How do we discourage easy living?

Let’s take a hard look at the welfare problems that the taxpayers are spending their hard-earned money on.

Now the food stamp program is called SNAP. I can think of only one reason that the name has been changed. It’s so those who are receiving these benefits are not shamed though they should be.

The reason is that 36 million people in this country are said to be receiving this benefit.

My problem is why do we have to feed these families and children in our schools? That’s correct. We give children free food in the schools because they are not receiving meals at home.

The last estimate I know of is that each family receives $500 per month per child, not counting the other benefits that those families receive. They can then buy cars and all the necessities that many taxpayers can barely afford.

It doesn’t seem fair at all.

Now Gov. Andrew Cuomo is blaming local governments for a number of problems, including finances. Albany, however, refuses to be reminded that there are many non-residents who are coming from other states and applying for welfare benefits.

I have brought this to the attention of a local county legislator and guess what? I received no answer.

I have called Albany. Guess what? The answer I received was we don’t know of a problem like you have mentioned.

But Albany blames our local governmentss for the increase in benefits to the needy. Check the local stores on the first of every month. There are a lot of out-of-state vehicles. I followed one and they got right on the Thruway.

How about the housing projects in the city? Every time you turn around a new complex is going up. My question is who is actually eligible for these projects. The one and only taxpayer I know who tried to apply for one of those residences got nowhere.

It appears life is not as fair as it once was.

Richard Makuch is a Dunkirk resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com


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