Learning From the Entitlement Crowd

As a lot of you know, I've been on hiatus for a while (much too long) dealing with some personal things going on in my life. My friends and family have been a blessing as has the new man in my life. All have been supportive and caring, and all will have my undying gratitude and love.

Since beginning my new life, I got a job with the nation's largest retailer. The atmosphere there is great, and things are looking up. Starting in apparel, I've moved on to the jewelry department where I got a small raise. A small wonder in the short two months I've been there. Working there has also opened my eyes to some of the things that continue to astound me by those who choose to live off the public dole instead of being free individuals who pave their own way in life.

One of the first things I learned is that most clothing does have limits. When cards are replenished, this is one of the first noticeable things one sees. I really wish I didn't have to see it, but..... For those who may think I'm exaggerating, go to peopleofwalmart.com for proof. Asking that material to hold back more blubber than an Eskimo fishing expedition is like trying to dam the Colorado River with Lincoln Logs.

This next lesson may make some of you queasy, so please take a few moments to grab some Pepto Bismol. Trust me. Ready? Here goes.

Those who carry an EBT card full of YOUR money are able to buy jewelry with it as long as the cash balance allows. This includes certified diamonds, gemstones, and high-end watches. I guess buying silly items such as soap, laundry detergent, or toothpaste escapes some people. Mama needs a new nose stud. And the arrogance with which it is presented is disgusting. It's almost as if the nose of the hard workers of this country is being rubbed in the fact that the only skill these people have is scamming us out of more of our money.

How many of you know that those who use food stamps don't pay taxes on food that you and I do? That's the way it works here in Pennsylvania. While you and I are paying a few extra cents on pop (soda for the rest of yinz) and other taxable food items, they don't. While it may seem petty to gripe about something like that, take the number of cases sold times 36 cents here in PA and do the math. Working people pay $3.60 more on ten cases than those who appear to have no desire to work. Multiply that by the number of cases sold nationwide at different tax rates, and you've got yourself a huge number. Better stop now or I'm going to wind up with a migraine.

So how does one keep their sanity when the welfare floodgates open approximately twice a month? I'll give you a few pointers to hopefully make it a more pleasant experience.

• Avoid going there at the beginning and midway through the month. That's when cards are replenished and the entitlement mentality flourishes. If you must go then, be prepared to see things nightmares are made of.
• If you can do so, shop very early in the day. Most of the entitlement crowd likes to stay up playing XBox until the wee hours of the morning and sleep until at least noon. This also avoids having to hear them screech at their out-of-control minions. How do I know this? You'd be surprised at the number of them going into the store with their kids in tow when I'm leaving at 11 p.m.
  
• Those of you who have elderly or disabled people with you when you go might want to follow the second bit of advice also. The availability of motorized shopping carts plummets when the welfare crowd descends upon the store.
  
• Thinking of having a cookout on the patio grilling some Delmonico or New York strip steaks? Again, go early. These items are big with those who have a card full of food stamps as are crab legs and pricey seafood.
• Avoid the electronics and toy departments unless absolutely necessary. Should you feel the need to get away from these bloodsuckers, go to the cleaning or personal care departments. A lot of them don't spend much time there.

Now that I've done my good deed for the day, I'm going to pose some questions to those dregs of society who have no desire to work. These are things I'd love to be able to ask while I'm breaking down freight or breaking my back moving merchandise.

1. What makes you think that you are entitled to the fruits of my hard work and that of millions of other Americans? If your answer is "Because I got pregnant and have no education", you lose. You should NOT be rewarded for irresponsible behavior and poor decision-making. You want the freedom to make your own choices, be free enough to accept the consequences of those decisions.
2. Why should I have to pay for your cell phone? Here in PA, welfare will provide a cell phone. That's a travesty. If your answer is "Because I deserve to have one just like everyone else", you lose. You deserve it if you earn it. All other circumstances constitute theft of the American worker with big government as your shakedown man.
3. Why are so many of those who have food stamps and choose to use them on a permanent basis so obese? If your answer is "They don't have money for food", you lose once again. Food stamps should not be feeding a steady diet of Ho Ho's and junk food. And it's about time yinz start doing what the rest of us do: get the most for your dollar. Instead of buying the high-end food and lots of convenience foods, get more for less. Just because government gave you a certain amount of my money, be frugal and don't waste it. I don't have a choice in the matter, and neither should you.
   
