Hunger and Homelessness

[Mayzoo]

My mother was on the government systems (yes, she was a deadbeat, horrible mother according to many here) while she went back to school to become a nurse (I know three mothers who were in the same boat). She did not: abuse alcohol, or drugs, or have a porn addiction, and she had almost no money to manage. She was not a teen mom or mother out of wedlock. She was married one time, 3 kids all the same dad. She was divorced. Her ex (my dad) chose to simply disappear (and per many here, the kids were her responsibility anyway). Had she not had that financial crutch, she would have been doomed to low-wage jobs and would not have become an RN who was gainfully employed, became a homeowner, and a full-time taxpayer.

When I was older, I met another mother who chose the same path (also not an alcoholic, drug-addicted porn-using parent). Per the state she was in, if she did not skip the last two months of her last semester of RN school and attend the training classes to learn to sweep floors, stock groceries, and be lectured about being on time for the minimum wage job they wanted her to have, her aide would be revoked so she could never complete her RN schooling.

I know the general view from many here is the woman had sex, so it is all her responsibility to raise the kids she had and it is fine for her to suffer any/all punishment for having sex. Many I have read here state the government should not help as they/the populace did not have sex to create these kids. However, in this scenario, the populace is punishing the innocent children because their mothers had sex. Thus, children are only a blessing when the mother is well self-funded. If the woman/children live in abject poverty, the punishment is just. I still fail to understand why the children deserve to be punished, but I do not expect to ever understand this mindset.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

1 in 5 kids go without food in the US? I thought we had an obesity problem in the US with kids.

There appears to be a math problem as well. The childhood obesity rate in the US is about 17-20%...or also about 1 in 5. Last I checked, 2 is less than 5, which means that it's possible to have both problems existing simultaneously.

 

[Laodicean60]

she went back to school to become a nurse

She wasn't a dead beat and I'm embarrassed at any Christian on here that give lame excuses like the items you mention.

I know the general view from many here is the woman had sex, so it is all her responsibility to raise the kids she had and it is fine for her to suffer any/all punishment for having sex.

I think those views come from a position of ignorance or lack of compassion. I have a daughter who is in the same boat and without my help she would probably be homeless. With high prices she is definitely struggling but I can see many more out there that are less fortunate than my daughter but the poor kids. I know no other way to help these people besides money or maybe better wages but how long has that cry been going out.
Maybe corporation hear of an area raising minimum wage then they raise prices. jk or my conspiracy theory lol

 

[RoBo1988]

So what can we tell our politicians to do?

Tell the truth; That money can help, but without any effort on the other end to better their situation, things will not improve, and probably get worse.

However, in the world of politicians, the truth is blood in the water for the opposition, who will exclaim how "cruel ", " mean spirited", "racist", "misogynistic" and generally horrible of a person you are; then the lefty press joins in, and next thing you know, you're on the outside looking in.

 

[RoBo1988]

However, in this scenario, the populace is punishing the innocent children because their mothers had sex. Thus, children are only a blessing when the mother is well self-funded. If the woman/children live in abject poverty, the punishment is just. I still fail to understand why the children deserve to be punished, but I do not expect to ever understand this mindset.

Our church, combines with other local county churches, to not only pay for school lunches for those who can't, but also have care packages of food to take home with them.

Note: I also live in a district that votes 70 percent Republican.

 

[rjs330]

Classic denial and blame the kids, blame the parents and blame the heart. It makes it so much easier to say 'no more money for you' in the loudest tough love voice available.

Happy New Year, same as the old year.

You didn't read a word I said did you. No you did not.

That's obvious since there was no logical ot factual rebuttal.

Happy New Year, same as the old one.

 

[rjs330]

Refute the article with evidence instead of making assumptions Are you also one to think all homeless people are drug addicts?

Approximately 2/3 of homeless people have lifetime problems with drugs, alcohol or both.
The poor kids have the highest obesity rates among children.

Depending on the region and year kids on welfare had families that ranged from 5% up to almost 80% that had substance abuse problems.

Lower income property are more likely to be involved in heavy it binge drinking.

Those are the facts.

Recognizing those facts are very important in knowing what to do about them.

This isn't about blame. And the issue is that throwing money at the issues hasn't fixed anything. More money isn't going to fix anything either. Each section of society has their own problems that a general money toss isn't going to fix.

