social security coming to an end

[Jess from VA]

I've always felt that when someone goes on "welfare" (doesn't matter the form) - they will only get money for the number of kids they had WHEN THEY WENT ON WELFARE - no increase for additional kids, no raise for inflation, etc.

It goes state by state, and varies.
http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/welfare-reform-family-cap-policies.aspx

But...
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/growing-number-states-repeal-family-welfare-caps

That makes California the seventh state since 2002 to repeal family cap rules enacted by 22 states during the 1990s and early 2000s, according to the Urban Institute, which has closely tracked the issue. Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming have also repealed their family cap laws — often called welfare queen laws.

[Rams]

I’m not sure how it equates to a 5 year old illegal who has pulled a pot of boiling water on to themself with 3rd degree burns.

It equates just as much as the idea that the end result is some how our fault and responsibility.
I'm curious, just who do you believe is at fault and responsible?

Please feel free to economically assist those you wish to assist.    

Rams
aka: hardass'd and heartless

Many things happen to people, citizens and illegal aliens. It's not always someone's fault. It also doesn't mean someone is responsible for them. If I understand you correctly that you would not give emergency treatment to any illegal aliens, that doesn't mean you are at fault or responsible. It might say some other things though. Personally I am glad we as a society give emergency live saving treatment to anyone who goes to a hospital. It doesn't mean we are "suckers" as some would say, it speaks to our compassion.

I never said I would not allow emergency treatment.    But, I understand how you came to that conclusion.    My intent is to stop illegal entry into our country and thusly greatly reduce the draining of our national resources.    Every illegal alien should be immediately sent back across the border.   If Mexico doesn't want them then, they should control their borders.     

This problem will only get worse as we continue to allow new leaches (Democratic Votes) to cross.  I'm all for legal immigration.   

You never answered my question, where would you draw the line?
For me, the line is at our border. 
Just curious, have you started that Go Fund Me thing yet?

Rams

[The emperor has no clothes]

I’m not sure how it equates to a 5 year old illegal who has pulled a pot of boiling water on to themself with 3rd degree burns.

It equates just as much as the idea that the end result is some how our fault and responsibility.
I'm curious, just who do you believe is at fault and responsible?

Please feel free to economically assist those you wish to assist.    

Rams
aka: hardass'd and heartless

Many things happen to people, citizens and illegal aliens. It's not always someone's fault. It also doesn't mean someone is responsible for them. If I understand you correctly that you would not give emergency treatment to any illegal aliens, that doesn't mean you are at fault or responsible. It might say some other things though. Personally I am glad we as a society give emergency live saving treatment to anyone who goes to a hospital. It doesn't mean we are "suckers" as some would say, it speaks to our compassion.

I never said I would not allow emergency treatment.    But, I understand how you came to that conclusion.    My intent is to stop illegal entry into our country and thusly greatly reduce the draining of our national resources.    Every illegal alien should be immediately sent back across the border.   If Mexico doesn't want them then, they should control their borders.     

This problem will only get worse as we continue to allow new leaches (Democratic Votes) to cross.  I'm all for legal immigration.   

You never answered my question, where would you draw the line?
For me, the line is at our border. 
Just curious, have you started that Go Fund Me thing yet?

Rams

Ron, the discussion evolved (or devolved) into services at hospitals, schools, govt. services, etc. That was where you jumped in. My bad for assuming you fell into that category. As to where I draw the line. I have stated it here before. If you are truly interested you can look back at it. I am trying my best to put forth a non confrontational discussion these days. Something I have discovered in the last few weeks is what is truly important in my life. It's not work anymore. It's not material things anymore. It is being closer to the loved ones in my life. And it surely isn't getting into pissing contests on the internet thingy. I hope your health issues are taken care of and those close to you are doing well.

Rob

[Serk]

And for what it's worth, no matter anyone's opinion on the issue for truly emergent care no ER is going to stop and check someone's legal status before working to save their life.

[G-Man]

And for what it's worth, no matter anyone's opinion on the issue for truly emergent care no ER is going to stop and check someone's legal status before working to save their life.

