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aimeecc · 01-08-2008, 12:18 PM

Dana I wholeheartedly agree that each of us views life from our own experiences. I do not believe that everyone has the strength to overcome adversity on their own. But many organizations exist to help. However, there needs to be a line drawn somewhere. Welfare and aid organizations help those that are least able to cope - the familes. As Shawnee points out, 66% of homeless people have alcohol and drug problems and/or are mentally ill. Not to say we should completely abandon them, but they should receive less aid. The addicts blow away money on their addiction. Until they want to change, want to stop the addiction, providing them aid only continues the addiction. An alcoholic (homeless or successful) will deny treatment until he/she has reached the point where they can admit the problem and want to change. The mentally ill that are homeless want their freedom. And unless we take away their freedom, all the assistance we give will only continue their problem. It may seeem merciful to give them aid, but the reality is this only continues the problem. The old addage, "if you give a man a fish he eats for a night, you teach him how to fish you feed him for a lifetime" applies. If you give the addicts and mentally ill aid but don't change their behavior, the problem will not go away.
In an emergency room, triage is used so those with the most life threatening illnesses and injuries are treated first. If you go in with a broken finger, it may take 12 hours before you are seen. Go in with multiple internal injuries from a car accident, you're at the front of the line. The same sort of triage exists in the US for the poor. Collectively it has been decided those at the front of the line are the families. The rest fall by the way side. There are not enough resources to take care of every homeless person unless you cut other programs. And even if you cut other programs, would throwing money at drug addicts and mentally ill change the problem? They have to want to change.
My family did not have money for college. But my family valued education. All but one brother has a college degree of some sort by working their way through college (and depending on aid). I believe education is the key to bringing people out of poverty. And I don't believe money (loans and grants) available is understood by many students. One reason I enlisted was because my mom told me in no way would she co-sign on a student loan, and I had no clue that I could get a loan at 18 without my parents co-signing. I assumed I couldn't go to college. I also enlisted because I though ROTC meant I would be a weekend reservist... lol. But through a lot of hard work and a lot of luck, I got my education. So, to break the cycle of family poverty, the children need to be aware of what their potential is, what programs and resources are out there to help them achieve an education that will bring them out of poverty.

01-08-2008, 12:18 PM	#103
aimeecc Super Intendent Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 249	Dana I wholeheartedly agree that each of us views life from our own experiences. I do not believe that everyone has the strength to overcome adversity on their own. But many organizations exist to help. However, there needs to be a line drawn somewhere. Welfare and aid organizations help those that are least able to cope - the familes. As Shawnee points out, 66% of homeless people have alcohol and drug problems and/or are mentally ill. Not to say we should completely abandon them, but they should receive less aid. The addicts blow away money on their addiction. Until they want to change, want to stop the addiction, providing them aid only continues the addiction. An alcoholic (homeless or successful) will deny treatment until he/she has reached the point where they can admit the problem and want to change. The mentally ill that are homeless want their freedom. And unless we take away their freedom, all the assistance we give will only continue their problem. It may seeem merciful to give them aid, but the reality is this only continues the problem. The old addage, "if you give a man a fish he eats for a night, you teach him how to fish you feed him for a lifetime" applies. If you give the addicts and mentally ill aid but don't change their behavior, the problem will not go away. In an emergency room, triage is used so those with the most life threatening illnesses and injuries are treated first. If you go in with a broken finger, it may take 12 hours before you are seen. Go in with multiple internal injuries from a car accident, you're at the front of the line. The same sort of triage exists in the US for the poor. Collectively it has been decided those at the front of the line are the families. The rest fall by the way side. There are not enough resources to take care of every homeless person unless you cut other programs. And even if you cut other programs, would throwing money at drug addicts and mentally ill change the problem? They have to want to change. My family did not have money for college. But my family valued education. All but one brother has a college degree of some sort by working their way through college (and depending on aid). I believe education is the key to bringing people out of poverty. And I don't believe money (loans and grants) available is understood by many students. One reason I enlisted was because my mom told me in no way would she co-sign on a student loan, and I had no clue that I could get a loan at 18 without my parents co-signing. I assumed I couldn't go to college. I also enlisted because I though ROTC meant I would be a weekend reservist... lol. But through a lot of hard work and a lot of luck, I got my education. So, to break the cycle of family poverty, the children need to be aware of what their potential is, what programs and resources are out there to help them achieve an education that will bring them out of poverty.