Low-Income programsPosted Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at 4:40 PM
Waiting in line for food.
I am sometimes painfully sick to my stomach that regular families with healthy lives and no sob story to tell are ignored while anyone with a hard-luck story will be showered with opportunities. There are battered wives programs that give free food, therapy & shelter along with professional clothing and training to get that new job. People like me from normal families had to try and scrap the money together when you had none, hope to find a relative who had hand-me-downs or take money needed for a bill to go pay for 2nd hand clothes from the Salvation Army. Years and years of working so much that you can't afford to take a vacation bring many regrets that you didn't get to take your kids to Disney World, the beach, etc... while the neighbor kid who had a bad disease (one-time) could get an all-expense paid trip for her family to Disneyland. This child recovered long before she was rewarded this dream-come-true and not on the verge of death and in need of a granted wish. My kids couldn't understand why we couldn't go. I spent money I couldn't afford for a few little Christmas gifts when others who didn't hold down a job had gifts showered upon their kids from wonderful helping organizations. Now, before you condemn me for this, I have spent many hours of time working with these organizations that help the low-income. I have worked with groups that would spend time out in fields to glean leftover vegetables or fruits to fill up the food pantry for poor people. I have driven up to a "shack" in order to deliver a food basket and the head of the household couldn't put down his remote control for his satellite TV long enough to help me bring it into his kitchen. Even the daughter ignored me as she texted her friends and the son existed only by the sounds he made as he played his X-Box in the other room. The mother was all smiles and grateful with tears of joy yet hidden beneath the waterworks, deep inside, I could see an uncomfortable embarrassment. She couldn't get me out of there fast enough. I went home to look at my meager tree with it's few presents and there were a few waterworks of my own. I would think of the summer and know that no matter how much I wished it to be so, my kids wouldn't get to go to Disney World and as much as I wanted to go camping, another summer would pass without a vacation because my business kept me too busy. I knew another year would go by without seeing my mother again. I would wipe the tears and take a deep breath and plan the Christmas dinner. It would be a nice family gathering and I should be thankful for what I had when there were so many who had none. How could I be feeling this way? I'm sorry world, but there were times that my life was a sob story, but I most never knew. Nope, I was the strong one. I couldn't possibly have any problems as person after person would relate their lives to me. There were times that I thought that I would scream if I heard one more sob story. There are programs put into place for people who need assistance to carry them until they can stand on their own two feet. That is what it was founded for. I am all supportive of these services when it is used for what it is intended. The idea is for the family to move away from using these programs and work towards independence. I applaud those who have used the help to crawl out of a bad situation. My problem is with those who abuse the system and collect disability for "mental-problems" and never attempt to find a job for fear of losing the benefits. This is the reason that we are in so deep for covering these programs and placing us into debt. How could we hope to fund national healthcare? And since when does the federal gov't ever run a business or program efficiently? That is my thoughts for today! Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
I've lived in Mtn Home for over 20 years. I love my city and my country. Since I am a writer, my decision to blog here seemed appropriate. I enjoy acting so I've been blessed with the opportunity to work on some independent films and with Prairie Dog Productions and Bogus Creek Ranch. I hope that something I have to write about has some value for others or just amuses someone.
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AMEN!! and pass the food stamp "credit card" that way those unfortunate persons on food stamps dont have to be embarrassed while using it....
Stand by to be attacked by the whining liberal socialists Kim but thank you for saying what is on the mind of so many... Know that you are not alone in your beliefs.
KIM.......i hear your frustration,however there are people who will scam any system.I dont think that we can fault all for the faults of the few,if what you say exist and you saw this why didnt you question there qualifications for being on the program? It doesnt change unless we question.
IF YOU KNOW how the system works then you also know the system trapes people.The system is also self perpetuating.OUR poloticians SAY THEY WANT TO CHANGE IT BUT THEY DONT.IF THEY DID THEY WOULD LISTEN TO SOME OF US THAT HAVE OFFERED CLEAR CUT WAYS TO CHANGE IT.
Please dont try to tie these programs to healthcare they are to say the least, separate issues.YOU are not alone on the abuse,my kids did without.I paid for there college,I pay a lot for my grankids and yes im with you ,but i question and yes sometimes I dont like the answers and they dont like me asking ,but I DONT CARE we need to non judgementally ask the questions TAKE care
Well I'm sure there's a lot of tissues at your disposal.
Only when we start THINKING when we go to the voting booths, will ALL of the politicians listen.