Yet that is exactly what the lame stream media will have you believe.

Over and over and OVER again we keep hearing the headline that the 2 kids "died in custody". 

My son and I were in the car yesterday and heard the talking point and we had a little discussion.  I asked him if he thought that a border officer, or an ICE officer, or anyone at all working at the border would NOT do everything possible to help a sick or injured person of any age.  Thankfully he said said No.  We went on to discuss how the media presents "news" items and I was glad he saw through this one. 

Unfortunately, millions aren't able to see through the fake news and this is where the President is 100% correct in that the fake news becomes the enemy of the people because it alters perception.  People are so hungry for anything to be the President's fault that when they hear that kids "died in custody", they need not look or think any further and therefore becomes truth based on fake reporting.

[The emperor has no clothes]

And for what it's worth, no matter anyone's opinion on the issue for truly emergent care no ER is going to stop and check someone's legal status before working to save their life.

Maybe I’m completely in error. But I thought the issue we were talking about was not whether they are treated, but that some here don’t want them treated.

[Serk]

And for what it's worth, no matter anyone's opinion on the issue for truly emergent care no ER is going to stop and check someone's legal status before working to save their life.

Maybe I’m completely in error. But I thought the issue we were talking about was not whether they are treated, but that some here don’t want them treated.

Pragmatism vs. idealism.

[..]

And for what it's worth, no matter anyone's opinion on the issue for truly emergent care no ER is going to stop and check someone's legal status before working to save their life.

Yet that is exactly what the lame stream media will have you believe.

Over and over and OVER again we keep hearing the headline that the 2 kids "died in custody". 

My son and I were in the car yesterday and heard the talking point and we had a little discussion.  I asked him if he thought that a border officer, or an ICE officer, or anyone at all working at the border would NOT do everything possible to help a sick or injured person of any age.  Thankfully he said said No.  We went on to discuss how the media presents "news" items and I was glad he saw through this one. 

Unfortunately, millions aren't able to see through the fake news and this is where the President is 100% correct in that the fake news becomes the enemy of the people because it alters perception.  People are so hungry for anything to be the President's fault that when they hear that kids "died in custody", they need not look or think any further and therefore becomes truth based on fake reporting.

Too many have become headline readers/listeners and then think (know) they have a complete understanding of current events.

This has been going on for years.

At one time it may have been possible to believe the headline but it certainly isn't now.

People are lazy.

[MarkT]

A few times per year in our small town grocery store small town America,  I always see some lady with 3-5 young kids glued to her hip that does not speak English spending like $300+ on steak and lobster and other fine cuisine full grocery cart that I rarely EVER buy.  She pays all of it with food stamps and other means that I am not aware of how it all works out, but am sure was all FREE thanks to our lovely GOVT.   I saw NO cash or credit card exchange, just phoney money is what I call it.  And here I am buying chicken and brats at 1-2 dollars per lb. vs. hers being 15 bucks per lb.  me rarely spending over 50 bucks per grocery store visit.    

That is not right and wonder why she needs to live like a king just because her and her huge family is allowed to live so extravagant thanks to the US Govt. giving her free means to pay for all of it.  I always  feel like telling her get a job you bum, but she probably would never understand what I said since she does not speak English.  

Our govt payout rules have disincentivised her to work.  W/O a work ethic, she is basically paid to be a baby factory and she naturally does what she is paid to do - if she goes to work, her freebies will diminish or stop.  I have seen the same behavior from whole communities on Indian reservations.  eg., the Navajo in northern AZ, the town of Kayenta at the intersection of highways 160 & 163 not far south of Monument Valley. The whole town is Navajo, it's on the reservation, in the Navajo Nation.  The government handout / unemployment office regularly has a huge line of able-bodied men standing in line to go in and get their cash.  Almost no work is done anywhere in the region except by govt employees.  There are failed businesses everywhere - they can't get people to work.  These folks have no incentive to work with our tax dollars GIVEN to them - they are a dispirited, broken people.  Given housing - mostly mobile homes - and cars and everything else they need to live. Why should they work?  Not to say, with our country's history of abusing them, they shouldn't be compensated somehow.  But to support them completely into perpetuity?  Bad policy.  This is why Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell jumped ship from the dems and became republican years ago - he stated that plainly.  He said the govt teat just keeps his people in their situation. Like the give him a fish vs. teaching him to fish parable.  I knew Ben - can't say we were friends but he rode a Harley and also had a pony tail - we had bikes and hair and political views and Colorado in common - and I bought some of his jewelry for my Mom.  (which her house keeper stole but that's another story)

