How Important Government Utility Assistance

Every night I watch the news channel and there is a same discussion lately about the enlarging gap between the economic classes in our country. This situation in America is serious since our founding ideals were for prosperity for all. This has since been eroded due to greed, mis-management, government, stock market and other factors the general public is helpless to change. We are told to invest in the stock market, save our money for retirement, get an education and work hard every day to be successful and have quality of life. This goal is not always attainable in today’s economy. I have experienced my family struggle with finances even though there is higher education and steady work, there seems to be no way to actually get ahead and break the barrier. No raises, higher medical expenses, higher fuel and grocery costs are all interconnected. Many families need some assistance even though they may be too proud to accept help from the government. These programs always come with a cost and benefit. They cost the taxpayers who carry the burden on their income but provide the service to those who have nothing. The ultra wealthy seem to skip along with little involvement other than charities, by which they develop, to assist those lowest income who may be eligible. The majority of the middle class population, like my family, who are not quite eligible yet, would benefit from any relief such as reduced mortgage rate or insurance rates are in a middle zone.

I believe all the programs afforded to those who are having financial difficulties are a valid solution but there is corruption in many of these programs. Many families and individuals cannot keep up with changing technology. The Lifeline Plan can mean the difference between life saving contact and peace of mind. Cell phones are a new challenge to the elderly, yet they are part of our population that needs them most and if this program can share this technology without falling to abuse it will work. There are many old cell phone use programs for organizations that are successful in providing this important service. If this program can generate one less expense on those who truly need it is effective. Another benefit I have indirect experience with is the Food Stamp benefit card. I work at a grocery store part time and I see the families, single parents and older population use their food stamp benefit cards for food and other items. I am sometimes surprised at the amount and types of food these programs allow. Food types my family would never be able to afford at massive quantities and it makes me wonder who is watching this take place. Our society is enabling some to take advantage of these programs at the expense of those who actually need them. There is no easy answer to fixing the system, although the welfare system had some changes by reducing lifetime entitlements and providing education programs to break the cycle or abuse.

I am furthering my education in the health care industry. I am pursuing a degree in Biomedical Science pre-medical. I am excited yet reserved on my career choice. I am passionate about the medical practice and what it can do for people. All the advancements and technology are fascinating, yet expensive. Only those with good medical coverage or the wealthy can afford the best care. The insurance companies and the government, have for so long, contributed to the rising costs of medical care and prescription drugs. There are many who go without life saving treatments so as to not burden family with expenses. This seems to be in direct conflict with the American philosophy and what this country was built on. The new health plan, albeit cumbersome, is along the right approach to create a system to afford everyone the right to healthcare. I just hope it will not be run for the profit of a few at the expense of the masses. My grandfather is semi-retired and still working. He enjoys working, and really does not have to like many others at his age. He is part of the medical field and is very concerned for the Medicare/Medicaid program overhaul recently restricting procedures.

I know that medical expenses continue to rise, and in my further education, it may become clearer to me why this happens and how it can be reversed. I know in other countries, the medical costs are not as high as here in the United States. Time will tell if the new medical program will work, but if one person, who could not get medical care in the past, can now I believe it will be a benefit to all as long as the expenses are evenly distributed to supplement this program. We have to close the gap of income to make all these programs effective, whether getting people employed, providing accessible healthcare, providing a substantial relief on taxes and increasing the flow of money to all classes. Crackdown on corruption at the highest levels politically may be a first step. The trickle down method did not work as stimulus to the economy, let’s try the other way, and provide relief to responsible families to spread around and everyone will prosper.