In recent posts I have given some examples of abuse and fraud in our social welfare system. It is not my goal to hurt those who need the system. It is not my goal to keep poor people in their place. It is my goal to help more individuals attain the American dream. The difference between myself and the democrat party is simply how to get there.
Here are some problems that need addressing if we are to move people away from poverty. Generational poverty. Lack of education. Diminished moral. I know there are more, but we are going to take this slow.
First of all there has to be some sort of motivation to move from poverty to standing on your own. That is the reason living on the public dole must be difficult. It isn't harsh. It is the best thing we can do for a person in need. After the birth of a baby giraffe the mother runs up and kicks the baby until it stands on it's own feet. This is done only out of love, for if it does not learn to quickly stand and run it will be devoured by predators.
I remember walking down the sidewalk as a kid and every so often you would see a plaque on saying this was built by the WPA in 19-whenever. It was all part of the new deal instituted by FDR. I propose a return to this system. If you want to be included in the system you must work your scheduled hours. Many city, county, and state labor jobs could be included here. Saving the state money, and giving those on the system, a sense of accomplishment. Those unable or not wishing to participate can either forgo the assistance or attend classes in parenting, a trade, or something else to aide in a job in the future. If you aren't participating in one or more you will not receive services. Period. Even single mothers can find time to attend classes.
I believe this system would go a long way to solve many of the problems listed below. It isn't the end game, or all that must be done, but it is my first step.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Life... Taking a Poo on Me
Have you ever been driving down the city street and wished the vehicle next to you would, "do something" about that noise emitting from their vehicle. That was the thought running through my mind as I rode my motorcycle home following a wonderful dinner with friends.
After a couple of blocks though, I realized it was my vehicle making the noise. Not only was it making a noise, I began to smell fire. A scary prospect when riding on only 2 wheels. My wife and I quickly pulled into a nearby parking lot. That is when I discovered the most horrifying fact. Someone had "hit and run" me while I was enjoying my meal in the restaurant. They had backed into my bike, severely denting the fender and pushing it up against the tire, causing the noise, and the friction causing the paint to burn. I was not pleased. I called the authorities.
Now I don't know if you know it or not, but the police have more important things to deal with than simple hit and runs. Matter of fact, they won't even send an officer to take a report. I went from "not pleased" to very angry. I called my insurance company.
After going through the mind numbing prompts, I got an agent on the phone. She told me that I could pull the fender off the tire if I wanted to, but if I did, she couldn't guarantee they would pay for the damage. She could have someone out to look at the damage the following day. Due to the fact that I didn't feel much like walking the 5 miles home, I asked how in the world she expected me arrive home this evening. She asked if I was expecting a tow. Apparently she thinks a city wrecker can tow a motorcycle. If you are wondering... they can't. At this point I went from "very angry" to livid. I pulled the fender off the tire and drove back to the restaurant cringing at every bump.
To my surprise there were some witnesses to the accident in the outside seating area. They identified the vehicle and license plate. Suddenly the police decided this was worth their time. They would send a patrolman. The anger barometer began to decline, I called back the insurance company.
This time I spoke to a very reassuring agent named Wes. Wes was very kind and assured me that though the adjuster would not be able to look at the vehicle until the following day they would most assuredly pay for the damage. Almost back to tolerable to be around. We drove home.
The accident happened around 6:30PM, at roughly 11:30 the police arrived to take a statement. They have tracked the offending vehicle to a rent-a-car company, and believe they can ascertain who was driving at the time. I am gleeful at the idea of putting behind bars whoever may be responsible for the damage to my precious motorcycle. If only the death penalty could be extended to hit and run.
Today's sermon was about forgiveness. Darn you preacher.
