Originally Posted by Patty55

In my experience one of the biggest problems with all the programs is they are not reaching the deserving poor. We would get in elderly people, sometimes men on an extended strike and you could tell they were so humiliated just to be there. They didn't/wouldn't/couldn't lie, even if you told them the lie to say they'd say something like "That's not true."

The lifetime customers on the other hand, they knew the rules, they knew how to get what they wanted. The children getting their own grant was like a rite of passage. I think all the social programs have contributed to the breakdown of the family.

Maybe they can't buy beer with their foodstamps, but guess what they get with their WIC, baby formula that is being used to manufacture crack.

Now, my personal pet peeve-"Obama phones".

patty55 you describe so well by example what many of the members are complaining about. Personally, I efused to apply for VA benefits becaise 1) I had satisfacotry medical car and 2) I served only 4 years state side. The Navy changed my life for the better. I therefore did not feel entitled to VA benefits like some and also believed that theguys more deserving were those guys directly affected the injured, long serving, etc. In short I felt I was not entitled and it would have been dishonest to apply.

I do feel for those folks who have to swallow their pride and submit.

My daughter coordinates care for children up to 6 years old and it is heart breaking to hear her speak of some situations (of course without identifying anyone). I do then understand there are folks in need....It is the reason i feel so strongly against the big time offenders.

Originally Posted by Patty55

In my experience one of the biggest problems with all the programs is they are not reaching the deserving poor. We would get in elderly people, sometimes men on an extended strike and you could tell they were so humiliated just to be there. They didn't/wouldn't/couldn't lie, even if you told them the lie to say they'd say something like "That's not true."

The lifetime customers on the other hand, they knew the rules, they knew how to get what they wanted. The children getting their own grant was like a rite of passage. I think all the social programs have contributed to the breakdown of the family.

Maybe they can't buy beer with their foodstamps, but guess what they get with their WIC, baby formula that is being used to manufacture crack.

Now, my personal pet peeve-"Obama phones".

:b igbow: Some just do not want to believe the truth

Originally Posted by hdh1470

:b igbow: Some just do not want to believe the truth

hdh1470: I may or may not agree with what you have stated. However I can not say until I know to whose "truth" you refer?

Patty and the rest....father has been collecting for close to a year. Still no job in his field or anyhting else close to his expertise. Maybe you can tell him why corporations with record profits aren't hiring......son#1..worked hard in school and earned a right to go to a top flight private school which he was attending when his dad lost his job. To ask him to transfer is total nonsense. We all talk about working hard,this is what this kid did. You want the kid to live in the street and how do you propose he get to work,magic carpet? As for the other 2 kids don't know if they work during school year,I do know they work during long breaks from school. No they do not go to spring break. The wife has a full-time job. To say that the kids are unwilling/unable to help is just stupid on your part. As for what I do to help that is none of your business. This is a family that needs help,they are not looking for a handout,they need temporary help and for you and others to question their motives is wrong,period.

Originally Posted by waynet

Patty and the rest....father has been collecting for close to a year. Still no job in his field or anyhting else close to his expertise. Maybe you can tell him why corporations with record profits aren't hiring......son#1..worked hard in school and earned a right to go to a top flight private school which he was attending when his dad lost his job. To ask him to transfer is total nonsense. We all talk about working hard,this is what this kid did. You want the kid to live in the street and how do you propose he get to work,magic carpet? As for the other 2 kids don't know if they work during school year,I do know they work during long breaks from school. No they do not go to spring break. The wife has a full-time job. To say that the kids are unwilling/unable to help is just stupid on your part. As for what I do to help that is none of your business. This is a family that needs help,they are not looking for a handout,they need temporary help and for you and others to question their motives is wrong,period.

Okey Dokey, if the father has been collecting for close to a year he still has quite a way to go till his benefits run out.

If the wife is working full-time and the husband is collecting unemployment benefits and they have a 25 year old mortgage they are probably way over the threshold to collect much of anything anyway.

In your last scenario #1 son was graduated with a good job, now he can't transfer. The other two don't go to spring break? What a shame.

Whatever, this alleged situation has run the gamut from insipidity to absurdity.

Originally Posted by Patty55

In my experience one of the biggest problems with all the programs is they are not reaching the deserving poor. We would get in elderly people, sometimes men on an extended strike and you could tell they were so humiliated just to be there. They didn't/wouldn't/couldn't lie, even if you told them the lie to say they'd say something like "That's not true."

