Rapid Rehousing - NPR
I have a few questions. By the way, these questions have nothing to do with the race of the subjects of the article. The reporter on the story is in Washington D.C., and in D.C. black is the largest "racial" demographic. I use quotations around "racial" because I recognize that it is entirely a human, rather than biological construct. The D.C. homeless population is also massively disproportionately skewed toward being black. Still, I suspect the reporter could have found a white family to include in the report if she had tried.
So, here are my questions:
- Why do so many poor people still have more children when they can't afford to care for the children they already have? In this article, Jordan McClellan already had 2 kids 8 years ago, and she got pregnant again. Why? I know what you're going to say: "Things happen, Frank". Yes, things happen. 2 kids already happened. So, she should have been very careful about sex. And when she found out she was pregnant, she should have made the abort or adopt decision immediately. When she got pregnant (again) Plan B was available to adults WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION (starting in 2007). There was NO excuse for adding another child into that cycle of poverty. My sister did the same thing. She already had one child she couldn't afford (with an "I don't believe in condoms" catholic idiot, btw), and she had another child with another no condoms catholic idiot.
- In the article, the D.C. Director of Health and Human Services is quoted in a way that makes it seem like she has disdain for the idea that parents on welfare should be required to work. Is that me reading more into it, or does she honestly feel that sitting on the couch and popping out babies is an economically viable option for some people? She later pays lip service to the idea of providing job training and education, but there is no mention of any programs to help homeless parents learn marketable job skills, life skills, or get a useful education. Is this all lip service, or do these programs exist?
- The article mentions that Jordan finally received a housing voucher, where she will be required to pay up 30% of her income toward her rent. The way it's phrased, it almost seems like the reporter thinks 30% is too high. If that is true, why? Affordable housing in urban areas is a struggle for the vast majority of people. At least this family gets a break.
- Why does Mrs. McClellan have satellite television? The picture in the article shows Mrs. McClellan standing on her balcony next to a satellite dish. The picture shows 3 balconies, and only 2 of them have the dish. That means it probably isn't included in the rent (which would be crazy). I'm sorry. But if you can't afford to feed your children, why are you spending your money on satellite television? Why aren't you saving that money?
I'm all for helping families escape the poverty trap, provided that they are willing to meet me half way. It's sort of like saving a drowning man. You throw him a life buoy, which lands right next to this poor drowning fellow. Then you watch in horror as he continues to despair and flail around in the water as though you had done nothing. So, you jump in to save this poor idiot (thinking he must be mentally slow or something), and you discover he has massive lead weights tied to his feet, pulling him down into the depths.
When you are prepared, children are wonderful and joyous. But when you are already poor, having children is like jumping into the ocean with lead weights tied to your feet.
Oh, and one more thing. Some of you will say I'm a hateful bigot for wanting to take away another person's reproductive freedom. That's where you're wrong. You're absolutely free to reproduce and have as many children as you and your preacher want. Just keep in mind: when it comes time to feed, clothe, shelter, educate, and provide medical care for your oversized quiver, go beg your church and family to pay the bill. DON'T YOU DARE come and demand that I pay higher taxes to pay for your irresponsible behavior. You've made your bed, now sleep in it.
But if you're willing to accept that poor people shouldn't breed themselves deeper into poverty, I'm absolutely willing to help.
