Government run health care

[Marigold2]

When I refer to people mentally unable to support themselves I speak of people who are depressed, bi-polar, vets with PTSD, people with all types of mental disorders are on welfare. Many homeless people also have mental disorders and are not on meds, even when help is available. Having a mental disorder is nothing to be ashamed of, welfare is there to help. People unable to hold jobs, cope with life because of mental illness are on welfare and yes that is what it is there for. People who suffer from depression are in deep pain and deserve help.
I am talking about those that abuse the system not those that deserve our help. I never mentioned people who lost their job. The only slackers I mentioned are those that have numorous kids with different fathers who will not or cannot support themselves. No where in my post did I bash anyone who is hardworking. I am talking about the Jerry Springer/Maury Povich crowd. And don't kid yourself they make up a huge amount of welfare people and take huge amounts of money. In these difficult times anyone of us can lose our home, or job. We are hard working, honest and deserve help.

[Lady's Human]

When you find yourself in a hole, the first step to getting out is putting down the shovel.

[Medusa]

You're back pedaling and you know it. The tenor of your first post differs from what you just posted and now you're trying to CYA. If I were you, I'd stick to the principle of "least said, easiest mended" and let it go at that.

[Marigold2]

I am sticking to my guns and no I am not back peddling. My first post talks about people who have multilple children with multiple partners. No where does it mention anyone else.
And if you are on welfare it does mean that you are either mentally unable to take care of yourself or physically not, able or both. What other option is there? I am not going to apologize to complaining about the Jerry Springer group and if anyone reads it differently that is how they read between the lines, my post was clear. People with multiple children and multiple partners. I am standing my ground.
As for being in the hole I don't think so. I am doing ok thank you very much.

[Medusa]

Saying that there may be some people w/mental disorders who are on welfare is not the same thing as saying "Being on welfare means you have declared that you cannot take care of yourself either physically or mentally and now you are asking the governement to pay your bills." It isn't imperative that you agree w/me but I would like to think that you can understand how your comments come across as insensitive and uncompassionate and that your opinion about Medicare is just that, opinion, and not fact based. Try not to discount what pomtzu has posted. She has experienced it first hand. I'm thinking that you haven't because you're not old enough yet. I think I'll shut up now because I have a feeling that my words are falling on deaf ears.

[pomtzu]

And if you are on welfare it does mean that you are either mentally unable to take care of yourself or physically not, able or both. What other option is there?

Maybe I should do what Mary said - just shut up because this will fall on deaf ears - but what the heck..............

I fail to see where someone who has lost their job because of the economy and needs help, falls into this category, as do a lot of other scenarios.........

Mentally unable??? - that's someone who doesn't have their wits about them, perhaps "slow", perhaps suffering in a depressive state, etc.

Physically unable??? - broken bones, auto accident, etc.


The person who lost their job and may need some assistance, is most likely very lucid and in good health. So how do figure that they are declaring themselves physically and mentally unable to care for themselves??? What puts them in that category???
Sorry - but I still say that is a very insulting and degrading and uninformed statement to make!

[Miss Z]

Purely on a point of interest (and I say that as I've often been told to keep my big English nose out of American politics on this site before )...

I recently read an article in the Times about how the Republican National Committee is fearful that Obama is aiming to recreate an American version of the National Health Service that we have over here in Great Britain. According to some members of this committee, our free, government-run healthcare is 'evil' and 'socialist'.

However, with this thread speaking specifically about those on benefits and welfare and the likes, would this sort of health care not be hugely beneficial for people in those situations?

[pomtzu]

However, with this thread speaking specifically about those on benefits and welfare and the likes, would this sort of health care not be hugely beneficial for people in those situations?

There already is health care available to these people. The point is the people who are on assistance to start with. The OP was making reference to them being on Welfare to start with, and how people abuse the system and some make that their way of life, instead of getting out and doing for themselves.

Maybe you have to be American to get the total picture???...........

[Miranda_Rae]

First off I did not read all the pages, just the first page so if I am saying something taht is off track or not following the conversation I apologize. I just was reading some of hte things said and they REALLY struck home for me and would like to comment on them. And here I go.

