posted on February 9, 2001 05:31:25 PM newkiheicat...I just have to ask.. really dumb question...Totally OT: how is the weather your way? Is it hot in winter? I have never been to your part of the woods... (Raining here in North Cal)...
******** Gosh Shosh!
posted on February 9, 2001 05:33:43 PM newAntiquary...I know what you mean....I feel so, SO ungrateful! Slap my wrist...BAD, BAD SHOSH!
******** Gosh Shosh!
posted on February 9, 2001 05:36:59 PM new
Hi Shoshanah... not a dumb question and certainly not the first time ANY of us have wondered offtopic, lol
It's in the mid 80's today, with a light, slightly cooler breeze blowing, it's partly cloudy and we may possibly get a sprinkling of rain in the early evening but none so far. But the rain here isn't cold like Calif... I remember that rain.
posted on February 9, 2001 06:44:17 PM new
I've been thinking about Snowydays comment regarding welfare fraud. As a federal worker I probably look at more Government Accounting Reports and audit reports than the average citizen. I cannot think of one federal or state program that has not fallen victim to fraud, waste and abuse. Using the level of fraud and abuse to determine if a program should continue, it seems that the Defense Department would have to be dismantled before the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Transportation would probably be a close second with all of the pork barrel projects that Senators and Congressmen love to put into their own home states.
[ edited by DWest on Feb 9, 2001 06:46 PM ]
posted on February 9, 2001 07:17:37 PM new
Actually the food stamp program was set up seperate from the welfare program in order to make sure that people really put food on the table rather than spend the money on liquor, drugs, lottery tickets and other non essentials. While it would be wonderful to make sure that every child got a balanced meal, it is impossible. So while they may not eat the best diet at least food is available.
posted on February 9, 2001 08:40:50 PM new
snowydays said:
"Tell me, what are you out there doing?"
Quite a fair amount, actually, but itemizing it here could serve no purpose other than self-adulation. And I certainly wouldn't contend that it puts me in a superior position with respect to judging those I try to help.
-gaffan-
posted on February 9, 2001 08:50:28 PM new
Shoshanah ROTF @ 'islandkitty'
Actually, if we're talking abuse of the system, let's have GW lay his cards on the table and let everyone take a look at his expense report... I'm sure it would be interesting...
I'll bet he spends more dining out in one year than it would cost to support one of those 'useless' welfare families. Humph!
posted on February 9, 2001 09:18:51 PM new
This thread has taken more turns than the road to WalMart. We have one poster who feels the majority of welfare or food stamp recipients are fraudulently wasting the "good" dollars of taxpayers, since she observed one mother purchasing "junk" food for her family with government-issued, tax-supported food "stamps."
May I ask the objector this: How many of the the children that you take in as a foster parent receive free or reduced-cost meals at school? Most foster children do qualify, and I am interested if you report the children in your care as such? Or do you foot their entire educational needs bill?
Also, the National School Lunch Program started in 1948, is another federal subsidy to ALL public schools to improve child nutrition. Do you, oppose this measure as well, since it is a federal subsidy, read that as a system of assistance for public school students?
posted on February 9, 2001 09:24:40 PM new
I have seen volunteers and social workers that have tooted their horns about how hard they work, and how much they give to help those poor welfare recipients, and others that need help. All the while seething with disrespect, and looking down on them. (this isn't meant for gaffan BTW)
I have also seen those who want to adopt only healthy white babies. They bypass the ones that are born drug addicted, are biracial, HIV positive, or have disabilities. Oh no they don't want them because they're not perfect. No, these children go into foster care. Some are unfortunate enough to go to foster parents who loath welfare programs, and people that get any kind of aid. They take these children knowing they may be reunited with parents that will be receiving aid so that they can be a family again. Tell me how they can help these families without showing their true feelings in some way.
posted on February 9, 2001 09:28:37 PM new
Y'know, I've changed my mind. One woman buying a cartload of junk food with foodstamps is enough evidence for me. I say we abolish foodstamps.
After that, we can solve the problem of people running red lights by closing all the roads.
-gaffan-
posted on February 9, 2001 09:28:49 PM new
Was it 1948, Badu?
That poster only said that she was attempting to become certified to operate a foster care home, not that she already did operate one.
Wasn't the food stamp program begun as a portion of a wider farm assistance program which enabled the sale and distribution of surplus farm production in the country? I'd have to look it up, but it seems to me that that was the basis, and if so, the food stamp program is not purely a welfare giveaway supported by SNOWYDAY'S tax dollars, but rather it is a cooperative program designed to foster the health of the nation's farm industry as well as provide food to those in need of suppliment.
posted on February 9, 2001 09:39:58 PM new
KRS: I used the federal lunch program as an example to show that government subsidizes meals in schools. Snowydays (sorry if I spelled the name wrong), they did so because of the number of Army recruits who had bad teeth and, well, you know the rest...
