Gov't Assistance: WIC, food stamps

[Veronica]

Hair braids etc could be done by a family member or a friend for free (wanting to pratcise).

Could be, but they're not. This is one of my students whom I've had for two years and we talk. Her latest set took 5 hours to complete.

I know this is the Internet and all and very few of you really know me, but I'm not jumping to conclusions when I write something about my students. And it distresses me that my observations are taken to indicate a lack of compassion. Having grown up poor, I know what it's like and I take my job as a teacher very seriously. Part of that means letting them them know that a "free" lunch really isn't free and shouldn't be taken for granted and thought of as right. Oh and I guess because they're poor, I really shouldn't chide them for having Cheetos as snack either.

We're studying the American Revolution currently and you should hear the conversations in my class about taxes...

Veronica

[Atlas]

Could be, but they're not. This is one of my students whom I've had for two years and we talk. Her latest set took 5 hours to complete.

I know this is the Internet and all and very few of you really know me, but I'm not jumping to conclusions when I write something about my students. And it distresses me that my observations are taken to indicate a lack of compassion. Having grown up poor, I know what it's like and I take my job as a teacher very seriously. Part of that means letting them them know that a "free" lunch really isn't free and shouldn't be taken for granted and thought of as right. Oh and I guess because they're poor, I really shouldn't chide them for having Cheetos as snack either.

What do you suggest we do? Cut all those programs so no one can benefit? There will always be people who scam things, but for all the anecdotes I'm sure there are twice as many people who are grateful for those safety nets and don't outwardly say that. The family you're talking about could very well be scamming the whole system, I don't know and I don't really mind because there are a lot more people who are benefiting. Just because I don't need those services now doesn't mean I won't in the future and I'm happy to pay into them. It'd be ideal if no one ripped off a well intended program but that's not human nature.