Dear Lt. Governor Bauer,
My name is Christopher George. I’m a resident of Spartanburg County, and I’m writing to you today to tell you how happy I was to read your recent statements regarding government assistance to the poor. I think it’s important that people understand your positions as clearly as possible, and I found your candor on this issue very refreshing.
This quote from The State newspaper illustrates what I’m getting at: “My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed. You’re facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don’t think too much further than that. And so what you’ve got to do is you’ve got to curtail that type of behavior. They don’t know any better.”
I’m well aware that you’ve taken quite a bit of heat for this statement and others made at this past weekend’s town hall event in Fountain Inn, and I agree with much of that criticism, though in fairness I realize that many of the people criticizing you are mostly doing so for their own political gain. Still, as an unapologetic progressive—one who admittedly leans to the left of most people in South Carolina, particularly on issues of social and economic justice—I found your comments repugnant.
Now I’m not trying to trick or confuse you here, and I’m sure that, being such an astute observer, you’ve noticed that I’ve both praised your candor in your recent comments while simultaneously voicing my disgust at the ideas expressed in those comments. To really explain that, I suppose I’ll have to tell you a little bit about myself.
First off, I’m the son of one of South Carolina’s proud blue-collar families. We never made much money when I was young, and for pretty much my entire time in public school, I received free lunch. There was also a brief period, when my step-father had injured his knee and was out of work for a couple of months, where we received food stamps. We didn’t enjoy receiving that assistance. In fact, my mother was so ashamed that she wouldn’t even shop at her normal grocery story during that time. We were pretty far from the picture you paint of greedy “stray animals” just looking for a free meal.
We were, and still are, grateful that there were government services in place to help ensure that we made it through that difficult time. When reading your incredibly elitist comments, I found myself wondering what would have become of us if people like you could’ve had things their way.
You see Lt. Governor Bauer, what actually bothers me about the things that you said isn’t the fact that I disagree with them. My problem with what you said is that you have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.
Your knowledge on issues of poverty is about as thorough as my knowledge of quantum physics, and while that might be fine for Andre Bauer, private citizen, it most certainly is not fine for Andre Bauer, gubernatorial candidate. I know that in conservative circles ideas like yours—though normally more carefully articulated—are pretty common, even celebrated. The idea that government assistance creates poverty is a pretty old one, and it’d be wrong to imply that you were expressing something that your fellow conservatives don’t agree with. Most of them agree with it just fine. Whether they’d have your courage in saying so openly is another matter.
Whether they’d come forward with your degree of honesty or not though, the fact remains that they’re plainly wrong about poverty issues in pretty much every respect. Chew on this one for a moment: If it really is true that government assistance causes poverty, then why is it that the countries with the largest, most expansive social safety nets also have the lowest poverty rates? If food stamps, unemployment insurance, and free school lunches increased poverty, as you and your conservative friends claim, then how do you explain the fact that countries like Germany, France, Canada and The Netherlands—all of which have welfare systems far more advanced than ours—have lower poverty rates?
I don’t expect you to have an answer to that question, and honestly I doubt many of the voters in this state will care to ask you, so you’re probably off the hook. As a potential way to make amends to all those poor people you’ve insulted though, I hope you’ll at least give it some thought. It couldn’t hurt.
And if you won’t do it for those people, maybe you’d consider doing it for Jesus.
I know from how forceful you were in your defense of the “I Believe” license plate that you are a Christian. That’s important because you see, there are those of us out here who believe that when it came to issues involving the poor, Jesus was a pretty radical guy. I myself have several favorite verses where he seems to come down pretty hard on the whole “laissez-faire” thing.
I especially like this passage from the book of Matthew: “For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
If that one doesn’t do it for you, how about this one from the book of Luke: “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in the flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.”
Those are pretty good, but my personal favorite appears in all three of the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Here’s the version from Mark: “And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ And he said to him, ‘Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.’ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Honestly, finding that “last shall be first and first shall be last” type of verse in the Gospels normally doesn’t take longer than a few seconds. Whatever else he may have been, Jesus certainly didn’t seem to think much of the rich, and though I’ve tried, I can’t find anywhere where he ever condemned the poor. He certainly never compared them to stray animals at any rate.
