Governor Jan Brewer Tough on Food Stamp Fraud

By: Pamela D. Hart


For years-- literally, I’ve asked why we haven’t clamped down on fraud, waste, abuse and just plain THEFT of our welfare and food stamp programs, until it became quite apparent that the Federal Government didn’t WANT to do anything about it, so I stopped beating my head against a wall. Not asking, however, never stopped my anger or frustration, though.

I have to say that Governor Jan Brewer has impressed me yet again and given me some hope. First with her immigration bill, which proves she is at least trying to help her state of Arizona and its residents, something the Feds should be doing but have neglected for decades, and now with her new program to stop fraud within the food stamp program.

By stepping up to the plate and tackling fraud and abuse in the food stamp program, Governor Brewer is once again in the news and the topic of something controversial. The new fraud prevention unit, which was launched July 1st, was assembled to ensure that people who receive food stamps aren’t using them illegally. The Trafficking Detection Unit (TDU) will investigate people to make sure they aren’t purchasing items other than food or trying to convert their benefits into cash, a common fraudulent practice. Arizona saved 9.5 million dollars between 2008-2009 by denying people who weren’t “eligible” for the benefits. Imagine what our federal budget could “save” if it would implement such a program! Maybe Governor Brewer could give them a few lessons on how to use one’s “back-bone”!

I’m sure once this goes viral, Jan Brewer will be called a racist—again, and it will be said she hates poor people. But this has nothing to do with skin color, ethnicity, sex, religion, or creed and everything to do with CHARACTER. If you are cheating the system you are a dirt bag and should be thrown off, and have to pay back what you STOLE! But I’m sure that won’t happen, unless our politicians grow back bones or at the very least find the ones they left at the door when they checked in.

But for starters I’d be happy if all 50 states hopped on this bandwagon and tackled this problem which is a dis-ease that has infected our system for decades. Maybe once the feds see that the states aren’t afraid to implement something and that the people are willing to back their governors, they will finally step up and do the right thing!

I can dream, can’t I?

Comments

  1. AnonymousWed Jul 07, 07:05:00 AM EDT

    Hmm...I wonder how the dirtbag that owns the liquor store got approved to accept food stamps?

    Were they prosecuted too because there was obviously fraud involved there also.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pamela ZydelWed Jul 07, 08:55:00 AM EDT

    Tao: It's not that the store owner needs approval, it's a glitch in the system. That's part of the problem. The "food stamps" which are more like debit cards now have no security measures. They can virtually purchase anything--even alcohol! That's why we need to clamp down on the fraud/abuse of those receiving them AND put some type of security measures on the friggin' cards.

    And yes, prosecute the store owners once there are security measure in place. I'm all for that.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LisaWed Jul 07, 10:54:00 AM EDT

    too bad we have to wait till systems go broke to enact these policies but I do say it's about time.
    I have an idea for illegal immigration also. When it comes time for tax filing there should be a box to check if you are for or against illegal immigration, and if you check the box that you are for it then you get to have an additional 10-15% deducted from your taxes to cover the 113 billion it cost the country to provide services to them.
    Let's make the pro-tax liberals put their money where their mouth is.
    And if that doesn't bring in enough revenue then the following year every registered democrat should just get that automatically deducted.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Les CarpenterWed Jul 07, 08:06:00 PM EDT

    Pam, Excellent post. Thank you for putting it up at RN USA.

    As I have been on vacation I have been out of the loop so to speak. And for a brief period of time I must admit the ignorance of events has been blissful! If only for a brief period of time of my choosing.

    I see TAO remains dutiful to his usual Leviathan government love affair! Should I have anticipated anything less?

    Great to have your reasoned voice back at work on RN USA.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousWed Jul 07, 09:59:00 PM EDT

    Les...You really are annoying, like a record that is scratched and keeps repeating.

    There is fraud in food stamps, but the prosecution should be directed at both the recipient of food stamps and the beneficiary.

    Only certain retail establishments should be allowed to accept welfare debit cards as payment. Liquor stores don't make that list.

    Its that simple. In case you do not realize it but food stamps and section 8 housing are big business for some companies and the fraud and waste that occurs is just as big a fault of the welfare recipient as it is the beneficiary, which is the company that accepts the payment.

    Now, grow up and attempt to have an educated discussion rather than immaturely throwing out words you just learned...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Les CarpenterThu Jul 08, 10:55:00 AM EDT

    TAO - You grow up. You are as annoying as a burr under the saddle is to a horse.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

RN USA no longer accepts comments. The information presented is for reflection, contemplation, and for those seeking greater understanding and wisdom. It is for seekers and those with an open mind and heart.

Namaste


Top Posts

What is The Purpose of Life | Insights from Steve Jobs, OSHO & Buddhist Teachings...

Image
When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once. Milarepa   “Just as it is known t hat an image of one's face is seen d epending on a mirror b ut does not really exist as a face, s o the conception of "I" exist d ependent on mind and body, b ut like the image of a face t he "I" does not at all exist as its own reality."    Nagarjuna   "Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible."       Nagarjuna
Read more

Cultivation of Wise Desires and Intentions With B. Alan Wallace At Mind & Its Potential...

