"WalterReuther
Aug 20, 2011 at 10:34 a.m.
Suggest removal

Wild assumptions continue I see. Perhaps the man with the tatoos has a friend that was apprenticing and the man acted as a practice canvas. Maybe he has a friend that hooks him up for free. How do you know the value of the man's tatoos?
"

Yep I am sure that is it!

"lvmyslf
Aug 20, 2011 at 10:45 a.m.
Suggest removal

frogger
I don't believe it is any of your business how someone pays for their groceries. The HUGE problem with people today is they have to know everyone elses business. I
"

I thought I wrote this somewhere- it is OUR business as a taxpayers since WE ARE flipping the bill!!

Everybody is suffering right now and this whole reccession thing touches EVERY family in America without exception. That said I am lucky enough to have a job and I do not mind helping out those less fortunate or down on their luck. The side effect of this reccession though has been to shine a light on those who have just given up. These people have always been there but now that real suffering is more common these EBT, SSI, STD, WIC, slugs can no longer be tolerated. If you haven't worked since the 1990's then just starve so a down on their luck person with a social conscience can survive through and contribute when it's time to go back to work.

Germancaveguy-that was a long, long post (like mine usually are), but you're right, because this is not a situation that can be summed up "in a nutshell" as so many posters have done, with the information they think they have.
Just like rich people, each "poor" person's situation has been arrived at through many and varied ways. There are poor, honest, hard working people and the same could be said for the rich. There are people who became poor (or rich) because they were selfish, self-serving and dishonest. But many are far to eager to suck up to the rich no matter how they became that way, and spit out the poor no matter how they became that way.
Lets just be glad there are people who want to help, and hope there are more who "take advantage" of it by bettering themselves with those resources than there are of the other type. I, for one, wouldn't want those chiildren to be sacrificed so that we wouldn't "accidentally" give to someone who didn't deserve it.

Ask Scott Walker for help, or maybe the corporations will give some of the millions Scotty gave them in kickbacks to help ECHO. The right has a plan, I am sure they will figure something out...

Charities consistently see less donations as fraud becomes more widespread. Until Wisconsin addresses its multimillion dollar welfare fraud problem, donations will continue to drop. And because private charities often use public funding, private charities are seen as taxpayer funded.

There are so many comments here asking the question of why people who are receiving financial aid would spend the little money they have on luxuries instead of necessities. Most of these post have a negative sentiment toward a person doing so. Some go to the extent of berating the person for being poor and undeserving of any luxuries.

This attitude directed at the poor is part of the problem. Surely, the spending habits of some of these people is far from the best. However, if they are constantly ridiculed for being poor, I can see how some people would spend the little money they have on something that will make them feel less poor. No parent wants their children to feel poor. If that means spending their tax return on some electronic device to make it appear that they aren't, that is what they will do.

This isn't necessarily the right choice to be making if getting to a point of financial self stability is the goal. However, they system isn't set up to allow for traditional approaches to managing finances. It doesn't allow the person to make investments or save for a raining day. Instead, it promotes spending to allow for future payments to keep coming in.

The only way for a person to break the welfare cycle is to have a substantial change in income; the most typical of which is gain a higher paying job. Most of the people who are receiving aid are working. Hence, the reason they may be getting a substantial tax return each year. Yet, there job doesn't pay well enough to entirely pay their cost of living. Sure, they could take one of the approaches suggested here and work a second job. Yet, chances are they can't do that because they don't have the required support to leave their children to do so.

A troubling fact of the matter is that some people do receive aid in fraudulent ways. However, most of the people receiving help absolutely need it and do not take it for granted. Like anyone else that wants to be successful in life, they constantly strive to improve their personal circumstances. Sometimes this may mean that they make a choice that others may not agree with. Yet, that is the case with everyone; poor, rich, and in between.

I feel that instead of focusing so much on the most negative situations that happen to be seen, people should direct their energy toward finding solutions to the problems they can solve. If you know someone that is receiving aid and could be making better choices with their spending, politely give them suggestions that will help them do so. There is always the strong chance, given the fact that they are poor enough to qualify for benefits, that they don't know any better way.

