The Upper Class Poor
86The New Class of Rich Poor People
Every day the neighbors across the street grill out, steaks on the barbeque, I am home all day since I work from home and a people watcher as part of my desire to be a published writer some day so I know when most of my neighbors are at work or at home. The young lady to the east of me asks me to keep an eye around her place make sure no one is lurking around that shouldn't be there, and so as a matter of course I would notice the neighbors across the street cooking out on their grill, seafood, and steaks. Normally I wouldn't think anything more of it, until I was told that they cashed an unemployment check the other day. Which explains why like me they are always home.
So why do I care that these people are grilling out and cashing unemployment checks? Because having worked a steady job since I was sixteen years old, and taken care of myself for nearly half my life without the aid of the state or another individual it drives me out right silly to see people taking advantage of an already taxed system.
I get that times are tough right now, that people are having a hard time finding a job, and I am not a totally heartless individual as some of you may think. But what I don't get is in these rough jobless times individuals are still able to buy steak, and beer, and junk food. To drive around in their fancy cars, to smoke cigarettes, wear designer jeans, and talk on their cell phones, or crash out in front of their big screen television all day and watch satellite TV.
Now maybe it's none of my business what these poor individuals do with their spare time, after all times is hard for everyone but since I am still employed, and paying my taxes I have a really hard time swallowing this new "Upper Class Poor" that is being constantly shoved down my throat.
Food Stamps
Used to be set up so that you could get the bare necessities in order to survive, Peanut butter, bread, meats (not steak and seafood), vegetables, beans etc. Now though with the advent of the EBT card, so that we do not shame the poor souls who have to be on food stamps, individuals are able to purchase just about any kind of food they want. Including some already made foods, and junk food. With the "cash" portion of their card, one would assume there for toiletries individuals are able to purchase alcohol and tobacco products.
Think this isn't happening spend some time on the other end of a cash register and you will see that it is.
Welfare Reform
The biggest argument I think is that if we can't figure out how to fix it then that must mean the system isn't broken. So here is my plan for welfare reform.
How do we go forward? By going backward to a voucher system, at WIC (Women Infants and Children) at least in Missouri, for a single Mom with one child you get three gallons of milk, two half gallons of juice, two loaves of whole wheat bread or two packages of wraps, a can of evaporated milk, four cans of beans/one bag of dried beans/one can of peanut butter, six dollars worth of fresh fruits and vegetables, one dozen eggs, one pound of cheese, and thirty six ounces of cereal.
Now my proposal is this, create a voucher system for food stamps that is similar to the WIC vouchers. Where families can get a certain number of each item, but the items need to be what one might call necessity items. A person does not need potato chips to survive. They do not need to eat steak or seafood.
On my vouchers I would put for a family of three, two adults one child:
Eight Pounds of Ground Meat
Four Pounds of Chicken* Selected Varieties
Four Gallons of Milk
Two Half Gallons of 100% Fruit Juice
Twenty Pounds of Potato's
Twelve Pounds of fresh fruits and Vegetables
Four Dozen Eggs
One Pound of Peanut Butter
*Keep in mind these vouchers a good for a month’s worth of food
In other words I would look at how WIC works and attempt to remodel the Food stamp program to more closely resemble WIC. One of the other things that the WIC program does that Food stamps could certainly incorporate is ever three months while you are on the program you have to take a nutrition class. In this class the program managers explain proper diet and nutrition, in order to remain in the program one has to attend the class. You also every six months have to be recertified, part of this process involves coming in and being weighed, and measured to make sure that you are eating properly while on the program.
Financing my new Program
So then how do we finance the new welfare program? Simple part of the "cost" of being on the program is that you have to give up three days a week to work in the program office. Filing paper work, handing out vouchers, helping with the nutrition classes, cleaning, providing transportation if you have a vehicle and are capable of driving to others who do not. Two days of the week will also be spent with the Parks Dept. of your county, picking up litter on the side of the road. The other two days must be documented attempts at finding viable employment elsewhere, and oh by the way on my program you don't get food stamps if you are employed.
What about under-employed?
For individuals who are under-employed, the option to get food from food pantries exists, or there is a smaller voucher program, that "cost" less. Half the vouchers for half the time put in to pay them back.
