There's a reason they need help.

[lucyblondecat]

What bothers me more is the welfare system is set up for those people to never come off welfare. I view it as the government ultimately trying to keep "those kind of people" in their place.

 

[rayelias]

What bothers me more is the welfare system is set up for those people to never come off welfare. I view it as the government ultimately trying to keep "those kind of people" in their place.

And continuing to vote in the politicians (particularily one of the 2 major parties) that keep the gravy train running.

 

[barkley]

just to set the record straight (i did'nt mean to send this thread off on a flame welfare recipients track)-welfare is legaly defined as an "entitlement program"-so yes, anyone is entitled to receive it....IF they meet the programs guidelines.

unfortunatly, alot of what people interpret as welfare fraud is not-the rules are terribly written to exclude some personal property from consideration (that most people would sell off in a heart beat if their kids were in need before seeking outside help), and alot of income is "disregarded" (not counted) once you get "on the system".

there was a huge overhall of the system several years ago that resulted in 'welfare to work' requirements, but legal aide and client rights groups have blocked most of the best elements of the programs (best for both the taxpayers and the clients). even worse is that programs were restructured such that people were put into jobs that they will no way be able to keep when/if their welfare benefits end (go into a minimum wage job but instead of getting 'welfare' you get your gas, toll, car repairs paid, your child's daycare at the highest cost center in the area, a stipend for work clothing...the bulk end up losing their jobs within 30 days of their subsidies ending because it was never a logical job for them to hold with the associated expenses in the first place!).

yup, i knew plenty of 'lifers'-and multigenerational ones at that. june was the month the teens would get ticked off at mom and apply for emancipation so they could "start my own life' (thier goal-getting the welfare check in their own name). its very sad-

but there were awsome folks who used the system the way it was meant to be, as a stop gap in times of need, as a way to access training and job search skills, medical care for their families, counseling-in fact alot of my co-workers started out "on the system" and worked their way into tremendous careers 'within the system'-unfortunatly the people of greatest need often forego what is available to them for fear of the stigma the "bad apples" have put upon it.

now back to our regularly schedualed 'ranting and venting'-

one of my pet peeves in this arena-when our church or little associated private school does a plea to help someone out because of some 'tragedy' but when you look at the situation they've largly brought it on themselves and are continuing on the same track (had one where "mom and son are homeless and had their car re-po'd"-well they were homeless cuz mom was so nasty to her parents who were providing free housing/paying the kid's private school tuition they kicked her out, same happened with all the sibs and friends that put them up-the car was repo'd cuz mom wanted to attend the high cost private college vs. the community college to get her degree so she did'nt pay the note for months and kept hiding the car out) and so folks who are truly just making it put forth more than they can afford-and you see that money spent the next week when the kid comes walking into school with high dollar sneakers and a several hundred dollar pair of designer sunglasses (on a 3rd grader???????). just kills me.

 

[goofygirl]

Anybody else feel it's a little off when you see people smoking like a chimney, wearing tons of jewelry, and asking for financial help?

Recently we screwed up and flipped to the local news before the weather. On there was one of those typcial "good news" stories about a family who needed and got financial help for their child.

The family (Dad, Mom, and I'm guessing and a couple uncles) were covered in jewelry and all smoking during the on camera interview. Yes, I have some advice on how you could get more money

There's a term for this kind of "rich", but I can't say it here.

What also bugs me are people who cry poor, yet they keep having children.

 

[cardaway]

As someone who used to be addicted to alcohol and cigarettes I can understand puting money into the habit... until there are kids involved. The money for cigarettes alone is usually more than a persons daily budget for food. How somebody can not make their kids a priority is beyond me and here was this family on the news thanking people for giving them money while they continue to throw it away on cigs.

 

[va32h]

The jewelry thing doesn't bother me - you can't tell from a TV screen if it's real, and goodness knows you can get a pile of cheap jewelry from WalMart.

But if you want to talk about people throwing money away - let's talk about military families.

I am a military spouse. When we lived on post, our house was free, our utilities were free, our medical care is always free. But our neighbors were always hurting for money, hanging on til the 1st or the 15th.

And by the 2nd or the 16th, there would be some new toy or piece of furniture or electronic item, that would make them just as broke until the next payday.

When it was time to move to the next post, (all moving expenses also free) they'd just leave stuff on the curb. During the 2 years we were stationed at Ft. Lee, Virginia, I acquired two Little Tykes Playhouses, one Little Tykes climber, one Step 2 climber, two Step 2 slides, a pool and a sandbox - all plucked from my neighbors' trash. They didn't want to take them apart or clean them for the move. Those little playhouses run $200, just to give you an idea.

The party line is supposed to be that our military are woefully underpaid, and perhaps in the very lowest ranks they are. But a soldier who chooses to get married and have a child when he is taking home $900 per month is creating his own financial problem, IMO.

And the military wives I've met wouldn't get a job if their lives depended on it. Despite the fact that they are entitled to very low cost childcare on base.

