Mr Controversy Tackles: Welfare and The Deadbeats That Collect It
71Deadbeats Collecting Free Money
You know what I'm sick of? People who receive OUR hard earned tax dollars as wages for doing nothing other than laying down, spitting out a dozen babies, and driving a nicer car than I do!
How often do we walk into a grocery store, it's snowing and 30 degrees, and see a woman walking around in nice clothes, big freakin' jacket with a cart full of beer, very little food, and children wearing shorts, no shirt, or shoes? I see it more often than I'd like to. Then we get up to the check out and they're standing at the register paying for the food items with food stamps and then pulling out a wad of cash to buy the beer. Kids are crying, "Mommy, I want this, I want that!" And she tells them, "Shut up, we don't have the money." Then out in the parking lot, I see her put her children into a Hummer H2... Yeah, a friggin' Hummer with a license plate saying "MILF." No thank you! The hanging skin alone could form another person, but we'll save that for another time.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/jun/13/woman-says-her-kids-i-dont-want-them-anymore-anywa/
Welfare Hits Home
I would be willing to guess that I'm the biggest protester against Welfare and most of the people allowed to receive it... The only one that will publicly admit it anyway.
I would be willing to place good money that about 85% or more that are collecting welfare do not actually need it, because they are more than able to physically work to earn money. If those were willing to go out and work their tails off and still needed assistance, then that would be cool- we all fall short from time to time.
But whenever you have people like my cousin, whom we'll call "Molly", she's the perfect example of people taking advantage of what's offered and why new rules and criteria need to be put in place.
She's 27 years old and has six children- one of which is friggin' 13 years old. The 13 year old takes care of the other children while "Molly" sits on her McDonald loving tail watching Springer. "Molly" has no physical problems, other than the fact that she has a couch pattern tattoo on her butt to match the permanent mattress glued to her back.
Molly was collecting $1500 a month in child support. 6 Children, 6 different daddy's. But went to court to drop the child support down, because she was told by the Welfare and food stamp office that she would face a huge cut to her check due to the large amount of support that she was receiving.
"Molly" wasn't raised this way. Both of her parents worked their butts off to insure a bright future for "Molly" but she was too stupid to see it that way and proceeded to go down the path that she chose. In the process she has children, of which she doesn't care about, found out that if she has these children that tax payers will foot the bill, and drives a nice 2008 Mustang GT. Hell, why should she get a job considering we're too stupid to fight the fact that welfare needs to be fixed?
Those That Deadbeat Income Affect
Deadbeat income is the term that I've coined for people physically able to work, but choose to sit on their butts and collect a government check.
Who does this affect? It affects the elderly that worked their entire life to collect $600 a month from social security and struggle to pay their medical bills and most other bills that they have to pay to survive.
How many times have you gone into a grocery store to see the little old woman down the street put items back on the shelf, because she couldn't afford it? How many times have you seen the little old man walking into the pharmacy and only could afford to buy a couple of days worth of the pills that he needs to keep himself going? Yeah, Wal-Mart has the $4 generic Rx plan, but most of these medications that doctors prescribe now don't even include a generic option and usually cost over $150 for a full prescription.
It affects those people who have disabilities that find it difficult to get a job that offers to cater to their needs. That's right, in states that have the "Work At Will" law do NOT require employers to offer jobs to those physically disabled. Sure, that's discrimination, but they can cover up the fact that that's not the actual reason the person wasn't hired.
It affects people like you and me, that go to work every day, working 8, 10, 12 hours a day to make barely enough cash to feed our own friggin' families. People like you and me that won't have anything to fall back on whenever we reach retirement age, because the deadbeats have drained most of the funds in the process of us working our tails off.
Doesn't it tick you off that you're being taken advantage of? It should! What should tick you off even more is the fact that we're letting ourselves be taken advantage of. We're good at complaining about the crap going on around us, but not as good as we are at complaining about the crap and sitting around doing nothing about it.
