OT: The Dole Brings Out the Worst in People (Introduction)

by xeno6696 , Sonoran Desert, Saturday, August 13, 2011, 18:32 (4830 days ago) @ David Turell

Digression over: Had I not received state help, I would never got to where I am today, which is a 31yr old programmer helping to make millions for the insurance industry, studying for his Master's in Computer Science. So I contend the opposite: In some cases, "the Dole" brings out the best in people.
> 
> No question from your story, and look at the amazing result, you. A fabulous contributor to this site, an amazing educated person with so many insights in so many areas. But, why do we see so many results that are just the opposite?
> Your mother is part of the difference. She help start your education and I'm sure, realized how important stressing education is to children. She might well have learned from her own education (or my guess, lack thereof).-You hit upon the crux of what is often seen as the "American Dilemma," though clearly not limited to America. -It's a random gamble. My mom did understand the point of an education; but the majority of my education was ALWAYS firmly in my lap... it was sheer chance that I (of all the kids on the system in those days) was motivated enough by some internal fire to consume those books. [Trust me--I needed NO encouragement.] How many kids are born with this fire, but had it extinguished by parents who did the opposite? Maybe mom was 18 when she had her first kid, and was still too self-centered to make these provisions? To me, David, the only alternative is to take these kids away and put them into families that aren't as dysfunctional, but this is completely against the embedded American spirit. Can you imagine the outrage? -We have no control over what each generation does. The only thing you can do is to try and pave the way, and point. The goal (in my mind) is to ensure that the opportunity is there.-The point you sidestepped however, was that without that $300/month in foodstamps, how do you think my mother would have afforded the encylopedia set?-No adjustments for inflation, but that amounts to $75/ week for groceries. And my mom starved herself for that... though truthfully, she was already used to that as a pageant girl, but the meaning of the sacrifice is often more important.-[EDITED]--added emphasis on some words.

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\"Why is it, Master, that ascetics fight with ascetics?\"

\"It is, brahmin, because of attachment to views, adherence to views, fixation on views, addiction to views, obsession with views, holding firmly to views that ascetics fight with ascetics.\"