My UO

DEElicious18 · September 2010

It really makes me so angry when people who I know are on government assistance to care for their children have smart phones. Let me be SO VERY CLEAR: I have no issue with anyone on government assistance! However, if you can afford a $200 Droid with a $30 a month data plan, you can afford formula and diapers. Just sayin'...

monj76 · September 2010

Yep. I agree, but one could argue that they dont have internet, or a landline, so they are saving money.

lilbit923 · September 2010

Some people's priorities are their children and other people's are themselves. I'd be irritated too. It would tick me off to pull someone over on traffic for expired tags, speeding, whatever and see the gucci this, prada that, nails blinged out, pedi with designs all over, extension, full highlights, expensive everything and casually ask where they are going..."Oh I'm heading to the WIC office." Yyyeaaah. Indifferent

kcisthebombdotcom · September 2010

monj76:
Yep. I agree, but one could argue that they dont have internet, or a landline, so they are saving money.

That's not a really legit argument. I'm not on public assistance, but have a walmart phone that's $30 a month that has the internet to save money. I paid $30 for the phone. You don't need to have the newest technology. Also, you don't even need a cell phone-you'd do just fine with a magic jack for $30 a year and no internet.

Phones and internet are luxuries, not a necessity. Public assistance is designated to help people when they hit a tough patch. I would think that people should be focused on saving every penny and working hard to get back into a position where they can afford to live on their own without help. It shouldn't be used to keep the lifestyle you're used to living.

aocain02@yahoo.com · September 2010

I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

StrawberryAlarmClock · September 2010

Oh yes, I feel ya.

I was in the grocery store once and the lady in front of me was buying twice as many groceries as I was and handing over every sort of government aid card and check that she could pull out of her pocket. While the cashier was ringing her up, she was on her bluetooth earpiece talking to Heaven only knows who, saying: "He better have the surround sound hooked up today. He ain't been working for a month (pronounced "munff") and the kids are at Local Expensive Amusement Park with my Mom so he got nothing better to do!"

Indifferent

And before any bleeding hearts get their panties in a wad, I have no problem with her buying groceries. It was the bluetooth, unemployed DH, at least two kids at the theme park on a school day to the tune of $25 each and surround sound?!!? We don't even have a stereo and DH and I work our butts off!

DEElicious18 · September 2010

ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

OH BOY... I happen to agree with you, but you may get flamed to the high heavens for this one LOL

happilyhis · September 2010

ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

Aaaaaand this is the slippery slope that this conversation inevitably leads to. I agree with the OP - I have family members whose priorities are all screwed up. They get $600 a month in food stamps, but mom and dad have iPhones and the 14 year old has a cell phone too. All 3 of the phones are constantly getting turned off because they can't pay the bill and all kinds of other needs routinely go unmet for all 4 of their kids. So yeah, that's annoying.

But, we shouldn't be telling people they're "required' to be on birth control.

DEElicious18 · September 2010

StrawberryAlarmClock:

Oh yes, I feel ya.

I was in the grocery store once and the lady in front of me was buying twice as many groceries as I was and handing over every sort of government aid card and check that she could pull out of her pocket. While the cashier was ringing her up, she was on her bluetooth earpiece talking to Heaven only knows who, saying: "He better have the surround sound hooked up today. He ain't been working for a month (pronounced "munff") and the kids are at Local Expensive Amusement Park with my Mom so he got nothing better to do!"

And before any bleeding hearts get their panties in a wad, I have no problem with her buying groceries. It was the bluetooth, unemployed DH, at least two kids at the theme park on a school day to the tune of $25 each and surround sound?!!? We don't even have a stereo and DH and I work our butts off!

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

aocain02@yahoo.com · September 2010

DEElicious18:
ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

OH BOY... I happen to agree with you, but you may get flamed to the high heavens for this one LOL

Oh I'm sure I will. I have no problem with govt assistance,it just gets abused way too often.

yankeebaby2 · September 2010

ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

Why stop there? I think you are poor you should have no right to have children and should be sterilized when they give you the EBT card.

