No Work...No Money....

Some call it "Welfare" while others call it "Entitlements"... Some can argue that it is a nation's "moral responsibility" to aid those that are less fortunate, while others will argue that doing so on the back of others is an unfair system.  Regardless of which side of the issue you may be on, one thing is for sure - the welfare debate is only beginning; not only in the United States, but elsewhere in the world, as governments around the globe begin to struggle with mounting debt and having to make serious budget cuts.

Without a doubt, it is going to be a topic that the United States is going to have to address in the very near future; especially in light of new figures that have recently been released that indicate that over 100 MILLION Americans are currently receiving some type of Federal Welfare.  Opponents of the growing welfare programs argue that the United States is becoming a "Welfare State" and that the middle class and the wealthy are the ones that are being "forced" to pay for these programs - mainly through increased taxes.  Likewise, those that proclaim that the programs are vital due to the current economy, make the argument that those that have jobs should be assisting those that are without and even more so, that the weight of the funding for these programs should come from "taxing the rich" at a much higher rate.

Furthermore,  most individuals that are against the increased funding for the numerous federal welfare programs that exist claim that a large portion of those that are receiving these funds are abusing the system and "just lazy" - getting money for nothing.  Why would they want to work if they are going to get "free money" and "free healthcare"?  Those that are benefiting from these programs claim that there aren't any jobs and that it's not their fault.

One of the ideas that has recently gained traction is that those that receive a welfare check should be forced to work.  The argument is that there are plenty of volunteer jobs that recipients can work at; soup kitchens, hospitals, schools, picking up litter, etc.  Those that disagree with this approach argue that "forcing" people to work would be the same as slavery - forcing someone to do something they didn't want to do and that doing so would be unconstitutional.

So... I bet you can guess what this week's blog topic is.....

BLOG TOPIC: Should those that receive welfare benefits be forced to work x-number of hours per week in order to qualify to receive the benefits?

This week's blog topic was contributed by Lady Tank.....

Nelson Mandela

OUR TRIBUTE TO A GREAT WORLD LEADER!

This week, the world lost one of the greatest leaders it has been blessed to have, Nelson Mandela.  This week, we're going to discuss one of his many great quotes that will now live forever within the annals of history.  I hope that each one of you take some time to do some research on this great leader and that read some of his work, at some point in your life.  He was a positive light upon this world and learning more about him will only have one effect on your life and that effect will be a positive one!

This week's Blog Topic:
Analyze the following quote from Mr. Mandela:

"I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man."

BONUS: Feel free to add any knowledge you may have about this great man, or something that you learned recently about Mandela that has left an impression on you, personally.

SPECIAL NOTE: This week's blog topic was suggested by one of my APUSH 2 students.  If you have a topic you'd like for us to discuss, drop me an email.  If I like it, I'll post it!!!