Debit Cards Will Be the End of FEMA

[Barack_America]

Let me get this straight. FEMA cannot deliver food and water to thousands of people stranded in a SINGLE location, but they're going to be able to distribute tens of thousands of debit cards to people strewn over a dozen states??

Hah!

They're making this so easy on us! We can just sit back and take a break 'cause they're putting the nails in their own coffins!

They're so desperate for good PR that they've obviously announced these debit cards well before they were ready to be given out.

They're stirring the pot themselves. Everyone was just sitting back in the shelters still overwhelmed with relief over getting out. Relatively relaxed, still a little shocked. Now FEMA comes in to stir things up again? C'mon! I'm really starting to think that it IS a team of monkeys that runs this administration!

[Merlot]

1. These people are stuck at relocation centers with no cars

and yet they're supposed to go shopping???

It's the old "fend for yourself" mantra with a delightful new twist...

[TryingToWarnYou]

6. These folks are managing just fine in the shelters

Im working at a local shelter and the evacuees are not only fully capable of going shopping, they do. They have dozens of places to spend money. Many have been good customers of the liquor store down the street. Many are also buying as much dope as they can find. Its really sad that rather than giving to those that truly need the help, they are allowing these folks to have vast amounts of cash with no controls on how it will be spent. I certainly dont mind giving money to someone who needs it for food, clothing and shelter, but really, I kind of draw the line at cigs, dope and booze and other non-essential items.

[WildClarySage]

8. Oh yes, now is definitely the time for someone who has lost everything

and survived such a disaster to quit smoking.

[TryingToWarnYou]

27. Well, if its cigs or food, which would you choose? NT

[noiretextatique]

40. depends on your priorities

what's more twisted are the people who focus on this kind of shit.

[TryingToWarnYou]

41. Horsecrap.

Spend the money so that the people get the most long term benefit. Its like letting your kid do the shopping for groceries..lots of candy and soda but very little nutrition. Same diff.

[noiretextatique]

42. in the scheme of things

bitching about how people spend the money strikes me as rather petty, considering. i do agree is is another example of bush, inc's is fiscal irresponsiblity, but in comparison to the billions of dollars wasted in iraq...this is petty.

[WilliamPitt]

9. Essential

is in the eye of the beholder. After all that shit, I'd want a goddam stiff drink or two. You can't micromanage how people choose to spend money. They're free people.

[ohio_liberal]

11. No shit

I'd need lots of alcohol. Maybe even some dope, who knows. Who are we to judge.

[Barack_America]

15. Hah! We think alike...(see post 14)

Shit, I was substitutely Bailey's for milk in my morning coffee this weekend and I am a very light drinker!!

[TryingToWarnYou]

28. Its not micromanagement, its spending our tax dollars in a better way

Like I said, I dont have a problem helping everyone that needs it, but right now as we speak they are handing out $2,000 debit cards. Granted, I dont know what the criteria to receive on is as I havent asked, but I know that Ive never seen $2,000 in my pocket at one time. It just seems like an outrageous amount to give people unless you are looking at helping them establish a whole new life. In many cases, this isnt whats happening. My point is that I think FEMA could evaluate need a little bit better than just handing out buckets of cash.

[ohio_liberal]

12. Vast amounts of cash?

A couple thousand dollars isn't a vast amount of cash.

[TryingToWarnYou]

29. It is to people who were, in many cases, dirt poor.

And I dont know about you, but $2,000 is a shitload of money to me.

[Barack_America]

14. Drug dealers accept DEBIT now???

Man, I've been going about my transactions ALL WRONG! I'm so behind the times. j/k The ice cream man in my neighborhood sells dope (seriously), I'll have to ask him about it. ;-)

Honestly though, I've required a drink or two just watching this stuff on TV. Try and be a little understanding.

I doubt the funds will be allowed to go to booze though.

