Do you think General Welfare Programs will ruin our nation?

1. 60

   Foodeeeposted 9 years ago

   Do you think General Welfare Programs will ruin our nation?
   
   Mainly, Giving welfare checks to individuals with no income. OR  Free housing to those who are homeless.
   
   

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2. 76

   my_girl_saraposted 9 years ago

   Define ruin. Welfare, equality of wage, healthcare, they are all factors that play into the growing numbers of Americans leaving the middle class and entering into the lower classes.
   http://theweek.com/article/index/255634 … ton-is-mia
   
   The problem, in my opinion, is that too many people think that more goverment involvement is the answer. Government needs to get out of our way!

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry, I should have been more clear. By ruin I mean put our economy in a state where our government and society go bankrupt.
      
      Sorry I can't edit my original question.

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   2. 78

      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Welfare programs make up 11 percent of the total federal budget. If we eliminated it right now it would be many years before seeing a dent in the deficit.  Healthcare 27%, Pensions 25%, Defense 22% are the major costs. We owe China $ for the wars

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Its true the federal gov spends 400 million on welfare programs while the total budget is 3.6 billion.

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      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Agree totally!

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3. 92

   WiccanSageposted 9 years ago

   I grew up in a so-called 'welfare neighborhood' where everyone was impoverished enough to be on something-- even if just medicade and food stamps. Many got everything- day care, housing, cash, bill help, etc.
   
   I do think welfare is a safety net we need, but I believe the population that take advantage of it exceeds the population that actually needs it.
   
   I'm not insensitive to living in poverty, but I've learned from my own experiences that there is a pervasive mentality that keeps a lot of people impoverished, and welfare significantly helps contribute to that mentality.
   
   The system is too flawed to really work. It needs some serious rethinking.

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Nice comments, I agree something needs to be done with the system the way it is now.

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   Alphadogg16posted 9 years ago

   Absolutely.....I think there are more people on welfare that actually abuse the system more then the people who actually need it. If your on government assistance, you can't afford the lifestyle/children you have, why would you keep having children?? There are many people that need a little help to get back on their feet and can't get assistance because of the lazy freeloaders. Both our welfare and prison systems is need a drastic makeover. We spend 40K a year on inmates but don't help people who actually need it and are a productive part of society.

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Its true the system is being cheated. How can it be fixed is the real questions. I was under the impression inmate cost were higher than that but I don't really know.

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      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      THANK YOU, PREACH ON Alphadogg.  Couldn't have agreed with you more!

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5. 78

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   It's doubtful the country would go bankrupt aiding children, the elderly, and sick. Hopefully we can avoid getting into anymore multi-trillion dollar wars for awhile being financed by China purchasing U.S. T- Bills.
   We owe China a ton of money which keeps us from pressuring them to make changes with regard to human rights in their country.
   The population rate in the U.S. has slowed down dramatically. In fact one of the reasons there are fears regarding Social Security is there are not enough young people to pay into it to support us aging "baby boomers". As we retire and die off there are likely to be more job opportunities for younger generations.
   Oftentimes people forget that innocent (children) are the majority of people who are supported by welfare.
   They had no say in who their parents would be or how their formative years would be shaped. Until we can find a way to pass on aid to poor children without entrusting their parents with money/benefits for them it will be difficult to make any radical changes.
   Back in 2006 a report revealed at that time about $59 billion is spent on traditional social welfare programs. $92 billion is spent on corporate subsidies. So, the government spent 50% more on "corporate welfare" than it did on food stamps and housing assistance in 2006. http://thinkbynumbers.org/government-sp … tatistics/ 
   Even with the government "bail out" it was geared towards "Wall Street" and not "Main Street"
   Our battles are not so much about lack of money but rather how tax revenues (should) be spent. The average person's image of someone on welfare is of someone refusing to work and living in the "lap of luxury". The reality is the people the government is trying to help are the innocent (children). No industrialized government will ever turn it's back on children.