Controversy Concludes
Hey, I know this article will tick alot of people off, but I'm just delivering the cold hard truth.
Even Mr. Controversy knows that people need help from time to time. That's fine and dandy on a temporary or even a minimal basis. I have no problem with someone willing to work as hard as they can possibly work and collecting a couple of hundred dollars in food stamps. Why? Because, he or she is doing all they can do to make ends meet.
My problem lies with those that are lazy and not willing to even get a Part Time job to at least pretend they're trying to put up an effort to support themselves and their family. "But I can't find a job." There are thousands on top of thousands of jobs out there, you have to look. Temp agencies have ads in the newspaper all the time.
We need to fight to make the government put a cap on welfare and those whom collect it. If you're disabled with a doctor saying that you can't physically work or you're an elderly person, then you should be taken care of. If you're just a lazy idiot just not wanting to work and have someone else take care of you, you have Six months to collect free money and then you have to get a job.
It's time for things to come to an end as I have written my piece. You're entitled to your opinion as I am mine. This hub isn't open for public debate, so if you comment, please only do so in a civilized manner instead of trying to start a "flame".
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Comments
Tonight as I write this there are 33 million Hungry Americans, 100 million are hungry world wide. 12 million children are hungry in America tonight. 30.000 children a day die of hunger in the world each and every day.
A lot of what you wrote there are urban myths. Its like the story of the penny pinching homeless lady who dies and is discovered to have several million hid in her shopping cart. She never existed.
Welfare reform did not work. It was done by greedy people and all it created was more hungry people. You know your hub page made me think about the politicians and their proposed 700 billion dollar bail out of Wal Street. People have all the wrong prioritys. When have you heard either of the two presidential canidates talk about hungry children. I just went and looked and I find none. Maybe we need to spend 700 billion on Hungry People and to keep another 33.000 children from having to die of hunger tomorrow.
Have you ever went down to a homeless shelter and helped serve a meal. Do you know that one in five people in a soup kitchen line is a child. Oh yes this country has some serious welfare problems. Problems we should all be working to try to help. Or you can be like what I call the Sunday Christians. They dress up on Sunday to be seen in their big fancy building but God help the poor hungry mother with two children that asks them for help. They will run past her on their way out the Church door on the way over to the all you can eat Buffet. Read Matthew 25 31-46. As should every one of those so called Christians. Take a walk in the true shoes of the poor before you publish more of your urban myths. Think about the children in shelters right there in your own city who probally won't have fresh milk in the morning. Think about it.
Stereotypes. That's what you're pushing here. I'd write more, but Eric and CHG have pretty well said what I would have.
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Eric, your point on the financial crisis is well noted and I'll be doing a hub on that soon. As far as the public debate conclusion. I put that there mainly to detour the folks who like to flame and only post on a topic just to start an argument. Which didn't seem to work, lol.
CHG, let me give you a penny for thought. I grew up under the roof of my grandparents collecting social security. A whopping $600 a month is what they drew together. I grew up in a house where the Meals on Wheels delivered frozen trays of food for us to eat, because we had no other way. My grandfather worked everyday of his life until he died at the age of 89 in the parking lot of a grocery store while he was pushing carts. 89 friggin' years old and pushing carts. I grew up in the line of the local shelter being served meals. I've also grown up to make my own path in life. I've watched people with my own eyes do the things that I wrote about in this hub. I've worked in places where I've seen people do this. They'll pay for very little food with their food stamps and then spend $100 on beer and cigarettes while their friggin' children are dressed for summer in winter weather. Where's the justice in that? You can call it urban myths/stereotypes all that you want to, but it's a fact that alot of people drawing government assistance don't do anything other than draw assistance. IF you had really read the hub then you would've read that I am in support of those needing assisted living as long as they are willing to help themselves. How many people out there need the help, but are turned away because they work their tale off for low wages and are still told that they make too much... I'll urge you to practice what you preach considering that I have lived the life that I wrote about and I've seen the damage that has been done, because people needing the assistance can't receive it due to those hording our tax dollars... Just because you don't PERSONALLY see what's going on doesn't mean that it isn't. I have personally seen it and if you haven't, then you, like everybody else, have turned a blind eye to it. Also, CHG I happen to go to my local soup kitchen and volunteer one day a week in support for the good work that they do. And to be honest most of the people that come in in my area are older folks with their grandchildren.
