[SunBun]

Overall, I agree. The system is flawed.

Here's a question...

What if a college student (completely supporting themselves, paying their own rent, working part/full time, no help from mommy and daddy) applies for food stamps or something of the like? They've paid into the system.

[rwinksters]

Originally Posted by SunBun

Overall, I agree. The system is flawed.

Here's a question...

What if a college student (completely supporting themselves, paying their own rent, working part/full time, no help from mommy and daddy) applies for food stamps or something of the like? They've paid into the system.

If they still need the help, I think it's ok. When people are using it as support to get through something or to help out, it can be a wonderful thing. Gov't support is there for people that need a little bit of help. Not to sit around and do nothing.

[JKetsche]

Boy, we sure are a "fairness" lot. So because one person didn't get coverage throughout a career that means people today shouldn't get coverage? Because someone made good choices regarding jobs and children someone who made a mistake shouldn't get help? Or maybe they should get an abortion? Because mom can't get her act together a kid shouldn't take home nutritious snacks for the weekend? Who are we to judge how many children someone has?

I agree the system is flawed. There is abuse. But (as evidenced by people on this very board) there are MANY who DO use the system properly. There are many who legitimately need the help. We don't know whether or not some of these "lifers" have mental or physical impairments that prevent them from working. Right now times are tough--even people who are pretty employable who have a decent work history can't get jobs. Who's to say those people on all that aid aren't trying? The problem is that if you have an inconsistent work history (maybe because your abusive husband didn't let you work for years) you're less employable. If you are older and they foresee having to someday pay retirement or what not on you, you're less employable. If you have dependent children (who get sick, etc. and cause you to miss work) you're less employable.

I agree that the system is flawed. I think most people would. That said, what would you propose? You judge people for what food they buy with their stamps, but the reality is that healthy foods can be expensive, and cooking requires not only the time, but the right appliances. If my gas is shut off or I don't have any pots and pans, yeah, I'll be cooking in the microwave. If I spend all day applying for jobs and don't have the time to cook, yeah, I'll eat a frozen meal. If I don't know how to cook, I'm not going to risk ruining what little food I have to figure it out.

Passing judgment is easy, though.

[sirius-dressage]

Isn't there some rule that if you are on welfare and you have another child you don't get money anymore? Maybe that's just some states? I don't know where I heard that.

[becrog]

Originally Posted by SunBun

Overall, I agree. The system is flawed.

Here's a question...

What if a college student (completely supporting themselves, paying their own rent, working part/full time, no help from mommy and daddy) applies for food stamps or something of the like? They've paid into the system.

I think the overall feeling on here is that none of us mind the wefare system helping out people who are temporarily going through a rough patch, eg marriage break up, higher education, sudden redundancy etc. Most people go through a period like this at some point in their lives and nobody minds them getting a helping hand while they gat back on their feet. the problem is ther people who are out for all they can get and have no intention of getting a job.

[ParkedOut]

Originally Posted by becrog

I think the overall feeling on here is that none of us mind the wefare system helping out people who are temporarily going through a rough patch, eg marriage break up, higher education, sudden redundancy etc. Most people go through a period like this at some point in their lives and nobody minds them getting a helping hand while they gat back on their feet. the problem is ther people who are out for all they can get and have no intention of getting a job.

Correct. And here in small town, we all know exactly who is a 3rd and even 4th generation welfare recip. Its ridiculous.

[Dax]

I have to say I feel the same about my taxes but then I take a look at the amount of money that goes out of country in the form of aid. I would rather that money be spent helping those who are at least in my community. How many billions of dollars have gone to support warlords in 3rd world countries while the school system needs to have bake sales to buy pencils?

There are some legitimate people who will need help their entire lives but how does a tax free savings plan for people on AISH (Assuired Income Subsidy) really help those who are supposedly too ill to support themselves. How come they have money to save while most working people live paycheck to paycheck.

