In keeping with my upbeat theme, I saw a story in the WaPo this morning that made me feel really good.

It is the story of one lady in Michigan, who lost nearly everything, had to collect unemployment, found out she had cancer, and is struggling to support her family. Yet, she has not given up hope., Far from it, she has gone back to school, gotten married, cancer is nearly gone, and she feels in a few years they will be back on their feet.

The reason why it is a story, is one day she just decided to write a letter to the President, who reads 10 letter each morning. Upon reading the long letter, he replied that she should still keep the hope alive, and is an example of America moving forward.

I read the article feeling a little better about where we are going, knowing that there are people working hard out there. This is not a pro-Obama or pro government thread, just one that shows one can lift themselves up.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/30/AR2010033004260.html?wpisrc=nl_headline&sid=ST2010033004292

I agree.

People lift themselves up all the time, and have done so throughout the ages.

Good read.

Obviously that's nonsense. We need the government to lift ourselves up.

^^^And protect us from ourselves.

I'm beginning to think that a lot of the posters on this board are anarchists.

Cleveland Buck wrote: Obviously that's nonsense. We need the government to lift ourselves up.

Well, the government did help: Unemployment and Medicaid. Without them, I doubt the story would be where it is today.

The point was, government aid did help, but she had the drive to keep going to go back to the life she had before she lost her job, and even a better life.

Even with all the negative events, she still had the drive. That is the important lesson I took from this.

I Wear Pants wrote: I'm beginning to think that a lot of the posters on this board are anarchists.

I'm beginning to think that a lot of the posters on this board are socialists.

Cut it out- LJ

I don't think there's a conservative on here who doesn't believe in safety net programs like Medicaid and unemployment -- we just don't want to see it all get to the point that someone like this woman has no reason to want or need to create that drive on her own.

Then again, who's to say if there hadn't been such programs she wouldn't have still found a way to achieve all her goals with the help of friends, neighbors, family and the local churches?

Personally, I want there to be a solid and healthy blend of both options out there to help people help themselves back on their feet.

The ONLY thing I totally oppose is turning it all over to government bureaucrats.

Bad Gibby. Bad!

Writerbuckeye wrote:Then again, who's to say if there hadn't been such programs she wouldn't have still found a way to achieve all her goals with the help of friends, neighbors, family and the local churches?

Personally, I want there to be a solid and healthy blend of both options out there to help people help themselves back on their feet.

The ONLY thing I totally oppose is turning it all over to government bureaucrats.

^^^
this

Writerbuckeye wrote: I don't think there's a conservative on here who doesn't believe in safety net programs like Medicaid and unemployment -- we just don't want to see it all get to the point that someone like this woman has no reason to want or need to create that drive on her own.

Then again, who's to say if there hadn't been such programs she wouldn't have still found a way to achieve all her goals with the help of friends, neighbors, family and the local churches?

Personally, I want there to be a solid and healthy blend of both options out there to help people help themselves back on their feet.

The ONLY thing I totally oppose is turning it all over to government bureaucrats.

Lot of good April Fool jokes goin on today.

I'm confused...why didn't she become a mindless drone attached to the federal umbilical cord losing all self-respect and desire for achievement?