What's in that bucket?

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In Those Days, my father called money "skins." I'm not sure where or how he came up with that, but I never heard anyone other than Pop use that word in that context. I do know that once, a man's wealth was determined by the amount of animal skins he possessed. So, like Pop, I'll use it on this post.

Now, Americans are known for there generosity all over the world. No matter who, no matter what country, no matter the reason, Americans have been there unlike no other people. And they have given their skins for the cause.

In America, we are even more involved in providing for "Needies." It has been a rapidly growing way of life for us. Every state has "Welfare" funded by taxing the "More Fortunates" to help the Needies.

I know that some of my Followers are well versed in Welfare, but for those that are not, here is an how it works: The state collects the skins from the More Fortunates and puts them into the "Big Bucket." A portion of the collection goes to paying for the administration of the system. That creates jobs, thereby reducing the amount of Needies. Then those Needies can contribute their own skins into the Big Bucket like the rest of us because they are no longer less fortunate or unfortunate, and are paid more skins than some of the More Fortunates. And, so they then become "Ex-needies."

Other Needies then apply for skins from Welfare. The Ex-needies determine the number of skins the Needies really need. Theoretically, the Needies are awarded just enough skins to get by. The Needies then obtain their own smaller bucket to keep their skins in as they spend them. Sometimes we wonder just how the Needies survive based upon the limited number of skins they are given by the Ex-needies. Well, here is how they do it:

Some Needies do actually work, but hide their earnings in their bucket because they know the Ex-needies will cut them off if they acquire too many skins. Some Needies get skins from their loved ones but don't tell anyone either. Some Needies collect skins from the More Fortunates by begging on the street and in front of Walmart. Still other Needies get still more skins from other organizations like churches and charity groups, school lunch programs, or by stealing. Some Neediest even get more skins by filing a new claim with the Ex-neediest under a false name. And some Neediest are just given more skins by the More Fortunates just because they feel sorry for them because the Needies give the appearance they are actually needy. And having said that, some Needies actually are not actually needy, and may have more skins than some More Fortunates.

So, the next time you put extra skins into the Needies' bucket, think about what might already be in it.
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