American Dream/welfare (My 2 cents)

Interesting discussion on the American dream. My take is that there has to be a balance. On one hand you have the government that has programs for the homeless and poor. However some people don't like programs like H.U.D. and welfare because it means more taxes and more money out of our pockets. And bottom line government programs don't add spirtual help to people, so it is a seemly endless cycle. But there are genuine people that do benefit from government programs to get back on their feet. its not all homeless drug addicts and welfare abusers. On the other hand the church provides help practically and in some cases spiritual help. Unfortunatly the church does not get nearly the funding the government does because giving is VOLUNTARY. In taxes the money gets taken if you like it or not, where tithing is based on what people think they should give.(unfortuantly as a christian population whole this tithing is generally less than what they bible calls for) Thus the church is often limited to how much it can help. Ideally I would like to see faith based welfare where the government funnels more $$$ to faith communities. The F.O.T.V. is a great example of the church doing the stuff. yet it doent have all the funding it could have. The American Dream was a good thought which has been dilouted and perverted. It man message is look after your self, rely on yourself and forget your fellow man. As Kara said God hasn't given us what we derserve. He gave us Jesus..lets give others Jesus instead of what they deserve.-Dave

Response

Here I am again in Union County. Posting again. I was very surprised to see what everyone had to say about the last posting. I didn't think so many would have so much to say. I too have a few comments. Since this is my life's work - I am quite opinionated about this. In one comment Jeff Cannell said that he thinks I'm more like a kindergartener and like sharing. Just for the record - I'm really selfish. I DON'T like to share so much. I like my stuff, I like my money to buy my stuff and I want to keep my stuff as mine. God challenges me on this frequently. This is my reason and belief of why some system of assistance needs to exist for those in need: We ALL have done things in our lives in which we didn't get what we deserved (if your really honest with yourself). I think the belief behind the American dream is - you'll get what you deserve. If you are a "lazy alcoholic" and don't work hard - then you'll get nothing out of life - and that's what you deserve. If you are a hard worker and "moral" person - then you'll probably do well in life (some better than others) and that is what you deserve. THANK GOD - that God is not that way. If I would have gotten what I deserve in life - by now I would probably be a single mother, alcoholic, working at McDonald's and probably receiving food stamps and some sort of public medical assistance. Instead God showed his Grace and Mercy on my life and I didn't have some things happen to me - that I truly deserved. Trust me - my life has turned out pretty good - and a lot of that didn't have to do anything with me. People that believe that someone is stuck in their situations because there is something of fault in that person - like they didn't work hard enough and therefore have gotten what they deserve. I believe in assistance for those that need it because I rely more on grace and mercy instead of receiving what we have deserved. I don't believe in the deserving or undeserving poor. And certainly - I believe it is the church's responsibility to do this kind of work. The "sharing", the "mercy ministry", the "welfare" of this world and country. But in all reality - the churches haven't, won't or can't - so we need to have something in place - when and where the churches aren't willing or able to do something.

Thanks for your input! I'll change the subject next time!!!

Love,
Kara

Poverty and Homeless Situations

It seems as if the only time I blog is while I'm working in Union County making and taking appointments for the Homeless Prevention Program that The Salvation Army runs. Many people would say I'm a socialist. I wonder why some people own 2-3 homes as well as boats and other outragous things, while I'm talking on the phone with a disabled vetran that lives in his car and has no money and no place to live. Some people would say that this person could have the "American Dream" if he only did the things he needed to in order to make that happen. What do you think about the "American Dream" and how some people seem to have it and some don't?