Assistance For The Middle Class

Yesterday I read about a single mother who lost her $55,000 a year job. She cut back on all expenses, just like she should have done. Then, as she worried about feeding her children, she did to her what was unthinkable before - she applied for state aid - think food stamps.

She is not making any money. Not meeting her debts. Trying to keep her family fed. You would think it would have been a slam dunk. Wrong. She was denied assistance.

Why? Because she really was not truly poor - at least according to state guidelines. I am not sure how 'truly poor' is defined, but definitions have to change if people are to get assistance.

For those who can't get assistance, they should begin to think about creating 'co-operative villages.' The co-op village is a group of people who can provide goods and services for one another on a barter arrangement. Goods like vegetables that can be grown in a small plot, maybe someone can bake bread, fixing cars, plumbing, electrical, etc. The mix of the village is important - it has to be balanced so everyone benefits. For example, only one or two 'farmers' are needed to produce fruits and vegetables. One plumber, electrician, trades person can service two, or more villages. And, it's important to determine and agree the value of specific goods and services. It's important to think creatively.

You can do this and do it well.