Reach-Out or Hand-Out?

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I work just 2 miles from where I live, and with a one-hour lunch, it makes sense to come home for lunch. As a bonus, I get to watch some of that quality day-time TV while I'm here. My favorites? Wife Swap or Cheaters (only because Jerry Springer isn't on until later in the afternoon).

As I was watching yesterday I saw a commercial for ReachOut Wireless. Have you heard about this? It's a government program that is designed to provide discounted or free cell phone service to income-eligible consumers. It includes a FREE cell phone, FREE minutes every month and services like Caller ID, Texting, and Voicemail.

Here's what I find disturbing. Guess how "Income-Eligible" is defined? The web site says you generally qualify if you are currently enrolled in a government assisted program such as:

* Food Stamps
* Medicaid
* Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
* Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
* Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
* National School Free Lunch Program
* Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Really? So now the government is rewarding those on government assistance with FREE cell phone service? Someone please explain to me how this encourages anyone to try to do better for themselves. Lose your food stamps - lose your cell phone. Lose your Section 8 public housing - lose your cell phone. I'm thinking if you want to keep your cell phone you better stay in public housing and on food stamps!

As I was navigating the website in utter disbelief, I started reading the ABOUT US section. In part it read (emphasis mine):

REACHOUT WIRELESS™ believes that cell phone ownership is a right and an important tool for individual success in today’s world. Everyone should have a cell phone without the need for a contract or a high credit rating. People should have the right to always know what their cell phone service will cost and no one should have to pay more than they want or can afford. REACHOUT WIRELESS™ believes in making the cost to own & maintain a cell phone as low as possible.

*shakes head*

Cell phone ownership is a right? I love my country, but when I read about programs like this, I really worry about the future. We've clearly broadened the definition of right from basic needs and freedoms to materialistic wants.

What do you guys think of this? Is it a good program or is it yet another handout that keeps people dependent on the government?

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Stupid is as Stupid does

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I was reading an interesting article in Newsweek the other day. It discussed the possibility that it isn't cancer or heart disease, or smoking or even overeating that is the leading cause of death in America - it's our inability to make smart choices that leads us down the path of engaging in self-destructive behaviors. In other words, it isn't obesity that kills us, it's the decision we make to eat poorly and in excess that kills us. Agreed!

According to Duke University's Ralph Keeney, "Each year more than a million people needlessly die because of their own personal decisions." Ummmm ... yeah! We call that survival of the fittest and it's what keeps us evolving into "better" people! Fewer stupid deposits in the gene pool is never a bad thing, is it?

The real question this article explores is, do we just need a stronger governmental hand prodding us to make better choices? Keeney thinks more governmental guidance might be the answer. I think Keeney has his head up his ass.

I've got to say, none of the governmental “nudges” mentioned in this article make me feel warm and fuzzy. Ideas include putting fruit at eye level (by governmental mandate) and encouraging people to go for regular preventive screenings and checkups by establishing a medical deposit system: the only way to get your, say $100 deposit back, is by showing up for your annual check-up. I've said it before, I'll say it again – this is a slippery slope.

Any time the government says, “You're welfare is our concern” I want to run away screaming. What starts as “We will tell you what to eat because you aren't making the right choices” can quickly change into “We will tell you what level of education you deserve, we will tell you what medical care you can and cannot have, and we will tell you what job you must do … because you aren't making the right choices” effectively taking our choices away, or, at the very least, reducing them significantly.

Yes, we need laws and consequences for illegal activities (as defined by our society through the political process). What we don't need is our government dipping their hand in every facet of our life. We learn by making mistakes. If there's always a net to catch us, we might forget to pay attention to where our feet are on the tightrope. And that in no way makes anyone a better person.

Where are you on the slope?

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