I know this column will contain a controversy or two about welfare, but please do not be so narrow-minded as to miss my point.
One can now dial 211 in some Maine communities or go to www.211maine.org for finding a full range of health and human services that may be available such as energy assistance, elder care, health care and many others.
It is unfortunate that citizens of Maine need assistance when the leaders of the majority party in Maine tout how wonderful they have been in making our state such a success. We have all heard how business-friendly Maine is, how many thousands of new jobs have been created and what an overwhelming shining star that Dirigo Health has become. Why would Maine want to have welfare and social services readily available by telephone or the Web?
As for the needy it is an absolute given that services be available in order that they not starve or freeze to death. I don’t have a problem with that because at one time my wife and I were both unemployed when our oil tank ran dry. When we called our heating oil company for 25 gallons they asked why such a small amount and filled our tank saying to pay when we could. I will never forget that because of the tremendous burden that was lifted from our minds. Please notice no government freebies or begging on the streets and the bill was paid off in full.
So why do I have a problem with dialing 211 for assistance? First of all, you had better realize who is paying for it and the answer is almost half of the visible cost is tax dollars that you will pay. The second problem is why do we need such a service over the phone? Are Americans, immigrants or illegals going to find this system the cat’s meow for social benefits? Think about it, you don’t even have to think, just dial 211 and give me. I can’t agree with it and here’s why.
I have to believe that our education system has failed Americans so tremendously that they can no longer even figure out how to use a telephone book. Let’s face it, a recent article in a major newspaper in Maine stated that a large portion of college graduates couldn’t complete a job application. When freshman students from Maine have to take remedial classes in order to compete in college then I have a huge problem with the fact that our local education system has failed.
Some thoughts for you to ponder. For those of you in Windham, the School Board is proposing a $2-million-dollar increase in their budget with no property tax relief for us taxpayers. Will that force you to call 211? Shouldn’t Maine have some kind of time limit for welfare recipients arriving from other states or countries? Why are there out-of-state license plates at offices that handle welfare and at food pantries? What about the greedy that never worked?
“If we take the route of the permanent handout, the American character itself will be impoverished.” -Richard M. Nixon (37th president)
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