When the value of our benefits and other allotments are factored in, my husband makes more in the Army than he would in an equivalent job in the private sector. For some military jobs, there is no equivalent in the private sector.

I am sick to death of hearing how hard it is to get by on a military salary. I am probably guilty of saying the same thing myself, in the past. But when I did the math...it's just not true.

 

[golfgal]

We are going to a family reunion on my mom's side tomorrow that should be interesting, about 1/2 of the family is pretty successful, hardworking, put themselves through college, got good jobs, etc. the other half are welfare lifers or if they aren't on welfare, constantly begging people for money because buying projection tv's is more important then paying your electric bill. I am dreading seeing my sister, who is one of the beggers in the family. We just moved into a new home and she will want to visit, but she isn't welcome. Her philosophy on life is that "if you have it, you should give it to me", never mind that my parents offered to pay 100% of her college expenses and paid zero of mine, but knowing she would never go and I would no matter what.

 

[Jeanny]

Anybody else feel it's a little off when you see people smoking like a chimney, wearing tons of jewelry, and asking for financial help?

Recently we screwed up and flipped to the local news before the weather. On there was one of those typcial "good news" stories about a family who needed and got financial help for their child.

The family (Dad, Mom, and I'm guessing and a couple uncles) were covered in jewelry and all smoking during the on camera interview. Yes, I have some advice on how you could get more money

They probably had brand new sneakers that matched their outfits too! I'm amazed with some of the kids at my school, who are always crying how poor they are, but they have brand new sneakers for every outfit they have.

Then they call and say they can't come to work for some reason or another, then complain when they don't have any spending money! Duh!

 

[disneymom3]

THIS is what the program is for, not for people to live off of forever.

One of my Aunts was in a similar situation. She was on WIC and Welfare after she left her husband (he was cheating on her with a lady he brought home to be her friend, it was a very messed up situation). She had two babies then. She went to a trade school, found a job, got off the services, bought her own house, etc.

When used right WIC and Welfare are wonderful. But they are so bad when they are abused.

You know, this is hard to admit, but several years ago we had a period of time that was really bad financially. It came to a point where for a couple of months I had to visit the local food shelf. As I was sitting there waiting for my turn one time, this woman came in with 4 kids and the oldest was about 5 or 6. She was very loud and talking with the receptionist and everyone around could hear her. I will say that the majority of the people in there were very quiet. it is very humbling to have to ask for food to feed your kids and help to give them Christmas gifts. This lady though was going on and on about how her little boy had known the staff person since he was born. He knew her FROM the food shelf. She made comments about coming in every month but they didn't see this woman because they usually came on a different day of the week. I could not believe that she had no compunction at all about going there every month for at least 5 years.

 

[ToriLammy]

The jewelry thing doesn't bother me - you can't tell from a TV screen if it's real, and goodness knows you can get a pile of cheap jewelry from WalMart.

But if you want to talk about people throwing money away - let's talk about military families.

You should clarify that by saying "let's talk about some military families." instead of making it sound like all military families except you do this. Then again you say your DH is Army so maybe it's just that I was an Air Force military family that I never saw things like what you posted.

The majority of military families in the AF live within their means, don't throw away good toys (that's what the thrift store or a yard sale is for) and still some do qualify for WIC or Food stamps. I agree that the take home pay of anyone under E-4 is really not meant to support a family but sometimes things happen and it is nice that WIC and Food stamps are available for those military members to help make ends meet until they get promoted to a higher rank.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

My wife works at a grocery store. It's amazing what people buy with food stamps -- or even worse, what they buy with cash because food stamps disallow it.

If only we could separate the truly unfortunates in this country from the dumb and lazy.

 

[va32h]

ToriLammy, you are right, I should have qualified my statement with "some" instead of implying "all".

FWIW, we also lived on Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, my oldest daughter was born at Nellis Federal Hospital, and we did meet families with financial problems in the Air Force, too.

I agree that the take home pay of anyone under E-4 is really not meant to support a family but sometimes things happen and it is nice that WIC and Food stamps are available for those military members to help make ends meet until they get promoted to a higher rank.

Couldn't this be said about anyone with a meager income? It isn't really meant to support a family, but sometimes things happen and it is nice that WIC and food stamps are available to them, until they get promoted, too.

I just think that too many military wives have heard "soldiers are not paid enough" and take that as a mantra, rather than appreciate the many benefits that they do get.

I have had three babies for a total out-of-cost expense of $18. I can stay at a deluxe resort at WDW - Shades of Green, where the rooms are bigger than those at the Grand Floridian! - for $103 per night, any time of the year. I can take my children or myself to the doctor or emergency room and never even have to consider the cost of the visit. My life insurance, property insurance, car insurance and dental insurance are all substantially discounted.

