Food Stamp Beraters

I'm noticing many negative comments on Facebook and other forums about food stamps, and I have a few comments. Why the concern over what recipients are purchasing with their food stamps? Sure, some people don't use the allotment wisely and buy junk foods and fast foods. However, the vast majority use the benefit to provide very basic food supplies. These are difficult times, and if you have a job then you should be grateful to be spared the humiliation of having to be "on the dole". I've seen more than a few posts by people who want to control what foods recipients can buy with their food stamps. There is a misconception by many Conservatives that poor people don't want to work. This couldn't be further from the truth. There aren't enough jobs available, and frankly, if you are bragging that you work not just one, but two jobs, then maybe you should give up one of those to someone who is in need. You say there are plenty of minimum wage jobs out there, but you fail to understand the economics of the situation. When a person who is receiving government help with basic needs takes a minimum wage job, they lose those "free" food and medical benefits. The worst part of that is they now cannot afford to purchase those basic needs. You say, "Let them do without, then." But here's the deal: When you continually carp about people getting free food, you negate your visit to your church for Sunday services. Christian charity is based on the words of Jesus admonishing us to take care of the poor, the needy, the widows. So, when you attend church services and then berate the poor for accepting help from the government, you are a hypocrite. Try making it on the current food stamp allotment (at least in Pennsylvania) of less than $50 a week for one person. Bet you can't do it!

Fine Art Portraits

The Way Events Get Twisted

Cognitive dissonance is defined as subconscious remembering of motives and actions in a way that makes a person feel better about himself/herself afterward. The person starts to believe that the basis of the reinterpretation is true. This is particularly true in the family of someone who abuses alcohol, drugs, or people. Everything gets skewed.

Nightmares

If were one who believed in reincarnation, I would seriously consider my inexpressible sorrow toward the carnage perpetrated by the Nazi's in WWII as indicative of personal experience of the horror and terror of those who endured the suffering. It would account for my lifelong interest and identification with Germany during WWII, as well as the nightmares I endured during my first and second marriages. In those nightmares, I was gathering whatever children I had at the time of the dream, along with my parents and my brothers, and hiding us (usually in the basement) along with food, water, and such, from the soldiers. OR It could be that just being born during WWII and growing up hearing the stories told by my parents and grandparents about the war, might be the source of my interest. In addition, I read "The Diary of Anne Frank" when I was about 15, and it had an impact on me, too. As I watch "Schindler's List" once again, I am experiencing emotional discomfort. It could also be that since the nightmares only occurred when I was married to my first and to my second husbands, that the emotional or physical abuse is what caused the nightmares. I created the woodcut print shown below,early in the 1990s, which shows a person hiding from others, but also is descriptive of my periodic shunning by my four children.

The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!

Words and fears from somewhere in the foggy past have come forward in my consciousness with the news that the US will be bringing in at least 10,000 Russian troops to train with FEMA.  The reason given for this is that the troops are training here in case we have a national emergency of some sort.  I can't help but think of the news a few days ago that our President is going to have a new Caddy to ride in, one that sounds like it is modeled on a James Bond vehicle.  Nothing can permeate this vehicle.  I am also reminded of the bullet-proof glass that surrounded the POTUS when giving a speech in Germany.  I've never seen this before.

Now I ask you:  What is the "Emperor Who Has No Clothes" thinking is going to happen?  Are his low poll numbers giving him pause, finally, that not every American thinks of him as a monarch?  Rather, he is viewed by a majority as an usurper of some kind or other to the highest office in this land.  Things are changing, and rapidly so.  We should all be extremely attentive to governmental actions, more so than at any other time in the history of our Republic. 

As has been suggested by several news sources, if the Zimmerman trial goes in favor of Zimmerman, a race war may ensue in this country of many colors.  Does the POTUS know something the rest of us don't?   

THIS WAS ACTUALLY POSTED IN 2009.     Today I watched Oprah talking with young mothers revealing some of their darkest secrets. How well I recall some of those revelations and how long ago it seems. Today's young mother does have difficulties and expectations not experienced by older generations; however, they seem materialistic in essence. I often tell stressed young mothers that these exasperating days will be remembered as the best in their lives. Having borne four children who bore nine grandchildren amongst themselves, I can honestly say, from the viewpoint of grandmother-crone, those were my happiest days.

On the other hand (as a Libran, I always look to the other hand) there is a lot of wonderful about being old and alone. No one tells me what to do or when to do it, no one is in dire need of food or a diaper change, and no one is wanting to know if he has a clean shirt. I can pretty much speak my mind and know that everyone overlooks much of it because, after all, I am old. Sort of like when I was younger and people said, "After all, she is an artist." It permitted me a lot of freedom I otherwise wouldn't have had.

Of course, there is a downside and that involves the steady march to death's door. It is said that people scorn old women because they are symbols of death and most people fear death. (I don't know why old men aren't viewed in quite the same way.) Our wrinkles and sags are not considered marks of beauty and virtually everyone is searching for potions to eliminate wrinkles or the latest non-invasive surgical technique.

Occasionally, this blog will be about all those things no one talks about concerning aging, the things no one warned you about, the things that are embarrassing to discuss even with your doctor. As I add to the blog, I hope you readers will join in and add your experiences and thoughts about aging. I will also, hopefully, explain why it is infinitely good to become a crone in a world of barbie dolls.

Posted by Suellen at 2:27 PM No comments:

Check out Six Minus One, my book of poetry and artwork now available in paperback on http://Amazon.com  , as well as on Kindle Fire.

 Hurrah!  It is finally done.  My book will be available on Amazon.com and Amazon Europe in about a week.  It will also be available for Kindle Fire in a couple of days. 


Six Minus One: A Collection of Free Verse and Artwork by Suellen McCollim
Authored by Ms Suellen M McCollim

List Price: $8.95

8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94 cm)
Full Color on White paper
46 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1484126127 (CreateSpace-Assigned)
ISBN-10: 1484126122
BISAC: Art / Individual Artist

A collection of free verse poetry which is written by a woman enduring abusive relationships. Accompanying the text is artwork which was created by the author, using oil, acrylic, pencil, and/or mixed media.

CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/4246589