Without going into detail my job involves dealing with welfare recipients and other govt. recipients a lot. Basically most of your worst nightmares about welfare are true. Flat screeen TV's, Air Jordans, not working, hanging out smoking blunts while playing X-box till 2am while your school age or younger kids are still up. They view sending thier kids to school as a babysitter service/2 free meals while they sleep in, go to the welfare and heap office, go to court appearances, smoke blunts and generally do nothing.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Come to Jamestown... I'll show you every one of them... it's disgusting down here with it.

You should see some of their "applications" they fill out to "try to find a job"

Honestly you have to TRY to write it that bad. Can't spell simple words, illegible, and damn near impossible to understand.

My favorite is when they come and say "hey you're not hiring are you?" They don't give you a chance to say no, they just assume you will. Sometimes we'll say yes and on a few occasions we've had people walk out without even applying for a job because they don't want one. If you say no you have to sign their forms or give them proof they tried to get hired.

This may sound completely terrible for the most part, but I try not to pay any attention to politics because all it does is irritate me. Nobody can agree on anything which is why pretty much nothing gets done. End of story.
- HonkFortheGoose

Politics is like an awful car crash. You know you shouldn't look, but you just can't help yourself sometimes.

did we get Kaberle yet? EK said we were 2yrs ago.....................i'll continue to wait.
- SABRES 89

Nope. Not yet. And honestly, I hope it never happens.

I don't get it either Gil... So stupid. I don't talk politics much but when I do the people around me seem to listen and I definitely get my point across...

Mom's a Rep. Dad's a Dem. When I was around 16 I started to do my own re-search and gather my own opinion. I respect others, but to me liberalism makes no sense what so ever. Government is already too big, and taxes are far too high.

That said, my dad usually votes for his money, and that usually ends up being Republican. I tend to be inbetween on social issues, but the economics of liberalism make no sense. Being a small business family you see it.

Example: Dems think raising the minimum wage will help people. Truth: It will only hurt, people need jobs, raising the cost to an employer will not help them afford to hire more people, my parents are a perfect example.

Also, in my studies I've come to realize that FDR was actually one of the most damaging presidents of all time. Most of his policies directly have effected how life is today. Dems argue because he's their patriarch. They think the new deal was great and got people back to work. Unemployment was higher in 1939 before the war than it was right after the Depression. Numbers don't lie people.

Sorry for the non hockey rant. I'll hang up now for your response!
- Fotes18

Everyone votes for the party they think will give them the best chance to HAVE MORE MONEY. Social issues seem to be prevelant. But money is what people care about. The part where the joke is on all of us, Liberal and conservative is they dont realize both sides are self serving. If your not an insider now, now matter who you vote for you wont become and insider regardless. Your life will be the same.

Hence the two party system. The Republican Party is not concerned about losing this years presidential election. They know they have the next one. Democratic party isn't concerned about losing the next one because they will win on of the next two after that.

Politics is like an awful car crash. You know you shouldn't look, but you just can't help yourself sometimes.
- buffalofan19

That probably explains why I felt the need to post that picture on FB earlier.

This may sound completely terrible for the most part, but I try not to pay any attention to politics because all it does is irritate me. Nobody can agree on anything which is why pretty much nothing gets done. End of story.
- HonkFortheGoose

Like I said, takes people who should be friends, and divides them over things they can't control anyway.

Nope. Not yet. And honestly, I hope it never happens.
- HonkFortheGoose

EK said Roy to the Habs E3 also, i'll keep waitng

EK said Roy to the Habs E3 also, i'll keep waitng
- SABRES 89

You have to be patient.

GOAT-MEZ.

CAM NEWTON!

Like I said, takes people who should be friends, and divides them over things they can't control anyway.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I honestly don't know if I have different political views from my friends, but I would have to say not one of them have ripped me apart on FB for posting that pic. I actually got a lot of "likes" for it. Guess my circle of friends and I have a lot more in common than I thought.

