Yes, I believe government is “breeding a culture of dependency” which has grown out of control, and frankly, amounts to little more than socialism, paid for by hard-working, tax-paying families… against their wishes.
At the same time, I feel strongly that we can and should help our neighbors who are truly needy. In fact, I’ve spent much of my last seven years helping those in need… traveling the state to help provide blankets, shoes, food and health care to those who need it most.
However, there’s a big difference between being truly needy and truly lazy.
My suggestion to require parents of children who receive free lunches to attend parent-teacher conferences is simply a common-sense idea to help break the cycle of dependency, while at the same time providing a better education and a brighter future for the children affected.
Requiring drug testing for adults receiving tax-funded benefits is also just good, plain, common-sense.
Yes, I am speaking out for such requirements, even though they may be “politically incorrect” in the eyes of the news media. It’s better for the children, it’s better for the taxpayers, and, in the end, offering a hand up instead of a hand out will be better for those who have become taxpayer dependents.
Americans are a compassionate people who will always help their brothers who are truly in need. But we cannot and will not allow those who are simply “riding the system” to continue to do so without consequence.
Warren Buffet once said, “No one washes a rental car.”
He’s right. We must find ways to instill some sense of responsibility or consequence into those who are now a part of the cycle of automatic hand-outs.
Generational welfare is bad for the people on it and bad for the state of South Carolina.
I do understand exactly what you intended to say and bravo that you have the courage to say it. It is easy to be a liberal with a big bank account or on welfare with an ebt card—it is much more difficult to try to figure out whether you are paying the electric bill or buying food. We have been in a culture of dependency for a long time. Several generations of welfare. My is that everyone on welfare should have be put on notice that it be stopped in say–2 years. Then they should have to reapply for beneifits as though it was the first time. If they are able bodied–go to work or the state will put you to work on the roadways.
this is so true… you will be crucified in the media for saying this … but there are so many that totally believe what you say is true. Thank you for taking that stand.
André,
It takes a true leader to stick out his neck like you have done on this issue. You have brought up an inconvenient truth. There is a vicious cycle of public dependency in South Carolina and in the country. Instead of giving the poor and disabled a hand up through policy and allowing them the opportunity to climb the ladder to become contributing members of society, the Government provides handouts that are tied to the Government ball-and-chain. This is wrong on so many levels.
While I don’t live in South Carolina, the story is the same in my home state of Georgia and around the country. I know this all too well because I have experienced it as a a disabled citizen. I wanted to be a radio broadcaster and study it in college. The state DRS cited the fact that the chances of a blind person succeeding in broadcasting is low and refused to pay for training. Instead they pushed me down a path which lowered my self-esteem, lowered my standards, and lowered my desire to achieve. The result left me with a Associates Degree in General studies, on SSI Disability after I graduated, and locked down to the Government ball-and-chain because instead of giving me a incentive for bettering my situation, there is only reward for staying put where I am. I’m sick and tired of this and my organization is striving to reverse this vicious cycle. You are dead on. We must reverse the cycle for citizens now and generations to come. We deserve better!
Thanks for your leadership Lt. Governor Bauer! I am proud to have endorsed you!
-Brian Donegan
Founder & Chairman, Can-Do Conservatives of America
I’m so glad to see that someone is brave enough to adress this issue at last! When I was a single mother with two children, I was unable to get any assistance because I worked a full time job. At the same time, a (white) co-worker quit her job because she could get free lunches, food stamps and welfare if she didn’t have a job. Thanks Andre, I’m with you 100%