DEElicious18 · September 2010

yankeebaby2:

ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

Why stop there? I think you are poor you should have no right to have children and should be sterilized when they give you the EBT card.

Saw this coming from a mile away...

monj76 · September 2010

KC_13:

monj76:
Yep. I agree, but one could argue that they dont have internet, or a landline, so they are saving money.

That's not a really legit argument. I'm not on public assistance, but have a walmart phone that's $30 a month that has the internet to save money. I paid $30 for the phone. You don't need to have the newest technology. Also, you don't even need a cell phone-you'd do just fine with a magic jack for $30 a year and no internet.

Phones and internet are luxuries, not a necessity. Public assistance is designated to help people when they hit a tough patch. I would think that people should be focused on saving every penny and working hard to get back into a position where they can afford to live on their own without help. It shouldn't be used to keep the lifestyle you're used to living.

I 100% agree.

Timeg · September 2010

I totally agree. And I don't think it is saving money, at least not where I live. I pay a lot each month for my iPhone because I have to pay for my phone/text plan and my data useage fee (which is $15-30 more).

greengirl0909 · September 2010

yankeebaby2:

ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

Why stop there? I think you are poor you should have no right to have children and should be sterilized when they give you the EBT card.

I was waiting for your comments on this one! Wink

So forced birth control/sterilization = bad...but tell me this, do you not even get frustrated when people receiving asistance openly admit to TRYING for another baby? I mean, I won't be trying for a year or so because I can't afford the day care and diapers. Shouldn't we hope for some sort of conscience on their part in this matter too?

aocain02@yahoo.com · September 2010

yankeebaby2:
ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

Why stop there? I think you are poor you should have no right to have children and should be sterilized when they give you the EBT card.

Sterilization is a bit extreme. Maybe baby daddy's that have 10 kids with 10 different moms could qualify for this program.

MarthaP18 · September 2010

I agree with public assistance as temporary help to those who really need it. I just have a problem with the abuse, and I have personally seen it abused WAY too often. My husband's cousin is on every type of assistance under the sun, has never worked a day in her life, spends all her money on booze and drugs, and goes to some ghetto place to trade in her food stamps for cash (most recently to get a flat screen tv). She has an awesome $300 cell phone. Her child often doesn't have diapers or milk and then she cries to the family and they buy it for him. Meanwhile, I have a tv that's old and SUCKS, DH and I have CRAP cell phones (mine is the WORST. It literally spends all day shutting itself off, turning back on, hanging up mid-conversation, etc.). We don't get a penny. We work damn hard and pay for everything ourselves, and we live without a lot of "luxuries" that I see this girl have. It's ridiculously unfair. It's the abusers of the system, like her, that make people be against public assistance. I know some people NEED it temporarily, and those people should get it, but this girl? She's a perfectly able-bodied 24-yr-old. Get a freaking job already.

kimandjared · September 2010

I agree 100%!! My brother and SIL aren't on gov assistance, but they are definitely strapped on cash. Their house was foreclosed, etc. They don't even have insurance for their THREE young kids (ages 1-6), but they have enough money for both to have iphones, nice clothes, the newest apple items (ipad, itouch...etc), and all new nice stuff for their house. WTF? Take care of your kids before yourselves. Irritates the crap out of me. Then they go and complain about how they don't have money and are so poor...umm then stop buying stupid stuff. It is nothing you need.

zeptattoo · September 2010

I agree with most of the pps. What I want to add though is WHAT programs like WIC and others dictate they should be spent on.

For example: I saw a woman buying diapers and formula using WIC certificates. Ok, no problem, except the formula that WIC dictated was small, PRE-MADE cans of Similac. She could have gotten twice the amount of formula for the same price if she was allowed to get powder. However, since the certificate specified pre-made, that is what she had to get. That is a really bad use of funds on the part of WIC IMO.

JaysonandKristin · September 2010

zeptattoo:
I agree with most of the pps. What I want to add though is WHAT programs like WIC and others dictate they should be spent on.
For example: I saw a woman buying diapers and formula using WIC certificates. Ok, no problem, except the formula that WIC dictated was small, PRE-MADE cans of Similac. She could have gotten twice the amount of formula for the same price if she was allowed to get powder. However, since the certificate specified pre-made, that is what she had to get. That is a really bad use of funds on the part of WIC IMO.

