I read an interesting article in the New York Times recently detailing Appalachia's progression since Lyndon Johnson declared a "War on Poverty" in the United States which can be found here The article states about 85% of the areas in in the US that have a greater than 20% poverty rate are rural, so not all poor people huddle in the inner city. The article notes these areas are "clustered in distinct regions: Indian reservations in the West; Hispanic communities in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas; a band across the Deep South and along the Mississippi Delta with a majority black population; and Appalachia, largely white, which has supplied some of America’s iconic imagery of rural poverty"
I currently live in the Deep South in a metropolitan area. However, I grew up in a very rural area. You had to "go to town" to get anything which was approximately 15 minutes away. I lived down a dirt road, but I never experienced poverty or anything close to it as a child. However, I get to see poverty on a weekly basis at my job now. I work in a pediatric diagnostic clinic that sees children from all over the state, rural and urban areas alike, and I see a variety of children; many situations that would break your heart. I see children that are dirty and hungry. I see foster children; children that have been taken away from their biological parents due to neglect and abuse. I see children that have drug addicts for parents. I see children that their parents have signed over their parental rights for reasons as simple as "I need to get my life together". I see parents that have taken their child to me in hopes there would be "something wrong" with them so that might possibly get "a check". To sum it up I see poverty; and quite often I see families that have made a living off "living on the government".
When I first started my current job this infuriated me. For example, I would see an able bodied mother supporting her family with a disability check that would come to my clinic with a Michael Kors purse, a brand new iPhone, and a freshly pair of manicured nails. I can't afford that, and I work 40 hours a week. Something isn't right here?! I couldn't understand these parents' actions. Then one day it dawned on me because that is what they have learned from their parents. They just do not know any better. Their parents didn't work to earn a paycheck. Their mamas and daddies taught them how to live off the government just like my parents taught me I was only entitled to what I earned. And as I have learned you can get a disability check for quiet a few ailments such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, or back problems, just to name a few. These people don't realize that other people work so they don't have to.
So do all the Americans receiving assistance really need it? That's the million dollar question. My personal experience is that some people I encounter do, but a lot of people I see don't. Government assistance was intended to be a temporary fix to help people get back on their feet not a permanent lifestyle. Disability was created for people who truly have significant medical, mental, and cognitive deficits that prevent them from working, not high blood pressure for goodness sakes. My mother taught elementary school for 25 years with high blood pressure!
Government assistance is always a touchy topic. Usually there are no gray areas when it comes to this issue; it is strictly black and white. Either you think everyone should be equal (no one should be extremely wealthy) or you don't want to help anybody (you think everyone is lazy). As I grow older, and less and less fond of politics, I realize my views don't line up with really any political party, so I guess I would be an independent. I am of the party if it doesn't affect me or my money then I don't have a problem with you. Social issues are a waste of time to contemplate; people are always going to do what they like. I might not agree with what you do, but you're still going to do it. We live in a glass house of political correctness now. The thing about it is anything that falls under the umbrella of social security or government assistance is messing with my money. I am not in favor of wealth distribution at all, under no circumstances. Let me clarify, I am a Christian person so I personally believe to whom much is given, much is expected. I believe you should share your blessings with others, but that is my faith not my government. It is not the government's job to take your money and spread it about as they see fit. I don't care what "issue" they are using it for because there is a lot of other things the government is using my money for that I don't agree with besides government assistance programs. Secondly, I don't think the government manages money very well. Would you give to a charity that you thought was wasting your money? Of course not. Lastly, if Millionaire Joe down the street hoards all his money; I agree with you that isn't fair, but guess what life isn't fair. We can't all live in a fairy land where everyone is happy and satisfied with their life and their paycheck all the time. There are always going to be rich people that spend money frivolously, ALWAYS, and I'm not one of them which sucks! But instead of worrying about the "1 percent", let's worry about ourselves and what we can do to better ourselves. I wish I made more money too, but I don't expect the government to provide me with an additional paycheck. I don't expect the government to take money from someone else because they just have "too much". Entitlement is the absolute worst characteristic, and America is filled to the brim with it; hopefully by the time I reach retirement the government will not have spent my social security. Maybe I should start saving more now......
Nevertheless, I am grateful I have a job and the capability to work. I will end with one of favorite quotes from Thomas Edison: Opportunity is often missed because it is dressed in overalls and looks like hard work.
Hope everyone has a good week!
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