The real people who suffer in all this are the people who need it. I do believe that a lot of people manipulate the system. However, just before Christmas, I volunteered at a program at my Church, that took in the homeless in between housing. There are people out there that really do need it, but they get lumped into the same category as the above. The system does, indeed, need to be reformed, but after those couple of days, I've become very wary of lumping everyone one welfare into that category, which it's very easy to do (I did it).
- buffalofan19

I do my best to not lump them together... I'm all for programs to help people who are down on their luck.

75 year old lady, her son works for my family... She worked at a local factory here for 40+ years until it closed down 4 months ago. They've given her nothing but trouble and are jerking her around. Honestly though, who's gonna hire a 75 year old lady? Give her the aid she needs, she's more than earned that.

Another lady we know caught her husband cheating, threw him out.. Long story short she had trouble getting anything out of him $ wise. She came out short a few months and my parents helped her out. She swallowed her pride and went to get some help. She's worked since she was 18, has 3 children between ages 10-16. She get's some help, but they forced her to pay it all back. She needed financial help for 3 months, is a lifelong tax payer but she has to pay it all back? Why don't we go to the people who have been on aid for 20 years and force them to pay it back? It's not fair.

EK said Roy to the Habs E3 also, i'll keep waitng
- SABRES 89

This may sound crazy, but when we trade Roy (and I said when for a reason), I'd rather it not be in the division. I can just see how that would backfire on us. The return would have to be staggering for me not to be concerned about it.

in the long run, the average and poor folks lose. s'all it really boils down to.

doesn't matter which political party you think you're affiliated with. here's a good clip:

Everyone votes for the party they think will give them the best chance to HAVE MORE MONEY. Social issues seem to be prevelant. But money is what people care about. The part where the joke is on all of us, Liberal and conservative is they dont realize both sides are self serving. If your not an insider now, now matter who you vote for you wont become and insider regardless. Your life will be the same.

Hence the two party system. The Republican Party is not concerned about losing this years presidential election. They know they have the next one. Democratic party isn't concerned about losing the next one because they will win on of the next two after that.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Issues in this country won't be solved until there is a powerful third party with some influence. It would make both sides more accountable for their actions. Seriously, look at both sides leaders, their the same exact people except on opposite aisles... there is no difference in anyone.

This is why I support Ron Paul. He's gone against his party countless times and his views are spot on. Just wish he had a real chance.

I do my best to not lump them together... I'm all for programs to help people who are down on their luck.

75 year old lady, her son works for my family... She worked at a local factory here for 40+ years until it closed down 4 months ago. They've given her nothing but trouble and are jerking her around. Honestly though, who's gonna hire a 75 year old lady? Give her the aid she needs, she's more than earned that.

Another lady we know caught her husband cheating, threw him out.. Long story short she had trouble getting anything out of him $ wise. She came out short a few months and my parents helped her out. She swallowed her pride and went to get some help. She's worked since she was 18, has 3 children between ages 10-16. She get's some help, but they forced her to pay it all back. She needed financial help for 3 months, is a lifelong tax payer but she has to pay it all back? Why don't we go to the people who have been on aid for 20 years and force them to pay it back? It's not fair.
- Fotes18

Its also not fair that there are Millions of people who go to work everyday, have insufficient health care, don't get enough vacation time to spend quality time with their families and generally live paycheck to paycheck while paying back student loans. That they have to share their money with people who are full on bums and barley live better than they do, relatively speaking.

Issues in this country won't be solved until there is a powerful third party with some influence. It would make both sides more accountable for their actions. Seriously, look at both sides leaders, their the same exact people except on opposite aisles... there is no difference in anyone.

This is why I support Ron Paul. He's gone against his party countless times and his views are spot on. Just wish he had a real chance.
- Fotes18

The system wont let him have a real chance. Looking back we probably should have voted for all of the "Alternative" candidates over the years. Ron Paul, Ralph Nader, that little wealthy guy from Texas. But they fear monger you into thinking your "wasting your vote" and "the total opposite spectrum of Party will win because of you". Its really depressing.

I do my best to not lump them together... I'm all for programs to help people who are down on their luck.

75 year old lady, her son works for my family... She worked at a local factory here for 40+ years until it closed down 4 months ago. They've given her nothing but trouble and are jerking her around. Honestly though, who's gonna hire a 75 year old lady? Give her the aid she needs, she's more than earned that.

