From personal experience, I think compassion for the unemployed can only go so far. There comes a time when the unemployed person must take responsibility for their own lives by cutting their discretionary spending (i.e. multiple cell phones, cable and/or satellite TV [what's wrong with using the digital receiver box?], and most importantly, stop using credit cards!!).
People are awesome when it comes to helping each other out in times of need. Earlier this year, the Guadalupe River overflowed after a storm, and it destroyed homes and tubing businesses. What did the people do? After the water receded, they all got together and began to clean up the mess and rebuild. It took some time, but many of the businesses were up and running and ready for the tubing business. Comal County applied for FEMA assistance (I'm still looking for confirmation on that).
Ever since I was in my 20s, I've been on both sides of the aisle when it comes to unemployment. At different points in my life, I've lived with family and/or friends and relied on government assistance. Food stamps are only for food items. When I lived in my home state of NY, the old "AFDC" check barely covered the rent. I had to rely on family members to provide personal care items and clothing. It's not fun when you can't provide for more than barely your basic needs. Although telephones were necessary, long distance was considered a luxury service. Personal computers were in infancy, and cell phones were unheard of. During those down times in my life, I had a bad attitude. Because of how I was raised, I always thought of myself as a conservative, but my attitude was not proving it. I thought that I was "entitled to" so much more than what I had been provided for via the government assistance. I couldn't understand why the government couldn't provide me with 'minimum wage' income to stay home and do nothing with my life, and I was angry because there was nothing I could do about it ... or so I thought. I was thinking as a progressive liberal, and I didn't like that about myself.
It wasn't until I was in my 30s that I had to make a decision. Was I going to continue living off the backs of the tax payers, or was I going to make a change for the better for myself? I chose the latter. I wasn't sure how my life would play out. It took a long time, and there were moments when I would stumble and fall. Yes, I still relied on some assistance from the state (by then I was in Texas), but I used it wisely. I qualified for housing assistance, and a little food stamps. I eventually landed a really good job and managed to keep it for a little less than 5 yrs. During that time, I got married, and my life changed even more for the better. My husband and I now totally own our house, and although I am now on disability due to a chronic health problem, things are still much better for me than they used to be.
As for compassion for the unemployed is concerned, I can give you another example of that. I am a member of a really great church who has been there for me for over a year. They have an excellent ministry that helps not only their members, but the entire non-member community around them. I've had to ask for help with food, and they came through for me in ways I never expected. To this day, I still have food left over to use up that they sent from their pantry. Ladies from the church come by either once a month, or whenever I need help with anything. I've even asked for help with yard work that I cannot do anymore because of my health, and four guys from the church spent at least an hour to clean up around the yard for me. I'm even learning a lot about cooking from food storage for two people.
My health may not be as good as it used to be anymore, but I'm still able to do what I can to keep my life in order. I don't like having to, once again, rely on the government, but it is what it is - for now. There are some business ideas I have planned to help supplement that income, and I am looking forward to getting started with them. It would even be better to earn enough money from my own business so that I don't have to rely on a disability check.
The point is, people are compassionate. BUT, the individuals affected by unemployment must be willing to accept a temporary "hand up" and make hard, yet necessary decisions for themselves instead of demanding a nearly permanent "hand out!"
