Today I was listening to a radio program on my local AM station and the topic bothered me so much I felt the need to rant about it here.
The subject of the program was charity.Right now even though the United States is seen as a bully and a villain, we are the first country folks look to in times of crisis. Whats that you say? You've had an earthquake? Here's the Seventh Fleet for you. Epidemic? Have some doctors and free money for you. Are you being invaded by a neighbor? Lets give you our most priceless resource, our soldier lives.But....
What happens in our own house when our own citizens hit hard times and our economy is having more ups and downs than the craziest roller coaster on Earth. Do we give the down and out free aid so they don't have to sleep on the street? Do we send the military in to build camps with central heat and a/c for the homeless families? Nope. That's just for nation building efforts abroad. Do we send millions of metric tons of food to the states to give to the hungry? Nope. That food goes to our frenemies and outright enemies.
Do we give brand new never been worn top of the line designer clothing to those who have none or insufficient clothing?
Nope.
That stuff goes to aid folks in Haiti or Japan.
If you are an American citizen and you have need, legitimate need, then while we are helping those outside the country you have to go beg at a church for your food for your family or go hat in hand to private people so you can pay for another week at a fleabag motel for your family. You may even find yourself on the exit ramp of a highway with a sign.
Why do we continue to sit complacently by while our brothers,sisters,friends and neighbors are struggling and yet pat ourselves on the back for sending our tax dollars out of our country to help those who in some cases wish us harm. In the past we have sent money or food or military aid to such luminaries as Iraq(during the Hussien years),Pakistan(they like us so much they closed the border to US contractors last month),China(70-30% trade imbalance with us.) These are the one who our enlightened leaders say deserve help. They don't need income guidelines or minimum residency requirements. They just have to live outside the US of A.
I implore anyone who views this blog: Please, find a person or family in need near you and help them. Give those who are hungry a gift card to your local grocery store. If you know of a family trapped in the hell of a motel existence, speak up at church and get an offering to help them with an apartment or house. You know someone who needs clothes? Don't make them go to a thrift store for worn out cast offs. Give them a gift card to Kmart or Walmart.
LETS FIX THE HOUSE BEFORE WE FIX THE NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!