Gov't subsidies happen all.the.time in inappropriate fashions. HELLO dairy industry!! One of the million factors contributing to our country's financial demise.

I agree with the PP who stated that gov't assistance programs are supposed to be there to catch you when you fall, and get you back on your feet. They're not there to help you maintain a lifestyle.

greengirl0909 · September 2010

StarAnnice:
I used to work at the reception desk for a doctor's office. I would get so annoyed when the people on public assistance refused to pay their $1 co-pay, while they were checking in, talking on their cells, with their wrists dripping with gold bangle bracelets. Really? You don't have the $1?

You forgot tapping their acrylic nails!

ScissorTailedFlycatcher · September 2010

Did it ever occur to you people that some of these luxuries were bought prior to going through hard times? Or possibly someone pays the phone for them out of the goodness of their own heart? As far as birth control, that is just stupid. - written from my Droid after calling my WIC office.

ScissorTailedFlycatcher · September 2010

zeptattoo:
I agree with most of the pps. What I want to add though is WHAT programs like WIC and others dictate they should be spent on.

For example: I saw a woman buying diapers and formula using WIC certificates. Ok, no problem, except the formula that WIC dictated was small, PRE-MADE cans of Similac. She could have gotten twice the amount of formula for the same price if she was allowed to get powder. However, since the certificate specified pre-made, that is what she had to get. That is a really bad use of funds on the part of WIC IMO.

Wic doesn't help buy diapers. They also let the parent choose if they want powder or ready made. Often, this is determined by the doctor. You also get a specific amount of ounces per check. She likely could have been using one check or just part of one.

greengirl0909 · September 2010

shortyred919:
Did it ever occur to you people that some of these luxuries were bought prior to going through hard times? Or possibly someone pays the phone for them out of the goodness of their own heart? As far as birth control, that is just stupid. - written from my Droid after calling my WIC office.

I mean no disrespect to you personally, but I would argue this attitude is part of the problem.

lildevil968 · September 2010

shortyred919:
Did it ever occur to you people that some of these luxuries were bought prior to going through hard times? Or possibly someone pays the phone for them out of the goodness of their own heart? As far as birth control, that is just stupid. - written from my Droid after calling my WIC office.

Yes All of this! I couldn't have said it better myself.

ScissorTailedFlycatcher · September 2010

guppysown@yahoo.com:
shortyred919:
Did it ever occur to you people that some of these luxuries were bought prior to going through hard times? Or possibly someone pays the phone for them out of the goodness of their own heart? As far as birth control, that is just stupid. - written from my Droid after calling my WIC office.

I mean no disrespect to you personally, but I would argue this attitude is part of the problem.

My attitude?

ScissorTailedFlycatcher · September 2010

dup

greengirl0909 · September 2010

shortyred919:
guppysown@yahoo.com:

shortyred919:
Did it ever occur to you people that some of these luxuries were bought prior to going through hard times? Or possibly someone pays the phone for them out of the goodness of their own heart? As far as birth control, that is just stupid. - written from my Droid after calling my WIC office.

I mean no disrespect to you personally, but I would argue this attitude is part of the problem.

My attitude?

Yes. If you need the assistance, that's fine, but when you make statements like this it seems like you're throwing it in our faces, "ha I'm on assistance and have this smacy droid."

DEElicious18 · September 2010

shortyred919:
Did it ever occur to you people that some of these luxuries were bought prior to going through hard times? Or possibly someone pays the phone for them out of the goodness of their own heart? As far as birth control, that is just stupid. - written from my Droid after calling my WIC office.

There are always going to be exceptions. In my experience with those who I know personally that are on government assistance is that they fully pay for their own cell phone plans. Those cell phones include Droids and iPhones.

yankeebaby2 · September 2010

DEElicious18:
yankeebaby2:

ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

Why stop there? I think you are poor you should have no right to have children and should be sterilized when they give you the EBT card.

Saw this coming from a mile away...

