Do you think I am wrong?

[luvsJack]

I'm sure all the people losing their homes in Michigan because they don't have jobs would love to know where all this government free money is that has people driving Escalades and flat screen TVs on their food stamps.

Florida has almost no support system. THere's food stamps and Medicaid, and a children's health program. And very skimpy unemployment benefits. That's about, other than scattered county programs, and most of those are out of money. THere's no catastrophic health care even for the most sick anymore.

Michigan has more, but still people are losing their homes every day, and more and more people are out on the street.


Since the '90s, most welfare is also limited by years. So again, I'm finding it hard to believe there's this vast lazy sea of American deadbeat schemers living off my tax dollars.

I find it hard to believe too. There are some that take advantage, that much is true; but I do not believe it is the overwhelming number that some want to make it out to be.

I am always amazed to hear some story about how someone saw a lady using food stamps and then drive off in a _______(insert car here: Escalade, Cadillac, Jag, whichever), and then I will hear the exact same story coming from someone on the other side of the country, or the story of the person wanting to buy dog food on food stamps after being told they can't they go buy steak for the dog. These same stories have been going around for years. Most are some urban legend exaggerated by someone who resents people getting food stamps. And I find it amusing that I go to the grocery store at least twice a week and have for too many years, and I have NEVER witnessed any of this kind of stuff!

 

[Colleen27]

Then you are naive and have never worked for a government assistance agency. We see it every day.

I have worked for a govt agency, the welfare dept in one of our nation's poorest cities actually, and I still believe that the people on food stamps cruising around in Escalades or otherwise living it up are a small minority. Yes, we'd occasionally have clients come in driving expensive cars or dressed to the nines (though I'm street-savvy enough to know that a lot of the brands and bling are faux - knockoff sales are HUGE in certain areas/demographics). But we had far more people coming in with next to nothing, really desperate for any help they could get.

I was only with the state a few years before leaving to become a SAHM. My mother has worked in human services for 40 years, 20-some of those as a front-line case worker in the welfare dept, doing home visits, budgets, eligibility determinations, etc. Even after working that long in the system and seeing the abuses, she doesn't hesitate to say that the abusers are a small minority and that most recipients are really poor and really grateful.

 

[Colleen27]

I am always amazed to hear some story about how someone saw a lady using food stamps and then drive off in a _______(insert car here: Escalade, Cadillac, Jag, whichever), and then I will hear the exact same story coming from someone on the other side of the country, or the story of the person wanting to buy dog food on food stamps after being told they can't they go buy steak for the dog. These same stories have been going around for years. Most are some urban legend exaggerated by someone who resents people getting food stamps. And I find it amusing that I go to the grocery store at least twice a week and have for too many years, and I have NEVER witnessed any of this kind of stuff!

 

[leahjade]

I don't resent the people taking advantage of welfare and entitlements, I resent the members of Congress who continue to offer more and more free money to obtain votes. When the number of people who pay no federal taxes at all reaches a majority number (and it's already around 47% according to CNNMoney.com) then our economy doesn't stand a chance in this country. It's simple economics, someone has to bear the burden of those who don't produce. And those who think they are being compassionate to allow so many to get so much for no effort are fooling themselves. You are only creating another generation of poverty and welfare dependence. It's something we realize as parents, that kids (and people in general) don't appreciate anything nearly as much if they haven't had to work for it. That's why I would rather see churches and other charities doling out relief, not the government!

 

[Kay1]

I don't resent the people taking advantage of welfare and entitlements, I resent the members of Congress who continue to offer more and more free money to obtain votes. When the number of people who pay no federal taxes at all reaches a majority number (and it's already around 47% according to CNNMoney.com) then our economy doesn't stand a chance in this country. It's simple economics, someone has to bear the burden of those who don't produce. And those who think they are being compassionate to allow so many to get so much for no effort are fooling themselves. You are only creating another generation of poverty and welfare dependence. It's something we realize as parents, that kids (and people in general) don't appreciate anything nearly as much if they haven't had to work for it. That's why I would rather see churches and other charities doling out relief, not the government!

Well, I was going to say something but I see you turning this conversation into one of politics and I try to avoid political discussions, especially on the DIS.

 

[JB2K]

In a world with unlimited/talk/text running as low as $50, anything else sounds ridiculous...

 

[Lex87]

My BF just got rehired and while he was job searching we did everything to cut costs, but he actually upgraded his cell phone plan to manage the calls/vms/and online checks.

I think we've always paid at least $40 a month for the phone, it is a utillity, so $150 with kids on the same plan doesn't seem too bad?

I am working with near homeless families. I notice that they have cell phone plans that cost upwards of $140.00 a month.

These families will be taken care of by our program, but they must be responsible and save money so that they will not be in this position again. They learn to budget through weekly meetings dealing with their personal finances.

Do you think I am being unreasonable to ask these people to give up these expensive cell plans? Do you think it is cruel to make a parent take the cell away from their children also on the plan?

I realize that there will be a breaking contract fee, but it is much cheaper than paying $140 a month, IMHO. I am looking into these cell companies willingness to allow them to get onto a cheaper plan and not pay the fee.

I am extremely frugal and might be skewed on this subject. Thanks!