A Little Help Here?

[Labrys]

The Solstice Day is gone, the clouds are back in more than mere physical form.  

I know a lot of folks who are barely hanging on by the skin of their teeth in the current economic crisis.  We have been very fortunate and can support our ex-military son as well as handle our own load.  But we seem to be the minority.

I felt crushed this morning to read about a long-time online friend who has always battled so many issues being dumped on again.  She is a courageous one-time Marine, married and with children grown or all-but; she battles mental illness and cannot work.  Her husband was unemployed for a good long time and how has a rather poor paying job.  They have been making it because of food stamps.  

Today, they were notified that their food stamps are being cut to less than 1/3 what they were making before.  This puts them in the 'crushed' category.  Her young daughter is marrying her Navy sweetheart (out here in Washington on his base) in September.  She lives in Florida.  The "crush" means she cannot afford to get ANY of the family out for the wedding.  I WILL manage airfare for the mother.

But, anyone with a wisp of energy to shoot at Lake City, Florida for some better times, please to be pointing and shooting.  It has been crap-tastic too long there, from their place being hurricane wrecked a few years ago to the constant jobless/next to it situation.  They could use some luck.  Jeannie deserves a break, and more than for just today.

[RedRonin]

Done and done.

[Lark]

Absolutely, consider it done.

This economic slump has hurt so many good people, yet it seems that the government wants to punish them for something which isn't their fault at all.

[Labrys]

...yet it seems that the government wants to punish them for something which isn't their fault at all.

Yes, what a turn for "Christian" America---when being poor and/or down and out is the biggest sin of all.

::::kicks things::::

Thanks Lark!

[Labrys]

Done and done.

Thanks, Red.  It really hits me when I realize how many other Americans are in similar desperate straits.

[Jennie]

Done and done. Lake City is in our old Columbia County stomping grounds - it was the big city compared to where we lived, believe it or not. We had to move away after the storms destroyed our place.

The economic conditions in Florida are unbelievable right now, and yet our governor is ready and willing to try to balance the budget on the backs of the poor while cutting taxes for big corporations.

The flavor of the Christianity that rules around those parts is often heavy on the idea that God shows material favor on Earth to those in His good graces, so poverty is easily equated with sin, and the poor are vilified. This view is most often embraced by those just a little above poverty themselves, partly, I think, to offer them some false comfort against the idea that they might soon be in dire straits themselves.

[Labrys]

Yeah, I know about Florida...had lots of pals who lived there.

And that take on Christianity is a mean take on "There but for the grace of God, go I" isn't it.

[Jennie]

Yes, it is.