Entitlements

I've gamed the system.  When I got out of the military, I was on unemployment.  I certainly had no intention of finding a job but I filled out the paperwork and pretended like I was.  The checks rolled in!  Normally, the only thing that comes in the mail is bills, multiple, foreign and domestic.  They're kind of like beers in that sense.  However, I didn't do for very long.  Unemployment benefits usually run out after a certain point, or certain situations cease their eligibility, and it's because of those that I stopped well before the funds had run out.

My wife did the same thing, except back then she was much more reputable than I was.  I remember there was a situation that came up where she ended up getting two checks for the same period.  Afraid of a fraudulent charge, she tried returning the check back to the unemployment office.  The clerk there basically asked her why she was there. She carefully explained.  The clerk asked her why she was there.  So we left the office, check in tow and cashed it anyway.

Of course, it can be said, that we paid into the system.  Each month, when we received our pay, we could see that even though we were getting paid by Uncle Sam, he was still getting his.  We were supporting the system we were drawing from.

That can't be said for every individual that relies on it.  Working where I now work, I've heard quite the stories of the welfare state being abused.  One particular person I know actually "shops" at her mother's place.  It's not that her mother runs a shop, it's just that her mother makes enough food stamps that if she doesn't spend it she'll lose it.  She's stockpiled enough foodstuff at her place to have a "market."  Once, she was wondering what to spend all the money on and ended up treating everyone in her family to steak and lobster.  I work my ass off; I'd like some free steak and lobster.  Of course, this is on top of the stories I've heard where people buy and sell the very food stamps they get for free. 

These programs that we have in place to help people along have gone completely awry.  However, no politician will touch them.  No one will stand up and say, we need to revamp the system for fear of being seen as "against the people" or biting the hand that elects them.  Something has to be done, but sadly, nothing will.