Proglodytes have exciting new ideas on how to spend other people's money

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Android3.14 (723 posts)

Should a person be able to use a welfare benefit card to pay bail?
Suppose police arrest a person and the accused is unable to post bail because he or she is impoverished. However, there is a balance on their welfare debit card. Should the state allow the person to use those funds to post bail?
The debate is fired up in my local community, and I am curious what others have to say.

el_bryanto (6,483 posts)

1. I really think it'd be simpler if we just made being poor a criminal offense

I mean the poor in America have shown they can't really manage their lives, so why not put them in the hands of our prison system. After all we have locked up more of our populous than most other nations - we must know what we doing.

Recent experience suggests that I am better off noting that this is sarcasm.

Bryant

To read DU day after day is to see that, apart from prison, claim is NOT sarcasm.

DU's idea is that poor people cannot manage their lives but it is the taxpayer who should be put in prison.

dawg (6,389 posts)

2. If it's a benefit program that spends like cash, then yes.

If it's a SNAP benefit, then no. That's for food.

"If it spends like cash"

Yeah, about that.

Motown_Johnny (16,729 posts)

6. How else will they be able to pay it?

What a crazy question.

lumberjack_jeff (27,689 posts)

7. In jail, food is provided.

If you spend your food stamps on bail, what will you eat?

The proceeds from pawning stolen items, I suppose.

So, no.

heh

Nuclear Unicorn (10,455 posts)

15. I'm kinda wonderin'

1. What debit card has a sufficiently high enough balance to spring for any substantial bail?

2. What bail limit small enough to be paid by benefit card couldn't be met by other means.

I would also say that bail is meant as a means of incentivizing a person charged with a crime to appear in court through threat of forfeiture of the monies/assets posted. If they use welfare benefits what is to provide that incentive? What threat is there to ensure compliance?

SIDE NOTE: Her avatar used to be the one of Obama hugging Michelle.

Now it's the anarchist A

To quote Senor Frank: One wonders what's up with that.

The Straight Story (46,969 posts)

10. Unless you like the government intruding in your life and how you spend

I would say it is fine. Your money, your choice.

Some believe the government is best at telling people what they can and cannot buy - I think a handful of wealthy people in DC don't have any business telling some poor person in rural Montana what they need.

The social contract is - you are down on your luck and need some help, here is some help. Period. [I never signed that contract -- Sgt SB] When you get back to work you will be paying taxes back into that system should you or others need it. [Still waiting to see that happen among your constituency -- Sgt SB]

It is a simple idea and system and should be kept simple (and yes, some will abuse the system - some will also abuse guns, but you don't see me wanting to get rid of them all based on what a few do.)

This mother ****er owes Hobby Lobby an apology.

Historic NY (21,555 posts)

13. Just how much of a balance???

If so perhaps they don't need the card then, no???

^ This

mstinamotorcity2 (1,083 posts)

14. Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!!

You cannot buy anything other than food with SNAP benefits. But most cards are linked to cash benefits also. If there is cash available they should use it to get out of jail. Because it is the welfare of the children at stake with a parent in jail. Anyone can go to jail!!! You could be just as I was. Left home to hit the store around the corner. Toilet tissue on sale 1.89. Was down to last roll so I thought better grab some right quick. Left the house in my Jeep and was pulled over by police for a blown tail light (husband just replaced the day before). I had forgot my purse and had only the Two bucks for tissue. Before I knew it I had Four hundred dollars worth of tickets and my truck impounded!! And the officer politely informed me with no ID I could have been arrested and held until they found out who I was! Yes Arrested!! He even took me back to my residence in the squad car. Called my daughter before I got home and warned her I was coming home in police car, she asked what happened?? I told her me and a lady got into a fight over the last pack of tissue on sale and it was on. I really did say that. The officer was laughing and said that deserves a ride to the house. So I say this to say you could have a minor traffic violation that could land you in jail. Maybe even mistaken identity. If you have cash available on your card you should have the ability to get out of jail. Only Families with Children and elderly, disabled people are on these programs!!! And I am not one of them!! But if they had of locked my ass up I would have used any kind of card to get out

 

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024729068

[thundley4]

I would say it is fine. Your money, your choice.

Some believe the government is best at telling people what they can and cannot buy - I think a handful of wealthy people in DC don't have any business telling some poor person in rural Montana what they need.

Those handful of people in DC have no right to take my money that I worked for and give it to some criminal so they can get out of jail.

Screw it, cut off all benefits except for children. Create government stores where only generic brands are available.

[I_B_Perky]

mstinamotorcity2 (1,083 posts)

14. Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!!