Leaving aside my own personal feelings–not to mention Jesus’ thoughts–on how wrong you are in your ideas about poor people, I want to reiterate how refreshing it was to see your true feelings laid bare like that, unedited for all.
I appreciate your frankness because it’s important for people to understand what conservatives actually stand for. If you take such a dim view of poor people, that’s something we’d all be better off knowing. I’m sure all of your campaign advisors and handlers are busy crafting new language for you to use whenever these issues come up in the future, but I want to urge you not to listen to them. Judging by your steadfast refusal to apologize, I’m supposing that what you said came from some deeply held conviction. If those really are your convictions, and you find yourself unconvinced by my arguments against those convictions, then by all means stand by them.
At any rate, I want to thank you for your time in reading this letter. I hope to hear back from you soon.
Sincerely,
Christopher George
Christopher George
Oh Bravo! As a person who themselves once had to stand in the welfare lines (long boring sad story as to why)I too am grateful for the assistance I received for a time until our financial situation improved. I too hated my situation and worked hard to get out of it. I know my taxes help recoup what I was given, (although I do wish our government would use those funds a bit more prudently) I also know that my taxes help others who find themselves as I once was. I know several people who work but who’s income aren’t quite enough to keep both a roof over their head and food in their children’s bellies. That extra assistance whether it is health insurance for the children or an EBT card is something that is very helpful to these families.
When I read Mr. Baur’s statements the other day, I knew that I would never vote for this individual. I am hardly anywhere near as liberal as my friend Chris, being a moderate. I think the government AND the private sector have the responsibility to help those in need. Both entities can work to help those in need, to give them aid for a short time, or if needed, long term, to help them improve their lots in life so maybe they too can turn and assist their neighbor. Government assistance CAN do these things. There are plenty of examples of that all around us.
Jeez, you disgust me. No wonder the republican party is in such a mess. You guys live in fantasy land out there.
Being a christian sure doesn’t help, especially one who can’t understand charity.
The old “make them afraid of loosing something” or “it’s someone else’s fault” is just plain 1800′s thinking. Which is where S. Carolina is sure to stay.
As if I need another reason to be embarrassed to say I live in South Carolina. Andre Bauer’s insensitive remarks highlight his lack of understanding of complex issues such as poverty, his failure to live out his faith with words and actions that honor or understand Jesus’s words and actions, and his failure to grasp that correlation is not causation.
My husband and I and our six children (I’m a breeder and not poor, but I digress) just spent yesterday afternoon at a local park feeding the hungry. It is always a good experience for us. We are so recognized there now that the kids are often brought gifts by those coming for a hot meal – simple things like bags of popcorn or books. We always feel that we walk away with more than we have given. I wonder if Andre Bauer has ever interacted with anyone outside of his elitist circles. I suspect not. You cannot make statements such as his and have broken bread with those who have fallen on hard times. And if you have and still feel as Mr. Bauer does, I fail to see how you can identify yourself as a Christian.
Gosh it sure is hard to live here sometimes.
It is because of the example that you just mentioned are just one of the things that help make South Carolina a worthwhile place to live.
I am of the mind that the Andre Bauers of world won’t do much to change that world. It is people like yourself Kimberly that have a far greater, more positive and longer lasting impact.
Mr. George and Ms. Galloway are perfect examples of what State aid is for! The Lt. Governor was speaking about the generations of families that have been on state aid all their lives and make no attempt to better themselve…why should they, they can get everything free from the State. Those that have the “I’m owed” attitude because of the circumstatnce they were born into. To make people responsible for themseves and their families is something that has fallen by the wayside…no one feels they are responsible for anything anymore. If they do something wrong it is the fault of their partents, the police, the government…anyone but themselves.
