The adventures of Mommy woman
Messed Up Priorities
Published on March 12, 2004 By JillUser In Blogging
There has been a lot of talk about the rules and regulations regarding food stamps. A lot of us seem to experience the same observation, these women tend to have beautiful nails! *Notice I didn't say they all have* I would love to have beautiful nails. I don't. You know why? I don't have the time because I am taking care of my home and family!

Before children, I would get acrylic nails because I have a hard time growing my own. It is expensive and very time intensive. You have to sit there for at least an hour every week to two weeks. You have to make it a priority. Once I had kids, it simply wasn't a priority anymore.

I am wondering A)How do these women afford it? and B)Why is it they have time to sit on their butts getting their nails done?

I am sure I will get the "They deserve to feel normal too" argument. Manicures are another luxury item. Not a necessity at all! Designer clothes and coiffed hair, more luxuries. Seem to see a lot of those accompanying food stamps too.

Even seeing an example of this once (which I have seen much more than that) is enough to make you feel a bit bitter about paying for these peoples' groceries. People who deserve the assistance can feel defensive about people citing these instances, but it is one of those frustrating flaws in the system. I have so much respect for the woman with the calculator and pile of coupons in tote as she shops. She plans out a list, estimates the cost and sticks to her plan. I can't say I have ever seen a food stamp user ever reference a list or use a coupon. That is just my experience though.

Another thing I can't figure out is the cell phones. How is it they have cell phones too? Example I saw yesterday, leather coat, designer glasses, manicured nails, talking on the cell while yelling at 3 kids to stay out of the candy. All 3 kids had new sneakers, designer clothes and new coats.

I'm all for helping the needy. I am all for seeing kids get the nourishment and clothing they need. I am not for paying for luxuries I don't even have for myself or my family. My family is buying sneakers from Pay-Less and they are wearing Nikes. That just isn't right.

I am not sure how we are going to get there, but I think somehow our society needs to return to the times when people were proud to make the best of what they could with what they had. They would do anything they could to avoid hand outs. Anyone who doesn't believe that government assistance is a handout is fooling themselves. It used to be people were fine working their way up. Now any job other than the top is beneath them. Why work for less than you can make getting assistance? I'll tell you why, you can start a work record and work toward better jobs. Gain experience. Learn new things. Do for yourself and see how rewarding it is. That is how I was raised and it has worked out pretty well so far.
Comments (Page 6)
9 PagesFirst 4 5 6 7 8  Last
on Sep 15, 2004

Statistically, the poor don't work full time. That's why they're poor.  Why they don't work has many reasons. But no, I don't think society has a responsbiility to ensure that non-producers are enabled to live a illusatory middle class lifestyle.

on Sep 15, 2004

These people have very little , sometimes nothing. The lift in their esteem , especially for the children , when they are fed , and get a nice new pair of shoes - cannot be measured. The smiles and the tears are proof enough.


Goddammit, my husband busts his ass serving his freakin country, and me and mine don't always get to wear brand new, name brand clothing.  If we wear name brands it's because we got them used (yard sales, thrift stores and ebay).


It's not costly if there's no labor.
 


Gonna have to beg to differ here.  The supplies alone are $20+ dollars, and that's if you buy the cheapest tips and the cheapest fill-in materials.  $20 may not seem like much to you, but at certain times of the year $20 can be a big deal to me.


We're talking pennies here, folks.


would you like me to show you how much we paid in taxes last year? We didn't contribute pennies, it was a darn sight more than that.  Draginol states repeatedly that his tax bill was into six figures last year.  That's millions.  Of dollars, not lira or yen.  That's not pennies.


The percentage of people I see abusing the system isn't that small...and the thing that pisses me off is that I know someone who's on the verge of being made homeless and who really needs the help but can't get it.  I have no problem helping someone get on their feet again, but when people take advantage of the system (and thereby make it harder, almost impossible for theose with a real need to get any assistance at all)...well, that infuriates me.

on Sep 15, 2004
It is nearly impossible to cheat the system. It is actually rather difficult to even get in the system. The blanket judgments need to stop.
on Sep 15, 2004

t is nearly impossible to cheat the system.


Ok, let me re-phrase my blanket judgement I'm tired of seeing people manipulate and play the system.  It does happen, I see it daily.

on Sep 15, 2004
*pokes head in door, then quickly shuts it and runs away*
on Sep 15, 2004

pokes head in door, then quickly shuts it and runs away*


Yeah, that's a good idea...things have gotten pretty heated in here in the past.


WiseFawn, please don't take offence at my 'blanket judgement' comment.  i meant no harm by it.  you and I just off to a decent start, and I don't want to ruin that.....

on Sep 15, 2004
There's a Church here that serves the homeless , and they do it in style . They are amazing. They ask for donations from Corporations , and clothing. BUT , they don't want used clothing , they want new, name brand clothing - and they get it. WHY?

