Anyone who even casually is exposed to or follows the news can discern that the current, raging debate and controversy in the Presidential campaigns center around government programs and about what should be done about them and about our current President's supposed current role in "keeping them alive" for the purpose of "getting welfare recipients to vote for him." The philosophy of Republicans and the more the more conservative the more pronounced, is that government should not give people anything that would discourage what they call "personal responsibility," and this includes anything that would supposedly discourage the motive to work and make one's way in life. The Democrats and the more liberal the more pronounced is the befief, that while people do have "personal responsibility," that the government has a social responsibility to provide a safety net for vulnerable people in our society through government programs.
But even before this debate that is going on, I have seen a widespread resentment of people who use government programs and misconceptions about what is welfare and about people who use government programs, including those that are, in fact, welfare. One day, recently, I was scrolling through my Facebook homepage. In my newsfeed streamed a poster bearing thse words, "So I'm supposed to be outraged about how Mitt Romney Spends HIS money? How about how President Obama spends MY tax dollars? And underneath this photo, four people clicked the "like" button, displaying their approval of the poster and its sentiment. Yes, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions, but in an economy like this, we need to be concerned about the way all $$$ are spent.
The posting of that photo, to me, is free speech. But posts like other are not; they lean closer to "hate speech." Many months ago one morning, I had just logged into Facebook and this vitriolic post, all in capitals, stared at me: This Facebook user was bitterly lashing out at "welfare bums" who "live it up and use the system." She went on and on with her bitter diatribe. Then she finished with, "AND YOU GO HOME AND ENJOY YOUR STEAK WHILE I EAT MY NOODLES!"
I know that this stereotype of people who use government programs is widespread. In my network is one of many Facebook users who make no secret of their political leanings. I see nothing wrong with that as long as people share their views graciously, politely and respect differences. However, most people do not take this approach when they "get political. I have seldom seen it, in person or online. One Facebook user has been explicit in her contempt for "welfare bums." One day, I was scrolling through my homepage when a post by this user leapt out at me. Her post thundered about the uselessness of people who "sponge off on the US taxpayer" and that when this user's candidate of choice presumably took office, that the "free ride of the welfare bums will end!"
Medicaid is the federal program that addresses the basic health care needs of qualifying US citizens. Many years ago, the Republican Governor who was in office at the time, Gov. Matt Blunt,
as a way to cut the Missouri budget, made a package of cuts to many Missouri programs, including many that helped the most vulnerable and needy in our state. He made cuts to Medicaid. So I found a petition to restore Medicaid and end the cuts to it in our state and got involved. I got a good response to my effort to collect signatures. One fellow parishioner refused to sign, saying firmly, "Sorry to punish children for the sins of their parents but I have seen adults cash in on their EBT cards to get liquor. I cannot support this." Another person refused to sign, stating, "I don't support the project; in fact, I support some of thse cuts."
I have struggled with what to think about mandatory drug-testing, as I would like to see the serious drug epidemic come to an end. Should ANYONE be subjected to such drug-testing? Over and over, when scrolling through my homepage, I have seen this post. It says something like, "Whatever you think of my views, I'm in favor of people applying for government assistance to be drug-tested. Why should our tax dollars go to drug addicts who do not work? Those of us who do work and earn our money get drug-tested; what about those who get benefits for nothing?" Every time this status is reposted, multiple users hit the "like" button underneath it to show their approval of this status. I have no doubt that some people who use government programs of any kind use drugs, but the way the programs are set up, those who apply for government programs are carefully screened and "due diligence" is done on their lifestyles and there are stiff penalties for any who dare abuse benefits by using them for drugs.
Food Stamps is a Federal Program that supplements the nutritional needs of qualifying US citizens. Recently, a certain politician said of the current US President and as no compliment to President Obama: "Barack Obama is the biggest Food Stamp President in history."
The misonconception that poor people are lazy and do not want to work, is very widespread in our culture. The fact is that most DO work; many work at low-paying jobs with no benefits. Others who "live on wefare" are busy raising their families and volunteering their time. And often, many hours must be spent simply filling out forms, waiting in lines and "getting" reviewed to ensure that they qualify. But even politicians hold misconceptions about their constituents who are poor. Recently, one politician, obviously annoyed with the debate about the "merits" of making cuts to the "Big Three," Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, declared, "I agree that the poor need something. They need the opportunity to learn the responsibility of work."
