While politics have little place here, sometimes they must be addressed, especially in areas where the church and politics intersect. It is safe to say that our nation's economy is pretty much going down the drain. We've been through a couple of different stimulus packages now and there has been no improvement. Why? Truthfully, there are many reasons. One of those is part of what lead this nation into this predicament.
It is no surprise to look at the statistics regarding the number of people on welfare. The fact is that we have everything from unwed mothers and the disabled to illegal immigrants who gave birth to a child in this country on welfare. Perhaps it can be said that the disabled have a "right" to be on welfare. However, save for the most extreme of cases, that is merely an excuse not to work.
Lets face it, people have become lazy and would prefer to live off of the work that somebody else does. Is it any wonder? Government almost encourages this recklessness. Currently there are thousands of otherwise able bodied single women who are living off of welfare, paid for by your tax dollars, and are pregnant, AGAIN! Why?
Part of the problem is that liberal politicians have been working hard to make it easier for unwed mothers to get help from the government, with little to no accountability required on the part of the recipient. The other part is that the church has begun to become lax in its responsibility to help the needy. Though it may be that part of this is because those who do not seek repentance and hence feel that the mandate to repent is too great a burden, yet they do not see that they burden those who do work by stealing their money. Thats right, stealing. Welfare is little more than a form of theft in which irresponsible behavior is rewarded by giving away money that belongs to those others, namely those that earned it.
It is shocking to hear a teenager crying "I didn't mean to get pregnant". WHAT? That is almost like saying that Hitler didn't mean to cause the Holocaust. Hitler knew full well what he was doing. Likewise anyone engaging in sexual activity must realize the potential consequences, including pregnancy. Don't be mistaken, sin can, will, and does happen. Even adultery can be forgiven. However, that doesn't excuse it or negate the consequences. It is even worse when it becomes habitual. Many are the tales that are told of unmarried women that give birth to a child and are soon pregnant again within a year of the birth of the first child. Then, a year later, yet another pregnancy and still unmarried.
Before this begins to seem too hateful and biased, this is merely looking at a harsh reality that some rarely ever see, unless they spend time in a Social Security Administration office. We, as Christians and Americans, should be ashamed of ourselves. How did we let this happen? Easy, by allowing the teaching of "safe sex" rather than abstinence in the public schools. Also, by allowing liberal politicians to give away tax money to organizations that support abortions on demand and distributing birth control on the high school and college campus.
What then is the hope of those who have made living on welfare a lifestyle? None. They simply spend their time doing as little as they can while they live off of the hard earned money of others. As for their children, they frequently end up living the exact same lifestyle that they saw their parents live. It is true that some can and do break this cycle, but those are more of an exception than the rule. This can be especially true in the case of illegal immigrants that are unable to speak English and have no real desire to work. Yet, because their child was born in this country, we are unable to deport them.
Truthfully, this is all madness. Sloth and adultery are being rewarded. When that happens, everyone loses. The amount of people living on welfare or some other form of public assistance is more than what the economy can or should have to support. It needs to end for the sake of everyone. The question is how? Truthfully, only the most extreme of measures are going to help, and those who have made living on the tax dollars of others are going to hate it.
1. All welfare cases should be carefully evaluated. Only those who are showing a genuine need and are working towards eventually being self sufficient should be helped, and only within a certain percentage.
2. A statute of limitations must be established with regards to how often and for how long one may receive such assistance. This must be handled on a case by case basis.
3. Deportation of all illegal immigrants and their children. If the parent is in the country illegally, then that child's citizenship is the same as that of the parent. No more declaring an illegal immigrants child a US citizen just because they were born here.
4. The church needs to wake up and take back its responsibility. God gave the church the responsibility to care for others. Christ Jesus said "That which you do for the least of these you did for me".
5. REPENT! Can that be any clearer? People need to be held responsible for their actions. No more laziness or wanton adultery. This only serves to hurt others.
