So I have discussed the phenomenon once before, but it's just a topic I have difficulty moving away from. Part of that stems from my daily experience with it and the fact I volunteer for a program that helps to put people on it. That is the SNAP program. I am a huge proponent this, and I firmly believe it is a beneficial not only to those who use it directly - impoverished American families - but also the nation at large.
When we live in a county that prides itself on wealth and prosperity, the limitless American dream, and beauty of our natural resources, it mars that American illusion when millions of children go without food and working adults barely make enough wages to feed themselves. When we pride ourselves as being one of the wealthiest nations in world but rank terribly low on educational scores and poverty levels among the nations of world, there is a problem. A huge one. If you think the two aren't link, you're not looking through the right lens.
I volunteer for a program that helps encourage adults and families to apply for SNAP benefits. Althoug it is focused on older adults, especially retirees, we don't turn anyone away who has questions or seeks assistance for applying. So far, I've receive varying responses concerning both my volunteer program and SNAP. For one, many older adults feel that if they apply for SNAP and receive the benefits, they are taking away from younger adults and families. This is not true. The federal government does not take away from one family to give to another; they have the money. Let's use it for something purposeful. That money is meant for any person who applies and is seen to have the need. Period. If you need it, use it. One life is not greater than another. The help is there, utilize it. I cannot stress that enough.
I've heard some other complaints: such as why do I help the lazy poor? Let me clear something up, right now. Most of the poor I meet, are not lazy. Poor is not a synonym of lazy. I know we live in a society that portrays this intangible link between poor and lazy, but we cannot generalize the impoverished of this counrty into something so detrimental. So, why are they poor you ask. Well, that is complicated question. I cannot give you a straight answer. America's system currently creates a huge income disparity. Wealth inequality is a growing issue, remember the 1% movement a few years ago? Yeah, that one. Wealth is distributed at an alarminly unequal rate between the very few, wealthy Americans, we're watching as the middle class slowly disappears from the playing field, and the poor (believing they are middle class) scramble to make ends meet. I'm not even going to touch about the economic disaster that's hitting my generation of Americans, just graduating with no jobs to go to and mountains of debt. So, why are so many Americans poor? There are a slew of answers and not enough time for me to recount them all here. It's all very interconnected, complex, and so desperately in need of reform.
So let me tell you, friends. I do not help the lazy of America. And even if the people I met were, that does not mean they are undeserving of food and the general neccessities to live. I help people receive the help they need to survive in a messed up system. SNAP is nothing to be ashamed of, and frankly it needs more attention, positive attention that is. It needs more support and supporters, and more people to talk about the good things it provides. It only has a 2% fraud rate in the whole country, and you want to tell me its bad?!
There are problems in the United States, and before we go blaming people on who screwed up where. I think we need to focus on what's ahead for us, spend less time blaming and more time fixing, more time giving and less time scowling on those who need help. We can only fix this once we admit our problems. Isn't that the first step? I know I usually harp on the important of individuals, don't generalize. But in this case, we have a group of disadvantaged people, so stop judging them, and hey, instead give them some respect. It's time to fix this image of the poor as lazy and start helping them live the American Dream too.
When we live in a county that prides itself on wealth and prosperity, the limitless American dream, and beauty of our natural resources, it mars that American illusion when millions of children go without food and working adults barely make enough wages to feed themselves. When we pride ourselves as being one of the wealthiest nations in world but rank terribly low on educational scores and poverty levels among the nations of world, there is a problem. A huge one. If you think the two aren't link, you're not looking through the right lens.
I volunteer for a program that helps encourage adults and families to apply for SNAP benefits. Althoug it is focused on older adults, especially retirees, we don't turn anyone away who has questions or seeks assistance for applying. So far, I've receive varying responses concerning both my volunteer program and SNAP. For one, many older adults feel that if they apply for SNAP and receive the benefits, they are taking away from younger adults and families. This is not true. The federal government does not take away from one family to give to another; they have the money. Let's use it for something purposeful. That money is meant for any person who applies and is seen to have the need. Period. If you need it, use it. One life is not greater than another. The help is there, utilize it. I cannot stress that enough.
I've heard some other complaints: such as why do I help the lazy poor? Let me clear something up, right now. Most of the poor I meet, are not lazy. Poor is not a synonym of lazy. I know we live in a society that portrays this intangible link between poor and lazy, but we cannot generalize the impoverished of this counrty into something so detrimental. So, why are they poor you ask. Well, that is complicated question. I cannot give you a straight answer. America's system currently creates a huge income disparity. Wealth inequality is a growing issue, remember the 1% movement a few years ago? Yeah, that one. Wealth is distributed at an alarminly unequal rate between the very few, wealthy Americans, we're watching as the middle class slowly disappears from the playing field, and the poor (believing they are middle class) scramble to make ends meet. I'm not even going to touch about the economic disaster that's hitting my generation of Americans, just graduating with no jobs to go to and mountains of debt. So, why are so many Americans poor? There are a slew of answers and not enough time for me to recount them all here. It's all very interconnected, complex, and so desperately in need of reform.
So let me tell you, friends. I do not help the lazy of America. And even if the people I met were, that does not mean they are undeserving of food and the general neccessities to live. I help people receive the help they need to survive in a messed up system. SNAP is nothing to be ashamed of, and frankly it needs more attention, positive attention that is. It needs more support and supporters, and more people to talk about the good things it provides. It only has a 2% fraud rate in the whole country, and you want to tell me its bad?!
There are problems in the United States, and before we go blaming people on who screwed up where. I think we need to focus on what's ahead for us, spend less time blaming and more time fixing, more time giving and less time scowling on those who need help. We can only fix this once we admit our problems. Isn't that the first step? I know I usually harp on the important of individuals, don't generalize. But in this case, we have a group of disadvantaged people, so stop judging them, and hey, instead give them some respect. It's time to fix this image of the poor as lazy and start helping them live the American Dream too.
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