Fox 2 News Story Bridge Cards being used on Cruise ships

[CountrySquire]

Does this distorted coverage irritate anyone else? It's the classic fable about mink coat wearing ladies driving their new Cadillac’s to the welfare office to collect their government cheese. I would much rather see Fox 2 pick on some one their own size and do stories on Michigan companies that take advantage of tax breaks while laying people off to send jobs over seas; Which is the root cause of the #s of people on GA anyway.

[mikefmich]

Ok........................

[gazhekwe]

I agree, the harping on the poor choices of a few to tear into the foundations that support the whole is a fallacious argument that is often used by people seeking examples of the rightness of their positions. What I can't figure out is, why isn't news that most people using Bridge cards aren't going on cruises. Or, most people on cruises aren't using bridge cards. And if we care that some people on a cruise used their bridge card, do we care how they happen to be on a cruise? Wedding gift from family, prize from work, won it, maybe?

[Bham1982]

I would much rather see Fox 2 pick on some one their own size and do stories on Michigan Companies that take advantage of tax breaks while laying people off to send jobs over seas; Which is the root cause of the #s of people on GA anyway.

I'm not sure what this is supposed to mean.

Obviously the whole intent of company tax breaks is to benefit companies. They would be fools to not take full advantage of the opportunities.

In contrast, GA has nothin to do with crusing or casinos. This would be an obvious perversion of GA.

I'm also not sure why you think GA has much to do with company outsourcing.

The largest expansion of MI GA was in the 60's, a decade of peak prosperity and nearly full employment. And I doubt most folks living on GA have the skill sets for modern manufacturing needs.

These aren't laid-off engineers. Most probably can't follow an instruction manual.

[Goose]

I would guess most of these bridge card users on cruise ships probably purchased these bridge cards for pennies on the dollar, giving cash to the true bridge card receipient for the card...

just my theory....

[CountrySquire]

Thanks Gaz! My thoughts exactly that these stories only seek to raise public ire at the needy. To clarify this was a news story I saw running on Channel two over the weekend. I disagree that bridge card holders are non skilled. I know of many highly trained people, i.e. machinists that rely on bridge cards to feed their families.

[bailey]

Does this distorted coverage irritate anyone else? It's the classic foible about mink coat wearing ladies driving their new Cadillac’s to the welfare office to collect their government cheese. I would much rather see Fox 2 pick on some one their own size and do stories on Michigan Companies that take advantage of tax breaks while laying people off to send jobs over seas; Which is the root cause of the #s of people on GA anyway.

But just so everyone;s clear, larger argument about why they are unemployed aside, you're fine with unemployed people using government assistance to have a little extra cash on their vacation cruise?

[CountrySquire]

Sure, but first show me how many people on any given cruise ship are unemployed out of work people collecting GA.

[CountrySquire]

Oh and BTW, a tax break is really corporate welfare....

[bailey]

Sure, but first show me how many people on any given cruise ship are unemployed out of work people collecting GA.

the story tracked the usage of bridge cards to cruise ships. what more do you want?

[CountrySquire]

I'm firmly against all welfare fraud, be it an individual or a company accepting tax credits under the guise of economic growth all the while putting people out of work.

[iheartthed]

the story tracked the usage of bridge cards to cruise ships. what more do you want?

I think his point is that the misuse of Bridge cards on cruise ships is inconsequential to the overall cost of the Bridge card program. And to take it a step further, I'm assuming that he thinks the misuse of Bridge funds is minnow-sized in comparison to the shit that the government wastes taxpayer money on. These stories just serve to taint such programs as being overrun by corruption and abused by recipients at hardworking taxpayers expense.

I personally don't have an opinion on this particular story since I didn't actually see it for myself, but having seen countless of these cheap "gotcha" stories been done by the media before, I can imagine how it went down. I can bet that they didn't even attempt to quantify how much of the Bridge card program dollars actually go to anything other than buying food at a grocery store. And if they didn't have access to the actual numbers -- which they should've obtained through a freedom of information request to the state -- then they should have at least qualified the story by saying they have no evidence of massive misuse of the Bridge program. I'm assuming that they didn't do that either, but again I did not see the story myself.

