One would think Ohio was run by Democrats, or something. 
-Eric
Posted on 10/18/2006 5:00:57 AM PDT by E Rocc
Claridon Township -- Tim Taylor's job calls for finding ways to distribute food stamps to Geauga County's Amish. He might as well be trying to sell them cars.
The horse-and-buggy crowd philosophically opposes the support program overseen by Taylor's agency, the Geauga Department of Job & Family Services. Accepting public assistance is verboten within the Amish culture. It simply is not done.
But Taylor is under orders to at least try to get them enrolled. The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services has asked Geauga and Holmes counties, which feature the state's largest Amish populations, to lift dismal food-stamp participation rates.
Taylor and his Holmes counterpart, Dan Jackson, called the mandate a waste of tax dollars, time and resources.
In their eyes, the directive is government bureaucracy that ignores the obvious in setting an unrealistic goal.
"No matter how much we do, the Amish won't sign up," Taylor said. "It's not something they endorse."
But the offer needs to be extended, said Jeanne Carroll, who is deputy director of the state's Office of Family Stability.
Geauga and Holmes lag far behind the rest of the state in getting eligible families registered. The state cannot presume that a group won't participate, Carroll said. Eligible families need to be made aware of the food-stamp program and given ample opportunity to join.
"We can't assume they don't want the benefits," Carroll said. "Frankly, they may."
The state required Geauga and Holmes to draft plans to lift participation rates. Both intend to launch small-scale advertising campaigns to reach the Amish and others. Holmes might use a billboard within an Amish enclave to promote food stamps.
Alternative approaches are possibilities, too. For instance, participants can use food stamps to buy seeds and plants for a garden.
But no matter the slant, few - if any - expect the Plain People to take part. The Amish typically shun outside support, said Steve Smith, a researcher at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania who studies the culture. The insular community finds its help from within. Neighbors assist neighbors.
In Geauga, local bishops strongly discourage taking any form of government hand-outs, said Levi Miller, a farmer and blacksmith in Middlefield Township.
"We believe that we are our brother's keeper," Miller said.
A 2005 report commissioned by the state detailed the Amish influence on food-stamp participation rates across Ohio. In Geauga, one in five eligible families was found to be Amish and unlikely to use the benefit. In Holmes, it's almost one of every three.
Taylor and Jackson said they've both asked the state to readjust participation goals for their counties. Carroll said the request is under consideration. This is the first year for the performance standard.
Meanwhile, the two counties will continue required efforts to market food stamps. Taylor and Jackson promised to keep the promotions low-key. They said that they feel uncomfortable pushing the program on a community that has made its opinion clear.
"We have a job to do," Jackson said. "But it's not to harass people to accept a service they've chosen not to."
One would think Ohio was run by Democrats, or something.
-Eric
I really doubt if the Amish are hungry. They may be poor in the eyes of government statistics, but I am sure they are provided for.
They have a QUOTA that must be met??????
I think we should put 'em in jail untill they accept the food stamps! /s
Refusing to accept Free Stuff from the government!
That's almost unAmerican.
It's certainly unDemocratic.
Jeesh! Unbelievable.
translation - Amish don't believe in forced socialism
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
How do these people normally make a living?
One of the best kept secrets are the Amish run grocery stores. They buy in bulk and pass down the savings. Anyone can shop there. BIG savings...but you never know what they will stock.
farming
Shhhh. I have learned that you should never try to point out how utterly stupid something is by suggesting an extreme example of the same. Some liberal freedom-grabber out there will take an idea like that and run with it...
How are they going to "market" to folks who don't watch TV, listen to the radio or get outside newspapers?
thanks.
A billboard. Like that'll work. LOL!
God bless those people. They are truly inspiring.
Yeh, put them in jail!! It's the American way. hahah.
Frankly speaking, the Amish are not the only people who reject socialism and socialist policies. As my mother told me about the many "poor but proud" people who reject such demeaning, humiliating programs. Those programs are only for people who have no shame, and who "milk" the system for whatever they can get. As we slide down the slippery slope of socialism, it may become more difficult to resist such unwanted help without ending up in jail or a re-education camp.
He might as well be trying to sell them cars.
Great analogy and good for the Amish. They once again prove themselves to stand head and shoulders above the average American.
There is something just plain WRONG when an office dedicated to undermining the role of the parents with welfare handouts is named the "Office of Family Stability"
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