Paraglider, can't generate your own thoughts and theories on todays society? You have to follow among suit and be the "sterotypical" 'yes' man. What I'm pushing here is trying to get these people to open up their eyes and look passed their own damn hand that they hold out in front of their face. It's only considered a stereotype to most of you, because maybe you know people who really need the help. I dare each of you that read this hub to go to the nearest government housing project(s), in my town there are five projects alone, and count how many $20,000-$30,000 cars that sit in the parking lot. I dare each of you to go to the local school, where these underprivileged children go to school and take notice to what they're wearing and what their parents are wearing. I dare each of you to go down to the grocery store and count how many parents choose beer as their priority over their children that they're supposed to be taking care of... Will you do that? Doubtful, because nobody cares that they're millions of starving children out there in this world (you say you do, but you do nothing to help the situation but fight about it). What I'm trying to push paraglider is an easier, help yourself out and we'll help you, way. If someone isn't willing to get off of their soap opera loving tail, then they don't deserve the help, even though their children will likely suffer, but their concern will most likely be that they don't have beer money.
This is the cold hard truth and if you're not willing to look passed your own damn hand and lend it to help out a brother or sister in need, then shut up. This is the reason America is in the shape it's in.
If you had read my hubs you would see I do practice what I preach. I'm in several dumpsters a night collecting food to feed hungry people who get $10 a month in food stamps from the wonderful welfare system under welfare reform. In my town there are very few luxury automobile cars at the housing projects. You see I have been doing this for a number of years. I have worked for Catholic Charities in one way or another for the last 40 years. I see it all and then some. I and a great group of volunteers got together a couple of years ago to try to change things for the better. We have soup kitchens , shelters , community gardens , group homes , and etc. You are a good writer. Just research deeper and pick your projects. Right now hubs on the two wonderful political canidates would create just what your looking for. You have a great ideal mate just the wrong subject and wrong approach. While we have written these words here back and forth another 30.000 children have died worldwide from hunger. I hold these children in my arms on a daily basis. I know they are hungry. The current welfare system does not work. But I know of no one in my Parish getting rich off of it. Welfare Fraud in todays modern world is no where near what it once was. Welfare reform under Clinton and Bush cut many needy people from the rolls that needed to be there. I see and talk to them every day. They run to meet our food trucks. I never used to see that. I am seeing now in America what I saw in Africa 30 years ago. I see young men cry with joy at the site of a few sandwiches and bags of chips. I see Grandmothers cry when we carry and leave boxes of groceries we have rescued from dumpsters at their doors. I see the thanks on their faces. Hunger is very real in America. And our two great presidential candidates don't even mention it. But you can believe I write them every night and send them videos. So you see I for one am doing something about it. And thanks for writing what you have so I had a chance to write this here. The world needs to know. Americas children are hungry.
I have to be perfectly honest; your hub does sound like it's an uber-basher of those on Welfare. I do agree that there are people who take extreme advantage of the system, but there are those who depserately need it. Though I have to admit, people claiming disability with ADHD are pathetic, and I've seen numerous folks do it. Even with bad backs, you can still do something. If it's to the point where you can't move or bend to a specific degree, yeah, staying at home is a lot safer. My dad has had a bad back since he was in his 20's, due to an explosion on a Naval ship he was on, but he's still working his tail off to make ends meet. And those that claim obesity as a disibility? I'm sorry, but that makes me sick. If it's a genuine condition you cannot get rid of no matter what you do, it makes some sense. But come on; hit the damn treadmill already, will you? Stop stuffing your face with Twinkies and eat a salad!
Welfare has it's pros and cons, but it's those who take advantage of the system that make all of Welfare recipients look bad when some are honestly doing their best.
