Interesting Conversation on Voter Id

[kytwell 179]

Yes, all people on food stamps go on cruises... You really should stop watching Fox News.

Wrong, try again!

California officials are cutting off use of state-issued welfare debit cards at casinos across the country and on cruise ships, in the wake of Times reports that the aid cards have been used to spend or withdraw millions of dollars in benefits at popular vacation spots including the Las Vegas strip and on ships sailing from ports around the world.

More than $69 million meant to help the needy pay their rent and clothe their children was accessed in all 49 other states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, according to data obtained by The Times from the California Department of Social Services.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/10/schwarzeneggers-office-cancels-access-to-welfare-benefits-on-cruise-ships-and-at-casinos.html

[rocks 494]

Wrong, try again!

California officials are cutting off use of state-issued welfare debit cards at casinos across the country and on cruise ships, in the wake of Times reports that the aid cards have been used to spend or withdraw millions of dollars in benefits at popular vacation spots including the Las Vegas strip and on ships sailing from ports around the world.

More than $69 million meant to help the needy pay their rent and clothe their children was accessed in all 49 other states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, according to data obtained by The Times from the California Department of Social Services.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/10/schwarzeneggers-office-cancels-access-to-welfare-benefits-on-cruise-ships-and-at-casinos.html

I don't live in California, good job bringing up some propaganda that is totally irrelevant though! Stopped reading after the fourth word.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Wrong, try again!

California officials are cutting off use of state-issued welfare debit cards at casinos across the country and on cruise ships, in the wake of Times reports that the aid cards have been used to spend or withdraw millions of dollars in benefits at popular vacation spots including the Las Vegas strip and on ships sailing from ports around the world.

More than $69 million meant to help the needy pay their rent and clothe their children was accessed in all 49 other states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, according to data obtained by The Times from the California Department of Social Services.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/10/schwarzeneggers-office-cancels-access-to-welfare-benefits-on-cruise-ships-and-at-casinos.html

How many birth certificates and ID's you figure $69 million will buy?

I don't live in California, good job bringing up some propaganda that is totally irrelevant though! Stopped reading after the fourth word.

How is it irrelevant? We are talking about a federal id card, federal means all 50 states just in case you were wondering.

[kytwell 179]

I don't live in California, good job bringing up some propaganda that is totally irrelevant though! Stopped reading after the fourth word.

It's propaganda if it's true, eh! You said people too poor don't go on cruises and were laughing thinking I'm out of touch. I showed irrefutable proof, not from Fox News, that some do go on cruises and abuse the system. So you stopped reading. Are you allergic to facts?

[rocks 494]

It's propaganda if it's true, eh! You said people too poor don't go on cruises and were laughing thinking I'm out of touch. I showed irrefutable proof, not from Fox News, that some do go on cruises and abuse the system. So you stopped reading. Are you allergic to facts?

It's propaganda. We aren't talking about California, you're comparing apples and oranges. I stopped reading because it was irrelevant and boring. Present me with facts of people from Mississippi going on cruises with their EBT cards.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It's propaganda. We aren't talking about California, you're comparing apples and oranges.

How about Georgia?

Or Mississippi, for that matter?

Picayune resident pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud

[rocks 494]

How about Georgia?

Or Mississippi, for that matter?

Picayune resident pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud

I'm talking about Mississippi. That's what my post referenced. Last time I checked, Georgia wasn't in Mississippi.

Is this a story about someone on food stamps going on a cruise? According to kytwell, that's what everyone with an EBT card does.

One person is convicted of fraud out of 182,882. Wow.

[kytwell 179]

It's propaganda. We aren't talking about California, you're comparing apples and oranges. I stopped reading because it was irrelevant and boring. Present me with facts of people from Mississippi going on cruises with their EBT cards.

Umm, we are talking Voter bills across the nation, not Mississippi specific. Is the OP in Mississippi too? I am in PA we have a bill too. The OP did not specifically mention that this was a Mississippi only thread. So I am free to bring up any state I feel like.

And there has been welfare fraud/abuse in Mississippi. See below:

http://djournal.com/view/full_story/10822551/article-Welfare-abuse-uncovered-in-north-Mississippi?instance=home_news_1st_left

http://djournal.com/view/full_story/7727320/article-MDHS-uncovers-SNAP-fraud--arrests-two-Benton-County-women-?

Warning:

Please be careful, those links may contain what you consider propaganda.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Last time I checked, Georgia wasn't in Mississippi.

Is this a story about someone on food stamps going on a cruise? According to kytwell, that's what everyone with an EBT card does.