That said, and before you ask, yes I do think that misuse of the Bridge program is wrong. But what I hate more is a media content to score cheap points on largely irrelevant stories rather than focusing on the stuff that would truly make a difference.

[trotwood]

I agree, the harping on the poor choices of a few to tear into the foundations that support the whole is a fallacious argument that is often used by people seeking examples of the rightness of their positions. What I can't figure out is, why isn't news that most people using Bridge cards aren't going on cruises. Or, most people on cruises aren't using bridge cards. And if we care that some people on a cruise used their bridge card, do we care how they happen to be on a cruise? Wedding gift from family, prize from work, won it, maybe?

Well said and ICAM!!

[bailey]

I think his point is that the misuse of Bridge cards on cruise ships is inconsequential to the overall cost of the Bridge card program. And to take it a step further, I'm assuming that he thinks the misuse of Bridge funds is minnow-sized in comparison to the shit that the government wastes taxpayer money on. These stories just serve to taint such programs as being overrun by corruption and abused by recipients at hardworking taxpayers expense.

I personally don't have an opinion on this particular story since I didn't actually see it for myself, but having seen countless of these cheap "gotcha" stories been done by the media before, I can imagine how it went down. I can bet that they didn't even attempt to quantify how much of the Bridge card program dollars actually go to anything other than buying food at a grocery store. And if they didn't have access to the actual numbers -- which they should've obtained through a freedom of information request to the state -- then they should have at least qualified the story by saying they have no evidence of massive misuse of the Bridge program. I'm assuming that they didn't do that either, but again I did not see the story myself.

That said, and before you ask, yes I do think that misuse of the Bridge program is wrong. But what I hate more is a media content to score cheap points on largely irrelevant stories rather than focusing on the stuff that would truly make a difference.

Yeah i get it..but look, the "everyone's doing it" defense ...or the "there are more important things to worry about" line of reasoning is why bridge card fraud is a continuing problem. 55 million dollars [[or 173...if you believe Mike Cox's office) a year in fraud perpetrated on the system is not chump change.

Confabulating the issue with a rant about tax breaks really doesn't make a point here. There is nothing attached to the tax break that requires the company to maintain hiring.....perhaps there should be penalties, but until there are it's not fraud, just stupid legislature.

[BagAJellyDonuts]

You won't like to hear it but when a state gives a benefit, it really would not take much effort to restrict what that benefit can be used for or at.

Can any of you justify a benefit card being used at a casino? Or for a bottle of scotch? Or carton of cigarettes?

Wouldn't take much to make bridge cards restricted to in-state usage or out of state only after permission given before usage. And especially make the card only usable for basic food items. Not shrimp & wine.

Yep, a few are screwing the truly needy, get mad at them, not those that are paying the freight.

[Bham1982]

I'm firmly against all welfare fraud, be it an individual or a company accepting tax credits under the guise of economic growth all the while putting people out of work.

The two issues are totally different.

Welfare fraud has nothing to do with tax breaks. One is criminal behavior, and the other is corporate decisionmaking explicitly encouraged by govt. policy.

[CountrySquire]

There have been meaningful gotcha stories on Welfare fraud, like the Detroit party store owners double billing the state. But cruise ships and Las Vegas trips? C'mon that's reaching. That was my whole point that we hold needy individuals, many whom are in the situations they are in due to no fault of their own, more accountable then we hold people / entities who could alleviate much of the strife in our society by spending that extra $.25 / per plastic piece.

[1KielsonDrive]

Typical Faux [[Murdoch) Snooze story. Did they tell you about the people who don't pay any taxes and are buying cruise ships for their personal use, with the money they steal from us, the hardworking lower, middle and upper middle class? Somehow those stories don't rank high on their list of "breaking news".

[Bham1982]

Typical Faux [[Murdoch) Snooze story. Did they tell you about the people who don't pay any taxes and are buying cruise ships for their personal use, with the money they steal from us, the hardworking lower, middle and upper middle class? Somehow those stories don't rank high on their list of "breaking news".

I guess if this sort of fake populism makes you feel better, then fine.

But I fail to see the logical connect between dismissing taxpayer-funded fraud because there may be some rich dudes committing even worse behaviors.