Updated with a newspaper article. Submit a search and you'll see dozens more.
CHG, I commend you on your efforts and understand what you're saying, but you're failing to see the point I am making. Welfare fraud is far from a thing of the past. It's the reason that you're gathering food for folks only drawing $10 a month for foodstamps. According to a social worker over 49,000 people have been arrested this year alone in my state for commiting wellfare fraud. "Borrowing" their friends children, having children and giving them up to their parents care while not reporting it to the government. Go down to your local court house and ask to see the arrest reports for this year alone. I was overwhelmed by just a small amount when I went. When I asked the local court clerk she brought me around 1,200 reports for this year alone in my county. Sadly 8 of those arrests were social workers making false claims for those people that were denied welfare. If 49,000 people have been arrested so far in my state for welfare fraud. Wouldn't it be safe to say that the numbers could match up to that if not more in other area's? I'd be willing to bet that in bigger cities the number probably matches that of my state alone... My hub was issued to make people aware that hundreds of children die each day in America, probably more, due starvation. These children belong to parents/grandparents who were told that they weren't eligable to receive assistance. All the while people like my cousin smile all the way to the bank. While my great aunt sits at home not able to afford healthcare and if it weren't for the local church- she wouldn't eat. She draws $870 a month (sounds like alot for social security), but not when you figure in that she has to pay $110 a month for medicare, $475 a month for medication that she NEEDS that medicare will NOT cover, $100 a month to pay for her hospitol bills that were turned over to collections and they keep adding up as she just went again this past Saturday night. Where's the justice in that? She's 84 years old. Is she supposed to go out and get a job with her health? I find it appauling that people are so quick to jump on what's popular or go along with who's popular and SETTLE for this because it doesn't affect them. It affects all of us. It affects those who NEED help and can't receive it. It affects those who currently receive assistance and NEED it.
Kika, thanks for your comment. My hub is far from bashing those on welfare. It's bashing those collecting welfare and refuse to work if they're able to, Noting the reasons of why some people collect disability is the perfect example and it would be safe to say that something like that is going on in your area, too.
Mr Controversy - you come in here and write two hubs then tell me I can't generate my own thoughts. How many of mine have you read? Your thoughts are hardly original, which is why I called them stereotypes. Instead of making assumptions about those of us who do you the courtesy of reading your stuff, why don't you get your head down and produce a body of work worthy of consideration?
Paraglider, I don't care what you've wrote about or how much you've written about- it's hardly original material. There's no such thing anymore... You wrote,
"Stereotypes. That's what you're pushing here. I'd write more, but Eric and CHG have pretty well said what I would have."
Why even bother commenting if you weren't going to add anything? You did the "popular" thing by following suit. I, myself, don't follow trends and I make sure that I make everything that I say count. They call me Mr. Controversy, because I go against the popular decision of "just letting it be." I work my ass off trying to give my family the life that they deserve. I take time away from my family to help those people in need of help. Why? Because our government won't. Read what I write Paraglider, ALOT OF THESE FOLKS COLLECT FREE MONEY AND 'SIT' ON THEIR 'ASS' WHENEVER THEY ARE 'PHYSICALLY' ABLE TO 'WORK'. This is the reason for the hub. Next time read and make sure you understand the content, before you go with the popular vote.
Paraglider, I don't care what you've wrote about or how much you've written about- it's hardly original material. There's no such thing anymore.
Exactly - you don't care what others think. You just want to shoot your mouth off. I read your hub, every word, and reached my conclusion. Welfare scroungers are the stuff of Oprah and her ilk. They are also the beloved of the gutter press who would do anything in their power to divert public outrage from where it should be directed to targets of least resistance - welfare, immigration, whatever. While folk get hot under the collar about these unfortunates, the Executive will casually rob them of another $700 Bn.
OK - I know there are welfare scroungers. Your hub told me nothing new. But thanks anyway.