4. When one decides to live off of welfare, why does personal hygiene seem to be the first thing to go? While I understand that circumstances in a person's life may be that they don't have a lot of money (Believe me; I'm living it.), there is NO reason to be filthy dirty. Have some self-respect and some consideration for those around you. Instead of spending $30 on snow crab legs, use it to go to the laundromat. Take the $20-$25 you spend on fancy steaks and buy soap and shampoo. It really doesn't cost that much. You may have to be poor, but you don't have to be dirty. Oh....and please at least wash your children's faces and hands before going out in public. They will learn what you teach them.
5. Why is it that the generational welfare crowd sees no problem with multiplying like rabbits? If you need welfare for one child, doesn't that give you any hint that it's not going to get better when you have 3, 4, 5, or 8? Refer to #1 for more ranting.

Thanks to those who have taken the time to read my rant. It's a much needed venting that's long overdue.

Personal Resposibility? Not Here.

A mother of nine in Boston is suing her doctors for performing a tubal ligation against her consent. While I agree that they were out of line, at what point are the taxpayers allowed to say "No more!"?

Tessa Savicki (photo below) claims that she consented to an IUD, a reversible form of birth control should she later decide to have more kids, but instead was permanently sterilized by her doctors. Naturally, a lawsuit has been filed. The incident in question occurred in December of 2006. Sounds like Tessa needs more money. Her lawsuit is claiming that she has suffered “substantial pain and emotional distress and incurred severe and permanent physical injuries.” Boo frickin' hoo.

Savicki's children are the product of several men. Three of her children have been produced with her current fiance, Angel Flores Tirado, 36. Tirado works full-time to support his children. A commendable action in today's world, I have to give him credit for taking care of his responsibilities. Tessa, on the other hand, seems to be the irresponsible one.


She has four children living with her, her mother has custody of three, and two are no longer minors. Her first child was born when Savicki was only 13, the age when she dropped out of the ninth grade. Two of the four children living with her receive welfare benefits, and Tessa herself receives SSI for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Savicki has been through the court system before due to reproductive issues. In 2001, she sued a CVS pharmacy and a spermicide manufacturer claiming that she got pregnant with her now 12-year-old daughter because she had bought and used an expired spermicide product. The result was a settlement (of course).

“I would never have the right to tell anyone else ‘because you have this many kids that’s enough,’ ” she said. “That’s no one’s right to say that. It’s my choice. No one has the right to say you’ve had enough. [I do if I'm supporting them, honey. -- B&G]

“I take care of my kids. I love my kids. I was not ready to make that kind of decision,” she said of the permanent sterilization. [We, the taxpayers of this country and the state of Massachusetts, take care of your kids. --B&G]

While I agree that a signed consent form for the procedure should have been secured, at what point are the taxpayers let off the hook for the decisions she makes?

Tessa: If you have a job to support your children, then by all means; have as many as you'd like. Until then, why not take charge of your body and keep your frickin' legs closed? And should you get pregnant again and can't support the new baby, don't look for the taxpayers to bail you out. Your decision, your responsibility.

(Source: The Boston Herald via World Net Daily)

Hypocrisy: Thy Name is Welfare

Yesterday, I was talking to a family member who had read my post and just happens to work at Wal-Mart. She was kind enough to pass along a few little details that I was unaware of.

In the state of Pennsylvania, we have a 6% sales tax on everything except food and clothing. Now, when I say food, I'm talking about your basic necessity items. If you want pop, you pay sales tax. That is, unless you get food stamps.