However, bashing people for bad behavior does nothing to help them or the situation they are in. Instead, it simply makes the person doing so feel better about themselves by putting someone else down for not living the same way they do.

@walter- I know that my name was given because I was called by the enraged client. Investigators of fraud are not like investigators with human services. I believe they can give names- at least in my case they did.You asked for an example and I gave one. I do think you are misperceiving my posts. I am not at all against helping people who need it- I think they often don't get enough. I am against abusing a system that is there to help people- an believe it or not- there are many many abuses in this system.

frogger
I don't believe it is any of your business how someone pays for their groceries. The HUGE problem with people today is they have to know everyone elses business. I may be wrong, but I thought Wisconsin no longer has "welfare" it is Wisconsin Works. How do you know that the people in the nice car just haven't fallen on hard times and need a little help right now? "If it isn't their ride then maybe whoever they got this from would like to help pay for their food to instead of all the tax payers" that comment makes no sense. You are so judgemental and sound quite bitter, you should really stop paying attention to others and worry about yourslef, I am sure you would be a lot happier in life. Until you have actual proof that the people that have a nice car are screwing the system, I think you should mind your own business.

Wild assumptions continue I see. Perhaps the man with the tatoos has a friend that was apprenticing and the man acted as a practice canvas. Maybe he has a friend that hooks him up for free. How do you know the value of the man's tatoos?

"These boils on the ass of society who can afford cartons of cigarettes, tattoos, piercings and lottery scratch-offs but can't get it together long enough to stand up for 40 hours a week to work put food on the table or buy diapers or school supplies. It's outrageous."

I mentioned a guy looking for a car on ssi and quite capable of working- LOADED with tats. HUNDREDS of $$ worth.
Maybe you could have fixed the truck with that money instead!!

"Do you really think these parents would literally let their children starve and go naked?"

YES, absolutly- some are such pos that this can happen. They think the kid is a burdon but they are the only that didn't hold the asperin between the knees!! How do you think the child got there??? Or they have them to get credits and free stuff on purpose. Are people this aweful- absolutlely!! Can you believe this- very hard to but it is true and happens every day.

So once again we have the same old ploy of trying to convince the public that the exception is the rule. You can give a few isolated examples here and there, but still offer no real evidence of the many consistently ruining it for the few.
***
alert: How do you know that your name was given as the source of the complaint? I know that's not standard operating procedure for any agency's investigators. You should also have filed a complaint against that investigator. Also, if you're that passionate about eliminating fraud, you wouldn't let a little thing like that stop you from fighting for your cause. It's people that are quick to back down that allow the problem to persist...if there actually was a pervasive problem, that is.
***
vato: What does that article have to do with public assitance fraud?

@walter- I did report a possible welfare fraud several years ago and they investigated. The investigator was more than happy to tell the people being investigated who had reported it. They were found to be seriously fraudulent but never again will I put myself in that kind of danger. It is the job of the organizers to monitor their programs and if they want the public to get involved, it must be anonymous.

Walter... Go to JS online and read about the several employees of Food Share who got cards and used them and/or sold them to their friends. And that's probably the tip of the iceberg. Last year the state grants for day care for low income mothers was investigated for fraud to the tune of over $300 million. Day care providers and parents were falsifying applications for subsidies, which had been going on for years. IMO should have to be drug tested to get welfare. It's a shame because those that truly need assistance are being hurt.

I'm waiting for just one of these many critics of these support programs to drop some real evidence of all the fraudsters. The incessant droning on and on about sheltering drug dealers, expensive cars, tattoos and lottery tickets bought with tax payer money is ridiculous. First, prove it; not to me or any body on these blogs. Prove it and do something about it. Take your evidence to the proper authorities and stop the abuse. Otherwise, all your complaining is worthless.
In fact, let's try something: Field Trip! Let's all go down to the Beloit Housing Authority. Then you can start pointing out all the nice cars and the obese people in their super nice clothes carrying iphones. I'd love to see if you can find all that down there in the BHA. Come on people. Let's get this organized.

