I think there are definite fixes for the problem. First one I would do is to reduce welfare payments so that they only provide healthy food, basic housing, minimal utility costs, vouchers for clothing from Goodwill, and for good measure, mandatory drug testing. How's that for a start? I would also limit welfare payments for children to no more than two children per household and the fathers would have to be named so that part of any public assistance they receive can be put to the children. Why do I think that would work? Real simple, it makes welfare hard, not easy. Maybe a boost in welfare payments if your kids do well in school would also sweeten the pot. These things could be done, but there are too many out there screaming about how difficult this would be on the poor. Yep, it would be and that is the point!
Well I for one agree with a lot of what you guys are saying.....I have been on the recieving end of the crappy economy, ive been getting laid off every few months for the past two years. ive lost my new truck because of it, had to move into a smaller place.....but I still refuse any kind of government assistance, even though that as an unemployed single father, its readily available...as long as im capable of working ill take side jobs and a day of work here or there before I burden someones elses taxes with government assistance..... Although JMG944t...I think the one thing your missing out on , is children make this crappy economy and crappy government a whole heck of a lot more tolerable..no matter how bad of a day or week or month....that five year old makes me smile..... if i was single with no kids and laid off all time, id be a drunk , sleeping in a flower pot at grand central station playing a turned over 5 gallon bucket as a drum for more Booze haha...just my 2 cents
Backs, When life gives you lemons.... There is a bit more to why I don't have kids than what I wrote. You know that feeling you get when you get home to your kid? I don't really feel like I am capable of that. Its another thing that wouldn't be fair to any offspring of mine. You do have it, and if more of todays fathers had it I suspect we wouldn't have alot of the problems we do. So thank you, from society, for being a caring and resposible father.:wave:
twinimini, I'm going to shoot off on a tangent here because that's what I'm good at.... *L* You mentioned reducing payments to cover only healthier food but it's actually costs a lot more to eat healthy. And I've never been able to figure out why. Up here the food producers claim that it's the rising cost of fuel that's pushing the cost up. But that doesn't work for me since the $0.97 box of Kraft dinner came on the same truck as the more expensive fruits, veggies and grains. In a two income family like ours we've noticed the difference when we started buying more fruits and veggies and stayed away from the cookie and chip isle. Then there's portion sizing .. but that's a whole 'nother issue. *L*
We have the same issues. Eating well is more expensive than eating poorly. My big objection is when I'm in a store and I see someone buying steaks that I can't afford and Fruit Loops with food stamps and then pulling out cash and buying cigarettes, beer and so on.
I am kind of happy we don't have food stamps here in Canada. I kind of like the idea that for those who have a need to be on welfare here (for whatever, hopefully good reason) that they get a lump sum every month (or twice a month? again I don't know) and have to budget that money appropriately to provide for themselves. I know I would feel very small if I had to accept money from the government to live and I would feel worse if I had to advertise that to people when I went to get groceries. It's hard to say if that person in your example was having a once a month or less frequent treat or was abusing the system. I can't imagine that bottom shelf ground beef is good for you at all.
For the past 6 months I've been trying to live on cash and it's been somewhat successful. Every payday I take out a fixed amount that will cover my groceries, fun, fuel, house maint, etc. The rest stays in the bank for bills. It's amazing that when you force yourself to keep track of how much you're spending you can actually save money. *L* I've also seen the person in the grocery store with their kart FILLED with KD, chips and other assorted junk with not a single fruit or veg to be found.
Groceries are killing me, two boys aged 12 and 17, my wife and I, every week is at least 250.00, this includes things such as deodorants, cleaners, paper towels and stuff, but still, when we got married in 1989, before kids, we could get by on 60.00/week and had to buy all that stuff. I don't know if it is inflation or these kids of mine. We don't buy a lot of junk, they get a bottle of water instead of juice for school and we provide them with at least one fruit. The bread we buy is usually Rye bread, but occassionally whole wheat, the pasta we buy is whole wheat, so I don't know like Ian said if eating better is driving the cost up. We go shopping on Sunday's, by Thursday they are usually asking how come there's nothing in the fridge.
*L*... those are my memories from growing up.... I think I need to call my parents and say sorry.... 3 boys in their house and I think they considered buying a cow because we drank so much milk *L*
A good friend of mine grew up on welfare with his single mother. His suggestion is the major food and clothing chains bid annually of the governments welfare business. Prices would obviously be reduced to be competitive. Successful bidders would be getting a huge amount of business justifying a large price reduction. It would save a lot of welfare money and provide more buying power for recipients. Welfare recipients would receive a reduced amount of cash plus a debit card usable only in the successful bidders stores. Items in the stores would be pre-approved so a card user can't buy filet mignon but they can buy more common cuts of beef. Availability of "junk and snack foods" would be limited. Same with "Designer brand" clothing, etc. You could even build in "Bonus Points". The more "healthy choices" made in purchasing food the more dollars available in the next months food purchasing allotment. It would make "healthy choices" affordable. I think it's a fantastic idea.