That's a coincidence. I saw this UO coming from a mile away. Maybe because it gets posted every week?

RadicalDreamer143 · September 2010

KC_13:
monj76:
Yep. I agree, but one could argue that they dont have internet, or a landline, so they are saving money.

That's not a really legit argument. I'm not on public assistance, but have a walmart phone that's $30 a month that has the internet to save money. I paid $30 for the phone. You don't need to have the newest technology. Also, you don't even need a cell phone-you'd do just fine with a magic jack for $30 a year and no internet.

I have Magic Jack. You have to have internet (not dialup) to use it, because it uses VOIP.

Also, it's crap. I use it in case of an emergency, but if I had to choose between that and cell service, cell would win hands down since my upload speed (which is what Magic Jack uses) is the best offered by Time Warner, but it's STILL crap. According to everyone I speak to, I sound like I am underwater and cut out a lot.

htomeo · September 2010

DEElicious18:
ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.
OH BOY... I happen to agree with you, but you may get flamed to the high heavens for this one LOL

Ok, so take me. We get medical and daycare assistance. Not food or cash. We have 4 kids.

BUT, the assistance is not for us, it is for only one of our kids. She is a legal ward of the state that we have full guardianship over.

Don't be so quick to judge the situations of those with so many kids on any type of assistance.

greengirl0909 · September 2010

htomeo:
DEElicious18:

ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

OH BOY... I happen to agree with you, but you may get flamed to the high heavens for this one LOL

Ok, so take me. We get medical and daycare assistance. Not food or cash. We have 4 kids.

BUT, the assistance is not for us, it is for only one of our kids. She is a legal ward of the state that we have full guardianship over.

Don't be so quick to judge the situations of those with so many kids on any type of assistance.

As someone in a very specific situation utilizing assistance, it seems you might have more frustrations with people mis-using the system. What if they misuse it to the point where you can't get your help anymore?

ScissorTailedFlycatcher · September 2010

guppysown@yahoo.com:
shortyred919:
guppysown@yahoo.com:

shortyred919:
Did it ever occur to you people that some of these luxuries were bought prior to going through hard times? Or possibly someone pays the phone for them out of the goodness of their own heart? As far as birth control, that is just stupid. - written from my Droid after calling my WIC office.

I mean no disrespect to you personally, but I would argue this attitude is part of the problem.

My attitude?

Yes. If you need the assistance, that's fine, but when you make statements like this it seems like you're throwing it in our faces, "ha I'm on assistance and have this smacy droid."

Don't mistake your jealousy for an attitude on my part. I only mentioned it because I am one of the people you are so quick to judge.

htomeo · September 2010

guppysown@yahoo.com:
htomeo:
DEElicious18:

ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.
OH BOY... I happen to agree with you, but you may get flamed to the high heavens for this one LOL
Ok, so take me. We get medical and daycare assistance. Not food or cash. We have 4 kids.
BUT, the assistance is not for us, it is for only one of our kids. She is a legal ward of the state that we have full guardianship over.
Don't be so quick to judge the situations of those with so many kids on any type of assistance.
As someone in a very specific situation utilizing assistance, it seems you might have more frustrations with people mis-using the system. What if they misuse it to the point where you can't get your help anymore?

It's gonna happen, between that and a failing government, things are going down the toilet fast. The best I can do is prepare for the worst case.

My point being, others should not judge based only on the facts that someone has lots of kids, and gets government assistance. They don't know situations.

Now, if you all want to bash people for acting ignorant and trashy, I am all for that.

DEElicious18 · September 2010

yankeebaby2:
DEElicious18:
yankeebaby2:

ALG29:
I totally agree...to add to this, I think if you're on govt assistance and have 2 or more kids you should be required to be on some type of birth control.

Why stop there? I think you are poor you should have no right to have children and should be sterilized when they give you the EBT card.

Saw this coming from a mile away...

That's a coincidence. I saw this UO coming from a mile away. Maybe because it gets posted every week?