If you notice though in order to get any of these vouchers they have got to be paid back. So for the under-employed proof of income is required then depending on what type of voucher you qualify for you will have to work either evenings after work for a few hours or your weekends doing various tasks to help pay back the voucher that you have received.
Next Week: Vouchers for Day Care.
Also if there is some part of the "Welfare" system you would like me to revamp please leave a comment and I will try to touch on it. Thank you.
- Fire them all... Sustainablitly and the current economy
I told someone on one of my other hubs that I was going to outline how I think the Senator's and Congressman should get a pay cut. I am going to include the President in this analysis. Since after all it was...
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Storytellersrus, not eveyone takes advantage of the system, and obviously you didn't, but those who do and there are more of them who take advantage then don't any more make it harder for those who don't. My neighbors are two kids in their early twenties, who don't job hunt at all. Now knowing that do you still think it's fair for them to use tax payer money to buy steaks and new clothing? What about the people who refuse to work and use tax payer money to buy alcohol or tobbaco is that fair?
I make under 10,000 a year. I can tell you I have been told many times by many "caring" individuals that I am stupid because I don't get as much from the system that I can, when I infact I take zero from the system because I know there are people out there like you or your husband who hit a rough patch and need it. I may seem like I am young and know everything too you but really what it is, is I am tired of seeing people like you or my parents having to pay for the free loaders my age that either refuse to work because it's easier to stay home on wel-fare or refuse to work because they think they are better than flipping burgers at the local McDondalds.
I get your point Rachell. I see riots going on in France right now. The riots occur because the government in France is broke and have had to cut back on entitlements. They even had the gall to tell people that they can no longer expect to retire at 60 and expect full pension benefits. So what should a retiree do at 60? Riot, that's what. What do they care if they stick their children and grandchildren with loads of debt and change their standard of living? They will be dead by then anyway. The word for people who want to load all this debt onto our children is SELFISH.
Ravaged Nation: Thank You for your comment, I agree whole heartedly, the part that really angers me is it is my generation that thinks its okay to stick it to older generations. I don't know what is wrong with my generation, I desire to do well enough in life that when my parents reach retirement age if they need anything at all I can take care of it. What happened to people wanting to provide for others rather than putting themselves first?
Well Rach, I ended up here from storytellers r us hubs and read your comment. The problem with our generation is the garbage we grew up with because of the crap our parents had to go through beause of the a-holes the few have voted into office to run our great country! I have "used" the system a time or two and yes it's messed up! I only used the system when it was absolutley necassary( i was on workmans comp, two herniated discs in my lower lumbar, and again for emergency foodstamps when my drywalling job was cut back to part-time hrs), that was ten years ago! I am still struggling and recently the company I worked for( a tow truck company) was suffering from the economy and they rolled the sh*t downhill and "stole 2 1/2 wks of my pay", I complained and refused to take any more tow calls until I was paid, they came and took back the tow truck(read my hubs for the on-going story). Most of the people you refer to in your hub are the bad apples that rot the whole bushel! Ignore them people, they've always been ther, and always will! Your plan has good points, but like storytellers said that plan takes away from job search time, here in AZ they have programs similar to what you suggest and guess what "these programs keep people in the system and delay their return to the work force". Guess why? because the states need these people in the system to keep the federal aid they recieve! Its not a quick fix, and not a simple fix, its a problem people have to fight to fix through using our voice and vote to get the average joe deciding what our politicians put on the table! I could go on for ever, and I understand where your frustration comes from, I'm living in a complex with all the "system abusers" you speak of, while I cook up fancy ramen noodle and egg recipes, with the occasional pork chop, when its marked down for quick sale of course!
Jeremy: Thanks for the comment. Maybe more than working it back we really need to look at the old voucher system. I worked as a cashier through out most of my glorious Wal-Mart Career. Even when I was manager I was still a cashier, and watching people abuse the system drove me nuts. Here in Missouri and elsewhere I am sure, you are alloted a certain amount of "cash" food stamps to purchase essential non-food items. I used to watch people use the cash portion to buy tobacco and alcohol, my boss (store manager) said that there was nothing we could do about that. I think going back to a voucher system would help to cut down on the abuse. I've also seen people get food stamps, and then brag about hitting up all the food pantries. We have an excellent Food Pantry here in town that is constantly broke because of people who don't really need the aid taking it. I just really want the system to be fixed.
