Welfare queens don't exist. Most informed adults have come to accept -- along with the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny -- that the welfare queen (a term coined by Ronald Reagan in a 1976 presidential campaign speech) is a big ol' myth.
But a recent investigation of welfare recipients, conducted by reporter Chris Nagus of St. Louis KMOV Channel 4, has Missouri Sen. Luann Ridgeway (R-Smithville) all hot and bothered. In a press release, she doesn't use the term "welfare queen" straight up, but her description of what she imagines is happening to the state's welfare dollars isn't that far from the fictional stereotype.
Let's take a journey through Ridgeway's nonsensical diatribe, shall we?
How many times have you been in line at the grocery store counting pennies to pay for imitation hamburger and off-brand pasta, only to see the person in front of you unload a cart full of steaks and then whip out a welfare EBT card to pay for it? It happens to me and I bet it happens to you as well.Hold up, Luann. What is "imitation hamburger"? Like, soy hamburger? The kind you'd buy at Whole Foods for, like, five times the price of regular beef? Lady, you're just making stuff up.
Over the course of one month, in Florida, Missouri welfare recipients spent $84,061 on food and withdrew $9,737 in cash from ATMs. In California, the month's totals were $69,672 for food and $7,818 in cash. In the biggest insult to taxpayers, during one month welfare recipients spent $2,737 for food and withdrew $175 ... in HAWAII!Yeah, Nagus' report unearthed some questionable expenditures on state-issued EBT cards. And Ridgeway's suggestion in this press release is reasonable, that "any transaction that takes place more than one state away [should be] red-flagged for inquiry."
There was a time when being on public assistance came with a stigma. Now the government goes out of its way to sign up more people. Where public welfare used to be a measure of last resort, it is now considered normal since that is what their parents did and what so many of their friends continue to do. Young unmarried women have actually been heard saying they want to have their baby before marriage as then the birth and maternal after-care will be "free."Really, Luann? Where have these loose hussies "actually been heard" saying these things? Next to you in line at the Smithville Dollar General? If that's the case, both you and those preggo freeloaders should probably read up on the state's measly offerings under the Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families program. Missouri's temporary monthly allocation to a nonworking mother is $292 a month -- for a family of
three. Maybe that's why Missouri ranks 49th out of 50 states for child-care assistance.
Given the state's job outlook, it hardly boggles the mind that so many Missourians might turn to state aid. Many of these folks -- who didn't earn a paycheck off taxpayer dollars when they were working, as Ridgeway does -- are taking aid because they were laid-off at some point during this crap-ass economic downturn. Now they're simply taking advantage of the same programs that their tax dollars supported when they were employed.
And without welfare programs, people would be a lot worse off. According to a recent study on New York's food-stamp and tax-benefit programs, because the government in New York went out of its way to sign up more people, the state prevented an estimated 250,000 New Yorkers from slipping below the federal poverty line.
So, yeah, Luann, some reforms are necessary. But before you start slashing aid to working families, consider doing a little light reading. That's what we're paying you to do.
Showing 1-31 of 31
Hi Sarah. Since you took the time to write such a long reply, I will write you back.
I worked (and yes I was paid) for a public EMS system. Maybe you work for a private service like MAST, and the rules are different. I still insist, though, that legally you do not have to transport everyone who calls you. Sarah, what did we learn in EMT school? We learned that upon arrival at a scene, we must assess the situation to determine the appropriate level of care needed. Most of the time emergency transport IS required, but not always. One empirical study I read noted that about 17% of calls do not require transport to a hospital.
If you are transporting everyone, then that is not only inappropriate, but also a waste resources, both time and financial. If my team had transported folks with mere "head colds," my medical director would have been livid. Maybe your director has a different policy, but if that is the case then you are not following good practice or even the law. You should start asking some serious questions.
In my job, I work with people every day who are very poor, and I am growing weary of the outlandish and bigoted comments conservatives make. You sounded an awful lot like a hotheaded dim-witted conservative, and if you are not I apologize. But your comments and the language you used sounded exactly like those misguided Republican hatemongers, so please be very careful what you say, because people will misinterpret you.
Our society will never solve serious and pressing problems if a significant segment of the populations doesn’t stop making callous and inaccurate remarks about others in need. It is time to stop ranting and start engaging in some serious problem solving, otherwise there is no hope for America.