Wow... angry much? AGAIN, I have no problem in the world with someone using government assistance. I was extremely clear in that. This was strictly based on my own PERSONAL experience with friends I have. For example, I kindly offered my friend a coupon for the formula she uses because I wasn't going to need it. She thanked me, but gave it back. She explained that she was on WIC. Ok... cool, I'll give it to someone else. In the same breath she whips our her brand new iPhone she had just purchased for $300, which requires a monthly data plan. If you can PERSONALLY purchase such an expensive phone and pay expensive monthly fees, why are you unable to afford necessities for your child. This was in no way to bash someone for using government assistance. It's there for a reason and that reason I am completely supportive of.

angiegail78 · September 2010

JamieS2006:
KC_13:
monj76:
Yep. I agree, but one could argue that they dont have internet, or a landline, so they are saving money.

That's not a really legit argument. I'm not on public assistance, but have a walmart phone that's $30 a month that has the internet to save money. I paid $30 for the phone. You don't need to have the newest technology. Also, you don't even need a cell phone-you'd do just fine with a magic jack for $30 a year and no internet.
I have Magic Jack. You have to have internet (not dialup) to use it, because it uses VOIP.

Also, it's crap. I use it in case of an emergency, but if I had to choose between that and cell service, cell would win hands down since my upload speed (which is what Magic Jack uses) is the best offered by Time Warner, but it's STILL crap. According to everyone I speak to, I sound like I am underwater and cut out a lot.

I was also going to point out that Magic Jack requires the internet.

And while the internet may be a luxury, I don't think a telephone is. You need a way to call doctors or 911 should something happen, especially if you have kids. Plus, you need a way for potential employers to call you, so you can get OFF public assistance.

MSUMamaof2 · September 2010

Here's a novel idea. Why doesn't everyone just worry about what they and their families can afford and quit being upset about the perceived injustices in the welfare system?

If it upsets you to see Ms. Welfare Mama with her acrylic nails, fancy cell phone, and gold hanging out of her ears to buy formula for her KID using government money, ask yourself why you care. My guess is that you're thinking in the back of your mind, "Why should SHE get this when I have to do this?"

We could solve the world's problems if everyone would just mind their own business.

RadicalDreamer143 · September 2010

MSUMamaof2:
Here's a novel idea. Why doesn't everyone just worry about what they and their families can afford and quit being upset about the perceived injustices in the welfare system?
If it upsets you to see Ms. Welfare Mama with her acrylic nails, fancy cell phone, and gold hanging out of her ears to buy formula for her KID using government money, ask yourself why you care. My guess is that you're thinking in the back of your mind, "Why should SHE get this when I have to do this?"
We could solve the world's problems if everyone would just mind their own business.

I'm sure Hitler would've loved for everyone else to have minded their own business.

MSUMamaof2 · September 2010

JamieS2006:
MSUMamaof2:
Here's a novel idea. Why doesn't everyone just worry about what they and their families can afford and quit being upset about the perceived injustices in the welfare system?
If it upsets you to see Ms. Welfare Mama with her acrylic nails, fancy cell phone, and gold hanging out of her ears to buy formula for her KID using government money, ask yourself why you care. My guess is that you're thinking in the back of your mind, "Why should SHE get this when I have to do this?"
We could solve the world's problems if everyone would just mind their own business.

I'm sure Hitler would've loved for everyone else to have minded their own business.

A little dramatic, don't you think?

RadicalDreamer143 · September 2010

MSUMamaof2:
JamieS2006:
MSUMamaof2:
Here's a novel idea. Why doesn't everyone just worry about what they and their families can afford and quit being upset about the perceived injustices in the welfare system?
If it upsets you to see Ms. Welfare Mama with her acrylic nails, fancy cell phone, and gold hanging out of her ears to buy formula for her KID using government money, ask yourself why you care. My guess is that you're thinking in the back of your mind, "Why should SHE get this when I have to do this?"
We could solve the world's problems if everyone would just mind their own business.

I'm sure Hitler would've loved for everyone else to have minded their own business.
A little dramatic, don't you think?

Not more dramatic than telling people to turn a blind eye on what their tax money is being spent on.

And no, I am not trivializing what the Nazis did, before anyone goes there.

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