Anecdotal fraud cases, however dramatic, don't constitute a debunking.
Of course fraud happens. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the knee-jerk rightwing response to any mention of social safety-net programs that goes, "Oh great, now I'm paying for irresponsible freeloading cheats living high on my hog!" when that's VASTLY not the case.
This proves my point:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by your lovely article
Richard Finkelstein, director of the bureau of fraud investigations in the city's Department of Human Resources, said there were 1.1 million welfare recipients in New York City -- 144,000 new cases last year alone -- and that 20,000 investigations in the last year had prevented 6,000 bogus claims and led to the arrest of more than 300 people on fraud charges.
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Of 1.1 million recipients, there were 6000 bogus claims. That's 0.005%, roughly.
Also, the fact that living benefits come to $176 every two weeks should be SHOCKING. You really think people are living well on that?? In New York City??