Gary Olson

A member of the Philip Greenspun's Homepage community since December 27, 2000

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December 27, 2000, on Welfare Reform:
I have listened for years to middle-class citizens bash poor folks and welfare recipients. My response has been, "If you think living on welfare is so great, why don't you try it?" The fact is that if you want anything in this country worth having, you'll have to work for it. The second point I have tried to make, without success, is that the real taxpayer rip-offs are certain corporations. The magnitude of the fraud perpetrated on the American people is really beyond belief. Nevertheless, I have thought for years the best solution is direct payments to individuals. The welfare system eats up 80% of the resources that could go to the individual. And what do these poor folks do with your money once they get it? They spend it the local grocery, liquor store, Target, K-Mart, and give it to the landlord. In other words, 100% of it goes back into the local economy. I have never met a welfare recipient with a decent stock portfolio. You're on the right track, buddy, and it surp...