By Brian Bloom | The Brookings Register
I saw her at the local grocery store. Mid-20s, one child in her arms, a second excitedly learning about the suckers the store puts on its check-out counter. A young man, late teens, scans item after item. Soap, eggs, milk, condiments, necessities as the customer provides her payment.
“I’m sorry,” he softly says. “I can’t sell you the bread.”
“What do you mean?” she asked incredulously. “It’s bread, for sandwiches, for toast…”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “It’s not allowed. You can only get a half loaf.”
“A what,” she questioned. “What the heck is a half loaf of bread.”
“I’m sorry,” he said once again. “We will need to take it out of the bag.”
And I suddenly found myself both appalled and angry. What kind of society have we allowed to evolve where we punish those who have been punished over and over again? What kind of nation sets rules to create hunger instead of resolving it? What kind of people believe themselves so superior as to subjugate others? What the heck is happening???
In a nation already politically divided. In a country where people are now identified not by community or career, but by nationality and political allegiance, this is unconscionable and if you believe it fair, I strongly suggest a new look in your mirror and a new understanding of empathy.
Yes, I know I will get kickback that she might be a single mother and a reiteration of the absolute fallacy people have additional babies to garner additional government funds. I know all of the lies. All of the exaggerations of how the poor are a drain on a nation drained to the sewer by the uber wealthy.
And I know all of the double standards. The attack on women while defending the unborn. The idea that those with less deserve their lot in life while a nation puts its collective boot on their soul as they try to dig out.
In Vancouver, the University of British Colombia ran an experiment. It gave 50 recipients who had recently become homeless a one-time cash transfer of $6,500 – no strings attached.
The results defied every stereotype about homeless people and money.
Over the following year, cash recipients spent 99 fewer days homeless. They spent 55 more days in stable housing, retained $1,160 more in savings. There was NO increase in spending on alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. In fact, it dropped 39%. Instead, the money went exactly where it would go if you stopped thinking of homeless people as different from yourself — food, housing transportation and durable goods, according to a report from Scott Santens.
In fact, the study found individuals earned more wages and found better jobs.
When people have resources to meet their basic needs, to feel stability and hope, they reduce their substance use, stop medicating and improve their living conditions, the study found.
A similar study in Denver showed providing $1,000 per month gave individuals stability. Employment went up, defying the assumption that handouts create laziness. Drug use did not increase. Helping people, it turns out, helps society at large.
I don’t know the young woman’s personal story as she struggled to understand the stupidity of our government’s guidelines. But I’ve lived on other people’s couches in my life. I’ve been blessed by the kindness of others when I too could not afford a full loaf of bread.
Society helps those who cannot help themselves. Who aren’t seeking a handout, but assistance.
Today, a person on government support can see their life worsening when they break that bond and aspire for more. Gone is the child support, the health care, the rental assistance; often driving those with dreams to return to their nightmare.
We are better than this.
The cashier, who so kindly whispered and repeatedly said he was sorry, understands.
— Brian Bloom is the publisher of The Brookings Register and is a longtime newspaper man.
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