When is enough, enough?

[NastyWoman]

Seems like dt isn't content with just cutting SNAP (the foodstamp program) now he is considering to make it even less likely that people depending on foodstamps will have a place to use them. I am quite sure I am not the only one that has read article after arcticle about how hard it can by for people living in low income areas to have access to fresh food.  Heck, the USDA even has mapped out where these areas are (www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas/)

And now we are even considering this? 

www.cnbc.com/2017/06/07/trump-wants-to-start-charging-stores-to-accept-food-stamps.html

"That provision is a new fee that the White House wants to charge retailers that accept food stamps, which is now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The Office of Management and Budget said the fee would be assessed when stores sign up and would require renewal after five years. The budget office said the amount would depend on the size and type of retailer, but the president's budget estimates that the fee would generate $2.4 billion in revenue over the next decade. ..."

If you agree with this approach please let me know why? It is a well known fact that I don't care for dt, but anyone living in the lap of luxury on my dime should at least pretend to have some decency IMO!

[zibazinski]

There's already a thread on this

[suesinfl]

He's such an ass. This is a much better idea:

"13 Alabama counties saw 85 percent drop in food stamp participation after work requirements restarted"

www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/06/13_alabama_counties_had_85_per.html

[Opti]

Jun 7, 2017 18:10:44 GMT -5 suesinfl said:

He's such an ass. This is a much better idea:

"13 Alabama counties saw 85 percent drop in food stamp participation after work requirements restarted"

www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/06/13_alabama_counties_had_85_per.html

I didn't see it in this article, but I just read a couple articles on how what happened was the food stamps were cut off to anyone 18 to 49 with no children after 3 months if they didn't find enough work to stay on the program. I hope the 18 to 29 year olds could continue to live at home or return, but I feel for the 30 to 49 year old set.

[Deleted]

So the overall rate didn't drop... just the rate among this specific population, age 18-49 with no dependents not working...?

[Opti]

Apparently yes. Not sure if I missed it in the posted URL or not.

Among the 13 counties, there were 5,538 adults ages 18-50 without dependents receiving food stamps as of Jan. 1, 2017. That number dropped to 831 - a decline of about 85 percent - by May 1, 2017.

www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/06/13_alabama_counties_had_85_per.html

If you want to encourage people to breed to have benefits, this might do it. An article I read said most of these people have an annual income in the range of $2000 to just under $6000. Hopefully some go to food pantries but its carb rich which means additional weight. Alabama is already #2 in obesity state wise.

Another thing to look at, the cuts will impact Alabama more than most states.

www.cnn.com/2017/05/22/politics/trump-food-stamp-snap-impact-trnd/

[suesinfl]

I don't want families that are working and trying to better themselves not to receive a hand up, heaven knows they probably need it. I know years ago just after my divorce, paying for childcare, bills and no child support, I used the help. But I knew it was just for a few months until I could straighten out my financials.  

I'm just tired of people abusing the system for generations. If they are not willing to help themselves, then I'm not willing to help them. Of course there are special circumstances.

[Shooby]

When is enough enough for working people to get squashed with taxes while so many choose to sit at home with their cell phones watching Netflix?  

[dezii]

Jun 7, 2017 19:24:26 GMT -5 suesinfl said:

I don't want families that are working and trying to better themselves not to receive a hand up, heaven knows they probably need it. I know years ago just after my divorce, paying for childcare, bills and no child support, I used the help. But I knew it was just for a few months until I could straighten out my financials.  

I'm just tired of people abusing the system for generations. If they are not willing to help themselves, then I'm not willing to help them. Of course there are special circumstances.

there  are some who abuse the system...there are also so many who are working full time but just aren't earning enough today to eat well...Get a higher paying job....? Fine and if not available or not qualified...then if some help is available by our government...for this middle to the left ...fine by me...it's that damn liberal streak in me...

