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I favor stopping all federal aid until states apply for it. I'm sick of people crying about socialism with their hand out
Right On!! People with Obama no socialism bumper stickers, who don't have a clue to how much money they get doled out from the government. If you want to stop government aid, they really mean, "No Socialism for OTHERE PEOPLE!"
I thought ca was the #1 welfare state. Times are tough all over & many people do depend on welfare & food banks to get them through the month.
Some do take advantage of welfare & the kindness of others and some people dont know how to spend money wisely.
I have a idiot neighbor thats on a fixed income & is always complaining about not having money yet hes always buying stuff online. I told him to **** off & we dont talk anymore (over 3 months now).
Of course it may be a subjective thing.
How many places could you go to and here the locals whine that their's are the 'highest' taxes in the world?
In our travels we have actually over heard this a few times.
Sure, but 99 44/100 % of people cannot do this even if they wanted to. First, there's not enough land mass, and second, it takes knowledge and intelligence in todays world to be off grid. Most people think its easy. My cabin in western PA was designed to be off grid. Unless you have a lot of money, your life style will be substantially reduced to be off grid. A lot of money translates into a serious level of solar panels to have the same level of stuff that you have if you are on grid. I have a friend who just put in a system that will keep him from paying any electricity. He could be off grid if he put in a huge number of batteries, but right now his electricity pay off from the power comapny is more than he uses. But the system cost $54,000. Of course with all the incentives from the government, over the next 5 years it will pay itself off, and then he will be actually making money, but that's not off grid.
A hobo walking across the country, would likely not be carrying much solar gear with him.
Believe it or not, I know at least one person who doesn't seem to mind paying taxes and leaving it up to the government to spend his money as they see fit. I surmise that he might be ok with paying even more taxes to give the government more to spend.
I figured by asking, it might stimulate thought and I might find some people who have some ideas for solutions. You say you "...want to hear about the solution to the problem...", I would like to see what solutions those on CD can come up with. Maybe someone out there can suggest some solutions.
In response to your questions......Are the homeless of today or migrant workers akin to the traveling hobos of the past? I think the jails are already overcrowded and I don't think that is the answer. Maybe one possibility is for communities to reach out to those in their community who are experiencing tough times. Maybe help someone who is unemployed find a job. Require residency requirements in order to receive assistance payments? Impose time limits on the collection of assistance payments? Require attendance at a job training program while receiving assistance payments? I guess the state would end up having to pay the tuition on that idea and maybe daycare as well. Just thoughts......I am not pretending to have all the answers/solutions.
Solutions, IMHO, are never easy or "one size fits all" especially with human nature being what it is, but I believe a good start would be to go back to the model of requiring some sort of volunteer work in exchange for a portion of benefit cost. Something, anything, is better than nothing at all. United Way is always looking for volunteers. A pregnant teen can stuff fundraiser envelopes for example after she's attended a few hours of classes to work toward her diploma. I would rather see my tax dollars go toward well-planned programs that are either geared toward moving people off welfare or supplementing as long as they're at least working somewhere.
Of course, they also need an actual place to work, so since everyone seems to insist that small business is "the backbone of the economy," (and I agree that it is btw) how about we work toward making it a little easier to expand and add jobs in terms of what's required with regulation? It seems the state likes to go after the smaller businessess with the nutty regulation because the corporations tend to be able to better afford good lawyers, and the "little guy" seems to bear the brunt of miserable rules and regulations. Sorry, but I think they need tax breaks tenfold more than megacorporations.
Education is also very important, but I think that we have to be realistic about goals. Not everyone is cut out to attend college, and that's pretty much what we're geared toward in school now. It's all about the mighty test score which is fine for those who are capable, but not so realistic for those who struggle.
While higher education is extremely important, I believe if you ask 90% of employers what they want, they'll tell you that they want an employee who can 1. Show up on time. 2. Follow directions 3. Find solutions to problems 4. Offer ideas that are well thought out and doable and IMHO, probably the most important, 5. to be reliable. A lot of kids don't get that sort of education at home for many reasons.
Lately, I find myself simply amazed at the number of 18 - 20 somethings who need help filling out a basic form because they have no clue of what's being asked. It's almost like they don't take the time to even look at it, rather, they ask me what they have to fill in. Maybe it's just me, but I find that a little dismaying.
Many of the hobos of the 1930s may have "self medicated" with alcohol during the depression, but they no way near had the smorgasbord of chemical cocktails that are available now (delivered both street and via prescriptions). That situation is what it is. Addicts have to hit rock bottom and decide for themselves whether they want to sober up, but it's the ones who actually try who need the most help. That's probably totally "un PC" of me to say - sorry - but it's reality.
I do agree with that residency requirements are not unreasonable. Movement for benefits is absolutely happening (whether or not we choose to believe it). Reality check there.
