Do you believe in government assistance?

[tashamjoy]

Do you think that we should have things like welfare, medical and education benefits to those in need or below poverty line? Do you think that a child should get free education because there parents do not have money but another student whose parents have money should have to pay? What is your opinion on these topics?

[melissaotto1982]

I think they are nice for people that need it but I also believe that there needs to be certain guidelines that need to be followed and random drug testing is on of them!!

[Tresbn00]

Yes and no.  I don't believe in total hand outs at any time regardless of a person's level of need.  You and I are here making pennies when we could be at work making dollars.  If someone has needs I think that evidence that some effort at working or getting a job should be presented to the agency giving the assistance.  Or subject the needy to taking a free on line class for their betterment.  Education can make anyone more marketable. Community service at the very least.  Both of these options are a way of teaching somone how to become independant. No matter how sick someone is they should be able to do an hour of fusion cash.  Teach the hungry how to fish rather than giving them the fish and true independance can be achieved.

[kimber62372]

I agree to some extent. I do not believe someone should be eligible for welfare just because they cannot find a job. I support a drug testing to be done and if they are handicap or disabled, THEN I can agree with it. If a child gets assistance for school because they are at poverty level, then they should get a JOB and maybe some help can be given. I hate lazy people that want things for FREE in this country! I worked for & earned everything on my own.  I tried getting assistance when I was 17 and had a baby but because I lived with my parents, according to them they made too much money. They were NOT supporting me and my baby. Yes, they provided a roof over my head, but I had to work and give my mother rent and pay for my own things. She showed me tough love and I believe it made me a better person today (24 yrs later)! 

[mary33716]

 yes i believe there should be for those who need it and follow the rules there some people out there selling there food stamp and that upset me when i see this my son on help and he only get 27.00 food stamp for him and his 3 year old daughter tell me if there something wrong with this picture the system need to evaluate these people

[natashaspy]

it really is good for people that truly need it, those that are trying to make it on their own but cant quite do it.  they really need to check more on how much people really need it though.

[bowrunner]

I agree with tresbn00 that way too many people are getting handouts.  It should only go to the truly needy and everyone should have to do something for it.

[Nancy5]

I believe people who are disabled or the elderly (social security) should get help.  They cannot help they are disabled or got older. I do believe in drug testing for people on welfare.  I believe people who need it should  able to  get welfare, however; you should not be able to retire from welfare.  Years ago I worked at a loan company and we had people applying for car loans, etc. who were on welfare for 10 or more years!  What's wrong with this?  I don't care if you have to make the slurpies at 7-11 at least you are working!

[6265AT99]

I think it's a wonderful thing to be able to "assist" someone who is needy but, I also believe that there are people who take advantage of these "freebies" who really do not need them.  That is where the problem lies!!  If there could ever be a way to stop them then we would be in a better place.  After all, everyone needs a "little help" TEMPORARILY sometimes!!!!

[dmahoney]

Only when needed and for a limited time not for a lifetime. I think it should be a hand up not a handout. I also feel you should be required to do volunteer work while you are on it and be drug tested. People who work are subjected to drug testing, so why not people on assistance? These are just my opinions.

[jmccaskill]

Charity for those that need it is a noble and righteous thing. The federal government has no business in this real whatsoever. One of the founding fathers said it very accurately and eloquently 'I have searched thoroughly the Constitution and can not find even a hint that public funds are to be given in charity' a paraphrase to be sure, but accurate. If in ain't in the US Constitution it has no place to be. Now, that is the crux, the FEDERAL government has no business trying to deal with a LOCAL problem, and that includes the little red school house down the street! Local communities are far more able to address the needs of its local citizens and that is where all forms of charity should reside. Non governmental entities long and well provided these services. Politicians absconded with these 'programs' solely to garner votes and offer political patronage.

I have no problems with helping those in need but hate the way we are doing it (not doing it) now. LBJ began the 'War on Poverty' back in the '60s, TRILLIONS of dollars spent and the poverty rates have not decreased at all. The further the 'solution' is from the problem, the worse it is, fraud, and cheating grows by geometric proportions with every level of 'government' that becomes part of the 'solution'. We could fire/eliminate EVERY government employee that deals with these matters, and simply issue a check to the needy directly and even absorb a huge amount of cheating and still be better off!

[tinaryerson]

yes, but with stricter guidelines

[CharmedPhoenix]

I'm on food stamps.  I'd be dead without help.  It's a lot easier to have a good attitude and the will to continue living when you have something to eat. 

Here in NM they used to require an annual job search, but it didn't do me any good.  In fact it got in the way of my self-employment efforts.  They don't seem to count self-employment, which is ridiculous. 

I don't have kids so I don't get cash.  My car died because I couldn't afford to maintain it properly.  That cost me my distribution job and an opportunity at a film crew career. 

I'd gladly take a drug test, but that's an expensive measure for them to take and another hoop for us to jump through.  Where i live, without a car, it'd be difficult to do. 

To get any assistance here you have to know what's available, if you qualify and where to find it.  What we need is a unified system where you can go to one place, sit down with a social worker, give your info to one person who'll then match you up with what you qualify for and work with you to improve your situation.  Right now I can't even get to talk to the same person twice in a row.  They don't know me, so all they can do is check paperwork and run numbers.  The system is broken.   (

[tkfarris]

Do you think that we should have things like welfare, medical and education benefits to those in need or below poverty line? Do you think that a child should get free education because there parents do not have money but another student whose parents have money should have to pay? What is your opinion on these topics?

yes i beleve in goverment help when u need it

[countrygirl12]

Do you think that we should have things like welfare, medical and education benefits to those in need or below poverty line? Do you think that a child should get free education because there parents do not have money but another student whose parents have money should have to pay? What is your opinion on these topics?

NO.  IT SHOULD ALL BE CUT OUT.  WORK OR DO WITHOUT.