I know my aid who puts in a full eight hours with me , and very important to me...became eligible recently...has to reapply in six months...glad for her and her husband...don't feel she is ripping off the system at all...

[NastyWoman]

Jun 7, 2017 21:05:16 GMT -5 Shooby said:

When is enough enough for working people to get squashed with taxes while so many choose to sit at home with their cell phones watching Netflix?  

I provided two links in the OP and challenge you to do the same to back up this statement. TYIA

[zibazinski]

Jun 7, 2017 22:30:01 GMT -5 dezii said:

Jun 7, 2017 19:24:26 GMT -5 suesinfl said:

I don't want families that are working and trying to better themselves not to receive a hand up, heaven knows they probably need it. I know years ago just after my divorce, paying for childcare, bills and no child support, I used the help. But I knew it was just for a few months until I could straighten out my financials.  

I'm just tired of people abusing the system for generations. If they are not willing to help themselves, then I'm not willing to help them. Of course there are special circumstances.

there  are some who abuse the system...there are also so many who are working full time but just aren't earning enough today to eat well...Get a higher paying job....? Fine and if not available or not qualified...then if some help is available by our government...for this middle to the left ...fine by me...it's that damn liberal streak in me...

I know my aid who puts in a full eight hours with me , and very important to me...became eligible recently...has to reapply in six months...glad for her and her husband...don't feel she is ripping off the system at all...

Maybe you should pay her better. Isn't that always the answer?

[dezii]

Jun 8, 2017 4:58:29 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Jun 7, 2017 22:30:01 GMT -5 dezii said:

there  are some who abuse the system...there are also so many who are working full time but just aren't earning enough today to eat well...Get a higher paying job....? Fine and if not available or not qualified...then if some help is available by our government...for this middle to the left ...fine by me...it's that damn liberal streak in me...

I know my aid who puts in a full eight hours with me , and very important to me...became eligible recently...has to reapply in six months...glad for her and her husband...don't feel she is ripping off the system at all...

Maybe you should pay her better. Isn't that always the answer?

That is a silly suggestion....whether I or others can afford to pay what they can...?

In my case I paid already...a very hefty premium for years...hoping never have to use the benefits of the policy...Trust me, one does not want to go through the months of therapy...staying at one of these rehab centers...my kids going through my stuff , spending time away from their families.....getting rid of so much, dealing with my illness......not knowing if I would ever get back home  or possible better live closer to them..[New England...from South Florida}...making the decision to stay South Florida...living unit paid for in full...minimum taxes...also cost of health aids much less then the New England area...and spending mucho $ to completely modernized my living unit...my costs. so the fact is, there are jobs out there that people will work full time but the income in todays world...rent..insurance, power, clothing food...just does not add up. In our country one of the wealthiest in the world...one of the political parties feel for those folks..and the disabled, sick...the government will help out...th other political party while believing possible the same...believes a bit less help should be offered.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I know fraud exists, there is no system designed by humans that is not exploited by another human being.

That being said I do not believe that there are millions of welfare kings and queens out there solely on benefits to suck the government dry because they can.

I used medicaid for the kids while unemployed and along with that since Abby was under one year old at the time came mountains of paperwork for other types of aid. I spent an hour on the phone trying to explain to them I did not need WIC or food stamps so please don't sign me up.

As I was looking thru all the hoops you have to jump thru to stay on benefits, holy crap.   I cannot blame people for "gaming" the system, it is designed to keep you in poverty because if you start to climb out of the hole you lose your benefits pretty quickly.  Childcare aid here is one of the worst for that.  I need daycare to work.   My 1%- 3% raise this year is going to be going towards the 5% increase in my health insurance but if I was on assistance that would be enough to kick me off.   Doesn't matter I won't see a dime of that in my checking account.
 
