When was the last time you jumped to conclusions?  I’d like to think that I don’t, that I’m somehow above it. (it’s not, after all, something to aspire to; Wikipedia calls it:  judge or decide something without having all the facts; to reach unwarranted conclusions)

Yet, when it comes to how we view people that are in need of help, I’m too often reminded that we’re all guilty of doing it.

What I hope to be true: Poverty is a circumstance, not a value judgment.

Stuff I’ve heard – in just the last few months – that tells me otherwise (and pisses me off a bit):

‘He’s smoking a cigarette – can’t be that bad off.’ – someone I’m related to

‘Maybe they shouldn’t have had that third kid.’ – second hand comment a co-worker was sharing

‘Great – now we’re just teaching these kids to expect handouts’ – an online comment made about kids receiving free and reduced lunch

‘Not sure she should even be shopping here – I know I wouldn’t be if I was relying on food stamps.’  – woman in front of me at the grocery store

Seems there’s no shortage of opinions when it comes to how people feel about people in a state of needing help. And we’re all quick to jump to conclusions. This woman’s post about driving her Mercedes to get food stamp help when things had gone bad for her family nails it.