Governor Pillen is Right

Progressive Jane is Wrong

Update: Iowa did the same thing Pillen did (https://www.ketv.com/article/iowa-mom-extremely-frustrated-with-decision-to-opt-out-of-food-assistance-program/46231788).

By now, you probably heard the cacophony over Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen in rejecting 18 million dollars in Federal funds to “feed children” (https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omaha-man-launches-vigil-at-governors-residence-as-pillen-proclaims-that-he-doesnt-believe-in-welfare/). This has caused the short-sighted progressives to scream: “How can you not be on #team kids?!?!?”.

First, Nebraska already helps feed kids. There is no reason for Federal assistance on this matter.

Second, people are not thinking about what government is enabling in giving out free food. If a parent cannot feed their children, and cannot find assistance, perhaps their children need to be put in foster care. The most loving thing a parent can do for a child is feed them. By government giving out food, it can be enabling parental neglect of children.

Third, government welfare ends up being perverted for other purposes. In many ways, welfare becomes a bribe for illegal immigration and enables laziness. Milton Friedman mentioned this a long time ago (https://www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/look-milton-open-borders-and-the-welfare-state) yet debate continues (https://reason.com/2023/04/18/proposition-despite-the-welfare-state-the-u-s-should-open-its-borders/) but evidence exists (https://headlineusa.com/study-reveals-60-of-illegals-green-card-holders-are-on-welfare/). Also, welfare can become a criminal enterprise (https://mississippitoday.org/2023/12/19/welfare-funds-ghana-scam-prevacus/).

Fourth, the cliche goes, “Give man fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a life time.” An immigrant has been quoted as saying: “I came to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold. When I got here, I found out three things: First, the streets weren’t paved with gold; second, they weren’t paved at all; and third, I was expected to pave them.” Welfare programs are often disabling and do not help people prosper. Instead, it encourages laziness and tempts more migration for the free items.  Hard work, however, creates prosperity.

Fifth, Federal money always comes with strings attached. President Biden already tried this with school lunches (https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/no-free-lunch-biden-admin-will-pull-meal-funding-for-schools-that-dont-comply-with-its-lgbt-agenda/). By rejecting the Federal funds, Governor Pillen has stopped Federal manipulation of the State.