The "tough love" starts when you can't get any kind of help because you won't play the system and have to take on TWO low-paying jobs to pay bills.
When you're low on funds you work to get more. You don't just sit on your lazy entitlement-issue having backside and collect handouts while squeezing out kid after kid with guy after guy because it will get you more more free money per month. Community Action hands out free condoms. There's no reason for all these baby machines to be dropping kids like ripe fruit on a regular basis.

It makes it really difficult for the people who REALLY NEED help to get it because they're dodging these obese baby mama's on "disability" or the girls who think it's still a cute idea to be a "stay at home mommy" but can't make rent and lazy baby daddies who sit and collect unemployment instead of working because they can't make it through the day without getting high or drunk or getting up before 3pm. These boils on the ass of society who can afford cartons of cigarettes, tattoos, piercings and lottery scratch-offs but can't get it together long enough to stand up for 40 hours a week to work put food on the table or buy diapers or school supplies. It's outrageous.

The people who legitimately need help are getting hosed by these leeches who think they're entitled to free handouts.
When you're told "Come back when you have a kid" by ECHO, you learn REALLY fast who runs the show.

And I'm the one being dramatic?

Walter...don't you think you're being a little dramatic? Do you really think these parents would literally let their children starve and go naked? If no one else did it maybe they would get off their butts and get a job. IMO food pantries and other volunteer groups can do the job. But then where would all these gov't Food Share workers steal the cards and sell them to their friends? These are people who Obama needs on the payroll to vote for him.

So where does this tough love some of you people want to see so badly begin and where does it end? Would a couple of malnourished and naked 2nd graders wandering into a Janesville elementary school dazed, cold and hungry be proof enough that we were solving the freeloader problem? Should we just cut the flow of money off to everyone to make sure the system abusers don't get the money? No system is perfect. We're human, but we do the best we can. I'm sure you've heard that sometimes the guilty are set free while innocent people go to prison. Perhaps we should simply stop funding that imperfect sysem and just shut down the prisons. We'd save money that way, right? And did you hear about these libraries? People are just getting free stuff there, too! What are we going to do about that?!

It's interesting to note that the mayor of New York City agrees with Donnaw. He wants to ban food share for soda purchase too. But the city got a letter from "an administrator of the food stamp program in Washington" that "said the city’s proposed experiment would have been “too large and complex” to implement and evaluate". Imagine that. The federal government thinks that a ban of using food share for zero nutrition drinks which seems so obviously logical has to be an experiment, literally a study, to be evaluated. That's proof positive that government administrators with common sense are an anomaly.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/0...

The gov't has turned work into something only suckers do.

youkill..the difference is you and I pay for the bottled water,etc. Shouldn't there be some items that aren't eligible for welfare? I drink water out of my tap and we drink very little soda. Those are extras, not necessities and neither is candy. Spend the welfare on veggies, fruits, lunch meats, etc but why allow those other things. This woman may have needed the help with the basics but I'm just saying if she can't afford to buy basic food on her own, I don't think we should pay for the extras. Tell you what guys, if you think soda and bottled water are okay to buy with Food Share monies, you pay for it! The abusers are laughing at you all thru the checkout line.

I almost never agree with donnaw but this time there is truth in her post. Buying bottled water and a case of soda should be banned from the foodstamp program. One is unhealthy to drink, the other is unhealthy for the environment. Someone on foodstamps can't buy a prepared chicken from the deli to create a nice salad for the family but can buy the other things. The WIC program very effectively tells people what types of cereal etc. that they are allowed to use WIC funds for.( No sugar coated anything). Foodshare should start to curtail unhealthy foods.

donnaw may be right. That person with the Foodshare card might be only one more government hand-out away from becoming a big name CEO of a giant corporation extorting Wisconsin communities for thousands of dollars to expand and create jobs while they sit on hundreds of millions in cash. Those skills don't come easy and you got to start somewhere. ;-O

Not <GASP> candy?! Why we oughta string 'em up by their toenails!