Thanks for the Comment, God Bless, and I will definately have to check out your hub.
The actIvIty of the banks as negotiators of credit is characterized
by the lending of other people's, i.e., of borrowed, money.
Banks borrow money in order to lend it; the difference between the
rate of interest that is paid to them and the rate that they pay, less
their working expenses, constitutes their profit on this kind of
transaction. Banking is negotiation between granters of credit and
grantees of credit. Only those who lend the money of others are
bankers; those who merely lend their own capital are capitalists,
but not bankers.
PrometheusKid; I am not sure what your comment has to do with people taking advantage of an already overworked welfare system but ok.
I agree with you. I think the system is overworked and overused. I have seen the system be abused one to many times and it makes me sick to my stomach. Not saying everybody does. I have also seen those who are truly embarrassed because they need assistance. I hate that there are two sides to this. I feel as Americans we need to help our fellow citizens; problem is, how do we help those people when there are so many people refusing to help themselves. While i have to work a full-time job to make ends meet and I get to miss most of the stuff my kids do during the week and give up every other weekend, I see others who feel it is there duty to stay home and raise their kids. What about me, I would love to raise my kids. The other week I got written up at work because my babysitter called in sick and I had nobody to watch them. My parenting put potential stress on my job which supports me... yet I would take the write up every time. But it isn't fair for those who get to see every moment of their kids life and collect these benefits like it is owed to them. These are the people not even bothering to look for a job; then they have the balls to complain that it is hardwork being a stay at home mom. Well, try being both! A working mom and a mom at home. That is harder. I have to pay for everything while they make weekly doctor appointments and don't pay a dime. The system is screwed up and I am going on a tangent. I think I will stop before I really upset somebody! :)
Well I was in your position a two years ago, a single Mom and a full time manager for Wal-Mart. When I got enough of people who complained about how hard life was and how unfair it was that they didn't get food stamps and cable television I finally hung up my shield, I work from home now, and you know what the people say... "When are you going to get a job?" I am a day care provider. But for some they see me as unemployed. I am a Day Care provider that decided when she quit her real job to do this that if it came between going back to work for someone else or going on Welfare I would go back to work. I don't think that anyone should take care of me or my son. Thanks for the tangent, keep up the work, and try not to let people get to you :)
You would freak out totally if you lived in the UK. We don't do food stamps or anything like that. You get about £60 per week ($100 ish) for a single person, more if you have kids obviously, plus all your rent paid for you as long as it is deemed a reasonable amount for the area and size of property you need. The government is in the process of cutting back very severely on the benefits bill here at the moment though.
Personally I'm pulled two ways. I was getting benefits for a while when I started writing and making websites to earn money online, and probably wasn't looking for work very hard because that was what I wanted to do. On the other hand, I have worked in low wage jobs where I was just scraping by and renting a single room, and at the time I knew a couple of people on benefits who had a nicer place to live and seemed to have more spare cash too. I felt pretty miffed about paying tax for them to have a better lifestyle than me.
kephrira: Thanks for the comment. Its hard here because I was raised by parents who went without a lot of the time just so us kids could have a good life, I have watched them struggle and now the thought of them struggling so some one like me can stay home and not work does irk me a lot. Of course I work, I do my writing (Which is a dream of mine) but the majority of my income comes from my day care. I can't imagine not working, after six years with Wal-Mart watching people who didn't look out for the best interest of their kids buying alcohol and tobacco on foodstamps I really got fed up with the way our system works. If I had been born in England and raised there I probably would have totally different views on these sorts of things, but the same would probably be true for yourself. Like you said you have mixed feelings and somedays so do I, when I work hard and see others who have things that I don't I think man why am I working this hard and they are getting things I wish I could have, but looking at my parents and not wanting to be the reason they pay high taxes has me thinking that here at least there has to be a better way to do things. You look to the past, your parents to what would be good for them, you look to the future your kids and what kind of world do you want them to grow up in, at least I do. Thanks for the comment :)
Rachel, I enjoyed reading your hub and comments. The problem lays in people's psychology. There always will be people abusing the system. I was unemployed for some time and I used this time to get a degree from a local college. Now I found a part-time job according my degree and quit unemployment benefits (though I have a good chunk yet left). But how many people are not even looking for a job, because the system allows it. What's more, they trick it by taking temporary jobs (for 5-6 weeks) during their unemployment and then they have a new UB period opened for them when the first is over. You have no idea how many people are tricking the system this way. Plus having other benefits, which give them a better way of life than for conscientious people who prefer to earn little money but in honest way.
