No, we are not rich!!

[WheelCEO]

"Yeah, we're rich, and we like it. But if we gave money to losers who don't work, we wouldn't be rich. Sorry!"

best post ever

 

[cm8]

There is no perfect system (or political party) - and there are people out there that will find a way to abuse any system. But there are many people on these programs that have a very legitimate need. And as a society it's irresponsible to abandon or forget about them out of fear and frustration that someone might be getting something they are not entitled to.

 

[DawnM]

I was thinking about this post last night as DH and I were talking.

He has a co-worker who just got married about 2 years ago. They have no kids. BOTH of their parents have money.

In the 2 years they have been married, they have gone on about 5 very expensive trips. They haven't paid for ANY of them! Even their honeymoon was a gift from their parents! So far we have heard about a trip to Hawaii, a Mediterranean cruise, a more lavish Disney vacation than we would ever take, and an Alaskan cruise.

Now THAT does make me jealous!

 

[drcmk]

A vent :

Yes, we work hard.
Yes, we pay our bills on time.
Yes, we have money in our savings account.
Yes, we budget.

However, we are not rich. We work very hard for what we have. And your attitude for not giving you money when you don't work is not appreciated.

Vent over.

Gosh, I felt like you were yelling at me. I didn't ask you for any money. Ouch. Why is this the place to yell at people that aren't even reading?

 

[palavra]

I am and it does, but I'm guessing for a different reason.

I completely understand the sentiment, especially those of us who work our butts off to be able to provide certain things for our families. It can be frustrating to feel like all the effort we put into doing what we do means less because so many seem to skate by using "the system."

BUT...

You really don't know what their lives are like. You only know what they tell you and what it looks like on the outside. It is easy to become complacent when in a situation that has become regular to them, but no one actually enjoys living in poverty.

Furthermore, I am a Christian; Scripture tells us that "to whom much is given, much is required." I have never minded doing more to help out my fellow man. Is it always fair? No. But I have been very blessed, often and in so many ways, so "fair" isn't my standard. I'd rather give a little more so that those less fortunate than I, especially children who don't have a choice in what their parents do, will live a life where basic needs are covered.

Just my $.02

I agree with all that you have written. And, really, compared to many places in the rest of the world, most Americans are rich.

 

[eliza61]

I hate our welfare system. I work 12 hour days watching kids(daycare provider,36 years), and I see the fraud all the time. I am watching kids now and the parents do NOT work.I have reported this and nothing is done about it. I know of two people , just had a baby, on welfare and the system fixed their cars so they could go job hunting. 6 months later they still have not gone job hunting. I report things all the time and no one seems to care. It makes me just livid.

I hope that also includes the systems that:
Allow big corporations to move their earnings off shore avoiding millions in taxes.
military waste
aid to countries in the tune of billions of dollars
wasteful spending and kick backs to banks that pay billions to the ceo in reward for fraud.

I amazed how many people feel that of course poor people on welfare are causing all my taxes to go up.

Last year the three biggest outlays for your federal tax dollars where....
Social security, health care and Defense.

Heres some info from the congressional budget office.

Defense and security: In 2010, some 20 percent of the budget, or $715 billion, will pay for defense and security-related international activities. The bulk of the spending in this category reflects the underlying costs of the Department of Defense and other security-related activities. The total also includes the cost of supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is expected to total $172 billion in 2010.

Social Security: Another 20 percent of the budget, or $708 billion, will pay for Social Security, which provided retirement benefits averaging $1,117 per month to 36 million retired workers (and their eligible dependents) in December 2009. Social Security also provided survivors’ benefits to 6.4 million surviving children and spouses of deceased workers and disability benefits to 9.7 million disabled workers and their eligible dependents in December 2009.

Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP: Three health insurance programs — Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) — will together account for 21 percent of the budget in 2010, or $753 billion. Nearly two-thirds of this amount, or $468 billion, will go to Medicare, which provides health coverage to around 46 million people who are over the age of 65 or have disabilities. The remainder of this category funds Medicaid and CHIP, which in a typical month in 2010 will provide health care or long-term care to about 64 million low-income children, parents, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Both Medicaid and CHIP require matching payments from the states.


If you follow the link you'll also get a very nice pie chart.
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1258

So while you're voting I hope you are also including the waste in the military and social security in your indignation.

 

[DisneyKT]

Gosh, I felt like you were yelling at me. I didn't ask you for any money. Ouch. Why is this the place to yell at people that aren't even reading?

It's vent. Don't read it.

OP, I understand all to well. I am not talking about welfare system or what is coming out of the check. But relatives who always ask for money. I don't get it. They have money to smoke, go to the casino(yes that is true) but then want to borrow a hundred dollars or fifty,I have no food in the house.

It is very tiring. I don't lend money anymore to anyone. I have learned my lesson.