At one time I listened to a talk show run by a very conservative talk show host, mostly for entertainment. One day, though, I grew furious at him when he ranted at poor people in general. He ranted, "The poor should stop getting their taxes cut! It is time that they begin paying their share and it is called PAYING TAXES! I say an end to the free ride once and for all!" In anger, I turned my radio off! To me, this was NOT free speech but rather, hate speech. Plus, it showed how uninformed and prejudiced this talk show host was in defining "work" as being only paid, gainful employment.
I was on Facebook one day and was circulating a petition calling for stopping any efforts to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, the top entitlement programs, to balance the budget. I posted the petition's link to a certain fan page, which turned out to be a mistake. I got Facebook notifications that people were commenting on my post, so I checked to see what people were saying. People said things along the lines that many people who use these three entitlements are among "the underserving poor," whic, to the minds of those posting, included "illegal aliens" and those who refuse to work, whoever they are; people said to be irresponsible, freeriders, and parasites who "abuse the system." The fact is, that thse three programs, as "entitlement programs," are VERY strict in who can use them and they are not counted as welfare programs in that they are not (except for Medicaid) based on financial need) but on age or (in the case of Social Security Disability) on disability or, in the case of Veteran's benefits, US veteran status. In other words, one must be "deserving" to use thse programs. Yes, I know that some do slip between the cracks and use these programs illegitimately, but they are exceptions.
We talk about the value of "stay-at-home moms" on one hand, but when poor woman use government benefits and take on this role, the tone changes to the need for those woman to "get off their duffs and go to work." Years ago, I read an article called, We Value Stay-At-Home Moms, Unless They are Poor." The point of the article was my point here, that we talk "out of both ends of our mouths" when we laud women who stay at home while their husbands work paid jobs, while castigating poor women on benefits who take on this role, trashing as "lazy, welfare bums," those moms who used Aid to Dependent Children (now Temporary Assistance To Needy Families) to make ends meet. Years ago, in college class, we were discussing the topic of depency on the government as "Big Brother." The topic got on that of poor single moms who use government assistance. The professor was saying, "These women can get out and work. They just have to take their children with them, even if they have to take them on the bus."
I know and freely acknowledge that there are always those people who slip between the cracks and "work the system" and use it in their unfair favor. I have witnessed that and I do not condone it at all. Some who collect benefits do not use them for the purpose that thse benefits were intended. They hurt not only the taxpayers and waste and steal government $$$, but they give a bad name to all the deserving MAJORITY of those who are forced, by life circumstances to use these programs. Most people who use thse programs, given the choice and the right circumstances and where needed, the support, would much rather be gainfully employed or be helped to start their own businesses. Most know how they are perceived by their society. I see posts angrily castigating those who make "collecting benefits their careers" and are being aided and abetted by the government which is now accused of "funding the lazy." I know that many people will continue to entertain the notion that people who use government programs are somehow able to enjoy lives of ease and even lavish lifestyles. Those who may actually do that are in the MINORITY of those who lie to the system and who should not be collecting any government benefits.
And what about the Ryan Plan? I have not mentioned that until now, but a HUGE part of this proposed program includes cuts, over time, to these programs and such cuts would especially hurt future generations. Since the author of this proposed program is the running mate of Mitt Romney, and it is a major part of the Presidential race to the White House, we all need to take the time to inform ourselves about what can profoundly affect almost all US citizens who are not independently wealthy. It personally angers me greatly that, instead of raising taxes on millionaires and billionaires (which even some of them are calling for!), we are having to base our votes, in part, on a plan that proposes to balance the budget on the backs of those who can least afford it!
I am providing materials which give facts about the candidates, welfare, entitlements and the Ryan Plan. I hope that you will take the time to read these materials and educate yourself about things that profoundly affect all of our lives. In my opinion, if we would spend more time doing "due diligence" about these poeople who have power over all areas of our lives, we would make more informed decisions about who rises to power. In a free country, we get the government we deserve.
http://cobacourses.creighton.edu/businesscommunity/new773/wfm.htm
This article gives the facts about welfare. The writers are based in Omaha, Nebraska but the article includes a national study and answers basic questions.
http://usaunemploymentbenefits.com/welfare-facts/
This article gives the basics about government programs in general and links to other informative sites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Path_to_Prosperity
This is a comprehensive analysis of the Ryan Plan, very detailed.