After a couple of blocks though, I realized it was my vehicle making the noise. Not only was it making a noise, I began to smell fire. A scary prospect when riding on only 2 wheels. My wife and I quickly pulled into a nearby parking lot. That is when I discovered the most horrifying fact. Someone had "hit and run" me while I was enjoying my meal in the restaurant. They had backed into my bike, severely denting the fender and pushing it up against the tire, causing the noise, and the friction causing the paint to burn. I was not pleased. I called the authorities.
Now I don't know if you know it or not, but the police have more important things to deal with than simple hit and runs. Matter of fact, they won't even send an officer to take a report. I went from "not pleased" to very angry. I called my insurance company.
After going through the mind numbing prompts, I got an agent on the phone. She told me that I could pull the fender off the tire if I wanted to, but if I did, she couldn't guarantee they would pay for the damage. She could have someone out to look at the damage the following day. Due to the fact that I didn't feel much like walking the 5 miles home, I asked how in the world she expected me arrive home this evening. She asked if I was expecting a tow. Apparently she thinks a city wrecker can tow a motorcycle. If you are wondering... they can't. At this point I went from "very angry" to livid. I pulled the fender off the tire and drove back to the restaurant cringing at every bump.
To my surprise there were some witnesses to the accident in the outside seating area. They identified the vehicle and license plate. Suddenly the police decided this was worth their time. They would send a patrolman. The anger barometer began to decline, I called back the insurance company.
This time I spoke to a very reassuring agent named Wes. Wes was very kind and assured me that though the adjuster would not be able to look at the vehicle until the following day they would most assuredly pay for the damage. Almost back to tolerable to be around. We drove home.
The accident happened around 6:30PM, at roughly 11:30 the police arrived to take a statement. They have tracked the offending vehicle to a rent-a-car company, and believe they can ascertain who was driving at the time. I am gleeful at the idea of putting behind bars whoever may be responsible for the damage to my precious motorcycle. If only the death penalty could be extended to hit and run.
Today's sermon was about forgiveness. Darn you preacher.
Only 53
The late Tony Snow with President GWB. Tony Snow was a great american. From his speech writing days with Bush 1 to his radio show or his serving as the White House Press Sec. He always seemed to be spot on. Even if it meant disagreeing with the administration, party or both. Tony Snow, you were a great father, patriot and Christian, you will be missed.Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wrong on Ramsey Case
Officials cleared the immediate family of JonBenet Ramsey in her death Wednesday thanks to new DNA evidence that links the murder to a still unknown man.
I believe I'm the kind of person that can admit when I'm wrong. I'll have to admit I've thought all this time that one of the Ramsey's committed the murder of this little girl. I mean there is just too much funny stuff with this case. Perhaps they had something to do with it, but the recent DNA evidence to come back suggests otherwise. Were you wrong too?
I believe I'm the kind of person that can admit when I'm wrong. I'll have to admit I've thought all this time that one of the Ramsey's committed the murder of this little girl. I mean there is just too much funny stuff with this case. Perhaps they had something to do with it, but the recent DNA evidence to come back suggests otherwise. Were you wrong too?
Reporter Doesn't Get It
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has been called into question by a
radical new interpretation of a tablet found on the eastern bank of the Dead
Sea.
The three-foot stone tablet appears to refer to a Messiah who rises from
the grave three days after his death — even though it was written decades before
the birth of Jesus.
The ink is badly faded on much of the tablet, known as
Gabriel's Vision of Revelation, which was written rather than engraved in the
1st century B.C. This has led some experts to claim that the inscription has
been overinterpreted.
A previous paper published by the scholars Ada Yardeni
and Binyamin Elitzur concluded that the most controversial lines were
indecipherable.
Israel Knohl, a biblical studies professor at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, argued Monday that line 80 of the text revealed Gabriel
telling an historic Jewish rebel named Simon, who was killed by the Romans four
years before the birth of Christ: "In three days you shall live, I, Gabriel,
command you."
Professor Knohl contends that the tablet proves that messianic
followers possessed the paradigm of their leader rising from the grave before
Jesus was born.