To ask that those receiving help pass drug tests, or attend parent-teacher conferences or PTA meetings if their children are receiving free or reduced-price lunches, is not much to ask. I am tired of my tax money going to people who sit on their butt, have more kids, and expect the rest of us to pay for it. I’m not saying take way reduced or free lunches or food stamps, but requiring that those receiving benefits are not using the money to buy alcohol or drugs and are active in the education of thier children seems fair and logical.
Luckily I have never had to stand in the welfare lines, but members of my immediate family have had to in the past, but just like Mr. George and Ms. Galloway it was during a difficult time and I am very thankful that the assistance was available. State assistance should be just that…”assistance”…not a way of life!
It’s refreshing to hear a polititian say what many of us have thought for a long time and not just dance around the subject in order to be politically correct!
ok Here’s the thing. Children don’t ask to be in situations where a parent is making a bad choice. Families can be doing “everything right” and still have their world jerked out from under them. Women and men can be using birth control, and the little guys still reach the target. And poverty is something that can be quite difficult to climb out of. Often simple things such as adequate transportation, prevent a parent from getting a job or furthering their education. Then we get the fact that the job market here in the south is rather lousy. I just saw my income slashed by two thirds, because of my pending divorce. It is not a comforting thought, but my situation is still better then others.
True there are people who will abuse the system, but I suspect that they are in fewer numbers then many suppose. I bet if they had a job that paid all the bills, affordable day care, transportation and health care, things would be a lot different for many. However that isn’t a reality for many of our less affluent neighbors.
Putting some guidelines for recipients isn’t a bad thing. There are some good ideas being proposed. But lets not forget that they are people, with hopes and dreams, needs and desires, and limitations that we just don’t experience. Unless one has actually been there, it is difficult to see them. It is never a good idea to make assumptions and lump sum people just because a few set poor examples. Mr. Bauer’s statements just proved that.
I’m not saying children should have to pay for their parents mistakes, but I also don’t want the cycle to continue. I realize that it’s not easy…I’m divorced myself and struggle every month to pay bills and put food on the table. What irritates me is having someone in front of me at the grocery store or Walmart with more jewelry and nicer clothes than I’ve ever had, pay for their groceries with food stamps and then have money for cigarettes and liquor. Then when I get outside they are driving a much newer, nicer vehicle than my 2000 vehicle with about 200,000 miles! I believe there are more people “working” the system than many suppose.
I beleive that the people really using State aid as it is meant to be used appreicate it and wouldn’t mide taking a drug test and probably already are responsible parents attending the parent teacher conferences. The only people that will have a real problem with the proposed quidelines are the ones that don’t want their “free ride” interrupted. I believe in helping people, but I’d reather “teach them to fish than constantly having to give them fish!”
Doesn’t seem like you’re making an awful lot of assumptions about these folks based on very little evidence? For all you know, the reason that they have jewelry and a newer car is that they WERE employed until fairly recently, and have been forced to get food stamps very recently. They may be drinking because they’re depressed, but it’s not like there’s national health care with affordable counseling to go to, so they’re coping and self-medicating as best they can.
I’m not making excuses for cheats here, I’m just saying that you probably don’t know what’s going on in these people’s lives any more than I do. It’s really easy to project onto other people, particularly when your own life is troubled.
My mom was on public assistance when I was young. I’ve never been on it. There’s no cycle there in my case. I know tons of people who have similar stories. To me, it just seems like blatant scapegoating of the people who are in the worst position to defend themselves from it.
I don’t claim to know what’s going on in the lives of all the people on state aid…just as you don’t know what’s going on in mine. I’m sure the majority of the people are in a bad situation and need the help.
It’s seems you are making excuses…really, you’re going to blame not having a national health care system (which if you’re paying attention, most Americans don’t want)on the reason that people drink. There are plenty of churches in SC and most of them have help/counseling for anyone who wants/needs it.
I do know that there are people on public assistnace that are living better than people who are getting up and working every day. I’m not suggesting that there be no aid…like I said I’ve had immediate family members who have had to get State aid in the past and their kids are not on public assistance now either. That’s the point…it should be there for those that need it…but not as a way of life…that is where the problem lies. I’m just saying the system is beng abused by many and it hurts the people that really need it.