Especially the Democrats and the RINO's who CATER to these scammers and illegals.
This is gonna probably start some crap, and if it does, so be it------------The Democratic party has for DECADES been known as the "party for the people"........we've heard it forever and continue to hear it.
I am not saying that ALL Dems are like this, but it IS where that party's platform has stood-------------when you push and push and push WELFARE up in front of everybody, when you champion food stamps for those who do NOT need or qualify for them, when you consistently TAX THOSE WHO WORK to GIVE to those who WON'T.........who do you suppose these scammers are gonna VOTE for every election?..................the candidates who are willing to keep handing out the "freebies"...........it adds up to VOTES!
What Party WANTS AMNESTY for the ILLEGALS?
WHICH PARTY?
WHY?
You don't see the REPUBLICANS pushing for it!
If Obama, Reid, Holder, Napolitano, and the rest of them get THEIR way and manage to get AMNESTY granted to these 14+million, and they are allowed to LEGALLY "break the law" and just strut around waving their flags in our faces, like nothing happened,.........who do you suppose THEY will vote for out of some sense of "gratitude?"
THAT is what "Immigration Reform" actually MEANS. They think that by calling it "immigration Reform", it won't draw any undue attention. WRONG. They have fooled NOBODY. It's AMNESTY!
Sometimes fate can put you in a bad situation where you NEED help. Understood...........but that doesn't mean it's ok to make it a WAY OF LIFE.
And the ILLEGALS aren't supposed to be here in the FIRST place!
BUT, as I have said before-------I do NOT directly blame Barack Obama, or anybody ELSE in D.C.
I put the blame for EVERYTHING------DIRECTLY on the "straight-ticket" nerds in this country on BOTH sides who continue to support these same thieves term after term.
George Bush, Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, Barney Frank, Hillary Clinton, Tim Corder, John McCain and a host of others, did not elect or re-elect THEMSELVES.
One more time............THEY DID NOT ELECT, OR RE-ELECT THEMSELVES!! WE DID.............didn't we!!.........(collectively speaking, because I DIDN'T)!
We installed a new "oil filter" (Obama)----and THAT's fine.......nice & shiny.....looks pretty!
But we never drained those 5 quarts of DIRTY OIL out of the crankcase...........and we just can't understand why the "engine" isn't running like it should!
If the Chinese don't own EVERYTHING by then........if there's ANYTHING LEFT of this country by 2012....... before the WHOLE FRIGGIN' ENGINE SEIZES UP..........how about if we actually DO a COMPLETE "OIL CHANGE!!"
Loved your thoughts, Kim! Welfare fraud isn't happening in "pockets" or by "just a few". It is an ongoing problem that is reaching epic proportions. In fact, the problem is so large that it defies measurement or quantifiable analysis!
This system does NOT trap people. It allows the lazy to suck off our system if they desire to do so. We cannot sustain these waste programs any longer.
I'm really surprized! Wow, I thought by sharing these thoughts I would be attacked up one side and down the other. Though, I still wait for the onslaught, the comments I read so far have been well-thought and honest. I appreciate it so much! Okay, let me have it others who read it and think I am a horrible unfeeling, uncompassionate person. Just remember this...I have given and given more than I could ever record here. Most deserved the help and bettered their lives. And as I stated, I have been there, needing help but I didn't stay there. The more you have to depend on others for your life, the more you begin to feel bitterness and then hatred for the very people who are helping you. It is a sad cycle that will consume you. Every person must feel that theyhave earned their way and in this case, pride is a good thing. Self-respect is another good feeling that most will miss feeling if they stay on welfare. Break the cycle!
Kim,
I agree with alot of your sentimments. Some not so much,I know a few people with legitmate issues, that are no fault of their own.
Lets take child abuse for example, what benefits do the abused children get? Was it there fault that some pervert in society abused them? Nope and it sure as hell wasn't a choice they made. I don't know of any scholarships for sexually abused children? The reality is most people hide the fact that they were abused and carry that burden on their own shoulders their whole life. How many people walk up to you and go, " Hi, Just wanted to let you know I was sexually abused by my uncle, Allright have a good day." It doesn't happen. To even try and lump kids that were sexually abused in to your group of welfare bums, is to me pretty ridiculous.
