(Before anyone tries to tell me what I think or how terrible of a person I am, allow me to say without hesitation, we must care for the genuine needy and those who find themselves in need. I have no problem giving help to those in need. Sorry I have to say it, but as a matter of record, conservative minded people have a much more generous track record than the liberal minded person. Just check out Joe Biden's 2009 Tax return.)<br />
<br />
Now on with a true story of Welfare Abuse!<br />
<br />
I watched my television in amazement as the judge asked the single mom, "Why are you suing your live in boy friend"?<br />
"Because he stole $600 dollars from me" the mom replied. <br />
"Where did you get $600 dollars?" asked the judge.<br />
The single mom of two said, "I saved $200 dollars a month from my $400 dollar welfare check." <br />
The judge replied, "No way four of you could live on $200 dollars a month." <br />
"Yes we can." The mom went on to say, "I also get $800 dollars a month for rent assistance and $500 dollars a month of food stamps". The single mom supporting two children and a live in boy friend missed the entire point.<br />
<br />
Am I wrong in saying that in light of the above true story, welfare reform is NEEDED NOW?<br />
<br />
The sweeping federal welfare act of 1996 was, if anything, an example that welfare reform is at critical mass. I am becoming more convinced that no matter how noble the idea of each government help program may be, the eventual goal is to make the entire country dependent upon the government for food and shelter.<br />
<br />
Is it possible that in America the point of welfare and food stamps has developed into a purposeful plan to increase the people's reliance on the government? It is appearing to me more and more that welfare is being used as a permanent crutch for the recipient and as a political advantage of one political party. Some of the specific deficiencies that I see in our current welfare system include:<br />
Inadequate provisions for sufficient state flexibility.<br />
No incentive toward work.<br />
Policies that contribute to a breakdown of the family.<br />
A poor track record of actually reducing poverty, especially among children.<br />
<br />
Now is the time to do something about true welfare reform.<br />
<br />
Ideas for reform:<br />
(I'm not saying I agree with all or any of these suggestions, but at least let's start talking about real reform!)<br />
<br />
Like unemployment's original goal, give a certain time frame for welfare benefits and then move people off. <br />
Stop rewarding people for having children and thus successive generations of welfare people. <br />
If you are on welfare, find some area of work, even if the unions don't like it. <br />
Drug test welfare recipients and cut the benefit should they fail a drug test. Give up your privilege to vote until you are off welfare. <br />
If convicted of ANY crime you can never be on any public program again. Require able bodied welfare recipients to attend job training classes, technical college, community college classes or other skill enhancement programs. <br />
Require able bodied people to do volunteer work for various helping agencies for a prescribed number of hours each week. <br />
Require stay at home welfare moms to attend some parent training and personal skill enhancement classes with their children.<br />
<br />
I am not committing to any of these suggestions but I am saying we must start serious welfare reform discussions NOW!<br />
<br />
What do you say?<br />
<br />
<i>Dr. Tom Smiley is Senior Pastor of Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville, GA. The 2400 member congregation is a vibrant Christian fellowship locally and globally. Dr. Smiley is the founder of "Life with Smiles Ministry". His messages are broadcast on AM 550/FM 102.9 WDUN, and his "blog" entries and thoughts on God, faith, current events, and Islam are available at the website below. His books: "Runaway Lives: Overcoming Emotional Undercurrents", "Angels all Around", and "Uncommon Common Sense" can be ordered at his Life with Smiles website below. Contact Dr. Smiley at
[email protected].</i>
