Welfare Is a Slap In Our Faces
Welfare started out for all the right reasons.
People needed it. It saved so many from dying.
It helped children and the elderly. FDR had the right idea.
In the 40’s when people had pride and begged for work but there was none.
Welfare today has become a crutch for the “Can’t Do,
Won’t do, Don’t Have to Do, and Can’t Make me do.”
What started out as a great idea has turned into a way of life
For those who want to retire at 24, claiming a back disability
Until they decide to carry a Mack Truck, which they do
A generational entitlement, taught to eight-year-olds
Who are warned not to get married before they have their
Babies, or they will lose their “check”, the one they have not earned.
In some cases, welfare is still working like it was supposed to work.
Many times, it is a travesty, a slap in the face to the workers
who get up every day
Get dressed, take their children to day care,
and give the government so much for the takers.
Welfare in some families is an entitlement
that is expected, but not appreciated.
Not only is there rampant ungratefulness,
but there is anger that their checks are not enough.
Come fix my cable now, and I mean it.
Why can't I use my Welfare Card
For cigarettes, booze, massage parlor massages and Netflix?
Why do you have more than I?
I hate you all.
Life is unfair.
I deserve a new car too.
You are not doing enough for me.
Welfare now is sometimes a generational crutch that has crippled a family for four generations.
I meet eight-year-olds who do not care about school
or a future career.
They have been taught that working is for chumps,
they need to get disability. Someone will help them fill out papers.
They know not to get married,
because the government pays day care costs
for five years if you are not married when your baby is born.
Who is paying for this crutch?
The chumps, the workers.
And who is grateful?
I am sure some are.
Many people who are on welfare who are working three jobs,
and trying are probably insanely grateful.
But the "give mes" the "I hate you for this is not enough"
The "I am disabled today, so I need a check for not working,"
They are the sad ones.
They are the ones who will never know the pride in trying or doing,
as they have been taught by generations who also
did not know the love of trying, doing, and succeeding.
We are doing them a grave disservice.
Should we not try to teach them to fish?
Copyright © Caren Krutsinger | Year Posted 2019
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment