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I am wondering how a person reaches a point when they feel they deserve something or many things from the government? Not accepting the help when needed, but when it turns to imo, using the system? Or is it none of my business, it is there for the taking and some are just going to take it?
I fully understand doing what has to be done to make ends meet till you are able to again.:confused:
Well, I think most people who go on assistance of some kind do use it as a last resort, and I believe people with kids will go on it sooner than a single person.
But that is really such a small part of what the government does, or how it helps all of us. I presume you aren't talking about Seniors who get SS or medicare. Or disabled vets. I know the BIG FOCUS has been on 'welfare queens/kings', or food stamps, but that isn't really where the money goes, and to be honest, it's kind of cowardly of some politicians to focus their budget knife on these less fortunate among us. It doesn't take much courage to toss grandma, or the little poor kid, under the bus. It takes a little more courage to tell your rich donors that the corporate welfare gravy train is stopping. It takes more courage to tell the fat cat who isn't hurting for anything that in order to take care of the less fortunate, basic food, shelter and medical when they need it, you just can't have your wealthy industry subsidized, or even pony up a bit more.
Frankly, I think the number of people who simply 'use' the system, as you say, is pretty small. And I'm thinking you would be surprised who is on that list.
No I did not mean this post to be about the SS medicare vet and such, I should have stated that.
I am peeved today. I have a family member who has worked the system imo many times over. Today alone was a converstaion about the cable premium bundle package. I mention the cell phone they have, OH that is a government supplied phone he says. My mouth drops open. I have watched so many things they have used/taken in the last many years, that now they feel entitled. I see the vacations and sporting events, newer car purchase last week. All while getting reduced lunches for the kids.........I know this is the tip of the iceburg or maybe they are the only ones.
Lately I've been meeting people in California who are on disability. It's a little disturbing. One stays home and does arts and crafts all day. She told me excitedly that she had had a stroke and heart attack, and that the doctor said that she can't work anymore. She's very energetic and enthusiastic about knitting, beading, crocheting, etc...She and her mother are hoarders. They're very nice, but the home is depressing.
The other woman told me that she worked for CPS and went on "medical leave" because they were overloading her with cases. She teaches knitting and is trying to sell knitting needles and supplies on line. She is very smart, capable, and experienced.
I believe there are a lot of people doing this. My SIL was able to get a doctor's note during her pregnancy for disability. She stayed home and made notecards. (She hated her job.) Some people really know how to work the system.
I have a couple of friends who really are disabled. (One broke his neck during a rehearsal, the other fell 50 feet through a trap door during a show, due to a stage manager's error.) It's such a difference to see their situations.)
I know there are a lot of people who need assistance. I just also feel there are many in California who are collecting disability, when they could work.
It's my guess the real users among us are balanced out by those who, though legitimately needy, don't seek help.
Agree. And it's my guess that for every one of these cases where the system is "abused" (and I always have to keep in mind there's no way for me to truly know) there are probably five more people in your life who have used the safety net to get themselves through a hard patch and you will never know, because they are too ashamed to admit it.
I have horror stories just like everyone else. But I still choose to think abuses are the exception rather than the rule.
I'm ALL for tightening up the requirements to receive government aid. I think many of these should go through a mandatory, supervised overhaul and should start yesterday. I do think it's too slack in a lot of cases. But that's not the same as gutting these programs, which is what's being proposed in many places across the country. To me, people who propose changing the system by simply taking away funding (not accompanied by reforms to ensure the program's still there for people who depend on it) are just as lazy -- or lazier -- than the people they are pointing fingers at.
DH and I were watching "Capitalism: A Love Story"--the Michael Moore movie. I liked it, and definitely was in sync with him on a lot of things. But he had one part where a family had been evicted from their home after the housing bust, and then the local neighbors organized and moved the family back into their home. Moore's movie made it seem like the family had every right to be there and that Bank of America had no right to claim its assets. Believe me, I'm not a fan of BofA at all, but I can't really side with people who haven't paid their mortgage in years, either. (From what I understand, the Trody family continues to live there. They hadn't paid their mortgage in 3 years before the eviction, and they have yet to pay it).
My DH did a video for the AARP to lobby against Christie's property tax programs for seniors. He made it a real tear jerker (he's great at doing that), but frankly, the video's theme, that every senior has a right to their homes whether or not they can afford them, was something I could not buy into. If you can't afford your house, get a cheaper one.
In general, I HATE attitudes of entitlement, but I still believe in the "entitlement" social programs of SS, Medicare and Medicaid.
Perhaps they see a system nakedly slanted against them at every turn. They see stuff like: banks get bailed out, underwater homeowners mostly not bailed although some are sitting in their houses for a couple years paying no mortgage (that's a good scam if you can do it), honest homeowners paying through the nose, new potential homeowners priced out by every trick in the book. Housing is only an example I'm using here for a MUCH larger system of graft and corruption. They see stuff like this again and again, how playing by the rules means playing the fool, and it's enough to make anyone want to cheat the system.
there are not many programs someone without kids qualifies for, very few and very far between. We childless people are just here to pay most of the taxes, that's why we were put on earth see ... :~)Quote:
and I believe people with kids will go on it sooner than a single person.
Family members can be some pretty bad examples. Trust me there is nothing on earth to kill ones faith in humanity like family, that's my quote of the day. Of strangers I can assume the best, of family members well .... no.Quote:
I am peeved today. I have a family member who has worked the system imo many times over.
Big business hire staff whose job it is to know and acquire everything they are "entitled" to from the government.
I know of more bad cases then good. I believe that in a lot of cases, that MAY (doesn't mean is) mean that those who really need it, don't want the stigma of it. (at least locally) A good portion of the abuse cases that I hear, are from generationers (ones who have learned how to abuse the system from their parents/spouses/neighbors/friends). I believe that is the closest your going to find to an answer to your question.
I know what a basic cell phone goes for, as mine, if I started new, would cost $100 a year. Yet in an area that is known for "welfare kings/queens" (a term I had never heard before an above post), the state pays more then that and they have "smart phones" which are a lot more then a basic phone, that is what was supposed to be provided. I frequently hear about the selling food for drug busts, etc. between a friend who works at the grocery store in the middle of that area, as well as local law enforcement.
The ones we think of as abuse cases, are typically nosier (flagrant).