What It Means to Promote the General Welfare

In the greatest sign of pride and reverence the world once showed America, there is this inscription.

"... Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

A land offering the promise of freedom and opportunity, Hope and Solace... for those who indeed are downtrodden it extends a lifeline saying, "all is not lost, WE - are there to help you. WE - will not turn you away.

Yet now it seems that things are fast changing. People are convinced or are being convinced that somehow a land built both on opportunity and sacrifice - with a willingness to extend a helping hand to all who need it... Is now incapable of being so, is incapable of doing so, is unable to or unwilling to  even aid its own citizens in their time of greatest needs. A nation which prided itself on giving, some say is now so broken. Broke and unable to even afford its basic commitments, at a time when its people are most in distress, some would say, "Let them Die". Let every castaway fall and then America can rise again... neglecting the most important fact in the founding and History of America.

The POOR and HUDDLED Masses,

Those hungry for opportunity when food itself was scarce gave their life to build this country. To make this country what so many envy and aspired to - this country was built with a social contract. Built by a social network which said,

WE the PEOPLE of the UNITED STATES, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish...

This is not a land of every man for himself.

In order for the land to prosper, in order for America to gain. WE have to pull together. WE have to lend a hand. WE have an obligation to our citizens that says, whats best for us - is what's best for you... as long as you are able to pull.

And then, even if your are unable to pull, to keep in stride with the rest of us - as long as you can push, WE will be there for you. We will not let you fall and stumble without a hand to say steady yourself brother(or sister) we won't throw you away.

We don't discard our citizens - judging them unable to contribute, WE find a way for them to contribute. WE, if necessary take our brother by the hand - to the food bank; to the shelter; and say eat and rest up brother there's work ahead. Our Roads, Our Bridges, Our Nation is crumbling in desperate need and all some will say is how are we going to pay for it.

The people's voice is saying everything but, WE will get it done. Businesses and politicians WE will get it done. Instead of the arguing and bitching about who gets credit for what; instead of crying and back biting and flat out looting (the treasury) just for the sake of saying I Looted. Together we have to get it done.

We have an opportunity in this great global distress to once again affirm that we have the excellence so many ascribed to us in the past; We have the excellence so many use as a political attribute of denigration. WE are America, It's no longer halftime - It IS Time.

It's time for the "shining city on a hill" to once again casts its glare into the midst and say...

Liberty and Justice for ALL  - socioeconomics be damned.

If perception is 99 percent of truth, then the image I have pictured is more of a problem than most including myself could have imagined. It represents the view of one side of the social argument in America. ^{To Quote} Newt Gingrich,

"More people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any other president in American History." An interesting assertion except, according to other sources,

"More people were added (to the food stamp program) under Bush than under Obama, according to the most recent figures. ^{Factcheck.org}

Now which side is most accurate or a hundred percent purely unbiased and truthful, I can't say. Partly because I don't know and partly because it only further confounds the issue(s). Namely, are food stamps [Social Programs] necessary -read it acceptable and why are so many now in need of food stamps and other social programs.

And further why is there now such a stigma attached to the words Social Safety Services / Program? Have we gotten that far from history - from the very fabric that held this country together. The same fabric our politicians trot out when campaign plotting; 9-11 - war on terror - budget deficit- economic depression. The same familiar themes over and over when in need of a vote, yet no one actually trying to find a solution the people can accept. In fact with less concern for the people and more concern with their own views of "public" policy, their own view of promoting the general welfare.

Decrying and proclaiming austerity, and yet not everybody is going without food or shelter or basic healthcare. The very minimum of social services inherent in the constitution. WE the PEOPLE... PROVIDE...

That's not a conservative estimate or a liberal indulgence, that is a part of the social fabric which founded and built this country.  the fabric which WE promised to provide to all who come here and all who live here. We can analyze the numbers and judge what we can or cannot afford mathematically; but the reality of what both sides should know is Social Programs work.

And the safety net they provide is earmarked - set aside - by the constitution. There is no way we can not provide for it.  So somebody needs to get their hands on a calculator and find a way to make it work. Find the happy balance in the voice of the people, and end the dividing rhetoric.

Funding Social Contracts

Advancing Affordable Healthcare

Social Spending at a Glance

The Right's View of Finance

Would Roosevelt Recognize Today's Social Security?

How Social Security went Cash Negative...

1. We've faced adversity before and always grown through it.
2. the -We Can't take care of our Own - WE the entire community

2013 Congressional Budget - Path to Prosperity

2013 White House Budget - EPUB (for ipad / iphone / Nook / Android)

2013 White House Budget (for Kindle)