There Is No Hope.....

[My3cents]

Meeko, I think there is hope. Maybe these kids will have a better economic situation than their parents did and not have to rely on assistance. These kids are learning what they see, they are not learning that they have to work hard to get paid.Its not those kids fault their parents needed help. I'd hate to assume these kids will grow up to also be on assistance, if that safety net even exists in the future. Maybe those kids will remember the help they received and "pay it forward" in their adulthood. Maybe I am just looking for the bright side here. you have to have hope- but what I am seeing is parents raising children, that are living on the system, raising children that will live on the system- because why work when you can have it handed to you and have it better then if you worked hard at a job?

Dave, don't mean to come down on you, I know you are struggling in life too, but its just not kind to compare the needy to animals. Correct me if I am wrong, but on our judgement day, are we not first judged on if we fed the poor? Wasn't Jesus the advocate for the poor, the sick, the powerless and the downtrodden? I don't pretend to know scripture, but I did read the words in red in my family bible. Judge not, lest we be judged?I think Dave stated fact not judgement. It is true- if you keep feeding the animals they come to rely. If you keep handing out, people just sit back and rely on that and don't have any motivation except to have more kids. I am talking about abusers of the system. Not people that need a couple months of help to get back on the feet and be able to make it.

I think the whole debate over welfare belongs on the news/politics blogs. I try not to politicize anything having to do with children.Not addressing this problem is just sweeping it under the table. Our voices should be heard, that we want jobs that pay so that we don't have to have people on welfare anymore. I'm thinking Meeko was trying to make the point these kids are learning how to scam the state, not work very hard for things they want, grow up feeling "entitled". Perhaps. But maybe not. I know where the other posters are coming from, that it seems unfair and a waste of tax $$. Yes, there is abuse of the system. Yes,.sometimes we as providers see waste and abuse.Everyone see's waste and abuse. Nothing is done about it. Why should a cell phone be handed out that many can't afford. Why should all these extras be handed out. Companies want in on their share of the profits that is why! Welfare workers don't want to lose their jobs. There needs to be job creation for the middle to low class that pays so they don't need all these hand outs. One pay check should be enough to provide for a family, two for extras. But I feel it is the state's problem to ensure people aren't cheating and really do qualify, not ours. Our job is to treat children on assistance the same way we treat kids of the wealthy, without bias or judgement. I agree we she should treat all kids the same, they are kids, but we need to stop giving so much out and start creating paying jobs for all not just college educated. (not directed at you Meeko) They are just kids, they didn't ask to be on assistance. Personally, as a provider who accepts state subsidy, I am just glad these kiddos are with me, and not being watched by some crappy boyfriend, or a grandparent who can't give good care sure to illness or.age, or some sub-par babysitterwho is barely providing basic supervision for the $10 a day they are getting paid. Maybe I am just a bleeding heart, but I truly feel sorry for the kids who didn't ask to be born into poverty. Poverty should not be a word used for America. Welfare shouldn't either. If we are such a great nation we should get people off being dependent upon the system and want more then that for all.And I don't think any adult living on poverty enjoys telling their child they can't afford to do activities or get a toy because they can't afford it.I see it all the time, parents that put their own needs first before the kids. Crummy parents out there. I have been that parent in the past. No, not on assistance, but not having enough gas money to drive my kids to the free public beach. It ****s. It does **** and I think we have all been there at one time or another but I dodn't go looking for someone else to fix my issues. I get off my butt and make it happen, just as you did. So many, so so many just sit like coach potatoes letting life wonder on by and do nothing to better themselves off of assistance. I don't wish that on anyone. Ok, stepping down from soap box. Sorry, just feel strongly on the issue of children and poverty.

I am not talking of people that use assistance as a hand up, I am talking about those that live on it, and have children to live on it, have more children because more children will get you more money, and make it a way of life. Something needs to be done about it. These people have no value of self worth and just wait for the "check or card"

Helping children should start at home, you have parents that could care less about the kids and that is an issue that needs to be addressed.

