Returning to the American way

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Returning to the American way

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinions

Monday, March 8. 2010

Comments (11)

By Dink Nesmith
(Published in the Athens Banner-Herald)

America, we need to wake up and look in the mirror. Staring back at us is the ugly truth: We are the problem. If we don't come to grips with reality and change direction, the most advanced nation in the world is going to lose its coveted place.

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#1 David Rawlins on 03/08/10 at 08:22 AM

It started with FDR. Once people figure out they can get money for not doing anything. Working at a job "beneath them" is no longer an option.

It is time to eliminate ALL forms of government assistance including Social Security, unemployment, medicare, medicaid, the whole lot.

Until we do, this country will continue to lose prosperity until a country (probably China) takes us over.

#1.1 Anonymous on 03/12/10 at 02:02 PM

Actually, FDR is my favorite Democrat - his "government entitlements" required one to work for what they got. I am very conservative - and yet I see value in a Dem pres...go figure.

#2 Anonymous on 03/08/10 at 09:16 AM

"If you don't work, you don't eat."

This is also stated in the bible. Democrats are always complaining that the republicans don't want to help others. I am sure they do, they just dont' want to foot the bill for sorry people who CAN work, but WON'T.
I have yet to meet a democrat and/or liberal who will explain why it's ok to foot the bill for sorry people.

I disagree that it needs to start with teenagers and bringing back the draft. It needs to start with the family unit. Mothers and fathers raising their children correctly. Until this is done, NOTHING else will help.

One answer is to vote out all the politicians that allow the handouts to continue. And vote in the ones who will represent USA and put things right. But, where are they? Where are the ones who will stand up and put a stop to this?

There has been NO ONE over all these years to even TRY and revamp the programs that are suppose to be in place to help people who really need it, and STOP the 'handouts'.

If there has been anyone, I've never heard of them.
I think the reason no one stands up to this is, they don't want NAACP breathing down their neck.

I've never heard of the public works administration, but it sounds like a good idea. Why was it stopped?

#3 David Rawlins on 03/08/10 at 10:49 AM

I hate to post again before my previous post even gets shown but this article is really bugging me.

What do you say to those people who HAVE worked their entire lives for 1/2 pay (Fed/State get's the other 1/2)? Goodbye? So sad? Hate it for you?

I'm good with getting rid of the giveaway programs SS, Welfare, Unemployment. DUMP THEM ALL. But their has to be something given back to the people who over the last 25-30 years have worked at any job they could find just to be sure their bills were paid.

I would settle for a buyout of what i've paid in. Instead, what we will get is nothing and once again those of us who have been responsible will get screwed for the ones who haven't.

Maybe the next government will be better.

#3.1 Anonymous on 03/12/10 at 02:06 PM

SS is not actually a hand out. At conception you had to pay into the system to get something out of the system. The problem is that starting with the LBJ administration our govt started "borrowing" from that money in order to fund other "projects". Now the money goes to those who never paid into the system, is running out and is not available for those who did pay into the system. Not even Robin Hood would have stood for that.

#4 Anonymous on 03/08/10 at 02:44 PM

I would like to see these programs continue but with better oversight and policy requirements..specifically a requirement to look for work and also mandatory birth control. I would also like to see people who are employed be paid a living wage so the need for these services is reduced. And more assistance given to working mothers who need help with childcare.

#4.1 David Rawlins on 03/11/10 at 06:57 AM

How about making them work programs instead of welfare programs?

1 - Fix roads
2 - Sift garbage to remove recyclables
3 - work gangs to clean highways
4 - Repair public buildings like our ailing court house
5 - Ride bicycles that generate electricity

1/3 of the time doing these things
1/3 of the time babysitting the hordes of children
1/3 of the time learning a trade

#4.1.1 Anonymous on 03/11/10 at 07:07 AM

There are always cracks that people fall through..not everyone on assistance can work. There are elderly and disabled individuals also. Your solution does not cover every variable. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle. We need these programs but like I said, with better oversight and policies.

#4.1.1.1 David Rawlins on 03/11/10 at 01:46 PM

I agree that there are some that honestly can't work.

The problem is those people, the only ones who should be on assistance, can't get the help they need for the other 90-95% that could work if they chose.

Unfortunatly, I don't believe the problem can be fixed. The only solution I see now is to stop all the programs and begin again with a more sensible approach. Workfare not welfare. No SSI or any other 3 or 4 letter acronymns for capable people.

#4.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 03/11/10 at 06:43 PM

I agree that there is abuse. But I do not agree to allow suffering for the people who cant work by scrapping the system until it can be overhauled. I do not agree that 90-95% of people on public assistance are abusers. I work in this system and that number is inflated. I see a lot of elderly people who have worked all their lives, many grandparents taking care of grandchildren and single working moms. Then there are the people who do not work but could...there are not as many as you think. They just stand out the most because you pay attention to them when they are in front of you at the grocery store with an EBT card and drive away in a Denali.

#4.1.2 Anonymous on 03/12/10 at 02:08 PM

:-)

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