Star Parker

Penn State's Young Americans for Freedom, sponsered Star Parker last Wednesday. Star Parker, the president of the Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education spoke about her experiences with the current welfare system. Ms. Parker herself had used the welfare system to support her and her daughter. Star criticized the way that the system is setup. In the system if you have more than $25.00 in your bank account, your benefits are cut. With the system running this way, it is discouraging people to save any money. If you have a job, your benefits are cut, and why would anyone want to work and make the same amount of money that they were receiving just because they are on the program. The program is lacking in incentives. The way that it is setup, it makes no sense for someone on the program to want to try and work, when they can obtain the same amount of money sitting at home on the couch. Star Parker advised that the system needs a change. "The answer to poverty is freedom and personal responsibility," she also added the need for school vouchers, and hard limitations on the current system. She gave a very intelligent and informed presentation, and I am glad that Penn State hosted such a great speaker.

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2005/03/03-17-05tdc/03-17-05dnews-14.asp