The lifetime customers on the other hand, they knew the rules, they knew how to get what they wanted. The children getting their own grant was like a rite of passage. I think all the social programs have contributed to the breakdown of the family.

Maybe they can't buy beer with their foodstamps, but guess what they get with their WIC, baby formula that is being used to manufacture crack.

Now, my personal pet peeve-"Obama phones".

Patty55,

Maybe you should do a tad more research on things. 1. You stated that baby forumula is being used to manufacture crack. It is used as a stretching agent as is powdered milk so not as much cocaine is needed. Do you actually want to not allow powdered milk and baby formula to needy families just because it is sometimes used in making crack? Why not just outlaw powdered milk and baby forumula since they are used in making an illegal product? Totally ridiculous part of your post.

You also mentioned "Obama phones". They are free cell phones with 250 minutes per month and are funded by the Universal Service Charge on cell phone bills. This is part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which was way before Pres. Obama took office. In fact, I believe George W. Bush was president at that time. Why not call them "Junior Bush phones"?

Originally Posted by buggyone

Patty55,

Maybe you should do a tad more research on things. 1. You stated that baby forumula is being used to manufacture crack. It is used as a stretching agent as is powdered milk so not as much cocaine is needed. Do you actually want to not allow powdered milk and baby formula to needy families just because it is sometimes used in making crack? Why not just outlaw powdered milk and baby forumula since they are used in making an illegal product? Totally ridiculous part of your post.

You also mentioned "Obama phones". They are free cell phones with 250 minutes per month and are funded by the Universal Service Charge on cell phone bills. This is part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which was way before Pres. Obama took office. In fact, I believe George W. Bush was president at that time. Why not call them "Junior Bush phones"?

I guess I could call them the "Jr. Bush" phones if I were psychic, but I believe it was Bill Clinton who signed off in 1996. The telecommunications act of 1996 did not provide free cell phones, that was brought in by the present administration and is part of his Connect America program. I'm just working from memory, but I believe the 1996 act in addition to setting up the USF deregulated the Bells. (Could be wrong, after all I am STOOPID & Clueless as established upthread). I did not name the free cell phone "Obama Phones", that is what they are commonly called.

Oh the drama, outlawing baby formula and powdered milk to the poor. I don't see how using it as a stretching agent in the manufacturing of crack is any different than saying it is used in the production of crack. I would never suggest outlawing the WIC program because some parents choose to resell baby formula to a crack house rather than nourish their children. I do think that is abuse, you don't?

What can the average citizen do to crack down on this food stamp abuse? Should we put everyone we see using food stamps under citizen's arrest? Should we follow them home and put them under surveillance? Should we call our congressman every time we see somebody suspicious using food stamps?

There is nothing the average person can do, it's got to come from within the agency. In upstate NY there has been a crackdown in some counties where the abusers are actually prosecuted.

When I worked for DSS if someone was convicted of welfare fraud they were usually made to make restitution from their grant. How absurd is that?

It's a prevailing mindset within the multi-generational recipients that they are entitled to these benefits. I really don't think they think they are doing anything wrong.

Originally Posted by Patty55

There is nothing the average person can do, it's got to come from within the agency. In upstate NY there has been a crackdown in some counties where the abusers are actually prosecuted.

When I worked for DSS if someone was convicted of welfare fraud they were usually made to make restitution from their grant. How absurd is that?

It's a prevailing mindset within the multi-generational recipients that they are entitled to these benefits. I really don't think they think they are doing anything wrong.

Think maybe you were in the wrong line of work.

Originally Posted by DaleMN

Think maybe you were in the wrong line of work.

I don't think that kind of comment is needed on this forum.

Originally Posted by waynet

Richie sorry,neither...as for pattie their oldest has a job,a good one. His college loans are about $200,000,he has a car payment and rent on an apartment and must work with clothes on and also eat. The other two boys are still in college trying to better themselves. They both work in the summer and neither boy has a car. I just don't think the two of you have a clue. You've got yours the heck with everyone else.

You are really deeply involved with all your "friends" problems, considering all the intimate details of their finances that you privy to.

I'm not sure why you made it sound like a hypothetical case in your original posting on this struggling family.

I got mine? Did you get yours? Did you give them any of it?

You give to your charities, and I'll give to the ones I choose.

Originally Posted by DaleMN

Think maybe you were in the wrong line of work.

Absolutely