welfare sponge

A story in the Herald about homeless people struck me particularly hard. they were talking about the miami center as a model for other programs around the country because it provides child care, veterans benefits, Social Security and more. It is a bright airy painted place with 402 beds. Rules are strict and security is tight; bags are searched and metal detectors are utilized.

One resident felt pressured to become independent and wasnt optimistic about her chances for employment. "What about people who cant work at this moment? They need to do more for us," said Nichole Smith, 24, who is pregenant with her fifth child."No one will hire me while I'm expecting, and how am I gonna make rent and get Pampers and food?"

Somehow it is not enough that she has been taken off the streets and given a clean and safe place to be. Childcare is provided, and I assume, other benefits like food stamps, etc.

Is she grateful or appreciative? No, she isnt. She feels somehow entitled to a FULL ride and whatever she wants with NO effort on her part. If she continues to be pregnant all the time, as she seemingly has been for the past five years, then she will NEVER get a job. Perhaps that is her goal. While her kids are in childcare she needs to be picking up trash in a park somewhere, training for SOME kind of work, answering a phone and filing, SOMETHING.

If she refuses her benefits should be given to somebody more grateful, appreciative, and willing to make whatever contribution they can to justify those benefits.