The Associated Press reports the government is cracking down on food-stamp fraud in Detroit-area stores.
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/03/food-stamp_fraud_detroit-area.html
Here is an example of taxpayer dollars being wasted on the food-stamp program/ bridge card program.
It is often a subject of debate on college campuses about the bridge card program. I personally do benefit from the bridge card program, I do not have one but when I am in need my friend provides me with food on occasion.
(My resume for need: Two retired parents on a fixed monthly income.)
People argue some who receive these funds in college that are abusing the system and wasting taxpayer money. I am not going argue against that, some people need assistance and others do not.
Now the bridge card system is regulated, there have been cases where students have had their cards revoked because of fraud or not reporting all funds.
Others continue to receive money from home and jobs, but continue using the system.
Why does the government allow this to happen? Do they not know about it?
Ha, of course they know about it, a CM-Life article was published last fall about State Rep. Joe Haveman attempting to end abuse.
http://www.cm-life.com/2009/10/16/state-rep-seeking-to-end-bridge-card-abuse/
Taxpayer dollars will probably go to greater waste by seeking to end abuse from those college students who are not in need.
More man power and hours will be spent reviewing applications and conducting background checks of those who are students.
More than likely it will create an environment where students are targets or the first to be rejected.
With the cost of tuition, rent and books, some students are in desperate need of aid.
College students who abuse the welfare system, will likely abuse the system until they graduate. Once they graduate and get a job, they will stop using the card or risk being caught for fraud.
Other abusers off college campuses are probably more likely to continue abusing the system year after year costing taxpayers more in the long run.
Stores will continue to make profits exchanging bridge card funds for other items (tobacco, alcohol, lottery tickets, cash and other non-food related items) at our expense.
The system is broken, but potentially harming those students in great need while attempting to secure a viable future and wasting even more taxpayer dollars, is not a way to fix it.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Riddle Mistrial
Today Sam Riddle's corruption trial was declared a mistrial according to reports from the Detroit Free Press.
What will be considered a victory for the former political consultant does nothing for the image of Detroit.
Riddle's legal issues are not over yet. He still faces charges on bribery in a separate federal case and charges relating to the incident with ex-girlfriend former state Representative Mary Waters.
Unfortunately the Free Press and local media have found their niche, whistle-blowing sagas. It started with former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, moved to Monica Conyers, then from Conyers segued directly to Sam Riddle.
All of these were incidents that were exposed to the public with the best intentions. Probably would not hurt the Detroit media to stick to reporting on these issues in a limited capacity.
In a city where some people already have low morale and their faith in government is lost, continuously front-loading this coverage of the negative politics that plague the city is somewhat morbid.
Detroit media outlets needs to ask themselves the classic question, can you have too much of a good thing?
What will be considered a victory for the former political consultant does nothing for the image of Detroit.
Riddle's legal issues are not over yet. He still faces charges on bribery in a separate federal case and charges relating to the incident with ex-girlfriend former state Representative Mary Waters.
Unfortunately the Free Press and local media have found their niche, whistle-blowing sagas. It started with former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, moved to Monica Conyers, then from Conyers segued directly to Sam Riddle.
All of these were incidents that were exposed to the public with the best intentions. Probably would not hurt the Detroit media to stick to reporting on these issues in a limited capacity.
In a city where some people already have low morale and their faith in government is lost, continuously front-loading this coverage of the negative politics that plague the city is somewhat morbid.
Detroit media outlets needs to ask themselves the classic question, can you have too much of a good thing?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Medical School at good ole' CMU
Tomorrow, February 18, 2010, Central Michigan University's Board of Trustees will meet for the first the this year.
The event will mean change for the university no matter what.
When tomorrow's meeting concludes, CMU is likely to be the home to a College of Medicine. Whether this for the good of CMU or not, only time will tell.
It has to be considered a risk to embark on such a large investment (nearly $2.3 million in 2009-2010) at what many would consider a mid-tier and overpriced school in Michigan.
A New York Times article said new medical schools like the one proposed at CMU, Hofstra and other universities will provide care for the newly insured as a result of the health care reform. Also it the article claimed new doctors will replace a large number of retiring practitioners across the country and there is also hope these new doctors will go to urban and rural areas.
Wishful thinking at best, as the article also said, "But skeptics say that although many parts of the country do need more primary care, American doctors tend to congregate in affluent, urban and suburban areas that already have a generous supply."
Not going to find too many doctors in urban and rural areas doing Pro Bono work when according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the average educational debt of indebted 2009 medical school graduates was $156,456.
I'm all for providing new opportunities on college campuses, but if it comes at the expense of other already established academic programs at CMU, then I would suggest the administration think twice before alienating the faculty and students alike.
CMU 2009-2010 Operating Budget
The event will mean change for the university no matter what.
When tomorrow's meeting concludes, CMU is likely to be the home to a College of Medicine. Whether this for the good of CMU or not, only time will tell.
It has to be considered a risk to embark on such a large investment (nearly $2.3 million in 2009-2010) at what many would consider a mid-tier and overpriced school in Michigan.
A New York Times article said new medical schools like the one proposed at CMU, Hofstra and other universities will provide care for the newly insured as a result of the health care reform. Also it the article claimed new doctors will replace a large number of retiring practitioners across the country and there is also hope these new doctors will go to urban and rural areas.
Wishful thinking at best, as the article also said, "But skeptics say that although many parts of the country do need more primary care, American doctors tend to congregate in affluent, urban and suburban areas that already have a generous supply."
Not going to find too many doctors in urban and rural areas doing Pro Bono work when according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the average educational debt of indebted 2009 medical school graduates was $156,456.
I'm all for providing new opportunities on college campuses, but if it comes at the expense of other already established academic programs at CMU, then I would suggest the administration think twice before alienating the faculty and students alike.
CMU 2009-2010 Operating Budget
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