[pickledpepperRN]

Originally Posted by katilynn

So, if you are against certain forms of government assistance what do you suggest we do instead? I agree the systems flawed. I think we can all agree that some people abuse the system while others rise out of poverty.

I like the garden idea. Gardens could work for some people, if they have a patio with some sunlight and a green thumb.

Drug tests??? Junk for of fast food tax???

I liked the idea of restricting junk food purchases with food stamps. Healthy school lunch programs maybe? ( I remember eating taco boats and pizza dipped in ranch dressing) I also remember using my entire $1.25 of lunch money to buy icecream cups, like five of them. That lunch lady should have reported me to the principal They shouldn't even sell icecream at school.

Brainstorming. It's become a loss art, especially in politics. I would love to hear more constructive ideas on how we can improve these children's lives. For those of you who have had assistance... what work, what didn't.

Imported foods such as inexpensive canned sardines from Norway can't be purchased with food stamps. How about including low nutrition foods that are mostly sugar and/or fat?
No soda, chips, or candy?

Soap, toilet paper, and sanitary supplies are taxed. They cannot be bought with food stamps. Why not add no nutrition "food" to that category?

[HM2Viking]

I won't take the bet for 2 reasons.

1. I am not a socialist. Believing in a living wage, access to affordable education the right to collectively bargain and a humane society where there is no food insecurity is a belief in a stronger more interconnected society. Diatribes without data or solutions are meaningless. I provide objective data and links that provides readers an opportunity to read and think about issues.

2. There is a probability of some small post-secondary school somewhere in the US that does not accept federal or state dollars. My central point of the vast majority of US secondary schools either accepting or acting as a transfer agent for taxpayer dollars in the student financial aid process is correct. If a student accepts a student loan for the purpose of financing their attendance at a given school then the school by extension has accepted federal or state aids. (Hillsdale college may very well be the exception that proves this general rule to be accurate as the only reference that I found to student loans was to private loans that are offered at a higher interest rate and require cosignators.)

I would add a sentence to the following that calls on an active and involved citizenry has a responsibility to participate in governance of this country.

Founded on the ideals of the progressive movement at the turn of the century, today’s progressive movement believes that an open and effective government can improve the lives of everyday Americans by playing an active role in solving social and economic problems.
In other words, a progressive is someone who is idealistic enough to believe that things can be better and pragmatic enough to get it done.

[DarrenWright]

Originally Posted by HM2Viking

I won't take the bet for 2 reasons.

1. I am not a socialist. Believing in a living wage, access to affordable education the right to collectively bargain and a humane society where there is no food insecurity is a belief in a stronger more interconnected society. Diatribes without data or solutions are meaningless. I provide objective data and links that provides readers an opportunity to read and think about issues.

2. There is a probability of some small post-secondary school somewhere in the US that does not accept federal or state dollars. My central point of the vast majority of US secondary schools either accepting or acting as a transfer agent for taxpayer dollars in the student financial aid process is correct. If a student accepts a student loan for the purpose of financing their attendance at a given school then the school by extension has accepted federal or state aids. (Hillsdale college may very well be the exception that proves this general rule to be accurate as the only reference that I found to student loans was to private loans that are offered at a higher interest rate and require cosignators.)

I would add a sentence to the following that calls on an active and involved citizenry has a responsibility to participate in governance of this country.

I didn't call you a socialist, but your presentations certainly champion socialist ideas.

And food security cannot be assigned solely to the society; food security also requires individual responsibility and attention. And if an able-bodied person or their family experience food insecurity because someone didn't give them food, then the approach to the problem is too narrow.

BTW, it's obvious that the only acceptable solutions to some are just the ones they present. Objective? You would suggest that the info you provide is objective, while anything presented by those who don't agree is not objective?

Hillsdale is not the only exception, and it was your challenge, not mine. Now my challenge; don't make any more general comments or 'bets' that you are later unwilling to back up. Put your money next to the keyboard next time. Especially when you accuse others of generalizing.

[pickledpepperRN]

Originally Posted by katilynn

So, if you are against certain forms of government assistance what do you suggest we do instead? I agree the systems flawed. I think we can all agree that some people abuse the system while others rise out of poverty.

I like the garden idea. Gardens could work for some people, if they have a patio with some sunlight and a green thumb.

Drug tests??? Junk for of fast food tax???

I liked the idea of restricting junk food purchases with food stamps. Healthy school lunch programs maybe? ( I remember eating taco boats and pizza dipped in ranch dressing) I also remember using my entire $1.25 of lunch money to buy icecream cups, like five of them. That lunch lady should have reported me to the principal They shouldn't even sell icecream at school.

Brainstorming. It's become a loss art, especially in politics. I would love to hear more constructive ideas on how we can improve these children's lives. For those of you who have had assistance... what work, what didn't.

How about required education for people on welfare? Not just hand outs because too many don't read well.
Seems all the sources recomment beans.
I love beans! They do need a grain such as rice or wheat.

Chili over corn bread - red beans and rice, YUM!


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=15691

http://nutrition.suite101.com/articl...ng_on_a_budget

http://www.peertrainer.com/LoungeCom...ThreadID=41708

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ed_budget.html

[HM2Viking]

The debate in Congress over the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program—set
to expire in September 2007—has brought
children’s health coverage to the forefront of
the political agenda. In “Medicaid: Health
Promotion and Disease Prevention for School
Readiness,” (Health Affairs, March/April
2007), The Commonwealth Fund’s Edward
L. Schor, M.D., Melinda K. Abrams, M.S.,
and Katherine Shea provide a timely reminder
that health care services for children, including
preventive and developmental services,
are a smart investment for society.
Focusing on the Early and Periodic
Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment
(EPSDT) program—the child health portion
of Medicaid—Schor and his coauthors
discuss the importance of health promotion,
disease prevention, and developmental
services in preparing young children for
success in school and later in life. They also
recommend actions that the federal government
and the states can take to ensure
that public insurance programs covering
disadvantaged children promote optimal
health and development. Health insurance
coverage for children should promote
healthy development, not just treat illness,
the authors say.

Why Are Health Services for Young
Children Important?

Young children from low-income families
are vulnerable to poor health and developmental
outcomes, low educational attainment
and productivity, and social dependence
throughout their lives.
...

By kindergarten,
the educational achievement gap
between children from poor families and
children from more affluent families is already
present, and only widens in later
grades. Noting extensive research demonstrating
the importance of preventive care
during the early years, the authors say “assuring
that young children and their families
have access to resources and services
that can provide early health and development
is likely to pay large dividends over
the life course.”

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_...f?section=4039

Including nutritional counselling etc....

[sandygator]

htp://www.townhall.com

[pickledpepperRN]

Originally Posted by Sandygator

htp://www.townhall.com

Is there a particular article on this topic here?
http://www.townhall.com/

[jyoung1950]

(because I believe there are accredited reputable schools that don't take a dime of taxpayer money or assistance),

North of Pittsburgh, PA is a college called Grove City. Doesn't take any federal or state monies.

[HM2Viking]

Originally Posted by jyoung1950

(because I believe there are accredited reputable schools that don't take a dime of taxpayer money or assistance),

North of Pittsburgh, PA is a college called Grove City. Doesn't take any federal or state monies.

Grove City does take state tax dollars indirectly. It accepts state grant dollars for student financial aids.

[DarrenWright]

Originally Posted by HM2Viking

Grove City does take state tax dollars indirectly. It accepts state grant dollars for student financial aids.

No they don't.

Since I've had friends graduate from that college, I'd like to know the names of these state grants.