Shelly,
I have lived in SC all my life. I was a teen mother, but I was also an honors student who got a full scholarship to college. Everyone told me I could not make it through college when I had my daughter, but I refused to listen and went anyway. I had no money and did receive Medicaid, W.I.C. and food stamps during the four years that I got my degree.
I wanted to get out of that situation more than anything, and in the entire four years, I never met a single person who wanted to be in that situation. It was hell on earth. What one receives is simply not enough to make it through the entire month, believe me.
Again and again, I watched people try to make it out of that situation. The problem is how it is set up. When you work overtime while making minimum wage, it isn’t going to amount in much more money. When you make any extra money, your food stamps go down, so you can’t save any money. The only way to get out of that situation is to earn a LOT more money all of a sudden. Getting a college degree was the only way that I could do it.
The entire time that I worked on my degree, people in social services discouraged me. There were times when they would even laugh at me. Fortunately, I’m very stubborn, so I kept going anyway.
If we want to break the cycle of dependency, we should want people to get an education. But that’s not what happens to the poor in SC. Eventually, people who have struggled for years and years just give up.
What I can’t understand is why we aren’t more upset with how the rich in SC are abusing the system. Our governor used tax dollar to fly first class for personal reasons; and this was while state employees in SC were being furloughed. Eleven of my colleagues lost their jobs due to the budget cuts that we were hit with in education. All while our governor was stealing our money. No one seems to care about THAT.
I’m on the verge of finishing my Ph.D. now, and I have every intention of telling my story of what it was like to be poor in SC after hearing Bauer’s comments and seeing so many people approve of them.
The worst thing about Bauer’s comments is that people hear him say those things and hear him claim to be a Christian. People who are not Christians think that kind of hatred and selfishness is what Christianity is about; it turns people away, possibly for good.
The old saying is -
“Give a man a fish and he eats today”
“Teach a man to fish and he will eat for life”
How about if you GIVE the guy some fish while he is being taught to fish, so maybe he & his family won’t STARVE to death before he learns?
Still does not address what happens to them when the bank reposesses his boat because the economy went to hell.
I love this comment so much I want to marry it.
Well done!
I am with Chris on the liking of that statement. Well not the marrying part..but it is a great way to approach welfare.
EXACTLY…help when needed, but not for a life-time and certainly not from generation to generation….that’s the point!! It’s the guy(s) that refuse to be taught because you keep GIVING without any responsiblity on their part!!
“It’s refreshing to hear a polititian say what many of us have thought for a long time and not just dance around the subject in order to be politically correct!”
I’d rather not be associated with, or receive praise from, anyone who would actually say this about Andre Bauer’s repulsive stance on assisting the poor. Thanks anyway!
You can still fish from the dock or the bank. Can’t repossess that. Well, unless global warming causes water to rise, I suppose.
Chris, to a great degree I have to agree with you here. Andre Bauer is a gay. Hahaa, I kid I kid. But as far as his political beliefs, Andre Bauer is the farthest from conservative that I have seen in South Carolina politics and he falls right in line with people like Lindsey Graham and Bob Inglis. Though, you do dislike him for different reasons than myself we can agree to disagree with Mr. Bauer.
However, and this is a huge however, I would like to delve into Dr. Dre’s statement and nit pick at what I assume the good lieutenant meant. To give the benefit of the doubt, I can decipher from this little quote that he mostly likely meant that the welfare system is a system in perpetual motion. Welfare tends to keep people on welfare. Especially when it comes to buying votes from the down and out. Instead of bringing these “feral animals” hope and opportunity, we have only given them a lot of rotten fish. Of course, teaching them to fish alone is definitely not the solution. If there were only groups out there that were willing to feed people for free, clothe them, house them, and then teach them how to take care of themselves what a wonderful world this would be. Wait a tick, there are! But honestly, I couldn’t blame anyone for refusing their assistance because if you have ever been to a shelter, soup kitchen, etc, you know that these are great places in theory but awfully obnoxious places at the same time. Plus the food is sub-par. The clothing is often tattered and the patrons are from the far backside of society. I jest. My point is, welfare isn’t one’s only option. If one were opposed to the church, then by all means rely on the government. Fine by me. I’ve been rather disadvantaged my whole life as well. I can see things from their point-of-view.
