Should someone be forced to hit rock bottom before they get help?

[BoWanZi]

I think a lot of republicans don't want people to be entitled to help until they hit total rock bottom? Is that fair?

I look at my situation. I lost my job a year ago. I have a house that I'm paying a mortgage on. I have health care that I'm paying for (cobra$$$). I am now on the verge of losing everything. My wife is fully disabled (recent brain injury) and can't work but can't collect SSI because she was a stay at home mom for all of her kids. So we have one income, my unemployment.

I have been able to survive but all the safety nets appear to be gone at this point. Retirement funds are gone. Blah blah blah.

But I still have made my monthly mortgage payment. but I'm not sure about next month or being able to afford cobra next month. Now as far as I can see, a republican would not feel that I'm entitled to any help at all until I'm homeless or otherwise penniless. Is that really fair to me? I have a couple of cars that my wife and I own, one is my 93 and the other is my wife's 2001, they are paid for. Should we be forced to sell them in order to get any type of help? I just get upset when I see republicans implying that I should not get any help until I lose my home, my cars, and my meager possessions.

Or am I just being greedy?

[Lyric]

1. The problem with forcing people to hit "rock bottom" before helping is that

they tend to do SO much damage while flailing for purchase on the way down that recovery becomes a thousand times more difficult later on. People who are left to fall on their asses, financially, before being offered any help will inevitably do things that will slow the fall a little, but will cost them everything later. For example--applying for credit cards you can't afford, just to get the cash advance to pay the electric bill this month, or taking out $200 "payday loans" that cost you $250 or more when the paycheck actually *comes*.

It's much, much better for help to be offered sooner, rather than later.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I am sorry to hear of your situation, and have to agree that this is

not the way to deal with people in need. I hope that you are able to find help or a job before the world falls down on you.

As to the RWers, I am not sure that they want to help people who hit rock bottom either. All I ever hear from them is "they should get a job", "they are just lazy", etc. Well, that is unless it is their kid or their friend---but those are the deserving ones.

The hypocrisy gives me a headache.

Good luck to you. I know that you are trying to do it all right.

[bobbolink]

6. Please try to remember this... it wasn't the RWer who cut welfare.

It isn't the right wingers who are cutting LEAP, food stamps, low-income housing, etc.

I know its hard, but please try to keep that in mind.

[madrchsod]

3. people have to hit rock bottom on their own

[bobbolink]

4. You know, there wasn't much outrage at the loss of the safety nets, was there?

Maybe it is time to look at the priorities of the muddleclass, and how it got to this place?

There are still a lot of you who think Clinton was a hero for getting rid of welfare, and letting mothers and children suffer, and become homeless.

Welcome to reality. We tried to tell you.

[Oak2004]

5. Here's the really ugly fact

There isn't actually much at all for the people at "rock bottom", either, and what little there is is about to be chopped.

[bobbolink]

9. !!!

:applause:

We tried to tell them, but it wasn't important.

[Cleita]

7. I never understood that in our system.

I always thought we should have a rainy day fund that people could apply for if they needed a quick loan at low interest and maybe payments deferred for six months to stay above water. Sometimes people need only a month's rent or mortgage payment to keep from falling through the cracks and keep themselves solvent.

[AlabamaLibrul]

15. It was called TARP n/t

[ret5hd]

8. What makes you think they believe you deserve help when you are at rock bottom? nt

[ehrnst]

10. That seems to be the attitude - and even then -

They think that if they do throw you a lifeline, that you will be happy to dangle there by that thread, and won't try to get off that rock bottom yourself.

Even if that wasn't the case for them - like Paul Ryan, who says that Social Security might be used as a hammock by others, even though he used his father's SS death benefits to pay for college.

[Gregorian]

11. Put this in another context, and then see how you feel about it.

Instead of Republican behavior, think of global warming. Think about the resistance to changing one's behavior in order to avoid something that will affect the lives of those who follow us forever. Forever.

All we can do is teach. I commuted to college in my vehicle until one day a guy said I should ride my bike. It seemed impossible. Miles in the dark, rain, etc. But once I tried it I never turned back.

It's very hard to watch as what little we have left is being killed. I'd love to yank people out of their cars. But I can't. I have a friend who's son is an alcoholic. One has to want to change in order to change.

The situation is just the same. Someone is destroying my life. Their behavior is messing up my world. Whether it's the neighbor with the loud stereo, the repub with his shit logic, or people who want to burn fuel.

We're at the mercy of those who either don't know or don't care. And then some.

All we can do is watch. And hope that we can pass on enough information that those people will want to start doing better.

[Kennah]

12. Consider How We Spend Money And Exert Effort In Other Areas

Crime Prevention

Does it make sense to spend money on first time offenders trying to get them back on the right path, or should we wait until someone is doing life?

Vehicle Maintenance

Does it make sense to take the car in for a maintenance check when the Check Engine light comes on, or should one wait until there is thick black smoke blowing from the tailpipe?

Education

Does it make sense to start helping a kid who is struggling in one subject when grades begin to fall, or should we wait until the kid drops out of school?

Financial Help And Social Safety Nets

It is a damned fool policy to wait until someone is at the end of their rope before helping them. The only explanation I can draw, which makes any sense, is that the LLL (laissez faire libertarian lunatics) in large part drive our public policies. The whole bootstrap, bullshit is antithetical to any sort of social safety net, and we are today witnessing efforts to eliminate virtually all remaining social safety nets. In every area, early help is best, and cheaper.

[BoWanZi]

13. All I can say at this point is that I have been getting extremely depressed about everything lately

Like really really depressed. I just remember the joy I had when i bought my house several years ago at the age of almost 40. Felt good to finally be a first time buyer. It seems sooo long ago now.

Now I wander though my house just wondering where I am going to end up and wondering if its even possible to save it. Yeah, I know that foreclosures take a while to go though but as far as I'm concerned, once the proceedings start, its near impossible to get out of it. I'm not at that stage but I wonder wha

And its not like I live in a mcmansion either. I live in a modest house that cost under 100k when I bought it during the height of the housing boom.

Ugh.

[Duer 157099]

14. It's comparable to saying someone should have Stage 5 cancer before they'll treat

It's absolutely INSANE, but yes, that is what they believe.