[MD] Down the road of mediocrity

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting Case <Case at iSpots.com>:

> [Platt]
> Social Security is not a welfare program because benefits are not dependent
> on "need." Everyone who works must pay SS taxes. Everyone who paid in can
> collect at retirement. 
> 
> [Case]
> Social Security, AFDC, Food Stamps and other social service dollars are
> lumped in the federal budget as entitlement programs.

Yeah, government propagandists hate the word "welfare." Reminds people to
much of freeloaders.
 
> [Platt]
> So guess what? Some get pregnant to collect. 
> 
> [Case]
> This is another Republican myth. I am not saying that it has never happened
> but it is very rare and the idea that it has become a cornerstone of public
> policy is an obscenity.

Not the cornerstone of public policy, but the cornerstone of welfare cheats.

> [Platt]
> No requirement that there be a father in the house.
> 
> [Case]
> The funding is allocated to assist children regardless of family living
> arrangements

A program designed for children often abused by adults.

> [Platt]
> >From what I've seen in market check out lines, you can buy a lot of things
> besides food with food stamps, like diapers.
> 
> [Case]
> You can buy whatever you want but you have to pay cash for things disallowed
> under the Food Stamp program. If you believe this is happening locally I
> suggest you call the local food stamp office and report the store where this
> happens for possible fraud.

Fat chance I would get anywhere.
  
> [Platt]
> As if cheating doesn't occur. Yeah, right.
> 
> [Case]
> And a big part of the inefficient inherent in government programs is the red
> tape involved it trying to minimize this. There is no system anywhere in any
> sector public or private that is immune from cheating and exploitation. This
> is not a specific indictment of social services programs.

Cheating in the private sector is vigorously opposed. Cheating in the government
sector gets a wink and a nod. 

> [Platt]
> Some street people prefer living that way. When attempts are made to give
> them shelter, they resist.
> 
> [Case]
> There are a variety of reasons for this including mental illness but one you
> should consider is that they do not wish to have the government take money
> out of their pockets to give to others and so they do not participate in the
> system. I have advised you in the past no one is required to pay taxes, only
> those who chose to participate in the economy. Some people do make the
> choice not to participate.

So let them alone.

> [Platt]
> Right. Some go to emergency rooms just to have someone to talk to. People
> should be required to have private health insurance, just like they are
> required to have auto liability insurance.
> 
> [Case]
> Shoulda, woulda, coulda. It is a shame the world does not conform to your
> expectations. Nevertheless it is not as though everyone obeys the law to
> purchase car insurance just because there is law. Plus I would think having
> people force you to buy insurance of any kind at the point of a gun would
> bother you.

Forcing you to be responsible is OK by me, like obeying traffic laws.

> Do you seriously believe that anyone anywhere thinks the ER is a cool place
> to hang out for chit chat?

Ask those who run the place what it's like.

> [Platt]
> Before swallowing any so called facts from the government, everyone should
> read "How to Lie with Statistics."
> 
> [Case]
> Where is Craig on this one? Just because some liars use statistics does not
> mean that all statistics are lies.

True. But it's well to be suspicious, especially when the statistics are compiled
by a government bureaucrat interested in keeping and expanding her job.




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