RE: Originally upon reading your message I wasn't going to respond and stuck your written attack in my "don't care" file. Then I started to think about those who may have the misfortune of reading your post and actually believe what you have to say to be solid gold truth. The public already has enough trouble understanding EMS, and we all know (who actually work in this field) that we don't need more falsities floating around out there, so here goes.
Maybe you didn't work in a very populated area. Maybe you had the ability to say no to a ridiculous call. Well, I do work in a heavily populated urban/suburban area and I cannot ever refuse transport to anyone. I'm an EMT working on an ALS truck in response to your question. I like how you threw "secretary" in there. Cute.
Clearly you no longer work for a service for some reason or other, and you needn't waste your time telling me why, I could care less. Anyway, if you didn't encounter these situations then I am glad for you. I don't enjoy them. And you can try to discredit anything I say as much as you like but fact is fact. Sorry dude (yes, I said "dude" because you really don't deserve a "sir" as far as I'm concerned), but what I've experienced doesn't disappear just because you yourself did not deal with said scenarios and obviously never will.
The more I think about what you've stated though, it strikes me that maybe you were a volunteer. Volunteer's sure have different experiences and opinions than those of us who get paid to do what we do and typically work in very rural areas. I could be wrong. Who knows.
I don't enjoy seeing anyone who is actually in poor living conditions and reserve the term "bum" for those that have earned it. I'm saddened when I encounter elderly patients who state they have made a choice to eat rather than fill prescriptions that quite frankly they need to live. In turn, once their health catches up with them they meet me in their home. Of course that breaks my heart. Or the struggling families working their tails off to keep the lousy roof they have over their head. I am fully aware of these situations as well as the state supported jerks that call me when they have a head cold and want me to "fix" their sore throat.
I would love to see something happen to start solving these problems, especially after witnessing them for as many years as I have thus far. Unfortunately there isn't a solution at this time. What I do attempt instead is to participate in programs that try to assist those really in need who need help by both volunteering in my spare time and donating what I can to organizations I believe are really trying to help. Do you pitch in around your community?
I'm sorry to disappoint you and poke a hole in your theory here but I am not a conservative and I cannot stand Palin. That was probably the most insulting thing you even threw out there. Bravo to you but false all the same.
I welcome you to contact a more urban service someday and do a few ride-alongs again. It may open your eyes to how things have changed just in recent years. I have interns that ride along with me that are fresh to health care asking us after shift if a day/night full of these silly calls is "normal" for us because they're just as shocked at the things people are calling for. Try explaining that one to a newbie that you don't want to discourage from joining one of the best fields there are to work in, but also not wanting to lie to them either. Talk about a sticky situation.
One last thing. Your comment about my original post being an "emotionally charged rant" ...I'll give you that one. It is. Because you can only become so frustrated. As stated before I can't say no to any transport if they want to go no matter how silly the complaint. I can't recall how many times I've been standing in a bad part of town waiting on a frequent flyer that calls for every little thing (STD checks, head colds and so forth) to decide whether she wants her weekly transport or not. All the while listening as the next call rolls out (chest pain, CVA, MVC, non-breather) that I could be on and actually helping if it wasn't for this person tying our resources up as per normal. So if I'm guilty of simply wanting to be available to help those who really need us, so be it. That's what I signed up to do and I'll continue to be there for those who need me and tolerate those who don't.
Good day to you and happy ranting.
Attention everyone:
YOUR ANECDOTES DON'T MATTER. Oh, but what about my neighbor or this lady who- no, no, no; YOUR ANECDOTES DON'T MATTER.
Your life may seem central and important to you, like it should, but you are ONE PERSON and your singular experiences CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be used to judge policies that effect THOUSANDS of people.
It's called sample size, people. Read into statistics, like Nadia did. When 250,000 New Yorkers were able to stay afloat over the poverty line, that is important, and it is independently verifiable over your individual experience.
What?! What's wrong with caring for foster children? That is the only stable fact you mention in your reply. My wife and I used to provide foster care, and yes sometimes you have to miss some work to take the kids to the doctor or stay home with them when they're sick, and that is perfectly acceptable and appropriate.
