Seattle welfare recipient lives in million-dollar home

[BiscuitintheBasket]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/seattle-welfare-recipient-lives-million-dollar-home-161252749.html

A Seattle woman who is receiving welfare assistance from Washington state also happens to live in a waterfront house on Lake Washington worth more than a million dollars.



Federal agents raided the home this weekend but have not released the woman or her husband's name because they have not officially been charged with a crime.



However, federal documents obtained by KING 5 News show the couple currently receives more than $1,200 a month in public housing vouchers, plus state and government disability checks and food stamps. They have been receiving the benefits since 2003.



The 2,500 square-foot home, which includes gardens and a boat dock, is valued at $1.2 million. And even though the couple has been receiving the benefits for nearly 10 years, records show that they accurately listed the address of their current home when applying for the state and federal benefits.



A federal official told KING 5 that the couple likely took advantage of a loophole, which allows low-income individuals to receive financial assistance to help them pay their rent and move away from housing projects. However, the law does not require officials to verify what type of home the benefits recipient is living in.



As if the million dollar home weren't enough, the supposedly low-income couple also gave money to various charities and traveled around the world to locales in Turkey, Tel Aviv and resort towns in Mexico, according to court records.

 

[supraman]

And that is the reason I want entitlements gone. People abuse them.

 

[roshinaya]

And that is the reason I want entitlements gone. People abuse them.

And those that don't abuse them and it's their only way to keep themselves afloat? Tough luck, now on to the streets with them looking for scraps in dumpsters. Sounds like a brilliant idea.

 

[winos5]

We need a safety net for those that have need. But it shouldn't allow abuses like this that went on for 10 years. The process has to be improved, and there should be random audits of those recieving benefits. Shouldn't be able to purchase luxury food items with food programs either.

 

[supraman]

And those that don't abuse them and it's their only way to keep themselves afloat? Tough luck, now on to the streets with them looking for scraps in dumpsters. Sounds like a brilliant idea.

A few bad apples spoil the bunch

We need a safety net for those that have need. But it shouldn't allow abuses like this that went on for 10 years. The process has to be improved, and there should be random audits of those recieving benefits. Shouldn't be able to purchase luxury food items with food programs either.

So we can spent more money on bureaucracy of it.

 

[roshinaya]

A few bad apples spoil the bunch

And that's reason enough to stop with it totally? Flawless logic there.

 

[supraman]

And that's reason enough to stop with it totally? Flawless logic there.

Sorry I dont want my tax dollars wasted on this shit. Fucking carebears

 

[LordKOTL]

Sorry I dont want my tax dollars wasted on this shit. Fucking carebears

I would rather my tax dollars be wasted on an attempt to feed someone starving than wasted as a politician's salary

 

[roshinaya]

Sorry I dont want my tax dollars wasted on this shit. Fucking carebears

Well, that pretty much makes you a ******, a badge you are sure to wear with pride.

 

[supraman]

I would rather my tax dollars be wasted on an attempt to feed someone starving than wasted as a politician's salary

And I'd rather just keep my money to myself. I know it is a crazy notion that the idea of the government taking from me to give to someone else is bad idea.

 

[supraman]

Well, that pretty much makes you a ******, a badge you are sure to wear with pride.

At least I'm not a carebear.

 

[LordKOTL]

And I'd rather just keep my money to myself. I know it is a crazy notion that the idea of the government taking from me to give to someone else is bad idea.

Good luck getting the income tax repealed. Until that time, if the government is going to take and waste my money I'd rather it going into law enforecment, national defense, education, and putting food in the stomach of someone who *really* needs it than it going towards a politician's mansion, a corporate bailout, or a $500 toilet seat.



And yet, at least 7 times out of 10 when you give to someone trying to get back on their feet, they thank you. 10 times out of 10 a politican or a corporation just demands more.

 

[roshinaya]

At least I'm not a carebear.

It's pretty fucked up that wanting to look out for your fellow man is something that gets an epithet. No wonder everything seems to be going to shit when having the attitude "**** you, got mine" is so common.

 

[supraman]

It's pretty fucked up that wanting to look out for your fellow man is something that gets an epithet. No wonder everything seems to be going to shit when having the attitude "let the government solve all our problems" is so common.

Fixed your quote for ya

 

[TSD]

And those that don't abuse them and it's their only way to keep themselves afloat? Tough luck, now on to the streets with them looking for scraps in dumpsters. Sounds like a brilliant idea.

Im all for it if the government would make a serious effort to make sure only the right people get it.

 

[the canadian dream]

We need a safety net for those that have need. But it shouldn't allow abuses like this that went on for 10 years. The process has to be improved, and there should be random audits of those recieving benefits. Shouldn't be able to purchase luxury food items with food programs either.

Whats a luxery food item? Just out of curiosity. Are we talking about 30 dollar steaks or are we talking about healthy food here which is often more expensive than a 99 cent shit burger.



There are going to be abusers of every system. Media etc do a great job at exploiting the rare abuser yet never really put focus on those who actually use the system properly.



I have cheated a system or 2 in my lifetime and probably will again at some point. We all have. I don't believe anyone who says they haven't.



Just saying.

 

[IceHogsFan]

I think most of us would agree that most programs are designed for those truly in need and with the right intentions.



I also think that some of us here think that abuse in those programs appears to rampant and that the agencies responsible for enforcing those programs and their integrity appear to be lax or at least non-existent from the public view. There is frustration that those who work hard to support themselves are disgusted by the abuse they witness first hand. Some of it even appears to be political in nature when a certain political ideology is trying to appease a certain demographic.



Our citizens no longer appear to think of the greater good of our nation but rather only of themselves and WIIFM and rather then doing something about it they would rather "occupy" and demand.

 

[supraman]

It is all a currency problem. Fiat currency is fucking bad without it I believe that these problems would never have manifested.

 

[bookjones]

Whats a luxery food item? Just out of curiosity. Are we talking about 30 dollar steaks or are we talking about healthy food here which is often more expensive than a 99 cent shit burger.



There are going to be abusers of every system. Media etc do a great job at exploiting the rare abuser yet never really put focus on those who actually use the system properly.



I have cheated a system or 2 in my lifetime and probably will again at some point. We all have. I don't believe anyone who says they haven't.



Just saying.

I wants me some welfare damnit! There's some shoes I desperately want. In fact, I also want some of your Canadialand welfare too! So try to brainstorm some ways to cheat the system so I can get some of the national welfare lucre subsidized by maple syrup production as well as some of Vancouver's too. Mmmkay? Thanks buddy.

 

[the canadian dream]

Just cheat on your taxes Books.



It's not that hard and everyone does it.