ReuVera:I can understand individuals in your situation who have to temporarily take assistance, I've known people who unfortunately against their own will had to because it was the only way to keep a roof over their kids heads. What I see more are the people who either brag about taking advantage of the system or complain when they don't get what they think they rightfully deserve. I made quite a few sacrifices to stay at home with my son, I had a "friend" of mine complain one day that her food stamps were going to be cut if she didn't cancel her cable television and get rid of one of her cell phones. I thought that was unbelievable. To complain that she wasn't going to have cable television any more. She had no reason to not work. I got upset, said that I agree with them telling her that, that she shouldn't get food stamps and cable TV and two cell phones, I pointed out the fact that I had neither cable nor cell phones and her response was "well you choose to live this way." So it is mind numbing the way people will take advantage of the system. I appreciate your comment, thanks for checking me out.
No kidding, I know one person, who is getting unemployment endlessly (because of what I wrote in my previous comment), has satellite TV, a very expensive cell-phone with internet, a luxury car. This person gets so much in food stamps, more that really needed.
As long as system allows benefits without strict control, there will be always people abusing it.
I consider that when people file their weekly claim for UB, they should be actually send to places where workers are needed, not just lie that they contacted places.
ReuVera, do they still ask you when your fill out your paper work for Unemployment ask if you are looking for a job? I don't know since I have never applied for unemployment but I thought that part of it was you had to prove you were at least looking, if they have changed that it would be a shame.
I was filing it electronically and, yes, there is a question "did you contact at least two employers during this week?". For me this question was waived, because I was enrolled in a college program. But I know so many people who just answer "yes" even though it is not true. Sometimes Unemployment bureau would ask these people to send in proving papers and then people would just stop at a couple of places where they don't hire for sure and sign the papers.
When I lived in Israel, they had a rule to actually send people to places where there were jobs. They had some mercy for elder of sick people and these types of people were allowed just to file their weekly claim. But as young and strong people were concerned, very seldom they would use their UB till the end. If there is a job and you refuse it just because you don't want it, your UB were cut off.
ReuVera; sounds like Israel might have a better handle on it then we do. Like I said I've never had to file unemployment (thankfully), but I understand the concept if more people are on unemployment than are working eventually the money will run out. I worry that will happen here esp. when I see people who could work, who refuse to because of silly reasons that essentially all come down to the same thing, why work when you can collect "free" money from the government.
To give you some examples I have had people tell me that they absolutely won't work at McDonalds that they would rather go on welfare, and that just boggles the mind. I've taken some horrible horrible jobs that I don't even care to remember because it was the only thing I could find and I needed the money (nothing illegal mind you).
I think that they were once hard working, tax paying people, but since they have probably been laid off, they figure F*** it, why should I work? It is going to pay for the illegal immigrants and ones scaming welfare anyway.
gr82bme: to a certain extent you are correct, I know when I hear about or see people who are getting a really good deal on welfare I think well this is utterly ridiculous why do I work as hard as I do. I told my Mom, when I meet someone who is successful, wealthy, drives a Mercede's Benz and is on Welfare I might throw it all in and join them, but my goals are to be a success and while right now welfare individuals might have slightly more than I do, I know I can exceed them by working hard and not taking advantage of the system... of course my hard work will end up going partly to them in the end, which is why I would like a reform of the system.
I use to live in the city. Phila. You would see like 15 people living in the same house, all collecting welfare and driving brand new cars.
My son is 28 and has worked since he was old enough to work. He just got laid off. His wife is still working, but his paycheck was much more then hers. They have two small beautiful girls. They have been battling the system trying to get some kind of medical help, NOT money, Not food stamps and they will not help. I could just CRY!
We have told our son we will try and help where we can. They are good hard working kids and they are getting screwed
That is why people say F*** it
He was the manager in his dept. at a very big car dealership here. They told him HE was laid off because he made more money then the other two that worked for him.