I get so tired of the bigotry and stupidity posted by misinformed and insensitive conservatives (I was going say "lunatics" but that is rather insulting, and I did not want to stoop to their level). I wish conservatives wouldn't read the Pitch or its blog; they just don't understand what's in it.
Gabe, please don't waste readers' time by commenting on something of which you know nothing.
Hi Sarah. Guess what? I used to be a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Yes, I was! Now, you don't say in your little rant what your role in EMS was. Were you an EMT, driver, or secretary in the dispatcher's office? I only ask, because I never saw what you saw. In all of the years I served in the emergency medical field, I never once had a someone abuse the ambulance service. Everyone I served was in dire need of emergency medical care. Oh, by the way readers, an EMT or paramedic can and is expected to use discretion. OMG! Do you really expect people to believe your ambulance service transported someone who only wanted a STD test? And if my team ever transported someone only requiring a pregnancy test, we'd be in serious hot water. Girl, you are so full of crap, I can smell you from where I sit.
Let me tell you what I learned by riding in an ambulance. There are people who live in such desperate poverty, that it's a total disgrace that we as a society allow it to continue, and it's even more disgraceful and embarrassing that we blame them for their poverty. Being an EMT brought me inside people's homes when they needed help and were at their most vulnerable, and it showed me how so many people in this country really live. Excuse me Sarah, but the vast majority of people don't want to live in desperate poverty. That is a stupid and destructive myth that must be discredited. Unfortunately, it appears that most conservatives lack the cognitive strength and moral fiber to solve the most pressing problems facing our society. Instead, of attempting to objectively solve problems, they insult people, while citing a crapload of fabricated stories.
Calling people "bums" tells us where Sarah's mind is. This is an emotionally charged rant by a rabid, misinformed conservative infected by the virus being spread by Palin and company.
Because defense contractors make BIG campaign contributions, while po' folks don't.
Why is it that republicans rant and rave about a few thousand dollars of supposed welfare fraud but they turn a blind eye to the hundreds of billions of dollars that the military wastes?
Similar to the other post I have replied to, I fail to understand how purchasing junk food is an indication of welfare abuse. Should we require foodstamp recipients to only purchase nutritious foods? Perhaps we should also tell them how to dress and think. And sometimes children want toys and fun things. They also don't understand that they can't always have them because their families are on welfare. It's horrible for a parent to always say no to their child. Sometimes they just want them to be happy, even if that means squandering 8 of your tax dollars on the CVS light up pen. You're right though, that woman probably jumped into her Escalade after she left the store.
How does that woman buying junk food indicate abuse of the welfare system? Or how does her desire for change indicate abuse? It seems more indicative or poor dietary habits that are often the result of lower socio economic status or lack of education. I struggle to see anything more than that.
I'm fine buying the off brand groceries and having to pay half in cash and the rest on my debit card because it's MY money. Money that I've earned that can't be taken away. I think everyone telling examples of people abusing welfare almost sound jealous. Why would you be jealous of someone who cannot provide for themselves? Be glad you don't have to rely on these programs and take pride in being an independent self reliant person.
Actually, Sarah, I think you might have a story pitch here. If you wanted to tell a reporter about abuses of the ambulance service that you're describing it might make the beginnings of a sweet investigative piece. Email one of us, seriously.
Nadia, Nadia, Nadia. The only thing Senator Ridgeway is guilty of is not being very tactful, just as you are now in this blog. I can tell you true stories of a few women who don't get married so they can continue receiving state childcare assistance. I can also tell you about a lady that is employed where I work that has a sweet welfare situation worked out. She and a friend keep multiple foster kids in their homes. She and the friend trade out days caring for all the children, abusing FMLA to miss work but still keeps her health benefits through our employer. I wouldn't be surprised if she collects food assistance as well. There is a huge difference between hand ups (which I support) and hand outs (which I don't support). Unfortunately there is no accountability in these programs and it only takes 10% of the people abusing the system to bring down all 100% of it.
I was in the grocery store behind a lady with 6 large packages of hamburger. I commented that she must be getting ready for a big family BBQ. She replied, "Nope, I can't buy dog food with food stamps so I feed them hamburger."
