Those people

I had planned to do a post about empathy, judging one's neighbor, and my general protectiveness of Ron.  Even God, really.  If I feel like someone's slighting Him I tend to react. 

Anyway, I think I'm being led to another post altogether.  It's working. 

What's working, Heather? 
The plan. 
What plan is that?
Class warfare. 
Why do you say that? 

Are you on Facebook?  Even Christians I respect are posting some pretty harsh comments about "people who take from the rest of us".   Let me do a cut and paste. 

From a discussion:
"They can get this if they are willing to move into a gov't subsidized housing complex. And be ready to put up with all the crime that is so rampant in these areas. Why are 'the Projects' so crime ridden? Aren't they supposed to be full of people just trying to get by but have atough time? And of course disregard all the new vehicles parked all over. I see this every day in south Dallas where I work"

"back before welfare existed, what are the statistics on starvation? you never hear about it because people had to work for what they had or go without... it is not the gov't job to GIVE you anything.... that is where we went wrong"

Even the kindliest comment I could find contained this:  "kids later in life and only what you can afford, etc"  So, you're going to tell people how many kids to have?  Sounds like Communist China.  Maybe you will forcibly abort if they have an "unauthorized", huh?   Oh, and by the way, OB's say it is better to have children when you are young.  Far better for baby and Mom, fewer health complications.  The rate of birth defects skyrockets with older mothers: at age 40 she has an 8% risk of having a child with a birth defect.  She also has a high risk of having a child with a chromosonal abnormality - which can translate to later disability, so frankly, I'd rather see a younger mother. 

Now, if I wade into the conversation about 'Those people taking from us with their wel-fare" (a couple years ago it was "Those illegals, etc."), and say "Not everyone getting benefits is a user" - then they might grudgingly admit: someone like Ron has a "right" but the rest of those losers, etc. 

I am entitled to a disability check, twice over.  Once for the FAS, once for the bipolar.  I haven't taken it because I'm not at risk without it.  Someone out there needs the money to put a roof over their head, and I want them to have it.  I am in housing, my bills are paid (barely), and I have food to eat.  I won't starve or sleep in the gutter - but some might.  So, let them have it. 

I had to apply for Medicaid to get my wisdom teeth out.  That was an interesting process.  They wanted to know all my assets (zero), bank accounts, jewelry, vehicles, etc.  They don't do this now?  The way people carry on, I wonder.  I do see a lot of very nice cars in the food stamps parking lot.  I also knew a drug dealer who didn't report his income, so his family could get food stamps. 

Anyway, I saw the social worker and she said "You're getting the Medicaid."  She looked at me and said "You qualify for food stamps, too". 

"I have enough to eat" I replied.  She was shocked. 

I walked out of there with the medicaid card only.  I used it to get the wisdom teeth out, a few bladder infections (one day I'll do a whole post devoted to them), and then gave it up when my job offered (lousy) insurance. 

Ron stopped taking his disability check when it looked like we would finally make enough to support ourselves.  He only took it again when it became apparent he had new, lifelong, disabilities that pretty much ruined his chances of ever working again. 

Someone might hire a blind man; but not a blind man in a wheelchair.  Well, maybe Goodwill, but what would they have him do? 

Anyway, that's all we get, one disability check (could get two).  We have some discounts and deferrals on the property tax.  He has paratransit services because he can't ride the bus alone; and I have a half-off bus pass.  I pay 60 cents a ride instead of $1.25.  That's actually the only thing I've ever taken for my disabilities. 

I feel fine about what we get.  We could have other programs, but don't, because God has provided in many ways. 

Oh, I checked the discussion.  They're raving about illegals now and saying some really cruel things.  Are the people in the discussion Christians?  I don't think so.  Let me check a comment - and view the profile and see if that person claims a faith.  Here we go NOT MY OPINION: "Sounds like all illegal scum talking."  - didn't mention faith in the profile.  

What am I trying to say?  Ron and I almost had a huge fight because I wasn't clear about my intent (more on that in another blog).  

Don't hate the recipient.  Hate the system.  Instead of throwing helpless people out into the street to starve.  And someone who is dependent on handouts is helpless.  

People kept raving about how "people on welfare" needed to "get an education".  

Here's a thought: what if they can't learn?  

Example: Ron likes to talk about how "Everything is made of atoms".  He kept sharing this with his drivers.  Most gave him blank looks, and one said "What?" - they didn't know the definition of atom.  I told Ron, privately, so as not to embarrass or offend.  Ron didn't believe me.  Said I was "racist".  

I told him, OK, don't believe me, but try to rephrase so they can understand.  They feel stupid when you "talk like that" because it exposes their ignorance.  

Ron didn't do it for a while, but then he started saying, "Just like water, ice, and steam are all made of the same thing..." "The three states of matter, you know..." etc.  

They still didn't get it.  One driver got very upset and said there were not 3 states of matter.  Ron asked her how many existed.  She said she didn't know.  He tried to explain, ice-water-steam and she got upset again.  She got so flustered I told Ron to stop, fearing she'd get in an accident. 

Some people are that ignorant.  There are a few odd individuals who are working a driving job while attending school, or a job in their chosen field didn't work out, but a lot of them are very ignorant of anything but driving.  

They have a skill I do not.  I commend them for that.  I usually feel very safe riding around on paratransit.   That's a tremendous accomplishment in Houston - "I got to work alive". 

I saw a lot of lovely people working as CNA'S.  Most of them were not well educated but they had heart and a good work ethic.  Are they making much?  I don't think so. 

My point: many people on welfare are very ignorant.  If you want to "fix" things (not that I think it is possible) you would have to revamp the system, getting "ahold" of the children at a very young age and putting them into intensive learning programs.  Help them learn while they're still asking questions, and "bugging" all the adults.  If you want to educate, you don't take an ignorant adult, throw them at a school, and "fix the problem".  You will have to start a systemic educational program from a very young age. 

If you throw an ignorant adult at a school program, you will have to do years of remedial instruction and diagnose all learning disabilities.  It might just be cheaper to keep them on Food Stamps.  Forced labor?  Very common in communist countries and not something I think we should consider in America. 

So, does it dawn on anyone, they might want you hating your lower-income, different race neighbor?  Because if the two of you teamed up you might actually vote some changes into Washington?  No, they never consider it. 

Which is why I think the class warfare plan is genius, if you want to divide and destroy America.