Policy Blog #5 (Op-ed)

Prompt:
Write a letter to the editor or Op-ed piece about an issue about which you are passionate and post it on your blog.

Whenever it is time to elect new political officials into office, debates on hot topics begin. The media also begin flashing the messages of what particular parties stand for. One thing that seems to be a hot topic is the welfare system. Normally I hear that Democrats or liberals, if you want to call them, take a stand of more government aid, they are the ones who seek out programs that will provide aid to people in need, and the Republicans, or the conservatives, take the stand that there should not be a lot of government aid, because it is not societies responsibility to assist everyone who can't help themselves.

Although there is some truth in that I do think it is slightly misleading, because both parties have provided many programs that people in society have benefited from. Because I think that both parties believe that there needs to be help for those that need it. Although I think that the government has a responsibility to the people of the nation to provide them with resources. However, I have recently been asking myself and wondering "where does the line get drawn?" "how long can the government be expected to provide for people" "When does the responsibility shift from the government and more to the individual?"

When I ask these questions I understand that there are people in our nation who desperately need some sort of aid because they can not do it alone, but how long? Many programs have been established as temporary aid,but it turns in to something more permanent. The government can not be held responsible for getting individuals back on their feet if individuals do not take some responsibility themselves. When I drive by a government housing location, I can't help but notice how many adults I see just sitting outside smoking or having a beer in the middle of the day. It makes me think that they are not working on trying to better their own situation because they are just expecting the government to bail them out.

I am not saying that everyone who receives some kind of government aid is abusing it, but I can't help but wonder how many people continue to live in poverty because our current welfare system is flawed and allows for abuse and nothing is being done about it.

I would like to see our government not only develop programs that would encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own lives and conditions, but also seek ways to adjust our current programs. Even if that means making the application process of who qualifies more difficult or if it means creating a system with a tighter monitor of the individuals who receive aid.