Pitch...or rather Nadia, I normally enjoy your articles. This one however sucks. Why? Because you're just as misinformed as you claim Sen. Ridgeway to be. Try working on an ambulance and meeting the exact people she speaks of who abuse the 911 system and overcrowd emergency rooms. We as EMS providers become taxi cabs for non-emergent calls that would be more appropriate for a general practitioners office while the ERs become the general practitioners.
I've had these people outright tell me all about how they don't pay rent, for their own food, booze, prescriptions, children and their needs....and how they don't plan to pay the bill they're generating while with me. Nevermind all the resources that are wasted on these people who want to catch a ride to go get a pregnancy test(that can be purchased at a local Dollar Store), be checked out for std's for the 25th time that year(granted they're provided free condoms but vocalize often how much they hate them and wont use them), or try to score pain pills(for that fake injury that's kept them from working a day in their life yet they'll be at the nightclubs this weekend).
Then there are the ones who were taking advantage of a state system put in place to help provide lower income citizens with child safety seats so as to safely transport their children. There were more than a few abusing that privilege by asking me if they could, "toss another in the trunk to sell". Sorry, but I've witnessed exactly what this Senator was describing while standing in a checkout line more than once.
I understand you have figures to look at and think how could this all be? But when they abuse every system given them, they come out in the end with a pretty good payday. Not to mention many are criminals and that is the other source of their income. Check those figures while you're at it.
I do believe in public assistance, for those who truly need it. However, I have a problem with enabling the very bums who do eat better than I, sit on their bottom every day, and have countless children while I hold out on having children for financial reasons so as to be a responsible part of our society. But hey, maybe you'll have something biased to write about me too now.
"Where have these loose hussies "actually been heard" saying these things?" Nadia, I've heard it!
Yeah, it does happen. Waited in line at CVS for 10 minutes while this woman was fighting with her kid about a light up pen she wanted. I stood there, watching all this..and in the end, she bought the kid the 8.99 pen. A PEN. When I walked up there and stated it didn't look like she had the money for a 8.99 pen to start with....saleslady informed me that she just blew her welfare money on a couple bags of crap junk food...at overpriced CVS. So, is that the governments fault or a stupid persons? While there are decent people that need aid, there are another dozen who will piss off people around them when they drive off in their Escalade.
When I grew up on welfare, my family was ballin' with the name brand hamburger helper. But food stamps never lasted the whole month, so the last week or two I'd have to eat it without any hamburger. Don't try it. It's disgusting. Stick to ramen. And one year for Thanksgiving, me and my mom treated ourselves to a Banquet Turkey pot pie. We each got our own!
it relates because it is a government representative being trashed by a writer, if the writer is going to be critical of one, shouldn't she be critical of others when they cross the line.
Nadia. believe what you want, but this does happen in the real world. I remember back working at Pizza Hut and a girl I was working with (she was like 17 or so), had her life planned out, was going to have a couple kids, be able to live off of food stamps and welfare and then maybe some child support.
You throw out the number for temporary assistance, that is just one program when you couple it with $600 worth of food stamps, free health insurance through the state and then government assisted housing, you can live quite well.
I have a number of friends who work for the state handling cases, they will tell you 75%of the people that come in there are just living off the state and have no desire to get off of the assistance.
Please tell the whole story instead of the parts you want said.
Abuse of the system does occur...even if some of you don't want to believe it. I was in a convenience store trying to pay for a tank of gas. Lady in front of me was yelling at the clerk because she couldn't get change for her foodstamps, which she was using to pay for soda pop, donuts and a bag of Cheetohs. One of my neighbors is married, both parents have jobs, they live in a brand new, 2000 square foot home, drive new vehicles, kids are always decked out in new clothes. She posted on facebook one minute a picture of the brand new gas grill which they were cooking shrimp on. Next minute posted an exclamation that her two kids could still get Medicaid, thank god, cause their presciption medication totalled over $600 last month. Abuses do happen, sorry to say.
What they miss is that most of the folks using food stamps out-of-state are military families. If the repubs support the military why dont they pay them a living wage?
This relates how? Did you actually read the story? McCaskill screwed herself with tax negligence, but she did cop to it and explained what happened. This is quite the leap from trying to continue the stereotypical 'welfare queen' myth that the Right has been peddling for over a generation.
Glad to see that, just like Ronald Reagan, she is straight-up making stories up to support her points.
like
dislike
