Vikki, I agree and disagree with you on somethings. I do believe 100% that people need to take responsibilty for their choices and provide for themselves the best they can.

First of all, I hope I didn't offend you on the farming issue. I have alot of respect for farmers. They do work hard and not all receive subsidies. I'm not an expert of farm subsidies but I'm sure there is alot of work that could be done reforming it.

As far as the living wage and social programs, I disagree somewhat. I don't think everything is black and white here but there is alot of grey. Even with a college degree, it doesn't mean you are guaranteed a higher paying job. If parents don't pay for college, it makes it difficult to pay for college and support one self on minimum wage even with college grants and loans. Throw a divorced single mom with 3 kids and little child support in the mix, that makes it extremely difficult to attend school, work to provide for the family, pay for child care costs, and be there for her kids yet.

I think your right about not too many families making it on one income. Two income has become more of the norm I think. I do know people who are working two jobs to make ends meet yet have medical expenses that keep putting them in the hole even with insurance.

I'm not against the "trickle down method" if I thought some corporatations wouldn't be greedy. When I see big corporations giving CEO's huge severance checks or just huge wages period, I don't see them opening new businesses especially when people don't have as much money to buy. It seems to go to the big shots of the big corporations. Exxon made billions of dollars while we pay high gas prices. It doesn't seem right. I think it works better when the middle class has money to spend, then businesses will open because they need to provide more product to make more profit. Of course, everyone can argue this point. It's like which came first, the chicken or the egg?

I wish people were more responsbile and accountable. I have seen medical CEOs charge a $800 meal for 8 people to the clinic for the rest of us patients to pay. Or the guy who works in government that charges a trip for govt purpose but it's really a fishing trip, the $20 ice cube tray the govt pays for, etc.

As far as social programs like Social Security, food and housing, there are policies where people cannot receive assistance if they have had a felony at least for so many years. Get busted for drugs, you lose Social Security Disability. I know people who work in these systems. They aren't perfect at all but they are trying to make people accountable and give them consequences for their poor choices. I do understand what you are saying about why pay for someone elses poor choice when it comes to disabilty and healthcare. That is a good point. If one chooses to drink themselves until their liver shuts down, it's not fair for the rest of us to pay that.