soundoff (139 Responses)

1. Me
   

   I agree mostly with the "America First" crowd, but American homeless people are mostly homeless by choice. There are tons of programs and shelters for people. What's needed is a better way to give those people access to food stamps and/or medical. When I was dirt poor I had state provided medical and got about $200 in food stamps a month. The state will even help pay someone's utilities. Poor people get Pell grants for school as well. If someone gets a job and tries to care for themselves usually the job does not pay enough for that person to do everything they need to pay bills and get an education. More programs are needed for helping people help themselves. This country is very charitable yet seems confused with how to get people off welfare. Basically if you lay around doing nothing then you get free stuff, but once you start taking the steps to get out of poverty then the govt takes all your help away. We encourage laziness here. A college grad will pay more back into the system than they ever took, while a cradle to grave welfare recipient never puts back into the pot. Things must change, but acting like America leaves it's indigent hanging out to dry is a false statement.

   March 11, 2011 at 1:05 am | Report abuse |
2. Cesar
   

   @me: Truly interesting info you have. I would imagine it may be a bit for difficult than you present though. For example, who has time to wait for a Pell grant, and how small is it? $200/month is inadequate for food. How many hoops do Americans have to do for a shred of help? You still make sense. A person tries to be self-sufficient, and on the road there, he/she gets less help.

   March 11, 2011 at 2:28 am | Report abuse |
3. Cesar
   

   @Mary: How are things in NY???

   March 11, 2011 at 3:00 am | Report abuse |
4. Mary
   

   Cesar, let me know what time we can talk, preferably New York time. I will be away from 5 to 10:30 Friday night if you dont get this message before then. I will look for you, o and I am talking to the Jewish Swimmer from Panama's Cesar right

   March 11, 2011 at 3:48 am | Report abuse |
5. Cesar
   

   @Mary: Wrong Cesar. I live south of San Antonio, TX, never been to Panama, don't care to swim, and I am not Jewish. But I know a Jewish joke: Why did the Jewish family go to the sale....because the sign said cheap.

   March 11, 2011 at 6:57 am | Report abuse |
6. josh l
   

   I really don't think troops in another middle eastern country needs to happen, we need to pull out our troops home and do as the american people want. We don't have the money for another operation in the middle east.

   March 11, 2011 at 9:59 am | Report abuse |
7. Anita Kadiki
   

   I can't 'believe' the lack of care in this country,this country that was founded on freedom, escape from tyrany, but you don't support humanitarian aid for people that want the basics in life, freedom, education, and hospitals that have medication,and the basic of medical supplies!!! We take all of this for granted,but you don't support giving just a little bit of humanitarian aid?
   I wonder what the Native Americans think about the rest of this countries lack of compassion, after all this used to be 'their' land, but they were naive enough to say to the 'Pilgrims', "this land belongs to 'no' man, this land is God's land we are it's caretakers"! Now what do you think about helping a fellow 'Human being'?
   Thank-you,
   Anita Kadiki

   March 11, 2011 at 1:04 pm | Report abuse |
8. saa brazil
   

   I am a foreigner and I am a chef of big corporation. I do not have any relationships with americans just because of your government has already done and continues to do to other countries – revolts, wars, sales of weapons etc.
   the worst is I understand that there are a lot of good peoples living there, which I could do good business with. BUT it is YOUR government and 300.000.000 of people let rule this country in that disappointed way – for me it means that you all support that chaos!

   please, may be I wrong??

   I would like you all change it one day and I will finally visit usa... =)
   thanks

   March 12, 2011 at 8:53 pm | Report abuse |
9. Naba america
   

   think of other countries first! Adults and kids are dying, what if that happened to all of us, we need to get rid of Qaddafi! On the news, a kid lost their eye in a bombing and broke his arms and legs. Someone even lost their nose. Don't think of yourself, think of others too. And if you don't, then you have no heart and soul. You'll be a cold person. If you're not going to help people, why should people help you. Think twice before you write or even say something. This is enough to be said.

   April 10, 2011 at 2:38 am | Report abuse |