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?"...

[MBANurse]

From the original post:

Well then Karen made it about that when she posted about the shelter...

and it seems to me eliminating the "burden" of providing for their kids for a while would both motivate and make it easier for the parents to sooner be able to provide for them... if it doesn't well then they are jsut crappy parents aren't they.

[LydiaNN]

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.

I don't think this is a political issue... I know lots of conservatives and liberals (and moderates, like me, too) who believe that social programs aimed at keeping families together are well worth the initial public $.

The irony is that these programs, which are far more humane than breaking up families, are also far less of a drain on public resources than the costs of foster placements, group homes or centers are now and even more, would be if an automatic removal system was put into place.

[MBANurse]

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 doctoror a lawyer (as my daughter 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.

to assume that everyone should be nurtured for potential worth when there is so much KINETIC worth in the world is a mistake if you ask me.

You either make it... or you don't. Stand tall or fall down... its all you, In my opinion.

[LydiaNN]

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.

I didn't say that it is better for children to be on the streets and I don't appreciate you making up such a ridiculous accusation. Could we possibly stick to the truth here? If not, this discussion is nothing more than fantasy.

Actually, "this" is a discussion board, not the USA or anyplace else. I didn't say you couldn't express whatever you want, I said it isn't for you to declare what an issue is about for someone else, because you aren't qualified to make that determination. And also, maybe you could refrain from swearing at me, too? If it wouldn't be too much of an impingement upon your constitutional rights, that is...

[MBANurse]

I don't think this is a political issue... I know lots of conservatives and liberals (and moderates, like me, too) who believe that social programs aimed at keeping families together are well worth the initial public $.

The irony is that these programs, which are far more humane than breaking up families, are also far less of a drain on public resources than the costs of foster placements, group homes or centers are now and even more, would be if an automatic removal system was put into place.

So you are still advocating leaving the kids out on the streets with the parents then?

Because if a family is out on the streets the kids should in fact be wards of the state.

[MBANurse]

I didn't say that it is better for children to be on the streets and I don't appreciate you making up such a ridiculous accusation. Could we possibly stick to the truth here? If not, this discussion is nothing more than fantasy.

Actually, "this" is a discussion board, not the USA or anyplace else. I didn't say you couldn't express whatever you want, I said it isn't for you to declare what an issue is about for someone else, because you aren't qualified to make that determination. And also, maybe you could refrain from swearing at me, too? If it wouldn't be too much of an impingement upon your constitutional rights, that is...

where did I swear at you?

And it is not a ridiculous accusation. Talking about homeless kids and families... if they are homeless take the kids... thats what I said... You in turn disagreed and have stated over and over that we shouldn't seperate familes for financial reasons.

[LydiaNN]

So you are still advocating leaving the kids out on the streets with the parents then?

Because if a family is out on the streets the kids should in fact be wards of the state.

Please post where I said that anyone should be out on the streets or stop claiming that I said such a thing. Thank you.

[LydiaNN]

where did I swear at you?

And it is not a ridiculous accusation. Talking about homeless kids and families... if they are homeless take the kids... thats what I said... You in turn disagreed and have stated over and over that we shouldn't seperate familes for financial reasons.

Oh, am I repeating myself? Good thing you don't do that.

[LydiaNN]

where did I swear at you?

And it is not a ridiculous accusation. Talking about homeless kids and families... if they are homeless take the kids... thats what I said... You in turn disagreed and have stated over and over that we shouldn't seperate familes for financial reasons.

Let me be clear. I did not advocate for children to be on the streets. I am sure everyone else reading this thread knows that I don't want that to happen. I would appreciate if you would admit that you are making this accusation up, but you clearly aren't going to do that.

[Simplepleasures]

to assume that everyone should be nurtured for potential worth when there is so much KINETIC worth in the world is a mistake if you ask me.

You either make it... or you don't. Stand tall or fall down... its all you, In my opinion.

But you are SO wrong, My parents were given $500 by the Lutheran World Federation, with which they paid for our passage on an old Navy transport ship, my dad and mom worked two jobs and soon paid it back, BUT we were given help in getting a apartment, getting my dad into school and getting food and clothing for we children. Without the help of some kind strangers we would not have been able to get to this country.Nurturing is an admirable HUMAN trait, Im so greatful that someone took a chance on us.

[MBANurse]

Please post where I said that anyone should be out on the streets or stop claiming that I said such a thing. Thank you.

I stated that it would be better to make the kids wards of the state if they are homeless and you have kept telling me how wrong I am to want to break up families...

So if they are homeless... like I have stated... and even bolded... why should they not be wards of the state again?

[MBANurse]

Let me be clear. I did not advocate for children to be on the streets. I am sure everyone else reading this thread knows that I don't want that to happen. I would appreciate if you would admit that you are making this accusation up, but you clearly aren't going to do that.

I am not making anything up. Based upon your arguments against homeless children being wards of state in favor of remaining with their families what else is one to suppose?