Don't Feed The Birds...

I just got done reading a funny NYT article* about how Glenn Beck's comments are causing people to make "violent threats" toward Frances Fox Piven. Obviously, the NYT does their very best to stay neutral [insert sarcastic laugh] by pointing out there are always uneducated people on both sides that make stupid death threats and accusations. So, bravo to them. [insert patronizing comment about NYT here] 

My main reason for writing this post is in response to this whole Welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security issue. We need to nationally adopt a process that forces people OUT of the system. It's for their own good, and for the good of the country. (Similar to Rudy's system for New York.)

It reminds me of something I was told my an ornithologist. Don't feed the birds! Like any animal or living creature, when you put out food it creates a dangerous habit of dependency. Any living thing is pre-wired to do these least amount of work for the highest gain. It's a natural survival tool. When you feed the birds, you are creating a new dependency they adapt to. They start to forget to hunt and live on their own. This is why living creatures have such difficulty adapting to the wild when released from captivity, if they adapt at all.

Humans, although more intelligent, will act the same way. Once something is provided for them, they forget how to hunt on their own. The flesh is strong and prefers the easy option. Once someone is on Welfare or food stamps there is little chance they will try to get off them. (1/6 families are on food stamps right now!**) 

Obviously there are "sick birds" out there, that cannot provide for themselves; they are physically or mentally unable. Even though it is NOT a right to be taken care of by your government, I do think the care is what makes America great. It's obvious the majority of people getting paid by uncle sam is absurd and getting more people into the system is not the answer. (I am reminded of this every time I go get groceries and some person uses my money [food stamps] to pay for their frozen pizza and chips.)

These people need to understand the government is NOT paying for their food and medical coverage. It is their neighbors and friends that are paying for it! Why can't they make this connection? 

As hard as it may be, there is a point they must be released into the wild. Like a mother eagle shoves a baby eagle out of it's nest, they too need that little push. Failure might happen, but we can't save everyone....

* http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/business/media/22beck.html

**Food and Drug Administration; MoodysEconomy.com