[ohio_liberal]

17. Wonder how it shows up in the monthly billing statement?

"12:01pm -- Drug Deal"

:rofl:

[TryingToWarnYou]

32. Basically, yes.

Its the same thing with the old food stamp scams from way back. I dont know how old you are, but here in Texas, there used to be food stamps that were legitimate currency, just like other paper money. These food stamps were traded on the street for prostitutes, drugs and anything else that money could buy, because it was essentially money.

These debit cards are not the only money these people have. Many were given an amount much earlier on. Then there is SSI and welfare that paid many folks just earlier this week. The places that cash checks are not requiring ID and thus anyone can cash their check.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

36. Hard to use a debit card to buy dope, don't you think?

[TryingToWarnYou]

38. Who said they are using debit cards to buy dope?

Its the same thing with the old food stamp scams from way back. I dont know how old you are, but here in Texas, there used to be food stamps that were legitimate currency, just like other paper money. These food stamps were traded on the street for prostitutes, drugs and anything else that money could buy, because it was essentially money.

These debit cards are not the only money these people have. Many were given an amount much earlier on. Then there is SSI and welfare that paid many folks just earlier this week. The places that cash checks are not requiring ID and thus anyone can cash their check.

[Texasgal]

18. I heard this morning

That they are NOT ALLOWED to buy tabacco or booze with the cards.

Why are you drawing the line at these purchases?

I mean.. hell, these folks have been through HELL, they should atleast be able to smoke or have a drink. Plus, nobody... no agency should be pushing their morals on these folks.

Let them buy what ever the hell they want!

[etherealtruth]

33. "Let them buy what ever the hell they want!"

I'm with you there.

I am not going to pretend it's my business to make decisions foe others and I certainly don't want anyone making decisions like this for me.

Oh yes ... the stress and the horror of the situation has given me a very strong urge to smoke; I live 1800 miles away (quit a couple of years ago). I can only imagine (in horror) what it was like for those people.

[TryingToWarnYou]

37. LOL... dont believe that.

Anywhere a MasterCard Debit is accepted, they can spend. How many retailers are going to police the purchases made by these folks? Then there is the issue of people selling the cards for <i>less</i> than their face value, for cash money simply to avoid any issues such as the one you raise. It happens all the time in situations like this. Of course, not everyone is going to do something like this, but it is a level of abuse that does occur.

As for 'drawing the line', I guess its about seeing that the money is actually given for the help and benefit of the person its intended for. Food, shelter, clothing, etc. When you just hand out federal cash to folks with no controls on how it is spent, many folks will make horrible decisions on what to do with it because its free money. I can pratically guarantee you that when I go to work tonight, I will see what some of these folks have bought with the cards. Nike shoes (plenty of brand new free shoes have been donated, but they arent "good enough" (true story) ), TV sets (nevermind the fact that they have no where to keep it), flashy clothes etc. Its not in any way a morality issue that Im talking about...its a responsibility issue.

Yes, I know they have been through hell, but thats no reason to give them a sense of entitlement. At some point, they are going to have to leave the shelters and then whats going to happen?

[bobbieinok]

43. shame that 'those people' are too childish/stupid to spend $ wisely

[MadLinguist]

48. you forgot their ebullient sense of entitlement

[TryingToWarnYou]

49. Yes, it is. When FEMA and the Cross are gone, what then?

[BringEmOn]

19. Babs!....is that you?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

35. Unless you have some proof to back up what you're saying,....

...you'd be better off backing away from the keyboard and finding something else to do. Who the heck are you to judge what someone else does with the money they've been given by FEMA?

Heck, if I lost everything I own, I might also be tempted to go on a short binge.

[TryingToWarnYou]

39. Im working the shelters.

I see whats going on.

Throwing short term buckets of cash at these folks is not the answer. They need permanent housing, jobs, a way to get work etc.

[cap]

45. i'll bet you're gonna get real upset at buckets of cash thrown at big corp

if a few thousand spent on drink, cigs and dope is so bad, just wait for Halliburton's bill.