Another lady we know caught her husband cheating, threw him out.. Long story short she had trouble getting anything out of him $ wise. She came out short a few months and my parents helped her out. She swallowed her pride and went to get some help. She's worked since she was 18, has 3 children between ages 10-16. She get's some help, but they forced her to pay it all back. She needed financial help for 3 months, is a lifelong tax payer but she has to pay it all back? Why don't we go to the people who have been on aid for 20 years and force them to pay it back? It's not fair.
- Fotes18

It's definitely messed up. But what it really boils down to is kids. That's where the government is torn. They can't say no because it's not fair to the kids. They didn't ask to be born into those situations. But people have found ways to exploit the system.

The lady with the cheating husband is stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have to say I ended up being a child in a family in that same situation. I remember when I was in middle school they told my Mom she made about $20 too much per year for my sister and I to get any type of free or reduced lunch at school. She was so mad because that $20 wasn't going to pay for 2 kids lunches for a whole school year. She was a stay at home Mom until her marriage fell apart. She's done pretty good for herself considering. That's part of the reason I decided to work where I do. She's been there for over 20 years. She's technically been through 3 different ownership situations and they've always been great with her. When she started though, she was trying to support my sister and I on an $8.50 per hour wage and the child support she got. Thank god my Dad was always a stand up guy and paid what he was supposed to. Doesn't mean it was enough though. Not with the debt she got stuck with after the divorce.

You have to be patient.

GOAT-MEZ.

CAM NEWTON!
- Buffalo--Sabres

CAM NEWTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its also not fair that there are Millions of people who go to work everyday, have insufficient health care, don't get enough vacation time to spend quality time with their families and generally live paycheck to paycheck while paying back student loans. That they have to share their money with people who are full on bums and barley live better than they do, relatively speaking.
- Buffalo--Sabres

This.

I truly believe the next financial melt down will be with the student loan market... These companies are giving 18 year olds $100k in loans and when they graduate with no job have $700 a month loan payments... Part of me doesn't feel bad for them, though.. I went to state schools and have less than $9k in debt. Nobody's forcing you to go to that $30k a year school. Be smart and save money.

This may sound crazy, but when we trade Roy (and I said when for a reason), I'd rather it not be in the division. I can just see how that would backfire on us. The return would have to be staggering for me not to be concerned about it.
- HonkFortheGoose

As long as he's gone I don't care.

The system wont let him have a real chance. Looking back we probably should have voted for all of the "Alternative" candidates over the years. Ron Paul, Ralph Nader, that little wealthy guy from Texas. But they fear monger you into thinking your "wasting your vote" and "the total opposite spectrum of Party will win because of you". Its really depressing.
- Buffalo--Sabres

though i am an independent, i lean left because i don't want my political affiliation and beliefs being skewed by people who use religious rhetoric.

this country has far too many different races, religions, etc and to think that the only people suitable for office are white Catholics is just a hair on the short-sighted side.

This.

I truly believe the next financial melt down will be with the student loan market... These companies are giving 18 year olds $100k in loans and when they graduate with no job have $700 a month loan payments... Part of me doesn't feel bad for them, though.. I went to state schools and have less than $9k in debt. Nobody's forcing you to go to that $30k a year school. Be smart and save money.
- Fotes18

I agree with that school part. I chose to go to a state school as well. I also worked full time while going. I have about $25,000 in debt and feel like I haven't made a dent in it at all. It's depressing really. And I could have gotten the job I have right now with just a high school diploma. In the end, I feel like it's made me a better person. But it's still frustrating as hell.

It's definitely messed up. But what it really boils down to is kids. That's where the government is torn. They can't say no because it's not fair to the kids. They didn't ask to be born into those situations. But people have found ways to exploit the system.

