Posted on 01/15/2013 8:09:06 AM PST by shove_it
The push to reform entitlement programs is at the heart of debates about the future of the US budget. Many Republicans want big changes as Medicare and Medicaid, in particular, consume a larger share of federal spending. Most Democrats merely want to ensure the programs' survival.
Entitlement programs include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (welfare). How much do you know about them? [...]
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
I lived in New Mexico in the nineties and remember when they earned the distinction of being the first statewith over 50% of the population working for the goverment. The other 49% were on welfare!
I once spoke with a Catholic priest who had been stationed in rural New Mexico. He spoke of absolutely crushing poverty there. Particularly on the Indian reservations.
At the ripe old age of 73, I’m basking in the glow of my monthly SS benefit and my VA health care. I did receive a few weeks of UC back in 1982 during a recession, as I recall. I’ll bet there are a lot of old moochers like me on this forum.
New Mexico has always been poor. It is as close as you come to third-world in the states (unless you count Chicago, DC and Detroit). It has the highest rate of tax subsidy and welfare in the nation.
The generational poverty is staggering, as is the differential between the rich and poor. The middle class stems primarliy from government positions (either DoD or administering the welfare programs).
The reservations are horrible, but the largest problem is dependence on the Feds combined with alcoholism. It makes for an ugly combination. (Same across the country I have seen it in AK, Midwest and South.)
Simplest answer for why many have messed up some of the questions (including me): Since 97% of those over 65 have used one of these “entitlements” due to the inclusion of Social Security and Medicare, it skews some of the perceptions big time... and means that Romney’s voters will have high use due to older voters. In addition, the poll questions must have been phrased “have you ever used ...”, which means many people who were on unemployment for a month or two will be included, and none of us consider that a problem (they also voted romney).
I consider my 13 out of 20 to be pretty decent, given the above, and that many of the questions were guesses between two percentages or dollar figures. Those which I missed, I only missed by a bit.
I, too, take issue with their “limited to 60 months” due to personal knowledge of people violating that in NYState, as well as their calculations of “average benefit” for food stamps... the text they include indicates it is more than $300/mo.
A nice finish to your post...shove_it! LOL!! You lived this long, you deserve it!!
It was a pretty tough quiz. I was a few wrong choices between two possibilities away fro looking brilliant. I sent it to all my lib friends. We will see how they do.
It was a pretty tough quiz. I was a few wrong choices between two possibilities away from looking brilliant. I sent it to all my lib friends. We will see how they do.
I flunked as well. My numbers were higher than they stated.
Although I believe I am correct and they are wrong.
There seems to be no more shame in peoples lives today.
"also if you cant afford food you cant afford that big TV and cable bill nor that ipod etc..."
Exactly.
I've yet to hear am 80-year old heart surgery or multiple joint replacement patient say "OK, I've now gotten more out of Medicare than I put in. I'll pay my own way going forward".
CSM is a hard left publication like all the rest of the papers. The answers are bogus, trying to make you think practically everybody needs entitlements.
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