Ok, she spent $72. Out of that, what, like $4 for a case of bottled water and $6 for soda? How much candy are we talking about? A couple candy bars or a case of bagged chocolate?

I don't know, maybe I'm getting soft in my old age but I don't see a big problem with someone spending a little of their funds on the fun stuff. If she were spending $72 on lobster tails, porterhouse steaks, and cases and cases of soda, then yeah, that might be an issue. Otherwise, back off and let folks live a little. Times are tough for everyone, don't try to make yourself feel better by belittling someone else.

Things have changed a lot over the years. At one time, a necessity was defined as something you can't live without. Food, water, shelter, clothing. Now it's cable TV, cell phones, gamestations, recreational drugs, liquor and even tattoos as well. Many have forgotten what personal responsibility really is. And with the advent of legal abortions, so many fathers see no obligation to support children they seem to think should never had been born. Single parent families are the largest contributor to poverty the western world has ever faced. I don't see that problem getting solved any time soon.

Our society has embraced these changes. We've willingly transferred much of the responsibility parents used to have onto the various levels of our government. Public school have almost total control over what is taught and how it's taught. Parents are expected to support their schools, but not to question them. When a family's fortunes suffer, no one expects extended family to step in. That is now the government's job. And indeed, government taxes us all for for our entitlements, so they should be there for the needy. The problem is that politicians have discovered that welfare programs are useful tools for re-election. They've extended benefits to those who don't really need them. Many people could get by on what they have simply by giving up what they really don't need. But why should they? Our government has been ready willing and able to help meet their necessities, freeing up their money to use on those things they want but don't need. It's sad that so many won't give up those things to get what their children need for school.

Still, a need is a need. We can't make people responsible that refuse to be. Not in this political and social climate. And some folks really do need help. So ECHO provides a valuable service, even if it does so for some of the children of the less deserving poor.

donnaw~

What's your point? This person is not allowed to drink bottled water or soda? The vehicle she was driving, did you ask her to show you the title to insure it was hers? Maybe a neighbor let here borrow it or it is a relatives van. Geez.

Just checked out at the grocery store. Woman in front of me spent $72 on groceries with a Foodshare card. Included a case of bottled water and Mountain Dew and candy among other things. Drove away in nice 2 year old mini van.

To bring this back to needed school supplies for a second, we ALREADY "donate" school supplies to needy kids through the HUGE supply lists we're required to work our way through. For example, last year we had a child in 2nd grade. Twelve JUMBO glue sticks, plus paste, plus small glue sticks. Multiply it out for a class of 20 students and we're talking almost 300 glue sticks in one class! I was told the number required was a bit high to compensate for the kids whose parents can't afford supplies. In years past, we always bought extra supplies and kept them at home in case they were needed later. And sure as God made little green apples, somewhere around December or January, we get notes sent home asking parents to send in more supplies. I fail to understand how one class can possibly go through even 100 glue sticks, let alone triple that number.

I'm all for helping those who truly need a hand. But for all you people who are seeing the fraud, are you doing anything about it, aside from coming here and complaining? If you know someone who is committing fraud, why aren't you reporting it?

Nobody is againt the kids here. We are just tired of parents living off the government when they could get off their a$$$$ and get a job. Stop thinking of their nails,FANCY phones and renting a huge tv by the week instead of the kids supplies etc. It wont stop because they think this is normal and this lifestyle is usually pasted down as "normal" behavier.

I'm sure the cars are their cars...Regardless, obese parents with overweight kids getting free food and all kinds of handouts.........what more do you need to see???

" How do you know that they even own the car?? Did you ask to see a title?? "

Is that what you're asking?
IF it isn't their ride then maybe whoever they got this from would like to help pay for their food too instead off all the tax payers.

"frusion
Aug 19, 2011 at 12:03 p.m.
Suggest removal

justsomeguy... Thank you for the lunch time laugh!! My money is on the "screw it...."
I will second this!

