The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #63553 Message #1033532
Posted By: Peg
10-Oct-03 - 11:36 PM
Thread Name: BS: Benefits/Welfare.
Subject: RE: BS: Benefits/Welfare.
I think anyone who has never been on welfare or other form of public assistance (food stamps, subsidized housing, etc.) is ill-equipped to criticize those who have found themselves in that position. Western culture glorifies those who can screw the system and make a fast buck, but not where welfare or these other services are concerned. It carries a humiliating stigma. I know a number of people (myself included) who are several paychecks away from being on the street, if not for friends or family who would take them in...but not everyone has that or feels they could ask for that help. It's embarrassing to admit you've failed to provide for yourself and family. Some prefer the anonymous assistance of the state to the emotionally-charged baggage of living in Mom's basement or sleeping on a friend's couch. But even those with secure homes and jobs may lack medical coverage, and would lose their homes if illness or injury struck suddenly, or if faced with some other catastrophic expense. Our fair country is full of people who do not have health insurance who would not know where to go for free care. This is an outrage. There are single parents who can barely feed their kids even while working full time. This is an outrage.