Four Twenty-Nine – Self-Reliance
Self-Reliance
Stormin’
- Nobody proofreads anymore. I see mistakes on major websites every day.
- https://tuckercarlson.com/tucker-show-catherine-fitts
- On cheat days, have a baked potato.
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Here’s a breakdown of why many people feel shame or embarrassment about applying for public benefits or getting free food from food banks and soup kitchens:
1. Cultural Values: Independence and Self-Reliance
- In countries like the United States, individualism and self-sufficiency are prized values.
- Needing help is often (wrongly) seen as a personal failure, not a normal part of life’s ups and downs.
- From a young age, people are taught to “stand on their own two feet” — so asking for help feels like breaking that expectation.
2. Stigma About Poverty
- Society tends to blame the poor for being poor (“they’re lazy,” “they made bad choices”).
- Movies, TV, and news often portray welfare recipients in a negative or exaggerated light, reinforcing stereotypes.
- Because of this stigma, even someone who simply fell on hard times (job loss, health crisis, divorce) may feel “less than” for needing assistance.
3. Pride and Dignity
- Many people take deep pride in providing for themselves and their families.
- Accepting help — especially food — hits a primal nerve: food symbolizes survival and competence.
- Having to stand in line for charity or fill out forms for help can feel dehumanizing, exposing vulnerabilities they’d rather hide.
4. Fear of Judgment by Others
- People often fear being judged by neighbors, family, or even strangers.
- There’s a concern about being seen as “taking advantage” or “not trying hard enough,” even when the help is desperately needed and fully deserved.
5. The System Itself Feels Punitive
- The process of applying for benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, etc.) often involves deeply personal questions and long waits.
- Many agencies treat applicants with suspicion, making people feel like criminals rather than citizens in need.
- Some people give up halfway through simply because the system makes them feel humiliated.
6. Historical Narratives
- In earlier generations (especially during and after the Great Depression), asking for “relief” was seen as a last resort and surrounded by shame.
- Stories passed down from parents and grandparents reinforce this mindset even today: “We never took handouts” is a common family boast.
A Better Way to See It:
- Everyone needs help at some point in their lives — health, finances, mental health, family issues, disaster recovery, etc.
- Public benefits and food banks exist because society recognizes that hard times happen — not because individuals are “bad” or “broken.”
- Accessing help when you need it is an act of responsibility, not shame: it shows you’re willing to take care of yourself or your loved ones using the tools available.
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1. Think of Benefits as a Safety Net You Helped Pay For
- Reframe: “I’m not taking charity. I’m using a safety net that my taxes, work, and participation in society helped build.”
- If you ever worked, paid taxes, or even just lived in the community, you contributed to the system that now supports you.
- It’s not a handout — it’s an earned resource. It’s like using insurance you paid for when you have a medical emergency.
2. Understand That Needing Help Is Human, Not Weak
- Reframe: “Everyone needs help sometimes — that’s part of being human.”
- Illness, job loss, caregiving, divorce, natural disasters — no one is immune.
- Accepting help shows courage and wisdom, not weakness. It means you’re taking care of yourself so you can move forward.
3. Realize the System Needs You to Work
- Reframe: “Programs like food banks are only meaningful if people actually use them when needed.”
- Food pantries, SNAP, and Medicaid aren’t meant to sit unused. They’re designed for people exactly like you — people who are facing life’s hard seasons.
4. See It as Temporary Support, Not a Life Sentence
- Reframe: “This is a bridge, not my destination.”
- Needing help today doesn’t define your future.
- Many people use food banks or benefits for a short time and go on to rebuild stronger lives.
5. Focus on Survival and Dignity, Not Public Opinion
- Reframe: “Feeding myself or my family is more important than what anyone else thinks.”
- Hunger and health come first. Pride or worrying about judgment must take a back seat to basic human dignity — and that includes eating enough and staying healthy.
6. Remember: You’re Modeling Resilience, Not Defeat
- Reframe: “By getting help when I need it, I’m showing how to survive wisely and responsibly.”
- Especially if others (family, friends, children) are watching, demonstrating how to seek and accept help is a form of leadership, not failure.
7. Know That Generosity Flows in Cycles
- Reframe: “Someday I can give back when I’m able.”
- Many people who once needed food banks later volunteer, donate, or mentor others.
- Receiving now plants the seeds for giving later — it’s part of a larger human story.
8. You Are Not Alone — Millions Are in the Same Boat
- Reframe: “I’m part of a community of people doing their best in tough times.”
- In 2024 alone, tens of millions of Americans visited food banks or received assistance. It’s normal, not exceptional.
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The condition you’re describing — where the toes point outward instead of straight ahead when standing or walking — is called “out-toeing” (sometimes casually referred to as “duck feet”).
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
🦶 What Is Out-Toeing?
- Out-toeing is when the feet naturally angle away from the centerline of the body.
- It can occur in one or both feet.
- It might be obvious when walking, running, or even when just standing.
🔎 Common Causes of Out-Toeing
In Children:
- Normal Development: Many young children temporarily have out-toeing that corrects itself as they grow.
- Hip External Rotation: In the womb, the thigh bones may have rotated outward; this sometimes lingers after birth.
- Tibial Torsion: The shinbone (tibia) twists outward.
- Femoral Retroversion: The thigh bone (femur) angles outward at the hip.
In Adults:
- Muscle Imbalances: Tight or weak muscles in the hips, thighs, calves, or feet can cause outward rotation.
