A rush to judgment. The Christina Briggs story is creating quite a buzz

I posted this meme on Facebook last night and it has created quite a firestorm. People judging Christina Briggs and then people judging those people. 

Quite honestly, I find ironic when some judges someone else for their "judgmental attitude." Does anyone else see the problem in that. It's like the people who are intolerant of "intolerant" people. Basically, everyone wants everyone to think the way they do, right? But that's not real life and, to be honest, it would be awfully boring if it were. Everyone should have their ideals and beliefs challenged from time to time. 

Free food in a free kitchen

Of course, I based my opinions about the Christina Briggs story after reading some of the numerous news reports about her. (Found here and here and here) Here is a 26-year-old single mother of two who is living off the system in the UK. She does not pay for her home. Get that? Zero rent. Zero mortgage. That's a HUGE break in the budget, right? On top of that, she receives the equivalent of over $32,000 in benefits from the government. I don't know about you, but for me, that's a decent amount of money to live on if you a) don't have a rent or mortgage payment, b)you don't have to pay taxes on it, and c) you don't have to pay for clothing for work, daycare, or transportation costs getting to and from work. Think about it. 

Now, she's asking the government, the government, to pay her to lose weight. She wants $1.62 per pound that she loses. Yeah, I wouldn't mind the government subsidizing my weight loss. Oh... wait... yes I would. 

Before you jump all over me for being judgmental, let me present some facts. Mary, one of the GG community members directed this attack my way: 

"Wow JudgyMcJudgerton much? You have no idea what her kids eat. You're assuming, based on a meme. You're also assuming that she knows about nutrition, and that she knows how to prepare healthy meals. A lot of women in her position don't. 

Hope you never need a hand up... crow's a bitter dish."

Well now, Mary, as I replied to you on FB, let me fill you in on my own situation. You quickly JUDGED me and assumed I never needed a hand up. Silly assumption, for I, too, was faced with single motherhood twice in my own life. The first time was when I was 22 years old. My closest relative was 250 miles away. I was pregnant and alone. I was sick... all the time. I looked around at other single moms I knew who were on Welfare and I said, NO. I wouldn't do that to my child. I would not suck up taxpayer money and raise a child in near poverty. It simply wasn't an option for me or for my child. So I gave her up for adoption. It was the most excruciating decision I ever made in my entire life. I chose life for her in the womb and a better life for her outside of it.

Later, I married and had two other children. And guess what? My husband died and I was thrust into the single parent role anyway. This time, I didn't have a choice.

Add to that, I was suffering from a mental illness that was not yet diagnosed. So there I was, a single mom with bipolar, no family around, and limited funds. My husband's father was a life insurance agent. When my husband signed me over as the beneficiary of his policy seven years earlier, my father-in-law purposefully did not send it in. When Jim died, his parents got my $200,000 payout and kept it.

So Mary, are you still as quick to call me "JudgyMcJudgerton"? Who's being judgmental now?

Yes, I received Social Security Income for myself and my children. But that was from money my husband had paid into the system for many years. There is a difference.

Are we to judge this woman? Of course not. Are we allowed to have opinions about people who are bilking the system? I think we are. And do you know why it bothers me? Because there are an awful lot of people who really NEED the assistance for a period in their lives while they're facing some rough odds. But because of people like Christina Briggs, many others have a predefined distaste for those who are on Welfare. That's just how it is. When we see someone with a brand new professional manicure paying for their groceries with food stamps while talking on their bejeweled iPhone, it's hard not to feel resentful. After all, it's our taxes that are paying that phone bill.

When I was a single mom, I had to cut out unnecessary expenses, and I see many others doing the same thing. They have basic cable, if they have cable at all. They don't get their nails professionally done. They don't have smart phones with data plans. And as a result, they are able to buy healthy foods for themselves and their children. I know families who are eating healthy and living on far less than what Christina Briggs is living on. Far less. It's doable.

Of course, one difference is support and education. The folks I know like this do better because they know better. Perhaps that's what Ms Briggs needs. Not more taxpayer dollars. But someone who will come beside her and teach her a better way.

That's what I'm hoping for for Christina Briggs and her children. And, if you've judged me for judging, I hope you will forgive me. These are just my opinions and, last I checked, I was entitled to them the same way you're entitled to yours.

Sharing a bit of my story and thoughts with you,

So, what are your thoughts?