My Christmas Cheer Calls For Welfare Reform

Last Saturday night Patty and I were watching a news channel that had a special on "Canadaville". Canadaville is a new community in Louisiana, developed by Canadian Frank Stronach, to help Katrina refugees get back on their feet. His concept is very interesting.

Canadaville sits on 800 acres and has a capacity to house up to 280 families. Rent is free for the first five years but there is a catch. The residents must be employed and commit to a certain amount of hours of community service work. I think it's a wonderful idea. It's helping the refugees get back on their feet while they build their future again. Living rent-free and employed enables them to accumulate possessions that were lost and save some money. It's helping without giving it away and it preserves the dignity of those receiving the help.

After watching this program, Patty and I wondered why our welfare systems doesn't work in a similar way. If an able-bodied person applies for welfare, why not give them a schedule that lists the times and locations for community service? Why just give the money away if the person is physically and mentally able to work? What's wrong with a welfare reform that helps the individual help themselves?

There are too many people who are dealing with real infirmities who need the checks and food stamps and Medicaid. Those who need it are being robbed by the lazy or those out to beat the system. Offering the financial assistance in exchange for community service would separate the needy from the lazy. I don't particularly like my tax dollars going to support someone who thinks we all owe him/her something. We don't.

As the Canadaville program ended, they said something like this: Let's give these people a hand up instead of a hand out. Makes perfect sense to me.