How the "Needy" Spend the Money we give Them

[Mike 03]

I get tired of hearing lectures from people--almost always wealthy republicans or more likely these pathetic middle-class Americans who are republicans but don't know why, who are identifying with the oppressor--lecture about what indigent or impoverished people should do with the donations we give them, or worse, why they do not merit our assistance. Would you not like to examine the medicine and liquor cabinets of the lecturers?

Interestingly, this debate--and these tiresome lectures--has raged since at least Samuel Johnson's day, England, 1720. It was said that it's futile to give money to beggars or poor people because most of the time they just spend that money on tobacco, alcohol, entertainment, junk food, etc...

It's elucidating and informative to know that this argument has been persisting on for hundreds of years, and that the arguments on both sides have remained basically the same.

(For some sources, check out Jeff Meyers new--spectacular--biography of Samuel Johnson and its description of England circa 1737. Also, enjoy the debates pertaining to capital punishment. Nothing has changed!)

This is my feeling, after thinking about the arguments made by people like Samuel Johnson all the way up to Jonathan Kozol and his brilliant, investigative, compassionate exploration of the lives of people living in poverty.

In general, I don't care what they do with the money they receive.

The only caveat is that I've known of situations where parents splurged on their vices before providing for their young children. Other than that, I don't feel I have any say in the matter.

When I give, I let go of that money and I let go of the right to suggest how it is used.

As someone who used to enjoy nicotine, and still enjoys escapes of other kinds, I have no right to tell them to deprive themselves of their escapes.

What if their escape is running, and they buy running shoes? Is that an extreme, obscene extravagance because they "should be" buying lettuce and healthy organic vegetables? Or is that a wise investment in future health? Or I've know people who binge on food, and that was their way of coping with anxiety.

I just think it's pious, hypocritical and pretentious, unless we are perfect individuals, to give money with strings attached to those in need. After reading so many of Kozol's works, I will never again begrudge the rights of a woman on welfare to smoke, or use the money she receives however she deems will make her existence tolerable.

[BlueJazz]

1. Yep..I've heard people say..at stores..."Look, She's buying cake with food stamps"

That Fucking Sorry Bitch...How DARE she bring a little treat and happiness home to her Family.
We give her the Money so she should suffer like a whipped puppy. :(

[ourbluenation]

3. I had a co-worker complain about the car a food stamp rcpt drove off in

after getting her groceries...a nice truck apparently. I reminded her that lots of people are fresh out of work in this economy and turning to food stamps and maybe before she lost her job she could easily have made car payments. I said maybe she's borrowing her friends car to get her groceries.

So quick to judge, these people. Geez.

[KT2000]

2. It is amazing how much time

is spent by the RW expressing resentment of the poor. It is a broken record that speaks to their mental state more than any accurate representation of the poor.
The rw seems obsessed with finding others to blame for their unhappiness, disatisfaction in life and disappointments. It is a sick victim mindset.

A neighbor once told me how they bussed minorities into his neghborhood for Halloween, thereby getting all the candy meant for the well-to-do white kids. I just asked him where they got all the busses for something like that and he was at a loss for words and went home. They are really stymied by the facts!