You have a house cleaner. She comes to your place once a month. She’s 60+. She’s single. She owns her home, a late model vehicle and loves two dogs. She works seven days a week, on average cleaning a dozen places. She manages health issues and does what most people who live alone do — everything. She pays taxes to three governments. Her life is not subsidized by a partner, or a family member or some branch of government. In other words, the lady is independent, self reliant, responsible, accountable. Unlike millions of Americans, she budgets and avoids debt. Her work schedule is maxed out, meaning her income is essentially fixed, threatened by inflation. Her retirement is on her, no room to slack off. As you examine the reality of this American life, this lone house cleaner, you see a true Superstar. But she’s not alone. Tens of millions like her, in different walks of life, are applauded, recognized and appreciated, but only by those individuals who benefit from their work. Millions like her never hear the cheers reserved for the rich and famous, or for the entertainers, athletes, politicians and media celebrities who, god-like, bask in notoriety. What must occur to you on this cusp of a New Year is this: if every able bodied person adopted the independence, self reliance and work ethic of your house cleaner, America would fly higher than any MAGA slogan. Yes, Matilda, you know that speculation is pure fantasy. Consider that at least 100 million Americans, 30% of the population, are enrolled in at least one federal government assistance program. Or better yet, process this: Your Federal Government spends more than $1 trillion annually on 80+ welfare programs. https://epicforamerica.org/social-programs/epic-explainers-the-1-trillion-welfare-bureaucracy/ Maybe you didn’t get that. One TRILLION a YEAR. This money is your tax money. You didn’t ask Congress to approve this expenditure even though your congressman or congresswoman is YOUR EMPLOYEE. Although your congressman or congresswoman doesn’t say it to your face, he or she is telling you, “How we spend your tax money is none of your &%$#^%&* business.” And to make matters much, much worse, your taxes don’t even cover the bill. Which means your Government must borrow the money. And to make matters much, much, much, much worse, The Constitution of the United States does not give the Federal Government jurisdiction to spend one dime of your tax money as charity for anyone, including the Poor. The Constitution does not give the Federal Government the authority to provide food, housing, health care, energy, childcare or even temporary subsidies. No doubt, the tone of that assertion might signify a harsh, heartless, merciless attitude. But not in this case. God knows how many people of all ages are afflicted with physical and mental disabilities that render them helpless. The question is — who should do the helping? Basically, the private sector. The first tier of support are family and friends. The second is community. The third is the city. And the fourth is the state. Essentially, those closest to the vulnerable. You see, in 2024, the largest source of charitable giving came from individuals, who gave $392.45 billion, representing 67% of total giving. https://www.nptrust.org/philanthropic-resources/charitable-giving-statistics/ In addition, below you can find a list of national 501-c-3 organizations that answer the call for food, housing, health, and other domestic needs. Still, the Federal Government grows the welfare system for the able bodied. For instance, data shows that a single mother with two children at the (so-called)poverty threshold is eligible for more than $42,000 in welfare benefits. https://emar-data-tools.shinyapps.io/prd_dashboard And “the average poor family with children already receives $65,200 in cash, food, housing, medical care, and educational support . . . . .” https://www.heritage.org/welfare/report/largest-welfare-increase-us-history-will-boost-government-support-76400-poor-family. Statistics are obscure, not counting for redundancy, fraud and the dwindling American work ethic. If you need a laugh to interrupt this litany of facts, in 1996, Joe Biden said this: “The culture of welfare must be replaced with the culture of work. The culture of dependence must be replaced with the culture of . . . personal responsibility.” Yet another Joe deception, now turned comic, this lecture is over. Except to give a shout out to all the Americans out there who do all the working, all the inventing, all the building, all the protecting, all the teaching, all the care giving, all the providing, all the saving, all the sacrificing, all the growing, and yes, all the cleaning — and BTW, the two skilled studs who just the other day installed your new water heater — Superstars all.

Note: A Partial List of Well-known Charities (excl. Gates, Musk & other billionaires). Ed.

Feeding America
St. Jude’s
United Way
Direct Relief Int’l
Salvation Army
Habitat for Humanity
Americares
Samaritan’s Purse
Goodwill
Compassion Int’l
YMCA
Boys & Girls Clubs
HealthWell Foundation
Red Cross
Mount Sinai Health
The Arc of the United States
Lutheran Services in America
Doctors Without Borders USA
American Cancer Society Health
American Heart Association
Mayo Clinic Health System
Convoy of Hope
Shriners Hospitals 75
UNICEF
Dana-Farber Institute
Midwest Food Bank
CARE USA
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Michael J. Fox for Parkinson’s
Easter Seals
Tunnel to Towers
Save the Children
Wounded Warriors
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Cross Catholic Outreach
Alzheimer’s Association

www.conventionofstates.com