Misuse of FEMA hurricane debit cards

[BluRmGrl]

http://www.savethis.clickability.com/st/saveThisApp?clickMap=link&webPadID=K148350720

I was just reading this article on CNN.com. 'Disgusting' is about the most accurate word I can come up with right now. I don't know what the solution is, because I don't suppose you could block the cards from working over the phone or internet. Although they could be printed with the words: DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS and if anyone at the local porn shop or jewelry store or divorce lawyer's office accepted the card for payment, they could then be arrested for doing so.

Sad thing is, I'm sure there are thousands of people who could have legitimately used that money but they couldn't qualify or were turned down because the money'd already been handed out.... to prisoners or people with 'damaged property' in a cemetary.

 

[nbcrusader]

This is just a direct result of hysterical criticism demanding instant results which comes in the form of blank checks.

 

[BVS]

Although they could be printed with the words: DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS and if anyone at the local porn shop or jewelry store or divorce lawyer's office accepted the card for payment, they could then be arrested for doing so.

Well this probably wasn't done in order not to create a 'Scarlet Letter' of sorts.

A simple background check would have declined many of these.

Someone trying to cut corners, now it cost them...

 

[corianderstem]

I hope the result of this is "we need to re-evaluate our system for giving out emergency funds" instead of "how dare they? We'll never give out money again."

A few bad apples, etc. etc.

 

[deep]

If someone loses everything
but they get out of there house with $5000. cash

they are going to spend that $5000 on what ever they choose
in the course of their day to day life experiences


if that same person gets out of their house with nothing
and the Government gives them $5000
why would you expect them to spend it any differently than the first person?


I hope the "Girls Gone Wild" dvd
was the New Orleans one
it got 4/5 stars

 

[deep]

and here is a nice picture
to go with the article


you know how those people are.

 

[nbcrusader]

if that same person gets out of their house with nothing
and the Government gives them $5000
why would you expect them to spend it any differently than the first person?

As a taxpayer, I would want the government to provide disaster relief, not blank checks.

 

[nbcrusader]

and here is a nice picture
to go with the article


you know how those people are.

The race card is never far behind....

 

[deep]

You are right.

It led
at the top of the article.

 

[Dreadsox]

I happen to know a waitress at a Strip Club on the Cape of Cod...not from frequenting there of course.....and they LOVED the Katrina Victems there.

 

[sue4u2]

As a taxpayer, I would want the government to provide disaster relief, not blank checks.

and since they can't do that, they may as well send out blank checks/cards.

So why is anyone surprised??

There are alot of people who know how to "work" the system and there will always be corruption.

In the majority of cases the money really went to getting through the day(s) following Katrina.
I say days because even $2000 wouldn't put a dent in what most people on the gulf coast lost...

Just because this administration doesn't know how to respond doesn't mean it was a bad idea, just their bad idea.

I hope corrections will be made by people more intelligent than this admin.
Don't deny for others what you would demand for yourself..

 

[anitram]

What's the problem here?

If somebody wastes their money at a strip club, so?

If you see a homeless man on the street and you give him $10 and tell him to go buy himself lunch, and instead he goes and buys a cheap bottle of wine and gets tanked, does that negate the fact you did the right thing by helping him out?

People spend money on all kinds of nonsense all the time. And if they had no money for food at the end of the day because they spent it on Hooters, well that's their problem.

 

[BVS]

What's the problem here?

I don't think the problem should be what they spent it on, but the fact that so much went to those who weren't victims.

 

[nbcrusader]

This type of behavior diminishes the "need" claimed after a natural disaster. Many people seem quite able to take care of life's necessities, so they can afford to spend government handouts on personal entertainment.

You might have a different reaction if it was your money.

 

[anitram]

Things like disasters or war are perfect way for certain segments of our society to get rich. It's always been this way. Most people lose a lot, but some benefit in huge ways. It's a type of corruption that you can't stop.

Some number of people here abused the system, but what do you do about the rest who really did need the money? I don't know that you can make policy based on those who were thieves anyway and who would find some way to steal.

 

[BVS]

This type of behavior diminishes the "need" claimed after a natural disaster. Many people seem quite able to take care of life's necessities, so they can afford to spend government handouts on personal entertainment.

You might have a different reaction if it was your money.

Has anyone determined how much of this "frivelous" spending was actually done by victims? I wouldn't say "many" seem to be able, because this disaster hit an area where MANY weren't able to even before the disaster.

I think we also have to ask ourselves how our spending would change if we faced this type of scenario. If we faced something close to death and didn't have children or much to take care of, how would we spend?

 

[BluRmGrl]

What's the problem here?
People spend money on all kinds of nonsense all the time. And if they had no money for food at the end of the day because they spent it on Hooters, well that's their problem.

The problem is, these are usually the same folks who come right back to good ole' Uncle Sammy and want him to hand out more free money.... 'Cause I can't afford to eat!".

The money was given to them to reasonably sustain themselves in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Porn, jewelry and divorce lawyers just don't cut it as sustenance.

And the argument that why is this spending any different than Joe Citizen who spends his own money on the same purchases doesn't float with me for this reason: if Mr. Citizen wants to spend the money that he earned on these items and isn't later looking to the government or charitable organizations to nursemaid him, that's entirely his business. But to know that my tax dollars went to 'victims' who then go on a luxury item shopping spree with it, really pisses me off.