"? I don't believe it is ANY of your business. Just saying."

You don't think it is our business since we are the ones paying for that food??????!!!!

Thanx for the sentiment, but my friend died a horrible rotten death. And was made to feel like a piece of crap parasite from the system she paid into her entire life.

uncle,
That is very sad, I am sorry for your friend. That doesn't mean the person driving a nice car is screwing the system. I agree there are MANY that do, but those are the ones that keep having kids so they get more from the state and other charities. I hope your friend does get the help she is entitled too.

You guys are missing the point - there is no reason why these children are not working. Oh yeah except for those darn librals and their anti-job creator child labor laws. Young children in other countries are hard at work right now, for some of the very job creators that are being held back by Obama. And those kids never complain about a lack of school supplies - or about school at all. Dang lazy american 2nd graders - get a job!

justsomeguy... Thank you for the lunch time laugh!! My money is on the "screw it...."

Here's an idea - how about in order to get assistance they have to volunteer a set amount of hours around the city. ECHO could sponsor a few miles of streets around the city to clean up and the recipients could "qualify" for money by spending two hours picking up trash on the side of the road. They could clean up parks, paint old buildings, etc. It would be interesting to see how many would say "screw it, if I wanted to work I'd get a job."

sixty % of these kids come from broken homes. One parent or even no parent, maybe a grandparent is raising the kid.It's not their fault.I agree the system stinks,and parents are not doing their job all the time,but I do what I can to help. It makes ME feel better.Alot of you are great people,thanks and keep up the good job.

i'm with the bashers on this one. I hate welfare. Drove by echo last weekend and witnessed a woman hauling her free stuff. Her and her 6 kids Piling into their Navigator. Had to be a 30-40K ride. Bullcrap I say! I'd rather donate to hooters.

I have never said there are not people who have a need for public assistance. The bottom line is that the system is broken. Let me give you an example: A friend of mine was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This woman had worked her entire life. When stricken with this terrible disease she was employed and had insurance. However, she had to quit her job and at least try to beat it with a series of nasty Chemo treatments. After her short term disability dried up she went to the public aid office to get any type of help she could. Guess what? She was denied because her child support (which she rarely received) put her over the income limit by $7. SEVEN BUCKS!!!! Now here is a person who has worked and paid into the system her entire life. Never asked for anything. When she swallowed her pride and asked for help she was told no. Kind of a slap in the face considering how many people receive it who are FULLY CAPABLE to go get a job but would rather just hold out their hand.

frogger,
How do you know that they even own the car?? Did you ask to see a title?? Maybe you shouldn't be so quick to pass judgement and worry about yourself and your finances. I pay taxes and also support the people that are collecting state aid, I know there are a lot of people abusing the system, but there are also many that need it. And why are you paying attention to how people are paying for groceries that are standing infront of you? I don't believe it is ANY of your business. Just saying.

Bellagio- I agree with your statements on an entitlement society but disagree that it is caused by a socialist government creating a dependency. The intention of foodshare programs is a good one, it helps people who need it the most. The government's role is to monitor programs and it has failed to do so. This is also nothing new- it has been going on through former republican and democratic regimes. Unfortunately- the Governor we have now wants to throw the baby out with the bathwater- meaning he wants to drastically reduce needed help. All his role should be is to monitor existing programs for fraud.

My definition of an "expensive car" is a 2 or 3 year old high end vehicle. Cadillac, Lincoln, Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not to mention the $3,000 sound system in it. Go out to the job center and see how many of those vehicles you see. Then see how many who exit those cars go into look for jobs or go into the public aid office. You may be surprised by what you see. And if I fall on hard times and have a PAID FOR vehicle that I could sell for $10,000 to $15,000 it would be gone in a minute. I'd buy a cheaper vehicle and pay up my rent in advance with the remainder.

The cheats just love our population of taxpaying suckers.
Oh, well, all you working people just keep your eyes on the tv during your "time off" and watch some more football.

