Only Parents should Receive Govt. Asst.

This entry is related to the previous entry about welfare recipients. I was reading some of the responses on the facebook group (Mandatory Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients). A woman responded she thought ONLY people with children should be able to receive govt asst. This is my response to that. What about college individuals? Especially those who perhaps are non-traditional students, having worked for many years (since graduating from high school) at a job that was fine for a while. However, the changing economy has left them in a bind. AND now.. while STILL working a $9/hr. job, are Doing their best and have decided to go back and get a college degree to get a job where they can at least AFFORD health insurance, all the while hoping to not get ill or hurt themselves, cuz then they are really in a bad place. They make enough to get some help with school.. MOSTLY student LOANS. But, OBVIOUSLY they still have to work, cuz Mommy and Daddy are not taking care of them. They have all the bills a grown up has.. and then some. Because MAYBE they don't have kids...(which if the aforementioned is NOT ENOUGH) but perhaps they have adult parents in ailing health that need doctor's appts, help with shopping, etc. Should they NOT be allowed Govt. Asst. while trying to better their lives? After all. once done with school... they will make more, spend more.. perhaps not be pushed to the point of needing Mental Health Care or a wide variety of other things that can happen and also cost the GOVT a great deal of money.??? Just a thought!

Mandatory Drug Tests for Welfare Repients

I was on Facebook earlier and I saw a Group entitled something like "Support Mandatory Drugtests for Welfare Recipients". First of all, I was surprised, because one of the individuals recommending I join.. well, let's just say she has a history of using questionable substances. Admittedly, the "welfare" part, I am uncertain if she has ever partaken. Nonetheless, my reaction was gut wrenching. I mean, who the Hell do people think they are Demanding individuals be forced to do drug tests? Anyway... I had much to write and not nearly enough room to put it on facebook (besides, you had to become a "fan" to even post anything.) Therefore, I started this blog as a medium for me to express my discontent (among other things) for our society and how "individuals" think they have a RIGHT to DEMAND how others live their lives. This is part of my Response to the Aforementioned tagline "Mandatory Drug Tests..." Many are gonna disagree. But, I am not really concerned with that. I merely hope you will at least cast aside your anger and frustration with "welfare junkies" (which, there really are very few people and families that perpetuate the cycle and continue to utilize such services generation to generation. (but perhaps that should be saved for another time). [imagine me on a soap box] after all, I am pretty short and many of you would not be able to hear over the disgruntled crowd. I do think it could be a good idea, if done correctly. NOT to stop people from getting assistance... but to get them help and create a situation where they can succeed. As a person who has worked hard and held the same job for over a decade and worked enough to be eligible for insurance..but not made enough to get it (i have not had health insurance since Bill Clinton was elected-For his First term)... I TRULY believe in "WELFARE REFORM" the system NEEDS Work. But, our society creates a living situation that PUSHES people down, then punishes them for being down. AND instead of assisting those who TRY to achieve, it pushes them down further. For many people, they then follow the perpetual cycle of poverty among experiencing other societal attrocities, without proper assistance to help them. Many (like myself) are one illness or accidental mishap from being homeless or without food. In which case, then many cold-hearted bastards would yell at them as they pass the line for God's Kitchen to "get a job". I do not blame people for finding refuge the only way they can afford. Especially, because many people on Welfare have also been diagnosed with a mental illness and cannot hold a job because they cannot afford the medication that would help them be productive members of society. They are NOT handicapped (unless it is a Chronic illness that a DOCTOR signs a waiver saying you cannot work, in which case you are often shoved into a facility (usually STATE funded) where life can be even more difficult.. don't get me started on mental health reform... that too should be carried on further another day. Furthermore, some of the "medically accepted" pharmaceuticals (for a mental illness) can cause horrendous side effects. So, whether it be a diagnosable mental illness.. or a lifetime of hardship, sometimes the only escape is SELF-MEDICATION! So, punishment for being on drugs.. or mandated counseling? Perhaps, if welfare and our society in general was more of a Support System for those less fortunate, we would not be having this discussion.