Thursday, April 4, 2013
The Welfare System
Today in class we talked about the welfare system. I know that there are a lot of different views on the welfare system. Our book states that most people think of an unemployed black woman, yet most women on welfare are not black. I believe this fact. I personally believe that there should be some sort of time restraint on the welfare system, and the recipients should be checked up on every so often to ensure that the money is being spent on items that should be purchased. As an employee in a supermarket I see people on welfare everyday. Yes I may not know that family's situation but I do not believe that those on welfare should be able to take money off their welfare cards and purchase alcohol or lottery tickets. Both things that I see on a everyday basis. I just don't see how it is fair the some people work two or three minimum wage jobs to support their family's or themselves because they do not qualify for welfare but those who do qualify may not work one job or even try looking for a job, therefore taking advantage of the welfare system.
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I do agree with your stance on everyone believing that those that use welfare are African American. That I believe is because of media showing viewers an African American abusing the system and people then jump on stereotypes and believe all African Americans are abusing the system. For your comment on when those with welfare abusing the system buying alcohol and lottery tickets, I do not fully agree with your opinion. I do believe that some should not abuse the system, especially for those that really need the money for necessities and instead use it on beer and lottery tickets. Those that occasionally bend the system a little are not doing too much harm and should not be worried about. Though I don't work at the supermarket like you, I'm not sure which people use the system to their advantage or not. There is no sure way of telling who is using welfare on what and perhaps there should be a system implemented if there is not an existing system already.
ReplyDeleteI can agree with you on this. However, I know a bunch of people who are white who are also on welfare. It is the typical stereotype that African Americans are mostly on welfare, but there is the contrary race. But I wil say that it does disgust me when I see people taking advantage of the system. I know a woman who is Caucasian, and has 5 children, and is a stay at home mom. She doesn't work and normally is on her computer playing farmville. Anyway, she doesn't work, but she has a 60'' screen TV in her room with an Xbox 360. Yet, she never has enough diapers for her youngest child. So I do feel that some people abuse the system and not actually use the welfare to supply their needs.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with your comment, and I do think that our system needs to be reformed and have more restrictions, but I would like to share something else that someone taught me once regarding this topic. I'm not saying I agree (or disagree) with this idea, but I found it interesting if nothing else. Although it may seem like these things (alcohol, lottery tickets, manicures, etc.) are not a necessity, for some people it's a form of "escape." If someone can't pay their $500 rent, but they can afford a $5 lottery ticket, it may "doable" to buy the lotto ticket because they wouldn't be able to pay their rent either way. Also, when people are in a disadvantaged situation, doing things like going out to eat or going to the movies may be the only bit of joy that they have in their stressful life. Don't get me wrong- I do not like the idea of people using my hard earned money to spend on frivolous items when they are not working. But I think considering this point puts some humanity back into the situation and reminds us that we're all human and not everyone is just trying to cheat the system.
ReplyDeleteI can say that I agree whole heartedly on your stand point conceding our welfare system. Our current system is broken, no matter how you look at it. No matter where you go, if you're afforded the luxury of a welfare system, someone out there is going to abuse it. I don't think that there's any way around this. i think it would be a fantastic thing to be able to monitor those who receive welfare checks, to make sure they're aren't using the money towards frivolous things. However, I do feel that it would not be an easy thing to monitor. Therefore, until the welfare system is redesigned, there are going to be people that use it the way it was intended to be used, and those who choose to exploit the system.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the stereotype of African-Americans on the welfare system needs to stop. Whites, Asians, Hispanics, etc. all are on the welfare system but African-Americans are portrayed more because of how we have viewed them overall in society's history.
ReplyDeleteI whole heartedly that these people should be checked on every month to make sure that this kind of money is being spent on food, not on crack!! People should also NOT being buying booze or lot tixs with that money because they are a ton more people that need that money more than those punks spending it on booze!!! People "milk" this system too much and it needs to stop once and for all.
Yes buying some luxury items are a form of "escape" but it should only happen "once in a blue moon." I can't believe that there is someone out there who owns a 60" tv but not enough diapers?! I think that person should be in diapers and re-examine her life's priorities!
~Chad S.