THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9412150020
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
My five brothers and I were raised on welfare for 15 years. It took my mother years to complete her education and get a job that would take us off welfare. How can anyone in his right mind expect a recipient to be off in 30 days?
All six of us were raised by our mother (a single parent). The results: one masters degree, 2.5 bachelors degrees (one in progress), one retired U.S. Navy senior chief petty officer and two correctional officers. You see, some good can, and still does, come from welfare.
I agree that too much money is spent on domestic programs and that reduction is in order, but everyone gets ``turnover time,'' why not those on welfare?
I think that time limits are in order and that welfare recipients should be required to produce for the money received (work and/or education). With a timeline in place and social workers monitoring, people can and will get off welfare. This means social workers must take interest - interact with recipients and report fraud. Some people are ``career welfare'' because their social worker is just as lazy as they are. Just as in private industry, both need to produce or get off the payroll.
Many recipients lack drive, motivation, ambition. In these cases, someone needs to play ``parent,'' motivating them to do the right thing and get a job.
I thank my mother for raising me, not just allowing me to grow older.
VICTOR REVERON
Virginia Beach, Dec. 14, 1994 by CNB