Yes, kids, you read that right. While the government has talked about taxing sugary and unhealthy food and drinks, that's only for the working schmucks. Those with food stamps are exempt from paying sales tax on pop in Pennsylvania. Guess who gets stuck paying that when there's a tax shortfall? Hint: it's not the welfare recipient with the flat-screen plasma TV and blu-ray disc player.

My family member also told me that I really should watch what I say about welfare recipients in front of the cashiers at Wal-Mart (yeah, right). Here in PA, if you are able-bodied and receiving welfare, you are required to work a certain amount of hours. Evidently, some cashiers at Wal-Mart still get welfare. In fact, I was told that one cashier at the store my relative works at is employed full-time, but still gets welfare to the tune of about $600 a month in food stamps. She also said that this cashier is known to throw parties A LOT. Guess who's picking up the food bill for those?

At what point do the honest, hard-working people of this country get a break??? The disdain for the welfare class has grown exponentially because of their entitlement mentality. People are sick and tired of paying for those who have no desire to work for what they want, and the politicians just keep promising more and more to those people for their votes.

I believe that if you are on welfare, you should not be allowed to vote. It's only common sense that they are going to vote for those who promise them more while not requiring anything in return. It's a basic conflict of interest.

Some groups say that the average food stamp recipient only gets approximately $1 per meal per day. BULLS**T!!! That statistic is what the rest of us are forced to make do with! And when they shoot their wad within the first week of getting a fresh supply, what do they do? They go to local food banks and get more free food!!! It really needs to stop.

One question for anyone on welfare who may be reading this (fat chance): What gives you the right to think you have a claim to my money? Get off your high horse, quit whining, and GET A JOB like so many Americans do every day. No jobs you say? There's the "hope and change" you wanted. Deal with it.

My Run-In With the GIMME Crowd

A short while back, I saw where there was an increase in the amount food stamp recipients will be getting. By now, it has probably taken effect. I wasn't going to comment on it because I had done my post on "The Gimme Crowd" (check "welfare" label) and didn't want to be redundant. Well, today changed that.

I had to run an errand for my husband this morning, and, since I didn't have the kids with me, decided to stop at Wal-Mart and actually take the time to look at things I wanted to but never seem to be able to do. It was nice to actually have some alone time. Not that I don't love my kids, but...

I picked up a few items for my daughter's birthday on Monday (she's into the Jonas Brothers OMG!!!!) before heading to the checkout. What happened there PISSED ME OFF!!!

In Pennsylvania, welfare recipients get an "ACCESS Card". It's like a debit card, and all of their benefits, food stamps and cash, can be handled with this card. Usually, in PA, accounts are replenished at the beginning and middle of the month.

Needing cigs, I got in the cigarette checkout behind a couple who looked like they were in their early 20's. They were stereotypical white trash looking. They each had a buggy: one with nothing but Pepsi and Mountain Dew, and the other with food and miscellaneous items.

After putting the food and other items on the belt (I noticed about 10 DVDs and some New York Strip and Delmonico steaks), I watched as the girl got out her ACCESS card. Needless to say, I went from zero to bitch in 0.2 seconds.

I proceeded to get on the phone with a friend of mine and start ranting. When asked what I was doing, I told her that I was behind some "white trash spending our money" at Wal-Mart. Mind you, I have a big mouth, and there was NO WAY this couple could avoid hearing me. I went on about how I wished WE could afford the finest steaks and latest DVDs and how no one seems to have any shame about using other people's money to get these things because getting a J-O-B would cut in on their video game time. My friend was speechless (not an easy thing to do).

The happy couple went on to talk to the cashier while she was ringing up their order about the party they were having tonight. Grilling steaks, watching movies, etc. Sounds great doesn't it? Before swiping the almighty ACCESS card, this couple got TWO cartons of cigs. And not the cheap ones I had to switch to. Two cartons of Marlboro for them, one pack of off-brand for me.

They ended up getting over $200 worth of Pepsi and Mountain Dew. Mr. Wonderful had his own ACCESS card. That's when my jaw almost hit the floor.

