Cutting welfare is a step back for Civil Rights

The poor have the smallest voice and are the first to lose their income during tough economic times. are you kidding me?? If that was the case, then why in the world is so much money spent there?

If government welfare was a "right" then it would have to be made available to all, equally, without regard to need or ability to pay. If something is reserved for a select few, it is not a right. If it requires us to belong to specific organizations to enjoy, it's no a right. If it is limited by income, it is not a right. Sorry, no government welfare program is a "right". That doesn't mean it shouldn't exist, but the whole idea that it is "owed" anyone is proof that it has weakened us as a nation.

Ted, I didn't address *rights* in my response at all so that part of your comment is totally off the mark. I also didn't suggest that anyone is "owed" anything. Assistance programs for the poor and elderly have not weakened us as a nation...allowing the poor and elderly to suffer, starve, freeze and die as they did in the past did weaken us as a nation which is why these programs were created. Why in the world is so much money spent where laglen? It's not just welfare for those stereotypical welfare queens...the food stamp program helps poor working families, too...so do the heating assistance programs, housing assistance programs, childcare assistance programs and medical assistance programs. Without them people who definitely are NOT lazy, but who hold low wage jobs, could not make ends meet. This working group has been hit hard by the recession because they hold unskilled or low skilled jobs so are the first group cut when their employer is looking for ways to reduce expenses.

I agree and I also agree that there are times that people need a little help. But the people working the system is the only thing I can think of as I pay my taxes.

I guess the old saying is true: a few bad apples can ruin the whole barrel. :(

Hi Red! Havent seen you in a long time! Hope all is well. I agree that as long as Big Brother is paying their bills, they are being held back.

but the way we are doing it does not seem to be efficient you nailed it dear! charities are much more efficient and organized than government agencies. when you fight for every dollar, you are much more likely to spend it wisely.

I agree but your bringin em down man. This article really ticked me off when I read it as I am sure you could tell by my OP. Making this a race issue is what "brings em down"

Spall, I think his point is that you can use your imagination. Necessity IS the mother of invention. Now is the time for people to make their own work. There are not employers looking for workers. Find a need and fill it.

I'm sorry, taskr, but you're starting to sound like rose. With the way the economy is do you really believe that there are enough people able to afford to pay someone to mow their lawns or shovel their sidewalks? Does it snow every week so that folks in the north can earn that snow shoveling money on a regular basis? You know that I live in Florida and the lawn service companies out here in Hooterville are hurting because people have cut back and are mowing their own lawns. As far as paying someone to wash your car in this economy.....I won't laugh because that would be rude...but you've got to be kidding me.

hofferp - I think you are right and I read it wrong. Thank you for helping me understand. So...um... when should we start white history month? Debra - I think they voted on February 28

Wasn't February Black History Month? This is now March, the vote was today right?

Yup and last I checked there wasn't a White History Month...

exactly! why would I go work 10 hours a day and make a fraction when O can stay home and watch jerry springer and eat foods high in salt....

not sure, but I plan to join.

There is your equality in America!

They don't. I clearly remember white congressman attempting to join because they represented districts that were predominately black. Pete Stark was one, the other was a guy in Louisiana whose name I can't remember. Both were rejected based solely on their race.

my dear, it is not me playing the race card, please reread the original post. It is the Black Caucus and other organizations. Civil rights were not MY words.

I figured. My opinion, stop even mentioning race, this will further the cause so much more.

Ah yes, sarcasm. You are right I didn't read closly enough. It seems we agree more than disagree.

ooohhh thems fightin words. Be warned, some here will think your an ogre. I agree with you. I dont quite how taking away entitlements bring down the minorities. If anything, it could motivate them to better themselves.

i must be going blind i thought it said medicare then i saw welfare, well well well you dont want me to answer that question here *(*(&)(*&^&*^^&$#^%&*(^(*_)(U*_)(*(&^%&^%^%#$^%$^&% and further more *(&&^*$%&^%^%$%^^T)(&*&)(* lazy s.o.b.'s ok i think im done....for now.

Most, if not all, states have limitations on the amount of time one can collect welfare benefits and require education/work training as well. Welfare is no longer a multi-generational lifestyle in most of the country.

Actually Spall, I see this type of instance quite often. We have a lot of hispanic families. I plan events. I do a lot of quincenerras (15th birthday) and have had plenty of guests of honor already pregnant.

Why do people want to bring children into the world when they know that they cannot provide for them? Because they know someone else (taxpayers) will take care of it. I know a lady who is 28 and she is a grandmother...let that sink in for a minute...she is on welfare her daughter is on welfare...her mother now on SSI was on welfare. This is a family tradition. Its how they think you should raise a family...By the way Who's the daddy of all the kids...Will they know their daddy and will they know if they accidentally have kids with a relative?? This is what I hate. What happened to personal responsibility?

"I know a lady who is 28 and she is a grandmother" For some reason I find that hard to believe...not calling you a liar or anything but simple math says that both females gave birth at 14 years of age for that to be possible. That certainly is not the norm, even for welfare queens.

Thank you for addressing the actual subject of the discussion. I agree with your points and I believe that this is where the racism lies.

Growing up in and around a few inner cities and ghettos and PJs and towers, I couldn't tell you what "racism" was. If someone was holding down the poor black people, then, sht, they were holding down the poor white people, too, as they struggled just as hard. No advocate ever came in screaming through the megaphone about the poor white people being behind the 8 ball. I'm not aware of them ever stopping in at a trailer court either. So I really didn't know how most people viewed "racism" until I got older. Now that I know "racism" in the mainstream is white people vs. minorities, it just seems ridiculous on a few levels. To me, the epitome of racial discrimination is assuming someone cannot do something simply because of their skin tone. Like I said - it's either assuming that America's a racist country or that minorities simply can't do for themselves. If you tell a person "I don't want you to do this because you're a minority," that can be and will be fixed. But when you implant the thought that "You can't do this because you're a minority; you need help," that's often embraced and clung to with a sense of vengeance. No one likes being told what they can't do. For some, it makes them want to get out and do it more. But for others, it makes them scream "F U!" while they seek to collect what they've been told is entitled. I'm speaking from a little bit of experience, unlike some others who spout off, and I can say that I've seen plenty of both types, so that "Oh, it's not that many" crap is for the birds. It sounds cruel on its face, but further reform is needed to separate the truly helpless who need a hand-up from the gamers seeking a handout. We simply can't afford it anymore.

"2) you're suggesting minorities don't have what it takes to make it on their own." That's what I think it really is. In another thread recently a poster said that, in no uncertain terms, minorities couldn't pass a written test for a job without preferential treatment.

I agree 100%. There still are people missing the point but thank you for getting it!

I wannabe peter pan! lol I know what you mean and I agree. There are too many hands in the candy bowl. These are programs for people who truly need it but of course it will always be taken advantage of.

Of course. To a child, there's no excuse for not getting everything you want. Therefore government should give everyone everything. They'll never understand the concept of 'get off your butt and earn a living like an adult, you baby!'. American simply has too many children in adult bodies, that think they ought to be a Peter Pan wannabie.