Tennessee: Volunteer State or Welfare State?

By Dennis Powers

The nickname, Volunteer State, originated during the War of 1812, in which the volunteer soldiers from Tennessee, serving under Gen. Andrew Jackson, displayed marked valor in the Battle of New Orleans.  They stood in lines to sign up to serve their state and country.  Today, they come from all over the U.S. to stand in lines to enroll for public assistance and our appealing TennCare program.  Times – they are a-changing.

Recently, State Sen. Tim Burchett introduced Senate Bill 102 which implements drug testing for welfare recipients.  Also, State Rep. Stacey Campfield introduced House Bill 981 which states “any person collecting government assistance is not entitled to collect lottery winnings.”  The liberals are livid.

Some liberals don’t care what welfare recipients do with the money!  One said “it is their money and they should spend it any way they want.”  First of all, it’s not their money—– it’s our money —– our tax dollars.  We have rights as taxpayers to determine how the money is spent and if they don’t want our recommendation, we will no longer bother them with our advice or welfare payments.  Have a nice day.

Somewhere along the line, welfare was transformed from a means of alleviating poverty and suffering to weary taxpayers easing their consciences by sanctioning checks to unhappy people living in unhappy places.  People have an ingrained yearning to work and take part in society.  They should know the feeling of hitting the alarm clock each morning and becoming a productive part of our nation rather than remaining lonely, detached and dependent on others for their survival.