So they kept the two that were making min. wage and laid my son off. The next day he stopped in to pick up something he needed for unemployment and guess what? One of the guys they kept on did not even show up for work that day. My son NEVER missed a day of work!
This is where unions come in handy, my son would not have been laid off, he had more time there then the other two.
I am sorry to hear about your son, I hope that he is able to find employment soon. Years ago a similar thing happened to my Dad who also worked in the automobile industry, but as a repairman, he was told that he worked too fast and the other guys felt bad because they weren't making the same amount of money. Anyway for him it turned out that he got a better job, I pray the same is true for your son.
I hear you clearly I do;
but this is all part of the vicious cycle it seems the government has made for us.
The place the "cash" there so they can spend their money on cigarettes and beer.
They want them to be home all day and watch t.v.
They want them to stay home and not progress in life.
An educated society means an Unhappy society.
Once a society is unhappy, revolutions occurs.
They dont want that.
When the govt. sees that the "ghetto" or "hood" or "upper class poor" are making progress in the world.
They throw ridiculous laws and taxes at us.
Cut money off of our school systems,
and put it in their own pockets.
So if you really want to worry about your taxpayers money and where is it really going.
ASK government officials.
They go on paid vacations, Bahamas, Hawaii, where ever they want on our money.
Royalty checks. Endorsements.
On Our Money.
You make really good points however, you fail to see the bigger picture.
Oh I see the bigger picture. I just figure why not start with the Welfare programs that are outrageous, and work our way from there if I had my way every one in government from the lowest levels up to the President would get major pay cuts. I think that when they talk about deficit and our debt being as bad as it is that the first thing they need to do is take a pay cut, use that money to pay off the debt. A senator should not make more than the lowest paid soldier. I could go on but I will pause there, maybe I'll write a hub about it.
You Go Girl!
gr82bme: Thanks for the comment
Write on I'll be here ; love to hear about someone opinion. We can agree to dis agree. Glad you're seeing the biggernpicture. I'll be waiting for that hub!
Welfare has gone through major reform, learn more about the the bill that Bill Clinton signed into law "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act"
(you can't use food stamps or EBT cards to buy alcohol, Tobacco, pet food, etc).
I'd probably also suggest not snooping and listening to gossip.
I do find some agreement that perhaps people on assistance should be required to do some type of community service or payback.
I'm going to make a point that almost no conservative understands but perhaps you might. Reforming welfare further and savings some money will do nothing for our federal deficits. It is such a minute portion of our budget in comparison to Medicare, Social Security and Defense spending.
How about tackling 'defense spending reform.' We spend more in defense than every single country combined (every single one of them, how is that even possible)!
Conservatives argue that cutting defense weakens the country...so I guess we still need 40k troops, 25 tanks, and other amounts of massive equipment in Germany in case Hitler comes back from the dead?
LRCBlogger: I worked six years on the Front End at Wal Mart both as an Associate and as a Manager and I can tell you from personal experience not gossip that people use food stamps all the time to buy alcohol and tobacco products, they also use food stamps to buy food, return it (Without a receipt) get the cash, because most Wal Mart Managers will not argue the no receipt rule, and what they do with that cash is anyone's guess.
Before we cut our defense I would rather see people go without internet, cell phones, and steak and Shrimp dinners, if you can't afford to buy those items don't expect me as a tax payer to buy them for you.
It sounds like you are advocating for more govt regulation? If people are 'beating' the sytem to buy prohibited items with food stamps, it's not the govt's fault, it sounds like you are saying it is the fault of the companies like WalMart. The EBT card strictly prohibits tobacco, alcohol, etc...The only way someone could use the card at a WalMart would be if WalMart had alchol 'coded' as food instead of 'coded' as alcohol.
I'm with you that we need more regulation on business.
Again, on the Defense cuts, we have billions spent in old cold war programs that are obsolete. Cutting Defense spending does not mean 'cutting security and defense.'
The US govt takes in just over 2 trillion dollars a year in revenue (money from taxes, fees, etc). Defense currently acounts for 1 trillion in spending per year. How can we ignore an expense that takes up half our budget? (As I said, almost no conservative 'gets this.'