However, foster children fall into Title I categories. They can have their school meals subsidized by the government, if parents, including foster parents, apply.
Snowydays: do you register your foster kids with the state?
posted on February 9, 2001 09:42:01 PM newIf we could only come together as a nation and sacrifice a few teachers with a public burning a couple of times a year, I believe that would solve the problem.
Uhhh....could we NOT give those folks any more ideas?!?!?
Oh what the hell, God knows I had days when I was teaching that I would have *rather* been burned at the stake than go to one more staff meeting!
Of course, we all *know* that to much money is invested in education.....we don't need books we need BOMBS!! Make those teachers buy their own matches!!
posted on February 9, 2001 09:57:37 PM new
Antiquary: You have no idea. I was actually just skimming the thread and read your post.
Did one of those, "WTF?!?!? Who the hell said *that*?!?!?" things.....then fell off my chair laughing.
It was only a matter of time before someone locked on the fact that it is all the fault of us worthless teachers.
PS: Would it suprise you to know that you weren't the first to suggest burning the teacher/witch at the stake? Yep, I heard that suggestion my first week teaching!!
posted on February 9, 2001 09:57:57 PM new
Why is it some people think only lazy women having babies are on welfare, and that it's a life long way of life?
I was on welfare and received food stamps. I am not ashamed of it, and I'm grateful the programs were there to help me. My situation was comparable to the majority of people receiving aid, and not the small percentage of abusers of the system.
I was a single mom with a job when all of a sudden I had an ill child who had to tested, prodded, and subjected to a hell no child should have to endure. We spent our days in hospitols, doctors offices, and labs.
I remember buying groceriers with food stamps and people looking in my cart and making remarks about what I was buying. I had the usual fruits, veggies, and healthy foods, but along with that I had cookies and some chips. Were my children to be denied these things? My oldest child took lunches to school was he to sit there and watch other kids eat these things in front of him, but he couldn't have any because they were bought with food stamps?
The nightmare was eventually over. I went back to work, like most people do. I will be forever grateful for the help I got.
posted on February 9, 2001 10:10:01 PM new PS: Would it suprise you to know that you weren't the first to suggest burning the teacher/witch at the stake? Yep, I heard that suggestion my first week teaching!!
LOL
And just think of all the opportunities for more inservice requirements. Can't you see the administrators drooling.
Of course, it's been my observation that most administrators seem to drool naturally, without provacation.
posted on February 10, 2001 06:19:23 AM newThat's exactly why social assistance programs are important in our society.
Antiquary - Of course these programs are important but they have been high abused. They were intended to provide temporary support, not to become a lasting entitlement. There were generations of families using welfare for support instead of taking personal responsibility for themselves and their families, when they are physically and mentally able to do so. And there are tons of statistics that support welfare fraud had gotton out of hand.
That's what a lot of people, myself included, are against....not giving a helping hand to people in need.
On another subject Antiquary - Do I remember a thread here where you were asking about abstinence education? Can't remember if that was exactly what you'd mentioned or not. There is a block grant that was passed in 1997 by the 104th Congress on this subject.
[ edited by Linda_K on Feb 10, 2001 06:25 AM ]
posted on February 10, 2001 06:48:17 AM new
Morning krs - When reading this thread and the issue came up, I ran a search on welfare fraud. I know you're capable of doing the same thing. Seems the statics of fraud are listed by the individual states....so I'd rather not post 50 URLs. A lot of the sites speak to what the individual states are doing to prevent/lessen their problems.
Anyone interested can read for days on the subject. It does exist.
posted on February 10, 2001 07:18:38 AM new
Just read my statement...[i]not giving a helping hand to people in need[i]....and realized that's not what I was trying to say.
I do believe people who are truly in need, need the support. It's just that there are way too many that need to become anti-dependant and go to work.
krs - I just did a search on 'welfare fraud in CA' and the search engine came up with 69,408,653 sites. That's for CA alone.
posted on February 10, 2001 07:27:22 AM new
Helen, Helen, Helen - There you go again. Please show me where I ever said "end the program". I never said that.
[i]I can't accept your "responsibility" argument. How do you tell a child that
he can't eat because his parents are
"irresponsible?"[/i]
Well, Helen.... MY responsibility argument has been implemented by OUR Federal government....and take a chair please....under Clinton.
No child should suffer because of his/her irresponsible parents. If they are not being properly cared for....do what used to be done....take the child away. If parents knew there would be consequences to their neglect, things would change.
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(Raining here in North Cal)...
