This thread in GQ got me thinking - we all talk about welfare and where it should go, and for what reason, etc, etc, etc, ad nauseum.
One of the things that I found in my past life working with federal narcotics law enforcement was that a majority of our (ahem) clients (aka, “defendants”) were receiving welfare because they had no taxable income. The IRS rarely went after them (although they went after me for a week’s worth of unused vacation time from several years ago - go figure).
So, in many (and I’m not saying most) cases, we’re actually paying criminals $xxx/month for committing criminal acts.
So… IMHO, you should have to demonstrate need, and it would probably be worthwhile to hire more investigators (even GS-5s) to verify living conditions to assess welfare needs. Got a brand new Expedition? No money for you.
We actually took a Ferrari (with less than 3k miles on it) from a welfare recipient. Made me f*ckin’ sick.
I wonder what other folks think about this.
ETA: The IRS was right to go after me - I left a job in December, and was paid out on vacation in January - so it was an oversight on my part. It just really hit me at the wrong time (right after layoff).
I don’t know where you live, but in my state, welfare reform back in the 90s took care of most of these problems. Now, anyone convicted of a felony gets no aid. Anyone with assets over a certain amount gets no aid. There are time limits to receiving aid, and, unless you have an infant under the age of one, you must work or look for work and volunteer or go to school. There really is no celebrated Welfare Queen out there driving a Cadillac and buying steak and lobster with food stamps. Mostly just struggling families with dependent children who really do qualify for assistance and food stamps. Really.
Actually, that makes even less sense. So, if you comitted a crime or misdemeanor in your life you’re permanently barred from having any welfare ever again?
I can see that would put you back on the right tracks.
I’d post an opinion on anyone that focuses on the limited abuses of welfare to comfort his appalling lack of empathy, but Marley already has me in Locked mode and his finger is tap-tapping on the fire button. So…