WinsomeDefiance
Posts: 6719
Joined: 8/7/2007
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The "having a bunch of babies to milk the system" is somewhat an archaic mindset. Families are limited to something like a total of five years to receive cash assistance. While you get a few extra bucks for each dependant, the amount and the time you can receive the assistance is limited.
I have four children. I was married, had a nice respectable income. Paid my taxes and pretty much lived the American dream. Until my husband became a controlling psychopathic crack addict who began abusing me and our children. Fast forward 13 1/2 years later. For a time I was one of those women with 4 children receiving cash assistance and food assistance.
On the surface I might even have looked like the cliche' that gets spouted so often on these boards. However, in the nearly 14 years I've been a single mom, I only used up 6 months of those on cash assistnce. My children and I were never homeless. I've NEVER EVER been arrested let alone in jail! My kids are mostly grown but my youngest is still in school and he has a 4.0 gpa. We didn't always have great living conditions, but there was a roof over our head. I really doubt that I'm much of an exception from the norm. Shit happens. Sometimes our best laid plans fall to ruin. Most of the people that I new who were receiving assistance, were busting their humps looking for work.
Currently I am on disability. My first 'check' was in February of this year. Strangely enough, I do ok on disability. My bills (such as they are) get paid, and I don't need housing assitance (although I'm very curious about it.)
Accepting Disability was hard. I worked as long as I was physically capable of doing so, and truthfully years longer than I should have, because I nearly killed myself being too proud to admit I needed to get help. Again, I can't believe that I'm much of an exception and tend to feel that no one WANTS to have to accept their limitations and seek assistance. It is a horrible blow to ones pride and self confidence. It shouldn't have to be such a shameful thing, but it is hard for it not to be when you hear or read about the opinions so many people have toward those ON assistance. It is pretty damn near devestating to know that so many people, were they to know me, would look down on me for things that really and truly are outside of my control. I tend to think most people are on assitance the same reason I was. That my pride wasn't more important than providing for my children, and sometimes you just have to suck it up and do what you have to do to survive.
Now, back to the topic (and I apologize for the slight detour, there are just times when I feel strongly enough to speak up about things).
I can't really speak toward the reality of public housing. I've been fortunate, I guess, not to need it. I still tend to think that those who are needing the assistance, aren't any different than I was when I sought assistance. I know there are people who abuse the system, and take advantage, but I like to believe THEY are the exception not the norm.
Anyway, I just figured that while I was "slumming" here in the Politics and Religion section, I'd go all out and strip myself bare and raw for your entertaainment! Never knew I was into self-inflicted humiliation, but we learn something new about ourselves every day.
< Message edited by WinsomeDefiance -- 11/21/2010 9:46:47 AM >
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RE: Public Housing and the Damage Done - 
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