I grew up poor, very poor. I swore to myself I would not be like that if I could help it.

 

[DisneyKT]

I have to say that I do believe you are rich, just not necessarily by our society's view. It seems to be more important to have stuff than financial independance.

We are looked down upon by my MIL who feels that her value is measured by the amount of crap she has stored in her garage. After two bankruptcies she still hasn't learned that there is more to life than stuff. Last year she literally demanded a new Ipod for her birthday (DH and I don't even have one for ourselves) and she threw a fit when we said we couldn't afford it. She knew we had received some money from a relative and she felt entitled to a chunk of it. She also knew I was having two surgeries that we needed to pay for, but she didn't concern herself with that.

Then there's my BIL who is willing to buy a bottle of wine and use a debit card on an overdrawn account, ending up with a $30 overdraft charge for a $3 bottle of wine. My sister picked a winner with him.

I love it demanded an Ipod. I love it. LOL.

 

[HeyMickeyUSoFine]

There is no perfect system (or political party) - and there are people out there that will find a way to abuse any system. But there are many people on these programs that have a very legitimate need. And as a society it's irresponsible to abandon or forget about them out of fear and frustration that someone might be getting something they are not entitled to.

I would agree with this if the abuse was the exception. However, it's practically abuse with only a few people legimately with need. I think people who make comments like this don't realize just how out of control the fraud has become. It's ridiculously out of control. It even extends to the workers. There are people employed there that "hook" up their friends. I'm sorry; I can't justify providing for 2000 scammers so 20 people can get what they really need. Like they used to say, "sometimes the good have to suffer with the bad'.

Really, I just think it needs to be seriously restructured so that it's harder to manipulate, and the people that truly are in need can receive aid. I love my best friend but every day she sends her kids to school and goes back to bed. She gets up later that day, watches soap operas, talk on the phone, and play on the internet. She's not disabled; her kids aren't disabled; she graduated high school; and she doesn't have a criminal record. Hence, there's nothing preventing her from working. Make me understand why it makes sense to keep a system in place that supports people like this but REFUSES to assist elderly folks that have worked and paid into this system their entire lives. These people have a limited amount of income that's being sucked up by prescription costs and they want to give them $20 or $ 30 a month in stamps. But they give my best friend with 2 kids(and no expenses) almost $700, of which she sells the majority. The system is not helping those really in need.

 

[nunzia]

Yes, relatives. Mainly my MIL. Who is "disabled" and lives off the state and taking advantage of other people. Yet constantly whines about not having any money and says that we don't understand because we are rich.

You don't want to get me started talking about welfare and people who search to find a doctor to claim them as "disabled". (I do know there are truly disabled people out there, so don't think I am talking about you!! )

Yes indeedy..I know them as well...and then mooch mooch mooch off everyone and any organization that will listen, because their disability payment just isn't enough..and please no flames..I am very close to several people who are on disability and totally NEED it and yet went through nightmares to get on it because of all the scammers making it more difficult..and then..the scammers manage to get on it easily..don't get it. (BIL has a degenerative back thing, has had many operations lives on pain pills, can't stand upright, can't sit in a chair, awfull, all day every day..and an old friend who had a sever stroke at 56)
I think I read somewhere that over 25% of Americans were on some form of government assistance..this is not sustainable..no wonder we are in deep trouble.

 

[pandaroo]

Defense and security: In 2010, some 20 percent of the budget, or $715 billion

http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/breakdown


According to this site you are wrong. Defense is 900 billion and Welfare is 800 billion.

You also listed two entitlement programs (government paid health care and SS). Yes SS is an entitlement program because most are getting way more than they paid in. I hope to get back what I paid in when I can get SS.

 

[CLEO Z]

LOVE the original vent! I have relatives who won't get off their behinds and then have the nerve to call us rich. (A family of 4 making under 100K) Well I guess we are rich, but we are rich with love, smarts and backbone.

 

[adkkev]

for all of those who have posted that they "know somebody", etc., who has or is currently abusing the system ... why haven't you contacted your local social services office or state's attorney general to report this fraud? If you are aware that this is going on, and you're positively sure about it, then you need to step up to the plate and report it. Don't just complain ... do something!!!

If you know it's happening, and you're doing nothing about it, aren't you abdicating your civic responsibility?

I'm also curious about the reports of "selling food stamps" ... how does one actually do this, when "food stamps" don't exist any longer? Isn't it all EBT?

 

[pandaroo]

for all of those who have posted that they "know somebody", etc., who has or is currently abusing the system ... why haven't you contacted your local social services office or state's attorney general to report this fraud? If you are aware that this is going on, and you're positively sure about it, then you need to step up to the plate and report it. Don't just complain ... do something!!!

If you know it's happening, and you're doing nothing about it, aren't you abdicating your civic responsibility?