[phideux]

I’m not sure how it equates to a 5 year old illegal who has pulled a pot of boiling water on to themself with 3rd degree burns.

It equates just as much as the idea that the end result is some how our fault and responsibility.
I'm curious, just who do you believe is at fault and responsible?

Please feel free to economically assist those you wish to assist.    

Rams
aka: hardass'd and heartless

Many things happen to people, citizens and illegal aliens. It's not always someone's fault. It also doesn't mean someone is responsible for them. If I understand you correctly that you would not give emergency treatment to any illegal aliens, that doesn't mean you are at fault or responsible. It might say some other things though. Personally I am glad we as a society give emergency live saving treatment to anyone who goes to a hospital. It doesn't mean we are "suckers" as some would say, it speaks to our compassion.

Compassion........Don’t forget wisdom

Dan

I see no wisdom in letting a child die because he or she is an illegal alien.

I also see nothing wrong in quick stabilizing emergency treatment and then a one way trip back to a hospital or clinic back in their own country.

[phideux]

I’m not sure how it equates to a 5 year old illegal who has pulled a pot of boiling water on to themself with 3rd degree burns.

It equates just as much as the idea that the end result is some how our fault and responsibility.
I'm curious, just who do you believe is at fault and responsible?

Please feel free to economically assist those you wish to assist.    

Rams
aka: hardass'd and heartless

Many things happen to people, citizens and illegal aliens. It's not always someone's fault. It also doesn't mean someone is responsible for them. If I understand you correctly that you would not give emergency treatment to any illegal aliens, that doesn't mean you are at fault or responsible. It might say some other things though. Personally I am glad we as a society give emergency live saving treatment to anyone who goes to a hospital. It doesn't mean we are "suckers" as some would say, it speaks to our compassion.

I never said I would not allow emergency treatment.    But, I understand how you came to that conclusion.    My intent is to stop illegal entry into our country and thusly greatly reduce the draining of our national resources.    Every illegal alien should be immediately sent back across the border.   If Mexico doesn't want them then, they should control their borders.     

This problem will only get worse as we continue to allow new leaches (Democratic Votes) to cross.  I'm all for legal immigration.   

You never answered my question, where would you draw the line?
For me, the line is at our border. 
Just curious, have you started that Go Fund Me thing yet?

Rams

Ron, the discussion evolved (or devolved) into services at hospitals, schools, govt. services, etc. That was where you jumped in. My bad for assuming you fell into that category. As to where I draw the line. I have stated it here before. If you are truly interested you can look back at it. I am trying my best to put forth a non confrontational discussion these days. Something I have discovered in the last few weeks is what is truly important in my life. It's not work anymore. It's not material things anymore. It is being closer to the loved ones in my life. And it surely isn't getting into pissing contests on the internet thingy. I hope your health issues are taken care of and those close to you are doing well.

Rob

It is nice that you want to be closer to your loved ones, but the reality, again, is that another young police officer will never see his wife or young child ever again. A young police officer who immigrated here legally and became an officer to serve his community. A young police officers life cut short by another criminal, worthless, ILLEGAL, piece of crap, border crossing, piece of scum. Close the damn border, round up all the criminal, illegal aliens and ship them out. If it saves just one persons life that is here legally it is worth it. Pull all our troops out of the Middle East, Pull all our troops out of the EU. Bring them home and use them to protect our borders, not the rest of the worlds borders.
Why would we give Mexico 10 billion dollars for a wall on their Southern border??? F-Them, keep our money and build our own wall. Stop sending billions of dollars of our money to Mexico and central America every year in foreign aid, use it to aid our own.