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Although I agree with most of your answer. Let's not over simplify the situation with repeating "innocent children"  throughout you statement. And I don't think any intelligent person feels those on welfare are in a "lap of Luxury"

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      WiccanSageposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I worry more about what welfare does for the people- kids who grow up with a mentality of dependency, who don't really understand what it is to be self-sufficient (not temp. users, but regulars). I think business & job growth is the answer.

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Wiccan, that was what I was really looking for. I didn't word the question in a way to make it obvious but the true answer is how can people become dependent on themselves or Self-empowered. <--- you like dashing?

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      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Foodeee, Innocent children is not an overly simplification. What 5 year old has control over their circumstances? If it weren't for having children most adults would not qualify for getting welfare. No child asks to be born to lazy parents.

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Its an over simplification since many different circumstances can be true to allow someone to qualify for welfare not just having children. Please don't tug at heart strings for a system that is supremely flawed. I'm not saying dump it, but fix it.

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   6. 78

      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The typical "long-term" welfare family is comprised of a mother and two children. Single mothers make up 90% of the welfare recipients. Yes, there are some adults who get food stamps or disability funds. However the 90% on welfare involve children

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I can't find records to support your stats. But, I think we can agree that the system needs repaired in some manner.

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      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed!

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6. 57

   Snøwmanposted 9 years ago

   If it's done the right way. It will help. If it's done the wrong way, it won't.
   
   How welfare should work.
   
   Money and supplies are received by donations and not taxes. Taking someones things without their permission is always theft. You wouldn't rob the bank to help the poor, but you would donate to charity to help the poor.
   
   If you give a man a fish you feed him for a lifetime. We need to teach them how to live on their own. We can't have these people dependent on the government. Yes, we can give them things, but we also need to help them be independent. Many of the poor are willing, they just need a little kick start.
   
   Also welfare is a state issue. There should never be federal welfare or federal health care programs. The 10th amendment says the government can only do what is in the constitution and nothing else.
   
   I know that "promote the general welfare" is in the preamble. Back when it was written welfare meant well being or happiness. It comes from the word weal. The government shouldn't provoke the people, they shouldn't be unjust, etc. that's what welfare in the preamble means. It doesn't mean using taxes to help the poor.

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks snowman I didn't know the meaning behind welfare. That does make sense now that you say it...  Reread your fish statement. LOL... But, I know what you meant.

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      Snøwmanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for letting me know. I totally messed up the quote there and now I can't edit it.

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   fpherj48posted 9 years ago

   Foodeee.......Ruin our Nation?  It's fairly blatant to me that our misdirected, corrupt and clueless government is doing a bang-up job in ruining our country in numerous ways.  No need to isolate one program.
   
   However, having said this, "welfare programs" shouldn't be the first programs to be attacked, especially at this incredibly shaky economic period.
   
   What sort of mind-set is it that would consider beating up on those at poverty level and below?  Can we really choose to take away even FOOD from people who struggle to survive....while the wealthy Fat Cats continue to OWN the country?   Shall we cruelly say, "Oh well, too bad for the less fortunate?"
   
   Of course there are "abuses" in the system......with ALL programs.  We also spend money to establish watch-dog departments to most all programs.  Maybe they should earn their money and really monitor social welfare programs closely.  It's vital that limits be imposed where ever feasible.
   
   Except for the elderly or truly disabled, government assistance should be utilized as a temporary support system, while men & women get an education, job training, family planning and household budget counseling.   Not every individual just automatically knows and understands these things.
   
   A little education, guidance and temporary support goes a very long way in preparing and encouraging people to be self-sufficient.
   And speaking of.....If anything can ruin our Nation......I suggest lack of or poor EDUCATION can do it!

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      Foodeeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your voice.  It is so very true that education is a keystone in the way our countries prospers. Pennsylvania education is on the DOWNSWING unfortunately. I have 2 boys in school that I have to reteach what the school fails to.

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