Wednesday, 29 December 2010
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How Welfare Should Really Be Done
Conversations that involve the word “welfare" invoke an impression of an imposed social structure that forcefully takes money and other resources (through taxation) from those who work hard and gives contributions to mostly indolent people who have voluntarily forfeited their freedom to ensure that the government will take care of them. This demeaning understanding of welfare has been conveyed to many within the US population because of our government’s inept understanding of the human quality that teaches us that we have an obligation to take care of the needy.
We can make better use of the term if we understand its real meaning. The term itself conveys a sense of health, happiness and prosperity. These ideals are not achieved when a person or groups of people become dependent upon a structure built upon the giving of something in exchange for doing nothing and that motivates laziness. Instead, a true welfare system places its focus on taking care of one’s own and builds people’s sense of worth by promoting hard work, innovation, education, discipline, frugality, and other time-tested values.
The Displaced Katrina Victim
A good example of what’s wrong with today’s government welfare program was related to me by my sister, who had an interesting conversation while working as a bank teller during the time Hurricane Katrina affected the New Orleans area, prompting the government to relocate people throughout the country. A fellow came into the bank to use his welfare funded debit card to pull out some cash, compliments of those of us who pay in to the system. Was he interested in food, clothing, or even shelter? No, he asked where the nearest “adult video store” was located so he could drop some taxpayer dollars on pornography. In this case, as with a large percentage of those who depend upon the government for their livelihood, it is obvious that the recipients abuse a system that is set up for abuse, and the true nature of welfare is hardly fulfilled.
A Mentality of Being Downtrodden
The victim mentality that exists among too many welfare recipients shows that the existing government system doesn’t work. If you can find a person who has needed help financially to the extent that he sought assistance from a program and survived it without losing some amount of his integrity, you likely found a person who opted for a church run or other non-government assistance program, or who at least repented of it.
How Should Welfare Assistance Really Be Done?
A great model for how to get those who are down back on their feet while not hindering their ability to experience personal development is the welfare program of LDS Church (or Mormon Church). The LDS Church strongly emphasizes self-reliance and teaches its members to work hard, to save money, to prepare for emergencies, and to generally fend for themselves in addition to giving service to others.
Members of the Church (and non-members as well) who need assistance are given food and other means of survival with the understanding that it will be temporary. The church has food storehouses where individuals and families in trouble can trade work and service for food and other assistance. When welfare is done this way, the individual’s self worth is not diminished as it is in situations where food and money are doled out with no accountability.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
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7 Things Said About Your Company When You Install a Custom Headache Rack
It's safe to assume that if you made it to this article, you likely are a truck owner. Or perhaps you just drive one for work. Maybe you're split between ordering a standard or custom headache rack. Usually the primary focus of headache racks are the many features and benefits. But I'll zero in on the big picture for this article. I want to focus on what a headache rack says about you and your business. Then here goes, the top seven statements are:
Headache Racks - Custom Black Widow Headache Rack
1. You are results focused. Since a headache rack is designed for use, it says you care about making the most of your time and effort.
2. You work hard. This almost goes without saying! Put two pickup truck side by side. One looks like a hard working truck, the other just looks like a truck.
3. You take pride in your work. Another prominently touted feature of a headache rack is that they are designed to protect the back window of your cab. Putting one on your truck does provide an added level of protection. This indicates you take pride in your "tools" and most likely take pride in your work.
4. You're cool. And that phrase although cliche certainly applies. Trucks with custom headache racks especially scream "cool." They turn heads and as an added bonus, the people turning their heads at your truck, the better recognition you build around your brand.
5. You're financially savvy. Yep, believe it or not, spending money on functional truck accessories indicates that you're financially savvy. It's a little different than adding something like diesel smoke stacks behind your cab! The rack says you invest money in accessories that both look nice, add a custom look, and are functional all at the same time.
6. Your customers come first. Generally speaking, professionals who invest in themselves are more likely to invest in others. Think about it this way; you've seen that local "budget" house painter with his 1989 Isuzu two wheel drive pickup cruisin' around town right? You think that guy cares as much about his customers and invests in them as much as the guy with the more functional looking truck?
7. You sacrifice to get the job done right the first time. This is especially true if you've added the rear facing cargo lamps to your custom headache rack! There is only one use for a cargo light and that is for working after dark. Professionals who need to work well into the evening hours do so because they're working until the job is finished.
The bottom line is that investing in your commercial pickup truck, whether you're the owner or the fleet manager is an important part of marketing and branding for your business and services. The key to getting this done right is to choose accessories that not only accent your rig, but also are functional and built as tough as you work. If you work hard, chances are you want to portray that image to your customers. Be sure you keep your truck in tip top shape with the right accessories to help you get the job done.
