SC's that put luxury ahead of priorities

[Hon'ya-chan]

That's probably the local drug dealer then. I see *many* vehicles like that on the way to/from work. Nearly all of them are in the low income areas--it's a bit odd to see a Hummer or even a new Cadillac parked outside some of those places. Usually, there's something going on--most people who can afford those cars do not live in low-income housing!

Rural SW PA has *lots* of people like that. They live in places no better than shacks, yet have a brand-new truck in the driveway, multiple dishes on the roof, etc. They can't afford to take care of their house, yet have that crap?

I have *no* sympathy for them. I'm busting my ass to make car and house payments. I work 40-45 hour weeks, then go home and work on my *own* house. I don't get nice things, often, simply because I can't afford to. Yet, these people have that crap, are usually on welfare (and know how to abuse it)...while I have to work for it? Sorry, but I have a *serious* problem with that!

It's their way of laundering the money made from selling drugs?

[BaristaGirl]

A lot of it can be explained by the fact that socially, a lot of us see escapism as the way out. "My life sucks. Instead of doing what I can to make it better, I'm gonna go buy a shitload of TVs!" I know these people, the people who bought a new laptop with their first welfare check. It's sad. It sucks. And I wish I could do something about it, y'know? I want that money to get to the people who need it.

[Giggle Goose]

I worked in an elementary school at one time and I was crying myself to sleep at night, grinding my teeth away from tension headaches.

I work in schools too, and it's very upsetting. We have programs where the kids can get free breakfast, go to school and get a free lunch, and then be able to go to the after-school program to receive help with their homework and have more food. I'm all for programs like this; and schools REALLY do all that they can.

One of the brightest students I worked with lived in a foster home. First grade and both his parents were in prison. All I can offer is a hug and some encouraging words, but it's a hell of a lot compared to what a lot of these kids get.

[Alpha Strike]

I've had similar experiences when working in the local gaming store - people who seemingly didn't have enough money to properly clothe their children would come in and buy new video games and pricey systems.

It seems that part of the problem - at least for those who take advantage of the system - is that their is no stigma to receiving any form of welfare nor any reason not to take it when it's there.

[Horsetuna]

I'm glad I have no clue how to apply for welfare.I doubt I qualify anyways since I'm working two jobs at 9/hour each and still not making rent..

Then again, thats partially my fault. I'm horrible at financing. BUT, I'm at least trying to make it better.

[Sharsarannon]

I know someone who has some serious issues in this direction. Several people actually. One bought a 99 dollar ipod but is still living on charity-provided food half the time and is lousy about rent. One buys new fandom anime junk on ebay but is living on freeze dried soups.
One person has hand-to-mouth living but a very fancy car.
*headsmack*

[FuzzyKitten99]

And don't forget that if their political opponents have a problem with overdoing the handouts, they'll be attacked as "against the poor" and "taking away Social Security/Medicare and making seniors eat dog food".

Absolutely agreed! Both sides are guilty of it, and I believe that the rational majority of both sides are completely sick of the BS, but unfortunately it takes millions of dollars to run for any higher office, and that alone tends to discourage people who are of level-headed thinking and logic from attempting to run for office.

However that won't stop me from running for the local city council and school boards after my kids are older and are a bit more independent.

[Estil]

And don't forget that if their political opponents have a problem with overdoing the handouts, they'll be attacked as "against the poor" and "taking away Social Security/Medicare and making seniors eat dog food".

[FuzzyKitten99]

Our welfare system is forcing people to choose between a crappy, hectic, and stressful life; or a crappy, carefree, and lazy life. Guess which one 9 out of 10 people will choose?

you know why? Votes. Politicians pass these laws and legislation because they pander to the lazy, self-righteous people, telling them that they don't have to try, that "Life, Liberty, and the persuit of happiness" is guaranteed, when in reality, it isn't. Then because they tell these people they will get free handouts, guess who these people vote for? Then what happens when they continue pushing stuff like this through? The cycle continues until society as a whole, decided it is enough, and breaks it somehow. Unfortunately, it is hard to break the cycle now, because of the power-hungry politicians more worried about their jobs than the actual true needs of society, and they will always pander to the lowest common denominator, and keep their jobs.

[Nayeli_Sabia]

See, this is something I don't understand. My husband makes less than the poverty line right now. I am currently a SAHM we have one baby. The food comes first, then water, electric, gas, and house payment. After that is debt(we'll be debt free in February!). AFTER all of that we have cable internet and 5 cable channels. I loved when my sister-in-law told me I needed to complain to the cable company because I wasn't getting all of my channels. Not true, I begged them for their lowest smallest, cheapest package.

The baby is clean, we're well fed. I'm not on foodstamps, welfare, or WIC even though we qualify. We where on WIC for a about a year, but we got finances together to get off of it as soon as able.