I know first hand of at least five families abusing the system. I have been asked to use their food stamps and give them money. I was told that the reason I was asked is because I would have paid the full amount- not 50 cents on the dollar. I not so politely declined the offer.Food stamp fraud is out there. A very simple way to save some money (not all) would be to demand identification at the grocery store when the card is presented. I do understand that people are suffering and in need of extra cash but it has become a way of life for many.

"could that person buying steaks being doing a one-time thing? Just because you witness it happen doesn't mean it is the norm for the person"
Doubt it I don't see real skinny people in the echo line. I hear stories they have parties to get ride of all the free food they get. If Dad lives at home and cheats and says he lived at the post office then they get extra food.
Ther eis more abuse than just the food. People on SSI and have side jobs getting cash.
Call ambulance when wife could take them to er.
WONT work 40 hours when they are very capable because they will lose their $100 a month rent and other free stuff. IF you can work 30 you can work 40. This person didn't have any problems either and kids in school.
Story of a guy wont get a job on SSI and can work but truck broke but friend driving him all over to car lots looking for a NEW truck to buy. Owes child support to TWO mothers. Maybe your friend can drop you off for some apps instead of looking at cars you cannot afford or can never get a loan for because you owe child support to TWO moms.

"uncle,
What if the car is paid for, somehow, someway paid for? Then let's say it has high mileage but runs well. Then let's consider it isn't worth much. Why would someone trade in a nice, reliable car, get little for it only to end up with a crappy unreliable car?"

um fuel economy- you put a months rent in that running around!!!!

"lvmyslf
Aug 18, 2011 at 11 p.m.
Suggest removal

Just because someone drives an escalade does not mean they are wealthy... Do u
you know their story before you start passing judgement?"

Okay I will bite
1- lets see inheritance? - well could have put money down on a home or put it in the bank. Nope then you cannot get free stuff anymore.
2-Somebody gave it to you? Generous huh- sell it for food!
3- it is used? yep still more money than any other car.
4-life ins settlement- again but something affordable!
Here is a good one. Be sure your benificiary is updated. Dad got killed has three-four kids and wife. HAD parents down as beni- He never updated policy. Parents came in and spent the wad on two cars becuase "he wanted us to have the money". Yuo thinnk the parents are still on welfare??? Of course?
If I think about it a bit more I am sure I can come up with more reasons WHY this doesn't make sence.
oh here is one- bought it and them lost jobs- repo- people do it every day!(if upside down and cannot sell it)
Trade it for something with a big rebate to cover upsidedownness and lower your payment.

"jv93
Aug 18, 2011 at 8:53 p.m.
Suggest removal

Truth asked why those people have Iphones, large flat screen TVs, and smartphones, yet do not provide basic necessities for their children. The answer is simple: because somebody else WILL provide for their children, and they know it. So "helping" is not helping at all, it is called ENABLING. They know they can get you and all the other wonderful people to buy their kid clothes, lunches, and school supplies as long as they do not. In a way they are holding their own child's welfare hostage in order to garner your sympathy for "support" which in turn allows the parents to continue their lifestyle of irresponsibility. As always I understand this does not apply to ALL people but a good many it does apply."

And this my friends will be passed down from gereration to gerneration- entitlement must stop
Ever watch movie Precious??? She actually tried to break the cycle thank God.

uncle,
What if the car is paid for, somehow, someway paid for? Then let's say it has high mileage but runs well. Then let's consider it isn't worth much. Why would someone trade in a nice, reliable car, get little for it only to end up with a crappy unreliable car?
.
could that person buying steaks being doing a one-time thing? Just because you witness it happen doesn't mean it is the norm for the person.
.
Most people aren't abusing the system.

"expensive car.."

Please tell me what an expensive car is?

