Blaine County, what would you do with all the welfare-dependent if you take away all welfare?

Most of these people are unable to work. Some disabled, others simply don't know what a work ethic is. What are you going to do, hire a guard for every person and try to make them work? Now that would be an efficient government operation!

Jim

Do you know any people that actually need disability to survive? There are some out there.

... he got a free shower though

Yes. I have seen people so injured they cannot do any job. Whether taxpayers should pay the bill is a different discussion.

Most people on disability however could work.

Before we decide to reform the welfare system we should probably define it.

BTW I'm fully in favor of doing away with the welfare state.

Trapdog, it's safe to assume that a lot of us know someone who benefits... or would benefit... from some assistance. However, I know of far more cases of laziness, or just plain fraud than I do legitimate cases.

I know one slug in particular who games the system any way he can. The only reason he's still above ground is because I prefer to breathe what little free air there is left... If you can call supporting a worthless slug, by taxation, freedom.

Mike

Trapdog, it's safe to assume that a lot of us know someone who benefits... or would benefit... from some assistance. However, I know of far more cases of laziness, or just plain fraud than I do legitimate cases.

I know one slug in particular who games the system any way he can. The only reason he's still above ground is because I prefer to breathe what little free air there is left... If you can call supporting a worthless slug, by taxation, freedom.

Mike

I don’t buy the concept that most of these people are unable to work. Too lazy to want to work, sure. As for disability, we see that scam here with regularity. Guys are on disability yet they post about hunting, fishing, taking trips and doing things around the house all on the taxpayer's dime (and maybe their wife's dime too). At a minimum, their fingers function because they prolifically post on T Man. They can work.

My position is simple yet extreme because we need a drastic reset of the entire welfare system. I'm tired of paying for it. The realistic solution is however more moderate if anything is ever going to change. I get that.

What would I do? I would start with tightening up requirements, addressing fraud and sharply cutting programs/benefits. I realize we can't cut everyone off completely overnight but it's a great place to start the discussion. Incentives and education are worthy of discussion too.

I know the opposing argument is starvation and crime if we drastically cut welfare. We have never really tested that. I expect that most people would adapt in a positive fashion. Obviously, some wouldn't and we would have to deal with it.