What can help the constant homeless isn't going to be the same thing that is going to help the single mom. And what's going to help one single mom isn't going to help the next single mom.

Claiming we need more money just to give people is nothing more than a feel good measure just to say "we did something." You might as well say "our prayers are with you ".

Doing absolutely nothing isn't the answer either. But in essence that's what we've been doing and everyone is too paralyzed to recognize that. Everyone is too scared to try something else.

 

[rjs330]

74 million children (2) times 8.5% (1) equals 6,290,000 million food-insecure children in 2022.

You can have epidemics of obesity and hunger at the same time. However, obese children are not current food-insecure children, but they may have been food insecure at one time leading to habits of overeating when food is available.

• "Household food insecurity affected 17.3 percent (6.4 million) of households with children in 2022. In some of these food-insecure households only adults were food insecure, while in other households children also experienced food insecurity.
• In 8.5 percent (3.2 million) of households with children, only adults were food insecure.
• Both children and adults were food insecure in 8.8 percent of households with children (3.3 million households)."

1.

Food Security in the U.S. - Key Statistics & Graphics | Economic Research Service

www.ers.usda.gov

2. The State of America's Children 2023 - Child Population — Children's Defense Fund.

That is not 1 in 5 kids. Somebody is manipulating the information. And good insecurity is not the same as actually going without food

 

[HARK!]

MOD HAT ON

MOD HAT OFF​

 

[rjs330]

My mother was on the government systems (yes, she was a deadbeat, horrible mother according to many here) while she went back to school to become a nurse (I know three mothers who were in the same boat). She did not: abuse alcohol, or drugs, or have a inappropriate content addiction, and she had almost no money to manage. She was not a teen mom or mother out of wedlock. She was married one time, 3 kids all the same dad. She was divorced. Her ex (my dad) chose to simply disappear (and per many here, the kids were her responsibility anyway). Had she not had that financial crutch, she would have been doomed to low-wage jobs and would not have become an RN who was gainfully employed, became a homeowner, and a full-time taxpayer.

When I was older, I met another mother who chose the same path (also not an alcoholic, drug-addicted inappropriate content-using parent). Per the state she was in, if she did not skip the last two months of her last semester of RN school and attend the training classes to learn to sweep floors, stock groceries, and be lectured about being on time for the minimum wage job they wanted her to have, her aide would be revoked so she could never complete her RN schooling.

I know the general view from many here is the woman had sex, so it is all her responsibility to raise the kids she had and it is fine for her to suffer any/all punishment for having sex. Many I have read here state the government should not help as they/the populace did not have sex to create these kids. However, in this scenario, the populace is punishing the innocent children because their mothers had sex. Thus, children are only a blessing when the mother is well self-funded. If the woman/children live in abject poverty, the punishment is just. I still fail to understand why the children deserve to be punished, but I do not expect to ever understand this mindset.

It sounds like you are talking for left wing propaganda. I don't believe anyone here said no one should help. That's what many on The left would have you believe. Yet very few people actually feel that way it believe that way. It's not the general view at all. So please don't by the hype.

Yes many people are irresponsible, make bad choices, are abusing alcohol or drugs and purposely abuse the system it does not mean all are nor does it mean no one should lift a finger either.

Compassion is a deeply misunderstood concept. Compassion does not mean no one helps. Compassion is also NOT giving them full assistance either. There are reasons to help.and there are legitimate reasons why the help isn't just handed over either.

Compassion is helping in a way that produces present and future health for not just the mother's but the children as well. Just giving them money has DONE nothing but create generational poverty. That is NOT compassion.

You see your story is actually where all should be. A success story created from poverty. The second story is the one that is the tragic one and the one that is created by the current systems far too often. You think that is compassion? It's not. I think you would agree with that. But that is the system that is most often promoted by the l ft in this country.

 

[JustOneWay]

Yes, let us not provide for the poor mother and her children. Giving them free stuff is not helping them....and compassion is just a word liberals use. Tough love and rejecting them will help them more.
Less compassion and help, more thought and prayers. This is how we show we care at the same time save money and feel better of ourselves for 'thinking' about the struggling single mothers and their fat little starving children. Like everything else, hunger and homelessness disappear when a large enough wall is erected between the home compound and the outside world. Well it may not completely disappear until they perish from hunger and homelessness, but it sure helps to forget when not seeing or hearing about it.