Andre Bauer is a disgrace to the GOP but, to be fair, who isn’t these days? Actually, I can’t recall a single republican that was admirable. Granted I’m only twenty-four and despite my vast knowledge of everything…I know very little of politics before me. Still, I can’t bash the republican’ts too bad…look at your side. No one is really offering sensible options and I highly doubt that more government run everything is the solution. I also, in my twenty-four years of life, can’t recall an instance where the government has done anything satisfactory. But, feel free to correct me if you feel so inclined.
Where was I going with all of this? Oh yeah, good job Chris.
To receive any kind of state or federal aid you must report your income. Individual and family eligibility is determined through other legal documents and forms you have to supply. No, you cannot use food stamps to buy alcohol or (even medicinal) drugs. Your claim that welfare is used “to buy alcohol or drugs” is the most outrageous lie I’ve ever heard.
Furthermore, I think you vastly overestimate this minority of individuals who exploit the system.
We should not do away with a valuable program that helps families because of a few bad apples. This is, in fact, what Bauer is getting at. Moreover, why should the free school lunches even be on the table for discussion? Are we to penalize children for their parents behavior? I have to draw the line there. Without food in their bellies, children are not capable of learning. This is just a fact. Basic needs must be met first and foremost for learning to occur. Think Maslow’s hierarchy. Google it if you don’t know what I’m talking about.
As a teacher, I would LOVE for more parents to be involved and attend conferences, but I can understand their reasons. For my parents who can’t make a PTA meeting, I’ll tell you right now that more often than not it’s NOT because they simply “don’t want to”, but because Mom or Dad is working 3rd shift and/or can’t get a sitter for the other kids.
These “problems” Bauer articulates are symptoms of the larger, growing epidemic of poverty. We can only begin to address these inadequacies once we consider the root causes.
The best way of helping children from poor families get decent nutrition probably isn’t penalizing their families because their mom or dad occasionally smokes a spliff after work.
“It’s refreshing to hear a polititian say what many of us have thought for a long time and not just dance around the subject in order to be politically correct!”
What? To take away a kid’s PB&J sandwich at school if the parents don’t pass a drug test?
No…but take the kids away from a drug abusing parent that is obviously not setting any kind of example for their child by spending their money on drugs instead of peanut butter and jelly for them!
Actually, what Bauer said was more like this: ‘Look folks, if you receive goods or services from the government and you don’t attend a parent-teacher conference, bam, you lose your benefits.’
Bam? Who is he, Emeril Lagasse? “Gonna kick it up a notch, and take yo’ benefits!”
So the taxpayers should just pay and pay with no responsibility on the part of the people who are receiving the benefit? You are taking what he said a little literally don’t you think…he was suggesting that if you are receiving State aid (taxpayer money…your’s and mine)that you should have some responsibility as well…why does that seem so harsh?
Only that it’s one of the most callous things he said–aside from poor people breeding like stray animals.
And sure I take what he said literally–should I take it figuratively?
How he sits way up in his elite ivory tower and denounces the paupers on gov’t aid–and speaks with such cold indifference when he says “bam” take away their kid’s food.
That’s harsh as hell.
“Is taking the guarantee of a least one decent meal for kids the answer to solving the drug/poverty/welfare problem? Absolutely NOT~”
Sylvie’s got a good point there ^^
Uhm. In some cases only one parent misuses substances and the other one works their tail off to try to keep the family together. Walking away from the substance abuser is never an easy thing. In fact it is very difficult, as each family dynamic is unique as it is complex. Not all families who receive aid have drug addiction in the mix. Taking a child out of the home puts an even greater burden on the state and the state legal system at a much higher cost then simple food stamps. Unless we all want to open our homes to these “kids of drug abusing parents” we need to find another way. the state system isn’t perfect, but it is better then ripping a child out of the home and the long lasting trauma that could entail.
