What's the problem with people who are constantly complaining about "lazy bums" on welfare?

Question

I know this has long been a pet GOP crusade and vote-snaring tactic, but have they been asleep for over a decade?

We had Welfare Reform in the 1990's. Welfare is a very small part of the Federal Budget. A muich bigger part of the Federal Budget is CORPORATE Welfare. They don't have a single peep to say about that! Also wasting a lot of money is waste, fraud, and mismanagement, especially in the Pentagon. They don't have any problem with that, either.

And where are these stingy pennypinchers (when it comes to poor people) when Haliburton is ripping us off by the billions?

Why are these people filled with such resentment about poor people that they make it their principal cause in life? It's not the money, since as I indicated, there are bigger wastes of money. They're just mean-spirited, tiny hearted people, that's all. And they probably think of all the "lazy bums" on Welfare as Black, so it's a disguised expression of racism.

Where are you NOW, RLP?? How can you miss this opportunity to sound off on your one and only issue??

Answer 1

They "probably think", therefore it's racism. Pretty weak argument, dude. Perhaps you should spend less time on Yahoo and more time looking for work.

Answer 2

It is the same as with a lot of issues, especially when it comes to anything involving our taxes. The fact is that there ARE some people who take advantage of welfare and practice welfare fraud. People know this, and they single out those people as an example to why the whole system is bad. People would rather not help thousands than give money to one person that is ripping them off.

Answer 3

I realize that there are many unfortunate people who fall through the cracks and require some form of assistance from the government. But there is another side to this story as well. That side is those that take advantage of the generosity of the rest of us just because they don't want to go to work like we do every day. Here's an example:

A few months ago I was filling up in a gas station when a man approached me. He said that he was trying to get to LA because his mother was dying but he'd run out of gas and someone had stolen his wallet so he had no money. Asked if I could spare a little change so he could buy some gas and help him get to his moms death bed . I gave him five bucks and wished him luck. He said "May god bless you", and moved on to the next car and that lady also donated to ease his plight. She also got a nice god bless you. Just love those christians huh?

About two weeks later I was filling up on the other side of town, oposite the direction of LA by the way, when the same "gentleman" approached me with the same story. I smiled and asked if he remembered me as the one whom he blessed for helping him out a couple of weeks ago. He was insulted that I might think that a church going christian was trying to rip me off and stomped off and got into his car, newer and more expensive than mine, and drove off.

Sure some people fall through the cracks and when they do you can count on me to lend a hand where I can. But I only have so much money to give so I watch carefully who I hand it out to.

Answer 4

I have known some otherwise kind-hearted people who have some serious issues with welfare. I think most people can not understand what it is like to be in a situation that leaves someone no choice but to seek assistance from social programs. I have seen both sides. I myself have gotten medicare when I was pregnant, and also had to pay for medical care out of pocket because I had no insurance and did not qualify for assistance.
I have also seen people buying steaks and other high priced groceries on food stamps while I am struggling to make macaroni and cheese stretch. Does that mean I am against welfare programs? no way. I do not judge everyone by a few examples of missuse.
The majority of Americans have no clue what their government spends, they listen to pundits and talk personalities and whittle down the issues to talking points. It is sad to see the ignorance that permeates our culture but until we have a voice that stands up and speaks the truth then no one will listen. Its easier just to blame others for not having the same life that we do, easier to define being a Christian by sexual morals, easier to blame terrorists for giving an excuse for Halliburton starting a war for profit. Easier to blame the people of New Orleans for not jumping in their SUV's and getting out before Katrina hit than to find out why there was no help and no work done to the levees before a major hurricane hit.
Jesus said what you do to the least of my bretheran you do unto me. Americans have to realize that they too might become in need of help at any minute, and stop demonizing those of us who have had hard experiances and very little money.

with peace

Answer 5

Wow, this is a really great question, and you are totally correct! Except for your incorrect statement about this being RLP's only issue. She once posted a question claiming that the trees in the rain forests are a renewable resource. But, Ed-Mike made a total fool of her, and she pulled the question! LOL

lilycat1173fwin....I would be willing to bet, that those people buying steaks and such with food stamps are using black market food stamps! *sm*

Answer 6

What you call "corp. welfare" provides millions of jobs to people who would not otherwise have them. Corp. America necessarily must do well for the country's economy to do well. But, just for you, let's change that and spread out the billions to people who are presently getting welfare. How many people do you think they will employ? No poor person ever hired anyone. I find the last sentence of your premise very revealing about you for it is laced with the same ignorance, bitterness, and disguise of which you accuse others.

Answer 7

It seems that many Republicans are unaware of corporate welfare. The biggest welfare recipient of all is a corporation called Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

"The Archer Daniels Midland Corporation (ADM) has been the most prominent recipient of corporate welfare in recent U.S. history. ADM and its chairman Dwayne Andreas have lavishly fertilized both political parties with millions of dollars in handouts and in return have reaped billion-dollar windfalls from taxpayers and consumers. Thanks to federal protection of the domestic sugar industry, ethanol subsidies, subsidized grain exports, and various other programs, ADM has cost the American economy billions of dollars since 1980 and has indirectly cost Americans tens of billions of dollars in higher prices and higher taxes over that same period. At least 43 percent of ADM's annual profits are from products heavily subsidized or protected by the American government. Moreover, every $1 of profits earned by ADM's corn sweetener operation costs consumers $10, and every $1 of profits earned by its ethanol operation costs taxpayers $30."
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-241.html

Also see Confessions of a Welfare Queen
How rich bastards like me rip off taxpayers for millions of dollars
http://www.reason.com/news/show/29067.html

Answer 8

they are not thinking realistically. look at government waste on a state level. the state road crews are a good example of waste. one person riding around in a $40,000 truck,doing very little work is costing us more than two families on welfare

Answer 9

First off even though we have welfare reform, we still have people that have NO intention of working, even though they are able to.

Now for Corp. welfare. Have you ever seen who does the hiring??? It sure is not the people on welfare. When a company hires what you pay (from your paycheck) to the Government the boss has to match. That means if you pay $60.00 in taxes your boss pays that also.

So when the government gives them a break (tax cut) they will buy more machines (more jobs there) and hire people to run them (even more jobs).

So quit your crying. That is what all the libs do cry about every thing except giving OUR money away.

As soon as you brought race into this you lost with a lot of people.

Answer 10

We had reform thanks to the Republican controlled Congress who brought Pres. Clinton to the signing table kicking and screaming.By the way ,there are more whites on welfare than blacks.Do away with corporate welfare and sending billions overseas and we'd have tons of extra dough.