Re “Confidence in welfare system depends on preventing abuse” (Editorial, March 3): The Globe got it right when it said that what’s most unfortunate about the welfare controversy is how it undermines critical programs that help prevent hunger and homelessness for thousands of children and elders in Massachusetts.
But it’s also unfortunate that the Globe gave the impression that programs are rampant with eligibility fraud. The inspector general’s report did not find fraud. It did not find that $25 million in welfare benefits are wasted. It did not say that the families were ineligible or were overpaid. The report found gaps in the agency’s record-keeping. As the inspector general pointed out, once the Department of Transitional Assistance fills these gaps, the state might find that all the families were eligible for benefits.
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You might believe what you write, I don't, plenty of fraud in the system. I guess you haven't been paying attention.
Where is your proof, Mr. Mighty?
I have read the Boston Globe almost every day for thirty years and I have seen no evidence that welfare fraud is "rife" in Masschusetts. For those whom facts will never stop them from believing as they wish, I doubt that no amount of evidence will persuade them about reality. The CBO just reported that poverty in the US is at its highest level ever recorded. The Globe has reported that recent demand for services at Boston Food Bank, Pine Street Inn, Rosie's Place, Interfaith Spocial Services of Quincy, et. al. is ca. twice its level only ten years ago. Nationwide unemployment is 12 million. Under-employment and discouraged seekers are an additional ca. 14 million. The attempt by some of the well-off to scapegoat and harm the disadvantaged is indefensible and immoral. The real problem is income inequality.
So what you're saying is that the Obama economy is terrible.
Welfare does not encourage those on it to try to better their lives and creates people who never get off or even try. That isthe real sin of the program. I have a relative who has an 11 and 7year old, she knows how to get her entire life paid for without ever working. Sheseems proud of herself and tells everyone that she is doing it all on her own without help from anyone. That may not technically be abuse, but it is supposed to be transitional assistence and there is not a whole lot of transitioning happening...
Chrissie, you relative may seem proud, but I wouldn't want to be her, and I would guess that if she thought she had a choice, she wouldn't want to be on welfare either. While we should go after fraud where ever it is, the fact is that welfare to the poor, and the small percentage that goes to welfae fraud is a tiny bit of the fiscal problems we have now. It is going to b a big deal when a lage percentage of the baby boom elderly end up poor and to old to work.
What is true in Mass and around the country is that instead of "Fraud' and "Abuse" the biggest problem our safety net programs face is underuse by people who are eligible. That's the story that should be a regular feature of Bosherald front page. But unfortunately the truth does not make miserable and hatefully petty people happy.