I mean, if someone hits you in the street with a baseball bat, should we automatically dismiss it, because someone else was gunned down?

[313WX]

Does this distorted coverage irritate anyone else? It's the classic fable about mink coat wearing ladies driving their new Cadillac’s to the welfare office to collect their government cheese. I would much rather see Fox 2 pick on some one their own size and do stories on Michigan companies that take advantage of tax breaks while laying people off to send jobs over seas; Which is the root cause of the #s of people on GA anyway.

You shouldn't be surprised.

It's a Fox News affiliate after all and then we can't forget the hit job they did on the union.

[gazhekwe]

"dismissing taxpayer-funded fraud" The point is, why must we go haring off after the few, the bad, the ugly fraudsters and use that to beat up all the people who need the help to feed themselves and their families. The few are bad, but these kind of stories that try to fuel movements to get rid of the taxpayer funded safety nets are just that many red herrings to divert the people from the real issues, which, as Country Squire points out, are busting us.

Personally, I think we would realize amazing savings and benefits if we cracked down on the fraud. It amazes me that we have not figured out how to do that all these many years down the road. It was happening in the 70s, and probably before that. It is happening now. But it is not a reason to do away with the programs and castigate all persons who need to use them. It IS a reason to find a way to stop the fraud and mitigate the damages from it. Look at the Medicare fraud. That has been getting a lot of press in the past months. Not this kind of press, but good information about busting those who are doing it, and how they did it, and information to help people smoke it out, report it and stop it. That is the kind of reporting that helps. The difference is, the fraudsters are well off people, not poor folks.

[Bham1982]

"dismissing taxpayer-funded fraud" The point is, why must we go haring off after the few, the bad, the ugly fraudsters and use that to beat up all the people who need the help to feed themselves and their families. The few are bad, but these kind of stories that try to fuel movements to get rid of the taxpayer funded safety nets are just that many red herrings to divert the people from the real issues, which, as Country Squire points out, are busting us.

I think we agree more than disagree.

I agree that public assistance shouldn't suffer because of a few fraudsters. But I also think the public deserves as mistake-free a system as possible, and poverty shouldn't excuse crime.

[fryar]

Sheesh. Some people have no shame. Honestly, I feel more debased by genetic association by the shameless wads using a bridge card on a cruise ship than I am angry about the misappropriation of funds. Not that the latter isn't upsetting, but I for one would like to just heap some scorn on these people. Lowlifes.

I mean, if someone hits you in the street with a baseball bat, should we automatically dismiss it, because someone else was gunned down?

No, but you should be relatively more concerned about the situation with the gun. CountrySquire's complaint is that undue attention is focused on a third, far more trifling event, like a pin prick.

I agree that public assistance shouldn't suffer because of a few fraudsters. But I also think the public deserves as mistake-free a system as possible, and poverty shouldn't excuse crime.

I agree with that sentiment as well.

I guess if this sort of fake populism makes you feel better, then fine.

Poetic license, not populism. Besides, the relevancy of some keyboard jockey's desire to soak the rich pales in comparison to the relevancy of CountrySquire's complaint that this is but one in a seemingly never-ending slew of hit pieces against a vulnerable group that serves primarily as a vehicle to get the target audience hot and bothered by reinforcing their presuppositions so they will tune in again tomorrow [[though it is not particularly Detroit-centric).

[1KielsonDrive]

I guess if this sort of fake populism makes you feel better, then fine. It does! And I'm fine!

But I fail to see the logical connect between dismissing taxpayer-funded fraud because there may be some rich dudes committing even worse behaviors. It's called analogous, just in case you aren't aware.

I mean, if someone hits you in the street with a baseball bat, should we automatically dismiss it, because someone else was gunned down?

Excellent analogy [[sarcasm intended).

[1KielsonDrive]

I guess if this sort of fake populism makes you feel better, then fine.

But I fail to see the logical connect between dismissing taxpayer-funded fraud because there may be some rich dudes committing even worse behaviors.

I mean, if someone hits you in the street with a baseball bat, should we automatically dismiss it, because someone else was gunned down?

You're pretty good at using analogies to put words in others mouths. Experienced?