Actual welfare is small but when you factor in welfare, unemployment, children's 'welfare' program, the spend is signifigant. I applaud you for being active and realizing that we can save money but we do need to start with the biggest expenses and work down from there. Any lawmaker who says "defense is off the table" is simply playing political games.
Are you deliberately not reading what I write? Personally I hate repeating myself but I will try this one more time and maybe it will get through to you, people who purchase alcohol and tobacco via their EBT cards are doing so using the cash portion of the card not the food portion. What I am advocating, is a voucher system like WIC uses that states on the voucher you get a certain amount of Meat, Produce, Dairy, etc. Not a "Credit/Debit" Card that allows people to purchase things that they shouldn't have. It is not up to the management at Wal Mart or other grocery stores to make sure bums don't abuse the system, it is up to all of us Tax Payers to make sure that the Government doesn't abuse the system; which it is by allowing people to have open discretion with their purchases. EBT cards have made it a badge of honor to be on welfare. People should be ashamed not proud of the fact that they are on welfare. They took away the voucher system originally and gave everyone the cards so that people didn't feel self conscience about being on welfare.
As far as cutting defense no, I don't think that we should cut it. I guess I am one of those dumb conservatives who don't get it. We are at WAR with terrorist. When a nation is at War, whether you on the left feel that war is unjustifiable or all "Bushes" fault doesn't matter that is not the time to cut the defense, unless of course you want us to lose, personally being a woman I'd just rather they keep their Sharia Law over in their flea infested countries and stay out of mine.
Rachell, if there is a loophole that allows you to take cash on your EBT card, then I'm with you that we need to close it. No argument there.
I do really seriously wonder why conservatives never 'get it' regarding defense spending. There are programs that the DOD says are wasteful and they want to end them but members of congress fight to keep them because it brings a few jobs to their district. We spend billions on planes that will never even fly, we station troops around the globe where there is no threat (old cold war policies), etc.
If our govt spends 1 trillion on a single item and conservatives don't think any of it can be wasteful, that just continues to show that conservatives are the party of wasteful spending.
The Sustainable Defense Task Force was a bipartisan group led by Barney Frank and Ron Paul to propose cuts to wasteful programs. Give it a read.
Your argument doesn't make any sense, Conservatives don't want to cut 1 trillion dollars in defense so therefore they are the party of wasteful spending? That is ludicrous, the very idea that the Democrats spend and spend and spend without any regard. But Conservatives won't cut defense and so we are wasteful spenders. Obama has spent more in two years than Bush spent in eight and yet the Conservatives are wasteful, don't tell me that you believe Obama's spending is justifiable because he is trying to spend his way out of a recession.
I would rather not read anything that Barney Frank is involved in, that man gives me the creeps, but if you insist how about providing some links or something more than Barney Frank and Ron Paul are involved, last time I went with that little information I wasted three hours looking for a document that didn't exist.
Rachell, your facts are not correct regarding Debt. I've done hubs on this subject, feel free to read. Over the years, both parties have grown the debt but it was Bush and the GOP controlled congress that exploded the debt. Not only did they more than double it, they also left with a massive budget deficit. If you are unclear of the difference, this means that the govt was taking in about 2.3 trillion dollars but owed 3.7 trillion before Obama took office. So at the very least, if Obama does not spend a single additional dollar, he adds 1.4 trillion to the debt due to the current budget of the last administration.
Anyway, as I said, I've written a few hubs on the subject. Here is the link to the recommended defense cuts (as recommended by both republicans and Dems)
How come then we are close to 14 trillion dollars in debt? You honestly believe that Obama had nothing to do with that? That was all because of Bush? I don't recall saying that Bush wasn't too blame, but at some point Obama has to start taking his share of the blame, two years in this isn't still because of things done by Bush. Obama has spent more and continues to spend more than Bush did in eight years. Just because you have wrote extensively on the subject does not mean that your facts are correct and I don't know what I am talking about. Anyone can write extensively on any subject and get it wrong
Another food for thought...
My son returned home from Iraq last Summer, luckily alive and well. Although traumatized from loss of friends and personal circumstance, he was not allowed even the privelege of transition before having to "man up" at home. His wife of seven years just couldn't stand the "stress" of him serving overseas, so, once Dad was home she left. She also left him with two young children.
