Michigan drops people from Food Stamps

[610Alpha]

"We want to encourage people to be self-sufficient, not to be dependent on the government," she continued.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/09/michigan-kicks-30000-college-students-off-food-stamps/

Am I dreaming??? If I am don't wake me up LOL cause I like where it is headed before long they will say that I don't have to participate in Soc. Sec. and that the IRS is gone and I only have to pay a flat tax on my income!!

[monkeybird]

I'm awaiting for the punch line! Michigan is known as the welfare state with people actually moving their because the welfare criteria is so low! Will wonders never cease.

[crossbow]

and I would assume Michigan has been watching the riots in the UK and taking notes, when those people get hungry, they are coming after food at a store near you and they will not have money or food stamps

[Bigmac]

I think its a great thing they did. It's mostly 30k college kids that were denied. When I was in college I didn't need food stamps to survive. I got a part time job and that's how I did it.

[miked2345]

As a Michigander, let me 'splain this'..... In Michigan, maybe other states too, the "gubmint" doesn't give out food stamps anymore, cause using food stamps might hurt someones' self-esteem. (yes, that's the offical line, in so many words..) Instead, we have "Bridge Cards", which work like debit cards at the store.

For several years now, college students have been scamming the system. For example, Mr and Mrs Money Britches pay to send little Johnny off to college... He's living on campus, and eating his meals in the cafeteria... His buddy tells him about the "Free Money Program" so Johnny signs up for a bridge card. On the form, he puts down that he lives on his own and has no job. The state sends little Johnny a bridge card, that is automatically reloaded every month with funds. Now since Johnny's parents have paid for him to eat at the cafeteria, he uses the bridge card to buy pop, junk food and alot of other crap, at taxpayers expense. Also, the Bridge cards are only suppose to be used for food, yet computer records show that some have been used in casinos!

Several TV stations have done stories on this topic over the years, interviewing students who have bridge cards.... Some of thier excuses - "All my friends do it" "I get good grades, the state owes me!" "It's not that much money..." Blah, blah, blah.... Most of these students would have never qualified for the bridge card if the state knew their true financial condition. That was a BIG part of the problem, the state just handing out money without checking where it was going. (WOW.... There's a shocker, huh???)

Now I have NOTHING against college students - I have a son in college right now, but we did it the legal and ethical way.

[Klayton]

Now if only they would kick 90% of the other freeloaders off of every state's food stamp program!!
Tonight at my new job OJT, welfare programs came up because we were discussing Medicaid, the teacher (roughly my age group) said "In my time people use to be ashamed of being on food stamps, not any more." Well the young man sitting in front of me said "Not me, I am proud I am on welfare, I apply for everything I can, let the rich people pay for my food."

This is the mentality, unfortunately, of my entire class (yes I am cursed) see today was final exam for my Pharmacy Tech class, THANK GOD that class is over, but now with my second job seems I just went from one class full of freeloading Democrats to another. On the downside, atleast the pharmacy tech class they were hot looking young women, versus my OJT class being young to middle aged men, and a few really homely women sprinkled in throughout the class. I'm being punished I tell you!!!

You should have heard them complain why the government has the donut hole part of Section D Medicare... I swear, they want EVERYTHING given to them. Freaking freeloaders!!!

[2531]

You got that right, my friend. Let me offer some insight. My brother became a parapelegic 14 years ago. A tree fell on him while he was surveying some land. He spent less than two months in the hospital and then got back to work, welding and later started his own excavating company. Each day he drives to the job site and transfers from his truck to an ATV, then backs up next to the excavator. He pulls himself in via a rope and then goes to work. No whining, no food stamps and no welfare. He would be ashamed to take something for nothing while he is able to work. At some point he may need assistance, but for now (in his mid 40's) he's good to go. Tell that to your whining entitlement fellow student!

[crossbow]

I think its a great thing they did. It's mostly 30k college kids that were denied. When I was in college I didn't need food stamps to survive. I got a part time job and that's how I did it.

I agree and i live in the state where welfare,food stamps andhand outs were invented, I would rather see soup lines for the people who want to eat, I see food bought with a card being traded for booze,drugs, rent ect all the time. soup lines would put a stop to that.

[Echelleg]

I used to work for a conv. store (2nd job) and I would get so disgusted at what people would purchase with their EBT card (food stamp/cash asst). I am so tired of the ME generation!

[Hit or Miss]

About 17 years ago, our family was stationed in California at a military base. One day I stopped into a convience store for a drink. In front of me in the line was a women with her monthly allotment of food stamps. When she got to the checkout, she took 3 pieces of 3 cent candy from a jar on the counter. She paid with a $20.00 food stamp and recieved $19.91 in cash change. She then proceded to do this four more times- 3 pieces of candy, pay w/ $20.00 food stamp. She walked out of there with 12 pieces of candy and $99.55 in cash. When I got to the checkout the store clerk said people do that all the time. I don't know what her situation was, but if she really spent the allotment on food, she could have just used her food stamps at the grocery. What a scam.

[arcangel911]

By the sounds of it, I am in the younger generation you are all talking about. And I agree with you all 100%.

What scares me is when the system that they rely on changes or becomes unusuable, what my generation will do. I am hard working, usually have 2-3 jobs and I support my own self. But after seeing enough stuff here lately, I worry that these younger pups and their children/dependant/offspring will become "villianous" and deadly. These so called flash mobs are also a huge issue, due to their increasing frequency and how quickly they get out of control.

[john1929]

That is my big feer! If that was to happen in the SE it would not take long befor a riot starts in the big towns. Not trying to look down on anyone, god knows we could use them from time to time. But there are alot that are on them and don't need them or use them as a job. All I have to say is god help the ones on them.