If you are on welfare be it a week or a year or 10 years it is because for whatever reason you cannot take care of yourself finanically. Welfare helps that is what it is there for. People on welfare declare themselves unable to support themselves. Is that not correct? What other reason is there to be on welfare? You can't support yourself and you go and apply for help in food stamps and housing etc..

We need to make people more responsible for themselves, educate them so they can work and make a decent living.

One of my best friends is on food stamps and she is one of the hardest workers I know. She has 2 kids and one on the way. She is a cook at a restaurant and the reason shes on food stamps is because in this economy it is VERY hard to support a family on one income. Her fiancee works, but odd jobs because it is very hard to find jobs that keep people year around around here. I believe she wouldn't care about food stamps or assistance, but because she has children she wants them feed and clothed. I personally do not find welfare bad, only when the system is misused (which I have known a few) who purposely choose not to get a job beause they do not feel like working.

How are we supposed to educate people if they do not have the money? And what if people are responsible but they just do not have the money to go to college? Is the government supposed to pay for that also?

When I refer to people mentally unable to support themselves I speak of people who are depressed, bi-polar, vets with PTSD, people with all types of mental disorders are on welfare. Many homeless people also have mental disorders and are not on meds, even when help is available. Having a mental disorder is nothing to be ashamed of, welfare is there to help. People unable to hold jobs, cope with life because of mental illness are on welfare and yes that is what it is there for. People who suffer from depression are in deep pain and deserve help.
I am talking about those that abuse the system not those that deserve our help. I never mentioned people who lost their job. The only slackers I mentioned are those that have numorous kids with different fathers who will not or cannot support themselves. No where in my post did I bash anyone who is hardworking. I am talking about the Jerry Springer/Maury Povich crowd. And don't kid yourself they make up a huge amount of welfare people and take huge amounts of money. In these difficult times anyone of us can lose our home, or job. We are hard working, honest and deserve help.

Alright I am not trying to start a fight but i found this comment very uneducated. I have Borderline Personality disorder which is listed as a mental illness. If left untreated mental illnesses can lead to where you can not work anymore, but i think we should help educate people to get help before it gets to that point. First off, meds does NOT fix everything. When someone has a mental illness it requires therapy and sometimes therapy and meds. I believe that getting people help for their problems rather than putting them on a welfare program for food stamps and housing is more important. Whereas that is important also because people need food and a roof over their head, but they also need the help that could help them with their mental illnesses. People can not change the world but they can start in the small corners of their area.

Secondly the comment about not having people on welfare who have numerous kids with numerous fathers, did it occur that they may also have numerous mental illnesses that cause them to make the poor choices that got them into those situations so therefor they would "qualify" to be on welfare. I am just pointing out some thoughts that I had as I have been through the mental health circus for years and have met many different people in many different situations that have been on welfare and that have not. These were just my thoughts that crossed my mind due to where I have been and waht I have seen.

[pomtzu]

And if you are on welfare it does mean that you are either mentally unable to take care of yourself or physically not, able or both. What other option is there?

In post 14 I asked for an answer/explanation to/of this statement, and I'm still waiting. You dropped out of sight in your own thread and left it for others to give it a new life and direction.
Out of sight - out of mind????? I'm not that easily distracted.

[RICHARD]

Out of sight - out of mind????? I'm not that easily distracted.

But can you be easily amused?

[pomtzu]

But can you be easily amused?

But of course! I keep coming here, don't I??? There's never a lack of laughable posts.........

[Edwina's Secretary]

In post 14 I asked for an answer/explanation to/of this statement, and I'm still waiting.

Don't feel bad. I often don't get answers either!

[pomtzu]

Don't feel bad. I often don't get answers either!

I guess it's easier to just back off when you're cornered.

[Marigold2]

I am sorry I didn't realize you were waiting for an answer, I only come on about once a week and this Sat my son is getting married so I have been so busy, but in a great way.
Plus I work full-time so I am limited to how much time I have for PT, judging from everyones posts I guess that is a good thing. LOL
Got to run but I will get back to you next week.

In post 14 I asked for an answer/explanation to/of this statement, and I'm still waiting. You dropped out of sight in your own thread and left it for others to give it a new life and direction.
Out of sight - out of mind????? I'm not that easily distracted.