http://americanthinker.com/2011/06/ok_just_what_is_the_ryan_medicare_plan.html
This article discusses the Ryan Plan is is affects Medicare.
http://politifact.com
This is a comprehensive website that examintes the truth and accuracy of the words of politicians
Showing posts with label Ryan Plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Plan. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Getting Ready for November 6
It is not possible to tune into the news, whether on TV , newspaper, magazines or through social networks, without hearing about the 2012 US Presidential campaigns and constant anaysis of the candidates and sound bites from both of them. As a regular Facebook user, I find myself getting tired of hearing about it and I get very tired of all the sponsored ads that keep flooding my homepage, and more seem to be coming from the Romney campaign than from the Obama campaign. But I know that there are two full months, at least, before it will be all oficially over and we will stop seeing all those campaign ads. I know that these events are located in my country, the US, but as any President and his administration make many decisions involving foreign policies affecting the entire world, that who will spend the next four years in the White House, as any four-year period, will profoundly affect the rest of the world.
I'm not writing this to tell anyone how to vote and no one has any right to tell anyone how to vote or which candidate to support. All anyone can ethically do is suggest that you check the facts about the candidates, do your "due diligence" on them and do your research so you can make an informed decision when you cast your vote and that your vote is not based on a personal like/dislike for a candidate, loyalty to those who tell you how you "should vote," or opinions formed on your listening to campaign ads or partisan radio or talk show hosts. We all have different value systems and different visions of what we think of the direction that the country should "go in." There is nothing wrong with having strong opinions and talking about them. What is wrong is when talking about these opinions morphs into personal attacks, whether on the candidates or on those who support them.
It seems that it is very hard to disagree about political issues graciously and respectfully. It is not for nothing that we are warned, "Do not talk about politics or religion."
Two separate times, including earlier this year on President's Day, I had sent causes invitations to almost everyone in my social networks who uses Causes, to a Facebook causes called, "Join the Fight to Stop Dishonoring the President." The mission of this cause has been to restore honor and dignity to the office of the Presidency. This honor and respect have been lost and that seems to have sharply declined when President Obama was elected in 2008. I offended a few people simply by sending them invitations to support this cause and they removed me from their friends lists. Many who normally support me, did not support this cause. And I fear that many, many people will cast their votes not because of enthusiasm for their preferred candidate but because they are so against the candidate that they do not like.
In my Facebook newsfeed, I have seen posts by people who have gone on record as saying that they had their minds made up, well in advance, on how they will vote on November 2. More than a few times, I have seen people "like" pages or post photos indicating "I will NOT vote for Obama" or "I will vote Obama out" "I will vote this person out of a job," and show a photo of President Obama. The supporters of Mitt Romney and the supporters of President Obama have gotten relentless in attacking the other's candidate. I know I will sound biased but I see much more hate, vitiol and trashing from the opponents of President Obama; I cannot log into Facebook without seeing posts trashing the President or at least making slurs that make no secret of the Facebook user's contempt of the President. Some of my most loyal supporters are people who differ with me sharply on political matters, though I don't know if they are aware of this. I would hope that even political differences would not ruin my rapport with them but I'm too aware that political differences are often seen as personal attacks and offenses that cannot be tolerated. One Facebook page is called something like, "1,000,000 Strong Against Mitt Romney." Why is is easier or more fun, to scream about what we are against than to shout out about what we are for?
This weekend, when Mitt Romney chose his running mate, Paul Ryan, the author of the very controversial "Ryan Plan," the Presidential campaign has really picked up steam. This choice of "running mate" will keep this controversial proposed piece of legislation in sharp focus for awhile. As this plan is an very important part of the Romney campaign, when considering whether to vote for Mitt Romney, any voter should know what the "Ryan Plan" is and what it would mean for self and family. I will provide links at the end of this post where you can find out more about the Ryan Plan and educate yourself about what it is.
I bring up the Ryan Plan because it is a central part in the platform for the Romney campaign and because his running mate is the creator of this proposed legislation. We cannot afford to be ignorant of it and what it would mean for us and our families. We are living in a time which is the very first time when it has proposals to cut many government programs or services has ever been put before the public but that time is here. Republicans are the party which focuses on minimizing government spending but not until the Tea Party politicians have occupied seats in Congress, have I ever heard talk of federal cuts to Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid. And these cuts are part of the Ryan Plan. I know that there are many people who may never have had to use government programs and may think they may never need them. And I hope they never will be in the position to need them! But we never know what life may hold for us, and we may find ourselves in situations where we may need to use a government program (s) and, if we are fortunate to live long enough, we will need to use Medicare. The only people who need not concern themselves with what the Ryan Plan will mean to their families and themselves are those who are wealthy and whose money will cover them even in times of illness or emergencies. Since that is not most of us, we owe it to our families and ourselves to educate ourselves about the Ryan Plan.