Image
When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once. Milarepa   “Just as it is known t hat an image of one's face is seen d epending on a mirror b ut does not really exist as a face, s o the conception of "I" exist d ependent on mind and body, b ut like the image of a face t he "I" does not at all exist as its own reality."    Nagarjuna "Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.   Nagarjuna
Read more

The Future of American Manufacturing...

Image
by  Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Not an economist, I cannot pontificate profusly about various economic models. Nor can I pretend to argue exactly what may be the correct model for any given business or household to follow. Sure I have my beliefs as to what might work best based on my experiences, and from a common sense point of view it is hard to argue with frugal concepts of spending and living within your means, building a nest egg for the future, and having a small "rainy day" fund to fall back on in times of uncertainty. It all makes sense in a simple and direct sort of way. The nation's fiscal house is  a mess. We have ever growing debt, the government continues to spend like druken sailors, we can't seem to find our way away from costly wars or conflicts, we continue to see our manufacturing base shrink in America as we continue to export jobs overseas. Think about it people, It'ws absolutly nuts what we have done to our manufacturing base and pr
Read more

Tantra, Chakras, Kundalini & the Big Bang...

Image
When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once. Milarepa   “Just as it is known t hat an image of one's face is seen d epending on a mirror b ut does not really exist as a face, s o the conception of "I" exist d ependent on mind and body, b ut like the image of a face t he "I" does not at all exist as its own reality."    Nagarjuna "Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.   Nagarjuna
Read more

Our Biggest Creditor {China} Tells Us "The good old days of borrowing are over"

Image
by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace o Independent Conservatism Liberty -vs- Tyranny As the chickens come home to roast... Unbelievable we have been this stupid. ( Reuters ) - Global leaders on Saturday arranged a round of emergency calls to discuss the twin debt crises in Europe and the United States that are causing turmoil in financial markets . After a week that saw $2.5 trillion wiped off global stock markets, they are under pressure to show political leadership and reassure markets that Western governments have both the will and ability to reduce their huge and growing public debt loads. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who chairs the G7/G20 group of leading economies, conferred with Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron ahead of a call planned for this weekend by G7 finance ministers and central bankers. "They discussed the euro area and the U.S. debt downgrade. Both agreed the importance of working together, monitoring the situation closely
Read more

Property Rights and Rational Selfishness

Image
Property Rights   The right to life is the source of all rights—and the right to property is their only implementation. Without property rights, no other rights are possible. Since man has to sustain his life by his own effort, the man who has no right to the product of his effort has no means to sustain his life. The man who produces while others dispose of his product, is a slave. Bear in mind that the right to property is a right to action, like all the others: it is not the right  to an object , but to the action and the consequences of producing or earning that object. It is not a guarantee that a man  will  earn any property, but only a guarantee that he will own it if he earns it. It is the right to gain, to keep, to use and to dispose of material values. by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA The above words are taken from  page 110 of  "The Virtue of Selfishness". This book was first published in 1961 by Ayn Rand and it defines the moral principals of Objectivism.
Read more

Even Representative Ron Paul Can Stretch Reason

Image
by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Rational Nation USA 's Editor in Chief is a long standing supporter of Representative Ron Paul's positions. He has always been, at lest in my mind, a rational and reasoned thinker. A staunch advocate for individual liberty and limited Constitutional government he provides a rational pathway to fiscal sanity and proper government. However, with respect to the issue of the WikiLeaks release of confidential U.S.state documents Representative Paul is at best walking a thin line in his reported support of Julian Assange. While all advocates of liberty should support open and transparent government there is a huge difference between openness and espionage. While the activities of a multitude of international figures might be open to question the release of confidential U.S. state documents, {particularly during times conflict and ideological warfare}, puts our soldiers as well as civilian officials at heightened danger. On this issue Re
Read more

Contemplating Atlas

Image
by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA I was fascinated by this picture today as I contemplated the state of our current political discourse, our ineffectual government, our so called capitalists, and the modern pull peddlers. The image of one lone individual standing in front of what appears to be a structure having seen it's better days with the shadow of Atlas supporting the world on his shoulders held me awe struck for several moments. I shall leave it to each thinking individual to determine for themselves and to understand why this visual image holds such power. Even for  a matter of a few moments. For those who believe it takes a village to raise a child it is likely their capacity to grasp the power of the above visual will be stunted...  In all likelihood it is quite possible it  is non existent. As I sat contemplating the image my thoughts flowed to the present state of affairs in our nation. As I asked myself how it is possible that our republic could have arri
Read more

Is Congress Balanced?... Can a Spirit of Getting the Peoples Business Done Prevail?

Image
by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA The scales of justice. Or perhaps they should simply be viewed as balance scales. At any rate they ought to be on display daily in Congress and all congressional offices. It might be just my lone opinion but Congress has been perpetually out of balance for years. Congressman seem to have acquired more of a taste for the hunt (campaigning) than for the work the people elect them to do. I know, the last congress did work hard. Hard at passing legislation they themselves didn't read (most notably ObamaCare), or if they did they failed to understand their own laws. Most certainly they acted in all manners of irrationality and passed bills and that obviously have failed to right our ship or build a stronger foundation. But the gamesmanship will continue. Congressman Boehner (soon to be Speaker of the House), and Mitch McConnell (Senate minority leader) in a joint letter said... next to nothing. Or at least nothing we haven't heard ma
Read more