Paraglider, if you had read my hub then you would have seen that it was more of a "plea" to get everyone into motion. All we hear about in the U.S. is the state of the economy, the recession, or whatever anybody wants to call it. And the welfare squanderers are partly to do with the reason social security is in the shape that it's in, it's partly the reason that America is in the shape that it's in. We complain about it happening, but when it comes to actually standing up and fighting for what's right, we have people saying, "that's just too much work," and then we have people like you taking it completely out of context and bringing attention to something that has nothing to do with it.
I never said I didn't care what others think. I said that I didn't care about the content of your hubs regarding this issue. Your hubs are irrelevent to the topic at hand. I didn't write this hub from an informative standpoint. I wrote this hub as a reminder of what's going on in America and the welfare system and to urge the people to join together and fight for what they believe is right.
If you want to flame, you go right on ahead. Crucify me for trying to get something done about the elderly's living situation. Crucify me for trying to urge American's to do the right thing and force those who CAN work to GO TO work. Crucify me for trying to put food on the table for children that don't belong to me. Children who look at you with tears in there eyes as if they were saying, "Why us?" Why not crucify those who choose to buy beer, cigarettes, and pay the cable/satalite bill instead of properly taking care of their children. Priorities have gone to hell quick. And sadly against your opinion, they're not mine.
I'm not into crucifixion my friend, any more than i'm into shallow single-issue politics. Good luck with your hubbing :)
This is so good! I know exactly what you are talking about. It is horrible that hard working mothers like myself ( I also deal with health problems) we work so hard to support our kids and I HAVE NEVER BEEN ON WELFARE and I am proud of it! ( not to say that some people who really need help shouldn't deserve help, but not for the lazy worthless women who are milking the system) And yet I see so many women on welfare getting their nails done, driving nice cars, getting Section 8 and cheating the system and IT ISN'T FAIR.
By the way did you know that in California if you are a felon and are unable to get a job due to your record, if you have kids the welfare never expires. Usually you only have like 3 years and then it shuts off. But if you are a criminal you are actually rewarded by being given money every month out of pity since they can't get a job! THAT PISSES ME OFF.
The system is broken. Its up to mouthy people like us to fix it or at least make a ruckus until they do fix it. GOOD HUB!!!
Its narrow-minded people like yourself that keeps those that NEED food stamps, like those that are elderly and disabled from applying for them in the first place.I have MS and I am appalled at the rude remarks and dirty looks i get from people. People complain that I take too long scanning my card, they complain that i take too long punching in the numbers, they complain that I dont 'look' like I need food stsamps. complain complain complain...if people dont like that im on them then I suggest you either go to a different store or another checkout line.
Marsha, I fail to see how I am the narrow-minded individual that you're saying that I am. The fact is, there are many people in this world in need of assistance, but can't get it due to others sponging off of a corrupted system. My argument is there are people who can physically work, but choose not to, because they're getting a free ride.
I'm fighting for those who do NEED it, but can't get it. And for those collecting it, there needs to be a severe revamping of what food stamps actually covers. Food stamps should cover only items that are necessary to live a healthy life- not potato chips, not soft drinks, not cookies, and not the many other novelties that many hard working people can't afford due to their priorities being in the right place.
How do you feel seeing the coked up baby factory in front of you spending $400 in food stamps for nothing but junk food and fillet Mignon's while you only get $75 a month to not even cover essentials a quarter of the way through the month? I manage a Grocery store and see this crap with my own eyes. I had a guy ask me if we had any dated meat to take home to feed his dogs, because food stamps won't cover dog food. Food stamps won't cover the $100 in alcohol that he had either, but it would cover the frozen pizza for his three kids he had with him. And you call me narrow-minded?
Eric Graudins says:
15 months ago
You make some good points, but I'm sure that payments to people who are wrongly claiming welfare are insignificant when compared to the current bailout of the people who are responsible for creating the current financial problems and made fortunes doing it.
Also, you post this on a public site, state outright that you are generating controversy, and then state that the topic is not available for public debate. Curious.