Recently, in response to another Facebook user's slur against President Obama, and being fed up with seeing anti-Obama posts and comments, I posted a status update that was not directed at anyone in particular. I lamented all the hateful posts and comments that I was seeing more and more of; I said that while I did not want to sound biased, that I saw more hate being directed toward Obama and his supporters than toward Romney and his supporters. I got few "likes" or comments. One Facebook user said to me, "I'm a Republican and I am a proud one; okay, come out and say that you are a Democrat." Actually, I grew up in a family of Democrats and I support many Democrat policies, but I also support some policies that are considered Republican. I an Independent, I told the Facebook user in my comment. Politically, I have always felt alienated and caught-in-the-middle because I sympathize with many of my family's views, which are strongly Democratic. But I also sympathize with some of views that are considered more "religious right" in nature, though I do not consider myself a "conservative Christian." As I read my Bible, God is neither Republican or Democrat. I do not think that even the Church, pastors or Christian leaders should tell people what candidate to support or how to vote. Both major parties have strengths and both parties have weakness.
Like everyone else, I am excited about the outcome of this Presidential campaign but I will be relieved when it will end. I know that as my active petition calls for funds for a cause, that it will take resolution of the budget crisis in Washington before any action can be taken on what I am calling for. In many ways, it does not even matter who occupies the White House as the President can do nothing without the support and co-operation of Congress. This is why my petition is addressed to both Houses of the US Congress as well as to the US President, along with both Houses of my state Congress and to my state Governor.
As the weeks continue, we can expect to see the Presidential campaign and other political campaigns, get nastier and nastier. We should base our votes not on attack ads or the opinions of talk show hosts but the facts and I will provide links to a few resources.
http://votesmart.org/
This is the website for Project Vote Smart, which provides a wealth of facts about politicians and this website is easy to navigate with its search bar.
http://politifact.com/
This is the website where the words and actions of politicians are evaluated and examined and where the record is said to be able to be set straight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Path_to_Prosperity_The_Ryan_Plan
This is the website that provides comprehensive information about the Ryan Plan but it is a lot of reading and may be tedious to wade through.
http://americanthinker.com/2011/06/ok_just_what_is_the_ryan_medicare_plan.html
I'm not writing this to tell anyone how to vote and no one has any right to tell anyone how to vote or which candidate to support. All anyone can ethically do is suggest that you check the facts about the candidates, do your "due diligence" on them and do your research so you can make an informed decision when you cast your vote and that your vote is not based on a personal like/dislike for a candidate, loyalty to those who tell you how you "should vote," or opinions formed on your listening to campaign ads or partisan radio or talk show hosts. We all have different value systems and different visions of what we think of the direction that the country should "go in." There is nothing wrong with having strong opinions and talking about them. What is wrong is when talking about these opinions morphs into personal attacks, whether on the candidates or on those who support them.
It seems that it is very hard to disagree about political issues graciously and respectfully. It is not for nothing that we are warned, "Do not talk about politics or religion."
Two separate times, including earlier this year on President's Day, I had sent causes invitations to almost everyone in my social networks who uses Causes, to a Facebook causes called, "Join the Fight to Stop Dishonoring the President." The mission of this cause has been to restore honor and dignity to the office of the Presidency. This honor and respect have been lost and that seems to have sharply declined when President Obama was elected in 2008. I offended a few people simply by sending them invitations to support this cause and they removed me from their friends lists. Many who normally support me, did not support this cause. And I fear that many, many people will cast their votes not because of enthusiasm for their preferred candidate but because they are so against the candidate that they do not like.
