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We the People in the Mirror
By lindamuralidharan on 2013-03-15 03:39:05
[caption id="attachment_4217" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="People reflected in Selfridge's department store
mirror, UK Guardian photo"] [/caption] I watched a
program today about a high school in Chicago, Harper High School, that was previously featured on an NPR program after
reporters were allowed free run of the school over a period of time. The school is notable for the gun violence that surrounds
it and the numbers of its students who have been shot or killed by guns. It is notable for the fact that it received a lot of
grants to turn the school around when it was marked as a failure. It is notable for the success caring faculty have had in
utilizing these funds and reaching so many students on an individual basis. As the program to turn the school around
progressed and results became apparent in improved academic performance, faculty succeeded in mentoring a number of the
students all the way through the process of actually enrolling in and going away to college. It was pointed out to the
reporters that the students are the first in their families to go and must be guided even after they leave the high school. Some
faculty have even given money to students so they could pay for room and board while away from home. As admirable as
the latter acts are, it raised my hackles as happens whenever I hear of citizens enabling their government. Their government
which is us. When we come to depend on volunteers to do things we need to be responsible for as a society, we are enabling
irresponsibility. If we depend on these individuals, then what happens when one moves away? What happens when one or
more fall on hard times themselves? What happens when one marries and the spouse doesn't agree with this giving being a
part of the family budget? On the other hand, the law says the schools will open on a certain day in September (or July or
August depending on locale). All schools don't do so good a job as they should but they will open. If there is a legal program
supported by us the total community through tax dollars it is likely to be implemented and not left to whim or convenience.
And there is opportunity for the burden, if it is that, to be shared and not just put on the shoulders of the super-conscientious
few. So, to me, we as a society are responsible for providing scholarship funding for students (our future taxpayers) and for
working very hard to see that all parents who do work earn a decent wage. Yes, but this also got me thinking about what
exactly is society responsible for...as opposed to the individual or individual communities, neighborhoods, and such? It got
me to thinking about a conversation a friend had with his aging mom who needs a lot of help for herself and her chronically
ill husband. As they discussed her stubbornness about not wanting to move into assisted living or similar, she said, "Oh, I
wish I had put my money in one of those trusts so I would be eligible for Medicaid funding and I could leave my money to
you." Right away my friend, her son, said, "Mom, we are fine! We don't need your money at all, and Medicaid is supposed
to be for those in real need, not the lucky ones like you." Now there's a rare attitude in this day and age among the affluent
middle class. Many people buy into the hype the investment companies push time and time again. Money is transferred to
trusts (according to the proper tax rules) and then these folks who could afford their own care live off the rest of us in
nursing home care paid for by Medicaid. And that drives up costs so that people ideologically opposed to programs for the
poor say Medicaid needs to be drastically cut or done away with altogether. In my opinion, we as a society need to provide
Medicaid for those who literally cannot afford proper care otherwise. I don't believe it is right for people to hide their assets
in order to get someone else to pay for their care. And this is part of what I mean when I say some of our problems are right
in the mirror. I mean we create some of the very problems we then later complain about. I think it is our responsibility to
avoid as much of these problems as possible in the first place. And now I am reminded of another gimmick that affluent
people...both from the left and the right..-use to avoid full responsibility for sound government and tax policy. If you have a
son or daughter who is disabled and receiving disability benefits from the federal government, certain of the benefits...such
as Supplemental Security Income..are means tested and you are only eligible if you have few assets and a very limited
income. Affluent parents want their offspring to have extras that indigent families can't give their disabled offspring so now
there are trusts the families can put their money in and then the disabled person can draw money from the trust for quite a
variety of things while retaining eligibility for SSI which we, the taxpayers, pay for. Now, I am not saying that parents ought
to support their adult offspring if they don't want to. I am saying that if they want to spend money on their children, they
need to pay for their living expenses first and the luxuries later if they have plenty (and many whom I know do). These
disabled individuals ought not to receive SSI from us tax payers so long as the parents can pay and are spending the money
anyway. If the parents eventually do run out of money...or an inheritance of the disabled person is used up ... then of course I
believe in the tax subsidized safety net for all in need. Back to responsibility. I think we function much better as a society
when we all work together to see what is our own responsibility and what is that of society. For my part of the dialogue, I
believe, society is much better off if the truly indigent have a source of sustenance, health care of good quality, decent
housing, and education to enhance their potential. It is good for them, and it is good for us to practice the Golden Rule. Not
to mention the money that is made by healthy and secure and educated workers (as opposed to under trained and hungry and
stressed out and homeless workers) and the money that is saved by good health care and preventive care. However, I think it
is wrong (dare I say hypocritical) for folks to use tax dodges to avoid paying their share..while all too often pointing the
fingers at others who don't seem to be caring or ethical. Peace through justice and fair play is sure worth a try! Do we need
to change ourselves in order to "like" what we see in the mirror? (Pun intended.)