Social Security is one of the most screwed up areas out there, but to me there are numerous examples in our own town of it working like it should. Every one here has been to the Burger King at exit 90. If you go in the morning the one guy working there is Bruce. Bruce is metally challenged and recieves SSI, but He works there five days a week and does an awesome job. When I was still stateside, I would go into Chevron early every morning just to chat with Bruce before driving to Boise. His SSI is not much, added with his wages from Burger King he survives on about 1500 take home a month. He doesn't take handouts and it is hard to get him even to accept a X-Mas present, every year. Point being her the guy works his butt off in about the best quality job he can get, with his disability. He doesn't thrive in society but he makes it.
Make-A-Wish, I refused to support make a wish, due to them not granting hunting wishes. So I met a wonderful lady online, and started donating to Hunt of a Lifetime. It is like make a wish but for kids that want to go hunting. I know people cheat the system, but I also know that alot don't. The first time I donated, I paid for a kid and his dad to fly from Michigan to Montana for an elk hunt that was donated by a guide. The kid ended up shooting a spike, but his dream was realized. That boy died less than a year later, but at least he got his dream hunt. I believe that these organizations should be for kids that have lost their childhoods due to fighting a devastating disease.
Growing up, I was on the poor side of the fence, My mom and dad both worked full-time and supported all nine kids. We got food stamps, but never a welfare check. We had free lunches at school also, but every kid had a paper route and all that money was turned over to our parents, which in turn kept it, until it was time to go clothes shopping for school, and other neccesities. I never had a video game system, or any other luxury these kids have now. I also worked part time for my Grandfathers local soda buisness, I used this money to pay for my baseball uniform, and other sports equipment. My parents encouraged us to play these sports, but if we couldn't pay for them, then we couldn't play.
As for your Christmas example, I had a similar one last year, the 4x4 club I belong to adopted a family though the El-Wyhee council, When we brought the gifts and food to the "single" mother and her four kids, her boyfriend was there in a decked out camero, nicer than any vehicle I have ever owned. Our whole club was discouraged enough, that this year we simply collected donations and turned them in the Vetrans section of the Boise Rescue Mission.
The reason I donate to charity is because it makes ME feel good. Just because of some scam artists and the plights on society, I won't stop.
I know there are good hard working people out there that just need a helping hand to get back on their feet. These are the ones that don't want the help, but you know they need it. It is like the old man on the side of the road trying to change his tire. He says he doesn't need your help, and he is right. If you let him be and drive away, it will take him 30 minutes, along side the freeway. During that time, he might get hit or might not. If you insit on helping him, and you change the tire for him it will only take 5 minutes and he will be on his way much faster and hopefully safer.
Again I love reading your blog. Keep it up.
You might get some opposition, Kim. There are always a few out there, but I doubt it'll be the "onslought" you expected.
As the government continues to RAISE TAXES on everything it can think of, I think some of those on the left are starting to feel it coming out of THERE wallets now, too..........and are finally beginning to question where it's going and what for.
There are a lot of them starting to demand answers from some of these thieves they've been backing all these years.
Recession can be a GOOD thing, if it eventually makes for some "unlikely allies." Might just be what it's gonna take to finally DISMANTLE these Washington dynasties, as soon as EVERYBODY realizes they've been being ROBBED all these years!
Link for the best charity I know of.
http://www.huntofalifetime.org/
PS to "Conservative". Great post! And did everybody see where "conservative" talked about "donating"
DONATING----------this is where YOU give money to causes you believe in.
THEFT-------this is when the government TAKES money from YOU to support their social programs. grants and agendas...... whether YOU agree with it or NOT.
It is NOT the government's money to play with. It's OURS!
Now.................just as soon as everybody FIGURES THAT OUT.................
I too agree with you Kim. If you WANT to give, please do. Here is my favorite charity: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ The individuals supported by this organization are the true heros of this country.
Kim:
Having been on both sides of the fence with being poor and needing a hand-up. I can express some agreement with your blog.
However, Greed is Greed no matter what income level that you are at. And we are experiencing this every day from all sides.
My daughter is mentally ill. She has tried employment and going back to school. Unfortunately,due to the two types of illness that she has, it is very difficult for her to work and try to raise her two children. Stress makes her suicidal.
So we are now presently committed to helping her raise two small children. Do we expect a hand-out? No, but she is in need of every program available to her at this time.
We all need to give where we feel that our dollars will do the most good.
20 some odd years ago, I had to wait in those food lines, get food stamps and for a few months be on welfare. I didn't want to be there, and I had to work pretty hard to find my way out of that mire.
when you see 2nd and 3rd generations expecting the government to take care of them, you have to realize that is all that they have ever known. That is a shameful legacy that Social Justice has handed to our country.
