Making Room at America's Inn for All God's Children

[pickledpepperRN]

Making Room at America's Inn for All God's Children -- Marian Wright Edelman

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marian-wright-edelman/making-room-at-americas-_b_77872.html

..."For Christians, another holy advent season is upon us. People of all faiths are reflecting on things done and left undone during the past year and making resolutions for change in the new one.

When, oh when will we individually and collectively as congregations, as communities, and as a nation resolve to stop saying to our children, "There's no room at the inn"? When will we, like Tim, start saying, "You can stay at my house"?

When will we say to poor, hungry and homeless children, "Wait! We'll make a place for you at America's table of plenty"?

How long until we say to children whose parents are working hard every day trying to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads, "We will help you escape poverty"? "We'll catch you in our safety net until your family is able to provide for you again"?

And when will we ensure that no child is without health coverage in our rich nation that lets our nine million children struggle without health coverage?"...

[Simplepleasures]

Well if it is really that difficult...

psalm and others stated that the kids should not suffer because of their parents poor choices...

So in response.. I said... "so take the kids..." she didn't suggest it... I did. Let them be wards of the state. I have no problem with that. Do you? Would you rather that kids be homeless with their parents? It seems it is unfair to the children and that they suffer needlessly... so take them; shelter and house them; teach them if they do not work hard they will end up in the same squallor that their parents were.

psalm also said that maybe the kids would learn responsibility that rather than poor choices... if the government picked up the tab and provided healthcare and met their needs...

I stated... rather poorly because I was in a hurry... that rather they would learn that they could do whatever they wanted because the government would pick up the tab for them...

Happy to have clarified for you teapot and spacenurse.

Make them wards of the state?Wouldnt that cost us plenty, wouldnt it be smarter to let the parents stay and work and take care of their OWN children and pay TAXES?

[LydiaNN]

"so take the kids..." she didn't suggest it... I did. Let them be wards of the state. I have no problem with that. Do you?

Yes, I do have a problem with it and I am incredulous at the notion that there are people who honestly believe the solution to poverty is the removal of children from their homes. Where, exactly, is it that you suggest these children be sent? Foster care isn't cheaper than helping parents support their children, nor is it more effective. Study after study as well as the anecdotal testimony of people who work with foster youth can tell you that the system is rife with problems. Not that it isn't ever necessary to remove children from their homes, but it isn't done as a matter of routine for very good reason. Not the least of which is that it would be inhumane to both the children and the families. We don't do that in this country, nor does any other civilized nation.

I'm happy to clarify that for you.

[MBANurse]

It may in the short term actually cost more money. But this thread was about homeless children... and the heartwrenching story about the shelter from Karen... I mean don't you want the children off the street.. to be clothed and fed and protected.

It would be cheaper to feed and house 2 kids than them and their parents. Parents should be able to fend for themselves.

But lets be honest shall we... this isn't about the kids. Its about the socialization of the United States. It is the liberal postion that the rich should be made to spread their wealth so that there is no poor. That people are entitled to all the things that they want out of life...

I wish that I could say that healthcare is just the beginning... but it started a long time ago with FDR.

[psalm, RN]

Let me clarify something, I didn't say for the gov't to take the kids and pick up the tab. I said if there was suspicion of abuse/neglect to report it. Sometimes intervention can be a good thing, parents are checked out, hopefully willing to work with a counselor, learn parenting skills, budgeting. And some are just selfish, taking care of themselves but ignoring the needs of their kids.

The kids need to learn that the gov't is there for a real need, but that intervention is for helping/aiding on a positive track...not that the gov't would pick up the tab for everything the kids or parents wanted. Please tell me you understand what I am trying to say...

[MBANurse]

Let me clarify something, I didn't say for the gov't to take the kids and pick up the tab. I said if there was suspicion of abuse/neglect to report it. Sometimes intervention can be a good thing, parents are checked out, hopefully willing to work with a counselor, learn parenting skills, budgeting. And some are just selfish, taking care of themselves but ignoring the needs of their kids.

No one said you did... they aren't going to swarm you.

It was all me.

I am the evil conservative that wants to get kids off the streets... and make sure that they are fed, clothed and sheltered. Of course its better they live on the street or in a shelter with their parents... right?

[psalm, RN]

Well, I'm a conservative but not evil. And I have seen parents who have had intervention and families were reunited and things get better. It took time, but it can be done.

[Simplepleasures]

No one said you did... they aren't going to swarm you.

It was all me.

I am the evil conservative that wants to get kids off the streets... and make sure that they are fed, clothed and sheltered. Of course its better they live on the street or in a shelter with their parents... right?