[G-Man]

What has always irritated me is that it seems that those with the least financially secure, educated, stable, lives make the most babies ...

I take exception to your assessment.  I have eight children, all grown now.  I have a dozen granchildren.

Perhaps you don't know me.  Perhaps your experience is limited.  Perhaps you think I fall into the category you described.  Perhaps I simply enjoyed the experience of procreation a bit more than I should've.

I agree with some of what you had to say but I am not for spaying certain members of society.  I hear a lot of talk that sounds similar to the choices of Nazi Germany and the Communist Empire.  We're not them.  I don't want us to become them.  

Carl, I stand on my assertion of too many poor uneducated people (who really can barely take care of themselves) having too many children (and being substandard parent(s)).  And I did qualify it as....not always, but very often.  I don't think I implied I was referring to you, and I sure wasn't.  As far as I know (and I don't), you supported your kids the best you could.  I don't care if a couple has 20 kids, as long as they take care of them in a satisfactory manner.

But I sure didn't write in support of spaying, Nazi eugenics, Communist (China quotas-birth control) or any of that.  I don't want any of that either.

I was writing about parental responsibility, and bad government policy in spending large money on welfare (including rewarding the production of dependent children financially) (with too many of those later going to prison), not eugenics.  

And I do apologize if I offended you.

There IS historical evidence to back up the claim that the poor have more kids.  They did so because they needed labor to run/support the family business (usually farming or a service type business).

[MarkT]

And for what it's worth, no matter anyone's opinion on the issue for truly emergent care no ER is going to stop and check someone's legal status before working to save their life.

I don't know about legal status.  However here in 2 different hospitals I have stood at the emergency admittance desk dripping blood while they filled out their forms detailing my insurance - in no big hurry - while I kept pressure on the wound.  I suppose if I had not been a WASP - like maybe an obvious illegal - they would have rushed me on in (and assumed I was a deadbeat so let's expedite him on in to the IC unit).

[phideux]

What has always irritated me is that it seems that those with the least financially secure, educated, stable, lives make the most babies ...

I take exception to your assessment.  I have eight children, all grown now.  I have a dozen granchildren.

Perhaps you don't know me.  Perhaps your experience is limited.  Perhaps you think I fall into the category you described.  Perhaps I simply enjoyed the experience of procreation a bit more than I should've.

I agree with some of what you had to say but I am not for spaying certain members of society.  I hear a lot of talk that sounds similar to the choices of Nazi Germany and the Communist Empire.  We're not them.  I don't want us to become them.  

Carl, I stand on my assertion of too many poor uneducated people (who really can barely take care of themselves) having too many children (and being substandard parent(s)).  And I did qualify it as....not always, but very often.  I don't think I implied I was referring to you, and I sure wasn't.  As far as I know (and I don't), you supported your kids the best you could.  I don't care if a couple has 20 kids, as long as they take care of them in a satisfactory manner.

But I sure didn't write in support of spaying, Nazi eugenics, Communist (China quotas-birth control) or any of that.  I don't want any of that either.

I was writing about parental responsibility, and bad government policy in spending large money on welfare (including rewarding the production of dependent children financially) (with too many of those later going to prison), not eugenics.  

And I do apologize if I offended you.

There IS historical evidence to back up the claim that the poor have more kids.  They did so because they needed labor to run/support the family business (usually farming or a service type business).

They still do except the family business has changed to milking the government cow.

[¿spoom]

What has always irritated me is that it seems that those with the least financially secure, educated, stable, lives make the most babies ...

I take exception to your assessment.  I have eight children, all grown now.  I have a dozen granchildren.

Perhaps you don't know me.  Perhaps your experience is limited.  Perhaps you think I fall into the category you described.  Perhaps I simply enjoyed the experience of procreation a bit more than I should've.