The lady with the cheating husband is stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have to say I ended up being a child in a family in that same situation. I remember when I was in middle school they told my Mom she made about $20 too much per year for my sister and I to get any type of free or reduced lunch at school. She was so mad because that $20 wasn't going to pay for 2 kids lunches for a whole school year. She was a stay at home Mom until her marriage fell apart. She's done pretty good for herself considering. That's part of the reason I decided to work where I do. She's been there for over 20 years. She's technically been through 3 different ownership situations and they've always been great with her. When she started though, she was trying to support my sister and I on an $8.50 per hour wage and the child support she got. Thank god my Dad was always a stand up guy and paid what he was supposed to. Doesn't mean it was enough though. Not with the debt she got stuck with after the divorce.
- HonkFortheGoose

That's the real problem... Kudos to your mother for all that, sounds like a strong willed woman, and fantastic mother! Even your father, at least he paid... Can't tell you the amount of people I see who don't pay or see their kids. I just don't know how you do it.

I have a buddy who got his gf pregnant when he was 18, Vehemently denied it was his, dragged it through court for a year and a half and now he pays $10.25 every two weeks in support. Oh yeah, he's out of state going to school, went and studied abroad in Europe, been to two major college bowl games, and has been on countless trips... All the while his 4 1/2 year old son doesn't even know him...

I just don't get how he does it. I walked around wal mart around christmas, saw all the toys and though "how much fun would it be to christmas shop for a child right now" This kid has that opportunity and doesn't want anything to do with it. I still talk to him, but he makes me sick.

This.

I truly believe the next financial melt down will be with the student loan market... These companies are giving 18 year olds $100k in loans and when they graduate with no job have $700 a month loan payments... Part of me doesn't feel bad for them, though.. I went to state schools and have less than $9k in debt. Nobody's forcing you to go to that $30k a year school. Be smart and save money.
- Fotes18

The student loan market can't collapse. Its the only loan you cant file bankruptcy on and they have crazy power when it comes to seizing your assets. Meanwhile if my parents made 2 thousand dollars less a year(166 bucks a month) or if they were just lazier people I would have had college financial help or free schooling. Some of my friends from the same area(Kenmore) got seriously reduced or free college, meanwhile the rest of us will pay loans back at interest for 10 + years. And this is for State schools. Growing up they really didn't have anything different than I did. I dont understand why the dividing line for free college is drawn there.

That's the real problem... Kudos to your mother for all that, sounds like a strong willed woman, and fantastic mother! Even your father, at least he paid... Can't tell you the amount of people I see who don't pay or see their kids. I just don't know how you do it.

I have a buddy who got his gf pregnant when he was 18, Vehemently denied it was his, dragged it through court for a year and a half and now he pays $10.25 every two weeks in support. Oh yeah, he's out of state going to school, went and studied abroad in Europe, been to two major college bowl games, and has been on countless trips... All the while his 4 1/2 year old son doesn't even know him...

I just don't get how he does it. I walked around wal mart around christmas, saw all the toys and though "how much fun would it be to christmas shop for a child right now" This kid has that opportunity and doesn't want anything to do with it. I still talk to him, but he makes me sick.
- Fotes18

There was a guy in my group of friends that got his g/f pregnant. I don't think he denied it was his, but he could care less that the child was even going to exist. Needless to say, he's no longer in the circle of friends at all. I've asked if anyone has seen talked to him at all, and nobody has. We all dropped him like a bad habit. I don't need to associate myself with people like that. I thought maybe at first I would be the only one since I'm female and the rest of the group is male, but they all dropped him too. Guess I have a pretty stand up group of friends.

The student loan market can't collapse. Its the only loan you cant file bankruptcy on and they have crazy power when it comes to seizing your assets. Meanwhile if my parents made 2 thousand dollars less a year(166 bucks a month) or if they were just lazier people I would have had college financial help or free schooling. Some of my friends from the same area(Kenmore) got seriously reduced or free college, meanwhile the rest of us will pay loans back at interest for 10 + years. And this is for State schools. Growing up they really didn't have anything different than I did. I dont understand why the dividing line for free college is drawn there.
- Buffalo--Sabres

That's the sad part. I didn't qualify for any type of financial aid because they said my Mom and I had too large of a combined income. I had to work in high school otherwise I would have starved. My mom did the best she could to make ends meet, but as soon as I turned 16, I had to kind of fend for myself. She provided the roof over my head, I had to provide everything else. And she only made like 30,000 a year and I still didn't qualify for anything.