From what I read and hear, if you want to work, there is a
job waiting for you. This is great news, right? Maybe not.
I think it is important to note that a booming economy and
lots of jobs does not bode well with some people on government assistance. It
also doesn't set well with one political party that wants to control these
folks (read their votes) by dangling meals, subsidies, and plastic debit cards
in front of them. Why work when you can get by on the dole? This is the only reasonable
answer to the objections some are raising. Why work when politicians demonize
anyone who wants to take this away?
Let’s face it, whoever is paying your bills is in fact your
boss and if that boss is the US
government assistance system; they own you. Aside from the fact that being a
free person in this country doesn’t exclude you from taxes, I want to make my
own way with as little interference from the government as possible.
To my knowledge, I drew one month unemployment back when
things got tight in 1976. I couldn’t get work in the construction field because
there wasn’t any. I tried and tried and I had bills. I applied and stood in
line and I felt humiliated, because I was now asking the government to give me
money for nothing. I wasn’t raised that way. I sacked groceries when I was 14.
My mom paid us an allowance for doing chores and to be sure, we did chores. Now
here I was with what appeared to be citizens who had no interest in working. I
drew one check and never went back. Instead, I began roofing houses with Jerry
Tims.
After winter passed, I found a job in construction and
shortly after that, I hired on with ARCO Chemical in Channelview.
Did I look down on the other people in the food stamp line? No, but the very
second I could get out of that line, I was gone. I entered the world of a
process operator with no experience at all and was as overwhelmed as the next
person, but I survived and after nearly 40 years, retired from the industry.
Along the way, the economy slowed and I took side jobs because I had learned
that the more money I could bring in, the more stuff my family could enjoy.
Crossing over into the criminal world never crossed my mind.
I wasn’t raised that way.
According to every source, we are experiencing an economy
that if you want to work, businesses will train you for free, so why is it that
many choose to do nothing? Oh, did I say they choose to do nothing? Yes I did.
No one should get a free lunch, if there is a suitable job they can do to earn
that lunch. It is our tax dollars they are getting for hanging out. Work, or
don’t eat and it is sad that certain elements of politics actually encourages
this despicable “occupation” by constantly harping that others are “keeping you
down”.
On numerous occasions I have stood in line at Food Town
and watched someone use not one subsidy card, but two and after following them
outside, observe them drive off in a new SUV. I commented on it to one of the
friendly cashiers and they told me how real the abuse is. One well dressed
person used their card for the bulk of their purchase and then low and behold,
opened their wallet and wrestled out a hundred dollar bill from the others. The
cashier rolled their eyes after I commented on it and said it was a common
sight. Do I believe every person on assistance is a free loader? No, but one is
too many.
Breaking free from government assistance is not easy, but it
is the true and righteous path to freedom. Don’t believe those politicians who
regrettably feed off those who were raised to believe them.
.
.
5 comments:
Larry Houston: I've never drawn unemployment, but from what I understand it is insurance paid into by employers and employees, not welfare, per se. That doesn't mean that some people don't take advantage of it and milk it for all it's worth.
So many of these freeloaders on the dole are flat-out unemployable because they can't pass a drug screen or background check.
I have before. Don't remember when or how long but it was a looong time ago. (I do have credible evidence though in an old file box somewhere. Could probably find some witnesses too. Ha.) Anyway, yes. Heres the thing I believe about our upbringings. My Dad worked 'til his hands bled, literally. I saw it, the cuts and blood and scars on top of calluses and the evidence on his Kliens and tool belt. I had no idea what Welfare was growing up. If any of our friends, family or neighbors were on it, I never heard it. Later in the '70's I found myself a single mom with two kids. Lived where I could afford, a rundown trailer park off of Irvington. Got up at 4am to walk the kids to the nursery at Airline and Burress. One walked holding on to my pants pocket, the other I carried chair style in my hands, fingers laced together in front of me. Then I walked to work at Airline and 610 for my $560.00 net month job. Reverse that going home. Put the boys in the shower and walk myself across the fence to the convenience store for a .39 can of Chef Boyardee. I averted my eyes best as I could from the 'ladies' up and down the block selling their nautural wares. Cash, so much cash in their pockets. I never judged, I figured somehow they were in much dire straits than I. My boys never complained but one day after eating the last three potatoes, I decided they should eat better and I needed to swallow my pride for their sake. I walked to the Harris County office on Airline about 2 blocks from work and stood in line with my boys and a hundred other people. The woman finally sat me down and went to calculating on the 10 key on her desk. Without looking up she finally gave me the tally and said I could get $15.00 in help for groceries. I was disappointed but decided to myself that it would at least buy me a package of ground meat, some milk and maybe bread and butter. I told her that was fine ... until she explained that was once for the Month, each month $15.00 per month. I repeated to her the rent and the nursery bill and the clinic . Her explanation was that I was making over 500 per month and it disqualified me for more. The anger rose up, the thought of my kids standing there in that little office like little beggars .. I said," So, if I want more I should just quit my job?!" She just looked at me with a stone face. I stood up, took the boys by the hand and told her to 'give it to someone' who REALLY needs it' and walked out. My inside voice saying, 'Told you not to come here!'
I know its cliche, but it works for me and mine. "Whatever doesnt kill you, makes you stronger." RA
Gary Black: I was on for a month or two after getting out of the Army. First and last experience with it.
Bert,
Once again you were right on target with your article about the booming economy. I agree with you about people not wanting to work and depending on the government for assistance. I have also observed people who use STAR cards get into expensive vehicles and drive off. I just hope you do not catch alot of flack from some people for your comments. Great job, keep writing.
A weekly reader,
Dan Fleming
Steve Liles: In our area there are more contract people than direct hires. We live in a place unemployment is a great thing to have between jobs. It pays up to $1900+ a month for professionals. Unemployment makes you take 30% below your last hourly rate and if you can't find a good job they lower it to 50%. Plus these people are either paying $800 a month for Cobra or standing in line for hours for BP meds at a Harris County Hospital District for a free doctor. It's a very stressful time and after helping people get on a program at the SS office I wish it on nobody. Some of these local people stayed after the turnarounds liking our Baytown with families. They are perfectly legit to get every freebie they can get. I have no idea how people that have no work history get on a program. Maybe medical. Here's where you have to find a job to receive unemployment. Try to find a plant operator or a project manager job. https://twc.texas.gov/ I agree a bit they do own you. You spend 50% of your time having to meet with case workers showing job searches.
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