assistance. Not increasing assistance is only going to hurt the children. You are just increasing the number of children in poverty. Besides, it is not a realistic solution. If it were then we would seriously need to talk about funding for birth control measures for families.

Jimmy: And you’re right Ms. “V”

Rhonda: Also, it is a myth that most people stay on assistance for years. The reality is that people cycle on and off. When they make enough money to get off, they do.

Jimmy: Now that’s a good thought also Ms. Rhonda.  Our min wage is not enough to support a family of 4 with the basics needed for living. And by basics I mean food, shelter, water

Victoria Thomas Poller: Well BeeBee, you've seem to have started something. Let me know when you think the discussion is over and I may write a column on the subject.

Terry: Support. Unless, legitimately against abortion. However, from a monetary standpoint having a baby while on PA is irresponsible. Strap up or no backup.

Rick: Support.

Jennifer: Yes, I work very hard for my money and did not get a raise for giving birth to any of my children simply because I got pregnant. why should they?

Felicia: Support!!

Mario: I'd support such a law. People have to proactively create kids they don't just happen. It's irresponsible to increase the financial burden on an already cash strapped government when it's completely avoidable. In financially hard times you have to be prudent.

Vicquita: I would not support it. The Bible says if you don't work you don't eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Of course there are provisions for those who need assistance because being a Christian means being charitable. However we are talking about those who are ALREADY being helped. No matter what the family circumstance if you can't take care of the children you have you should not have more. And for those babies that are not planned. As my grandmother would say there is always room for one more. Make due...

Beverley: Playing devil's advocate... If assistance were not increased, I could see increase in abortion rates, child abuse & neglect, domestic abuse due to stress, unhealthy births, etc... So which actually costs more: increasing assistance or the possible consequences for not increasing assistance?

Victoria Thomas Poller: Aren't all those things that you mentioned already happening to some of the children on the system? Social workers are already over case loaded.

Beverley: True Ms. V. But I think if such a law were passed, we could see a dramatic increase

Mario: I liken that to rewarding bad behavior though. We are dealing with adults. Not kids. They should know better. To me that like assuming buying kids unlimited ice cream will deter bad behavior indefinitely. You can do it but at some point giving them everything they want will hurt. Either their tummies or your wallet from dentist visits.

You could give them extra money. But there will be consequences.

Beverley: Lol Jennifer... That's a great analogy - ha!

Beverley: Mario -Where's the compassion for the children? Lolol ;p

Victoria Thomas Poller: Let's just pray that things won't get any worst and that people depend on God to help them and not the system. I'm living proof that following the 'source' is the way to go. He is Jehovah Jirrah and He doesn't have a 'magic wand'. Just saying.

Mario: Okay Bev how about this. If you have more kids while on assistance. The Government takes the child and puts them in the home of someone that's pulling their weight responsibly. You get your child when you start doing likewise. That way the child is taken care of.  I honestly think government needs to create some form of disincentive for people that are on assistance from having more kids. They should do it for people that aren't in a position to take care of kids period. That's my extreme view though.

Victoria Thomas Poller: Mario, I think that's called "Foster Care" or "Adoption" if you desire to make a permanent difference in that child's life.

Marina: While I do believe that there are people on the system who have good intentions and are legitimately needing it to gets their head above water, there can be a question as to how much "help" is actually helping. I live in California where there more people on welfare here than in any other state, 30% of the welfare population and growing. We also offer the highest cash pay-out system over non-financial assistance. I've seen people selling their ebt cards for a cash payout on craigslist. So I see a lot of abuse and those people who are takers will keep on taking. (As OBD said on MTV when he drove over to the welfare dept in a limo: "if the govt is going to give me money, I'm gonna take it." - paraphrased). I have to constantly remind myself that people that abuse the system are really the ones taking from the ones that truly need it and they are the ones that cause the bad judgments on those that are really trying. There's also that part of me that believes that a child who watches their parents struggling to survive by doing the best they can will always be better off than one that expects things to get handed to them when things get tough. Although I concede that I would never want to see a child go hungry. I do have a lot of faith in the will of the people to make success happen even though we may have to go through the misery of failure after failure to achieve it.

Meunda: Protest, that's my darn taxes paying for the bullcrap.

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“Don’t Tell Me to ‘Go Through’—Show Me How to ‘Get Through’ ”

God is also blessing others whom I know.  A couple that we knew overseas returned to the states and had a wonderful praise report.  They have a new home, she has a prosperous new job, and he retired from the Army and received salvation.  One son went into the military, and their daughter successfully graduated from high school.  You might not think this to be much, but you had to know what they had gone through earlier to appreciate where they are now.  Theirs was a real spiritual Cinderella story.  My heart was jumping with joy for them.  I was overjoyed, and the whole time, yes, the devil was in my ear taunting me about my own journey through life.  I had to bind up the enemy in the name of Jesus.  I had to get rid of the thoughts of, “Maybe you’re going crazy, nobody feels the way you do while you’re going through these tough times”.  Wrong, Mr. Devil, I am fine.  I am in Christ and all is well with my soul.  God will get the glory out of all of this.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Cor. 10:13).  That verse lets us know that we are going to be tempted in this life here on earth.  We are required to go through much in order to receive much.  We are sometimes the strong ones who can help someone else to overcome difficulties that may befall them, and that’s why we go through this or that thing.

