How can we, as Americans, recover from the current spiral in newly created federal reserve notes, low interest rates that encourage debt, not saving, and the military industrial complex putting our troops into situations to breed hatred, local strife, and as on 9/11, result in harm?
How can we recover from the boomers' loss of social security retirement to inflation even as they've been lied to about a trust fund? How can Medicare, after Boomers have added 40% to the number of seniors by 2015, stay solvent paying for $50,000 knee replacements twice per patient?
How can we use community efforts, de-funding the bulk of the federal government, to help those left behind? Can we create Community Chests close to the needy and avoid the strings of federal government involvement?
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A couple decades ago when I was quite naive, I wrote a proposal for the Omaha Housing Authority. My suggestion would eliminated offices, duplication of overhead and clerical workers around the city that administer the goals of the multitude of federal programs.
I'm sure it quickly hit the trash.
I suggested to OHA that they consolidate their grants and programs and buy a modest home near K-6 schools. Those in need of assistance would be required to bring their children and spend 40 hours a week in the home. Their school age children would attend the nearby school. Rather than chasing down recipients, the Visiting Nurses drug test, give inoculations, and provide child health care advice at the community owned home. A visiting nutritionist from the University designs healthy menus to be prepared. A neighbor donates time to help prepare meals, another teaches sewing or knitting and later rocks the babies while the [mostly] single moms, looked for work or worked at the community home or school.
In other words, for at least 40 hours a week, the children are fed and cared for in a safe environment away from the streets, crime and danger.
Reading skill tests would assess kids and parents alike and the Spalding method used to start at the beginning to teach reading comprehension for those who have fallen behind.
Work at the Community home depends on actions. If a parent brought their children on time and was dressed appropriately, their job assignment may be learning to search for dead-beat-dads on the Internet. They learn computer and office skills which would help in a job search. If they came late, slovenly or inappropriately dressed, they might instead rake the playground at the school or clean the bathrooms. Children would never face the embarrassment of being dirty or inappropriately dressed at school, as those conditions would be corrected before they left for school.
Moms would be encouraged to select a roommate and work shifts to pay rent helping them become more independent. Every step toward independence would be encouraged. Food would be prepared for recipients to take home for the weekend. No funds would change hands. In order to marry or live with another, they would have to prove financial responsibility for themselves and for the family. Too many today move in with a mom on welfare and contribute little or nothing to the household expenses.
A volunteer can take parents to garage sales shopping for kids clothes. On the weekend, a kids movie might be rented, shown at the community house with popcorn. No one is allowed inside the home without an appropriate ID.
Those who found a job might use the home for daycare, contributing some of their income, until they are on their feet. Social workers and early childhood educators work at the home, too, charging for daycare, including overnight for shift workers, to buy food and essentials for those without jobs.
Sending checks for disability or unemployment from government should end. Private disability insurance is available and unemployment in the States is paid for by the employers, not the government. For all who fall through the cracks, the community chest becomes their benefactor.
