Welfare: To Abuse or Not to Abuse

By Terri Furman

12th Grade

A lonely man walks through the dark, gray streets of a small town. He is dressed in dirty rags and he carries a torn-up, brown paper sack. His face is covered in hair; he looks as though he has not bathed for a long time. As I watch this man, I wonder what he carries in his paper bag. I also think about where he lives and if he has a family. Does he have a job? Hoe does he support himself and/or his family?

It is people like this hat lead many Americans to ask themselves the same questions. Most likely this man has some form of a job. There are others who are also in poverty who do not have a job. These people are those who get their money from out government in a system called welfare. This system can work exceptionally well if used properly, yet there are those who choose to abuse it. Those people who abuse this program are the reason why our government's welfare system in coming under fire. Today, our government is in a huge debate over what to do with the welfare system. People in every community are a part of the welfare program. Yet, even in the smallest of communities there are those who are abusing this system. My role of personal responsibility, as an American, in the welfare system is to teach each individual who chooses to use the program to respect it and use as little of it as possible.

First, the American government's welfare system is a system with many parts. This program gives special support and monetary dependence to those who are in need of help. These people could be single parents attempting to raise children on only one income, people who are unable to work, and those people who choose not to work.

Those who choose not to work are the ones that are making a living off taxes paid by Americans. These people do absolutely nothing. They are very capable of getting a job and making a living, yet they do not. Those who stay at home often have many children, and then they complain they need even more support from the government. These people have usually developed a scheme against the government and this, receive their support because the government is unable to actually know what is going on. These people truly frustrate most of the American people and me because they are getting basically everything they want for free.

Next, the welfare system is constantly changing. In many debates occurring in Washington, D.C., reforming welfare is considered. Both Republicans and Democrats alike agree that something must be done to stop the welfare scammers. President Clinton has devised a new welfare plan. This plan is simply to get those people who base their income consists of welfare out to work. The government is creating new jobs, and these jobs are to focus on getting the welfare population working. This, if these people work their income will not be based on government funded money.

Yet, some government officials believe this system will not work. These officials believe that people will still find some way to swindle this system. They do not feel that there will be enough jobs created. Some also wonder if by giving these people jobs, will it also take away from those who already have jobs? Nevertheless, even through all the criticism, President Clinton believes this well be a very successful system.

Furthermore, this system could work for those people who only use welfare because they have no other choice. This new system will be unsuccessful overall because there are still too many people who do not have the desire to get a job. They will not have to, as long as the government supports them. These people need to show personal responsibility and decide to face the music. These people need to realize just what they are doing. Just think, what kind of role models are these people setting for their children? If this vicious system is not stopped, children are going to grow up thinking that it is okay to do the government wrong. If children grow up believe that, I believe this "milking" system will go on and on. The government will never be able to fix other problems if this does not stop.

Thus, I have devised a plan to fix this system. I feel that by only allowing a person to be on welfare for a set time will help to fix this problem. This time needs to be based on actual income, number of children, and ability to get a job. For example, a woman who is a single parent, has sole custody of her child, is receiving no child support, and maintains a parent time job while trying to go back to college should receive welfare until she graduates from college. She most, however, makes sure she maintains high grades in school and takes a set number of classes per semester. This is only one example of fixing the large problem with the welfare system.

Finally, the welfare system can definitely not be completely abolished. Although I have only touched on the people who abuse the system, it is still an efficient programmer. Then American government needs to take responsibly to find the people who are abusing the system and not allow them the support given. By doing this however, you could in turn be denying the children. Yet, even if that is the case, I strongly feel that Social Services will step in and see that problem. The role of personal responsibility ion the welfare systems throughout all communities should e to achieve a status of income of all citizens not based on welfare.

Answers To Questions

Q1.How does society invest in marriage in the USA and in Manus?

A1. In the United States, society accepts the fact that many Americans face divorce each year. Long-standing marriages have almost become non-existent. However, in Manus, New Guinea, the people center their investments about tried and enduring marriages. The Manus society believes it is prestigious to have an enduring marriage.

