More needy, Fewer Resources

They have been running out of resources for assisting the poor, elderly and disabled for many years. And if one thinks about it, just in the past thirty years or so, it has always been the strongest threat to cut services to the poor, elderly and disabled.

I believe that it is a part of our system that has failed many times over. They are using old ideas for guiding the poor out of poverty, assisting the elderly to live out their lives with dignity; and, segregating the disabled from complete participation within society with respect.

Why shouldn't they cut the programs offered to the three groups mentioned?

Many, except for the elderly have probably looked towards being gainfully employed; but what is left without the appropriate education are minimum wage paying positions. And still, there are few of these positions available (Locally opportunitties are lost through recent closures, as well as the blocking of possible opportunities for employment by stores wanting to relocate.).

Instead of cutting funds to help the groups mentioned, why not stop the waste performed by our government: guards watching over parking lots, security systems installed that truely were not needed (At least not until other problems have been addressed), high per diem expenses to government representatices, etc.

Our State is trying to do too much in a big hurry to meet new goals regarding energy and protecting the environment (Important topics, though we may be over doing it in some cases,). Yet, it has forgotten that in meeting these high goals appropriate training and restructuring of our society is needed to include the poor, elderly and disabled.

The poor and disabled need to speak out more about accelerated training to meet future needs of our society. While advocating for additional training, create more partnerships between the organizations to provide services needed.

These organizations providing assistance to the poor, elderly and disabled can not do it alone. Individuals from the groups need to get involved and want to change their situation.

Core family involvement needs to become stronger. Families can no longer state that the government will assist you 100%. The family has to be able to take more responsibility for their siblings, poor or disabled, as well as watching out for the their elders.

We need to work together to reach common goals and get through this time of financial hardship.

http://www.times-standard.com/letters/ci_11478453