Still I am going to keep coming back to the FB image about Working vs welfare refrig and not showing because all it accomplished was sensationalism of a real problem.
Rather, it so clearly demonstrates (at least to me) the Symptom and Consequences (not the least of which is hate and class “envy”).
Nor does it offer any insight in the why/cause and ultimately the solution
Whether the image was accurate or not is not important because all it does is further divide and offers no thought about the cause or possible solutions.
There is absolutely NO REASON why legitimate citizens of the United States of America should be hungry.
Or that Farmers should be paid NOT to grow a crop
Or that food grown in the US should be sent outside its borders as foreign aid (ok maybe some for disaster relief situations)
I kept looking at that picture and then started doing some research. So much information is on the Internet.
What if INSTEAD we looked back at programs that did work even if they expected some responsible behavior in exchange for that hand UP –
“Back in the 70’s” when I lived in NY – Westchester County tried to create what they called “WorkFare”
I remember it, because our small family business attempted to participate. That is a whole other story in itself, but for now let’s focus a bit on “solutions”
The concept was that those receiving benefits were found “appropriate” work. It was what would be called “honest work”. Among the means used was child care so that a single parent could participate
If I remember correctly (or maybe I just think it should be part of any hand up concept) It required that all receiving benefits participate – no hand outs.
There were provisions for child care (and some of the mothers were “aids” who brought their child under school age to “work” )
child of school age were expected to be in school. Reached that magic age of 16 and quit school – no more WIC, no food stamp allowance AND reduced other benefits (housing allowance)
No acquiescing to bullying by the by race baiters into unequal treatment. On Drugs, get into a program (methadone clinics were popular) or no help.
On drugs, not in a program, okay, then you get involuntary commitment as a danger to oneself and to others.
No job, okay you are assigned “honest work” suitable to your ability. And, job training was part of that program as well. Teaching of work ethic and requiring the practice of good working habits.
Get into trouble and find your family removed from the “projects” and off the “section 8” rolls. Every major city has “empty” real estate that could be made useful for housing and with thoughtful tax incentives including responsible supervision – or, as “used to be common” working with church organizations to create safe places for those in need.
Just some starting points. But something to talk about, somethings to make important if you really want change for the better.
and yes, coming soon, more about that refrig image and why it looks that way and how to make it different.
