The United States' unemployment rate is at a devastating high. In July, according to an article from Economist, "the unemployment rate had risen fractionally to 9.2%, both Republicans and Democrats declared the data proof of the folly of the other party's policies. How, Republicans asked, could Democrats even consider raising taxes when the economy is so weak? How, Democrats retorted, could Republicans advocate big cuts in the safety net when so many Americans are in desperate need?" It's no secret our economy is going down the drain. While both sides are busy pointing fingers at the other, our nation's hard-working families are struggling just to make ends-meat. Our veterans come home from war battered, with so many spending the rest of their lives living on city streets, swallowing their pride and asking for spare change from passersby. In 2010, the Houston Chronicle reported that veterans made up about 30 percent of the homeless population. The U.S. government, like the majority of its residents, is more than willing to provide help for folks down on their luck, or unable to fully support themselves. However, the welfare system is not perfect, and is blatantly abused. There are many ways our government provides welfare benefits. The Unemployment program, T.A.N.F. (temporary assistance for needy families) provides monetary assistance, and S.N.A.P. (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) also known as "Food Stamps," are just a few; they are all grossly misused. .
The S.N.A.P. program assists families with putting food on the table. Since the recession began, participation has soared to almost 45million, or one in seven Americans (Economist. "The Struggle to Eat"). I believe many of these people truly need help, and use the benefits wisely. However, there are a lot of undeserving and dishonest people who take advantage of this branch of government assistance, while more deserving families are denied.