10 Jun 88
       
       A PROPOSAL TO BRING DIGNITY AND SELF ESTEEM AND A GREATLY
       IMPROVED STANDARD OF LIVING TO OUR NATION'S POOR
       
       
	    The attitude of the American people towards the poor is mean
       and niggardly. They sympathize with the needs of the poor,
       especially the children, and try to meet these needs, albeit
       grudgingly. Somehow, most middle class americans feel that the
       poor have done something wrong and their poverty is deserved
       punishment for their crime.  The minimum of help is supplied by
       welfare grants and/or food stamps. This is the least assistance
       that will stave off starvation and provide the minimum shelter.
       It is obvious that their greatest offense against society is
       their visibility, the poor should really just stay out of sight
       and show some appreciation for the charity given to them. They
       are a constant reminder that "there, but for the grace of God, go
       I". 
       
	    Thus,the poor live in the poorest environs, often rat and
       roach infested, with sagging ceilings and staircases. broken
       windows and pipes, old and worn out appliances, inadequate heat
       and cooling regardless of weather. Add to this the poor
       nutrition, poor preventive medical care, and the poor cultural
       environment. In addition they are usually confined to a ghetto
       with poor schools and unsafe streets,  the ever present youth
       gangs and the growing drug culture. Being forced to live under
       these conditions is cruel and unusual punishment for the poor and
       is undeserved. They wonder just what it is that they have done to
       deserve such treatment. 
       
	    There is one simple solution to their problem. The one thing
       that separates the poor from the middle class is MONEY!! So, give
       enough money to the poor so that they are no longer poor. I would
       suggest $20,000.00 per family. $10,000.00 to young adults no
       longer members of a family unit. Give the money annually with no
       strings attached, except one. The exception should be that the
       annual stipend will be forfeited if the family or the indiviual
       gets into trouble with the law.  This alone might bring about a
       large reduction in the prison population.
       
	    It is reasonable to expect that many recipients will manage
       these funds unwisely. So be it, they live and learn. The first
       result of receiving such a large sum at once is the necessity to
       open a bank account, learn to use checks, get a credit card, open
       charge accounts etc. This alone will put the ex-welfare family
       well on the way to middleclassdom. The next action will certainly
       be the rental of better living quarters, the purchase of some
       decent clothing for themselves and their children, the purchase
       of better appliances and food for improved nutrition.  The former
       poor should be required to pay a nominal amount regularly for
       health insurance, perhaps $10.00 per month per family member or
       something like that. They should be required to accept the
       responsibility that goes with relative affluence. Perhaps one of
       the first things that will occur is the desire to make what they
       have last as long as possible and perhaps even secure more income
       through employment or a  small business venture. In any case, the
       improved living conditions, nutrition and appearance will result
       in increased dignity and self respect, which alone could make the
       program successful.
       
	    One third of the defense budget, $100,000,000,000.00 (one
       hundred billion dollars) would supply 5 million families with the
       $20,000 stipend. It should probably be disbursed through a
       negative income tax. If there were some other income available to
       the family, then the goverment stipend would be lessened by that
       amount.
       
	    I might add that, in my opinion, the program can only serve
       to end poverty and change the face of our nation if the
       recipients are allowed to accept the assistance without in any
       way demeaning them. NO ONE SHOULD FEEL THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO
       TELL THESE PEOPLE WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR INCOME. The moralists
       must keep hands off, whether well intentioned or not, otherwise
       the recipients of the stipend will not experience the growth in
       self discipline, self respect, confidence and self esteem that is
       so much needed and to which they are entitled. I am confident
       that by the time the next generation is producing families, the
       program will have paid for itself many times over, in salvaged
       lives, improved cities and a happier people. 
       
	  If this be bribery, so be it. It serves a noble purpose, the
       salvation of the poor.
       
       
       
					       Pat Rankin
					       867 N Lamb #180
					       Las Vegas, NV 89110
					       702-452-8684