In the last three years, we have lost $100,000 on paper. Took a loss on our Springs house, but still took away some capital – that capital is now not only gone, but it will be years before this house is worth more than we owe. Our savings are gone, we are living off of public assistance, and both of our cars are living on borrowed miles – with almost 200k on each – and needing tires.

We feel blessed to have access to unemployment insurance, food-stamps, and the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid)! There are people all over the world with less! However, we haven't made a house payment in three months – I wonder how long that can go on?

Priorities? Maybe we are spending too much money in our overseas military operations? Maybe we are spending too much in other areas? Maybe we need to take a harder look at these priorities?

As I said in another comment – "the squeaky wheel often gets the grease." In my opinion, the needs for universal health-care, an 11% unemployment rate, and upside-down mortgage holders are greater than trying to straighten out a culture/country/region that has been in turmoil for millennia!

But if the financially strapped don't speak up, who will fight for them?

All I'm asking for here is compassion on the part of my very outspoken conservative Christian friends. They say it is the responsibility of individuals and the Church (eg; the people of the church) to take care of the poor – but if it wasn't for the state (and a couple of very generous people who commented above!), we would be in a world of hurt right now.

PS: I"m not personally asking for help, or more help – we have a house (for now), food, and medical care. But there are millions without this. I'm saying, these outspoken critics of universal health-care need to put their money where their mouth is – or keep it down a little.

In other words, this isn't about me or my family. This is about priorities, compassion, and doing the right thing.

My recent post Get Off My Lawn!

With so many people out of work, uninsured, and struggling. Now is the time to be working towards solutions, not blocking other’s attempts to fix it – or being so overly critical.

Thanks for the feedback Kim!

With so many people out of work, uninsured, and struggling. Now is the time
to be working towards solutions, not blocking other's attempts to fix it -
or being so overly critical.

Thanks for the feedback Kim!

Health care for all is a worthy goal but then let go of something else…we cannot fund every good and worthwhile program, we just cannot afford to. It annoys the crap out of me that the government wants to raise taxes without giving up something. If I need a new car I know that I have to give up something else that is in my budget to come up with the monthly payments. Why is it we the people are smart enough to realize this but our government that is supposed to by 'by the people' and 'for the people' is not?

I believe that health care coverage is certainly something that each of us who are citizens of this country should have, but I am not sure the kids in the sandbox back in DC will ever quit throwing sand in each others eyes long enough to ever get it done.

As for conservatives sounding less than compassionate it just may be that their frustration is coming through louder than their compassion…

I will try to make sure that I am not one of them…thanks for the reminder. Kim

And yet, most of those who argue against helping the less fortunate, are pulling in six-figure incomes, drive newer cars, or otherwise live fairly comfortable lives.

These statements make me understand that neither side of the political spectrum is communicating well. First, conservatives don’t all make 6-figure incomes. In fact, according to the last three presidential elections, there is roughly a 50-50 split in the electorate. Second, I don’t hear anyone saying we shouldn’t help the less fortunate, but the discussion is about HOW and what is really help. It goes back to do we give fish or teach to fish? Which is better? – some of both probably.

Don’t fall into the trap thinking conservatives are unwilling to help or uncompassionate. It isn’t true. That simply shows we’re all buying into the sound-bites of the politicians.

What it really comes down to – is a philosophical difference about HOW to help. One side thinks that raising taxes will do more to help, the other side believes lowering taxes will help. If you really look at the core, I believe you will truly see both are trying to accomplish the same thing. But most won’t look at the core.

Having an opinion about which is better is fine with me, but the blame-casting isn’t helpful to the discussion….

I also don’t hear these people arguing about how. It seems mainly that they are trying to stop good-intentioned people from doing what is on their hearts.

Most of what I’m talking about is perception. These otherwise good Christian people, are coming across very harsh and dis-compassionate. (did you read the comments and my replies above?) I never said that conservatives are unwilling to help. I just said that they sound harsh and not empathetic. It also appears that they are more interested in protecting their pocketbooks, then they are in helping.

But I also don’t see the conservatives coming up with an alternative plan. They had 8 years during the last presidential administration, and there seemed to be no effort made in this direction. However, we did get into a huge budget debt through two unpaid for wars.

I agree that casting blame is not helpful – which is why I’m asking my conservative friends to tone it down. Be a part of the solution. Quit calling the empathetic liberals evil. Quit painting Obama with this big liberal/socialist paintbrush – in fact, he’s one of the most moderate presidents we’ve had in quite awhile.

gwalter invites you to read this blog: ..The Emperor is Naked

I completely agree that costs are out of control. Social Security is a major problem; two unfunded wars; and then the trade imbalance that really hurts. Many individuals in our society continue to live a life of debt-funded expenses, rather than pre-saved cash purchasing, so it’s really no surprise that we let this happen in our government too.

When this has happened to me in the past – and currently, as an unemployed family – I have handled it in two ways. First, quit spending. Take care of the basic needs and re-prioritize where the money is going. Second, let go of any assets that cost more than I can afford.

I once gave up a car, with a $6000 loss, just to get rid of the payments and bring my budget under control. Another time, I went for over a year without a car. Currently, even though we are living on meager unemployment insurance, our bank account is actually growing.

I’m not sure Americans have the will to do the hard work of re-prioritization though. This would need to happen at all levels. I also don’t believe some of the issues can be tackled by individuals, or churches. Like I said in an earlier comment, even if I wanted to give $1000/month to help, where would I send it?

Many hospital systems are owned by churches, what if they through open their doors to the uninsured? The problem is, these hospital systems are barely staying afloat as is, and the competition is fierce.

I just believe that the healthcare issue is so big, that developing a healthcare system that is on par with our highway, space, and military programs is most likely the best solution. But whenever we say yes to one thing, we have to say no to another. Scaling back the military (which is about 50% of our federal budget), would easily pay for a health care system.

Also, we have one of the lower tax rates of many industrialized nations. I’m willing to have my taxes raised. It would hurt, it would be hard, but sometimes we just have to do the right thing.

But, I restate my real premise, the Christians who are adamant fiscal conservatives, need to argue this in a way that shows empathy and compassion.

(and Mike, I greatly appreciate your tone here – thank you!)

gwalter invites you to read this blog: ..31 Million Americans Unemployed