He said that the text "could be the missing link between
Judaism and Christianity in so far as it roots the Christian belief in the
resurrection of the Messiah in Jewish tradition." -Fox News
What? This is the most ridiculous article I've ever seen. Really? "the missing link for the Christian belief in the resurrection of the Messiah in Jewish tradition." Hey Fox News, Next time let some one who has read the bible write the story.
Where I'm coming From
While working in Missouri a woman strolled through the doors carrying a baby and pushing a stroller at the same time. This is a feat. Much respect for moms all across the country toting with them their youngsters. I had known both this woman and her husband for some time now. They were excellent customers. On most occasions they were a cheerful lot bringing joy to those around them. Such was not the case during this incident, which was about to get ugly. She wanted my opinion.
She was wagging her finger in the her husbands face saying her paycheck was getting cut because of him. Let me explain. This couple, though pleasant and fun to be with, had been on the public dole from the time they moved out on their own, about 5 years at this point. The mother had taken a test when she was in middle school and had been identified as learning disabled. An apparent disability that I was unable to see from my vantage point, and it certainly hadn't hampered her ability to mother two children. So, at this point in addition to her "disability" she received food stamps, housing assistance, wic, and a host of other financial incentives. I had been to their home. They had two cars, sat elite tv, a flat screen bigger than my twenty inch and of course 3 video game systems to pass the time not spent working.
Here is where the trouble began. A few days prior I had encouraged the husband to get a job at a local car dealership, a position he took and loved. This simple act however cut her "paycheck" as she called it, in half. Now I was in the middle of a marital war. She demanded he quit, He demanded she get off her lazy but and get a job. I was in a pickle.
She was wagging her finger in the her husbands face saying her paycheck was getting cut because of him. Let me explain. This couple, though pleasant and fun to be with, had been on the public dole from the time they moved out on their own, about 5 years at this point. The mother had taken a test when she was in middle school and had been identified as learning disabled. An apparent disability that I was unable to see from my vantage point, and it certainly hadn't hampered her ability to mother two children. So, at this point in addition to her "disability" she received food stamps, housing assistance, wic, and a host of other financial incentives. I had been to their home. They had two cars, sat elite tv, a flat screen bigger than my twenty inch and of course 3 video game systems to pass the time not spent working.
Here is where the trouble began. A few days prior I had encouraged the husband to get a job at a local car dealership, a position he took and loved. This simple act however cut her "paycheck" as she called it, in half. Now I was in the middle of a marital war. She demanded he quit, He demanded she get off her lazy but and get a job. I was in a pickle.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Poor in America
What does it mean to be poor in America? Hungry? Overworked? Thirsty? Cold? No, No, No and No. Here is a picture of the average poor person in America.
The typical American deemed poor in the United States has a car, air conditioning, refrigerator, stove, clothes washer and dryer, microwave, 2 televisions, cable or satellite, DVD player, and a stereo. He has access to medical care, his home is in good repair, and doesn't have to live with a house full of people. Don't believe me. This is compiled from information submitted by the "poor" who indicated as such to the census bureau and compiled by the Heritage Foundation.
Here are more results...
Forty-six percent of all poor households actually own their own homes. The average home owned by persons classified as poor by the Census Bureau is a three-bedroom house with one-and-a-half baths, a garage, and a porch or patio.
Only 6 percent of poor households are overcrowded. More than two-thirds have more than two rooms per person.
The typical poor American has more living space than the average individual living in Paris, London, Vienna, Athens, and other cities throughout Europe. (These comparisons are to the average citizens in foreign countries, not to those classified as poor.)
Nearly three-quarters of poor households own a car; 30 percent own two or more cars.
24 percent of poor households have a cell phone.
I have been saying for some time now that poor people are given too much by the federal government. They live too well to receive public assistance. Up until this point though, my evidence has only been anecdotes from my personal experience. A weak argument at best. So, in response I would always hear, "Sure you will get a few people who take advantage of the system, but it's worth it to help the masses."