As they were leaving the checkout, I yelled over "You're welcome!" They just kinda looked at me as I said "For all your stuff...you know....I paid for that!" At that point, they realized they weren't dealing with anyone rational and just kept on walking. The cashier looked at me and just started smiling. I think I spoke for her, too.

It's time people start to realize that the welfare crowd is not doing this as a stepping stone to a better life. This is the bedrock of their existence. I say "Bring back the stigma!"

I Forgot One...Here Comes KOOK to Save the Day

This was KOOK's comment in regards to my disability post. He saved my butt by bringing up obesity as a disability.

"This pi$$es me off as well. Disability is the new welfare. There is no clock on disablity.

I know of people who have been put on disability for life because they have a math learning disorder...well hell...so do I.

you forgot Obese. I am a big boy, but some of these folks I see, at the ages they are...holy cow. I know sometimes it is diabetes, or a thyroid problem, but when I see some Grizzly Bear wolfing down crab rangoons by the dozen at the chinese buffet and then waddle out to their minivan with the disabled placard it pisses me right off.

Hey, Shamu, lay off the ho-ho's and you would be fine.

Like I said, I am not a light weight, but just last night I went out for Pizza and a few cold ones and there was a whole family. Daddy Bear (huge), Mama Bear (even huger), and two little baby bears.

The pre-teens weighed close to what I do if they weighed an ounce. That is just gross man.

I gained about 50lbs after my divorce and I still got it, but when you are twelve and pushing 220 you got problems and it starts with your parents."

Amen!

The Entitlement Crowd: Take Two

Image via Wikipedia

I have a feeling this post is going to do one of two things: get people angry at the system or get people really hacked off at me. It's kind of a double-edged sword. After yesterday's post on the welfare entitlement crowd, I decided to jump into another group of the same crowd: those who claim disability under false pretenses.

I am not so insensitive that I can't understand what people with disabilities endure. I have watched my two autistic kids struggle with coping in what can be a very cruel world. There are those who are truly disabled, and they deserve all the care and support we as Christians and human beings can give. They aren't the problem.

The problem lies in the people who decide that for whatever reason, they don't want to work, but they know they don't qualify for welfare. So, let's work the system: claim disability and collect Social Security Disability benefits. I don't know which group I find more offensive.

I did a little digging last night in preparation for this post. I found a partial list of qualifying disabilities under Social Security. As you read it, don't be surprised if some of the challenges you face in this life qualify. These are some of the things that I don't think should truly qualify as a disability.

• Loss of speech -- Yes, this could be a secondary symptom of a serious disorder of another class, but come on. Sign language...ever hear of that??
• Asthma -- My daughter has dealt with asthma. There are many great medications out there to deal with an attack and also as a preventative.
• Sleep-related Breathing Disorders -- Do you snore or suffer from sleep apnea? Well, then come on down and get a share of other people's money.
• Persistent and chronic skin lesions -- What exactly is the criteria for a lesion, and how does that affect one's ability to work? If anyone has an answer, please let me know.
• Diabetes -- A growing problem in this society, diabetes CAN be managed. My husband is Type 2 and works 60-80 hours a week. If your diabetes is so far gone that they have amputated body parts, disregard this.
• Anxiety -- I suffer from panic attacks and severe anxiety. I can control these with medication, and blogging has become my therapy. So if you're tense and anxious and have no desire to work, there's a check for you.
• This one really gets me....SUBSTANCE ABUSE -- Since when did not taking repsponsibility for your vices become a disability??? Do you smoke? Get a check. Do you drink? Get a check. Do you enjoy crack and other illegal drugs? Get a check. What a boffo idea! Let's give people money because they have a crack problem! They would NEVER think of buying more crack with it, right?

Along with getting cash for a qualifying disability, you automatically qualify for Medicaid. The public teat is going dry, but there are those who will continue to say they're disabled to avoid working. What a crock!!!