I agree with some of what you had to say but I am not for spaying certain members of society.  I hear a lot of talk that sounds similar to the choices of Nazi Germany and the Communist Empire.  We're not them.  I don't want us to become them.  

Exception is the correct term. I don't think anyone believes that ALL large families come from uneducated, poor families. That said, I remember even in the 80's in a Soc. class it was pointed out that the higher wage, highest educated families had (on average) the smallest amount of children (1 or 2) which enabled them to place more resources into raising those offspring. Not surprisingly, a very large % of those kids also went on to the best schools and highest incomes. I'm sure the opposite edge of the bell curve has a "slightly" larger amount of low income, large family folks with no college or even HS degrees.

When we were an agrarian society, it was the rural families that tended to be larger. Now there are many inner city people that have the large families-perhaps better odds that one kid be spawn of a baby-daddy who'll support, and hopefully one kid will be successful enough to take care of mom later in life. Living near Milwaukee, where the morning news ALWAYS has 2 or more overnight shootings to report (more often than not, including one fatal shooting) I may be a tiny bit jaded.
Edit: By coincidence, tonight's Milwaukee news was recapping the shooting/homicide stats for the year. With one day to go, there have been 461 shooting/stabbings including 97 homicides.

Depending on which TV news station you listened to, they ended the year with either 99 or 100 homicides for the year. There were 2 on the first day of this year, but even if all guns disappeared, there'd be 3 dead including a child, from the folks in a stolen SUV that decided to plunge into a river instead of pulling over when a squad lit them up. 'nuther day in MKE paradise. 

[G-Man]

........... the govt teat just keeps his people in their situation. ..........

Been saying and hearing the exact same thing regarding the minority urban "condition".  Bleeding hearts give them just enough to survive but not enough to thrive but they become fearful of losing their survival so they give up on thriving and continue to vote down party lines (those that do vote).  Once again, the President was correct in saying "What have you got to lose?"  But humans have a keen sense of self preservation and are  creatures of habit.

[¿spoom]

........... the govt teat just keeps his people in their situation. ..........

Been saying and hearing the exact same thing regarding the minority urban "condition".  Bleeding hearts give them just enough to survive but not enough to thrive but they become fearful of losing their survival so they give up on thriving and continue to vote down party lines (those that do vote).  Once again, the President was correct in saying "What have you got to lose?"  But humans have a keen sense of self preservation and are  creatures of habit.

And if you give "just enough to survive" based on income, some folks will thrive by doing business under the table or illegal acts so that they don't lose their free "base income". Makes my head explode when "unemployed" drug dealers get pinched with thousands of dollars in cash and drugs and there's never prosecution for welfare fraud added on to the various charges. Where's the punishment and/or restitution for thousands in unlawful benefits and services that taxpayers like me ponied up?

[Jess from VA]

Really, all of the various govt benefit systems (VA, SSD, welfare, stamps, unemployment, section 8 housing, etc) have poor to nearly nonexistent enforcement when or if individuals are discovered to have received benefits they are not entitled to (at all, or overpaid, or fail to report all other income).

Add to that, that the recipients generally are living at subsistence level (as far as WE know), and if a mistake ever is discovered, it is nearly impossible to ever collect anything back.  Benefits can be terminated, or partially reduced to offset overpayments, but there is an institutional reluctance to punish people even when we can prove that claimants have falsified their entitlement, as opposed to simple mistakes (which do happen too).

And almost every benefit system has a regulatory method of applying for debt forgiveness when the claimant is destitute, which is even applied in cases of intentional misconduct, as opposed to simple mistakes in benefit calculation.

Good deals of money are spent advertising the existence of benefits, taking and processing claims, setting up direct deposits, notifying claimants of privacy rights and changes in benefits.   But small resources and manpower is ever directed at 1) getting money back or 2) punishing (and making public examples) of cheats and liars and frauds.  Institutionally, this is viewed as bad PR for the various departments because it tends to look bad punishing poor people, and worse it tends to make the G agency look like fools and idiots.

