No real cuts have been made

[Dozyproductions]

The problem with this approach is that you have to include an "except in cases of war" exemption. Except that the idiots always have us at war. On the other hand, I guess we could change that to "unless armed forces invade the United States or it's territories."

I don't know if you're familiar with Ron Paul or not but he wants all troops from all bases in the world home and then to support pretty much you said in the latter part of your comment.

[BraveUlysses]

Are you suggesting that welfare programs are not a huge drain?

Oh now it's a discussion of welfare instead of just food stamps? Make up your mind.

Only a dolt would complain about food stamps being the preeminent problem of the united states budget.

[Dozyproductions]

Oh now it's a discussion of welfare instead of just food stamps? Make up your mind.

Only a dolt would complain about food stamps being the preeminent problem of the united states budget.

how about food stamps being more of an example of what kind of role we expect from our government and how that needs to change?

[NKRoberts]

how about food stamps being more of an example of what kind of role we expect from our government and how that needs to change?

I am pretty sure this is the point that sagaris was going for.

[Dozyproductions]

I am pretty sure this is the point that sagaris was going for.

ja wiem.

[slammin.e28]

Make drug tests mandatory for those applying for food stamps. That would drop off a lot of those who don't deserve them....

[NKRoberts]

Make drug tests mandatory for those applying for food stamps. That would drop off a lot of those who don't deserve them....

I love how when I am in line at a grocery store and people buy food with their foodstamps and then they make a separate transaction, using their own car, to buy beer and cigarettes and all kinds of unhealthy food.

[NKRoberts]

ja wiem.

:hitler:

[slammin.e28]

I love how when I am in line at a grocery store and people buy food with their foodstamps and then they make a separate transaction, using their own car, to buy beer and cigarettes and all kinds of unhealthy food.

Or they roll through and are buying better food that I, yet sit on their ass all day and watch soaps.

I worked a Kroger for six years, and got to see some of the people rolling through there. Handicap peeps with Escalades, etc on FS. It's nuts.

The cashier last night (I don't work there anymore, but still shop there) showed me a total of ten receipts, all food stamps. Their total was over $4000.....and all of the receipts showed the cards still had a balance of at least $400. Shit....I wish I could afford more than a couple cans of spaghettios and a box of lucky charms.

Half these people come in looking like they're heading straight to their local hustler to grab some crack on the way home too...

[Mlarsen]

Social services definitely need to be reevaluated. There's too many lazy Americans who collect there unemployement, WIC, EBT, ect. and don't do shit. Its broken system that will take decades to fix.

[slammin.e28]

How about this:

Back when Barry O was handing out all this $$ to the big three (GM, inparticular), he should have made incentives to bring jobs back to the states, before giving out the money. Say, hey yo, bring us some work, and you'll get a lil boost from your Uncle Sam and Barry O. We bring jobs back here, less people will be on welfare, on the flip side, make everyone re-apply for their stamps and shit. Make them take a physical, drug test, etc. (It was always my understanding that Uncle Sam wanted to keep/take money, not just give it away....but what do I know....?) Make it harder for people to get aid. There are tons of jobs out there, but Americans have this elitist attitude (myself included). But seriously, I know a guy who manages a office supply store....that employs blind people. Seriously, blind people, working, making a living, being productive members of society. I see so many people waking around perfectly fine (well except for being overweight....but that's another discussion) raking in the food stamps, buying their Twizzlers and honey hams and Lunchables, driving their huge SUVs, parking in the handicap spot. They have no excuse. GTFO and work.

No, it's not an overnight fix, no it's not perfect, and no, it doesn't close every loophole, but it's a start. Maybe if someone would just step up, play hardball, and say fuck you, I'm fixing this shit we would be better off, instead of dicking around, giving out all kinds of money for stupid shit, then acting like oh shit, what we gonna do!?

When I don't have money, I don't spend money. Simple.

