Ending the “Free Lunch”

It’s beyond time to change the way we administer benefits to the unemployed and welfare recipients. As a nation, we simply can’t afford to conduct business as usual and we simply can’t afford to raise taxes on those who do pay taxes.

I’m not suggesting bringing back The Civil Works Administration, but I am suggesting that we restructure the unemployment and welfare programs.  There must be a trigger after a certain time period goes by that “eligibility” is dependent on working for your benefits.

In November of 2010 the number of reported unemployed persons in the United States was 15.1 million.  Nearly 6 million individuals have exhausted their unemployment benefits.

In September 2009, around 4 million Americans were served by a state cash-assistance or welfare program, more than 37 million received federal food stamps. This data is based on a report published in USA today in January 2010. I can assure you that these numbers rose in 2010.

While unemployment and welfare recipients are on the rise, revenue to perform “public works” is declining. State and local governments are cutting services and items such as “parks and recreation” budgets are being slashed. It’s time to connect the two issues and have individuals who receive benefits work for those benefits.

Example – After three weeks of receiving unemployment benefits, the recipient must perform 20 hours of service per week to continue receiving benefits.  States could establish “programs” that are underfunded or have lost funding, that benefit recipients could work within. It’s a win win situation.  Our parks, streets, schools and such would be clean. Monies coming from either the welfare or unemployment compensation coffers would replace monies typically coming out of department budgets.

One could argue that “time” spent doing public service would take away from looking for a job, but I would argue that the beneficiary would have to “manage” their time, just as they would if they were working. Instead of simply taking money out of the “system”, the individual is giving back to the “system” for emergency support.

Others will argue that this type of program “discriminates” against the recipient, but I say it will provide an incentive to find work or provide a sense of honor in receiving the benefits. Nothing in life is free; when it comes free it typically is not valued.  These types of programs bring more respect to the citizen, as they are giving back, instead of just taking.

The “child care” argument is easily accommodated as well. Parents, who have children and can’t afford care during service hours, will have access to a “child care” program that is supported by recipients.  Not all recipients are able to work in a park, build roads, work in our schools, and such – but if they are employable, they can do something to earn their benefit.

I understand this isn’t popular, but it has to be done.

Merry Christmas

To the family members of individuals and the individuals who serve and who have served to keep our country safe and provided the freedoms we often take for granted – THANK YOU and Merry Christmas! Be safe and know we appreciate all you do and have sacrificed.

To all, may you have a blessed Christmas and an incredible New Year!

DREAM Another Day and Misdirected Anger

The Nightmare DREAM Act failed to move forward and will remain dormant in its current form.  There is, rightfully so, confusion on the return of the nightmare before the end of this Lame Duck session.  Today we seem to be awake and in the clear, but that will change and we must stay awake.

John Morton, the Assistant Homeland Security Secretary, said Friday that immigration officers had already signaled that the bill’s defeat would not change the way they do business. Yes, Mr. Morton confirmed that Homeland Security is going to continue to turn a blind eye.  This Administration is not done and is not going to change its approach or its efforts to grant amnesty behind closed doors.

More confusion. Amnesty seeking leaders have attempted to bypass process and hide the nightmare in other pieces of legislation, HR 5281 for example.  The good news, Reid’s DREAM is gone, it cannot move forward because it failed to secure the votes to move forward on a full vote. The bad news, Reid and other cronies will try again in 2011.

The anger and calls for violence when the DREAM Act failed is another issue of concern. Not only is the anger misdirected and being condoned by amnesty supporters, it’s being promoted.

News Flash – The American People did not snatch up a child, move them to the U.S. illegally, and force that child to stay – their parents did.  Citizens of the U.S. owe illegal immigrants nothing, except the opportunity to follow the law and processes to become a legal immigrant, like so many have done. The U.S. does not owe anyone amnesty or the ability to short cut the process or receive citizenship before someone else who has already applied.

Why aren’t these children and young adults angry with the family member who brought them here illegally? After all, wasn’t it their family member who broke the law, removed them from their home and got them into this mess? Shouldn’t they look to their family member and ask why they thought someone else would pay their way? Americans didn’t steal their opportunity or strip them of their culture; in fact, the U.S. afforded them free primary and secondary education. Why not take the education they’ve received, be grateful, and return to their birthright nation.  If they’d like to go to college in the U.S., apply for a student visa.  If they want to stay, apply, follow the process and pay the fees.

I’d like illegal immigrants and their supports to stop complaining about rights they don’t have a right to, they are not citizens.  If they want to be a citizen and have the rights of this Country, respect our laws, even if they are flawed, and apply like so many have done in the past – and do so on their own dime, not the dime of U.S. Citizens who do not owe them.

START Treaty Update

The United States is the protector of many, a threat to none.
Russia is a threat to many, a protector of none.
Parity is an insult.

Do not be fooled for one minute to believe that the START Treaty will help eliminate nuclear weapons around the world. This Treaty is between the United States and Russia – not Iran, North Korea and many others. Pure transparency with other countries is extremely risky when it comes to national defense, especially in a very weakened economy.

Limiting ourselves for the sake of “appeasement” is not the answer and puts our nation at a disadvantage. History has shown that “appeasement” does not make people love and come together.

The START Treaty is appeasement and an insult.

Update – It always worries me when this administration starts pushing an agenda behind closed doors and that is taking place right now.  Senators have asked for the START Treaty to be delayed until January, when the new session begins, I like this idea. We should not be voting on this treaty during the Lame Duck Session, especially a session that has been so ugly.

Sarah Palin published her thoughts on the START Treaty and I’d have to agree 100%. Her article can be found here by clicking here.