Yossarian Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 What the heck has happened to our country? The Government now takes money from one sector of society and gives it to people to buy things that many of us consider non-essential to survival. The topper is people using welfare money to post bail to get their butt out of jail. According to Boston Herald, "Patrick slammed his reform-intent rivals for 'political grandstanding' with their efforts to ban Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) buys of tattoos, guns, porn, body piercings, jewelry, fines and bail." EBTs are the vehicle used by Massachusetts to give cash to people truly in need as well as welfare queens. I don't get it. Would one of you leftists explain to me why anyone's hard earned money should pay for someone else's porn, tatoos, guns, jewelry, fines, and bail? http://www.bostonher...home&position=0 Link to comment
Omaha-Husker Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Because we can't all play for Ohio St. By the way in your own article it was a bi-partisan bill lead by a "leftist" not sure why you are pointing that finger. Link to comment
Yossarian Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Because we can't all play for Ohio St. By the way in your own article it was a bi-partisan bill lead by a "leftist" not sure why you are pointing that finger. The Governor is a leftist. He's the guy who vetoed the bill. Most conservatives think taking their monety to pay for tattoos is bad. I'm one of those. Link to comment
Omaha-Husker Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Right, but this quote from the article shows there were leftists in support of the bill and actually leading it. the welfare benefits card reforms that had been hammered out with bi-partisan support in the House and Senate — an effort spearheaded by House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop). Why on earth would you request for all "leftists" on HB to defend the actions of one democrat, but ignore the actions of not another? Much to many peoples surprise the D or R doesn't make you a drone to your party. I applaud the House and Senate of the state for coming together to do something that makes sense. The gov seems to have other ideas http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20120709gov_deval_patrick_recommends_own_welfare_card_restrictions/ Link to comment
Yossarian Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Right, but this quote from the article shows there were leftists in support of the bill and actually leading it. the welfare benefits card reforms that had been hammered out with bi-partisan support in the House and Senate — an effort spearheaded by House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop). Why on earth would you request for all "leftists" on HB to defend the actions of one democrat, but ignore the actions of not another? Much to many peoples surprise the D or R doesn't make you a drone to your party. I applaud the House and Senate of the state for coming together to do something that makes sense. The gov seems to have other ideas http://www.bostonher...d_restrictions/ All leftists? Work on your reading skills. I asked one leftist to explain it. Are you going to be "the one" who does it? Link to comment
Omaha-Husker Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Work on your reading skills. Ok. Link to comment
zoogs Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 yeah, I'd be interested in hearing a justification of this. Link to comment
bhamHusker Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I certainly don't think that aid money should be used for any of the frivolous purchases described. There's not really a rationalization for it. Now, from reading over the article it seems that Gov. Patrick doesn't believe that it's acceptable either, and he just disagrees with this way of attacking the problem. I don't know enough about the situation, legislation or reasoning behind the veto to really have an opinion either way. Both sides agree that there is a problem, and disagree with how to address it. Claiming the Governor wants aid funds to be used for inappropriate purchases is disingenuous and sounds more like partisan BS than anything else. Link to comment
zoogs Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 What is Gov. Patrick's proposed solution to this not-acceptable situation? Link to comment
bhamHusker Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Are you asking me to google that for you? Link to comment
zoogs Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Sure, haha. I was just wondering if you knew offhand if he had proposed a solution along with his rejection of the current one, or if he even offered a reason as to what about the current plan he was against. If not, you don't really have to google it. I'm OK not knowing or not researching it myself. Link to comment
bhamHusker Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Sorry for the snark haha. I wish I could answer that question, but I don't know any more about the situation than what was in the article the OP linked. It says that the Governor asserts that he's just as interested in stopping these things, but doesn't think that particular measure is a realistic way of accomplishing the goal. He left in place a ban on using the EBT cards at most of the establishments that provide the offending items (i.e. porno shops, tattoo & piercing studios, casinos, gun shops, etc.), but said that the non-partisan EBT Card Commission had stated bans on individual items would not be practical for a variety of reasons. I'm sure there's a lot more to the story than what's in the article - for both sides of the argument, but, like you, I don't really have the time or interest for digging into it. The partisan outrage just seems disingenuous to me. It's exactly the kind of thing that I'm so beyond sick of. 1 Link to comment
strigori Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 That line about bans on individual items are not practical is full of crap. Nebraska's EBT system rejects all sorts of things. Items get flagged in a store's computers (which is how all things get scanned for sale) as EBT eligible or not. I have worked retail for years, its not that hard for them to do, sure it might take a retailer a few extra hours to get started up, but that is not a good reason. The only areas I have seen confusion is with how different items from a deli in a store get classified as EBT eligible or not. Just watch closely when you grocery shop, there will be a balance left on nearly every purchase made with EBT. Link to comment
bhamHusker Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Don't misunderstand - I'm not defending the Governor's veto. I was just stating the reported reasons for his decision. Like I said, I don't know (or particularly care) enough about Massachusetts' problem or their systems for managing the EBT Card program enough to have much of an opinion one way or the other with regards to how to deal with the issue. Link to comment
Yossarian Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 The partisan outrage just seems disingenuous to me. It's exactly the kind of thing that I'm so beyond sick of. It makes you sick when people complain about tax dollars being spent on porn? Say it isn't so. Link to comment
Recommended Posts