"Death of Welfare" lecturer addresses ORU students
By Calley McGehee

Acclaimed author and welfare reformer, Star Parker, lectured on ORU's campus, Nov. 13. Parker is the author of Wimps, Whores, and Welfare Brats and has appeared on CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Show and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. She is known nationwide as the welfare fraud-turned-conservative crusader.

The event was sponsored by the ORU College Republicans and American Student Association. "It has been in the planning process since spring semester, 2001," said Virgil Beato, President of the ORU College Republicans.

In her speech Parker gave five steps to follow which will spell an end to welfare. The first step is self-government. Parker said this is a moral obligation for the people of our country.

Secondly, it is imperative that a work ethic is instilled in those receiving welfare. As an example, Parker shared that her first job after getting off welfare was answering phones for a marketing school. This job eventually led to her owning a business, a Christmas magazine.

The third step in reforming welfare in the United States is training and educating welfare recipients. This step is very important in the process, as education has proven to be vital to a successful life.

Fourthly, saving and investing money and resources is key in the progression. Parker was vocal on the subject of social security. According to Parker, social security is a black hole for our generation. The younger generation is currently paying for the baby boomer generation to retire. At the rate social security is depreciating, the younger generation will never see that money again.

The last step of Parker's procedure is charity. She feels that if people will give of their time and money, welfare could be eliminated. However, only "free" people can make charity work, and those living on welfare are not free.
In our country, 90 percent of those on welfare are not married. Sixty percent have a diploma, one child and actual work experience, but have done nothing with it.

Welfare regulations state that to receive money, one cannot open a bank account, marry or work a job. Parker feels these rules must be changed. "You get caught up in welfare, and your life can get destroyed," Parker said. "But if I got out, you can get out."

Her second book titled "How the Poor Get Rich" is soon to the hit the stores. "If I have them understand, perhaps I can make a contribution," Parker said. "We're on a journey towards freedom."

Parker visits approximately 15-20 colleges annually, voicing her opinions about welfare. "I want [you] to understand the dynamics of welfare," Parker said. She includes her own personal experience on welfare, lending to her credibility.

The ORU College Republicans worked with the Virginia based Young America's Foundation to arrange the event. The Young America's Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with conservative clubs to sponsor nationally recognized lecturers and speakers at universities and colleges.

The Young America's Foundation sent ORU College Republicans a catalog of speakers, and, from that list, ten speakers were recommended and ultimately approved.

"Star's honorarium is $2,500. What Young America's Foundation does is commit to pay for $1,000 of the fee. They also cover hotel and airfare costs. We had to raise $1,500. Most of it was raised from carwashes and donations from politically active people in and around Tulsa," Beato said.

Beato and the Vice-President of the ORU College Republicans, J.P. Duffy, both attended a fundraising seminar in Arlington, Virginia, paid for by Young America's Foundation. From this they obtained the idea for how to raise money and advertise the event. The "Death of Welfare" flyer posted around campus is an example of some of the techniques they were taught at the seminar. They pretty much taught us how to be creative," Beato said.

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