In general, I don't think people assume "everyone" abuses it. But the stuff on FB I see is typically targeted on those who do abuse it. Which doesn't seem to be a small portion.

If you are saying a majority abuse it, Ill disagree.


Also, almost everyone who bitches has received some sort of gov't assistance in their lives.

I don't know if it's a majority, but I'm guessing it's a lot.


As for the second part, no one is saying it's a bad thing to take government assistance. I got unemployment recently while I was between jobs. I pay into it, so IMO, I earned it. That's why we have it... that's what it's for.

The target of the negative feelings are those who don't pay in to it, use it, and don't seem to be trying to get off of it.

Yeah, its arrogance mixed with ignorance that leads to those feelings, but I dont want to argue it. You obviously have your opinion that you formed...somehow and i have mine and we probably arent changing each other's minds


This thread is just for positive things you see on there

And herein lies part of the issue, and what equates to the losing battle of the poor. This is an assumption on your part. How would you personally know who is or isn't trying to get off assistance? How would that manifest itself visually to anyone really? That's why it's best not to assume things like that.

Because the girl in front of him at Jewel had an Iphone and then used a link card.

Nevermind that it was a gift from a relative who wanted to make sure she had a working phone.

Never been afraid to change my mind. If it were proven that the vast majority of people on government aide deserved it and used it properly, I would change my mind.

Never been afraid to change my mind. If it were proven that the vast majority of people on government aide deserved it and used it properly, I would change my mind.

And that said, I do contribute to a few different charities focused on helping people. So it's not just "arrogance" and "ignorance."

You contributing to charity does not preclude arrogance and ignorance.

The arrogance and ignorance line was more about all the people who bitch and post about it, not specifically you.

The Arrogance is in believing in the self made man myth. (We are all products of our environments. Some of us grew up in nice houses in the suburbs and some grew up in shelters)

The ignorance is thinking that most or even a majority of people abuse it.

At least her relative has good taste in phones.


But no, that's not it. I don't take a single instance of something like that, and project that on to the entire population using aid.

I believe I said I didn't know if it was a majority. I still think it's an issue, though.

I believe I said I didn't know if it was a majority. I still think it's an issue, though.

But you said you would "change your mind" if it's proven that the majority don;t abuse it. By your wn admission, you have no idea one way or another. Yuo just know that some do it. Making up your mind about something based on some people taking advantage of it seems pretty week.

That would be like being anti-phone because some people use them for drug deals...

I have my perception based on what I have seen, read, etc. It's not a fact, I get that.


My point is, IMO, there are a lot of people who abuse government aid and it's an issue that should be dealt with. I don't know if it's a majority. I suspect it's a lot. I suspect it's enough to warrant changing the way it's dealt with.

Are you similarly concerned with corporate welfare and how its abused?

Because that is a much bigger problem with much more money and ramifications for everyone

Are you similarly concerned with corporate welfare and how its abused?

Because that is a much bigger problem with much more money and ramifications for everyone

At some point, shouldn't people be held responsible letting themselves get into the situation they are in?

"Bad string of luck" doesn't usually explain things accurately.

I just changed my Facebook status to "IF I HAVE TO BE DRUG-TESTED TO FUCK AROUND ON FACEBOOK ALL DAY, YOU SHOULD BE DRUG-TESTED TO GET YOUR LINK CARD."

The United States per annum spends approx $500 billion on Welfare at all levels of government--that's total for all programs, inclding UI and Workers Comp (which really aren't welfare)--excludes SSI and Pensions), at all 3 levels government (State/Local/Fed)

Let's say 10% of that is paid out fraudently, $500 million.

Goldman Sachs gets a $13 billion payday out of the bank bailout a few years ago. That same year they paid thei CEO Lloyd Blankfein $100 million bonus.

Halliburton's PROFITS on the Iraq war from government contracts? $40 billion.

And y'all are getting your panties in a bunch over maybe $500 million spread out over millions of welfare recipeints--who are spending it on food/shelter/clothing. We should be stringing up Wall Street CEO's who privatize the profits and stick the taxpayers with the bill for their losses:


http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog

but ain't nobody got time for that....