[L P N to B]

Originally Posted by Jolie

Before you vilify politicians and taxpayers who are tired of funding entitlement after entitlement, how about demanding some personal responsibility? People shouldn't have children they can't reasonably afford to raise.

not everyone PLANS on having children when they have them. maybe you should give credit where credit is due: to the people taking on their responsibilities instead of throwing their innocent children into dumpsters. and what exactly is "REASONABLY afford to raise" in your terms?

[earle58]

Originally Posted by Jolie

I am referring, and always have referred to those who choose not to complete their education, get a job, or work to improve their lives, but rather expect their fellow citizens' to pay their living expenses and those of their children, and then have the nerve to complain that their entitlements are lacking. That is truly offensive.

so, you're referring to those who clearly abuse the system:
and not the ones who do not have access to support systems, childcare, or any viable opportunity to advance themselves?
you're not referring to those w/knowledge deficits or mental health issues?

because we know that any one of us is truly capable of picking ourselves up and dusting ourselves off.
that there are never situations where we need the assistance of those in a more grounded and secure position.
nope.
it's all about "personal responsibility".
nothing more, nothing less.
no excuses.
anyone and everyone can get ahead, and do it alone.
and if you can't...
well, life sucks then you die.
uh-huh.
ok.
gotcha.

leslie

[rnmomtobe2010]

Originally Posted by mjlrn97

Which is exactly why you have to reach down deep inside for the inner strength that has enabled you to survive in poverty for so long, and pull yourself OUT.

I hate to be one of those people who say "If I can do it, anyone can do it", but it's the honest truth. My family and I were poor for years, but living that way finally became so unpleasant that I would have done ANYTHING to change it. Climbing out of that morass of indignity, shame, depression, and hopelessness was probably the toughest thing I've ever done, but it can be done, and if truth be told, I don't have a lot of sympathy for anyone who finds it perfectly acceptable to live off the labors of others for any longer than absolutely necessary. There's no excuse for not trying. And if that makes me hard-hearted, well, I guess I'm guilty.........but unlike the politicians and the John Q. Citizens who were born in better circumstances, I do know whereof I speak.

I was thinking the same thing. My husband and I couldn't pay our mortgage last month and that was pathetic. He is now a truck driver and I was telling my mother I would be a fool not to take advantage of going to school and breaking this poverty cycle in my family. I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way!

[Jolie]

Originally Posted by earle58

so, you're referring to those who clearly abuse the system:
and not the ones who do not have access to support systems, childcare, or any viable opportunity to advance themselves?
you're not referring to those w/knowledge deficits or mental health issues?


YES!

because we know that any one of us is truly capable of picking ourselves up and dusting ourselves off.
that there are never situations where we need the assistance of those in a more grounded and secure position.
nope.
it's all about "personal responsibility".
nothing more, nothing less.
no excuses.
anyone and everyone can get ahead, and do it alone.
and if you can't...
well, life sucks then you die.
uh-huh.
ok.
gotcha.

leslie

The second part of this statement is yours, not mine. I never have, and never will begrudge assistance to those who are in need thru no fault of their own, and/or are making an effort to help themselves and their families. Please don't attribute your scornful attitude to me.

[earle58]

Originally Posted by Jolie

The second part of this statement is yours, not mine. I never have, and never will begrudge assistance to those who are in need thru no fault of their own, and/or are making an effort to help themselves and their families. Please don't attribute your scornful attitude to me.

i agree w/you, if you are only talking about the ones who abuse the system.
i sense, however, that posters are targeting everyone on the system.
i take that back.
i sense that most are referring to those who have been on the system for a number of yrs, and not those who used it for emergency purposes only.
afterall, there are families whose entire lives have been dependent on public assistance.
what is it they need to get them off?
whatever it is, i have no problem in assisting them to get there.

leslie

[Suesquatch]

Originally Posted by earle58

what is it they need to get them off?
whatever it is, i have no problem in assisting them to get there.

leslie

Some will never be able to get off. And I have no problem with that, either.

[HM2Viking]

See Also:
Thirty-seven million Americans live below the official poverty line. Millions more struggle each month to pay for basic necessities, or run out of savings when they lose their jobs or face health emergencies. Poverty imposes enormous costs on society. The lost potential of children raised in poor households, the lower productivity and earnings of poor adults, the poor health, increased crime, and broken neighborhoods all hurt our nation. Persistent childhood poverty is estimated to cost our nation $500 billion each year, or about four percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. In a world of increasing global competition, we cannot afford to squander these human resources.
Source: http://www.americanprogress.org/issu...ty_report.html accessed 10/5/2007.

Full report at: http://www.americanprogress.org/issu...rty_report.pdf

The real question is not Why we can't afford this but Why we can't afford to fail to act.............

[cmo421]

Originally Posted by earle58

so, you're referring to those who clearly abuse the system:
and not the ones who do not have access to support systems, childcare, or any viable opportunity to advance themselves?
you're not referring to those w/knowledge deficits or mental health issues?

because we know that any one of us is truly capable of picking ourselves up and dusting ourselves off.
that there are never situations where we need the assistance of those in a more grounded and secure position.
nope.
it's all about "personal responsibility".
nothing more, nothing less.
no excuses.
anyone and everyone can get ahead, and do it alone.
and if you can't...
well, life sucks then you die.
uh-huh.
ok.
gotcha.

leslie

You are one very entertaining ,knowledgeable poster!!!. I enjoy reading what u have to say. Many others too, but u made me laugh today when I did not think I could,,,thanks and have a great day!

[TCRNCOB61]

You can dig out of living in poverty if you want to. I did it. It was NOT EASY!! We went without alot. I worked full time nights (11pm - 7am, 5 nights a week), full time college, a 5 year old, and a husband that thought I was his servant. (The ONLY help he was, was that he slept at home at night so my son would not be alone, if my son was sick I had to stay home from work) (the only reason my ex "allowed" me to go to college was so that I would be able to make more money) I had to pay for most of college due to I was married and we "owned" a house (the bank owned it) and did not qualify for a pell grant. I did get a few small grants after I had been in school a year and maintained a good GPA.

I went without a lot of sleep so I would be able to spend time with my son. He "helped" me study. Yes I did only have one child, but I did figure out how that happened and only had ONE child. Yes I was married but that was a joke. (thankfully I am single now) I got NO government aid, no food stamps, nothing.

My mother was a single mom, raised 3 kids by herself and we were poor. You can make your life better. You just have to want it bad enough!

[SmilingBluEyes]

So complicated. I know as military (active duty for 10 years, no less) WE were considered as earning income "below the poverty line". We qualified for WIC and even FOOD STAMPS!!!! ( I took neither---all I wanted was daycare expense assistance, but had one too few children for that). I remember eating a lot of beans and rice and ramen while I went to nursing school. I bartered with good friends for exchange day care to cover that expense, too. However, I feel fortunate that I had the resources I did ( also a GI BILL) in order to do so. I was lucky. I made great use of whatever the military offered us (commissary priveleges, etc).

I went to school with quite a few folks on "welfare" who were actively trying to better their lives and feed their families while endeavoring to do so. I had NO heartburn with this. Great investment, if you ask me.

A "hand up" is so much better than a "hand out". There IS a difference!!!!