I read the article "Increasing social assistance rates not
the answer" by Keith Lacey with some interest.
It might not be the answer, but it would certainly be a good
place to start. But we all know that is not going to happen.
The government will not increase welfare rates by 40 percent,
maybe just a few dollars here and there. The next time
government officials go on strike maybe that's all they should
get, just a few dollars here and there.
The person quoted within this article, Laurel McCrady, says
she "doesn't have a lot of empathy for a woman who has embarked
on a hunger strike…" Obviously she has no empathy at all.
How do you think Sara Anderson must have felt in order to go
on a hunger strike to get some attention to the plight she and
many others find themselves in?  Happy? Loved? I don't
think so. More like desperate, hopeless, alone, and scared.
I don't know the lady in question, but you can bet I have a
lot of empathy for her. I feel for anyone who is in a situation
where there are no answers. Actually, I shouldn't say there are
no answers because there are many, but society chooses to
ignore the answers that would help others, like raising social
assistance rates, for one.
I know Anderson's hunger strike will not change anything.
She will get media coverage for a little while, then she'll be
forgotten. Society doesn't care and the government does not
even pretend to care.
I do agree with McCrady's statement that "the social
assistance system wasn't designed as a lifestyle choice." 
Of course not, it isn't a choice most people make easily and it
was designed to help people in need.
Welfare isn't a choice, it's just something that's there when there is nothing else to choose from.
A mother calls the welfare office as a last resort because
she cares enough to make some attempt to care for and feed her
children.
People with the attitude like McCrady's are the ones that
think they are better than people on welfare, but it's
important to remember: no one person's life has more value than
another.
It's fine to take pride in your job if you are fortunate
enough to have one, but don't look down on someone who isn't as
lucky; count your blessings instead.
Most people on assistance don't have a lot of pride left.
Most welfare recipients are not in ideal situations. We need to
learn empathy, compassion, and understanding for the plight of
others.
Diane Sears
Sudbury