[publius911]

Now, right from the outset of this article, let me make it abundantly clear that I do not believe that most people are abusing the system. As I have written about over and over, the number of Americans living in poverty is rapidly increasing because there are not enough jobs.

This mealy-mouthed politically correct excuse for stating unpleasant facts made reading the remainder an exercise increasing blood presure and little else.

There are no jobs because a treasonous bastard ran for president, and businesses large and small were not willing to risk what could clearly happen (and in fact has happened) if he was succesful.

Does this author actually believe that 49% of american residents of working age are looking for work? Yes, most ARE abusing the system.

Substantially more than half of those abusing the "welfare" system are doing so fraudulently, or simply because they can do so successfully and it takes a lot less effort.
Politically, it is also a permanent benefit to our elected criminal class.

[cynwoody]

The article author is a moron, but he does have a valid point about food stamps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzspsovNvII

[djf]

Cigarettes, ice cream,
cadillacs, moonbeams...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agPcECFLi34

[Smokin' Joe]

Here's a quandry. While it is easy to resent people on 'relief' who seem to be living far better than those who are attempting to pick up the tab and make ends meet, too.

What happens when you give the government the power to determine what one group of people eat?

Why, of course, they will want to regulate the caloric and nutritional intake of everyone.

Don't want to go there.

However, it seems more than a little strange that someone who appears to be so prosperous is on "relief", and perhaps someone should be pursuing fraud charges.

Don't hold your breath, because case files are the life's blood of the entire social services bureaucracy, the more caseload, the more important the case worker, the more important the case worker, the more likely to get a promotion, which means a raise, which means better retirement...et cetera.

That's assuming they aren't signing up their possee for bennies to 'get over on the man'.

So, here's my solution.

You sign up for welfare, the clock starts ticking. Benefits get reduced, by 10% a year, with no penalty against your reduced benefits for making money in gainful employment up to the poverty level. (You can fill the gap, but you have to work).

No COLA type adjustments to benefits. You stay at the level you signed up, minus deductions for time in grade. (yes, inflation might add another effective deduction, but that's the cost of printing more money to pay for relief).

[Alaska Wolf]

Is It Fair For People On Food Stamps To Buy Prime Rib While Working Families Barely Survive?

No, but life isn't fair.

[Hoodat]

Is It Fair For People On Food Stamps . . .

Stop right there. The answer is 'NO', regardless of what follows.

[liberalh8ter]

People shouldn't be able to vote themselves freebies. If you're living on the government (and I'm not talking about Social Security - you paid into that your entire adult life), you shouldn't have a vote. As long as that is allowed, the dregs of society will continually vote to steal from the productive.