Friday, October 8, 2010
Imagine...the finale. Happy Birthday, John
"Imagine there's no Heaven. It's easy if you try. No Hell below us. Above us only sky. Imagine all the people living for today...Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do...nothing to kill or die for...no religion too...Imagine all the people living live in PEACE.You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us and the world will live as one. Imagine no possessions...I wonder if you can...no need for greed or hunger....a brotherhood of man...Imagine all the people sharing all the world" RIP John Lennon, who would've turned 70 on October 9, 2010. Your spirit will never die, it lives on in us--the dreamers, the peacemakers, and those who believe there is a way for all of us to truly live in a brotherhood of man...
A Little Perspective, Please
There's is a nasty bunch of "likes" going around on Facebook right now. Many people that I consider to be loving, caring citizens are "liking something that they know nothing about. This subject seems to be controversial and divisional right now. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. The best advice I ever got on this subject was from my former boss at The Cabinet for Families and Children. I was a foodstamp/medicaid worker and my boss said at a weekly Unit Meeting, "Don't ever let me hear of workers in my unit demeaning their clients. Always remember without them, you wouldn't have a job, and you are only one budget cut away from being on the other side of the desk." Lori Huff was the best boss I ever had. Never were truer words spoken. I almost started a group for people to "like" instead of the groups that apparently hate people on Public Assitance. Is it me, or has a society that despises those below the state poverty line reached a new low? I would love to throw out some statistics about how people end up in these situations (i.e. domsetic violence, etc.) But that is not what this about. It is about being understanding...put yourself in their shoes, before you click "like" on a Facebook group.
I look at it this way, if you or an immediate member of your family has NEVER had to rely on foodstamps, medicaid, KTAP, etc. for the not only the welfare, but the survival of themselves or someone they love, then consider yourself BLESSED. If you don't believe in God and you believe in Karma, then, Heaven help you...I hope you don't ever lose your job, have to file bankruptcy, or see your business fail.
Do the people who start these groups or "like" these groups think that those who have no other choice, but to apply for these programs are PROUD of it!?! Do they think these people really feel entitled?!? Don't you think they would rather have a good paying job that provides decent healthcare and food on the table for their children, than let their heart sink every time they have to swipe their EBT card and NOT a DEBIT card?!? I liken it to the way I was raised...My mom was a single mom who always worked 2 or 3 jobs and never earned more than 14k/year when I was growing up. We qualified for foodstamps AND medicaid, but she would never apply for either...because her PRIDE was in the way. (Too many meals of mac-n-cheese with tuna when I was a teenager may have caused me to think the way I do ;)
I remember the warnings she gave before every football/basketball game or track meet. "Michelle, please be careful...I know you are the lighest one and the easiest one to throw in the air, but you CAN"T get hurt. You don't have any health insurance." Every time I participated in sports, I thought, "I hope I don't break my leg, 'cause mom will lose the house." I look back and wish my mom had realized that it is not pride when it comes to well being of your children. When I got to college I thought UK clinic was a gift from Heaven...that, and my UK food card where I could get ANYTHING I wanted to eat in the cafeteria!!
So, "friends," think before "liking" something that may, not only be offensive, but truly hurt someone you care about...you never know how someone else's life really is, until it is YOU living it.
I look at it this way, if you or an immediate member of your family has NEVER had to rely on foodstamps, medicaid, KTAP, etc. for the not only the welfare, but the survival of themselves or someone they love, then consider yourself BLESSED. If you don't believe in God and you believe in Karma, then, Heaven help you...I hope you don't ever lose your job, have to file bankruptcy, or see your business fail.
Do the people who start these groups or "like" these groups think that those who have no other choice, but to apply for these programs are PROUD of it!?! Do they think these people really feel entitled?!? Don't you think they would rather have a good paying job that provides decent healthcare and food on the table for their children, than let their heart sink every time they have to swipe their EBT card and NOT a DEBIT card?!? I liken it to the way I was raised...My mom was a single mom who always worked 2 or 3 jobs and never earned more than 14k/year when I was growing up. We qualified for foodstamps AND medicaid, but she would never apply for either...because her PRIDE was in the way. (Too many meals of mac-n-cheese with tuna when I was a teenager may have caused me to think the way I do ;)
I remember the warnings she gave before every football/basketball game or track meet. "Michelle, please be careful...I know you are the lighest one and the easiest one to throw in the air, but you CAN"T get hurt. You don't have any health insurance." Every time I participated in sports, I thought, "I hope I don't break my leg, 'cause mom will lose the house." I look back and wish my mom had realized that it is not pride when it comes to well being of your children. When I got to college I thought UK clinic was a gift from Heaven...that, and my UK food card where I could get ANYTHING I wanted to eat in the cafeteria!!
So, "friends," think before "liking" something that may, not only be offensive, but truly hurt someone you care about...you never know how someone else's life really is, until it is YOU living it.
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