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[shinwachou]

Saw this on Facebook--apparently written as a "letter to the editor"... I'm only sharing this because I simply want to see what everyone's thoughts are on this. No flame wars, please. ;-)

This is a young physician by the name of Dr. Roger Starner Jones. His short two-paragraph letter to the White House accurately puts the blame on a "Culture Crisis

Comments

[shinwachou]

I agree, and it still bothers me too. But something that even I still struggle with is not making assumptions--that whole not "making an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'" thing. Unless we treat a particular person like who you described as a case study, and also systematically went through and monitored their typical monthly expenses, we don't really know their situation.

I doubt most of those people either you or I see going through a checkout line with food stamps, or those through a hospital with Medicaid, have the true brand-label version of a purse or outfit or whatever---- more than likely it's a [Chinese] knock-off that they probably bought for 1/10 of the price.

But all that being said, I agree there's a problem with people abusing the various social programs and the wrong people getting approved for them versus the ones who truly need/deserve it.

However, Cassie made a good, personal point on FB [I x-posted it there as well--can't remember her LJ user ID offhand at the moment].. if any of you have me friended on FB, you can go see for yourself [mostly because FB isn't playing nice and letting me/copy paste] -- maybe this will work: http://www.facebook.com/#!/sekaijuu?v=wall&story_fbid=151015994932313&ref=mf

[foolish]

I agree with a lot of what your friend Cassie wrote though and the tone of the way this is written comes off very...ergh. The tone of it made me wince a bit while I read it, etc.

But yes, I sadly know some people, like my sister's ex, who abuse the system so badly, it makes me sick to my stomach. Like leeching off unemployment to go party with friends and go clubbing, meanwhile being able to avoid child support. But each case scenario is different, and like you said, we don't know their situation.

I guess it bothered me a lot mostly because at the time I was working 40+ hours and was barely making by as it was. I struggled with bills and I couldn't have 'nice things' so seeing them waltz through my line with purses I saw as expensive felt like insult to injury, you know?

[shinwachou]

Believe me, I am annoyed with the people who do abuse the system! Those who I know with absolute certainty who are abusing it-- I can think of one person offhand in particular who is on like every form of assistance, they have 4 kids, and yet all they seem to do is party (kind of like how you said).

I really do understand, it's just... I seem to like playing devil's advocate a lot, perhaps to my detriment? :x