When Welfare Goes Wrong...

[classicman]

While I agree with some of what you say Dana, I disagree with the last line "many are trapped." I call BS, at least for the most part here in the states. There are a zillion programs for those willing to get off their asses and work at looking/finding work. Currently the situation has changed obviously, but in the general sense, again at least here, there are many opportunities for those that wish to seek them out.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by classicman

While I agree with some of what you say Dana, I disagree with the last line "many are trapped." I call BS, at least for the most part here in the states. There are a zillion programs for those willing to get off their asses and work at looking/finding work. Currently the situation has changed obviously, but in the general sense, again at least here, there are many opportunities for those that wish to seek them out.

Again, American vs UK citizens. It does seem that an awful lot of US citizens are genetically lazy. If they are not governed by a punitive system then they will take every opportunity not to work.

Luckily, there is only a minority of people in this country who live this way. Of course we have our own burden of the generally criminally minded, drug addicts of one sort of another etc. But I appreciate the American fear that if you had better welfare, just about every American would take advantage of it. We do have a welfare state and not every Brit takes advantage of it, lucky old us.

[smoothmoniker]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

If they are not governed by a punitive system then they will take every opportunity not to work.

you mean a punitive system like the free market?

[lookout123]

I know a gentleman who came from a very poor background to become a very very insanely wealthy man. About 15 years ago he was sitting around with a group of men thinking back to the days he would show up to school in ratty clothes and no school supplies. He was self conscious and a loner. One year a teacher spotted his embarrassment and gave him a new sweater, shoes, a backpack, a couple notebooks, and some pencils without drawing attention to the gift. He still draws on that day as one of the defining moments in his life.

He asked one of the other guys at the table how difficult it would be to identify all of the children in a school who might be in the same type of situation he was as a child. The other man who was a school superintendent let him know it wasn't hard. The gentleman announced that while he understood it wouldn't solve all the problems in life, he wanted every child within reach to start the school year with a two new sweaters, shoes, and a backpack filled with supplies. He stood up, told the school superintendent he wanted the number of children within 24 hours. Not just for his school, but for every school in the area. The men all laughed because they knew he was rich but to provide those items to the thousands and thousands of kids in the system would come out to a huge number. He nodded and left.

The next day the superintendent stopped at his office and gave him a list that was even larger than expected. He told the gentleman that while it was a worthy idea the cost was just too high to make it workable. Maybe just some shoes? Just school supplies? The gentleman laughed, told the school superintendent to sit down, and picked up his phone. He made five phone two minute phone calls. Every year since then the gentleman and five friends have made sure that every single child in that region starts school with two new sweaters, new shoes, and a backpack full of supplies. Does it solve all their problems? Hell no. But it does possibly lessen the embarrassment for one or two kids who might someday go on to help others.

Only a very small number of people know that story because he didn't set up a charity, run a news story, or accept any awards. It is a private act by private citizens. When I asked him about it he simply pointed out that not everyone with money is a greedy bastard. Most people just need to know a need exists and they'll do what they can to help.

This is the same guy who was disheartened to find out school scholarships were either ethnic or achievement oriented. He promptly started a new scholarship open to anyone involved in any community service of any sort. But that's another story.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by lookout123

Most people just need to know a need exists and they'll do what they can to help.

Once they realize the government doesn't provide for everyone's needs, and the poor aren't getting rich on welfare.

This is the same guy who was disheartened to find out school scholarships were either ethnic or achievement oriented. He promptly started a new scholarship open to anyone involved in any community service of any sort. But that's another story.

For the people that Shawnee is always worried about. Not the people with no means, but not enough means.