I think if you receive any type of hand out you should have to work in some way to pay back for it. Everyone is capable of doing something, and giving back instead of take take take.

This issue hits close to heart and for many many personal reasons- Please don't think I am attacking you, I am just responding with my views that don't mesh with yours and I too am a caring person at heart for all.

[My3cents]

ITA I actually treat the needy kids better as I do more for them simply because they do not get much. Just a couple months ago the same family who couldnt pay me because tehy have no money were at a festival. The mom was getting the dad a steak sandwich. I let it go and asked if the kids enjoyed the fest. He told me they want to ride and jump in the bounce house but we cant afford it. OK the steak sandwich you just got cost $10 and the kids can't have $1 to bounce? I took the kids for a ride on everything and they had a ball! Sure it cost me and I dont really have the extra but the smiles and laughter from the poor kids really over paid me! They talked about it for weeks!!

The kids are gone now I had to term for a serious issue and I miss them. I was trying so hard to hang on because I feel the same as you. When the kids are here they are safe, they are FED they are cleaned up and not sitting in filthy diapers etc. They have fun here and the learn. I have a soft spot in my heart for the needy especially kids. I just hate to see parents like theirs teaching them to expect handouts and get revenge if you dont get it. I hope the kids learned real love and real support here but they are so young I will never know sadly.

Someone needs to step up and say hey why are you munching out on a freaking steak sub then? Why not get a hamburger and then you could have put your kid on ride. Easy for these parents to do nothing for the kids. Someone else always stepping in and doing it. No one wants to call someone else out on this issue. Families should be supporting each other to get the heck off welfare and not make it a way of living. Third generations living this way, prob Fourth by now- UGH! Again I am not talking about anyone that uses assistance to help out in a ruff time, weeding out would be to have a limit that someone can stay on welfare and then if they can't make it in the world have someone come in and take kids until they can function enough to give back. Most likely these parents are not doing the greatest job for their kids no matter if they are on welfare or not, let someone that wants to at least give these kids a chance step in. It is embarrassing as a community and country. The big companies would lose out way too much. Statistics should be put out to everyone what the money that welfare gives out goes on. Easy to track with the cards. Then you will see why things don't change. Only certain items should be allowed to be purchased for anyone that is asking for help, none of these extra things that the working parents can't afford.

[My3cents]

Wow I can't believe they can use their cards at those places! That is an outrage and i would be totally for that law to be passed cards can't be used there.

I know there is real need out there but also a lot of scamming too.

Zoe,
I understand were you are coming from too! My husband was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer at the beginning of summer he can no longer work. He physically is not able. WE applied for Social Security right away so we could get money well there is a 6 month waiting period! so yes SS says he is Disabled but we will not get paid until NOV 22. We have disconnected the cable, refinanced our house, cut every bill we could and still just don't have enough. We had to apply for snap(food stamps) just so we can keep going and get to Nov 22. Will we abuse it no we need that food. I loose all my kids but 2 in 2 weeks as school starts up. There are those of us out her that don't abuse it and really do need it!

You are few and far between!!! I am all for someone that is helping themselves and needs a hand up. I am talking about the life longers! They play stupid so they don't have to do anything, and they play it!!! Big difference. True diseases, like cancer etc.... job loss, hard times, but not as a way of living.

I will keep your husband in my thoughts and prayers- and your family.

[DCMom]

For July: daycare $2315.......food stamps $997............cash allowance $752.
She also gets housing.

So she spends the $752 each month on whatever she wants. as her housing, utilities and food are well taken care of. Both her and her live-in boyfriend work also.

This is more money than my family spends on our household budget for 4 (and 14 daycare kids) in a month. We, of course, are limited to our NET PAY after taxes (federal, state, local, self employment and payroll), funding our retirement plans and health savings account and insurance premiums. We don't spend anything that we can't pay cash for.

I usually try to stay out of these discussions because I have been on both sides of the fence. My family was on assistance when I was young because my dad was seriously injured (life threatening) at work and hospitalized for a very long time. Long story short, the shame that went along with 'welfare' has stuck with me my entire life. I am 50.

