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Bread and Circuses – America’s Insatiable Desire For Socialism
The term “Bread and Circuses” is credited to Juvenal, a Roman writer and satirist (AD 55-127). He was describing the Roman citizens’ enthusiasm for free food handouts and gladiatorial games at Circus Maximus and the Colosseum. He felt that Romans had lost the capacity to govern themselves through their mindless self-gratification.
“Bread and Circuses” is a phrase that can accurately be used to describe the American population. Americans are so addicted to entertainment and personal pleasure that they ignore civic responsibility and gladly accept government authority with unflinching obedience.
Well, maybe some of us flinch a little. Reminds me of a story.
Three friends dared each other to go skydiving. They found a skydiving club and paid their money. After a short lesson, the instructor took them up to 8,000 feet and opened the door of the plane. Two friends jumped, but the third friend was too scared. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: social welfare, social welfare programRelated posts
Are You Eligible for Medicaid
When you reach the age of 65 or become disabled, you are eligible for Medicare, but when are you eligible for Medicaid? Medicaid eligibility, unlike Medicare’s, is not automatic.
Medicaid is a government funded health insurance program like Medicare. The difference is that Medicaid is intended for people with low incomes, financial hardships, and certain medical and mental disabilities. Medicare is a program like Social Security that is really the right of every citizen to enjoy because they helped pay for it during their working life. Medicaid is a social welfare program intended to give aid to the poor and less fortunate citizens.
The Medicaid program is not funded entirely by the Federal Government, nor is it administered exclusively by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The individual State governments share in the administration and in the funding. In some cases, local communities are involved in the funding process. Each State was given the option to participate in the Medicaid program or to decline. At the present time every State has chosen to participate. Some States have given their own names to the program. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: social welfare, social welfare programRelated posts
Are Social Programs and Policies Supporting the Need of Single-Parent Families
The growth in the number of children that live in single parent homes has instigated the need for policies and programs to improve the status of single-parent families. Single parents confront tensions that arise from their dual responsibility of raising their children while simultaneously earning a living. The correlation between single parenting and poverty is clear. Furthermore, single parents are more likely to face social isolation due to stigmatization. Many single parents also experience feelings of stress, frustration, incompetence, hopelessness and helplessness
The poverty level of children living in single parent homes is significantly greater than that of children living in two-parent homes, and continues to increase. Furthermore, children living with a parent younger than twenty-five years old are even more likely to live in poverty and be dependent on social support. Whether single motherhood is the result of family separation or unwed parenthood, it often results in considerable economic hardship for the mother and her children. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: social welfare, social welfare program