US, a civilized or a barbaric country?

by Kent 16 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Amazing

  Hi Kent: The USA system provides Welfare for any citizen, regardless of race. And with that medical care. But, an able bodied person is expected to find work and not suck at the tits of society forever. Pull their own weight - if they can. In addition to federal and state systems, we have many private and religious aid, places to get food, clothing, shelter, and a new start. There are also job training, and other provisions for the economically downtrodden.

  Given that we are not a socialist or communist country where the government nurtures, cuddles, and coos us with big government care and basking. We have to also be adults and avail ourselves of opportunities and do our best to move forward.

  Many foreign people who move here are shocked at all the provisions and opportunities, and as a result they work, save money, invest and get ahead. They tell Americans that we don't know how good we have it. So, I have to assume that the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, germans, French, Mexican, Russians, Ukraines, Poles, Italians, Spanards, etc., etc. who say these things to me must know what they are talking about.

  generally, America is not hated, nor are Americans. But, frankly, I no longer care if some don't like us and bitch about us. They have things about their countries that suck just as bad or worse.

  BTW: Did you see my post to you earlier today? It is buried down about 3 or maybe four pages by now. - Amazing
• 

  COMF

  When I decided to go to college, I had my two sons, ages 13 and 15, living with me. In order to attend the classes I needed for the degree I wanted, I had to find employment during off hours. I took a job as a stocker in a grocery store, making $5.00 an hour. This was in 1990. I usually worked between 35 and 39 hours a week; my take-home pay was usually about $135 a week.

  I obtained a Pell Grant ( http://www.unclesamgrants.com/home.htm; http://www.freegovmoney.net/) which, each semester, covered the cost of tuition and books and left over about enough money to pay one month's rent. I also got about $160 a month in food stamps. Further assistance came from a locally organized group called the Council of Governments, who provide financial aid to people trying to better themselves.

  Since graduating, I've increased my income three times over what I was making before I went to college. I hope my taxes are going to support food stamps and pell grants. They were the means by which I hauled myself up out of Window Washer U (literally).

  COMF
• 

  Commie Chris

  The U.S. federal and state governments provide massive hand-outs to multi-national corporations. These corporations, and the governments which they essentially own, preach market disciplines for the poor, and constantly attack any form of public spending on social programs, yet they demand and get all sorts of subsidies, grants and various hand-outs from governments. Corporate welfare is thriving in the U.S.. Canada is essentially the same, though marginally better in some respects.
• 

  larc

  Kent,

  As you can see, we do have a welfare system. How well it works compared to yours is not known to me. First of all, I share your frustration that Farkel and Maximus can not get some immediate public assistance. I think they can if they go after it, but I really don't know.

  Here is my experience with the welfare system. I have three cases to present. #1. My father died at the age of 60 of lung cancer. A month later, my mother found out she had cancer. She applied for Social Security Disability. She was turned down because they said she could get a job. Who is going to hire a woman who is 58 years old with cancer and arthric knees? She took it to a lawyer and appealed the case and lost. She barely got by over the next three years until she collected my father's retirement benefit. At the same time this was going on, I knew a 35 year old woman with a Master's degree who got the disability money because she was "depressed". The contrast between the two situations made me furious.

  #2 Later, my mother became impoverished over a limited income. My sister and I went to the welfare office to find out what her benefits would be. The woman dealing with us talked in jargon and ran us around in circles for an hour. It was one of the most frustrating hours I have ever spent.

  #3. My daughter moved to St. Croix, got pregnant, came back home and applied for welfare. She got 200 dollars to pay us rent, 200 dollars in food stamps, and free college tuition. She graduated from college, went to work, got married to a fine man, and now owns her own business.

  Two bad storys and one good one. Well, one out three ain't bad, when you are dealing with the governement, I guess.
• 

  jelly

  Kent,

  I have never been on any government program but I do know something about the welfare system in California. Basically you are better off if you are trying to improve you self; you can get student loans (low interest and government subsidized) and grants for not only university education but also many training programs that exist in each county.

  Something you should know about America, you can be very poor here or very rich; the range is more pronounced here than in the social democracies of Europe. If you are unskilled labor America can be a very difficult place to live. Basically the attitude of most Americans is earn your own way, as harsh as this sounds to some ears it is the prevailing attitude. Most Americans do not mind helping people that have a temporary need, or helping people to better their situation, but they do not want to create a system where people live off the dole from cradle to grave. Also it takes a while for the programs to kick in so Farkel and Maximus might have to wait a while for the first income if they are applying for any government help.

  Jelly
• 

  Kent

  It seems the US welfare program is - in many ways - like the welfare programs all over the western world. On common thing is it's more easy to get support if you go into some program for re-education or educational program. Also, it's harder for a "native" to get help, and naturally - harder for single men.

  What is extremely surprisimg is if it's hard to get medical assistance. I know for a fact this seems to be more easy in Norway, even though the normal programs might be a tough case sometimes. It depends a whole lot on the person you're talking to - and if you "sell yourself" the right way.

  Also, you got to complain, and to actively try to get some help. Nobody comes along trying to force help on anyone.

  I just wanted to know - because this whole situation seemed to me to be a bit strange.

  Yakki Da

  Kent

  I need more BOE letters, KMs and other material. Those who can send it to me - please do! The new section will be interesting!!

  Daily News On The Watchtower and the Jehovah's Witnesses:
  http://watchtower.observer.org
• 

  Tina

  Hi Kent,
  A very valid question there.
  I had to use the welfare system when I had my son. It wasn't even at the sustenance level. The job training programs werent like they have now. I did get help to go to return to school.Got trained in my first job as a teachers aid in a local settlement house. So I used it for maybe 2 years.
  The problem today is not just with that system. The financial cutbacks to the mental health system,have put many sick people on the streets.I think Regan really let that one loose,The King of Hearts concept.And it's gone even further downhill since then.
  We dont have enough social workers due to these cuts,and these are overworked with outrageous caseloads.
  Medical help is there.......... But the poor man or woman working 2 part time jobs w/ no benefits are the ones that fall thru the legal cracks.They d0nt qualify for welfare, or the medical aid welfare card.
  As larc so poignantly showed us,certain age groups also become destitute,fall thru these cracks due to restrictions that are based on age,not need.
  There are unbelievable waiting lists for drug alcohol rehab,folks who WANT the help,but not enough money spent(and usually cut back) on this aspect of care to make a difference. Unreal!! I worked a afew,doing psych/social intakes etc. Like with the other services,limited budget,not enough staff(underpaid btw) with caseloads that would break an elephants back.
  We dont have enough shelters for the homeless.we dont have enough safe houses for battered women and their children.
  One really has to 'work' the system,and I mean work it hard to get what one needs. it's not as easy as some make it out to be.
  You're sick here,Cook County hospital is your option. if you're not coming in with CHF,GSW,(triage yanno) you can easily spend 8 hours waiting to be seen.
  Programs like I mentioned above suffer dreadfully from lack of funding. People survive,but at times,just barely .
  jusMHO from persoanl experiences.Tina

  Jehovahs Witnesses,Proudly Serving Their Corporate Masters!