In years past, the advocates for rights of the handicapped have said that they are "handicapable". Wonderful programs are out there to help people learn to live with whatever crappy hand they have been dealt. What happened to using a "disability" to prove you can conquer it and be a productive member of society? My kids are high-functioning (Thanks to God) and have proven that it is possible to make it through challenges we all face. Yes, autism qualifies as a disability.

The people who make me the most mad are those who tell their kids to go to school and act out to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Yep...both disabilities. While my son was doing in-home therapy to learn to communicate and reason, welfare reform had been passed. In Pennsylvania, that meant you got two years of benefits in your lifetime. That's it. I asked the therapist what her thoughts were about the people who have come to expect someone else to give them money every month. All of a sudden, they gotta work. Heaven forbid!!! She told me that having their kids act out to collect disability was the new welfare scheme being perpetrated by the non-workers of the time. Doesn't that just make you sick?

I think it's high time that people start attaching shame to what these people are doing. It takes away from those who truly need disability benefits and jades the rest of us.

Is that Tweedledee and Tweedledum I see coming? Think I better go find the Mad Hatter.

The Entitlement Crowd: GIMME, GIMME, GIMME!

Yesterday, I was reading Bungalow Bill's post on government-paid cell phones for "the poor", and it really got my panties in a twist. But after reading and posting over at Left Coast Rebel's site about healthcare, I decided that my first post of the day was going to address the money pit that is the generational welfare crowd.

In the 1960's, Lyndon Johnson introduced his Great Society programs and created a whole class of people who realized that working was just not what they wanted to do. The Great Society has done as much harm to this country as a left-wing socialized government can do.

Let's be clear: I do not begrudge those who need temporary help during times of need in their lives. I've been there. When you're 21 and a single-mother divorcee with no marketable skills and no help, your options are limited. It's the people who have no desire to help themselves and make a better life for their families yet continue to scream for what others DO have that are the target of my contempt today.

It sickens me to go to Wal-Mart at the beginning of every month. Buggies heaped with top-of-the-line name-brand food are often in the clutches of a food stamp card toting family with more kids than they can afford. While they're buying New York strip steaks and frozen shrimp, I'm thinking of the cheapest meals I can make for my family. While they're buying Pepsi and Mountain Dew, I'm buying Sam's Choice pop. Comfort and convenience foods should be disallowed if you are on the food stamp program. Referring to Quinn's first law: Liberalism always generates the exact opposite of its stated intent.

Charity programs have great intentions but are often taken advantage of by the GIMME crowd. When my now 21-year-old son was 6, I took him to volunteer at a local hospital handing out gifts to people who were to be helped by hospital employees via an angel tree one Christmas. While there were some recipients who were truly grateful, the majority were bitter. "Is that all you got?" asked one mom of her teenage son. "Maybe we'll do better at K-Mart [with their angel tree program]." Here in Pittsburgh, a local TV station has a program called "Project Bundle-Up", aimed at buying winter coats, hats, and gloves for the needy. While a noble idea, I can't understand why they will buy the kids expensive Steeler coats when they could go to Wal-Mart and get three or four coats for the same price. And people wonder why charities are in trouble.

To see someone with their hair and nails done whip out an ACCESS card makes my blood boil. This would be the crowd that gets cash assistance. Do I have anything against a woman having her hair and nails done? Nope. In fact, I wish I could. My beef is that while I'm paying for them to have their's done, I can't afford to have mine done. And the recipients who sport numerous tattoos....PAY FOR THEM YOURSELVES!!! I have three, and no one else paid for them. It is not a God-given right that someone else pay for your every want and desire.

It used to be that receiving welfare benefits carried a certain stigma; not anymore. In fact, some recipients boast about how they got this for free and that for free by working the system. It's time to give these people a wake-up call: You have no claim on my money. Before the entitlement programs, poor people were proud of what they had and too proud to accept charity. If they couldn't earn it, they didn't need it. How the times have changed.

If anyone sees the Hookah-Smoking Caterpillar, tell him I'll be over for a smoke shortly. We are definitely down the rabbit hole.