It took him fourteen months to finally obtain a full time job that paid enough for him to take care of his family. Our great system advised him that his military service didn't qualify him for unemployment. Although he managed to obtain minimal income each week, he still qualified for WIC. Alas, however, WIC informed him that he could not receive assistance for food, housing, income or medical because he was a MAN. He met all the other required criteria for government assistance except for SEX. Discriminatory?
His pride for months would not allow him to accept help from family. He wanted to meet his family's needs on his own. Luckily, when all avenues failed him...family was there to provide support.
As far as I am concerned...the government, services and policies have failed the very citizens who daily provide the freedom necessary to offer all of those who abuse the system so abused by others. We should be ashamed. We do not need the government to provide. Those in need should be supported by their family and surrounding communities.
The success of this type of support, however, fails because many are out of touch with their family and the communities we live in today do not want to get involved personally. Most would rather pass this task to the government.
Michael, thank you for your comment, I agree with you on many levels. I have heard of even wives of service men who are barely able to make it being turned down for WIC because the program claims that husbands, serving in war zones make to much money. That angers me more than anything because as far as I am concerned if anyone should get food stamps, WIC or other assistance it should be the men and women who would die for my right to get these things. I also agree that families and communities should help out their own, ah to get back to that way of life would be so wonderful. Thank you so much for your comment, and stopping by to read my hub.
You forgot cereal. My g-sons eat a lot of it. LOL
My son and his wife are laid off right trying to make ends meet while trying to find jobs. Great hub! You go girl
Here are some FREE resources for parents.
Hope they help
gr82bme: Thanks for the comment. I hadn't thought about the cereal but some sort of grains is a good idea. Thanks for the link.
I'll keep your Son and his wife in my prayers that they are able to find work soon.
Rachel
rachellrobinson
may I add SOME FACTS.
’where are the jobs?’’
In 2007 the Democrats won the 2006 election and took a Majority control of Congress. In 2009 the Democrats won the Presidency and a super (60 votes ) Majority of Congress. In 2007 the unemployment rate was 4.6%, prior to 2000 under President Clinton and a Republican majority Congress unemployment was 4.0%.
In the past 4 years ,2007to 2010 ,under the Democrat leadership unemployment went from 4.6% to 9.8%. Latest labor department #s are 9.4% , by excluding those who quit looking for work ( cooking the books ). The Obama Stimulus of $725 billion now has risen to $852 billion. Where did the money go ?
It’s time for all Americans to wake up and ask their Representatives ‘’ where are the jobs’’?
The Bush tax cuts seemed to work? It got us out of a 2000 recession, 9-11 catastrophe and financing of two wars. The Obama Stimulus apparently did not work. Since 2007 the national debt has risen from $9.0 trillion to $14.2 trillion , that’s $5 trillion of spending and we are still waiting for the jobs.
By the way, the mainstream media wants the people to stay in the dark.
Jon: Thanks for the comment, you are absolutely right. I think what bothers me so much is that people say well the debt is all Bushes fault even though it has gone up 5 trillon dollars since Obama took office.
Rachel.
The big boys are robbing you blind, taking your jobs and your homes; living high on the hog at taxpayers expense. They don't pay any taxes but still get refunds and people have time to worry about how someone cashes a food stamp. I think your priorities are a little misplaced.
Regarding the debt, I only print the facts, if you "really" want to know them. There are adequate links to verify the information.
Fay: The big boys? Who are the big boys? Which of my priorities are misplaced? The one where I run my own successful business? The one where I was able as a single Mom to buy my own home? Or the fact that I did both of those without taking a hand out from the Government.
Just curious what the point of your comment was.
I am a small business owner and I see this all the time! We have hired people (more than once) who have shown up their first day then called in "sick" for two weeks and eventually stopped calling. Then file for unemployment and GET IT! I've offered jobs to people on unemployment who have said "I rather just stay on unemployment and not work." So annoying! Also I think anyone on WIC, Unemployment, Food stamps etc. should be drug tested. I knew a girl who use to trade her food stamps for meth. I'm with you sister, great hub!
justamber: Thanks for the comment. I am in total agreement that we should drug test anyone who receives federal aid.
