1. The Republican Congress have acted to cut essential assistance programs, services, and benefits.
2. The Republican leadership has made derogatory remarks about poor people who are in need, including food, lodging, and healthcare.
Sometimes, conservatives cite religious doctrine to support their arcane ideas. I submit that they are covering for their greed and ignorance.
In my new book, How to Select an American President by James A. George with James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing, I review the history of the nation to illustrate a pattern of consistently unresolved issues that were manifest in the Civil War.
- Slavery
- States Rights
- Individualism
- Role of Government
- Economic Independence
- Poverty
- Work
If there is one overriding topic in which to address these subjects, it might be sustainable economics. To address that subject, ask yourself, what is the highest order purpose of the U.S. Federal Government?
I submit that the highest order purpose is to "Optimize the return on natural resources that include land, materials, people, technology, and infrastructure." Can you think of any other?
I have also published a list of what I believe are the essential outcomes to be required of the U.S. Federal Government:
America's Priority Outcomes
- Nation secured economically - 100%
- Nation has a sustainable economy - 100%
- Nation secured militarily - 100%
- Homeland secured from terrorists - 100%
- Employment opportunities for all who can work - 100%
- Upward mobility for all who are prepared commensurate with ability - 100%
- All persons provided minimal sustainment as a baseline to start - 100%
- Social security assured for all persons - 100%
- Clean air and water - 100%
- Best education in the world - #1
- Freest nation in the world - #1
- Lowest crime rate in the world - #1 in the least crime per capita
- Affordable healthcare for all citizens - 100%
What am I missing? About what do you disagree?
Since Republicans and their behavior are so hostile to minorities and racist toward black Americans, I want to share this viewpoint.
Consider that slaves were brought to America without their free will and for generations were subjected to inhumane treatment and abuse. One of my ancestors is James Bloxham. He was hired by George Washington to manage the Washington farms. After having begun the job, he met with Washington to explain that slavery does not work to produce contented and productive workers. While he was unable to get Washington to stand down on slavery, he did manage to improve their condition.
Later, other descendants and my family members supported The Underground Railroad by protecting slaves who were on the run from bounty hunters. They lived in Quaker and Mennonite Communities in rural Ohio.
In reflecting on this, it is no wonder that people who suffered such a harsh history would bear scars and harbor fear and disrespect for a society that treated them unequally. Even with the Civil War having been fought in their name, our Nation persisted in many States to discriminate against people by color. It is no secret that racism and bigotry are harbored today in the Republican Party and that it is visible in the behavior of members of Congress and the Trump administration.
I don't believe that most people of any segment of our society are reluctant or unwilling to work. I do believe that many employers and persons in power are deficient in attitudes and treatment of all persons with equal respect. Some people need extraordinary assistance because their families have had to dig out of deep economically depressed holes.
When society expresses acknowledgment about the problem and works harder to make everyone feel welcome, any reluctance to participate will likely diminish. You can't fix the problem by continuing disrespect, especially among elected representatives.
Black History Image
"Food stamps helped lessen the burden of poverty for 4.8 million people.
ReplyDeleteThe Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit kept 8 million hardworking families from falling under the poverty line.
If Social Security didn’t exist, 27 million more people would be poor.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Every year, Census Bureau data proves that welfare programs are instrumental in helping people get back on their feet—and quickly.
This is exactly why these programs are necessary. And precisely why cutting their funding doesn’t make any sense.
In contrast, increasing funding to welfare programs would help alleviate poverty to an even greater extent, which would in turn help the economy grow and protect the middle class.
This brings us to the greatest myth of all—the myth that you or I will never, under no circumstance, need government assistance.
Myth #7: You’ll Never Need Welfare
Welfare, in some form, touches most people at some point during their life.
Maybe it was that few months of unemployment benefits that the war vet received when she was laid off. Maybe it was childcare resources that saved the single dad’s ass when he needed to go to work and leave the kids at home. Or perhaps it was the tax credits that got that working family through their roughest time.
No one can truthfully know that life will not throw them a curveball that severely impacts their financial situation. It’s crucial to understand that many of the welfare recipients people pity—or disdain—started out in a much more stable position.
And no matter what our current circumstances are, things change. Wealth, health, and good luck do not always last. Not one of us can know for sure that we won’t need to rely on welfare at some point in our lives.
Realizing this is just one important step towards cultivating empathy for those who are less fortunate than us.
Providing a safety net through government assistance makes our country stronger—and it’s time for Americans to stop spreading untrue and damaging rumors decrying the very programs that are creating a brighter future for our nation’s most vulnerable. It’s time for politicians to stop trying to cut meager benefits to struggling families.
Because there are millions of people out there who truly need these programs to help them get back on their feet. And you never know—someday, you might be one of them."
https://groundswell.org/7-lies-about-welfare-that-many-people-believe-are-fact/