(Yes, I understand some or all of that probably makes no sense, of very little, but I'm bored at work and we actually touched upon a subject I've been debating with friends recently.)

[herbivor]

Social services definitely need to be reevaluated. There's too many lazy Americans who collect there unemployement, WIC, EBT, ect. and don't do shit. Its broken system that will take decades to fix.

My older sister raised two kids by herself, worked 2 jobs and had to rely on food stamps to help feed her kids. She was extremely frugal, no TV, lived in a crummy 1 bedroom apartment and had a piece of shit car on bald tires, etc. and only asked us for help when she went more than a day without any food. I was going through college at the time so it's not like I could've taken her in. She didn't do drugs or anything, just made the mistake of marrying a shitty guy that basically ditched her. And no she didn't live in the 1800's on her land where she could grow her own rice. If it wasn't for food stamps and medicaid she would have been homeless, which almost happen twice. She persevered and was able to dig herself out of the hole over time.

It was the government that helped her in dire times and she WORKED HER ASS OFF. So don't give me the "too many lazy Americans" bullshit. They make up a very small percentage of people that need help. If Republicans would be willing to raise the minimum wage to something a person could actually live on, then you can get rid of food stamps and some of these other programs. And don't give me the "well if you raise minimum wage the cost of everything goes up to where they can't afford things anyway". That's horse shit.

[z31maniac]

And don't give me the "well if you raise minimum wage the cost of everything goes up to where they can't afford things anyway". That's horse shit.

So the cost of labor is completely irrelevant when it comes to producing goods?

[Mlarsen]

My older sister raised two kids by herself, worked 2 jobs and had to rely on food stamps to help feed her kids. She was extremely frugal, no TV, lived in a crummy 1 bedroom apartment and had a piece of shit car on bald tires, etc. and only asked us for help when she went more than a day without any food. I was going through college at the time so it's not like I could've taken her in. She didn't do drugs or anything, just made the mistake of marrying a shitty guy that basically ditched her. And no she didn't live in the 1800's on her land where she could grow her own rice. If it wasn't for food stamps and medicaid she would have been homeless, which almost happen twice. She persevered and was able to dig herself out of the hole over time.

It was the government that helped her in dire times and she WORKED HER ASS OFF. So don't give me the "too many lazy Americans" bullshit. They make up a very small percentage of people that need help. If Republicans would be willing to raise the minimum wage to something a person could actually live on, then you can get rid of food stamps and some of these other programs. And don't give me the "well if you raise minimum wage the cost of everything goes up to where they can't afford things anyway". That's horse shit.

Im not saying to completely get rid of social services because there are people like your sister that need them. But, there are more people that abuse system than you think.

[NKRoberts]

My older sister raised two kids by herself, worked 2 jobs and had to rely on food stamps to help feed her kids. She was extremely frugal, no TV, lived in a crummy 1 bedroom apartment and had a piece of shit car on bald tires, etc. and only asked us for help when she went more than a day without any food. I was going through college at the time so it's not like I could've taken her in. She didn't do drugs or anything, just made the mistake of marrying a shitty guy that basically ditched her. And no she didn't live in the 1800's on her land where she could grow her own rice. If it wasn't for food stamps and medicaid she would have been homeless, which almost happen twice. She persevered and was able to dig herself out of the hole over time.

It was the government that helped her in dire times and she WORKED HER ASS OFF. So don't give me the "too many lazy Americans" bullshit. They make up a very small percentage of people that need help. If Republicans would be willing to raise the minimum wage to something a person could actually live on, then you can get rid of food stamps and some of these other programs. And don't give me the "well if you raise minimum wage the cost of everything goes up to where they can't afford things anyway". That's horse shit.

I'm glad that there are programs to help people like her, ones that are doing as much if not more than they can and need some help, but there are a lot of people that abuse the system. I would say the small percentage is the ones like your sister who work hard and do as much as they can, it seems there are more that use the system.