Today's Poll: Should the county legislature reinstate $20k in funding for Meals on Wheels?

Seems to be a no-brainer here. I voted Yes

Not to beat a dead horse but if we can fund the GCEDC to the tune of 200,000.00 so they can dole out half of that in year end bonuses. Then we can take 20,000.00 out of what it gets this year and take care of our county elderly. Meals on Wheels is very important to those who need this service.

Maybe we should reduce any benfits and payments the current county legislators to 3/5ths of what they are now to keep the budget afloat....

Bet that would make some reconsider this wouldnt it?

I can not disagree with Kyle, this is a good idea.

Why would anyone say no to this program?

There is such a frustrating disconnect here. I would like to make a suggestion to the 210 people and growing who voted 'yes' in this poll.

Call your Legislator. Ask him or her and if they've read Dan Fischer's editorial. Ask them to look closely at the gaping disconnect which cuts meals for housebound senior citizen's while another pseudo public agency gives themselves bonuses equal more than what most county residents make in a year.

Aren't the meals delivered by volunteers? So this cost is just for the foods and packaging, right? If this is the case... well, even if it isn't, how can they justify taking food out of the mouths of the elderly? This might be the only decent meal they get all day, and it isn't even 7 days a week. Do any of the legislators parents go without food? For crying out loud, where are the priorities here?

Meals on Wheels provides way more than food. It also provides the irreplaceable benefit of accountability at least 5 days a week for those who take full advantage of it. That daily check-in can save the life of senior who has fallen or suffered a medical condition and is unable to alert anyone. A VERY small price to pay for that valuable a benefit. I'd be interested in hearing from those who think the cuts should be sustained.

I'd like to hear from those that voted no. I really like to hear reasons. I sure can't think of any, other than they have no clue as to what this valuable program does.

Any takers?

Meals on Wheels was a good program to check on the elderly on a daily basis. Due to budget cuts, the meals are not delivered 5 days a week and this safety net is compromised.
Since the naysayers aren't posting, let's try to imagine why they voted no.
1. I don't want my tax money paying for this.
2. They are taking advantage of the 'system'. They should be drug tested if they receive food from my tax money.
3. Their family should provide meals, not me.
4. Faith based programs should assume this.
5. They should learn how to take care of themselves - ie: teach them to fish, etc.
6. I don't get free meals, why should they? (for the record, those receiving these meals PAY for them).
7. My taxes already pay too much for the care of the elderly.
the list goes on and one.
.

Bea, but I gotta agree with number 4, the Bible in multiple scriptures implores the Christian to both feed the hungry and take care of the elderly. I've beat this drum before, the churches(not all, but in general) have failed this obligation and driven that service into the lap of the government where it does not belong. And before I am accused of hypocrisy for supporting the renewal of the funding while stating that it should not be a government service, I am a realist, and until the churches get back to that duty, I won't begrudge my tax dollars picking it up, especially for such a well run program that as far as I know has operated without accusation of waste.

this is one that I can agree on. When I volunteered for meals on wheels I found it to be a program that checked on people that may not see anyone for weeks.

Sorry. my bad I just read the Fischer file and realized I repeated him.

The legislators who want to stay in office only react when they think there might be consequences. Around here, there are really none.

Are none of my friends on the far right willing to fight against a socialist food program? Is this in the Constitution?

Your silence is an admission that it would be a crime if these people went hungry for a few dollars.

John, let's go a little further.
Campaign contributions come from those who receive the bonus money from our county treasury. Most likely less than 1% of their contributions come from those receiving Meals on Wheels.
There is no guess which way they will react.

That's awesome, Charlie.

Jesus was a socialist after all :-)

John's right. It isn't enough to have an issue like this. And without opposition this is just a new normal.

Charlie,
Silly assumption that opposition is from the "right". It's just as likely to be from people on the "left" who just don't want to pay more any more out of what little money they have. And I bet many of the no vote is from people who did not read the link.

Good point John, opposition could be from Libertarians. This is direct quote from their platform...
"We should eliminate the entire social welfare system. This includes eliminating AFDC, food stamps, subsidized housing, and all the rest. Individuals who are unable to fully support themselves and their families through the job market must, once again, learn to rely on supportive family, church, community, or private charity to bridge the gap."
http://www.lp.org/issues/poverty-and-welfare

I'm a Libertarian, Jeff. I'm fine with this program and voted yes.

Phil,
You prove that trying to tie "left" or "right", on every issue is stupid.

Charlie, I AM on the far right AND I voted yes. There is a HUGE difference between the billions of $$$ wasted on government handouts to the able bodied leeches in this world, and taking care of those actually in need.

