What in the fuck?!

~1~ · 10-05-2010, 09:10 AM

$69M in state welfare spent in Vegas, Hawaii | abc7.com

Quote:

SACRAMENTO (KABC) -- Are millions of taxpayer dollars meant to help needy families in California being gambled away instead in Las Vegas?

A new analysis finds $69 million of the money the state gave out to people on welfare in just the last three years alone was spent in places like Las Vegas casinos, Hawaiian hotel resorts and Miami cruise ships. There's a new push in Sacramento to make such spending of welfare money illegal.

Welfare supporters say it's a political ploy. California already has one of the lowest fraud rates in the country.

Welfare offices in California have been jam-packed during this recession with applicants needing cash assistance for basic needs like food and shelter.

Under new legislation about to be introduced by state Assemblyman Ted Gaines (R-Roseville), welfare recipients may have to start spending their benefits only within the state.

A Los Angeles Times analysis found $69 million was spent outside state lines during a three-and-a-half year period, beginning in January 2007, at tourist destinations like Las Vegas, Hawaii and Florida.

Critics call that "taxpayer-funded vacations" at a time when taxpayers can't afford one themselves.

"These are for folks that are hurting ... that are out of job, and you see that is money is spent on a cruise, then obviously, it's fraudulent," said Gaines.

Benefits are deposited electronically onto welfare cards that are used like a debit card in stores or to withdraw cash at certain ATMs.

The Times analysis found:

* nearly $12 million spent in Las Vegas
* $1.5 million spentin in Florida
* $400,000 spent in Hawaii
* $16,000 withdrawn from ATMs on cruise ships

But welfare supporters point out $69 million is less than 1 percent of the $11 billion the state gave out during that period.

"When people go on assistance, they're going to have the same kind of life situations come up as anyone else," said Mike Herald, spokesman for the Western Center on Law and Poverty. "You're going to visit your sick relative. You're going to go to funerals out of state. That's what's going on here."

The state says accounts aren't normally flagged until out-of-state transactions continue for more than 30 days because recipients aren't supposed to be gone that long.

"The vast majority of our families who are receiving benefits do so in a legal, lawful manner," said John Wagner, director of the California Dept. of Social Services. "If someone is withdrawing benefits to feed their kid while they're taking care of an aging grandparent, that's allowed."

Taxpayer groups say it's time to move to a voucher system.

"Giving welfare recipients cash is always risk-inherent," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assoc.

Every dollar stolen is one that can't help those who really need the help.

Can we at least go back to the days when you were at least slightly embarrassed because you had to whip out that book and have the cashier rip out the coupons?

Debaser · 10-05-2010, 11:42 AM

Man, when I first turned 18 things were tough and I had to go on welfare. I was on it for 6 months and I hated every minute of it, did what I could to get off of it. These people need a serious boot to the head!

lonely_girl420 · 10-05-2010, 11:49 AM

i agree people who really need the help cant get it cause of people who abusie the system like that

The Rev · 10-05-2010, 12:07 PM

First they tax the shit out of people, devalue their currency, and interfere in their ability to make a living, then they justify they're existence by insisting they must help the same people they're fucking. That's the real "WTF?" in this situation. Why we keep thinking the government is going to solve our problems, on the other hand, exceeds all limits of the definition of "WTF?".

People are stupid. THAT is why the world sucks.

The Rev

10-05-2010, 11:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
Debaser Baked Fresh Daily Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 1,186 Thanks: 32 Thanked 303 Times in 177 Posts	Man, when I first turned 18 things were tough and I had to go on welfare. I was on it for 6 months and I hated every minute of it, did what I could to get off of it. These people need a serious boot to the head! __________________ Wouldn't it be great to heal the world with only a song? Message CM47: Let's go pay some hookers to knock our junk around.

10-05-2010, 12:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Rev Clear Light Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In my head, somewhere. Posts: 17,864 Thanks: 5,015 Thanked 5,419 Times in 2,864 Posts	First they tax the shit out of people, devalue their currency, and interfere in their ability to make a living, then they justify they're existence by insisting they must help the same people they're fucking. That's the real "WTF?" in this situation. Why we keep thinking the government is going to solve our problems, on the other hand, exceeds all limits of the definition of "WTF?". People are stupid. THAT is why the world sucks. The Rev __________________ Budforce - My Friend August 29, 1973- May 25, 2012

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10-05-2010, 11:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
lonely_girl420 YaHookan Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: idaho Posts: 2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i agree people who really need the help cant get it cause of people who abusie the system like that

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