As their Pastor says : These people have very little , sometimes nothing. The lift in their esteem , especially for the children , when they are fed , and get a nice new pair of shoes - cannot be measured. The smiles and the tears are proof enough.


There's a more important element to it than that, though. If someone is homeless that is looking to move up, they need decent clothing for job interviews.
on Sep 15, 2004
It is nearly impossible to cheat the system. It is actually rather difficult to even get in the system. The blanket judgments need to stop.



I can attest to that.
on Sep 15, 2004

If someone is homeless that is looking to move up, they need decent clothing for job interviews


There are organizations that will happily provide good quality used business attire to people looking for something to wear to job interviews.  There was one in the small town where we used to live; I donated a bunch of stuff over there.


I don't care that people are getting stuff for free, it just burns me that guys coming home after being injured in Iraq are getting used clothing to wear (a lot of them got med-evac'd out with nothing but a hospital gown) whilst others who have done nothing but take from the system are getting brand new, name brand clothing.


Gideon, I was referring to you in my comment.  I cannot begin to tell you how bad it chaps my ass that you're not getting the help you need...you're not getting any help at all....whilst Suzy Welfare down the street is getting her house, food, car, insurance, and fingernails paid for.

on Sep 15, 2004

If someone is homeless that is looking to move up, they need decent clothing for job interviews


There are organizations that will happily provide good quality used business attire to people looking for something to wear to job interviews.  There was one in the small town where we used to live; I donated a bunch of stuff over there.


I don't care that people are getting stuff for free, it just burns me that guys coming home after being injured in Iraq are getting used clothing to wear (a lot of them got med-evac'd out with nothing but a hospital gown) whilst others who have done nothing but take from the system are getting brand new, name brand clothing.


Gideon, I was referring to you in my comment.  I cannot begin to tell you how bad it chaps my ass that you're not getting the help you need...you're not getting any help at all....whilst Suzy Welfare down the street is getting her house, food, car, insurance, and fingernails paid for.

on Sep 15, 2004



Yes , Gideon , you are so right.

They also have a program where they ( and many other offshoots of them ) have little "shops" wher a man or woman can come in and borrow an outfit or two , just to go to a
job interview. This program has been so successful , they have been able to get many people off the street.

They also have a program where they train you in all areas you can imagine , and fit you into jobs at other non profits , so that you can learn and go out in the real world.

They have my utmost respect and gratitude.
on Sep 15, 2004

They have my utmost respect and gratitude.


mine too.  I fully respect anyone who tries to better themselves despite adverse circumstances, and my hat's off to anyone who can help them get there.

on Sep 15, 2004

Wisefawn has no idea what she's talking about.  You ever apply for aid in Michigan, Wisefawn? No, then don't make such blanket statements.

 

on Sep 15, 2004


dharma .

When I say we are talking pennies here , it seems you don't even understand where your taxes go. YOU ALONE are not footing the bill for welfare. It is spread over millions of people. Therefore, it's pennies. You probably pay more for road work. Or the town hall.

You seem so angry at someone you don't even know , and don't know their story. YOU dream it up yourself , and you know what they say about people who assume.

What if , and this is happening with a great deal of regularity : You have a nice life , and nice clothes, and you rent a home. One day , the husband dies , with no insurance,
and the wife , who already works full time , is forced to try to make ends meet , alone. Problem is - the only thing she can't cover is the food. She's barely making ends meet.

So, she has to decide - food or heat in the winter? Maybe there's hope - she can apply for food stamps. Please don't say " find another job " - that's risky and often not available.

What if this woman walked into your grocery store , maybe the third time she's been there , and she still has some nice clothes, and she still tries to dress her kids right,
and everyone thinks she is a welfare queen when she just needs a little help?

I've worked hard all my life, too ,but I have always been able to say NO to all these silly things in life where clothes make the person , or the label makes you better.

That's why I am where I am. I have developed a system where almost everything I get is free. You don't pay for it , either. I haven't paid for much in years , and it's not stolen.
I told myself when Bush was " elected " that I would buy nothing but essentials , and I haven't.

I can't tell you about it , because then everyone would do it. The point is, no matter WHAT point you are in life , and what situation you are in , with a little brainpower and maybe some help , EVERYONE can be a success. Then you don't have to begrudge someone their "handout ".
on Sep 15, 2004


crazy lady ,

Hooray for you! You are a perfect example of what a little help can do. It gets you on your feet.

You made some mistakes when you were young - wow, getting married at that age!

But that's in the past , and I hope you have a great future. I also hope that if you need help ever again , that you ask. That's what it's there for.

Keep it up and imagine more and more and more!
9 PagesFirst 4 5 6 7 8  Last