While shopping I couldn’t help but overhear (as did the entire store) that people who live off of food stamps or Social Security are just stealing from the rest of us and the government at the same time. Understanding the need and use of the food stamp and social security programs, I stopped my shopping for a short while to listen to another person getting involved in the conversation (an argument), and taking the side of the so-called thieves of the system to find a consensus among many Americans that even contemplating the mere thought of using the programs is labeling a person or family as second class citizens, not forgetting the comments of lazy, cheap, thieves, and other choice phrases. As a retired veteran I am apprised at the need for these programs, which applied to many soldiers and their families even while on active duty, and serving our great country. (This is how little a soldier makes for saving this country, and how we are treated by our own country to assume soldiers are also second class citizens for…only God knows.) The conversations (now heated at best), and with total mockery of our fellow citizens had me wanting to go over to them and set the record straight in educating them on their own ignorance of the systems put in place by “the people.” I simply strolled over, noticing a few others follow me, to hear my comments with clarity and conviction. “Excuse me. We all couldn’t help but overhear the mockery of the social system and those that use it in a difficult time in their lives. As you might know, it is; We The People, whom decided to put those very systems in place for our on need when each one of us might be in a needy and difficult crisis in our lives. It is; We The People, whom have been taxed to fund the system that any one of us, at any time, may use in our time of need.” Mixed with shock and anger the three people took a stand that their conversation was more about the illegals who enter our country, and have total access to our benefits. The ones who are depleting the systems resources that We The People, have paid into but cannot get when asked or that have to use a lawyer to get the benefits for us. Agreeing to a point with their statements, I took the stance, which referred to my being a retired veteran, who also suffer from a wide range of unexplained disabilities from combat after serving proudly The People Of Our Country. I received little pay when serving as well as retired from service. The care I receive is worthless at best, as doctors seem to feel, soldiers and veterans alike are only faking symptoms of something they have never understood, seen, experienced, lived, or may have. In many cases, The People, who choose not to serve at all have absolutely no idea of the stress, pain, agony, sacrifices, and other difficult times a soldier “LIVES” or will experience for the rest of their life. I concurred with them as to many “ILLEGAL ALIENS” coming into this country illegally, and suck off the life-force or that which they have never contributed. The conversation then quickly turned to how some Americans get these benefits, but when they go up to the offices to apply or have already, you see them driving expensive cars or have unbelievably nice clothing. Interjecting to that comment, I asked if they already know that persons situation, and if that person and many others like them might have had those items before they needed help. As you might know, you cannot buy a vehicle or diamonds on the tiny amount giver monthly anyway. They seemed to have accepted the rational statements, but still stood their ground with their already ignorant convictions of second class citizens, and lazy people that choose not to go to work. That because of this that family, person, or otherwise a second class citizen is no longer paying into the system and are too sucking off the systems money. The governments money. Cheating the system and worthless to the whole of America. One of them directed the statements to the many “black people” (African American’s) that live like this make it hard for the rest of us to get benefits later in life, and just want sympathy from the system. I took notice to a family of African American’s who ignored the conversation, and continued to the checkout stand to pay for their food. What little it was, the parents of three sad children, mixed with the humiliation of the parents for having to stoop to the level of a second class citizen each month just to survive. A family where a father had to ask quietly for a job application at the checkout stand, only to be directed loudly to the managers station a few feet away to get one. The humiliation began to turn this man’s pain and suffering to tears, which he wiped from his eyes before turning around and going back to his family, where he tucked the application into his pocket, smiled, then grabbed his families few groceries before leaving the store with all of their heads looking towards the ground. Once again leaving me utterly speechless, I pointed out the scene that just took place at the register as this three bickered about the social system giving to those who don’t deserve it. I asked all three of them to please follow me to the door of Wal-Mart where I pointed out the family with very few bags in their hands to feed this family, not so neat clothing, and a sadness amount them as they walked, not drove, from the parking lot. This was the response that became a consensus of the three. “That’s not my problem they can’t find a job. It’s not my problem they can buy anything. It’s not my fault they have to live like that.” The others snickered as the family reached a point in another parking lot where they sat down, opened the bags, and started eating the little food purchased for possibly that day only, and may have to go hungry for the rest of the month, without medical care, no home, not