fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #3234 ]

Of course there are a small number of people who abuse the system. But the problem is assuming that is the vast majority of people and taking away the system that many people need based on the abuses of a few. Every system everywhere is taken advantage by some people. That is never going to change. That doesn't mean we should stop helping those who really do need it, as many conservatives claim.

AYRT - Oh, totally! That's where I get irritated with the conservative perspective. (Also, I find it interesting that they never mention the wealthy who evade taxes. At least the people the conservatives attack pay them.)

(Also, I find it interesting that they never mention the wealthy who evade taxes. At least the people the conservatives attack pay them.)

Fuck, yes, THIS. Seriously. Poor people fall on hard times financially, people are like, "Well, you should've spent your money more wisely!" Rich people spend beyond their means and start having financial problems? "Oh, here, let us help you and bail you out!" Screw that noise.

As for the original point, I absolutely agree that we should address any fraud and abuse that is inherent in the welfare system, if for no other reason than to help make it so that those who ARE genuinely deserving of help don't have to go through gobs of red tape just to simply prove they need these benefits. I imagine the regulations on welfare benefits may vary a little from state to state, but honestly, after watching my parents fill out ridiculous amounts of paperwork just to get freaking food stamps when we lived in South Dakota, and have to wait for approval, and all that sort of thing, I'm honestly amazed anyone CAN manage to find a way around the system.

I also think, obviously, the biggest issue isn't so much that people don't think welfare abuse or fraud should be addressed. It's more the way a lot of people choose to talk about it that rubs supporters of government assistance the wrong way. The condescending, stereotypical attitudes that, even if one is talking about specific examples of abuse, read as though the person feels ALL people who are on welfare are likely to act that way or be that way.

And I also feel that sometimes people don't take into account a weird sort of psychology that comes with being poor. Like, yeah, you know you probably shouldn't be buying a nice TV or a fancy pair of shoes or whatever when you're on unemployment. But people who are depressed over struggling to find a job, or people who feel like it's easier to blow money on something they actually feel they could get than something they could save for, but think will always be out of their reach for whatever reason, or people who are watching a loved one get sicker and sicker as the bills pile higher and higher...

...I dunno, at some point it makes sense that them just want to buy something that makes them feel even remotely normal, you know? Something that makes them forget their troubles for a while, and makes them feel like their life isn't totally falling apart. I'm not saying it's a good or wise coping mechanism, mind, 'cause it really isn't in a lot of ways. But I do think that's a mindset that should be explored and discussed a little more, too. I think it's easy for people who've never had to want for anything, be it a necessity or a luxury, to forget what it's like for people who wish they could have that kind of life themselves, but don't, for whatever reason.

There's also the fact that sometimes people forget that some of the stuff people have in their homes, be it expensive or not, were gifts from loved ones, or stuff they brought before their financial troubles began, or stuff they got at thrift/Goodwill type stores, or came with the home, or whatever, too. I remember some idiot media pundits were making a fuss a few years ago about how poor people couldn't really be THAT poor if they had a fridge or a microwave in their homes, and I was like, "Wooooooow, there's a few people who REALLY need to get out in the real world."

I also want to say that expensive stuff poor folk might have may also be the result of some pretty hard saving. I think being able to get those things (especially the more entertainment-oriented items, like a good TV, a good computer, stereo, etc) is also something of a personal achievement as well as something that makes life bearable.

Also who the hell thinks a fridge and a microwave are such fripperies that they question even poor folk having them? Plus both of those (as well as a good few other basic facility items like them) can come in cheap models, so do they really think poor people are always going out and buying über-expensive ones? Microwaves can come in under $100 here, I don't call that expensive.

I also want to say that expensive stuff poor folk might have may also be the result of some pretty hard saving. I think being able to get those things (especially the more entertainment-oriented items, like a good TV, a good computer, stereo, etc) is also something of a personal achievement as well as something that makes life bearable.

Exactly. Bottom line, it's wise not to automatically make assumptions about the things someone who's in financial straits owns until you know the full story.

Also who the hell thinks a fridge and a microwave are such fripperies that they question even poor folk having them? Plus both of those (as well as a good few other basic facility items like them) can come in cheap models, so do they really think poor people are always going out and buying über-expensive ones? Microwaves can come in under $100 here, I don't call that expensive.

I honestly don't know! I was stunned by those pundits' comments because I couldn't believe someone was actually stupid enough to think such a thing. Like you said, they're not all that expensive to buy, and besides that, even if they were, well, considering people make food in microwaves, and considering people store food, as well as water, aka, basic necessities to survive, in them...then, yeah, call me crazy, but I think that counts as an important purchase and a necessary thing to own.

*in them=in fridges.

I don't think they're talking specifically about people abusing social welfare systems. More about people whose money, no matter how much they make, just runs through their fingers like water because they have no impulse control or ability to differentiate a need from a want.

[ SECRET POST #3234 ]

Re: Controversial Opinions

Re: Controversial Opinions

Re: Controversial Opinions

Re: Controversial Opinions

Re: Controversial Opinions

Re: Controversial Opinions

Re: Controversial Opinions