Iamdjchrys wrote:
I take issue with a few of your points, but will respond only to one: Poverty. Many outstanding Americans have overcome poverty through sheer willpower and hard work.
Yes, quite so, and many less than outstanding Americans have done the same. Rising out of poverty is not some 'social justice' issue. It is a mindset. Give a poor man $100, and he'll be rich for a day. Then he'll be poor again. Give an entrepreneur that same $100 and he'll show you $1000 at some later date. The difference between the two is what they did with their $100.
Iamdjchrys wrote:
Sure, there are those who work the system because it's the only way they know to survive; and the system is designed to keep them there.
Now you're getting down to it. I wouldn't say it's the
only way they know to survive, but it's certainly the
easiest way, and therein lies the 'trap'. They get used to all this 'free money' rolling in every month and see no need to change that. You often hear this question about 'rich' people and 'how much is enough?', the same goes for the 'poor'. Apparently, a welfare check is enough. Not only that, but a welfare check is proof of a legitimate income, leaving plenty of time for more lucrative 'businesses' nobody needs to know about.
Iamdjchrys wrote:
Work requirements are difficult to fulfill with unskilled workers' job prospects rare if not impossible. Wouldn't enrollment and attendance at a job training program be a better idea? Then the person would actually have the chance to support him/herself and their family!
McDonald's is hiring. McDonald's is always hiring. Then there's the local labor pool. There are many avenues to employment if a prospect is motivated to go look for them. Job training is certainly a tool for advancement. Many local colleges offer some form of career retraining services for those whose skills are redundant or non-existent.
Iamdjchrys wrote:
Social workers assigned to families in poverty carry ridiculous workloads. All they really do is perpetuate reliance on the system. Bottom line, the system has got to change before it can truly benefit those who need it.
Now you're getting to the root of the problem. You're absolutely right, "the system has got to change". It has got to change in a profound way. It has got to go away. Completely. Take government, put it in a sturdy box, close he lid and place a sign on there that says "Open Only In Case Of Morbid Curiosity". Once those meddling politicians are no longer making life difficult for all of us, then we'll see an end to 'the poverty trap' and a new beginning for millions of good people.
Unless, of course, you don't think we can take care of ourselves and each other...