It almost seems as if you want someone to agree with you that you are evil. You may or may not be evil, but it isnt ones conservative ideas that would make one evil, it goes way beyond that.

[LydiaNN]

It may in the short term actually cost more money. But this thread was about homeless children... and the heartwrenching story about the shelter from Karen... I mean don't you want the children off the street.. to be clothed and fed and protected.

It would be cheaper to feed and house 2 kids than them and their parents. Parents should be able to fend for themselves.

But lets be honest shall we... this isn't about the kids. Its about the socialization of the United States. It is the liberal postion that the rich should be made to spread their wealth so that there is no poor. That people are entitled to all the things that they want out of life...

I wish that I could say that healthcare is just the beginning... but it started a long time ago with FDR.

It isn't cheaper to house and feed 2 children than it is to provide for them and their parents, because you have to reimburse the care provider of those children. The minimum reimbursement per child in my county is $400 a month, plus all medical and legal costs, plus the licensing and administrative costs of overseeing their placement.

It really isn't for you to declare what this issue is "about" for other people. You feel that it is about socialization and that's fine. Everyone interprets issues differently. To me, it is about the humane treatment of children and families. I agree that parents "should" be able to fend for themselves. However, that isn't always the case. As far as I'm concerned, no one "should" believe that it is acceptable to break families apart based solely on economic reasons. That also isn't always the case.

[MBANurse]

It almost seems as if you want someone to agree with you that you are evil. You may or may not be evil, but it isnt ones conservative ideas that would make one evil, it goes way beyond that.

:icon_roll

I guess emotions are hard to convey and understand via text.

This was a thread about homeless kids.. right?

and how they were on the street or in a shelter right...

Yet when I say that the government should take them... you know, off the streets or out of shelters... and feed clothe and protect I get jumped...

It is better that they live with the family ... on the street... or in the shelter on the floor...

and I really like the "logical song" I have had supertramp running through my head since I saw your sig

[MBANurse]

It isn't cheaper to house and feed 2 children than it is to provide for them and their parents, because you have to reimburse the care provider of those children. The minimum reimbursement per child in my county is $400 a month, plus all medical and legal costs, plus the licensing and administrative costs of overseeing their placement.

It really isn't for you to declare what this issue is "about" for other people. You feel that it is about socialization and that's fine. Everyone interprets issues differently. To me, it is about the humane treatment of children and families. I agree that parents "should" be able to fend for themselves. However, that isn't always the case. As far as I'm concerned, no one "should" believe that it is acceptable to break families apart based solely on economic reasons. That also isn't always the case.

So you admit that it is better to leave kids on the street with their parents than to take them? I said it may cost more in the short term... but long term I believe that they would learn to work so that when they are parents their kids wouldnt be taken from them.

Last I checked... This was the United States of America and I was free to declare what I believe the issue(s) boil down to for anyone; if you disagree fine. My statement stands. It is socialization and will be the downfall of the country.

Why do you state that no one "should" believe that kids should be taken from parents for financial reasons... The kids are out on the street with the parents. Hell yeah they should be taken for financial reasons because obviously they cant take of their kids.

[pickledpepperRN]

From the original post:

Making Room at America's Inn for All God's Children -- Marian Wright Edelman

...How long until we say to children whose parents are working hard every day trying to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads, "We will help you escape poverty"? "We'll catch you in our safety net until your family is able to provide for you again"?...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marian...-_b_77872.html

[Simplepleasures]

:icon_roll

I guess emotions are hard to convey and understand via text.

This was a thread about homeless kids.. right?

and how they were on the street or in a shelter right...

Yet when I say that the government should take them... you know, off the streets or out of shelters... and feed clothe and protect I get jumped...

It is better that they live with the family ... on the street... or in the shelter on the floor...

and I really like the "logical song" I have had supertramp running through my head since I saw your sig

I dont think you are evil, I dont dislike you.

I am an immigrant whose family came here legally, we were in displaced persons camps in Austria after the 2nd WW for 10 years before being allowed to come to this country. My brother served as a medic(hospital corpsmen)Vietnam, my daughter serves in the Navy . People who are disenfranchised in some way have WORTH too, they or thier children could actually become one of our greatest heros or a doctor or a lawyer (as one of my daughters did). My immigrant parents would be so proud to know that . BUT if Austria were to have been allowed to kick us out ( they didnt like refugees), we would not have had the opportunity to come here and be productive citizens, we would have been shipped back to Yugoslavia and been killed by the Communists. To dismiss a segment of our society as having no worth is a huge mistake, we dont know what the future holds, good or bad.