Last week, Lt. Governor Andre Bauer said America is “breeding a culture of dependency,” and told an Upstate town hall meeting that we must find ways to break that cycle.
Bauer acknowledged that his intended metaphor could have been delivered more eloquently, but said his overall message remains true.
“Government has bred a culture of dependency, and there’s absolutely no one in government with the courage to stand up and say, ‘We need to break that cycle of generational poverty and dependence.’ Well, now there IS someone saying it.
I do not care about being politically correct. I care about being honest. And we honestly have a problem of dependency which is getting worse instead of better.
We are a compassionate people, and we will always take care of those who are truly needy, as we should. But there are also those who are NOT truly needy, merely lazy or greedy, who are taking advantage of the system. And, unfortunately, the system is actually designed to encourage them to take advantage of it.
Spending is out of control. When we waste tax dollars on those who are just lazy or taking advantage of the generosity of the American people, we have fewer dollars available for the truly needy or the hard working families who find themselves in hard times.
Last weekend, I went to Massachusetts to help campaign as a volunteer in that very important election for U.S. Senate. Over and over, I heard frustration from taxpayers who were angry that our nation is sliding rapidly toward socialism and away from the free enterprise system, and it was that frustration that caused the electoral upset.
The people of South Carolina are also frustrated with government. I’m frustrated. We have welfare recipients in this state who collect their checks and have no intentions of ever getting off the government gravy train. We simply cannot afford that mentality anymore. Somebody has to have the courage to speak out against it.
There are parents who are dependent upon the government for food and shelter, but who are unwilling to engage in their children’s education. This robs children of a chance to break out of poverty. Thousands and thousands of innocent young children are stuck in this cycle, and will never have a chance to break out of it… unless WE change the system.
Requiring the parents to show up at their child’s school once or twice a year is not too much to ask if they expect to keep getting their welfare payments, and it might just make the difference in the child’s future.
Back in 1996, when I first ran for office, I told voters, ‘I may not be the slickest talker, but I’ll be the hardest worker.’ That’s still true.
And next month, I expect to officially announce my candidacy for Governor, and I can tell you now I will not always be “politically correct” during my campaign… but I will always be honest.”
Mr. Bauer,
There is no need to apologize. Sometimes speaking plainly is the best way, why “sugar coat” our problem? I am the owner of a low income mobile home park in the upstate and I have seen more than once, citizens and their “spouse” taking advantage of our state and Federal generosity. It is easier for them to collect food stamps, welfare, Medicaid and unemployment rather than to go get a job.
I understand that all of this assistance is good, but the people that I deal with are using these sources for permanent income.
I do tire of struggling to support my own family, while watching the “stray animals” live rather healthy yet unproductive lives. Many people say they are underprivileged citizens, I tend to disagree, they have had as many opportunities or more than I myself have had.
For all of you who sit in judgment of what our Lt Governor has said, why not waste your energy on other things. If you are going to point fingers at someone at least look at who you are pointing at first. All that Mr. Bauer said was the truth. You may not like the words he used but it was the truth non the less. Exactly what did he say that you didn’t like? That he used the reference to “stray animals” well, what exactly do you call people who mooch off of our generosity without giving back? Perhaps all of you finger pointers can have a meeting and come up with a better term, at least that would be productive on your part.
This is a problem in our country and it needs to be solved. Mr. Bauer keep up the good work.
I had much rather have an HONEST governor than a “politically correct” one.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! FINALLY SOMEONE IN THE POLITICAL FIELD IS HONEST AND STRAIGHT FORWARD ENOUGH TO TAKE A STAND!! Thank you thank you thank you. Thousands of us stand behind you and agree 100%. Dont let the media beat you down; they cant stand it when a Conservative steps out vocally - AND IS CORRECT! What you said is the truth. They dont like it???? Well of course not, because the truth hurts. Not to mention that the Bible says, “The truth shall set you free”. If those taking advantage of the welfare system would let the “truth” set them free - they’d get up off their lazy, greedy, selfish butts and try to make a difference for themselves, their family and the community. If you’re going to breed - BREED integrity, character, honesty, independence, hard labor and good morals! Thank you Andre. Thank your parents for the political correctness they bread in you.
Thank you for saying what so many of us believe! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with asking for a little parental support in exchange for a free handout. I grew up on free lunch, but my parents made sure we knew that is was temporary and that education was the only way to make a better life for ourselves.
Thank you for speaking honestly about your feelings. It is about time that someone in the political arena started using plain language rather than always worrying about being politically correct. Thanks to the press and their sensationalistic ways it has become more politically expedient for politicians to go entire speeches without saying anything at all of consequence rather than risk offending anyone.
Kudos to you!
Could have been better said, but absolutely true. The greatest problems with dependency originate with the federal earned income tax credit & refundable child tax credit, but there is little we can do about that except secede again! On the level that you can do something about, what sense does it make to take a minimum wage job until you can do better if you can draw $326 a week in unemployment? Explain to me how you can draw unemployment and social security at the same time??? That’s double dipping.
Thank you Andre! Be honest always, more of us appreciate it than don’t! Our eyes have been opened to things we had no idea were going on with our taxpayer dollars thanks to our current administration. We see very clearly now…I support you and your comment 100%!!
Thank you for your comment. You are not scared to tell it like it is!!! We need more people who tell the TRUTH! If you were in North Carolina you would have my vote!
Totally agree. I wonder if you realize how hard the schools push people into applying for free lunch? Just recently I actually had the person in charge of cherokee county ‘lunch programs’ get upset with me for refusing to apply (for the 6th time) this year. We have now received 3 letters sent home from school, 2 phone calls ‘encouraging’ us to apply, and now someone actually mouthing to me, after suggesting again that I apply, because my unwillingness to apply apparently causes the school to receive less funding?? (also the reason stated in the numorous letters/calls). Even if you manage to afford your childrens lunch, you have to fight to pay for it, and you are made to feel as if you are hurting the school by doing so. If it’s actually true that funding is based that much ,on how many free lunches are in a school, then the school system is being put in a bad position, and passing it on to the students/parents.