Lot's of money for drinks, cigars, and cocaine (drug of choice for the elite).

[TryingToWarnYou]

50. That pisses me off too. Sweetheart deals for cronies suck

[cap]

56. then why not a huge rant on the evils of corporations

who waste many times what these poor souls possibly could waste.

You are devoting many lines of attack on individuals who have lost everything and are not saying much about corporations who are wasting many times more and who have made their contribution to these individual's poverty.

I dont think you are condemning white middle class people who can afford to be in a hotel and who are drinking, smoking (both cigs and pot) and drugging. I think you would believe that is their way of relieving stress and that it's OK.

[TryingToWarnYou]

58. Im not attacking anyone other than FEMA management.

then why not a huge rant on the evils of corporations who waste many times what these poor souls possibly could waste.

We all know and expect that to take place. It sucks, but there isnt much anyone can do about it. Oh yeah, it was reported today that firms with white house ties are getting Katrina contracts already. With all thats going on in Iraq and now here, one more poll, one more angry letter to the editior isnt going to change anything about that.

You are devoting many lines of attack on individuals who have lost everything and are not saying much about corporations who are wasting many times more and who have made their contribution to these individual's poverty.

What are they contributing?

I dont think you are condemning white middle class people who can afford to be in a hotel and who are drinking, smoking (both cigs and pot) and drugging.

Are they doing it with my tax dollars? If so, then yes I am.

I think you would believe that is their way of relieving stress and that it's OK.

Then you would be woefully incorrect.

[cynatnite]

44. like 2000 bucks is going to do that much good

That is a pathetic amount of money to give to a family who lost everything.

[TryingToWarnYou]

51. Its a huge amount of money to people who have nothing.

Ive worked all my life since I was 15. Ive never had more than $1,500 or so to my name. To people that are very poor, 2 grand is a big sum and I dont know about you, but its a big sum to me as well.

I also wonder how this compares to other hurricane relief that has been given in the past. When Andrew destroyed part of Florida, did they hand out $2,000 Mastercards? It wouldnt surprise me in the least that FEMA is mismanaging this as well. Of course, 2K might go a long way to making people less angry that FEMA left them on their own for a few days.

[wellstone dem]

52. and in lesser disastors

they have handed out checks to middle class people, but NO ONE judged those people and how they spent the money. Hey, maybe some of the people are buying doritos and pop. IT'S NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. People are so worried about how people are spending this stupid 2,000. Did we ask those rich people that got a buyout after 911 how they spent their millions????? No, but we worry about these poor people.

POOR PEOPLE are not dangerous. POOR PEOPLE are not evil. POOR PEOPLE sometimes smoke. POOR PEOPLE sometimes drink. POOR PEOPLE need money for shoes. POOR PEOPLE know what they need to buy to take care of their kids.

OK, let's spend thousands of dollars hiring someone who can monitor how these people are spending their money.

We are only worried about these debit cards because the victims are poor. So why the hell does everyone all of a sudden care about them so much, when 2 weeks ago we couldn't even get a bus to them!

[yankeedem]

53. You hit the nail on the head

I posted on this this afternoon. People hate the poor and don't trust them to spend the money. Can't help but notice racist undertones in most who criticize the debit cards.

[wellstone dem]

54. Thank you for saying that

I am so angry about this whole thing. I am so angry. I can no longer be silent. (not that I was silent before, but I could have been a whole lot noiser.)

[NNN0LHI]

55. What is your job at the local shelter TryingToWarnYou?

Do you just follow these evacuees around on your own to see where they go shopping? Is that part of your job perhaps? How many evacuees have you followed to the liquor store? How many evacuees have you followed and witnessed make drug purchases? How do you find the time to follow all these evacuees around? You must have a good job? Lots of spare time to follow evacuees around town. Or maybe you do the following around on your own time? What gives?

