University Students SUCK

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

In many ways we were better off without the “safety nets” because they have too many holes in them and too many people have come to expect too much from them.

I would agree that there is a certain segment of society that has figured out a way to do as little as possible and live off of the teat of social programs, and that's certainly their prerogative if they have no higher aspirations than that, and are able bodied and not mentally deficient. Our current social programs keep people from living as though the USA was a Third World Country, but not a lot more.

I have to do what I can to make sure he doesn’t drown.

And this fact alone makes you so much better than most people, Bruce. While I'm sure most of us give to some worthy cause, either a big one or a personal one, you embody what is best about human nature, and those who know you are fortunate to count you as friend. Mrs Elspode and I always make a point to share what we've got. Sometimes it is very, very little, and sometimes it is okay. Either way, as long as we've got a place to live indoors, no one we know will go homeless, and as long as we have food, no one who asks for a meal will go hungry. That being said, we couldn't begin to feed everyone in Grandview who might need a sandwich, and we can't provide support for all the people who want to work, but who are unable to do so effectively.

My son *wants* nothing more than to have a 8-5 job in a boring office somewhere...but his brain injury won't allow it. Therefore, he works as hard as he can in the only job he's been able to keep for more than a couple of months. That job isn't enough to keep him in a slum apartment by itself, and we aren't always going to be around to help him.

A civilized society supports its needy to a reasonable extent. When the historical pendulum swings to the Right, big business is given breaks and the needy are shoved aside to help give it to them, since those businesses are going to create more jobs and therefore more money for everyone (well, in India and China, anyway). When the pendulum swings to the Left, we tax the rich and feed the poor. Robin Hood would be proud. And it probably *is* highway robbery.

There's not a perfect answer, but I know that my son's standard of living got lowered by about 15% beginning September 1, and there's not a damn thing he can do about it. He simply isn't capable.