I'm also curious about the reports of "selling food stamps" ... how does one actually do this, when "food stamps" don't exist any longer? Isn't it all EBT?

They are called SNAP now. You go with the person to the store. They buy the stuff you want and pay with their SNAP card. Outside you give them cash and they give you the "stuff".

 

[ccgirl]

for all of those who have posted that they "know somebody", etc., who has or is currently abusing the system ... why haven't you contacted your local social services office or state's attorney general to report this fraud? If you are aware that this is going on, and you're positively sure about it, then you need to step up to the plate and report it. Don't just complain ... do something!!!

If you know it's happening, and you're doing nothing about it, aren't you abdicating your civic responsibility?

I'm also curious about the reports of "selling food stamps" ... how does one actually do this, when "food stamps" don't exist any longer? Isn't it all EBT?

I have reported it several times and get the, "I'm sorry...we really don't have anyone to follow up on this."

So...I'm sure others are in the same boat. People report it but it never gets followed up on. I think they really need to hire people to follow up on these claims. I realize it is a significant initial investment but you would get so much $$$$ back.

 

[Ava]

Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP: Three health insurance programs — Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) — will together account for 21 percent of the budget in 2010, or $753 billion. Nearly two-thirds of this amount, or $468 billion, will go to Medicare, which provides health coverage to around 46 million people who are over the age of 65 or have disabilities. The remainder of this category funds Medicaid and CHIP, which in a typical month in 2010 will provide health care or long-term care to about 64 million low-income children, parents, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Both Medicaid and CHIP require matching payments from the states.

This reminded me of a poster on this board who freely admitted to putting her 3 children on Medicaid (even though they could get coverage through her husband's employer). With the money they saved by not paying for their children's health insurance, they could afford a Disney cruise! Isn't that great?

The entitlement mentality in our country is out of control. Too many people feel that just because they live in America, the government owes them something for nothing.

On the other topic of this thread, I have gotten comments from co-workers when they find out my partner is a SAHM to our DD. My position is one of the lower paid ones in my office, so when I'm asked what my partner does & I say she stays home with our daughter the response is usually, "Oh wow, how does that work?" Um, do you really expect me to discuss my finances with you?

 

[eliza61]

http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/breakdown


According to this site you are wrong. Defense is 900 billion and Welfare is 800 billion.

You also listed two entitlement programs (government paid health care and SS). Yes SS is an entitlement program because most are getting way more than they paid in. I hope to get back what I paid in when I can get SS.

Well I got my numbers from the congressional budget office which has been known to be wrong but since that's what capital hill has to use, I'll stick with them.

Since I and my employee paid into it and I had to actually show up for work, yep I feel entitled to it.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

I understand the vents about people getting a free ride from the system. Still I keep things in perspective.

I get up and go to work early mornings, late nights weekends, and holidays.

I save and watch what I spend.

I have $250 left in the bank. Payday is two weeks away. I still ned to pay my utilities and keep gas in the car until payday.

I earn slightly less than the US median household income of $52,029 per year. (2008 figures from the Census Bureau)

And I am rich. In the grand scheme of things I'm filthy rich.

I have food on my table and a job. I have decent housing and sufficient clothing. I have access to excellent medical care.

I am in the top 1% of incomes worlwide.

There are still more than 59,000,000 people in the entire world who earn more than me, but.... I earn more than 6,000,000,000 others who live on this planet. Many of them scratch out an existance on less monthly pay than I spent for dinner last night.

I am rich. How rich are you? www.globalrichlist.com

 

[Muushka]

Hi E

I also look at SS as entitlement. I fear that so many of us believe that we will and should receive it at the same age that our parents received theirs, but that age of getting it is going to have to go up. It is a sacrifice that we are going to have to make. Otherwise our children and grandchildren (and I don't even have kids!) will be paying for it. It is like a lot of things that people are used to receiving. We live in a different time now. Our government programs of give aways are catching up with us and the piper will have to be paid.

For the record, I was brought up in poverty.

 

[Juliet25]

I understand the vents about people getting a free ride from the system. Still I keep things in perspective.

I get up and go to work early mornings, late nights weekends, and holidays.

I save and watch what I spend.

I have $250 left in the bank. Payday is two weeks away. I still ned to pay my utilities and keep gas in the car until payday.

I earn slightly less than the US median household income of $52,029 per year. (2008 figures from the Census Bureau)

And I am rich. In the grand scheme of things I'm filthy rich.

I have food on my table and a job. I have decent housing and sufficient clothing. I have access to excellent medical care.

I am in the top 1% of incomes worlwide.

There are still more than 59,000,000 people in the entire world who earn more than me, but.... I earn more than 6,000,000,000 others who live on this planet. Many of them scratch out an existance on less monthly pay than I spent for dinner last night.

I am rich. How rich are you? www.globalrichlist.com

Great post! Thanks for posting that link. It really puts things in perspective.