[quote=sdrealtor]Spend more time in Philly and you will be offended by it. Its not your world and is hard to see around here. Much more obvious there and in other parts of the country. While “eke-ing ot” an existence on public assistance they are also earning an income in various undergound economies if you know what I mean. Its not a situation I would want to be in either but it is pretty prevalent.
I wouldnt steal $100M even if I could get away with it but thats just me. I dont know that I would want that much money even if it was given to me and would likely give most of that away. With that much money comes alot of responsibility that I want no part of. Does that make me strange?[/quote]
I lived in Philly when the laws changed in the 90’s. My friends were all social workers. (How an engineer ended up with all social worker friends is a long story – but that’s who I met and made friends with when I moved there.) They saw the transition, and related it to me.
These friends were in the trenches – working with family services agencies with many of their clients in the projects.
I don’t think there’s as much fraud or people on welfare in Philly compared to pre-1996. People were booted off in droves. West Philly, North Philly – lots more people with jobs (or slinging crack) compared to previous. My one friend was specifically working with families on job skills and job interview skills – having to teach her clients basic stuff like show up on time, and dress presentable. But her clients were kicked off welfare whether they wanted to be or not.
I agree that prior to the change in the laws fraud was exceptionally bad – especially baby-daddy’s living off the welfare checks of their baby-mama’s.