I also know plenty of middle class families outside the military who have trouble paying their bills, despite a big house, nice, newer cars, nice clothes for the kids, private schools, cell phones, electronics, vacations etc. They live off credit cards, and just push the debt from card to card. They may not go on TV and beg for money, but they are in no better financial condition that the people who do.

 

[hentob]

What also bugs me are people who cry poor, yet they keep having children.

But, as you know, I agree with you 100%.

If you cannot afford the children that you have, why oh why would you have another one?

 

[stemikger]

Didn't read the other posts, but I see this all the time.

I have a prepaid trac phone, but I see some of these unwed young mothers (probably a few years shy from 20) with the latest razor phones all the bling and there kid is eating pop corn for dinner on the staten island ferry. This is all happening when I take the ferry to work at midnight. Oh yes and they have there free months supply of diapers, and whatever money they get to feed the kid is spent on cigs.

Oh what a great future we have to look forward too.

 

[disneymom3]

:

If only we could separate the truly unfortunates in this country from the dumb and lazy.

If you could do that, you would be...I dunno! A millionaire or something. You for sure would win a Nobel Prize!!

 

[hentob]

I agree that the take home pay of anyone under E-4 is really not meant to support a family but sometimes things happen and it is nice that WIC and Food stamps are available for those military members to help make ends meet until they get promoted to a higher rank.

Or else one could put off having children until they get promoted and can afford to feed their families? I don't know. I just don't get it

And to those that have fell on hard times Thank goodness the system was there to get you through your dark days.

 

[maps]

My all time shock was a girl who was on welfare and wanted to have another kid.

She really wanted 2 more kids but didn't want to be pregnant twice so she asked and RECEIVED a prescription for fertility drugs hoping to become pregnant with twins!!!!!!!!

I really wanted to report the doctor who gave her the prescription but I didn't know all the necessary facts.

 

[MrsKreamer]

My SIL fits the bill when it come to this topic. She doesn't work, she gave away her car b/c it needed some repairs(aka I need you to buy me a new car), will get her nails done at $25 a week before buying her child clothes, and she will whine about how unfair her life is to anyone who will listen. She moved in with us b/c she lost her public housing. From day one she complined that her room is too small, and that she can't get a job b/c she has no job. Her child has free dental, yet her teeth are roting out of her mouth!

 

[hentob]

The jewelry thing doesn't bother me - you can't tell from a TV screen if it's real, and goodness knows you can get a pile of cheap jewelry from WalMart.

But if you want to talk about people throwing money away - let's talk about military families.

I am a military spouse. When we lived on post, our house was free, our utilities were free, our medical care is always free. But our neighbors were always hurting for money, hanging on til the 1st or the 15th.

And by the 2nd or the 16th, there would be some new toy or piece of furniture or electronic item, that would make them just as broke until the next payday.

When it was time to move to the next post, (all moving expenses also free) they'd just leave stuff on the curb. During the 2 years we were stationed at Ft. Lee, Virginia, I acquired two Little Tykes Playhouses, one Little Tykes climber, one Step 2 climber, two Step 2 slides, a pool and a sandbox - all plucked from my neighbors' trash. They didn't want to take them apart or clean them for the move. Those little playhouses run $200, just to give you an idea.

The party line is supposed to be that our military are woefully underpaid, and perhaps in the very lowest ranks they are. But a soldier who chooses to get married and have a child when he is taking home $900 per month is creating his own financial problem, IMO.

And the military wives I've met wouldn't get a job if their lives depended on it. Despite the fact that they are entitled to very low cost childcare on base.

When the value of our benefits and other allotments are factored in, my husband makes more in the Army than he would in an equivalent job in the private sector. For some military jobs, there is no equivalent in the private sector.

I am sick to death of hearing how hard it is to get by on a military salary. I am probably guilty of saying the same thing myself, in the past. But when I did the math...it's just not true.

va32h---

You are very brave to post this. I admire you. You do know that someone will soon post how unpatriotic you are, right?

Thank you, for you informative post. I have often wondered why young men and women in the military have babies so young, all the while claiming that they cannot get by on a military salary. Maybe I shouldn't use the word "claiming", b/c I must admit, $900 a month is a sin. How can anyone live off of that?

But why then have children before you can afford to feed them on your own?

 

[va32h]

Maybe I shouldn't use the word "claiming", b/c I must admit, $900 a month is a sin. How can anyone live off of that?

Someone making $900 a month is most likely to be a newly enlisted soldier. And if you are single, living in a barracks where you pay no rent or utilities, and can eat at the mess hall for all your meals, that $900 can go farther than you would think.

When my husband was an E-1 for example, he wasn't even allowed to have a privately owned vehicle on post, so he didn't have to worry about car payments or insurance either. He was stationed in Hawaii, 18 years old, with virtually no expenses. His $900 (probably closer to $500 back then - 20+ years ago) went plenty far.

But if you get married, and have to move off-post while you wait for post housing, and have a baby, and your wife doesn't go to work, then yes, $900 is hard to stretch. It's all about choices!