As it turns out however I was right all along. Abuse of the system is not the exception to the rule. It is the rule. This is why when poor families receive their earned income credit, which they have not earned, they are able to spend it on a brand new 4-wheeler. Living on the government dole should be painful. It should be a very miserable existence. No cable, no cars, and no cell phones. There must be some incentive to work your way out of poverty.
You can't work your way out of poverty Jay. Really?
The average American poor family with children works only 800 hours a year. In case you don't want to do the math that is about 16 hours a week. Most of us do that in 2 days or less. If those same families were to have just one wage earner working 40 hours a week 75 percent of poor children would be lifted out of the poverty range.
Coming soon. My solution to poverty and the welfare state.
The typical American deemed poor in the United States has a car, air conditioning, refrigerator, stove, clothes washer and dryer, microwave, 2 televisions, cable or satellite, DVD player, and a stereo. He has access to medical care, his home is in good repair, and doesn't have to live with a house full of people. Don't believe me. This is compiled from information submitted by the "poor" who indicated as such to the census bureau and compiled by the Heritage Foundation.
Here are more results...
Forty-six percent of all poor households actually own their own homes. The average home owned by persons classified as poor by the Census Bureau is a three-bedroom house with one-and-a-half baths, a garage, and a porch or patio.
Only 6 percent of poor households are overcrowded. More than two-thirds have more than two rooms per person.
The typical poor American has more living space than the average individual living in Paris, London, Vienna, Athens, and other cities throughout Europe. (These comparisons are to the average citizens in foreign countries, not to those classified as poor.)
Nearly three-quarters of poor households own a car; 30 percent own two or more cars.
24 percent of poor households have a cell phone.
I have been saying for some time now that poor people are given too much by the federal government. They live too well to receive public assistance. Up until this point though, my evidence has only been anecdotes from my personal experience. A weak argument at best. So, in response I would always hear, "Sure you will get a few people who take advantage of the system, but it's worth it to help the masses."
As it turns out however I was right all along. Abuse of the system is not the exception to the rule. It is the rule. This is why when poor families receive their earned income credit, which they have not earned, they are able to spend it on a brand new 4-wheeler. Living on the government dole should be painful. It should be a very miserable existence. No cable, no cars, and no cell phones. There must be some incentive to work your way out of poverty.
You can't work your way out of poverty Jay. Really?
The average American poor family with children works only 800 hours a year. In case you don't want to do the math that is about 16 hours a week. Most of us do that in 2 days or less. If those same families were to have just one wage earner working 40 hours a week 75 percent of poor children would be lifted out of the poverty range.
Coming soon. My solution to poverty and the welfare state.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Separation of Church and State
The separation of church and state, a phrase thrown about today to keep churches from putting up Christmas decorations on public ground, or from preaching regarding politics from the pulpit, but what is that phrase all about.
Though we have adopted this phrase as constitutional doctrine it can be found nowhere in the constitution or bill of rights. It was written in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptists on the first day of 1802. The entire letter is only 3 short paragraphs. Two of which contain a gracious open and close. Here is the body of the letter which has dictated the separation of church and state for 200 years now.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
Though we have adopted this phrase as constitutional doctrine it can be found nowhere in the constitution or bill of rights. It was written in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptists on the first day of 1802. The entire letter is only 3 short paragraphs. Two of which contain a gracious open and close. Here is the body of the letter which has dictated the separation of church and state for 200 years now.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
It would appear to me from this letter quoting the constitution that Jefferson is trying to clear up what is meant by, "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" is protection of the church from the government. Both the establishment clause and the free exercise clause limit the state, not the church.
In fact wouldn't nearly every assault against the church, regardless of denomination be easily defended with the phrase, "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof", a phrase actually found in the constitution, and supported by this letter from Jefferson.
I am not one to think as a pastor I would want to endorse a candidate, However, should a pastor wish to do so, I believe he would be under his rights to do so.
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