comforts of home, nothing. I stood there shaking my head back and forth in disgust at their actions then turned around, but not before making the statement that one day they too may be in grave need. Just as that family. As I turned I once again took notice to another smaller family. A “white” Caucasian family. Young and with a very small baby carrying groceries in their hands and getting into a somewhat nice Toyota car. On long the way the mother was putting a food stamp card into her purse before taking hold of her child. She and the husband turned back toward the three, and I took close note to the angry in the parents faces as they got into their vehicle and drove away. Moments later the three, still snickering, returned inside the store to continue their conversation, and luxurious shopping spree. I followed the three “now friends” as I shopped for my few items needed to make a dinner for my family. Without hesitation, I began putting items into my basket in hopes that I could still find the family and offer up a bounty of food that would last them for the month. Dried food, canned foods, and a few luxury items for each one of them. As you all might know the extreme lines that plague the shoppers at the checkout stands many of the other people whom stood watching the spectacle notice I started to pay for items that were in my basket. I then made statement to the few items I was purchasing for me. I paid for all them items but was immediately stopped by other shoppers by the cashier. Thinking I did something wrong I stood in shock as many other the shoppers to include the cashier, who took cash from their pockets and billfolds giving it to me to take to the family. It isn’t much sad one elderly woman but it’s something that might help. Just then I noticed one of the three standing in line a few persons back looking around as if he didn’t see anything happening. I pleaded with the other people to take their money back or to take it to the family themselves, but they all came to the consensus that I was a trust worthy person whom would do the right thing for that family. As I started to leave I stated humbly that the food in the basket is for them as well. Smiles filled the people’s faces other than the bigot now head down standing in line. Quietly I walked from the store, putting the groceries in the truck, and driving away in search of the family who had disappeared from the opposite parking lot where they ate. I drove around for a few minutes and noticed the family walking happy towards the back of Wal-Mart before disappearing behind a very large green dumpster. I slowly drove up to the dumpster, exited the truck, and walked behind the dumpster to find the family huddling scared and clinging to one another. “Excuse me sir, mama. I didn’t mean to scare you, but I: we people in the store couldn’t help but notice your reactions to the rude and insensitive comments by those three men. I on the other hand noticed you paying for what little groceries you had money for, having to put back a few items to please your children, then swallow your pride when asking for an employment application. I also noticed...” (I motioned to the father with respect as I simulated a tear being wiped from my eye.) The man stood in humility and address me in front of his family. “We don’t need your sympathy mister! Now get out of here and let me and my family be in peace!” “Sir, that is not why I am here.” Just as I made this statement the recycling truck came to the dumpster and was required to stop due to the danger it posed to the family and me. “Sir, I need you all to leave the area for your own safety.” “We were just leaving” the father of the family said as they all got up and quickly started walking away from the back of the store. Just when they thought they were home free and away from those who could possibly do them harm a store manager had stopped them at the corner of the building, and asked them all to follow him to the front of the store. Complying with the manager, they all walked quietly and rounded to corner, I took coming around the corner driving my truck, and noticed many of the people who stood watching the spectacle within the store then watched me purchase something for the family before taking up their collection, was a police officer waiting with the crowd. The father quickly became enraged, stepping in front of his family to protect them. “We did nothing wrong! Why are you doing this? Why can’t you just leave us alone!” “Sir, we are not here to harm you or take you to jail.” “Then what did we do?” The man pleading his questions with concern for his family. “This crowd of people needed my assistance in helping find you, and it looks as though you have been found. I really think you should consider hearing what they have to say.” The family stood there in awe at the crowd who began to circle them holding bags of food, clothing, toys, and other essential items a family would need to survive. “After seeing the you and your family go through the humiliation you all did in the store, we thought it only right to quickly shop for these items to get you to the end of the month.” One lady said as she walked over to the mother and sat the bags at her feet. Each member of the crowd quietly walked up to the family and placed their bags at the feet of the family as the mother and father began to cry tears of extreme joy. The children smiling and happy they then looked to their parents whom were crying. The father brushed the head of one of the children then smiled. “We appreciate your gestures, but we cannot take them. We have no way of carrying these bags with us where we go.” Just then I walked up, placing the bags I had at the feet of the family, then turned to the parents to make a small speech. “We all took up a collection on your behalf. It may not be a lot but it’s something to get you through