As conservative as I am, I try to keep in mind just how many people's real stories are never told, we only see the rotten apples that spoil the good intentions of all of our efforts.
You continue to challenge us all with your blog. Thank you.
Kim is this really true?... I don't have a clue about this These are scholarships that our Government provides Right?
"There are even plenty of scholarships to college if you can show that you are an unwed mother, recovering alcoholic/drug addict, pregnant, suffering with sexual identity issues (survivor of sex abuse, a homosexual or lesbian,trans-gender) and any number of other "negative" issues."
Way to go Kim, to many times I go into Albertsons to see people buying steaks and luxury items with their food stamp "credit card" then pay cash for their beer and cigarettes. More often than not they get into a newer and nicer vehicle than mine. I have seen abuses of the system from a generation of ME ME ME. I get people on a weekly basis come into my business asking me to sign their job search paperwork so they can continue to get up to 3 years of unemployment (and not one of them wants a job). They would rather work for cash under the table to continue collecting unemployment and keeping their taxes down since they have no income officially anyway. I have almost all of them saying they will get a job when the benefits wear out. I have tried to help relatives and strangers, but I have started to refuse helping those that won't help themselves. I have no problem reporting someone for fraud and have done so recently, although I don't think anything ever gets done. I liked "conservative's" comments and until people get a backbone and start calling out these scammer and highlighting these fraud cases it will continue. The government doesn't care as they like to make you dependant on them so they can control you, kind of like a drug dealer. You will do whatever they want or they will cut you off. I was brought up middle class but taught a strong work ethic. I would be embarrassed to accept anything while I was able to walk and work. I have kept two jobs most of my life to make ends meet and now have a comfortable living, but I got it by working and not taking handouts. I bet if people on welfare and unemployment had to show up 8 hours a day to pick up trash on the freeway or mow the parks they would find a job and quick, they would do anything to find something that paid more with easier work conditions. But getting paid to watch TV or go fishing is a pretty good job in their eyes. I have a full time job and a part time job and I'm almost 50. I also know a lot of people my age that work just as hard and not many getting assistance even though some have severe medical conditions.
Man i get that, I am on food stamps now and my wife and I both hate that fact. I fear the same thing about my job that if I lose it I will lose my benefits, it is a struggle to even get the full time hours that I need. But I will fight for aslong as I need to so I dont have to have help from our carpy government. Yes I know i said carp.
Again, I state how wonderful these comments are! I am proud of every one of you! Yes, there are real needs for these programs and I am an example as many of you have shared, of how we were in need in the past. Though we hated it, we took the help for a short time until we were able to continue on our own two feet. I am all for that! I have a son who is disabled and will have to have services and SSI to survive. He is an example of who should benefit from these programs. Why must the government mess with these programs in order to start a whole new nationalized healthcare program? They will cut medicaid and medicare to do it! Root out the abusers, quit giving money for stupid causes and filter this money back into Medicaid and care! We wouldn't have problems with Social Security if it were maitained correctly. Stop the funding of things that don't really help people and use the money wisely. It is that simple yet so difficult to achieve. Thanks so much for the wonderful sharing. Keep it up and I will keep writing.
You're talkng LOGIC, now Kim...........and you can't use that word along with "goverment" in the same paragraph.
August 1999, I moved to Salt Lake City. A good friend and I were going to move furniture. The job would be high paying and daily pay so warranting the poor planning. Within days of arriving, my friend had a job moving people cross-country. On the other hand, I ended up homeless and with no options.
The silver lining was that a large group of his friends acted as my security blanket. I admit to being very naive. What I discovered was that while they were drug addicts, they knew how to play the system. Whether it was food stamps, the LDS church, or just begging. This group of homeless were very savvy in their pursuit of free food, clothing, etc.
While I struggled and was able to get off the street. These types had the same opportunity as I and chose not to. Why? Uncertainty. Why work your ___ off and have no certainty that the job will last? My pride would not allow it.
The point is that when the government opens the door, there are those who take all that they can get. Opportunity is always going to be taken. What would happen if the door was closed. They would have to beg even more. They would have to milk churches and private charities even more. Necessity makes these things happen. It all comes down to politicians trying to make themselves look like good human beings. Are these social insurance programs necessary. Mostly no.
So true.
Drug testing would DFINITELY be a good thing to do, but in TODAY'S society, they'd probably complain about being profiled.............somehow, their "rights' would be "imposed upon." And some top-level bureaucrat would agree.