 

[Laodicean60]

Approximately 2/3 of homeless people have lifetime problems with drugs, alcohol or both.

I don't see an article. How many of these were addicts prior to being homeless? How many addicts became addicts after a medical procedure (opioid)? How many became addicts after becoming homeless due to despair?

The poor kids have the highest obesity rates among children.

Could it be because of the ultra-processes cheap food that the government allows on their EBT cards. More bang for the buck.

Lower income property are more likely to be involved in heavy it binge drinking.

Who's fault is that. Don't come back on your high horse and blame the people for low income.

Recognizing those facts are very important in knowing what to do about them.

So far to it's opinion or your facts.

This isn't about blame. And the issue is that throwing money at the issues hasn't fixed anything. More money isn't going to fix anything either. Each section of society has their own problems that a general money toss isn't going to fix.

What can help the constant homeless isn't going to be the same thing that is going to help the single mom. And what's going to help one single mom isn't going to help the next single mom.

Claiming we need more money just to give people is nothing more than a feel good measure just to say "we did something." You might as well say "our prayers are with you ".

Doing absolutely nothing isn't the answer either. But in essence that's what we've been doing and everyone is too paralyzed to recognize that. Everyone is too scared to try something else.

With your words of wisdom may I ask what you are going to tell your politician to solve the problem. Until then more money.

 

[Lily76_]

Here in the UK is the same, so much so it's been noticed by the world health origanation and UNEF
it upsets me that the world has got to this state, people have become harder on the poor and needy. Humans are harder on the poor , some of them not knowing of Jesus , but some of them do, yet they are still harder ,would you feed Jesus if he was hungry would we shelter him and care for him ? Why have we lost the love of Jesus in people who need help ?

Matthew 25:35-40

English Standard Version

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’​

 

[Laodicean60]

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,

I assume if some Christians had Jesus walk up to them or was standing on a street corner he would be judged as a drug addict or alcoholic. Or I better not give him a dollar because he's not making any effort to change. How many of us fail the test.

 

[Lily76_]

Can't that person not be saved ? Can't we give kindness to someone suffering addiction & mental health illness (most people who have addiction has been traumatized in some form) why would you not want to see them help others like him ,

 

[RoBo1988]

I assume if some Christians had Jesus walk up to them or was standing on a street corner he would be judged as a drug addict or alcoholic. Or I better not give him a dollar because he's not making any effort to change. How many of us fail the test.

Jude 1:22-23 God does give us discernment- use it, otherwise, you will end up like my parents, nearly bankrupted by one of their grandsons (my nephew) . They thought they were doing God's work, supporting his habit, in spite of our warnings. He ended up in prison for theft, released, and OD'ed a couple months later, leaving behind 2 children.

 

[Laodicean60]

Jude 1:22-23 God does give us discernment- use it, otherwise, you will end up like my parents, nearly bankrupted by one of their grandsons (my nephew) . They thought they were doing God's work, supporting his habit, in spite of our warnings. He ended up in prison for theft, released, and OD'ed a couple months later, leaving behind 2 children.

I don't need a bible bashing lecture. I know the word well. Let's not try to use it as an excuse though for inaction.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

1 in 5 kids go without food in the US? I thought we had an obesity problem in the US with kids.

If you ask me we have a cultural problem in the US among the poor who aren't taking care of their kids and spending money on cigarettes, booze and drugs. Fathers who are not providing for the kids they create. I know quite a few poor parents who trade their food cards for cigarettes, booze or drugs. There is a ton of services for people. There is no excuse for kids not having enough food.

In fact the truth is they do have enough food. Among the poor they are the most obese. These kids are not going hungry. So can we please stop the kids are all starving and no one cares nonsense. They are not.

No we should NOT end all the welfare help the kids programs. So don't start that.

That's not an accurate assessment...

That's like disingenuously snarking "Hey this one house on the street had their basement flood...wait I thought we were in a drought??"

Two things can be true at the same time.

You can have some poor people who are obese because the only thing they can afford to buy (to feed 4 people) are cheap things like Tostino's pizza rolls and pop tarts 5 days a week, and then some people who are so poor they can't even afford the pizza rolls.