As far as jails, I honestly don't know how many more times Penobscot County Commissioner Glenn Ross has to sound the alarm about mentally ill people who fill those cells on a revolving door basis before something gets done. Cutting beds in places such as Dorothea Dix has not saved any money - honest. I remain hopeful.
Last edited by cebdark; 09-12-2010 at 08:09 AM..
Reason: added
Really! This is a shocker to me... This is not news is it a long time fact. In yet evey time a vote comes up asking to spend money we dont have it gets approved. Let us also not forget that many of these folks are the ones who love the idea of he fed controlling our health care. People really can not not understand why the state is so poor and in such bad shape? All I can say is all you who do not vote GET OFF YOUR REAR and VOTE! Vote in EVERY election and when the people you want in office get there this does not mean you stop it means you work harder to keep them there or ones with like beliefs.
Really! This is a shocker to me... This is not news is it a long time fact. In yet evey time a vote comes up asking to spend money we dont have it gets approved. Let us also not forget that many of these folks are the ones who love the idea of he fed controlling our health care. People really can not not understand why the state is so poor and in such bad shape? All I can say is all you who do not vote GET OFF YOUR REAR and VOTE! Vote in EVERY election and when the people you want in office get there this does not mean you stop it means you work harder to keep them there or ones with like beliefs.
I do vote, and yet as you say EVERY bond issue gets approved by the voters.
I have no problem with welfare if the intent was to get someone on their feet and not as a way of life. People do hit hard times and may need a helping hand. Now in saying that, I do not mean the handicapped or disabled who can't fend for themselves. I have no problem helping such folks. Welfare has become a way of life for many and it is now something that is owed to people like a worker receiving a paycheck.
Someone posted that before people would do their best to stay off welfare. Many were embarrased to be on it and did their best to get off as quick as possible. Now it is the norm in a lot of cases with people content to take from others and contribute nothing. Illegals quickly learn the system and in many states are encouraged to take the benefits yet pay nothing into them.
I wonder how many would stay on the welfare system if the state made them put in a regular work week for their benefits? We have rest areas closed that they could maintain, parks and recreation areas that could use their labor. I am sure nursing homes could use the extra help. If people are getting this for doing nothing, I believe they can earn it. No 20 hours of community service, make it a full work week. The people are in many cases receiving housing subsidy, heating subsidy, food subsidy, and other monetary compensation along with healthcare. I say have them earn what others are compensating them for through their taxed income. The state would benefit and cut costs and be able to supplement their work force using this 'temporary' help.
Stop the free handouts and have people take some of the burden off the rest of us. Maybe it would also stop the voting for those who keep lowering the standards for this benefit to gain a vote from those who don't want to give up their lifestyle.
A hobo walking across the country, would likely not be carrying much solar gear with him.
Hobos have eat FBK and there are not many nuts and berries along the road, but there are lots of unlocked or poorly locked houses. Hoboing was not an idyllic life, its one of extreme poverty, cold, and burglary, continually running from John law.
Stop the free handouts and have people take some of the burden off the rest of us.
IMHO this is one if the biggest problems in putting a end to ALL welfare. That is the idea that the handouts are FREE this is so not the case we pay for it. No matter what you hear or see on the news the government does not make and money it simply relocates it from one citizen to another without there permission.
If we could get back to pre ww2 where you had no payroll tax and had to pay your taxes once a year with one check this woudl never have gone this far. The payroll tax was suppose to end with the war but it is to easy to take a little at time then one big chunk a year. Plus if you work you have to way to avoid it like you could pre ww2.
I have a close family member that is in the welfare system in Maine. She was in the system in CA before moving. It has been better for her in ME than CA. But it is no holiday. She would otherwise fall through the cracks and not get the medicine and food money that she needs to stay alive. Her ex husband is a non child supporter who doesn't have an income himself. And no income to attach. She probably couldn't hold down a job even if she tried because of some medical challenges which may be no fault of her own. But I still feel that she has failed the system and the system has failed her.
But on the oppostite side of the coin, I know of others in my large family that should and could be on welfare but choose not to. They have had it instilled in them from a very young age that taking from the state or government is not in their best interests and will make them lazy and lose ambition. That the stigma is just too great a burden to live with. Being self sufficient and independant is better, even if they have to do without sometimes.
My assessment is that ones who should be helped may not be getting it and ones being helped may not need it as long as they subscribe to. There are some people who will always need help from our welfare system and to break the pattern would be through higher education and better incentives or rewards to getting off welfare.
Personally, I have paid quarterly taxes from my business 92 times in the last 23 years. I have more than paid for my family member's welfare status. At least when she lived in CA. She's now in the care of Maine's MaineCare in case you care.
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At least when she lived in CA. She's now in the care of Maine's MaineCare in case you care.