Don

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. Well their Leader certainly resembles one.

So now everyone will be expecting one of those debit cards with the amount of $2000, but isn't that the total amount and not necessarily the amount that everyone will get? Some might actually get less? Their plan is a clear as mud.

[Kire]

3. Recommended Reading:

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1867-c1/

[WilliamPitt]

4. Question

How do you use debit cards in a region without power? ATMs? Store registers and card scanners? Eh?

[Barack_America]

22. Everybody KNOWS that how you use a debit card...

...is to cut off a piece corresponding to the amount of the purchase. Right?

Maybe Babs would be willing to pick up a few of these "scary" people, take them to Neiman Marcus and show them how a debit card works!

[AValdoux]

5. Its easier to commit fraud

with debit cards. The cards will be abused and they can use that as further evidence that FEMA is an entitlement program. That's where we are headed. The solution they have been aiming for is to turn this over to private charities. The worse FEMA mismanages the relief effort the better the argument that private organizations can do a better job. The Bush Gang is trying to dismantle FEMA.


AValdoux

[donsu]

7. I've read that the debit cards are from Red Cross not FEMA

nt

[Barack_America]

16. They're both getting in on the act...

...only difference is that the Red Cross has their's together.

The Red Cross debit cards are for less than the FEMA ones are, I think. But then again, they actually exist...

[RawMaterials]

10. Im sure haliburtan will be their to sell them 500$ water n/m

[Imagevision]

13. Let's wait and see if one person ever receives a debit card

I don't believe anything this administration says its going to do. nada!

[DrDebug]

20. SwampRat said he received a card

$600 for both him and his father. It seems like the $2,000 for the whole family is the maximum. There is a topic about that somewhere but the search doesn't work under these extreme conditions...

[Skidmore]

21. Anyone curious about which bank/card company got this

contract?

[DrDebug]

23. I was wondering about that part as well

Beacuse it sounds like a good deal, because some people will not spend the money which means free interest profits and some people will use the card afterwards as well which means free costumers. All in all it sounds like a very good to provide the cards. Much better than a check...

[Skidmore]

25. How do you go about checking this sort of thing?

[Barack_America]

24. Good question. Is Neil back in the biz??....n/t

[Skidmore]

26. Who's Neil?

Oh, duh!!! Took me a minute. And it's not Friday yet!!

[Debau2005]

30. On Atlanta news last night

They showed a card and it was Chase. I have not seen one up close, so don't quote me without more facts.

[Joebert]

31. I could be wrong, but I think it's Chase.

I say that because there was a quick glance at a pile of them on the news.

[Debau2005]

34. Link to a picture of a Chase card

http://www.click2houston.com/news/4952249/detail.html

Some banks are already announcing that they will waive transaction fees on these cards. Thank goodness.

[pitohui]

46. no more debit cards

the program has been killed

[pitohui]

47. no more debit cards

the program has been killed

[AnnInLa]

57. They will now use "direct deposit" to deposit the funds

directly into evacuees' bank accounts. HEAD EXPLOSION TIME! WHAT BANK ACCOUNTS??? I live in a poor town, and I can tell you that poor people don't have checking or savings accounts with bank. Take the example of my oldest son and his girlfriend: When they get paychecks for their meager salaries, they cash them at the local liquor store or at one of those check-cashing places, both of which charge a hefty fee. Then, they go directly to the local electric, gas, phone, basic cable, companies, plus their landlord, and pay in cash and get receipts. Receipts are taken home and put into a paper bag. Later, paper bag gets thrown away. Naturally, I have tried to educate/persuade them to open checking account as a safer/more effective way of paying bills. They tried, but could not or would not keep up-to-date with record keeping necessary, ended up with large charges for bounced checks, and decided their way is more efficient for them. Who knows? What I do know, and what I am asking you to do -- on every message board to which you post -- is to let people know that most poor people DON'T HAVE BANK ACCOUNTS.