The kicker? When my sahm finally found a crappy, part time night job after my dad came home from the hospital, the state garnished her paycheck to pay it all back. It took them 10 years to pay off the medical bills. They (we) made do; my dad was disabled but fixed small engines and bikes, collected cans, did handyman work for garden fresh items, we were dressed from the Goodwill and garage sales (or charity). I could go on and on.

It makes me sick how much things have changed in a generation. It will all come crashing down soon, cash payouts like this with no accountability will drive this country into bankruptcy.

*stepping down from soapbox*

[My3cents]

Wow I can't believe they can use their cards at those places! Companies sue that they are being excluded and discriminated against!!! That is why they are able to use the cards in many places that are luxury items for most. Sorry but Pop, soda is not a needed item to function!!! That is an outrage and i would be totally for that law to be passed cards can't be used there.

I know there is real need out there but also a lot of scamming too.

Zoe,
I understand were you are coming from too! My husband was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer at the beginning of summer he can no longer work. He physically is not able. WE applied for Social Security right away so we could get money well there is a 6 month waiting period! so yes SS says he is Disabled but we will not get paid until NOV 22. We have disconnected the cable, refinanced our house, cut every bill we could and still just don't have enough. We had to apply for snap(food stamps) just so we can keep going and get to Nov 22. Will we abuse it no we need that food. I loose all my kids but 2 in 2 weeks as school starts up. There are those of us out her that don't abuse it and really do need it!

I responded in bold, this subject really get's me heated.

[Meeko]

I am not against benefits for those who need it. I have other daycare clients who are also state pay. They are trying so hard to better themselves with school etc so they can get OFF benefits. The mom in my OP tells her boss to never schedule her more than 30 hours a week. With 30 hours she is considered full time and gets max benefits. If she worked more and earns more (and she easily could) then her benefits would go down. It's a way of life for her and a pretty cushy one at that. I would love to have hundreds of dollars a month to blow on whatever I want.

I don't think it should be a cash benefit they can pull out of an ATM. It should stay on the card so they have to have a record of every item purchased....like a debit card.

[Sugar Magnolia]

My final thoughts on this. Children are born into poverty in this country. The welfare system helps children born into poverty. There is no one here who thinks waste and fraud are not a huge problem. My tax dollars go to support this waste and fraud, so my ire is best directed at the politicians who allow this, not the people who receive assistance. We can change our politicians, there is little we can do to change sloth, selfishness and unearned senses of entitlement. I agree with everything polar bear said, it is about job creation for the lower and middle classes. But we can't let people, especially children, fall through the cracks in the meantime.

[spud912]

It's all such a shame. This country is so great (and different from many others) in that anyone can come out of poverty and actually become wealthy if they put their mind to it! My in-laws came to this country with absolutely nothing (including an inability to read or write English). They were on assistance when they first came and worked very hard to make something of themselves. Now they are worth millions after 30 years (yet you would never know it). It took a lot of patience, hard work, and plenty of sacrifices along the way, but it just goes to show that it can be done!

[My3cents]

It's all such a shame. This country is so great (and different from many others) in that anyone can come out of poverty and actually become wealthy if they put their mind to it! My in-laws came to this country with absolutely nothing (including an inability to read or write English). They were on assistance when they first came and worked very hard to make something of themselves. Now they are worth millions after 30 years (yet you would never know it). It took a lot of patience, hard work, and plenty of sacrifices along the way, but it just goes to show that it can be done!

Some people do not have a mind and body strong enough, smart enough, to pull out of poverty and into wealth. That is why their needs to be jobs for everyone, not everyone has the mind of a Doctor etc.... but what is needed are jobs that can pay a wage that people can actually live on, be proud of, and make ends meet with. A hard honest working person, should be able to put a roof over heads, feed the family, and maybe even have a little to go out to eat on the weekend or see a movie (thus creating economic growth)

working families are struggling to put food on the table, pay a mortgage, pay bills, have a dependable vehicle, and maybe have a once in a while entertainment, not even thinking of health care- Sad.

