"Here is the money that I owe you so that you can pay the bills"

Title: I Will Buy You A New Life
Artist: Everclear
Album: So Much For The Afterglow

I have had a few interesting discussions in the last week regarding welfare and the state of the American system.  I will be honest, it's a subject that I have a hard time not seeing both sides of the story.  I grew up poor, I mean, we always had food, but we didn't have much more than that at times.  My parents always made sure that we were clothed, and looking back I was not as grateful for what I had then as I am now.  I know that there are people that are far worse off than I have ever been.  The next part of this is going to be my heart speaking and my knowledge, albeit limited, of the welfare system...

I believe that we, as Americans, take far too much for granted.  We (and I use the collective because it seems to be a majority of America feels this way) have a notion of entitlement.  If we don't have cable tv and a nice car then we are being left behind. I mean, we aren't having our "needs" met.

When I first moved out on my own my roommates and I would have my (then girlfriend) wife record South Park for us and watch it on a videotape because we (three males with jobs) couldn't afford cable.  The next set of roommates were not even interested in having tv (something that I was told before I moved in), and I was okay with that because I had grown used to not watching tv.  Even when I lived at home I didn't really watch too much and when I did, it was to put me to sleep... an odd little quirk of mine, just ask my wife.  I have never really seen cable as much of a necessity until somewhat recently.  There are a lot of educational programs.  My two year old is counting, recognizing colors and letters... I'm not saying that this is the sole reason that we have cable, nor am I saying that the only reason that she knows these things is because of tv.  We try to be responsible parents when it comes to tv (and media in general), we don't use the television as a babysitter.  Could we cut a bill and get rid of cable?  Yes and if our financial situation calls for that we will.  Heather and I know that we are not entitled to cable and internet... or even a phone.  These are luxuries that we have and are not necessary to survival.  I think that much of America, especially those abusing the available assistance, sees these luxuries as something that they "need".  Deep down we all know that this is not the case.

Speaking of abuse of the system there are far more cases that are not heard where people receive assistance and use it responsibly.  Unfortunately, the cases that you hear people complaining about are of people buying steak and lobster with food stamps.  The people that aren't reaping the benefits see the monies being spent by those misusing these funds as theirs.  I mean, they did pay income taxes, so yes, some of the funds came out of their paycheck... but if you give to a charity do they feel the same way?  We always hear the horror stories of the lazy mother of four with her live-in boyfriend filing for welfare and living off the government.  What we don't hear is about the family where mom and dad work low-paying jobs and get assistance, use it responsibly and still only barely make ends meet.  Those people are grateful that their kids are fed, clothed and have a roof over their heads.  I'm not saying that no one abuses the system that was set in place, what I am saying it that there are people who appreciate it and use it wisely.

I read a post on facebook suggesting that there be forced sterilization for anyone in an assistance program, that government housing should be akin to military barracks, and that those getting food stamps should be limited to rice and powdered milk.  The post was a much longer rant, I have pulled out what stood out to me.  I wonder if the person who originally wrote that has ever learned anything about the concentration camps that the Nazis used?  That is essentially what they are suggesting... a prison-like existence for anyone who loses a job, spouse, or simply falls on hard times.  This seems more than unfair.  I work forty hours per week, pay my bills and eke by.  If I was to lose my job tomorrow, I would be forced to apply for help until I could find another job.  In this persons mind, should that happen to me, I would have to move my family into a shelter, live off of bread and water, and my wife would have to get a tubal ligation before I could see a penny's worth of help.

The only suggestion that I found as a reasonable idea is that there be mandatory drug test to get assistance.  This seems reasonable to me because if I want to get a job it is likely that I would have to pass a drug test.  If someone cannot pass a drug test one would not be irrational to think that the person spent money on drugs that could have been used for what the assistance covers.  There are more security measures being taken to prevent abuse of the system (i.e the use of a debit style card to stop people from selling "food stamps" for cash), but I would argue that anyone who would abuse the system would find a way around any roadblocks.  Where there is a will, there is a way, right?

With all of that being said, I have to call the Church (the big "C" church) to action.  Aren't we called to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, support the widows and help those in need?  Isn't that what Christ taught?  How are we to do that if we are too busy looking down our noses at people that are "taking our money"?  How do we reach the world when our hearts are calloused by the people that abuse the system?  We need to look beyond the negativity and see that there are good people who need our help... and that there are bad people that need our help too.  If the Church operated in this country the way that it is called to there would be no need for the government to feed God's sons and daughters, we would be doing it and reaching people for His kingdom.  Jesus washed the disciples feet at the last supper... he washed them all.  Even Judas', have you ever thought about that?  He knew that he had been betrayed by this man and yet he still humbled himself... can we do the same?