I started drama on Pinterest with this pin - Page 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChickyHip 

It's not easy to screw the system. It's not even easy to get on the system. When I tried to continue Medicaid for the boys after I was done with all other assistance, they dropped me because one of my paycheck stubs flipped up during the faxing process, rather than call or or email me to resend. 

 

My point was that YOU/WE have NO IDEA what that person's circumstances are when you see them paying with foodstamps. You don't like being judged, either, do you? You would've seen me with my nice phone and my nice car and judged me, just the same. 

Your right about that, I'd like to see all these people that are supposedly screwing the system because I don't know how their doing it. I know first hand how it works and your right it isn't easy to get on it in the first place

I use to work in a grochery store and saw it all the time. OMG there was this one lady that would make me so angry.  NEW leather jacket, cell phone, huge long acrylic nails... she wouold buy lobster and sea food with her food stamps and her kids would complain and she would never buy them food they wanted. OH and she would also have a HUGE wad of cash all rubber banded together too. 

I think getting nails professionaly done is such a waste of money for anyone.  There are better things to do with extra cash.

How easy it is to screw the system depends on where you live, IMO. I'm in Maine and I can tell you that it's pretty damn easy to get help from the State. My cousin is an RN on a maternity floor and mostly deals with mothers who are addicted to drugs, and therefore have babies who are born addicted, and the state is paying for all their care. She's had more than a few of these women tell her that they moved here from other states because we are so generous with welfare. Our own neice is on welfare and she fits that picture perfectly. She can't afford to buy her children things like, clothes, medicine, or other necessities, but she has several tattoos, piercings, and yes, she gets her nails done on a regular basis. The state is paying for her to go to school, her daycare, and she receives extra money every week on top of her welfare and food stamps while she is in school. She has already purchased an iPad and a flat screen tv with her state money

Of course not everyone is like that, and I believe in helping those who have fallen on hard times. No one should be ashamed if they need the help, but I know there are many people, at least in my state, who are milking the system for all it's worth. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChickyHip 

You know a lot of people who do this? How many people do you know that do this?

I do not know the people personally, I was just stating what I observed where I worked.  I do not have a specific number, but all I know is it was something I saw way too often.

I like this as a commentary on a sad truth.

This doesn't in any way shape or form mean I am judgmental or would assume anything about anyone welfare.  BUT, I do know a very large number of people who have chosen ridiculous luxuries (salon visits and smart phones are the common things) for MANY years over basics like food and shelter.   To me it speaks more to what I see.  If I met someone tomorrow on food stamps with a new manicure and a fancy phone, what do I care?  phone could be from employer; manicure could be a gift.  I agree on the flip side that you can't be judgmental when you don't know the whole story (walked in someone's shoes).  Totally agreed.  I am more concerned with the people I do know and whom I know most their story.  Ugh!!  It's a sad state of our culture of entitlement.   Just because I am annoyed at these extreme situations, doesn't make me judgmental.  I have the right to be annoyed when I See total stupidity going on for many many years.

Come to Polk County Minnesota and you will get on assistance before you even walk into the office to apply for it!  Very, very easy where I live.  And most people are on it.  My dh's sister and brother-in-law are on assistance because the company they worked for locked out their employees on a contract disagreement.  Instead of going to find a new job - they have been sitting at home doing nothing for the past 11 months, collecting assistance.  And at the same time going out to eat almost daily because she doesn't like to cook, driving to our town which is 45 miles round trip - just because they are bored.  And bringing their kids to the doctor anytime because as Kasey says "it's free".  She's obviously uneducated about assistance and that it's actually not free - I'm paying for your multiple trips to the ER cause your daughter says her tummy hurts. 

I also know many, many people that 1 spouse works full-time and receives a paycheck and the other spouse works full time and receives cash.  And they are on assistance. 

Until you have walked a mile in someone else's shoes...don't judge them. 

I drive a Honda mini van.  It is a much nicer vehicle than I have had in YEARS...but it was a gift from my sister and brother in law to keep me in a safe and reliable van.  Plus, while it LOOKS newer, it actually is a 2005.  Does anyone know that without coming and asking, though?  No...so many would assume I am driving a "new and fancy" van.  And my iphone....yes, I kept it through most of this time period.  Why?  Because I was in a CONTRACT....and because it was one of the ONLY luxuries I gave myself.  Believe me...in tough times, you DO still have to do SOMETHING for yourself..or you just want to sit there in despair. 

I KNOW that there are some out there who abuse the system.  There are ALWAYS people out there who abuse ANYTHING if they can get away with it.  But seriously, that doesn't give us the right to slap a label on anyone in similiar situations and accuse them of the same.  It makes me very sad to know that some would do this.