Sometimes people want you to believe and trust God without telling you how God has gotten them through a particular situation.  We can’t always just pray and expect instant results.  Sometimes we have to do something in order to reap the blessings of God.  Remember, He’s not up in heaven with a magic wand waiting for us to pray and for Him to zap it and make it better.  Read James 2:14-26.  Here, God’s word talks about using our faith to work through some things.  It’s not just our words but also our actions that matter to God as evidenced in the following verses: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” (Jas. 2:14), and “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (Jas.2:20).

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Santa Clause Again?

The man in the red and while suit is really a ‘scapegoat’ if you look at the myth for what it really is.  A parent promises a child something and later the parent is unable to supply the child’s desires, so the parent blames the ‘lack of something’, on Santa.  If the parent fails to be able to deliver, then blaming Santa, still makes the parent looks good in the eyes of the child.  The parent says, “It was Santa’s fault that Rudo didn’t get his particular toy”, that’s nothing but a lie compiled on top of another lie.  We as parents shouldn’t make promises that we may not be able to keep.

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Santa Clause

Ms. "V", Granddaughter, Santa (nice man) and Tonya

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Saint Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara.  At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. 

Saint Nicholas

Americans have chosen a jolly old fictitious man dressed in a red and white suit to represent Saint Nicholas or Santa Clause.  The world has adopted this man to represent hope, love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, and faith, not realizing that the hope that they search for is in the Fruit of God’s Holy Spirit.

Parents have told their children falsehoods about this man who supposedly comes down the chimney (then more lies to cover up the fact that there is no chimney in their house or apartment) bearing gifts.  We shouldn’t lie, especially to our children.  This myth has caused us to mound one lie on top of another and then another.  Children should know the truth about Santa Clause (he was a good man), ‘The Tooth Fairy’, ‘The Easter Bunny’, ‘Monsters’ in the closet and under the bed; they don’t exist, period.

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Why Send Christmas Cards?

Some people may have already started decorating for Christmas, yet in some households the traditional time to “deck the halls” comes right after Thanksgiving.  There are also cards to send out (although a lot of people have evolved more to cyber greetings then using the standard Christmas card). Or are people waiting to see who will send them a card first? Sending cards shouldn’t be a chore or an obligation. It’s a time to “reach out and touch someone”

Make a collage from those Christmas photos

Yes, the cost of stamps has increased; yet take note how the number of your friends, relatives and associates may have dwindled. Some people may have died or just aren’t doing as well as you seem to be doing. They may be “too busy” (now that’s a sad and overused expression – we’re all busy these days), they might have lost your address, or they may have lost their joy – ‘Bah Humbug’. Your card may be the only tangible thing they receive, and can look at throughout the year, knowing that someone still cares.

Cyber cards are fine; however a hand written card is exceptional. It may take a little time, effort and money. You don’t have to get expensive cards (Hint for next year’s cards: Get the pretty ones the day after Christmas for the following year – usually 75% off.); nonetheless it shows that you thought enough to send the very best (sounds like a slogan doesn’t it?)  Even if you get your secretary to do the work for you, it’s better than putting all you addresses in “CC or BCC”, adding a cute little graphic and hitting the “send button”. 

You may not want to “stay-in-touch” anymore (because the other person didn’t respond last year or they just ‘ticked-you-off’), but give the communication effort a couple of years before you decide to disconnect. You may need to let the other person know that they offended you; then do it with kindness, forgive them and move on with your life. The question to ask yourself is, “Who are your friends or who are mere acquaintances that you no longer have a ‘common bond’ to share?”  Sometimes it’s a tough decision (does the person need your friendship, or are they just sucking the life out of you?) After the second year of no response, it may be time to let it go.

If you’ve been blessed to have someone’s physical address, then go ahead – send them a card. The longer you live – the shorter your Christmas card list may become. It shouldn’t be hard to stay in touch at least once a year. Take a little time out of your busy schedule and send a card today. It’s good to get something in the mail besides bills and advertisements.  Besides, the retail market is stealing the true reason for the holiday season.

Proverbs 18:24 KJV “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

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Thank You!

“Continued Thanks Being Unto God”

(August 22, 1997)

“Lord, I had forgotten to thank You for my daughter getting the part-time job that she wanted, but Father, she’s only a junior in high school.  I don’t want her to miss out on her teenage years.  I don’t want to spoil her but to bless her with a used car.  She wants to be able to buy clothes, so she doesn’t have to wear the same clothes over and over again.  I know other teens work, but Lord I don’t want her to have to work in order to get some of the things she wants.  I know that this is the honest way and that she will be a stronger person for her endeavors.  I want her to enjoy her young adult life as a teenager, yet it was a desire of her heart to work and go to school.  After-school jobs are okay, but a students’ first and most important job should be bringing home good grades.”

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