Government programs can and do help people.

[masterblaster72 0]

Someone close to me is mother of an autistic child. Her child (Anthony) was diagnosed with the condition about six months ago and since then has made tremendous progress in communicating and interacting with others. That progress was made with the help of the Pennsylvania state government. They've sent over speech therapists, behaviorists, child psychologists, and other experts to cater to the child's development and make whatever improvments can be made given his condition.

Had she not received this help from the state, costs would have been more than she could begin to afford. Her husband is self-employed but does not earn what it would take to sustain an education for an autistic child. Nor would he be able to afford a health care plan that would cover the costs of the testing and treatment required for autistic children. Education for autistic children is extremely expensive because it demands a high degree of individual attention. Thanks to the help of the PA state government, there is hope for Anthony.

I read a lot here likening government programs like this, borne of liberal policymaking, to socialism/communism. I'm absolutely convinced that tax dollars here are going to a good cause. I'm also absolutely convinced that welfare reform is a good thing and that perpetuating laziness in peoples' lives by giving government handouts is not a good thing; not all government programs work. Were this help completely privatized, help for Anthony would be out of reach in these vital first few years of his development.

Just an example of how government programs, if run the right way and done with the right intentions, can and do help people. That's my point, I'd like to hear yours....thanks.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[rehmwa 2]

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I'm absolutely convinced that manytax dollars here are going to a good cause. I'm also absolutely convinced that welfare reform is a good thing and that perpetuating laziness in peoples' lives by giving government handouts is not a good thing; not all government programs work. Were this help completely privatized, help for Anthony would be out of reach in these vital first few years of his development.

Just an example of how government programs, if run the right way and done with the right intentions, can and do help people. That's my point, I'd like to hear yours....thanks.

Totally agree. Many existing programs could be handled in the private sector though. And beaureaucracy does attract the corrupt (both program managers as well as recipients). It's always been a matter of the trade off of those getting help needed vs those that don't need it. Reduce the number of programs and be more diligent with those (particularly in qualification requirements), is a good place to start.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[billvon 3,119]

>Many existing programs could be handled in the private sector though.

I'm not so sure that the Halliburton approach is more efficient than the WIC program approach.

[bodypilot90 0]

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I'm not so sure that the Halliburton approach is more efficient than the WIC program approach.

sure the oil for (Kickbacks) food was much better run!

[lawrocket 3]

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>Many existing programs could be handled in the private sector though.

I'm not so sure that the Halliburton approach is more efficient than the WIC program approach.

Let's look at all of the donation drives, etc. that are being done right now for relief for the gulf coast. My guess is that the 200 dollars I gave to the Red Cross is being distributed much more efficiently than the government dollars.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Gravitymaster 0]

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>Many existing programs could be handled in the private sector though.

I'm not so sure that the Halliburton approach is more efficient than the WIC program approach.

Let's look at all of the donation drives, etc. that are being done right now for relief for the gulf coast. My guess is that the 200 dollars I gave to the Red Cross is being distributed much more efficiently than the government dollars.

Yes, but the "Haliburton is Evil" therefore, all private contractors must be like Haliburton is such a logical argument.

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[masterblaster72 0]

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Yes, but the "Haliburton is Evil" therefore, all private contractors must be like Haliburton is such a logical argument.

I don't think that was a generalization...it was a point about how privatizing isn't necessarily more efficient or less corrupt. It definitely isn't more efficient and it's not less corrupt if government officials have direct interest in those private companies being contracted to do the government's work.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[wmw999 2,589]

It's easier to react properly in the event of a crisis -- there isn't the need for the kind of forecasting that's considered minimum acceptable standard for many agencies these days. You have to plan for evey contingency, after mitigating as many as you can.

Fewer people criticize the best that someone did in a crisis, and a crisis helps people to put the situation ahead of their personal needs for a short while. An ongoing program won't do that.

That said, many criticize the Red Cross for wasting stuff anyway. Particularly designated donations. When the Red Cross runs out of people in designated situation (9-11) that they can help under their charter, they're criticized too.

No matter what, someone thinks it's wrong.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)