Q2. Interview 10 married people. State the length and number of each one's marriages and a lone or two of advice from each on how to maintain a long, happy relationship.

A2. Couple one has been married for six years. Their secret to a long, happy marriage is to practice the art of good communication. Couple two has been married for twenty-three years. According to them, amounts of tolerance and caring and family togetherness makes this couple a success. Couple three has been married for eighteen years. Their secret is to display a lot of patience, as well as a balance of giving and taking. Couple four has been married for thirty-six years. They jokingly stated that good communication and not going to bed angry are two important keys to a strong relationship. Couple five has also been married for eighteen years. They also believe that good communication is an important goal to having a successful relationship. Couple six has been married for twenty-six years. They believe that being committed to one another makes a relationship long lasting. Couple seven has been married for twenty-three years. Their secret is sharing great amounts of love and honesty. Couple eight has shared twenty-seven years of marital bliss. She jokingly said that the key her marriage is that he knows that she is the boss. However, on a serious note, their respect for each other has helped them maintain a long, happy relationship. Couple nine has been married for nine years. Their secret to a happy relationship is to always remember to kiss each other goodbye and be completely open and honest with each other. Couple ten is still newlywed and has been married for ten short months. They believe their relationship will last a lifetime because of their honesty to each other, as well as their dedication to their marriage.

Q3. According to Richard Eckersley, what should our collective goal be?

A3. According to Richard Eckersley, how we respond in seemingly little ways today could have big outcomes tomorrow. How we choose to live affects the world; there is no escaping that so we should choose to live to change the world.

Q4. Write a worthy goal for your local community.

A4. A worthy goal for the Medicine Lodge community is to endorse marriage as a prestigious covenant.

Q5. Comment on the excerpts from "Tomorrow's Child."

A5. The exerts seem to share the idea of lonely children, who use dolls designed to remind children of their parental figures. They are now able to carry their parents around in doll form. Also, the gap between the rich and the poor is continuously widening. In the near future, we may find ourselves living in an extremely competitive world.

Q6. How does the fact the USA is a democracy make lawyers particularly helpful, according to Kathleen Sullivan? How does our diversity, wealth and size make lawyers particularly helpful.

A6. According to Kathleen Sullivan, lawyers create a form of public responsibility and accountability that would not occur in an irrepressible government. The diversity the United States makes lawyers particularly helpful because we are an increasingly conglomerate society. That heterogeneity brings about more conflict and less agreement about social customs. Wealthy Americans worry about healthcare and longevity of human life and are often the ones who contemplate about what law can do to solve those problems. America's vast and expansive territory transforms our society into incorporating local organizations into national organizations.

Q7. Ms. Sullivan claims bad practices are changed either by regulations or punitive damages. Which do you prefer and why? Can you think of an alternative?

A7. Bad practices can be changed by regulations or by punitive damages. However, in most cases, it would be beneficial for the company and society to have punitive damages. Punitive damages were designed to make a company absorb the real cost of the activity, rather than to pay the individual and say it is just the cost of doing business.

Briefly describe

Q8. Three ways society would benefit from the coming retirement of baby boomers, according to the required reading.

A8. Society will benefit from the coming retirement of baby boomers because the retirees will offer services to the large generation X'ers because they will be having families. Also, the retirees may provide opportunities for teenage entrepreneurs. The retirees may also become entrepreneurs and start new businesses that will be widely employed by other retired baby boomers.

Q9. Evaluate the likelihood of President Clinton's anti-poverty program making a real impact. Give at least three reasons to back up your conclusions.

A9. The anti-poverty program may not work because it will increase the national debt, the poor are not educated or trained enough to fill the new job requirements and the chance of discrimination will widen.

Q10. Name three things Truett Cathy and Tom Lewis have in common.

A10. Both men are very religious, they are successful businessmen, and they work with under privileged children.

Back