I WAS raised in a middle class, blue collar home. My parents weren’t biomedical scientists or professors. My dad worked in a factory and was later promoted to foreman.
When I was in my early 20’s I was a single mother. I worked in a commercial art studio as an apprentice. My child care was paid for through a government program. When I received a 25 cent an hour raise I was cut off that program. I couldn’t believe that a “raise” would actually decrease my monthly income.
I drove to the welfare department in Milwaukee. It was in a horrible area and I was very uncomfortable waiting to speak with someone. I explained my situation to the employee at the department. She basically told me I was stupid to be working because I would be better off financially if I quit my job. I was furious! I won’t repeat what I said to her.
I was living in an apartment building and there was a single mother living across the hall from me. She had nicer furniture than me and was driving a new car, and she was on welfare!
I had an old station wagon that was so rusted out that the spare tire was falling through the back end …and it was a vehicle someone lent to me.
My son had ear surgery and when I received a $7000 medical bill I found out my ex let the insurance lapse. I worked 3 jobs and paid that bill in full.
I worked full time, a couple nights a week waitressing, and long weekends bartending. I slept very little. It took several years to gain the experience and financial means to start my own business.
The best thing that could happen to me is the day I realized that my future was MY responsibility. I had to work hard, pay my own bills, and stay focused.
There are people who truly need help, but many are just lazy and want the government to bail them out. I find it offensive that my tax dollars are spent on college educations that I never had the luxury of. I am angered by all the handouts to undeserving recipients. Many family units and far too many communities have been destroyed by the leftists who have enabled crime, dependence, and failure under the guise of “compassion”. All the leftist politicians care about is staying in power by offering “freebies” and shoveling the root causes under the rug until the next election. Democrats don’t have solutions, they just do what feels good and looks good for the moment with no regard for the long term, disastrous consequences.
You are a product of your choices, not a victim of your circumstances.