In “Some Help Just Hurts” by The Proud American presents an argument on the topic of welfare. She states that there are a lot of people that take advantage of the welfare programs in this country that sought out to help out people that are in dire need. I agree with her in that in order to receive welfare one must pass drug test amongst a thorough background check. These I believe are needed to fully ensure the person receiving the help truly needs it. The problem with her argument is that she believes that food stamps are used to buy, “drugs, fake nails, hair-do’s, alcoholic beverages, $65 birthday cakes for little Johnny, to clothes from Neiman Marcus.” Food Stamps absolutely cannot buy all but one of those things. The cake is the only thing that FOOD STAMPS can buy from that list. She has a misconception of how the food stamps work and what they can actually buy. Another thing that she does not have full knowledge over is that abusing food stamps is illegal and a crime. Abusing food stamps or lying to the government in order to get food stamps is a major crime that can be punished with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. I think she has a misconception and a preconceived notion of who gets food stamps and the image she sees is not the majority description of the person who is receiving the assistance. The average person receiving this help is completely opposite to what she thinks, it is a middle income family in need of a little assistance.
I agree that that people may not understand what type of situation or people the welfare program is in place for and that drug testing to obtain one's aid would be very beneficial. Because there are many struggling families who need a little help until they are able to get back on their feet. However on the flip side there are plenty of people who take advantage of the system and cost tax payers more money.
ReplyDeleteThe writer was off base concerning what and how the system was being abused, but the fact is the system is being abused. And there is no actual way for the governemnt to over see how every welfare and food stamp recipient is spending their money. It is very easy for a recipient to go sell the food stamps for half of what they are worth and put cash in teh recipients hand. Or someone who has beeen on welfare for years who hasn't truly been looking for a job shouldn't continue to recieve aid. The system is being taken advantage of, but the question is not who recieves welfare? The question is how can the American government monitor it more closely to ensure the proper people are recieving the help.