But even what you were saying was 100% true. Let's pretend that the entirety of the extremely poor community had kids that were going hungry because "mommy needs crack and lottery scratch offs", should the kid be punished for that?

This is one particular area where I think the pro-life community needs to figuratively and literally put their money where their mouth is.

They'll frame it in a way that attempts to talk a drug-addicted low-income woman that she shouldn't have an abortion and to put faith in private charity to help her, and then when she needs the help, tell her "no, because you're a drug addict who's spending what money you do have on something we don't approve of"

The pro-life community (largely, I realize that there are some who are quite charitable) needs to come up with an answer to this question if they wish to have their cause make it more than 10 years, because the list of red states voting pro-choice (when presented as an a la carte option) is growing.

 

[RoBo1988]

I don't need a bible bashing lecture. I know the word well. Let's not try to use it as an excuse though for inaction.

Sorry. I didn't realize that was called " Bible bashing"

Anyway, the federal government is the worst charity to solve hunger and homelessness. You're better off volunteering to do it yourself, or donating to World Vision, Samaritans Purse.

 

[Mayzoo]

It sounds like you are talking for left wing propaganda. I don't believe anyone here said no one should help. That's what many on The left would have you believe. Yet very few people actually feel that way it believe that way. It's not the general view at all. So please don't by the hype.

Yes many people are irresponsible, make bad choices, are abusing alcohol or drugs and purposely abuse the system it does not mean all are nor does it mean no one should lift a finger either.

Compassion is a deeply misunderstood concept. Compassion does not mean no one helps. Compassion is also NOT giving them full assistance either. There are reasons to help.and there are legitimate reasons why the help isn't just handed over either.

Compassion is helping in a way that produces present and future health for not just the mother's but the children as well. Just giving them money has DONE nothing but create generational poverty. That is NOT compassion.

You see your story is actually where all should be. A success story created from poverty. The second story is the one that is the tragic one and the one that is created by the current systems far too often. You think that is compassion? It's not. I think you would agree with that. But that is the system that is most often promoted by the l ft in this country.

Believe as you wish, this is not leftist propaganda. It is directly from the Christian Forum first-hand experience.

I have seen it on here within the last 6 months. The posters were asked if they supported financial assistance for the children who were born to the parents (mothers of course) who could not afford to take care of the children and they stated (paraphrase) why would I, I did not have sex to create the kid, the kid is the responsibility of the mother. The proffered solution was she should "keep her legs closed."

I do not have a link because I tried very hard to ignore the posters complete lack of Christian fruits, so I did not keep a record of it. It was in a thread about abortion. They in one breath said absolutely, do not abort the child, but in the next breath they say I absolutely should not have to pay taxes to take care of said child living in abject poverty.

I am against abortion, so I believe we need to remove the barriers to keeping the child by providing financial aide AND provide better sex education coupled with free birth control. The aide system absolutely needs revamping, and until that happens, the children need food, shelter, and educational resources or they will likely become another negative statistic.

It is abundantly clear how many on here feel about those on the system. Many are not even obscure about their disdain. I lived it as a child, and it is even harder to miss when it see it as an adult. I am fortunate to have never needed the system, but those on the system have my genuine sympathy as disgust, disdain, and superiority are palpable from many both here and in real life.


ETA a few links as they are easily found--I only searched one thread. Only one poster in that thread stated they did not create the child, and this poster is at least willing to allow very limited food for one child only. The others can just starve as the mother is responsible, so she and the children should suffer for her choices:

GOP Spending Priorities Begin to Come to Light: cuts to supplemental nutrition for women, infants and children (WIC)

An Air Force base near us will be training Polish pilots on F35s and F16s, as well as pilots from other countries. Sounds like they are preparing for defense against Russia.

www.christianforums.com

GOP Spending Priorities Begin to Come to Light: cuts to supplemental nutrition for women, infants and children (WIC)

An Air Force base near us will be training Polish pilots on F35s and F16s, as well as pilots from other countries. Sounds like they are preparing for defense against Russia.

www.christianforums.com

GOP Spending Priorities Begin to Come to Light: cuts to supplemental nutrition for women, infants and children (WIC)

An Air Force base near us will be training Polish pilots on F35s and F16s, as well as pilots from other countries. Sounds like they are preparing for defense against Russia.

www.christianforums.com