In my Facebook newsfeed, I have seen posts by people who have gone on record as saying that they had their minds made up, well in advance, on how they will vote on November 2. More than a few times, I have seen people "like" pages or post photos indicating "I will NOT vote for Obama" or "I will vote Obama out" "I will vote this person out of a job," and show a photo of President Obama. The supporters of Mitt Romney and the supporters of President Obama have gotten relentless in attacking the other's candidate. I know I will sound biased but I see much more hate, vitiol and trashing from the opponents of President Obama; I cannot log into Facebook without seeing posts trashing the President or at least making slurs that make no secret of the Facebook user's contempt of the President. Some of my most loyal supporters are people who differ with me sharply on political matters, though I don't know if they are aware of this. I would hope that even political differences would not ruin my rapport with them but I'm too aware that political differences are often seen as personal attacks and offenses that cannot be tolerated. One Facebook page is called something like, "1,000,000 Strong Against Mitt Romney." Why is is easier or more fun, to scream about what we are against than to shout out about what we are for?
This weekend, when Mitt Romney chose his running mate, Paul Ryan, the author of the very controversial "Ryan Plan," the Presidential campaign has really picked up steam. This choice of "running mate" will keep this controversial proposed piece of legislation in sharp focus for awhile. As this plan is an very important part of the Romney campaign, when considering whether to vote for Mitt Romney, any voter should know what the "Ryan Plan" is and what it would mean for self and family. I will provide links at the end of this post where you can find out more about the Ryan Plan and educate yourself about what it is.
I bring up the Ryan Plan because it is a central part in the platform for the Romney campaign and because his running mate is the creator of this proposed legislation. We cannot afford to be ignorant of it and what it would mean for us and our families. We are living in a time which is the very first time when it has proposals to cut many government programs or services has ever been put before the public but that time is here. Republicans are the party which focuses on minimizing government spending but not until the Tea Party politicians have occupied seats in Congress, have I ever heard talk of federal cuts to Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid. And these cuts are part of the Ryan Plan. I know that there are many people who may never have had to use government programs and may think they may never need them. And I hope they never will be in the position to need them! But we never know what life may hold for us, and we may find ourselves in situations where we may need to use a government program (s) and, if we are fortunate to live long enough, we will need to use Medicare. The only people who need not concern themselves with what the Ryan Plan will mean to their families and themselves are those who are wealthy and whose money will cover them even in times of illness or emergencies. Since that is not most of us, we owe it to our families and ourselves to educate ourselves about the Ryan Plan.
Recently, in response to another Facebook user's slur against President Obama, and being fed up with seeing anti-Obama posts and comments, I posted a status update that was not directed at anyone in particular. I lamented all the hateful posts and comments that I was seeing more and more of; I said that while I did not want to sound biased, that I saw more hate being directed toward Obama and his supporters than toward Romney and his supporters. I got few "likes" or comments. One Facebook user said to me, "I'm a Republican and I am a proud one; okay, come out and say that you are a Democrat." Actually, I grew up in a family of Democrats and I support many Democrat policies, but I also support some policies that are considered Republican. I an Independent, I told the Facebook user in my comment. Politically, I have always felt alienated and caught-in-the-middle because I sympathize with many of my family's views, which are strongly Democratic. But I also sympathize with some of views that are considered more "religious right" in nature, though I do not consider myself a "conservative Christian." As I read my Bible, God is neither Republican or Democrat. I do not think that even the Church, pastors or Christian leaders should tell people what candidate to support or how to vote. Both major parties have strengths and both parties have weakness.
Like everyone else, I am excited about the outcome of this Presidential campaign but I will be relieved when it will end. I know that as my active petition calls for funds for a cause, that it will take resolution of the budget crisis in Washington before any action can be taken on what I am calling for. In many ways, it does not even matter who occupies the White House as the President can do nothing without the support and co-operation of Congress. This is why my petition is addressed to both Houses of the US Congress as well as to the US President, along with both Houses of my state Congress and to my state Governor.
As the weeks continue, we can expect to see the Presidential campaign and other political campaigns, get nastier and nastier. We should base our votes not on attack ads or the opinions of talk show hosts but the facts and I will provide links to a few resources.
http://votesmart.org/
This is the website for Project Vote Smart, which provides a wealth of facts about politicians and this website is easy to navigate with its search bar.
http://politifact.com/
This is the website where the words and actions of politicians are evaluated and examined and where the record is said to be able to be set straight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Path_to_Prosperity_The_Ryan_Plan
This is the website that provides comprehensive information about the Ryan Plan but it is a lot of reading and may be tedious to wade through.
http://americanthinker.com/2011/06/ok_just_what_is_the_ryan_medicare_plan.html
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