Why is it that so many people are on welfare, but run around in high fasion name brand stuff like coach,?
350379
its important to remember that part of it is perspective. People dont tend to think too much about the working poor, the people who work full time jobs but get paid so poorly they cant get far above the poverty line. Though there is a free rider problem, there are probably just as many people (if not a whole lot more) who do what they can and the extra kick from welfare helps get them by. My best guess as to why the freerider phenomon exists, people at some point down the line become disenchanted with the way the system is. They either feel like the "man is sticking it to them" or that there isnt a way out of where they are at. When one feels like they cant succeed in a certain lifestyle, they look for another avenue to be successful. For some that might mean spending their money on name brand clothes and nicer things, even if they cant afford them an are force to have bad credit, because nice objects bring status in our society. Still i dont believe the freerider issue is as drastic as we are lead to believe, as one "bad experience" with someone who is under Gov aid tends to influence our thinking about the program as a whole.
475559
No, you are not too sensitive about this. I believe that everyone needs help sometimes, whether they are fortunate enough to get it from their families, or from the state. The key is: being able to pull yourself out of a bad financial situation and give back what you have recieved ( maybe not in a literal sence, but, you know??) Maybe it would be a good idea to start denying these people help. I am sick of seeing and hearing about welfare parents, I could die. I mean, some of these people drive NICE vehicles, are draped in expensive jewelry, wear very nice clothes, and pay for thier food with an EBT card. Sickening. I would like to see them get off their lazy a*s, wake up at 5:00am, and go to fu**in work like the rest of us. I'm with ya on this one- totally.
448384
Are you CRAZY?? People look out for others ALL the time everywhere. Wether it is something that seems small, like letting someone buying one or 2 items go before you and your cart full of groceries at the store or, a big thing like helping people that survived Hurricane Katrina by inviting them in your home.\n\n Have you ever heard of food stamps or a free lunch program at school?\n Have you ever heard of Feed the children charity or the Center for Missing and Exploited children?\n  Has anyone offered you help while you were stranded on the road or let you use their celphone after an accident?\n  Have you ever seen or met a teacher, firefighter, social worker, police officer, Marine, a scientist...\n I could go on and on and on and on.\nOf course people worry about themselves but I havn't met ONE person that I know of that was not concerned for the wellbeing of another person. Even the most self-centered people I have met are concerned for, and help others.\n Why are you so pessamistic and only see the bad in people?\nWe all make mistakes but, for the most part, I think, by far, the majority of people make a point of helping others.\nWhat are you doing to help?\n\n\n I could go on and on and.
247324
Unlike "nvlawyer"- "showbiz" folks are the same as most anything-supply and demand dictates how much they can demand for a paycheck, not the performers themselves. In the case of elected officials, I have often shared the belief and opinion that so many candidates are millionaires, and multimillionaires, that when they choose to go into "public office" for the "good of the their constituents" they should do it pro bono, i.e., for no pay, such as our Governor in California, "AHroldt" has.
664678
I suppose it's because people in our world today base their respect on money. The more you have it, the more superior you are... It's awful, really. Even if they're poor, they still go buy expensive things which they can't really afford, just so they could brag about something.
103428
That's a very big question...\nHomeless people tend to be dirty.  They often carry diseases.  Sometimes they beg and can keep legitimate customers from going into a neighborhood business.  They rely on governmental help.
431738
How many times have you gone to the store and bought something you didn't need, it was more of a want.  Everyone does that...it's wasteful.  Instead of donating things to a Goodwill or Salvation Army people throw things out that can still be used.  \n\nAttitude's are wasted everyday when people are mean for no reason.
582953
Because it is much easier to stand on a corner and beg than it is to actually work and earn a living. I too have had my fair share of trying to help someone who is only looking for money for the next fix. I actually saw one talking on his cell phone while standing next to the Interstate off-ramp with a similar cardboard sign. One city in Florida requires all beggars to purchase city and county occupational licenses and obtain a FL tax certificate. It was amazing how quickly those "homeless and needy" people found jobs. Sad that we have become so skeptical. But we only have liars and thieves to blame.
1058122
Yep, its called mass media. We buy stuff we don't need or want but are told we have to have it or we are not "cool or successful.
440991
You should keep in mind that there are a lot of people who are much much more worse off than you! Think about what you have, not what you don't!
329406
They get paid under the table and tell the welfare office they aren't working. Or they're involved in some other illegal act to make money. Those are the people who will always want somethin for nothin. These are the same people who will go to a restaraunt and throw a fit about something with intentions of getting a free meal. I understand that some people work really hard and still don't have much. It's possible to be down on your luck but not for your whole life. It sucks that the tax payers have to suffer for all the people who take advantage of the system.
1100852
People are the same all over . The have a need to take advantage of anothers misfortunes for gain .. example : The whole concept of insurances ..
1045529
people on welfare need something to talk about and unlike people who work they cant talk or bitch about there job so they bitch about welfare or bills that working people are paying for anyway.I imagin that theses people will be givin you all kinds of answers about this and all I ask is how the hell they got a computer.
396933
I think, some people really need the money and get used to that kind of life ... and others just like to be that way..\nin both ways it's really sad to see people in that situation
217260
The same reason anyone uses coercion to get what they want. It is a control issue. These kinds of people are putting their problems on your shoulders and if you accept that responsibility you deserve it. It is sad but true.
316051
It seems pretty ridiculous, doesn't it? By the way, welfare is now called "Self Sufficiency". Really. My husband and I are foster parents, and we see people all the time who abuse drugs, keep having children, don't do anything productive, and get free medical insurance, food stamps, WIC, "Self Sufficiency", HUD housing, etc. Just doesn't seem right, does it?
829391
EXACTLY! When I was younger I used to feel sorry for the people on the streets... I never gave them money but I did drive through a fast food place a couple of times and buy them food and go back and drop it off. Then I seen library park in Phoenix, AZ., and the food lines, etc! The only reason a person is homeless is because they choose to be! We have an overabundance of help programs and some states even have welfare for single men! I live in a city where there are an extreme amount of people getting SSI and Social Security and working (or hustling) under the table for cash and they live much better or at least have many more $$ flow through their hands each month than alot of people. I don't believe that drug addicts and alcoholics should be eligible for these benefits... In addition, I think the funniest thing I have seen is a huge man walking into the grocery store in the middle of the afternoon with his food stamps going to buy groceries.... instead of giving him food stamps and a check... make him get off his duff and work... then we won't have to pay for his stomach staple proceedure either! A friend of mine that is a millionaire went to our local Dr. that has been doing all of those proceedures and he wanted to have it done. He carries private blue cross and the Dr. would not even schedule him for a interview because he didn't have title 19.My friend told the Dr.s office that he has cash...... they said they couldn't take cash because in the case of complications it can run upwards of $100,000.00 again my friend said.... I have cash. They just told him they were sorry they couldn't help him.... however, I personally know 7 people that have had the surgery lately and another couple that are scheduled for it and they are all on welfare! Now if that ain't something! Now don't get me wrong... we do need programs that can assist.... but they need to know when enough is enough and their is a big difference between a hand up and a hand out!