- Poor Posture or Habitual Standing/Walking Patterns: Long-term standing or walking with poor biomechanics can lead to chronic out-toeing.
- Flat Feet (Fallen Arches): Can cause the feet to roll outward to compensate for poor support.
- Previous Injury: Hip, knee, or ankle injuries that healed improperly can lead to out-toeing.
- Arthritis or Joint Issues: Degeneration in hips, knees, or ankles can alter gait mechanics.
- Neuromuscular Conditions (less common): Disorders affecting nerves or muscles (like cerebral palsy) can also cause out-toeing.
🩺 Can Out-Toeing Be Treated?
Yes — but treatment depends on the cause and severity:
For Mild Cases:
- Observation: Especially in children, no treatment may be needed as it often self-corrects.
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Focusing on hips, glutes, hamstrings, calves, and ankles.
- Posture and Gait Training: Physical therapists can retrain walking patterns and strengthen supporting muscles.
- Orthotics: Custom shoe inserts can help correct flat feet or foot imbalances contributing to out-toeing.
For More Severe or Structural Causes:
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises to correct muscle imbalances and improve alignment.
- Bracing (mostly for children): Special shoes or braces can gently correct angles over time.
- Surgery (rare): In severe cases with significant bone rotation (like major femoral retroversion), surgery to correct the bone’s alignment may be needed.
🏥 When to See a Professional
- If out-toeing worsens over time
- If it’s causing pain in the hips, knees, ankles, or lower back
- If it leads to frequent tripping or instability
- If it suddenly appears in an adult without an obvious cause
A podiatrist, orthopedic specialist, or physical therapist would typically be the right kind of professional to evaluate and recommend a plan.
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The article titled “The Need for Roots: Prelude to a Declaration of Duties Towards Mankind” by James Kullander, published on LewRockwell.com, offers a reflective meditation on Simone Weil’s philosophical work, intertwining it with personal experiences and observations of modern American life.
Main Points:
- The Essential Human Need for Rootedness: Kullander begins by highlighting Weil’s assertion that being rooted is a fundamental human need. He illustrates this through a personal anecdote involving his elderly mother, who, amidst the homogenized sprawl of Jacksonville, Florida, expresses a sense of disorientation and detachment, symbolizing a broader societal loss of connection to place and history.
- Contrast Between Historical Continuity and Modern Displacement: Drawing from his own life in the Hudson Valley of New York, Kullander contrasts the rich historical and familial ties he experiences there with the transient, impersonal nature of contemporary developments. This juxtaposition underscores the importance of historical continuity and community in fostering a sense of belonging.
- Critique of Modern Urban Sprawl: The article critiques the rapid urbanization and commercialization that have transformed natural and historical landscapes into indistinct, sprawling developments. Kullander suggests that this physical transformation mirrors a deeper spiritual and cultural disconnection in society.
- Weil’s Emphasis on Duties Over Rights: Kullander reflects on Weil’s argument that a focus solely on individual rights, without corresponding duties, leads to societal imbalance. He implies that modern society’s emphasis on personal freedoms often neglects communal responsibilities, contributing to social fragmentation.
- Call for Reconnection with Community and Tradition: Echoing Weil’s philosophy, the article advocates for a reinvigoration of communal bonds and traditions. Kullander suggests that rediscovering and honoring our roots—be they familial, cultural, or geographical—is essential for personal fulfillment and societal cohesion.
In essence, the article serves as a contemplative piece urging readers to recognize and address the deep-seated need for rootedness in an increasingly disconnected world, drawing on both philosophical insights and personal narratives to underscore its message.
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Under the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan for Florida Medicaid, you are entitled to unlimited round trips for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) to and from healthcare locations. UnitedHealth Group
If you have a separate UnitedHealthcare (UHC) plan that includes a limited number of non-emergency trips, once those are exhausted, your Medicaid benefits through the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan will continue to provide unlimited transportation services.
These services are typically coordinated through ModivCare, [now SafeRide] the transportation provider for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan members. UHC Provider+1UnitedHealth Group+1
If you need assistance scheduling transportation or have questions about your benefits, you can contact UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Member Services at 1-888-716-8787, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time.
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In the article “Yet Another Disastrous Consequence of the Digital Revolution” by Paul Craig Roberts, the author discusses the emerging threat of digital title theft and its broader implications. Here are the main points:
- Digital Title Theft: Roberts highlights a growing scam where fraudsters use digital tools to forge property documents, effectively stealing homes from rightful owners. This crime is particularly prevalent among elderly individuals who own properties outright, making them prime targets.
- FBI Warning: The FBI has issued alerts about this scam, noting that from 2019 to 2023, over 58,000 victims reported losses totaling $1.3 billion due to real estate fraud. In the Boston Division alone, 2,301 victims lost more than $61.5 million during the same period.
- Preventative Measures: To combat this threat, homeowners are advised to sign up for notification alerts at their local registry of deeds. These alerts inform property owners when a document is recorded for their property, allowing for swift action if fraudulent activity is detected. Additionally, having a mortgage on a property can serve as a deterrent, as it complicates unauthorized transfers.
- Critique of the Digital Revolution: Roberts argues that the digital revolution, while offering conveniences, has also introduced significant vulnerabilities. He contends that the creators of digital technologies failed to anticipate these negative consequences, leading to issues like identity theft, loss of privacy, and now, property theft.
- Broader Implications: The article suggests that the digital revolution has facilitated new forms of crime and eroded traditional safeguards. Roberts emphasizes the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to protect individuals from these emerging threats.
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