Quote:It's not attacked nearly as viciously as Food Stamps are.  Keep in mind that around half of the able bodies recipients on Food Stamps are Working.  And around 80% have recently had a job, or get a job not long after being on food stamps.  


Also keep in mind that the average individual only gets $133 per participant.  People say that they're lazy, but would you quit your job for $133/month?  Or even $200/month?  People love to point out the Beach Bum guy, but he's someone who's mooching off his friends and family and anyone willing to give him anything.  He's certainly not the typical food stamp recipient.  


People say "Get a job!"  Great idea.  If only our economy were... you know healthy enough where there weren't several people who plain gave up looking for work.  Then you have those who do work, and still can't afford food.  


I'm sure there'll be anecdotal evidence of food stamp abuse of people they know being lazy.  And I'm sure it's true.  Some people are lazy.  But given that 80% of working age able adults either worked within a year before receiving food stamps, or a year after, I'd say that's not very representative of the majority at all. I mean our neighbor fired shots at our house one time.  Is that representative of most gun owners?  You certainly hear about a lot of bad gun owners on the news too.  

 

I agree with you, but I don't know if I really believe the numbers that you have presented, and honestly, I'm too lazy right now to look it up right now.

 

So again I ask, what is the solution to the underlying problem?

 

The very first thing that comes to mind is that the solution is NOT raising taxes period.  Throwing money at a problem doesn't "fix" it.

 

In my mind, the first step in resolving the problem is fixing the corruption and the fraud that takes place within the system.  Doing that would probably save millions of tax dollars and is the primary driving force for the argument that people make when they bring up "the beach bum guy".  The immediate thing that comes to mind is a time limit as far as how long people can receive benefits.  What that particular time limit should be, I really couldn't say.

 

Next I would be all for restructuring the program in a way that would truly help those that need it.  Exactly how to do such a thing is beyond me, but I would like to see it function in a way that helps people put themselves in a position to where they don't need it any longer, rather than have to depend on it as "regular income" or a regular way of life.  Setting time limits and other requirements in order to receive assistance would be a good start.  The other "requirements" should include proof of either actively trying to become gainfully employed, or proof of actively getting some kind of education or training that can lead to future employment.

 

I am firmly against the "tax the rich" so that we can "redistribute it to the poor" idea.

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