Anywhoooo

[spud912]

Some people do not have a mind and body strong enough, smart enough, to pull out of poverty and into wealth. That is why their needs to be jobs for everyone, not everyone has the mind of a Doctor etc.... but what is needed are jobs that can pay a wage that people can actually live on, be proud of, and make ends meet with. A hard honest working person, should be able to put a roof over heads, feed the family, and maybe even have a little to go out to eat on the weekend or see a movie (thus creating economic growth)

working families are struggling to put food on the table, pay a mortgage, pay bills, have a dependable vehicle, and maybe have a once in a while entertainment, not even thinking of health care- Sad.

Anywhoooo

That's the funny thing, they still are unable to really read English. They are still working the same factory job they started with more than 30 years ago. They have worked there long enough to be capped out on the salary (at around $40,000 each), but they have saved a lot along the way, paid off their house, purchased other houses (that are rented out), and have a few vending machines. You don't have to be brilliant or even above average intelligence to have a decent salary in this country. The main thing is that you have to be willing to make some sacrifices. In today's society (and I'm guilty of some of it too )), we are made to believe that we need so much "stuff," but if we thought about our purchases, we would realize that most of the things we spend money on are wants and not needs.

[juliebug]

I responded in bold, this subject really get's me heated.

omg! i would be pi$$ed off about that too.

[originalkat]

Wow! Your state needs to revamp their system altogether. The way KS is set up is if you have a job (no matter how few hours you get $0 cash benefits. If you don't have a job you get a small amount and have to go through their job assistance program so you are off cash benefits ASAP. Food assistance is more generous but it all has to be paid through the EBT card as well as childcare etc... I can't believe she can work 30 hours per week and get that much cash assistance when she is working! Crazy.

[pootmcgoot]

The mom herself has often told the kids at pick up " Get your stuff! We're going to the pool....I got money on my Horizon card!"

What I found most sad...and why I made the post is that her kids think that's life and everyone gets it. They have learned that "Horizon card" means "blow money"

She gets a cash benefit every month. She can simply draw out the cash at any ATM...so no record of what it gets spent on.

She has 7 kids in my care. They all have season passes to the local ski resorts every year. We have a water park here called Seven peaks. They have season passes to there too.

She is often too lazy to transfer her day care money to me each month. Especially if the 1st is on a weekend. So she handed me her number and told me to transfer it. When you put in the number over the phone, a recorded voice tells you the benefits on the card.

For July: daycare $2315.......food stamps $997............cash allowance $752.
She also gets housing.

So she spends the $752 each month on whatever she wants. as her housing, utilities and food are well taken care of. Both her and her live-in boyfriend work also.

Hell.. I think I'll have a ton of kids and live it up on KYs dime. Seems like an easier way to go than working! She makes more than my husband! He works 12 hour days. She makes more than he does while deployed! This is really a travesty. Makes my 150/mo grocery bill look like a pauper. Ugh.

[DaisyMamma]

That is so not fair, at all. I dont even know what to say.

[JustAMom]

My final thoughts on this. Children are born into poverty in this country. The welfare system helps children born into poverty. There is no one here who thinks waste and fraud are not a huge problem. My tax dollars go to support this waste and fraud, so my ire is best directed at the politicians who allow this, not the people who receive assistance. We can change our politicians, there is little we can do to change sloth, selfishness and unearned senses of entitlement. I agree with everything polar bear said, it is about job creation for the lower and middle classes. But we can't let people, especially children, fall through the cracks in the meantime.

I agree 100%. Also—and I realize that the family in question is a whole different league than this and I do not agree with what they are doing. However, I don't think children whose parents are on welfare should completely be denied a few enjoyments in life. Should a child whose parents receive welfare benefits not ever have a treat? Should that child never be allowed to go to the swimming pool with his friends? Never see a movie? I think that would be unfair, too. Now, the parents who use all the money to buy things for themselves are just jerks.