Then I was looking at the asset requirements and while yes I understand they don't want you having a fortune hidden somewhere while on benefits JFC they could at least allow you to have a $5k emergency fund so when you do finally get out you have enough saved that you don't immeaditely land back in.   Same in regards to owning a car.   Our public transportation system is complete shit and companies are not building in residential areas, they get massive tax breaks for building farther and farther out.   You want people to work you need to provide them with a way to get to work, at least allow for a car.  I drive a 2005 Impala, nothing fancy but according to the KBB value I wouldn't be allowed to keep it if I was on aid.

So what are you supposed to do?  I cannot blame people for "gaming" the system when if you try to improve your lot you can end up even worse off than you were before.

I am all for creating/providing real jobs for people on welfare and helping them step up rather than keeping them ground under our boots so we can feel morally superior to all those no good lazy moochers.

I'm also all for staggering benefits so instead of losing your child care benefits overnight because you recieved a 1% raise six months ago you are still able to get some assistance but it drops as your income rises so as time goes on your income will eventually cover the costs or out pace it.

There is a massive shortage of qualified roofers here.   Why can't the state create job training programs for the trades to help those on welfare?  That would provide the labor people need, stimulate the economy and give those doing the job valuable skills to help them stay off welfare.

It would require massive real actual change in our mindset about welfare/the poor and how the system is managed.  We need to start asking hard questions and taking hard stances with those IN CHARGE of the programs to step up and properly direct/manage the funds they are given to actual better the lives of those who live in poverty.

That's too hard though.  It's easier to keep throwing money into the same broken system and then look down our noses at those stuck in it.

[suesinfl]

Jun 8, 2017 10:27:39 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

I know fraud exists, there is no system designed by humans that is not exploited by another human being.

That being said I do not believe that there are millions of welfare kings and queens out there solely on benefits to suck the government dry because they can.

I used medicaid for the kids while unemployed and along with that since Abby was under one year old at the time came mountains of paperwork for other types of aid. I spent an hour on the phone trying to explain to them I did not need WIC or food stamps so please don't sign me up.

As I was looking thru all the hoops you have to jump thru to stay on benefits, holy crap.   I cannot blame people for "gaming" the system, it is designed to keep you in poverty because if you start to climb out of the hole you lose your benefits pretty quickly.  Childcare aid here is one of the worst for that.  I need daycare to work.   My 1%- 3% raise this year is going to be going towards the 5% increase in my health insurance but if I was on assistance that would be enough to kick me off.   Doesn't matter I won't see a dime of that in my checking account.
 
Then I was looking at the asset requirements and while yes I understand they don't want you having a fortune hidden somewhere while on benefits JFC they could at least allow you to have a $5k emergency fund so when you do finally get out you have enough saved that you don't immeaditely land back in.   Same in regards to owning a car.   Our public transportation system is complete shit and companies are not building in residential areas, they get massive tax breaks for building farther and farther out.   You want people to work you need to provide them with a way to get to work, at least allow for a car.  I drive a 2005 Impala, nothing fancy but according to the KBB value I wouldn't be allowed to keep it if I was on aid.

So what are you supposed to do?  I cannot blame people for "gaming" the system when if you try to improve your lot you can end up even worse off than you were before.

I am all for creating/providing real jobs for people on welfare and helping them step up rather than keeping them ground under our boots so we can feel morally superior to all those no good lazy moochers.

I'm also all for staggering benefits so instead of losing your child care benefits overnight because you recieved a 1% raise six months ago you are still able to get some assistance but it drops as your income rises so as time goes on your income will eventually cover the costs or out pace it.

There is a massive shortage of qualified roofers here.   Why can't the state create job training programs for the trades to help those on welfare?  That would provide the labor people need, stimulate the economy and give those doing the job valuable skills to help them stay off welfare.

It would require massive real actual change in our mindset about welfare/the poor and how the system is managed.  We need to start asking hard questions and taking hard stances with those IN CHARGE of the programs to step up and properly direct/manage the funds they are given to actual better the lives of those who live in poverty.

