SC Gov candidate Andre Bauer

[outcaster]

This is what SC Gov candidate Andre Bauer (Republican) said about kids who get free or reduced price lunches in SC Schools.

"My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed. You're facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don't think too much further than that. And so what you've got to do is you've got to curtail that type of behavior. They don't know any better," Bauer said

Love to hear some of your thoughts on this. Realizing that many/most of you pay as a family less than 10 pennies per day for welfare programs

 

[SpurHunter]

Seriously double-edged sword here. I understand his reasoning, but you cant punish the kids for the bad actions of the parents. I THNK what he is trying to get across is by providing this benefit, you enable the parents to perpeuate the cycle, and in the process it educates the child to continue this cycle of welfare and handouts. He is 100% right about one thing, once you start, its almost impossible to stop.

 

[Fishin' Junkie]

"Bauer said Monday that he regrets his choice of words but that government should expect welfare recipients to try to better themselves. He wants to require them to take drug tests and attend parent-teacher conferences if they have children in school.

A child of divorce who benefited from free lunches himself, Bauer insisted he wasn't bad-mouthing people laid off from work in the recession or advocating taking food from children, but rather emphasizing the need to break the cycle of dependency.

"Do I wish I'd used a different metaphor? Of course I do," the 40-year-old said. "I didn't intend to offend anyone."

 

[Sniperchoke]

Agree with Spur. Africa is a great example of what happens when you give too much aid the population starts to depend on it.

 

[tyler ware]

I am one who feels that welfare is something that is needed. If we cut out the welfare today all together then we would end up paying more from crimes of people trying to live, but I also believe that you have to give the ones who recieve welfare a reason to teach their kids differently. You should be able to get free food for your kids if you cannot afford it, but you should hate every minute of it, and you should not be allowed to have big screen TV's, cable and a live in mate who makes plenty of money. When you get on welfare, it should be a term of reliquished rights. I would agree on drug testing, surprise home visits and anything else that makes life unfair and difficult. then you and your kids want out of the system.

 

[SpurHunter]

Tyler, this is one subject we are on the same page buddy! I want MANDATORY drug testing done for any Welfare recipiant that has been on it for over a years time, including anyone over 18 in the household. I would even like to see alcohol and nicotine testing as well, but no way that would fly, too many people administering Welfare drink and smoke, and they would feel hypocritical doing it.

 

[outcaster]

Which is worse....... People abusing the Welfare system, or Companies getting bailout money (another form of welfare) then paying out bonuses? Mr. Bauer should have said " A Child with a full tummy can concentrate better in class and has a better chance to become a productive member of society". I have no problem with Mr. Bauer wanting people to be responsible. But what this Idiot said is un-believable to me, and gives us good look into his soul. May God have mercy on his soul!

 

[elwestb]

I agree that we need a form of welfare, BUT it should never be abused to the point that it turns into a life style, and that's what we have now! Anyone on here heard about the Brainerd women this week that has been busted because she and her live in boy friend were bragging about their TennCare, welfare and "gov'ment" checks that they both were getting while on a cruise line ship!? Some good soul turned them in! That kind of crap is the problem! If someone needs help, fine, but only to get them back on their feet, not for the rest of their lives!

 

[beetlespin]

You will never see me advocate taking anything away from a child. There is no 100% correct answer to this problem. I despise government inefficiency but I hate to see any kid go without. Its supposed to be the happiest time of your life and every kid deserves to be happy. We drained our savings account and ran up a big bill on our Gap card to buy poorer kids Christmas presents this year.

I do support drug testing for welfare recipients though...especially when small children are involved. If they fail the test they lose the welfare and the child. I would happily adopt a child from a bad situation in a second. If that politician said what outcaster quoted he is a moron and too stupid to run for office.

 

[elwestb]

...and I agree with my B/Spin here, it's not a child's fault. You should see what I dealt with some years with the "Christmas for Kids" event.