I took some degree of offense to your remarks. Are you sure you aren't in the mainstream media? Or are just blinded by your left wing filters and ignorant of what true conservatives believe?

Bob, I'm sorry. Your right, it was those heartless Libertarians that make up the majority on the County Legislature that cut off those meals for the needy. As you say, it's the "leaches" who waste all the tax money. Silly me...

Charlie,
Your first comment was on the people who voted "no", not the political make up of the legislature, and you made a poor assumption.

John, no it wasn't, my comment was directed towards the lack of comments looking to save tax dollars.. I was looking for someone like Bob to make the case that feeding the poor wasn't a roll of government. The poll is exactly what I expected, Americans care about their fellow man.

The fact is everyone is against "waste" as long as their sacred cow wasn't on the chopping block. People boast their right wing leanings until grandma isn't getting a meal that night. We need to be honest as a people and come to terms with what makes us American. It's isn't our conservatism or our anger that makes us American. It's our willingness to help others.

Charlie,
Again, unsubstantiated assumption since you have no idea who voted no, or why. The fact that there were no "save tax dollars" comments shows the weakness of your desire to label them as on the right.

In fact, two people on the right (Bob and I) favor the change. While that is only two, you have nothing but your bias to go on. But it is fun watching you try to make this into a left/right issue.

And you are aware that the only Democrat on the legislature supported the way the GCEDC is being run, the bonuses and voted for the budget, right?

John, since you didn't read what I wrote, let's try one more time.

John, no it wasn't, my comment was directed towards the lack of comments looking to save tax dollars.. I was looking for someone like Bob to make the case that feeding the poor wasn't a roll of government. The poll is exactly what I expected, Americans care about their fellow man.

The fact is everyone is against "waste" as long as their sacred cow wasn't on the chopping block. People boast their right wing leanings until grandma isn't getting a meal that night. We need to be honest as a people and come to terms with what makes us American. It's isn't our conservatism or our anger that makes us American. It's our willingness to help others.

Charlie,
Again, a bit of bias. While there are people who do not want to help anyone, feeding people who are truly in need and can not care for themselves is something most on the right support. It's what is "poor" and in "need", and how to do it, that is an issue with some.

But the subject here is should tax money be redirected from an semi government agency that does not need all the money to another government program.

Charlie, I did make just that assertion in post #10, "I've beat this drum before, the churches(not all, but in general) have failed this obligation and driven that service into the lap of the government where it does not belong."
Feeding the poor is NOT a role of government

Jeff,
This money has already been raised by taxes. Some of the tax money was given to the GCEDC and some to the meals on wheels program. A good arguement can be made that too much of the tax money is going to the GCEDC and some should be redirected to the meals program. Now, considering the County is not going to give us our money back, do you support the reidrection of some of the money going to the GCEDC?

John, the point I am making is in satisfaction of Charlie's plea. Fundamentally, feeding the poor is not a role of government. I don't care where the tax dollars come from, it is a flawed philosophy that we are forced to live with.

If we can feed the poor and hungary in other nations, we would look foolish not to take care of our own.
Shut down the foreign aid free for all, and take care of those within our own borders.

Jeff is correct, it really should not be governments role to help feed the elderly. It is all of our responsibility. The "It Takes a Village" philosophy I referred to regarding child raising last week also extends to our elders. Our children are learning from what our generation is doing. If we continue to demand that government take care of the least among us, then that's what they'll do in the future & it will always be subject to budget cuts. Consider this, Charlie & Bea: Yes, I believe Americans are generous and care about their neighbors and if most people thought that government was not going to help poor elderly folks, they would contribute more and ask others to do so as well. The elder community would maybe even be better off. Right now, many believe government will help out the old lady down the street so they don't have to. You are saying that people won't help their neighbors unless government seizes our money through taxation and then decides who to help and how much. I've had liberals tell me before that people will not do the right thing unless forced to. I say not so.

Regarding the current poll issue, under the current system; I'm with Mr Fischer.

Well said Dave

My county/town tax bill is almost as steep as my school taxes! Screw the GCEDC bonuses! I do my job without a bonus; let the government spoilers do likewise. (Better yet- put them solely on commission.) Am I working for my livelihood or to fund government patronage? I've gone three years without a pay raise. ...Having just received one, it scurries into the pocket of our Republican legislature. The same Republicans who have the audacity to point out liberal spenders in their midst! The difference being, Porta aperta per chi porta – chi non porta .. parta pur. Here's my Italian phrase for the county legislature: Va fa Napoli!

We need to start a party called the American party that is between the spend crazy liberal's
and the tight butt conservatives. The people of the United States are getting tired of the crap from both sides.

C.M. Napoli doesn't want them either