Aielyn said:
Cobretti2 said:
As an outsider living in AUS looking into the US, I don't think anyone here thinks that American welfare is great.
On the other hand look at Australia:
pf = per fortnight
Basic rates
• Single, no children $489.70 pf
• Single, with dependent child(ren) $529.80 pf
• Single, aged 60 or over, after nine continuous
months on payment $529.80 pf
• Partnered (each) $442.00 pf
• Single, principal carer of a dependent child (granted an
exemption for foster caring/home schooling/distance
education/large family) $648.50 pf
Key things:
1) you can be on welfare (we call it the dole) here for as long as it takes you to find a job. Most do not look for jobs as that call the welfare their paycheck.
2) All you need to prove is that you "tried" applying for jobs.
3) Aus use to give out a baby bonus ($5000 luimp payment per child born). So a lot of these people who have kids just so they could buy smokes or big screen TVs. Now (perhaps soon) it will be done as cupons for baby products.
4) Minimum wage in Australia is barely above those pf rates (after taxes). There is no incentive for these people to work as free money that is similar amount is better then working for it.
5) They get concession cards, so free or cheap medical, cheaper public transport etc..
Then there is out tax system which is another long story haha. Basically the harder you work to make something of your life, the more penalites in surchage taxes you get (like penalty for not having priavte health cover).
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3) I'm sorry, but that's just absurd thinking on your part, probably driven by idiotic radio shock-jocks who make those sorts of claims with no backup evidence. Do you honestly think that a person would go through nine months of pregnancy, followed by things that apply after childbirth, just for $5000 for cigarettes or a TV? Seriously? If you actually think any sane person would do that, you're lacking in sanity, yourself.
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I actually know someone who's relative did that.
Pissed her off because when she really needed it, she didn't qualify, while she kept having more and more kids for the financial benefits.... kids were in raggity old clothes, eating garbage. To the point of where relatives were trying to buy the kids clothes while she was buying stuff like big screen tvs etc.
And the worst part? She had the gene makeup for downs syndrome. Most of her kids ended up with downs syndrome. Was depressing as hell.
You'd be surprised what people can do.... and I mean, i don't know about Austrlia, but to a poor person here? $5,000 is a hell of a lot of money.
I mean shoot. $5,000... I wouldn't have to work 4-5 months, and I pay my bills.
