Government Assistance-Many people take advantage of them

Er, how on earth would you know if those people lied on their applications or not?

And I may be poor to the point where I sometimes have nothing in the kitchen but peanuts and pasta and no money to get more food, but that doesn't mean I don't take good care of my body and clothing.

I'm not going to judge someone based on what car they're driving or the clothes they're wearing when they pay with food stamps. My brand-new-looking clothes, the ones that everyone most often asks where I got them, come from second hand stores. I can get a full manicure and pedicure for $35 at a small, unknown salon I know of. It's not hard to do your own hair with some good hairspray. It's not expensive to look good.

What frustrates me to no end is when parents come in with their children, throw some junk food, some cereal their kids picked out, and 2 bottles of booze on the conveyor belt, are told they don't have enough with their food stamps, and then make the kid put back the cereal so they can buy their alcohol. There are plenty of places where food stamps are nothing more than glorified gift cards--you can buy anything sold at a grocery store with them--including alcohol and cigarettes.

http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof

"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-

I think that we do not know all the facts on this to know anybody lies on the application. Maybe there have been some that have but that is something I would have no knowledge of. There are unforeseen situations that come up and people do need help with assistance, that is why it is there. If somebody takes pride in themselves and are really trying to better themselves, that is a very important aspect to look at. Because someone does there hair or has nails doesn't say they are paying for it. Many people color, perm and curl there own hair. Many women do there own nails. I think they should be respected for taking pride in themselves rather than not combing there hair and having dirty nails. I really do not think they should be judged for this. There was probably a time when they needed to ask for help, where they felt helpless. As the old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by it's Cover", you never know what's inside of it. I hope you never have a tragedy that happens in your life that cause you to ask for help but I think until you have been in this situation, you can not relate.

I was doing some reading for a Public Law class I'm taking, and I came across an article about how most agencies that dole out assistance are highly underfunded. That means they're most likely to make mistakes and reject people who deserve the assistance, and accept people who really don't.

I appreciate the spirit of your post. I get that you are trying to say that the system is easy to take advantage of, and that some (not all) do, while others get the shaft. I agree with you. I want to say, though, that disenfranchised people will assert their power in whatever way is available to them. If they have been raised in generational poverty, then "working" the system might be all they know about getting by. The educational system routinely fails people in poverty, and they are using their intelligence in a logical way--not an ethical way, but a logical way.

Second, I don't know about the rules from state to state, but in a lot of systems, food stamps cover very little fresh produce, lean meats, and good dairy. And when it is covered, what are you going to choose? If a bunch of grapes costs as much as two bags of Doritos, and the Doritos fill you up more, what are you going to choose? Processed foods cost less. I'm not saying it's the wise decision, but I can see how people might come to that decision.

http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman

Apparently, you haven't really studied the topic. There is social security, SSI (supplemental security), SSDI (disability), and the general FSSA welfare program. FSSA supplies food stamps, Medicaid, and cash assistance.

FSSA works with poor families with new kids which sounds like that's what you were partially talking about. There is a time frame for people to be off the system. It's not a permanent thing.

FSSA also works with the other groups- SS, SSI, and SSDI. These monthly payments are generally quite low, and assistance is often necessary. If your doctor deems you permanently disabled, you still have to have your doctor fill out new forms every few years.

The government does try to catch lies. A friend's neighbor was on disability for a back injury. He initially couldn't work, but was fine within a few months. He started working for a buddy under the table. I don't know who does the investigations, but they had pictures of him on his motorcycle and at his new construction job. He was fined severely.

-Sonja
"Democracy works only when you vote. When you don't take the time to vote for the candidate you find the least offensive, you run the risk of electing the candidate you find the most offensive."

I may be a bit late to respond to the original blog, but I do understand where you are coming from. Not just food stamps either, social security as well. It deeply frustrates me to know that there are many people living on dollars a day for whatever reason, be it that they are disabled, a single parent, stuck in a rut, etc...It frustrates me even further to know that SOME people are taking advantage of what the government is offering. I know many people who are able bodied, some even with a college education, that are taking advantage of this system. They are too lazy, and selfish to get a job...I cannot imagine living my life off of an income meant for someone else(who really needs it)...

You don't think it's right to use food stamps because she took a bath and got dressed? Go up and ask her who does her nails? Where'd she get her hair cut? Tell her you love it. I'm sure she'll let you know you can get one too from her sister who also does her nails for nothing. She got her pretty top at the local thrift store's 50% discount day. Her kids look raggedy because they play so hard and are wearing hand-me-downs from their older brothers, sisters and cousins.
If you have never been that poor, you will never know how hard these women struggle.
I recommend my blog to all of you who like to label single mothers as users and losers.