Well, if I had an expensive car and found myself on hard times, the car would be the first thing to go. When I lost my job at Waukesha Cherry Burrell in 1996 my Harley and boat were the first things to go. I don't care what their story is. I have been through that. I never ended up up public assistance. I managed to keep my home and feed my kids. I had 2 crappy jobs and did odd jobs like lawn mowing on the weekends. Eventually I found another decent job and got back on my feet. It is frustrating to stand behind someone at Woodman's who is buying steaks and pork chops with food stamps while I am buying mac & cheese and cheap hot dogs for my kids while my taxes pay for theirs. Sure.... I consider where that Escalade came from. And I wonder two things: How do they continue to make the payments? And if things are so tough for them, why don't they sell it?

Just because someone drives an escalade does not mean they are wealthy... Do u
you know their story before you start passing judgement?

All of you providing examples of someone abusing the system remember there are WAY MORE NEEDING AND USING the system.
.
I see the clients at ECHO, some with nice vehicles; at first I was upset and then I realized...these could be the people who recently lost a job and the car is something they were "stuck" with. That happens...I have been "stuck" with a car that at one point I could afford and then...boom new circumstances and then I couldn't but since it does not appreciate...I was stuck.
.
The kids are not at fault...please remember that..and most, do not abuse the system but EVERY system is going to be abused.

Truth asked why those people have Iphones, large flat screen TVs, and smartphones, yet do not provide basic necessities for their children. The answer is simple: because somebody else WILL provide for their children, and they know it. So "helping" is not helping at all, it is called ENABLING. They know they can get you and all the other wonderful people to buy their kid clothes, lunches, and school supplies as long as they do not. In a way they are holding their own child's welfare hostage in order to garner your sympathy for "support" which in turn allows the parents to continue their lifestyle of irresponsibility. As always I understand this does not apply to ALL people but a good many it does apply.

It is sad, especially for the kids. But I don't know what the answer is.

I too saw 2 girls in their early 20s buying food with some sort of assistance. In their basket were diapers, and then 2 Red Bulls, a box of Twinkies, a couple candy bars and some chips - a small pack of diapers and $15 of garbage paid for by the taxpayers. And the girls knew exactly which snacks were covered under this program - I think they had to put back a bottle of 5 Hour Energy.

I know another family who tells the agencies that the father doesn't live at home - he actually does. Then he has a PO Box so he isn't on their home address. It's all just to get assistance. And yes, their kids have laptops, phones, iPads, etc. And I'm guessing they're feeling sorry for themselves that they won't get school supplies from ECHO this year.

It's a fine line between punishing the kids and rewarding the parents for their sneaky, selfish ways. I don't have the answer.

uncle- All I can figure is that you can have two $40,000 cars and get all that welfare but you can't have one $80,000 house.
That must be why expensive cars are selling but no houses.

Who wants to punish the kids? All I wanna know is how someone with a $40,000 + car can be on financial aid? I work 2 jobs and my car is a hunk o' crap. But my kids don't go without, nor am I receiving any public aid. How do some of these people qualify?

Yes, think of the kids first, but, again, why do "poor people" have Iphones, HUGE tvs, newer cars, weekly hair and nail services, etc. etc. etc. and then have to have others buy stuff for their kids and get taxpayer funded food cards and rent assistance ?????????
There should be a point at which one's choices no longer qualify them as a parent.

Pretty sad to see Janesville, once again, seek to punish the children for the sins of the parents. If you had half a clue you would realize that these children who will grow up without assistance either from their parents or from ECHO will have no reason to participate beneficially in society. Won't that be a wonderful world to live in?

For those so quick to say parent accountability & expecting others to help...let me add that - - I have personally seen many sad situations that families are in and unable to buy supplies, clothes,etc for kids. Please keep in mind that you might have one parent very sick and/or dying. The other may be out of work or was a stay at home mom now looking for work. Yes - some will take advantage, but times are tough for many in Rock County. That is why you have so many kids in communities all over the state that need help and have a reduced or free lunch at school.

frusion
Thank you for your comment, you are right. There are always going to be "not so great" parents but why let the children suffer. We can always fix society and the problem people but I love how you said "why not help the children? Let them know that there are nice caring people in this community" I know last time I was at the dollar store they had a big bin out and you could purchase an extra school supply item to donate, it cost me $1 and it may make a small different. Come on people, help out the children...you can lecture about the parents later! Lets get these kids off to a great school year! All the teachers I know take money out of their own pocket every year to help their students without ever expecting a thank you or anything. Let's not be harsh to the teachers, they teach for a reason!!!