That's too hard though.  It's easier to keep throwing money into the same broken system and then look down our noses at those stuck in it.

So much this!

[mmhmm]

Jun 8, 2017 10:27:39 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

I know fraud exists, there is no system designed by humans that is not exploited by another human being.

That being said I do not believe that there are millions of welfare kings and queens out there solely on benefits to suck the government dry because they can.

I used medicaid for the kids while unemployed and along with that since Abby was under one year old at the time came mountains of paperwork for other types of aid. I spent an hour on the phone trying to explain to them I did not need WIC or food stamps so please don't sign me up.

As I was looking thru all the hoops you have to jump thru to stay on benefits, holy crap.   I cannot blame people for "gaming" the system, it is designed to keep you in poverty because if you start to climb out of the hole you lose your benefits pretty quickly.  Childcare aid here is one of the worst for that.  I need daycare to work.   My 1%- 3% raise this year is going to be going towards the 5% increase in my health insurance but if I was on assistance that would be enough to kick me off.   Doesn't matter I won't see a dime of that in my checking account.
 
Then I was looking at the asset requirements and while yes I understand they don't want you having a fortune hidden somewhere while on benefits JFC they could at least allow you to have a $5k emergency fund so when you do finally get out you have enough saved that you don't immeaditely land back in.   Same in regards to owning a car.   Our public transportation system is complete shit and companies are not building in residential areas, they get massive tax breaks for building farther and farther out.   You want people to work you need to provide them with a way to get to work, at least allow for a car.  I drive a 2005 Impala, nothing fancy but according to the KBB value I wouldn't be allowed to keep it if I was on aid.

So what are you supposed to do?  I cannot blame people for "gaming" the system when if you try to improve your lot you can end up even worse off than you were before.

I am all for creating/providing real jobs for people on welfare and helping them step up rather than keeping them ground under our boots so we can feel morally superior to all those no good lazy moochers.

I'm also all for staggering benefits so instead of losing your child care benefits overnight because you recieved a 1% raise six months ago you are still able to get some assistance but it drops as your income rises so as time goes on your income will eventually cover the costs or out pace it.

There is a massive shortage of qualified roofers here.   Why can't the state create job training programs for the trades to help those on welfare?  That would provide the labor people need, stimulate the economy and give those doing the job valuable skills to help them stay off welfare.

It would require massive real actual change in our mindset about welfare/the poor and how the system is managed.  We need to start asking hard questions and taking hard stances with those IN CHARGE of the programs to step up and properly direct/manage the funds they are given to actual better the lives of those who live in poverty.

That's too hard though.  It's easier to keep throwing money into the same broken system and then look down our noses at those stuck in it.

 Strumming their pain with her fingers, singing their lives with her words 


Very well said, drama.

[mmhmm]

Jun 8, 2017 12:16:30 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

GD it mmhmm I read that a while ago and now that song is in my head.  I can't stop whistling it, and now other guys in the office are looking at me funny.

Had to stop back in and vent. 

Sometimes, my perverse alter-ego just wins out! 

[Rob Base 2.0]

So, how much longer will 2 threads about this SAME subject be allowed to go on?....or phrased another way- when is enough, enough?

[billisonboard]

Jun 8, 2017 18:29:25 GMT -5 Rob Base 2.0 said:

So, how much longer will 2 threads about this SAME subject be allowed to go on?....or phrased another way- when is enough, enough?

So is this politics or current events? Which should they be combined into?

[mmhmm]

Jun 8, 2017 18:29:25 GMT -5 Rob Base 2.0 said:

So, how much longer will 2 threads about this SAME subject be allowed to go on?....or phrased another way- when is enough, enough?

As long as people wish to post in them. They're not on the same board. Some posters will prefer to post on one board vs another board. I don't see that as particularly problematic. You're welcome to choose to which thread you'd like to post. Should two threads about the same thing be started on the same board, those will probably be combined.