I am all for helping out my fellow man/woman but I think there should be some rules;
* While on public assistance of any kind, you will be on birth control. I don't care that it is your human right to reproduce - as long as you can't afford to raise them - you can't have them.
* While on public assistance, you must be actively searching for work or going to school.
* If you have a mortgage that you are getting support paying, if you ever sell the house and there is a profit, you must repay a portion of the support that went into that home. (A lady down the street from me went on assistance after her divorce because she was unemployable because she couldn't read. After YEARS of assistance and schooling, she sold her home. Since the market was good, she made 50,000!!

* Common Law is marriage. If your partner is working -- your support payments must take that into account.

[Kat&Ashton]

Ok this is something I feel passionately about having grown up in a por family. We were so por that we couldn't afford the extra o. My family was on food stamps for a short time because my parent's just couldn't put food on the table to feed four childern. My mom said when she went in there it was not what she wanted to do but we had to eat. We had a lot of pancakes because that money only went so far.

Welfare is there to help when needed, it is not a career or a paycheck. It is not a way to get your bills paid and life a great lifestyle. It is just a leg up not a way of life.

I think that the people on welfare should get tested for drugs monthly. My job requires me to get drug tested, why shouldn't they get drug tested? I pop positive for drugs, I lose my job. End of story.

I also think that there should be a matrix for the welfare useage. That every year someone who is on the system should have goals that need to be met. For some it could just be working on a high school diploma. I am not talking about huge goals that are not attainable but something basic that gives people something to work towards.

[Kicks]

Originally Posted by belle4

The system is definitely out of hand. Don't get me started on health care either. My husband served our country for 29 years in the military. We spent months apart when he served over seas during Desert Storm and then many more months apart while he was away at sea for most of his career. He was prior enlisted, went to OCS, worked his way up the chain to become a Commander. He's a mustang, came through the ranks the hard way, earned every penny. When he was a young man they promised health care for life. Seems every year the government is taking and taking away. He still works as a civilian for the military, is still gone on a ship and we have supplemental policies to cover our health care expenses. Point being, he has worked his entire life, serving our country so our family can have health care and now everyone is supposed to get it for free? I kind of have a problem with that.

Don't get me wrong, I"ve never missed a meal and consider myself and my family very fortunate, but it didn't come from collecting from the government for sitting around on my bum and doing nothing.

Hubby is retired Navy - health care was indeed promised when he went in Alas that is gone. Of course as a retired disabled veteran he has can use VA for for his health care. I'm fortunate that I too am a Veteran (Army) so I have VA I can use. Due to Hubby's income (I'm a stay at home wife per our choices), I have to pay a co-pay which is much less than most insurance policies charge. I am really worried about how long it will be til we loose VA Health Care all together.

[joce]

I led a fairly sheltered life till college. I babysat for a lady whos welfare paid her car payment but at that time I didn't realize only certain people got the help Certainly wasn't a car she needed!

I had a friend in college who introduced me to her friend who then went on to complain for an hour and a half about the money she wasted on a dollar store pregnancy test and she wasn't even pregnant. I must have seemed like a jerk cuz I asked if she wanted another boy or girl since she already had four and she said anything that will get me more of a check next year I got some looks when my jaw kinda dropped open. She then started talking about invitro which apparently she looked into and could get, but she had to find a guy willing to go along with it

The bf used to work at a car stereo place. People would ask if they could pay in food stamps. Many would come in with cars many times nicer than mine and spend thousands on a car stereo and then complain about not getting enough money while sitting in the waiting area.

I could go on and on about things I have seen at the free clinic I volunteer at to. But There are also people there who really are struggling and trying. It can make you feel really good and is worth those times someone drives off in a mercedes.

For those who use it for what its supposed to be used for I have no problem at all. But the goal is to get off of it-not to use it like a savings account you think is all yours. Some things I am not sure how I feel. I know baby sitting costs a lot so a parent staying home and not working may actually save even if they get some help(especially with some special needs situations I know of) but then again there is always what my parents and so many others did and thats work a night and a day shift or figure out another way. I would love to stay home, but I can't