So essentially what you're saying is that in life sometimes people make poor decisions that lead to lasting consequences and they should live with those lasting consequences because it was their fault?
Correct me if I'm wrong about that before I go on, please
I'm not saying that they should or shouldn't have to, I'm simply saying they do. They always will.
Let's just use me as an example, as I'm very familiar with that subject, and am open to discussing the topic to any extent you deem necessary.
The day after I used for the last time I went to "the mission," which is a charity for homeless folks in Knoxville, TN. It's called Knoxville area rescue mission (karm.) They have a homeless shelter, a rehab, and all kinds of other services that local churches fund, and I'm sure they get grants too.
I went there because the offered free HIV and hepatitis testing. Luckily, the tests came back good.
But while there they asked me if I would meet with the social services director. So I did.
She basically presented me a "sign here" form whereby I would be given a decent place to live for $20 a month, utilities unclouded, a disability check, state funded health care, and probably some cash benefits from the state. I was appalled. I knew plenty of my addict friends who were on that program, the twenty dollar double wides is what we call them.
It really is a decent deal for the recipient. Basically I was going to get a $900 check each month, and combined with my food stamps, they were offering me a living, only catch was I couldn't work. I'm fully capable of working, capable of doing very meaningful work, I just needed to get off dope.
So the day after that I went to rehab, and have been clean since, except for a few drinks, and weed; not much of either, really. This was in febuary of 2013, I'm coming up on a year, woohoo!!!
I've rambled a little longer than I intended, so I'll get to my point.
I've no problem with helping folks when they're down. But what I just described isn't that. It's keeping people down. If I didn't have middle class, maybe even upper middle class parents to fall back on, I might have taken their offer. My other option would have been homelessness. But I likely wouldn't be clean because my "neighbors" would have been users. I attribute a lot of my success to this point to the relative ease I have had in staying away from those people.
I realize not everyone out there needing help is an addict.
But wtf kind of assistance program is it that says you can't work? The job I got at subway would have disqualified me. Te $8/hr at +\- 30hrs a week. That is roughly the same money I would make on the disability check.
Most people who turn their nose up at a job like that don't understand that it is not a permanent job. Someone who is worthy will show up to that job everyday, on time, put forth a little effort, don't steal from company, and act in a reasonable manner, and they will be given a raise. They will also eventually be promoted.
I was, not at subway, but my franchise owner sought me out due to my previous work experience. I ended up getting some money from my dad and this guy and I came to a partnership agreement whereby I bought 20% of the business with money my parents gave me. But he was offering me a very livable wage before I bought into the company.
I'm not saying I favor a "tough shit" approach in dealing with those on the government teat. But for christs sake, don't make it counter-productive for them to work!
If given a choice between $900 monthly through a free check, and about the same through working at subway, most folks will take the free check.
While the subway gig is the only option that offers more at the end of the road.
I often wonder what I would be doing right now if I had chose the twenty dollar double wide, probably looking for a way to score some dope.