Also many steps have been taken and are continuing to be taken to reign in misues of state funds. EBT cards eliminate thousands of dollars of misused funds. There are a many things the cards can’t purchase like cigarettes and alcohol, you can’t get change back from a purchase either. I am certain there are other limits to their use as well. Giving someone struggling with addiction an EBT card doesn’t put drug money into their hands. Well unless they buy peanut butter and sell it on the black market, thereby gaining drug money.
Does misuse happen? Yes it does. Do people struggling with substance abuse get state aid? I am sure some do? Do all of them have kids? No they don’t all have kids. Do most in this supposed scenario love their kids? I am sure the answer is a resounding YES Is taking the guarantee of a least one decent meal for kids the answer to solving the drug/poverty/welfare problem? Absolutely NOT~
“It’s refreshing to hear a polititian say what many of us have thought for a long time and not just dance around the subject in order to be politically correct!”
I’d rather not be associated with, or receive praise from, anyone who would actually say this about Andre Bauer’s repulsive stance on assisting the poor. Thanks anyway!
You said in your article that you appreciated his candor…I agree. I’d prefer to know where someone stands rather than just saying what they think is politically corretct regardless of what they really think…sadly, that kind of honesty rarely happen in politics! While I agree, he could have worded it differently, at least he is being honest about what is wrong with the State assistnace progam.
I appreciate his candor, because I think it’s about time conservatives started being honest about how they really feel about poor people. Politically, Bauer’s move is about as dumb as dumb can be, but I’m glad he’s being honest about what he really thinks about people living in poverty. It shows the rest of us the sort of hate coming from the right these days.
This could go on foever. I’m sorry that you feel like it is hate when somone wants to improve the system to ultimately help more people. I truly feel that no one wants to take food out of the mouths of children. What is being suggested is more responsibility on the part of adults…it’s unfortunate that so many feel like just because you may be poor you don’t need to take on responsibility.
WOW…I just love “Christians” don’t you?
And by the way…why does my comment need to be Moderated? Am I not a person…like a corporation? Entitled to free speech?
You’re only moderated the first few times you post. It’s a SPAM prevention measure. Also, you don’t have free speech on a privately owned website.
PWNT!!!!
And how many people in NC actually get out to vote?
don’t know. Won’t matter anyway as this is a person hoping to fill the SC governor’s seat
Thanks for saying what I wanted to say but was (and still am) too angry to articulate. Sorry, Lt. Governor Bauer. Context notwithstanding, the cat’s out of the bag.
Yes, once again how proud I am to live in South Carolian. Our governor cheated on his wife, one of our fine citizens got caught having sex with a horse, another one of our fine politicians called the President of the United States a liar in front of God and everybody, and now our Lieutenant Governor is degrading himself and half the citizens of the state calling them strays. Wow, can it get any better? I certainly would want to move my family here wouldn’t you? By the way, it’s good to know where Bauer stands BEFORE the election. No brainer!!
…and the flag. Susan, how can you forget about the Confederate flag we fly on the sidewak in front of our capitol? Outsiders think that’s hilarious too!
Bauer will be on News Radio WORD (106.3 FM) at 3:10pm today (Monday) to talk about all of this.
Nicely done, Chris.
This story has been quoted by RawStory.com, which is one of the bigger leftie news blogs out there: http://rawstory.com/2010/01/sanfords-deputy-stray-animals/
Dang Chris. you just went viral. Great pick of a quote btw.
Wow! Congratulations Chris.
I couldn’t believe the story when I saw it on CNN.com this morn. Thank you SC for my morning dose of incredulity.