In my two decades at USDVA, I had so many pension over-payment cases, where there was actual proof of fraud/misconduct right in the claims folder,  I took a couple files across the street to the IG to ask about seeking DOJ prosecution, and I was essentially told to shut up and go back to my office.  There was a system set up to refer these files to the IG, but even though we did this, we never heard back of any action hardly ever being taken.  If we want your help or opinion, we will beat it out of you, was the attitude.   My supervisor later sought me out to ask why I broke protocol by walking directly to the office of responsibility (IG), and my reply that I was trying to get something done, was met with a threat of HR personnel action against me.

I offered to set up a small group with a handful of handpicked people to go about setting up criminal prosecutions liaising with DOJ, and promised that the money we would save the Dept and taxpayers would more than pay for our entire operation, with plenty of public news releases, and that went over like a big wet greasy fart in church.  Besides, that was the IG's job.  

An essential principle of criminal justice is making public examples of offenders to deter people from criminal behavior.  Chopping off a few heads does deter people from bad behavior.  But there is a long institutional disconnect between criminal justice and Govt benefit systems, state and federal.  Generally speaking, career civil servants in the benefits systems are not fans of criminal justice.  They are big fans of ever expanding rules and regulations, growing their agencies with more manpower and bigger budgets, new office furniture, carpet and computers every couple years, government unions, and approving claims and paying increased benefits to applicants whenever possible.  I never fit in with this crowd.

[G-Man]

Wherever there is a "system". there are those who are gaming the system.

We fell into the section 8 trap once with an apartment we had for rent.  We were burned by consecutive normal tenants that we figured we'd at least get what section 8 will pay when the tenant flakes.  The section 8 tenant lied on the application and the was told to pay about 20% and section 8 will pay the rest.  We were good with that 80% guaranteed figure. Someone checked about 4 months later and noticed she was making quite a bit more than she claimed so section 8 did a complete 180 and now they were only gonna pay the 20% and the tenant was supposed to pay the 80%.  And, of course, the tenant stopped paying altogether and we only got 20% of the rent for several months from section 8.  No more.  Now we rent to family and get nothing   

[Jess from VA]

Even though the majority of self made millionaires do it in real estate (I think), IMHO you have to be an idiot masochist to intentionally be a professional landlord dealing with renters.

Just like state and federal benefit laws/regs, landlord-tenant laws are set up so skewed in the tenant's favor, that you can spend a lifetime trying to piss up a rope to get paid your rent, or evict delinquents.  

Or, you can just put Evan on a retainer agreement.... because you are going to need an expert in leading you through the Alice in Wonderland rules and regulations for getting paid as a landlord (or evicting them).  

Just show up with a shotgun, and physically evict them and their possessions to the street because they haven't paid a nickel in six months, and have trashed the premises completely, and discover you have to go to jail for a period of months for your justifiable efforts (and pay the tenants all the costs you caused them, with no offset for past due rent allowed). (And on top of that, they take your shotgun.)

[old2soon]

A few times per year in our small town grocery store small town America,  I always see some lady with 3-5 young kids glued to her hip that does not speak English spending like $300+ on steak and lobster and other fine cuisine full grocery cart that I rarely EVER buy.  She pays all of it with food stamps and other means that I am not aware of how it all works out, but am sure was all FREE thanks to our lovely GOVT.   I saw NO cash or credit card exchange, just phoney money is what I call it.  And here I am buying chicken and brats at 1-2 dollars per lb. vs. hers being 15 bucks per lb.  me rarely spending over 50 bucks per grocery store visit.    

That is not right and wonder why she needs to live like a king just because her and her huge family is allowed to live so extravagant thanks to the US Govt. giving her free means to pay for all of it.  I always  feel like telling her get a job you bum, but she probably would never understand what I said since she does not speak English.  

             
        Saw something similar at the wally wurld in West Plains Mo. a year or two back. Hispanic lady bout 2 carts ahead of me was loaded with prime rib T-bones and ham. When I got out to the lot about fifteen minutes later-talked with a friend-Hispanic ladies cart was near empty and saw some totin off the meat she bought with gubmint card and she was converting into cash. Abuses? Move along taxpayer-nuttin to see here. RIDE SAFE.