Rachel
All you self-righteous, judgmental people don't have a clue what it's like to LOSE a business because of an illness and no one wants to hire you; to have doctors make it worse & hurt you even more and take no responsibility for it. Do you think it's easy living on $730 a month when I paid MY taxes too? I'd rather have my life back, my career, my health and my apartment and NOT be looked upon like Dirt! Instead of talking or writing about what you Don't know...Thank God for what you do have because Honey, It Can Happen to YOU!! Oh & I just love when people tell me to be Positive........Really? Do you think I actually thought this would happen to me (when I was being Positive & Grateful for working so hard at a business I built myself) and now have to read your selfish thoughts about what You DON'T KNOW?? Do you honestly think these doctors just hand out pain killers? If they do, it's certainly not in NY and they couldn't care less because most of them rip off the system by taking pharmaceutical "incentives" and get paid for it and Don't bother treating your illness because there's No money in it for them. Just because some of you knew this person or that person doesn't mean that everyone on government assistance is scum.
DoinTimeOnEarth: Thanks for the comment, even if you didn't read the hub. At least we know how you feel about the topic.
Rachel
I just want to let you know that it is very difficult to get cash on and EBT card. You have to be doing job interviews and attending classes in the mornings to get it. It is less than minimum wage but they are making them "work" for it so if they are foolish enough to try to use the few dollars they get for beer or cigarettes instead of soap or toilette paper, who am I to judge. I am considered employable so am not eligible for that type of benefit. Incidentally, through surveys, it was determined that most people on SNAP(for more than 2-3 months) consider purchasing junk foods and things like hot dogs because it makes the food dollars stretch farther than a pound of meat. You can get a large bag of chips, a pound of cheap hotdogs and generic buns for less than the price of a pound of beef or pork. They can not use food stamps to purchase things like a rotisserie chicken for 4.99, but they can get ice cream for 3.99. What about that seems right?
Marla,
I worked in retail until I quit to open my own business, and my husband worked for Wal-Mart until a better job offer came along four months ago. I can tell you that the argument that junk food is cheaper is crap. I can also tell you from personal experience more people choose to buy crap than good food. You can buy a bag of rice and feed your family for a month for the same price as a bag of Dorrito's and you want me to believe that these poor people on food stamps have no choice to buy junk.
Rachel
Storytellersrus Level 7 Commenter 19 months ago
Well... where to start? My husband was on unemployment for 19 months. We received $1600 a month and half of that went to our HSA health care plan- we have three kids in college and we aren't getting younger so we were worried about catastrophic health problems arising and bankrupting us. That left us $800, which didn't cover our mortgage or our car payments or food or or or.
I am not sure what your neighbors are doing, but perhaps it is a rumor that they are on unemployment insurance. Or they are getting the same as we were and doubling it because they are two. Whatever. Did you ask them?
We paid taxes out of our unemployment check, so I suppose you could say we "sucked" a total of $24,000 out of the system. Interestingly enough, in the middle of our unemployment, we had to pay taxes for the year proceeding and that bill was $60,000. So I guess we paid ourselves and bought your neighbors their steak.
I hope they enjoyed it, because it seems to be giving you a big old stomach ache.
I am all for coming up with better plans to fix what is wrong with our System. I think that is why the System has continued as long as it has. I believe in this Country and I believe in God, too. That doesn't mean I have to agree with your policies, right? This is still a free country, right?
My husband was on the phone all day, every day for 19 months. He is an entrepreneur and when he finally got a job it was because he created one for himself. If he were to work three days in your welfare office, he would have cut the time he had to call every investor in the country.
Our local unemployment office was run by one overworked woman who still managed to make the unemployed who came in to her office feel worthy. Being unemployed is one of the most demeaning experiences a man with a family can have. It completely blows his self confidence and she was a lovely support to all.
Perhaps, before you create what appears to me to be a pretty judgmental plan, you would go to your local office and hang out for a few hours doing the things you suggested. I think you might be surprised to see that there are lots and lots of desperate folk out there who are not grilling steaks.
Yep, you hit a button with this one. I guess I was young once and thought I knew just about everything. Of course, I am not saying you are like that. I am just trying to give you someone else's shoes to walk in for a moment.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to vent. I guess your hub is therapeutic.
Oh, my husband has received a paycheck for two months now. We are no longer receiving unemployment checks. I hope this makes you feel better.