“Just when you thought it was safe to go back into …..” (Cue music from “JAWS”)
Just as he generalized those who abuse the system, relating them with all the poor, so too you generalize republicans by suggesting they share his particular view. It seems more about partisan bashing then anything, and any opportunity to point out hate with sarcastic hatred seems welcome by you. It’s not that I want to defend his poor choice of language and extreme generalizations, nor do I care to defend the GOP either, it’s just stating the obvious: their side losing doesn’t mean your side necessarily wins. Winning, in this case, is people being able to better themselves, have better lives, or providing the necessities for their family. Just as in life, the effort in pointing out the faults in others could be better used to do constructive things rather.
As has been said above, government aid should be temporary and help people get back on their feet, not a never ending source of income. People naturally react to incentive, but using threats, such as taking away the kids lunch, or removing children from homes where a parent failed a drug test, seems to be problematic at it’s very core because it relies on force. I think people with addictions should not be looked at as criminals, but as someone in need of help to overcome their addiction, but they have to want to be better, no one can really force them.
Some people I’ve known on public housing, EBT, and the whole nine yards, explain how if they got a job they would lose everything because the system isn’t set up for people to better themselves sometimes, but rather keep them at the same level of managed living they are stuck with. It probably isn’t like that for everyone I’m sure, but I guess the more dependent one gets on it the harder it is to get out of. I think this may have been what Bauer was failing to articulate, that and there are people who abuse the system.
I don’t think people should resent the financially comfortable, unless they got that way by dubious means. In fact, some people would rather not attempt to better themselves, as defined in financial terms by society, starving artists and musicians come to mind automatically, but if it’s a choice then it seems unjust for them to suck from the teat of the taxpayer, doesn’t it? ..but can they distinguish between the want’s and want-not’s? -or the down-on-their-luck people and the plain ol’ lazy folks? If they can then why don’t they? (..and that’s not to say musicians and starving artists are always lazy, by any means)
Never mind the financial impossibility of supporting over a minimal percentage of the population financially for very long in these collective hard times. What will happen when the teat runs dry? The milk money can’t flow forever.
Daniel: I’m not going to argue the philosophical details of welfare with you. I think you’d agree that would be pretty pointless, as we both come at this thing from fundamentally different points on the political spectrum.
There are a couple of things you said that are…well…we’ll just say incorrect.
“Welfare tends to keep people on welfare. Especially when it comes to buying votes from the down and out. Instead of bringing these “feral animals” hope and opportunity, we have only given them a lot of rotten fish.”
Actually the time spent on welfare depends on what program we’re talking about, but most people are on government aid for less than two years. Hardly the lifetime of dependency that conservatives like to talk about.
Also, I already pointed out how countries with a more robust welfare state actually have LOWER poverty rates than we do, so I think it’s pretty obvious that welfare doesn’t create more poverty, or more welfare.
The other thing is the idea of buying votes with welfare money. Are you serious? The poor and uneducated are statistically the LEAST likely to vote. There are better ways to buy votes. Pandering to religious fundamentalists comes to mind.
Like I said though, I don’t really want to get into a battle about whether we should have a welfare state or not. Arguing over something we both feel so strongly about isn’t likely to get us anywhere.
Yeah, you’re right. It will not get us anywhere. Let’s just stick with Andre Bauer is a douche.
Wow! I say again, Wow! Fabulous letter! Hat’s off to you, Christopher!
Great Letter, Christopher! I hope Andre’ reads it!
It looks like you and he share that free lunch past:
From today SHJ:
“A child of divorce who benefited from free lunches himself, Bauer insisted he wasn’t bad-mouthing people laid off from work in the recession or advocating taking food from children, but rather emphasizing the need to break the cycle of dependency.”
Link to full article:
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100126/ARTICLES/100129765/1083/ARTICLES?Title=Lt-Gov-Bauer-s-welfare-comments-called-immoral-
As Tammy posted elsewhere, when will SC stop giving John Stewart so much good material??????
At least we’re not California…
I think the good citizens of SC need to stop feeding the neocons that hold political office. And absolutely don’t allow them to reproduce.
I cannot believe that I have never known about this site. Mr. George you are genius. You took my exact thoughts and relayed them with more political restraint than I could find to address this particular issue. Spark has a new follower!