[Robert]

In the past two months there have been 538 fraudulent family units apprehended at the Southern border

Adults who illegally crossed our border with kids who are not their own in an attempt to enter our country

House Democrats slip abortion language into bill to end partial shutdown,they use it to try to Restore Planned Parenthood Funding Trump Cut

Researchers at the University of North Carolina published a paper showing that abortion is the leading cause of death in the United States, far surpassing heart disease and cancer.

Disturbingly, among African Americans, abortions made up 61.1 percent of total deaths; among Hispanics, they accounted for 64 percent.

[G-Man]

A few times per year in our small town grocery store small town America,  I always see some lady with 3-5 young kids glued to her hip that does not speak English spending like $300+ on steak and lobster and other fine cuisine full grocery cart that I rarely EVER buy.  She pays all of it with food stamps and other means that I am not aware of how it all works out, but am sure was all FREE thanks to our lovely GOVT.   I saw NO cash or credit card exchange, just phoney money is what I call it.  And here I am buying chicken and brats at 1-2 dollars per lb. vs. hers being 15 bucks per lb.  me rarely spending over 50 bucks per grocery store visit.    

That is not right and wonder why she needs to live like a king just because her and her huge family is allowed to live so extravagant thanks to the US Govt. giving her free means to pay for all of it.  I always  feel like telling her get a job you bum, but she probably would never understand what I said since she does not speak English.  

             
        Saw something similar at the wally wurld in West Plains Mo. a year or two back. Hispanic lady bout 2 carts ahead of me was loaded with prime rib T-bones and ham. When I got out to the lot about fifteen minutes later-talked with a friend-Hispanic ladies cart was near empty and saw some totin off the meat she bought with gubmint card and she was converting into cash. Abuses? Move along taxpayer-nuttin to see here. RIDE SAFE.

My brother worked in a place that "BUYS GOLD".  But, it also bought gift cards, store cards, and gov't funded cards at 50% of their value.  There was no shortage of people selling their gov't cards.  As a quasi-conservative, he would ask them their reasons for selling the cards instead of buying food.  The number one answer was that the gov't gives them too much and that they can't buy what they want with what's left over each month.

[The emperor has no clothes]

https://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/foodstamp.PDF

[G-Man]

Even though the majority of self made millionaires do it in real estate (I think), IMHO you have to be an idiot masochist to intentionally be a professional landlord dealing with renters.

Just like state and federal benefit laws/regs, landlord-tenant laws are set up so skewed in the tenant's favor, that you can spend a lifetime trying to piss up a rope to get paid your rent, or evict delinquents.  

Or, you can just put Evan on a retainer agreement.... because you are going to need an expert in leading you through the Alice in Wonderland rules and regulations for getting paid as a landlord (or evicting them).  

Just show up with a shotgun, and physically evict them and their possessions to the street because they haven't paid a nickel in six months, and have trashed the premises completely, and discover you have to go to jail for a period of months for your justifiable efforts (and pay the tenants all the costs you caused them, with no offset for past due rent allowed). (And on top of that, they take your shotgun.)

Your post is so spot-on!  It took us 14 years to get this 4 apartment house to work smoothly, but we're not making nearly what we should because we have family at reduced rents in 2 apts. and 2 very nice tenants in the other apts.  But it was a struggle and I did use Evan's knowledge and expertise to point me in certain directions once or twice.  It's very nice having good friends in bad places.

There were also MANY nights I sat at home contemplating how much time I would get if I just threw a deadbeat tenants sh!t out in the street.  The Sopranos was on TV then and I'd imagine me in an untucked shirt and slacks kicking in the door while Paulie and Chrissy "trow dem a beatin'."!

[Jess from VA]

You know what they say about mixing business with family.

But helping family is a good thing.... usually (but not always).

[cookiedough]

bringing it up again social security now going to be only 3/4th of payout in another 15 years or so if this trend continues.

