Things that made you laugh today (Political Version)

[Shaps]

So your problem is that California is attempting to save hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually by reducing the number of impairment related hospitalizations, traffic accidents and incarcerations by offering a small stipend to get folks clean and sober?

Just what sort of world do you live in where helping folks and saving money is bad?

You mean helping folks with Foodstamps, Welfare, Shelters, Food Drives, free health care, etc.? You mean community organizations that provide free counseling, rehabilitation, housing/food, clothing, etc.?

I'm for the Government not paying everyone (which if you didn't know is actually someone else's money), for every little thing they do. Have kids? Here's a government check. Do drugs? Here's a government check. So and and so forth.

There are multitudes of ways provided to assist those in need, by many government and community programs already. Now paying someone to stay sober is the next move?

I lean more on the personal responsibility side of the fence... and choosing to show compassion and care in my community if I so choose. Not the Government just handing out money to people for "staying sober". Hell if anything, they should pay people to "be thin" then right? Unhealthy living and eating habits contribute to so much strain on the medical system, it would make sense right? Or, what about we pay everyone that goes to an AA meeting. What about the Government send a check to everyone that does not speed? I mean speeding kills people right, so maybe we should pay people to actually drive the speed limit.

Get the fuck out of here.

There is a difference between compassion and caring.. and the Government being your mama's tit.


Now instead of just complaining - I'll give you what I consider a reasonable alternative:

The Government pays benefits to those in need, who remain sober, and who work a minimum of 20 hours a week for their community... as a form of assistance. If someone is down on their luck, need help, and family/friends/community can not provide that help... then with current Government programs already in place, a safety net is extended to ensure they receive food/shelter/medical care.

BUT, in exchange for this.. the individual must do 20hrs/week of some form of work for their local community government (repaint buildings, roadside cleanup, park beautification, etc.). I don't abhor the idea of helping others, nor the government providing a safety net for people that need it. I do believe there should be some slight (not onerous) recompense/effort from the individual back to their community in exchange for it.

You want to "build, back, better"? There you go.