Information like this fires people up and makes the judgemental attitudes harsher. Half a trillion in improper payments over 5 years?

 

Improper payments by federal government top $100B

 

While any abuse is to be lamented, it appears from first glance, that the most abused my actually be abuse buy providers versus abuse by recipients. SNAP and housing assistance are near the bottom of the list, while medical are near the top or at the top. Over billing and fraudulent billings by healthcare providers is a problem that contributes to those.

 

Which further demonstrates that the wholesale, widespread abuse by recipients is an exaggerated claim by the uniformed. And further supports that the administration of programs is in need of revision, IMO.

the most abused my actually be abuse buy providers versus abuse by recipients..

 

This torques me even more. A former colleague was audited by the state and was found to have defrauded those benefits by a large sum. I'd have never thought it, but it happened all the same.

 

And your Ram-ism didn't go unnoticed.

I don't see that the woman did anything wrong at all by reaching out for assistance. As Bert said, she & her family used it in a way that it should be used--as a safety net, not a hammock. Their situation seems to have improved, even though it was an emotional road back to financial stability.

 

But I have also long held the opinion that the vast majority of financial disasters or emergencies can be overcome on your own.

While any abuse is to be lamented, it appears from first glance, that the most abused my actually be abuse buy providers versus abuse by recipients. SNAP and housing assistance are near the bottom of the list, while medical are near the top or at the top. Over billing and fraudulent billings by healthcare providers is a problem that contributes to those.

 

Which further demonstrates that the wholesale, widespread abuse by recipients is an exaggerated claim by the uniformed. And further supports that the administration of programs is in need of revision, IMO.

 

Agreed, the abuse by recipients is not a huge percentage but any abuse has the effect of ticking large numbers of people off as they see their tax dollars wasted. I don't think anyone would argue that administration of these programs need revision and it's a major flaw and reason why many do not want more dollars thrown at the programs until the waste is brought under control.

Agreed, the abuse by recipients is not a huge percentage but any abuse has the effect of ticking large numbers of people off as they see their tax dollars wasted. I don't think anyone would argue that administration of these programs need revision and it's a major flaw and reason why many do not want more dollars thrown at the programs until the waste is brought under control.

 

Is it true that only 40% of welfare makes it to the recipients? I have heard that more than once but have never seen the actual numbers. I understand 100% is impossible due to some over head but 40% is obviously unacceptable. I know from working with several non for profits 75% to 80% is the expectation. If our government can only achieve about half of that, we have worse problems than I assumed.

Is it true that only 40% of welfare makes it to the recipients? I have heard that more than once but have never seen the actual numbers. I understand 100% is impossible due to some over head but 40% is obviously unacceptable. I know from working with several non for profits 75% to 80% is the expectation. If our government can only achieve about half of that, we have worse problems than I assumed.

 

Boy I hope it's more than that but I've never seen any figures on how much makes it to those who need the help. You're right that a good non profit usually is in the 75-85% range.

I drive a Lexus. If I got into a snag, I'd 100% sell it and get myself into a more economical car, like a corrolla or civic and use the difference to at a minimum, put in a savings account for emergency medical situations, or food/necessities for my family.

 

I'm not sure how her continuing to drive a paid off Mercedes is being justified unless that Mercedes were a 1990 piece of crap.

 

Sacrifices sometimes have to be made. I'm not blaming her for getting the help she needed, but you also have to help yourself.

In a bind ? Sell your luxury car and join the 95-98 % of everyone that doesn't drive a Mercedes Benz . After graduating college I drove a Renault Alliance , one of the cheapest cars known to mankind , purchased with no stereo and no AC . At one time had a nice 300 ZX turbo . Traded it in for a Nissan Sentra , to go back to college . Some are willing to sacrifice . some are not .

In 2008?

Good point, missed that it was that long ago. That said the c class is still not a super expensive car. Could they have sold it, probably. But selling a car fast and not taking a huge loss on it is tough, especially in 2008 when things were rough.