a few months.” Handing the cash to the father I then reached into my pocket and pulled out the three items that were placed back on the shelf at the checkout stand because there was not enough money to pay for them, and handed them to the children. Their smiles filled the crowd in happiness as did the parents who looked down to their children smiling. “Thank you. We can’t think you enough.” “Oh that’s not all.” A big man making his way from the back of the crowd to the front. “I own a very large company and I need workers right now. I’m not sure what you are skilled in, but I’m sure we can find you a place to work casting molds.” An Asian couple then stepped forward to address the mother. “We have a dry cleaning and alteration shop just down the street. We too would like to offer you a job. We need people bad right now because we are understaffed. If you want we can have you start as soon as tomorrow.” Others in the crowd immediately handed business cards to the mother and father if they ever needed a job. Many of them walked away and went about their business. I stood firm when asking the family if I could help them get to wherever they needed to go. “I have a truck and it will fit all of these bags and your family if you’d let me take you wherever it is you need me to take you.” Gladly the family took the invitation and began loading their new belongings into the truck. As I started to walk back to my truck a nun in civilian clothing who was part of the crowd stopped me and asked me; “would you take them to the convent just up the street. Do you know where it’s at?” I told her yes and we all loaded into the truck and sped off to the convent where other nuns and priests took them inside where they all stayed until they had enough money saved to move out on their own again. As the months passed, I wondered what ever happened to that family who suffered an economic downturn and had to rely on the social system to just survive. I wondered if I would ever see them again just to see how they are doing. About two years from the date all this happened I ran into the mother of the family at Wal-Mart once again. She seemed happy and content with her new life. “Hello, do you remember me?” “I’m sorry no should I remember you from somewhere?” “About two years ago your family was standing at the other end of this building with a crowd.” “Oh my Gosh.” The lady said and threw her arms around me and hugging me with tears in her eyes. “We can’t thank you enough for what you all did that day. We are doing much better that’s for sure. We have medical benefits, have a small home we rent, and have been able to get off food stamps. My husband was able to purchase a small car for us to get around in. Things have really looked up for us thanks to you.” “So where is your husband and the children? I’d love to say hello and see how they are doing.” With sadness in her eyes once again she stated softly. “The children were taken by the social system. They said we were bad parents and couldn’t take care of them properly. I do get to see them all the time at the foster home they are now living in. I think it’s for the best. They are safe and being well taken care of.” “What about your husband? Is he at work?” The woman raised her head with a smile on her face, tears in her eyes, and said: “My soul mate passed away about a year ago of a heart attack and a broken soul, who only cared of what was best for my children and me. He’s in a better place now, watching over us. I sometimes think he is still working miracles up there to keep us safe and alive.” I stood in utter shock to hear what happened to the entire family. The children being taken from their parents, and then the death of this woman’s husband. The woman placed her hand on my check and thank me once more. “Once again, we can’t thank you enough for your kindness, and good things will happen for you because you are blessed with love.” She then turned and walked into the store and to never see her again. The moral of this story is that life for many is difficult with the struggle just to stay alive. The social system was put in place for all American’s to use in their need. It is difficult and in many cases takes a lawyer to get these benefits for you because of the misuse of those benefits, but the system has been repaired and is far from being depleted. Remember that it was American’s who put this system in place and “the use of the funds and benefits are yours.” Do not assume, label, and judge those who use this system because you too one day may need these benefits to help you in your time of crisis. There may not be willing people at that time as there were two years ago that helped this family. And being ill-informed to the benefits and luxuries we as Americans has is no excuse for being ill-mannered hypocrites towards your fellow American Citizen. If there were only more Americans who are willing to step up without being asked then our social system would be an amazing luxury when needed, and the country would grow stronger with pride. The final moral of this story. The honorably discharged veteran (husband of the family who died) was judged and treated as nothing more than a second class citizen. Someone who sacrificed his family and himself for the good of the many with honor. Unable to return a land he called home, and unable to provide for his family yet asked for help, and was ridiculed shows the hardcore racists we truly are as a so-called superpower. That many countries have come to hate. We no longer embrace those who sacrifice, yet turn our faces and minds to our own agendas for the good of nothing. “IF ONLY MORE PEOPLE TOOK THE STAND I AND THAT CROWD DID THAT DAY. IF ONLY.” --Kyle Ripton Author, Actor, Filmmaker kyleripton
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 05:10:23 +0000
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