If ya' can't feed 'em ,don't breed 'em OR stop making more it doesn't get any cheaper....
I only have one and it isn't cheap either, I can just imagine with two or more children..... I think most of these parents in Rock co. just use echo for a free ride and it makes it really hard for the folks that only go when they NEED to.... I for one would like some of the help for school supplies but I got some money saved up for a rainy day sooo instead of depending on echo, I gonna take my 10 year olds' school supplies list to the "dollar tree" on milton ave and spend about $15. maybe even $20. on supplies.... sooo yea there really is no excuse for the children not to have supplies to go back to school and depending on the school funding they also will help with supplies....

For thos ewho abuse- you wouldn't want to give up a few smokes for your kids supplies now would you???!!

emac and ezoner, I agree with you both. I too have seen first hand how neglectful parents create hardship for their kids. I had a neighbor that always had plenty to smoke and drink but his kids didn't even have a cheap bicycle. While he smoked like a chimney his kids went to the breakfast program at Adams. And he didn't work. His supposed disability did not keep him from junking cars in his front yard for quick cash.

But back to this story. There is always going to be POS people that care for nothing but themselves. If you can help a kid that needs something as simple as school supplies please do it. The only thing you can hope for is that the kid will realize there are good people out in the community and someday hopefully they will be good citizens as well.

Ezoner- I happen to know from first-hand experience what it is like to have an abusive , neglectful parent. My concern is the children and only the children. No one is going to change the huge amount of parental neglect and abuse that is rampant in this society by the time school starts this year. If you can't change the parents at least help the children.

Again emac -- how many people really need that assitance and how many are taking advatage of the system? Ill bet if you looked at the actual need based upon life decisions you would find the number should be significantly lower.

"Nearly half of the school district's children now qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program".

I think it is time Paul Ryan gets off his soapbox in D.C.and starts doing his job right here, for the people who elected him.

Yep -- I saw kids that had no underwear, yet dad had that 12 pack or a case on friday night. Comeon -- where are the priorities..

You cannot force parents to make responsible decisions, but you also cannot expect others to make up the difference for irresponsible parental behavior. You need to reinforce positive behavior and help parents make good decisions.

Good point ezoner. I have also seen these things. How many times do you see someone purchasing groceries with a food stamp card and walk out to their Escalade? It's kind of frustrating to see.

I feel this is about priorities. I see families, and kids everyday, that have basic needs for clothing, meals, etc..... yet they are walking around with I-phones, Ipads, and have the largest flat screen I have ever seen in their homes. I think people are so tied up with wanting or feeling they deserve the same material things as others that they forget about the basics.

When we grew up -- we ate Mac N Cheese several nights of the week. Always had a can of veg. But did not wear the best cloths , did not have the best car, did not have video games, did not take vacations..... we made our own fun. People need to get back to basics.... yet there are some out there that lack the means for even those fundamental needs. The others make it tougher for them by using the entitlement mentality to justify their desires and actually hurt the few that have a real need.

I think that there needs to be more parent accountability. If you do not have the supplies, your child is not going to do well in school. If you, as a parent, do not make sure homework is completed, your child is not going to do well in school. If you do not make sure your child is awake and to school on time, your child ss not going to do well in school. People are so quick to blame teachers for poor school performance, but there are alot of factors that teachers cannot control.

Once again expecting OTHERS to take care of children. Why aren't the PARENTS mentioned as the ones who should be supplying THEIR children with the school supplies they need??

Walker removed over 800 million dollars from the education budget all over WI hurting the quality of education. If ECHO is unable to come up with the basic student needs - the teachers all over WI will continue to help kids in our schools. Many are quick to make rude comments about the teachers of Janesville and Wisconsin, but year after year school supplies and student needs have been quietly helped by educators.