It is coming and unfortunately falls within my retirement age or close to it.  Then again,  I will probably be working full time thru age 72 if I make it that far and in that case if kick the bucket before retirement, this whole thread is useless to me except my kids and younger generation.   Not that many can live just off of social security benefits anyways right even if paying out 100% vs. only 75%.   

https://www.channel3000.com/news/politics/national-politics/social-security-wont-be-able-to-pay-full-benefits-by-2035/1071340202

[Bighead]

No one needs to expect to have any SS benifits. Even though we have paid into it our whole lives. I was told at a young age (15-16) that ot wouldn’t t be there when I was old enough to get it. So I dont factor those few dollars into what I need to retire. Even though I pay into it every week. Just another way for the government to take my earned  money.     

[cookiedough]

No one needs to expect to have any SS benifits. Even though we have paid into it our whole lives. I was told at a young age (15-16) that ot wouldn’t t be there when I was old enough to get it. So I dont factor those few dollars into what I need to retire. Even though I pay into it every week. Just another way for the government to take my earned  money.     

So,  you expect to make a go of it without social security providing a supplement and have saved up enough money thru the years say in investments and savings to eat more than bread and butter?   If so,  congrats!  My mom is lucky (they were savers not spenders entire life)  that my Dad had a small pension thru GM and with his social security kicking into my Mom who never worked much of her adult life when Dad died it is darn near what I am making now (not billions for sure- ), but both pension and ss are not even 1/2 of what I have to pay monthly for her to live in Assisted Living at her age of 76 which will run out in years to come being depleted if living long enough.

[hubcapsc]

I read in the wsj that the trustees of Social Security and Medicare expect costs to exceed
income in 2020 for the first time since 1982. The trustees also say "By 2035, the trust
funds for both programs will be depleted, and Social Security will no longer be able to
pay its full scheduled benefits unless Congress steps in to shore up the program".

Don't leave out the "unless Congress steps in" part  ...

-Mike

[cookiedough]

I read in the wsj that the trustees of Social Security and Medicare expect costs to exceed
income in 2020 for the first time since 1982. The trustees also say "By 2035, the trust
funds for both programs will be depleted, and Social Security will no longer be able to
pay its full scheduled benefits unless Congress steps in to shore up the program".

Don't leave out the "unless Congress steps in" part  ...

-Mike

Yep,  agree, it is coming and going away if not all, some of it in the years to come....  I say screw paying into social security if NOT going to be around much at all in say 2035, but have been wrong before not the first nor last time....    Maybe if our govt. would NOT blow the social security on other garbage and leave it alone as intended it would be around forever as it should be....

[F6Dave]

Don't forget about Medicare.  The same report says it's running out of money, too.  Yet the dems running for prez say we should expand it to cover every American.  That should solve our problems!

[Moonshot_1]

Don't forget about Medicare.  The same report says it's running out of money, too.  Yet the dems running for prez say we should expand it to cover every American.  That should solve our problems!

As well it should solve the problem. The important thing to realize is that this is tied into the New Green Deal as part of that is to plant more trees and that is where money grows. Problem solved!

[Bighead]

No one needs to expect to have any SS benifits. Even though we have paid into it our whole lives. I was told at a young age (15-16) that ot wouldn’t t be there when I was old enough to get it. So I dont factor those few dollars into what I need to retire. Even though I pay into it every week. Just another way for the government to take my earned  money.     

So,  you expect to make a go of it without social security providing a supplement and have saved up enough money thru the years say in investments and savings to eat more than bread and butter?   If so,  congrats!  My mom is lucky (they were savers not spenders entire life)  that my Dad had a small pension thru GM and with his social security kicking into my Mom who never worked much of her adult life when Dad died it is darn near what I am making now (not billions for sure- ), but both pension and ss are not even 1/2 of what I have to pay monthly for her to live in Assisted Living at her age of 76 which will run out in years to come being depleted if living long enough.

Yep thats the way I see it. And it will only get worse with the likes of AOC.