OPINION: Welfare class needs to learn self reliance

Now, the first step in problem solving is to define the problem, specifically the source of the problem. And none of the new plans that I have seen so far do a very good job of that. So let me attempt to define the problem of persistent poverty.

The former Confederate states are by far the most poverty stricken areas in the U.S.A. Their poverty was originally induced by the 10 years following that disaster, the period of the so-called Reconstruction.

The occupied states were stripped of all resources by “carpetbaggers” and corrupt union administrators. Then the radical Republicans of the Northeastern states used their political power to impose their socialist ideas on the region.

They started with a massive federal program intended to assist newly free slaves called the Freedmen’s Bureau. When this program only enlarged the problems they began developing more and more direct federal interference with the emerging economy. Each program locked more and more people into dependent relationship with the government bureaucracy. Soon, for many Americans, dependency on government to supply their daily needs became a way of life.

I come from a very large Southern family. My grandfather was adamantly opposed to welfare. He considered the inability of any man to care for his own family to be a source of great shame. But his attitude was not held by many other Southerners.

As a child, I saw many of my relatives struggle against poverty with hard work and careful use of what resources they had. I saw others who signed up for government welfare programs. Today, those families that rejected welfare and insisted on living on their own resources, as limited as they were, are doing well. Most of them now live comfortable, independent lives. But those who signed up for the government welfare programs are still on welfare, along with their children and grandchildren.

Welfare is an addiction, no different from those who become dependent on drugs, alcohol, gambling or other controlling factors. And just in the case of other addictions, welfare addicts are supported in their addiction by enablers. In this case, the enablers are the government welfare bureaucrats who so easily hand out taxpayers money without insisting on the recipients giving anything back in return. Why should anyone work for a living when government gives them everything they need?

The only way to end poverty in the South is to require the welfare class to become self sufficient. That means getting them totally off government hand outs, including food stamps and housing support and all other forms of welfare. Only when people learn to care for themselves will they ever escape the addiction to poverty.

The answer is simple. Our welfare class was taught to depend on government. Now they must be taught to be self sufficient. Every welfare office should have an intense program of education that includes, work skills, household economics, proper child care, and self help motivation. If necessary, a new public works program similar to the old CCC and WPA programs could be developed to guide them into working to support themselves and their families.

Only when we can wean the welfare class off of government dependence and back into the workforce will we have a chance to end poverty in America.

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frankgillispie671@msn.com. His website can be accessed at http://frankgillispie.tripod.com/