Posted by Tamar on August 28, 2005, at 13:12:02
In reply to Re: Temptation » Tamar, posted by AdaGrace on August 28, 2005, at 8:54:43
> Seriously Tamar, it is a huge temptation for me to not work, get unemployment, and welfare when that runs out. But I work, because I feel I have to. Maybe that is in part to the luxuries I have gotten myself into maintaining that I probably could give up. I have health insurance that I am losing because of losing my job that I am scared not to have, so I am going to have to cough up an additional $700 to $1000 to have insurance that really isn't all that good anyway. $1500 deductable, pre-existing condition clauses, etc. Now I have become to realize that there is something to be said for having nothing.
Really? You really think there’s an advantage to having nothing? I just can’t imagine a world in which that’s actually true.
> Medicaid and welfare is very tempting when you think about it. They don't get the same care, yes I have heard that arguement. But maybe that isn't the case in everyday care needs like colds, flu, minor injuries.
And what if (God forbid) you might one day need treatment for something that’s not minor? Medicaid doesn’t tempt me at all. I’m became diabetic a couple of years ago. There was no apparent reason for it; it just happened. My pancreas slowly stopped making insulin. Diabetes can cause problems in almost any part of the body: eyes, toes, heart, lungs, fingers, genitals, kidneys… That’s a lot of potential healthcare. I can’t imagine welfare and medicaid as a life choice.
> I don't think drug addicts are phycially able to work either, but they would be if the sought treatment. And again, I have personal knowledge that the government can and will provide free or inexpensive treatment for individuals who are willing to kick the habbit.
But I don’t think it’s as simple as being willing to kick the habit. Treatment for drug addiction isn’t easy and it requires the individual to believe that they can actually do it. When everything seems hopeless it’s hard to believe life can improve, and hard to find the energy to make the momentous effort necessary to tackle an addiction. Whenever I tackle my own addiction I do well for a little while but so far I’ve always gone back to the drug. And half the time I don’t really want to give it up. I’ve been trying to quit for five years, but my physical craving for nicotine always seems to win out in the end. So I can’t in all honesty point an accusing finger at people who can’t find the motivation to give up street drugs.
> I was a recipient of reduced cost psycological care, I didn't continue with it, for reasons that have no bearing on my point here....I didn't even ask for it. I just stupidly called the first number in the book. I wasn't aware that it was a county government run organization, but I can tell you this. The cost of the sessions were cheaper than what I pay in cigarettes and booze in a week, and that seems pretty minute to me. Could it not be possible that if I was poverty stricken and couldn't get or keep a job due to my alcohol adicition that I could of benefited from that situation?
I’m astonished at the idea that anyone might benefit from poverty or addiction. I guess I just don’t see that the so-called benefits are worth living in poverty for. If you have an alcohol addiction then I think it is entirely appropriate for you to receive reduced cost psychological care… in fact, if I ruled the world all healthcare would be free (well, paid for by taxes). If you are addicted to alcohol, I don’t think you have become addicted because you are bad or weak or foolish. It’s a terrible thing to happen to anyone, and you don’t deserve it. It seems less than ideal that people have to pay a lot of money for psychological care. I think there needs to be more compassion in society for people who become ill, whatever the illness.
poster:Tamar
thread:546870
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050828/msgs/547623.html