That money was provided to help them survive during a difficult time and that is one of the great things that this country does - but then the same country turns around and rewards the jerks abusing the system by giving them more, more, more.

I'm not upset that the cards were provided - I'm upset knowing how some of the funds were used when there are other folks still out there in desperate need of help and they can't get it. People who would use the money as it was intended - to sustain them with basic living necessities until they could get back on their feet and support themselves.

Originally posted by anitram
Things like disasters or war are perfect way for certain segments of our society to get rich. It's always been this way

I realize there will always be people who profit from suffering - that doesn't make it any easier for me to accept. You make an excellent point though about how the world works. Sad, but excellent.

 

[BVS]

The problem is, these are usually the same folks who come right back to good ole' Uncle Sammy and want him to hand out more free money.... 'Cause I can't afford to eat!".

The money was given to them to reasonably sustain themselves in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Porn, jewelry and divorce lawyers just don't cut it as sustenance.

And once again did you read the article? How much of this spending was done by true victims?

 

[4U2Play]

Has anyone determined how much of this "frivelous" spending was actually done by victims? I wouldn't say "many" seem to be able, because this disaster hit an area where MANY weren't able to even before the disaster.

You obviously haven't been reading the newpapers. Many of the victims moved out of New Orleans and into temporary housing (hotels, etc) all over the country. Much of New Orleans was wiped out, forcing residents to live outside the city for past few months... are you doubting the congressional report? On what basis?

I think we also have to ask ourselves how our spending would change if we faced this type of scenario. If we faced something close to death and didn't have children or much to take care of, how would we spend?

I, and most everyone I know, would not claim false residences like New Orleans cemetaries in order to get a share of that money, and I would hope that you would think twice about defrauding taxpayers, too.

 

[BluRmGrl]

And once again did you read the article? How much of this spending was done by true victims?

That's part of my point.... if these folks who did the questionable spending weren't hurricane victims, what the hell were they doing with the relief cards? How do you mistake a prisoner with a PO Box (not even a physical address listed) as a true victim who deserves $20K?!

To some degree, the US government has taught citizens that there will always be a handout - and it'll be fairly easy to get. You just lie through your teeth and fill out a few forms.

 

[BVS]

You obviously haven't been reading the newpapers. Many of the victims moved out of New Orleans and into temporary housing (hotels, etc) all over the country. Much of New Orleans was wiped out, forcing residents to live outside the city for past few months... are you doubting the congressional report? On what basis?

Are you serious? I must be completely fucking stupid then...

Ok read once again...

There are people using prisoners SSN, addresses which weren't even flooded, and IDs that never even resided in NO...

You don't see issue with that?

 

[BVS]

That's part of my point.... if these folks who did the questionable spending weren't hurricane victims, what the hell were they doing with the relief cards? How do you mistake a prisoner with a PO Box (not even a physical address listed) as a true victim who deserves $20K?!

To some degree, the US government has taught citizens that there will always be a handout - and it'll be fairly easy to get. You just lie through your teeth and fill out a few forms.

No it just proves a last minute, without a plan, wanting to cover up for their fucking up will do for you...

and it backfired.

 

[4U2Play]

Are you serious? I must be completely fucking stupid then...

Please refrain from your casual use of the F-word, many people here are offended by that word.

Glad you finally realize that the congressional report has some merit.

FEMA still insists that only $16 million was lost to fraud, so we'll have to wait and see how the congressional committee came up with the other $1.5 billion in missing cash.

 

[BVS]

Please refrain from your casual use of the F-word, many people here are offended by that word.

Glad you finally realize that the congressional report has some merit.

FEMA still insists that only $16 million was lost to fraud, so we'll have to wait and see how the congressional committee came up with the other $1.5 billion in missing cash.

Wow, that's your rebuttal???

 

[4U2Play]

Wow, that's your rebuttal???

What's to rebut?

You started out doubting the veracity of the congressional report, but then came over to my point of view after I scolded you for not reading today's newspaper.

You should be commended for seeing the light, but chastised for covering your eyes.

 

[BVS]

What's to rebut?

You started out doubting the veracity of the congressional report, but then came over to my point of view after I scolded you for not reading today's newspaper.

You should be commended for seeing the light, but chastised for covering your eyes.

The psedo-intelligence, the quick but naive wit, yet you're lacking the hate...so you can't be Coulter, but you must know her.

 

[4U2Play]

The psedo-intelligence, the quick but naive wit, yet you're lacking the hate...so you can't be Coulter, but you must know her.

Is that your idea of an insult?

How sad.

By the way, I love how you misspell the word "pseudo-intelligence".

Nice job, Einstein.

 

[BVS]

Oh you're one of those spelling people.

You all make me laugh!!!

I have no real debate, so I'll attack your spelling...

I love it.

 

[4U2Play]

Oh you're one of those spelling people.You all make me laugh!!!I have no real debate, so I'll attack your spelling...I love it.

Yeah, don't you love people like that?

You'd think someone criticizing someone for having "pseudo-intelligence" would at least be able to spell the word correctly, or else they look rather daft, no?

They remind me of all those people who make personal attacks against someone's intelligence or wit when they lose an argument!

 

[BVS]

when they lose an argument!

Who's lost a debate?