One person is convicted of fraud out of 182,882. Wow.

EBT misuse is widespread all across the country. Lots of it cannot be detected since EBT cards give beneficiaries access to cash via ATMs and that cash is non traceable. You know, the extreme stories here and there - like the one of EBT cards being swiped at cruise ship ATMs are certainly not representative of the population of people receiving SNAP/TANF benefits. But at the same time, we should not sit there pretending that significant misuse isn't actually happening. It is. All over the place. Including in Mississippi.

[kytwell 179]

I'm talking about Mississippi. That's what my post referenced. Last time I checked, Georgia wasn't in Mississippi.

Is this a story about someone on food stamps going on a cruise? According to kytwell, that's what everyone with an EBT card does.

One person is convicted of fraud out of 182,882. Wow.

Wrong! I simply pointed out abuse in the system. Food stamps are supposed to be for the poor. How can the poor afford cruises, beer, tattoos, lottery tickets etc. More of interest is how do they cash in at casino's, get on cruise ship etc...without an ID card. Try and look outside of your state some time. I do believe there are some dirt poor people that need gov't programs, I also believe there is fraud and abuse in said systems. It's human nature.

[rocks 494]

EBT misuse is widespread all across the country. Lots of it cannot be detected since EBT cards give beneficiaries access to cash via ATMs and that cash is non traceable. You know, the extreme stories here and there - like the one of EBT cards being swiped at cruise ship ATMs are certainly not representative of the population of people receiving SNAP/TANF benefits. But at the same time, we should not sit there pretending that significant misuse isn't actually happening. It is. All over the place. Including in Mississippi.

Of course there is misuse. I didn't ever say that there wasn't. What I said was there are people who are actually poor here and need food stamps. They don't have the money to pay to get documents to get an ID to vote. kytwell seems to think that those in poverty have money coming out of their ears, apparently they can fly to other states. This is why I am waiting for a case of someone on a cruise liner in Mississippi using an EBT card.

Wrong! I simply pointed out abuse in the system. Food stamps are supposed to be for the poor. How can the poor afford cruises, beer, tattoos, lottery tickets etc. More of interest is how do they cash in at casino's, get on cruise ship etc...without an ID card. Try and look outside of your state some time. I do believe there are some dirt poor people that need gov't programs, I also believe there is fraud and abuse in said systems. It's human nature.

They don't. These people will be the ones who cannot afford the documents required for an ID, the people without vehicles, etc. This really isn't complicated, even you should be able to get it.

[mawilson 2,133]

Last time I checked, Georgia wasn't in Mississippi.

It is now.

[kytwell 179]

Of course there is misuse. I didn't ever say that there wasn't. What I said was there are people who are actually poor here and need food stamps. They don't have the money to pay to get documents to get an ID to vote. kytwell seems to think that those in poverty have money coming out of their ears, apparently they can fly to other states. This is why I am waiting for a case of someone on a cruise liner in Mississippi using an EBT card.

They don't. These people will be the ones who cannot afford the documents required for an ID, the people without vehicles, etc. This really isn't complicated, even you should be able to get it.

You've totally missed my main point and focused on a few little details, which all happen to be true.

Rather than litigating these case's, the justice department IMHO would be better served utilizing that money to help people come into compliance with the law enacted here, there, anywhere. And as I said, once they have this ID, it may well end up serving as a gateway to get out of the poverty they are mired in. Fact: the majority of successful people have ID's, not all poor people do have ID's. Figure that out and then tell me that having an ID may not help in leading them to improve their life. It's not complicated even you should be able to figure that out. By getting rid of the law, you are denying these people the opportunity to get an ID which may lead to them being able to possibly improve their situation. I am sorry you don't feel that people can improve their lives and should be relegated to a life of poverty and with no ID's.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

How far is your nearest voting station?

You have to understand, it is difficult for some people to expend any sort of energy on their own behalf. No ID, no walking, no thinking required. Why, officials should just assume how these poor folks going to vote, and automatically give the number of votes to the candidate that promised to give most money for nothing.

Maybe that is why Obama doesn't really want people to work, and wants more people on food stamps. More poor people, more votes. The person it seems that wants Obama to fail the most, is Obama!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I have no problem with ID as long as government agencies are required to take a pro-active role in ensuring every eligible voter can get the documents he/she needs. If the approach is one of "here's a hoop, jump through it to prove you're worthy" then that I have a problem with.

Because? No effort is required? Is there an outside chance that these folks might actually develop some self reliance and learn how to function in society without government handouts?