So if I can do it, why can't they?? Heck, we wouldn't have a TV if my Nana hadn't given us one... it's from 1983 and is as old as I am. I love that TV and appreciate the gift it is.

[OfficeSlug]

Apparently so being I witnessed this first hand at the local Publix not too long ago. This man in front of me was trying to buy Honey Smacks, Golden Crisp, and Corn Pops with food stamps. The cashier whipped out a chart that had pictures of what cereals he was allowed to buy, and anything else was to be purchased with cash. Now, soda could be another story, but I was referring to what this cashier said, saying only certain sodas and other drinks were allowed.

Exception of deli, eh? Too bad that's not the case here. Some people actually have been able to buy T-bone steaks with food stamps.

I work at Publix part-time - the only chart we have that shows the restrictions is for WIC, not food stamps.

And there are those who will whip out the EBT card (food stamps), proudly announce "Food stamps!", pay for their food, and then pay cash for their beer/cigs!

[greensinestro]

Does Florida really limit foodstamps on things like sugary cereals, soda pop, etc? I'm in New York and as long as it is food (exception on deli food), then it's fair game.

Apparently so being I witnessed this first hand at the local Publix not too long ago. This man in front of me was trying to buy Honey Smacks, Golden Crisp, and Corn Pops with food stamps. The cashier whipped out a chart that had pictures of what cereals he was allowed to buy, and anything else was to be purchased with cash. Now, soda could be another story, but I was referring to what this cashier said, saying only certain sodas and other drinks were allowed.

Exception of deli, eh? Too bad that's not the case here. Some people actually have been able to buy T-bone steaks with food stamps.

[Sylvia727]

Major and major I apoligize in advance, but this pushed my hot buttons.

A friend's family actually went on foodstamps a while ago, because her alcoholic father took out so many mortages and loans to support his gambling that everything they owned got reposessed. Her parents got divorced and her mom took the kids and moved in with her own mom. My friend's mom started going to beginner's finance classes: "how to do your taxes", "how to balance your checkbook", etc. and she went back to college to finish her degree because minimum wage would barely feed her kids and she wanted to get a better job.

Here's the kicker: she would have been willing and eager to get a minimum wage job while she attended college to help defray the costs. However, if she done that, she would have been kicked off food stamps. Now this is in Missouri, but I'm going to assume the principle is applied to the entire USA.

A much better system would be: Let's say she needs $20,000 annually to keep three kids fed, clothed, clean and healthy. I read a newspaper article that said $19k to maintain two kids, but let's round down. She gets a part-time job for minimum wage (remember, she's an ex-housewife) at $6.50/hour for 20 hours a week, that's about $6,500 a year. She gets kicked off welfare because she has a job. Wouldn't it make more sense to reduce her welfare to $13,500 a year? Or even add an incentive to get a job and get real work experience: reduce welfare to $14,000 a year.

Let's take the same woman who gives up on college and bettering her own lot in life. She works 60 hours/week at minimum wage to earn $20,000. Anything less than 60 hours/week and she can't keep her kids fed, clothed, clean and healthy. Meanwhile, she lives in crappy housing, her immune system is shot from lack of sleep, and she can't supervise/raise her kids. No wonder her children running rampant at the supermarket or mugging people in back alleys; they never see their mother. The only values reinforcement they get is from an underpaid teacher and their peers.

Our welfare system is forcing people to choose between a crappy, hectic, and stressful life; or a crappy, carefree, and lazy life. Guess which one 9 out of 10 people will choose?

Then their kids don't learn work ethics, they don't go to college, and they see all their peers either bumming off welfare or slacking off at and getting fired from minimum wage jobs. And a second generation of welfare bums is created.

My friend's family is still on welfare. The mom has a 3.0 GPA. They were almost kicked off welfare last month, because the money my friend makes (and is putting away for college) is almost enough to disqualify them. Her mom made her work less hours from now on. The mom doesn't like sponging off the system like this, but her only other viable choice is to work 60 hours/week at minimum wage, and she's decided that this is best for her family.

*breathes out* Does anyone have any better statistics on this subject? I'm working completely from memory and a four-function calculator here.

[Hon'ya-chan]

So, this scumbag somehow obtained a gun, probably stolen since you can't buy one with food stamps,

There has been cases where welfare folks will trade Food Stamps for cash (usually at a nominal discount) and the person/business that gets them will redeem them to the government for full credit.

Your tax dollars at work.

[DannyboyO1]

Green, that story is awful. Hopefully that scumbag is rotting in a prison cell or got the needle and is 6 feet under, and those foodstamps are going to someone who actually will use them for what they are intended for.

I'm going to hope he got traded for cigs a few times while in jail.