I always liked what Reagan did when he was governor of California...........he put 'em to WORK, cleaning parks and roadsides, until they got themselves jobs. That state also ran in the "black" as well.
Before they could pick up their checks, they picked up trash! If you wanted welfare, the TAXPAYERS got something in return. Being seen in public doing jobs "below their dignity", was all it took in a lot of cases, and a LOT of them "suddenly" found jobs.
I exclude the elderly, mentally ill, and the handicapped from judgment. My posts are about the homeless.
During my month on the street, I hung out with 30 or so homeless people that knew my best friend. These 30 or so people were my security blanket. I had never left Boise and had led a relatively sheltered existence. Being on the street was rough. I came into it thinking that most homeless people were victims of misfortune. 28 of the 30 had no intentions of leaving the streets.
We made a trip to a shopping mall in South SLC once. Most of them proceeded to deliberately tear up their clothes, make themselves dirty by way of rolling in a dumpster or in dirt, etc. They were going to beg for change. They knew that they had to look a certain way. This was very rational of them. Their payoff for the day. About $90 apiece for three hours.
The point is that they adjusted to new constraints. When the mormon hand-out station was closed, they made due. I call it that because I can't remember the acronym that was used. When their food stamps ran out, again they made due. People will do what it takes to survive.
30 bucks an hour, tax free.........but that's gonna dwindle. As this economy continues to drop, less & less people are going to donate to the "street people."
More & more people today, are also catching on to all of the scamming. A few years ago, "60 Minutes" tracked a few of these parking lot characters, who, after a days worth of pan-handling, walked 3 or 4 blocks down the street, got into their cars (some of them NICER than what YOU might drive, and go home!
Another scam is to have a DOG with you. Here's a guy with a DOG, who supposedly can't feed HIMSELF, yet he's got a DOG to feed as well--------but a lot of people have "soft spots' in their hearts for animals, and will GIVE money, thinking it'll help feed the DOG, rather than the "owner's" habits.
But there is sometimes a fine line, between those who truly need help through no fault of their own---------------and those who have learned the "system" well enough to make welfare a "way of life." As a taxpayer who has worked hard all his life, I've always had a SERIOU problem with that, and the political party that caters to it.
Last part of the story,
Two scenarios.
The first one: You are without a car. You live day by day. Food is not a given. Luxuries such as a cup of coffee, a soda, food other than dry Top Ramen, etc. are hard to come by. To work a temp job or normal job means that one has to walk to a job site that may be miles away. Or one could try to scrounge up change for a bus. So, lets recap. One has to walk for miles to get to work, work the 6 to 8 hours, and find a way home. A temp job could last one day, one week, one year. you get the point. Getting paid by the day does not lend itself to living a typical life.
I know that after having eaten dry Top Ramen like a cracker for two weeks, i was dreaming of hamburgers and pizza. When I started working temp jobs, the first thing I did was gorge myself. Try practically starving for two weeks and then judge for yourself. My mind was not on saving money for a place or anything practical like that.
Scenario two.
One can go to a shelter and have basic amenities provided for. One can make the one or two journeys to health and welfare to apply for food stamps or other forms of assistance. These forms of assistance have strings attached but at least they are dependable and last more than a day or a week. Expending minimum effort to get something that makes life somewhat livable. not a bad gig. Also, there is the food bank, salvation army, and so on. As long as one does not have that bug called pride, one can do alright in this situation.
One can't blame those who get stuck behind the 8 ball for taking the handout when its there. Would they die if not for this assistance? Probably not. They would find a way. This may not be what people want to hear but that's alright.
twilcox1978,
Agreed, the "handouts" are there to provide short term help. The problems that need to be resolved are situations like..
1) that short term help pays better than getting a minimum wage job (and no minimum wage doesnt need to go up)
2) the REAL ISSUE the government employees who are paid to facilitate these programs need to be penalized for adding people to the dole rather than the situation we have now where they seek out new recipients of "handouts" as their own form of job security which seems to be the case.
twilcox1978,
Been there, done that, couldn't afford the tee shirt.
There, but for the grace of God, go those who don't understand what you said. A hand up is not a hand out. It's an unconditional act of kindness that rewards the givers more than the takers will ever know.
...........and every one relying continuously on the system should have mandatory drug testing prior to receiving more benefits!! It's a big market out there.
fairytaleforme: Drug testing, huh? Might not be a bad idea. Could weed out a few people, I think. Thanks for the comment.