Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Accountability, Incentive, Self Sufficiency, and the Government

I am a U.S. Citizen, a tax payer, a husband, a citizen of the USA, and a father of five children. I am concerned about our nation.

Times were different then
When I grew up in the 70s I would sometimes hear people comment that they needed to get a job so that they could get health insurance. Now you can get health insurance without having a job.

Spending wisely?
The other day I was watching a news channel report on the rising costs of various things and the reporter went into a home to talk to a worried parent who was receiving government support. As the camera scanned the dwelling I could see children playing computer games with an Xbox or PS2 visible and I could see cell phones. Does the family understand the concept of budgeting and saving? Do they prioritize their spending? Do they delay gratification?

No more stigma
In the past when someone received "food stamps" there was some stigma attached because when they went to the store the fact that they were on government assistance was obvious since the physical food stamps were unique and clearly indicated that the person was receiving government assistance. Now the recipients of government assistance receive what looks like a debit card or a credit card and the stigma or potential to be embarrassed is gone.

As of  September 2013, according to the USDA .gov Web site, 47,305,667 persons participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Incentive and motivation
I don't doubt that there are a large number of people that have a need for government assistance. I am not insensitive. What I do know is that the more that the government steps in to "soften the blow" and give people what they need, there will be less incentive, less motivation, and less desire for individuals to become more active and more focused in lifting themselves to the point where they rely less on government assistance.

If I work hard and save for a rainy day and have a large amount of cash in my bank account, the government's means testing will reduce the amount of assistance that I will get. If I don't save for a rainy day and spend my money on newer cars, toys, trips, and other things, and then I lose my job, I will be eligible for more assistance. Something is wrong with that. We are rewarding the wrong behavior.

They are spending OUR money
If I spend my money unwisely, don't save for a rainy day, and lose my job, the government steps in quickly and offers me assistance. Some of that assistance is paid for, most if it is not. If my neighbor loses his job and asks for my help, and then I see him spending money on things that I don't because I am frugal or I see that he is not downsizing his lifestyle (trading in a new car for basic transportation, selling off things that are not necessary, etc) I would be taken aback and would not feel that my money is being used properly. When we give our money to the government via taxes, we don't look at it the same way, though we Should. The government does not have the resources to go into every home, access the true needs and insist on some downsizing or accountability, but there are things that they can do.

Giving and compassion
I am a giving person. I donate 10% of my salary to my church, amounting to over $1,000/month. When someone at my church falls on hard times they go to our Bishop and he assesses their needs, hooking them up with someone to go into their home and evaluate their finances, review their budget, look at their bills , and help them with resumes and finding a job. If the family in need does not take concrete steps toward budgeting, wise spending, and finding a job, then the assistance is terminated. The church funds are viewed as sacred.

Our church also has compassion. The same individuals that receive assistance will also be receive gifts freely given during the Holiday season from church members. These are other occasional acts where there is no one judging, just giving. In a similar manner, our church will occasionally provide direct food assistance. In all cases there are members of our church that know the families well and have knowledge of true needs.

Our government just gives
Our government does not look at the budgets and spending of those that receive assistance. Money is being given out more freely and with less accountability than ever before. Until we start getting tough and demanding accountability we will create an ever increasing number of doles or people that have little incentive to be self-sufficient. The more we give the more is expected and perceived as some sort of right. The more we give the more people will expect it and even plan for it.

There is no free lunch. Our tax dollars are being wasted on many, many people that are making poor decisions. If we directly paid money to a neighbor in need, would we would be concerned on how they spend their money? We would and though this might seem mean, insensitive, or controlling, it is OUR MONEY and that is TOO  BAD.

Means testing and accountability
Maybe the person should go live with a relative until they could take care of themselves. Oh that is definitely harsh, that is difficult, it is embarrassing, it is uncomfortable, it is mean, it takes work. but hey, it is OUR MONEY. If you want ME TO GIVE YOU MY MONEY then you will lose some of your privacy, sorry, but not so sorry.

It is difficult for our government to do this but they SHOULD or they should not not give the money. STRINGS MUST BE ATTACHED. They should pry into the spending habits of individuals that we give OUR hard earned money to. There will be many that, through no fault of their own, are in a particular situation that is difficult and long-term assistance may very well be necessary, but we must be tough or they will most likely stay in their situation. It is OUR MONEY, it is NOT the GOVERNMENT'S MONEY.

There is no government's money, it is our money.

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