You cannot buy anything other than food with SNAP benefits. But most cards are linked to cash benefits also. If there is cash available they should use it to get out of jail. Because it is the welfare of the children at stake with a parent in jail. Anyone can go to jail!!! You could be just as I was. Left home to hit the store around the corner. Toilet tissue on sale 1.89. Was down to last roll so I thought better grab some right quick. Left the house in my Jeep and was pulled over by police for a blown tail light (husband just replaced the day before). I had forgot my purse and had only the Two bucks for tissue. Before I knew it I had Four hundred dollars worth of tickets and my truck impounded!! And the officer politely informed me with no ID I could have been arrested and held until they found out who I was! Yes Arrested!! He even took me back to my residence in the squad car. Called my daughter before I got home and warned her I was coming home in police car, she asked what happened?? I told her me and a lady got into a fight over the last pack of tissue on sale and it was on. I really did say that. The officer was laughing and said that deserves a ride to the house. So I say this to say you could have a minor traffic violation that could land you in jail. Maybe even mistaken identity. If you have cash available on your card you should have the ability to get out of jail. Only Families with Children and elderly, disabled people are on these programs!!! And I am not one of them!! But if they had of locked my ass up I would have used any kind of card to get out

That is what you get for having stolen tags on your car, dummie. And probably a bunch of unpaid tickets.  They don't tow/impound your car for a blown taillight. Usually the cops will tell you to get it fixed and bring the repair bill to the cop station and they will toss the ticket. At least that is the way it is around here. Unless you get snarky with the cop. Then all bets are off.

[Karin]

I know--"your money, your choice."   

IT'S NOT THEIR MONEY, DUMBASSES.

The OP got alerted on for being rightwing flamebait.  The juries comments say "I don't think he's one of us.  Admin should look into their IP address.  Keep an eye on him."

What a shitty place for shitty people. 

[Freeper]

That is what you get for having stolen tags on your car, dummie. And probably a bunch of unpaid tickets.  They don't tow/impound your car for a blown taillight. Usually the cops will tell you to get it fixed and bring the repair bill to the cop station and they will toss the ticket. At least that is the way it is around here. Unless you get snarky with the cop. Then all bets are off.

Last time I got pulled over for a blown tail light, I didn't even have to go and prove I fixed it, the cop simply told me to fix it and that was it.

[98ZJUSMC]

Last time I got pulled over for a blown tail light, I didn't even have to go and prove I fixed it, the cop simply told me to fix it and that was it.

Yep, same here. 

Sounds bouncy to me; contrived from an actual incident that just pissed her off, and she simply had to post it as a, crime against all humanity, to bond with the floating turds.

[I_B_Perky]

Last time I got pulled over for a blown tail light, I didn't even have to go and prove I fixed it, the cop simply told me to fix it and that was it.

Yep, same here. 

Sounds bouncy to me; contrived from an actual incident that just pissed her off, and she simply had to post it as a, crime against all humanity, to bond with the floating turds.

I'm guess I just ain't living right, guys.   

 

[marv]

The OP got alerted on for being rightwing flamebait.  The juries comments say "I don't think he's one of us.

That's RACIST!

Admin should look into their IP address.  Keep an eye on him."

Ahhhh, a profiled RW poster posting without an IP posting license. Lock 'em up!

[jukin]

Last time I got pulled over for a blown tail light, I didn't even have to go and prove I fixed it, the cop simply told me to fix it and that was it.

Comrades here in Peoples Republic of Kalifornia fix-it ticket cost $20. Last time I got pulled over for bad brake light I make state safety officer wait while humble plebe put new light in. All time humble plebe says thank you and want to be safe. Government safety officer was impatient but waits so all f society safe from one bad brake light. I receive no ticket and get to keep $20. Comrades, it was glorious.

[Wineslob]

Bail= RACIST

[HawkHogan]

It's hilarious that Dummies think that welfare should be considered "their money."  Hey Dummies, by definition, welfare is someone else's money, which has been redistributed to the primitives.  

[67 Rover]

Arrested Heroin dealer uses EBT card for bail in Massachusetts.

http://freebeacon.com/issues/arrested-heroin-dealer-uses-ebt-card-to-post-bail-in-massachusetts/

[I_B_Perky]

Comrades here in Peoples Republic of Kalifornia fix-it ticket cost $20. Last time I got pulled over for bad brake light I make state safety officer wait while humble plebe put new light in. All time humble plebe says thank you and want to be safe. Government safety officer was impatient but waits so all f society safe from one bad brake light. I receive no ticket and get to keep $20. Comrades, it was glorious.

 

H5 Jukin. That made me laugh. Brightened up an otherwise shitty day.   

[diesel driver]

That is what you get for having stolen tags on your car, dummie. And probably a bunch of unpaid tickets.  They don't tow/impound your car for a blown taillight. Usually the cops will tell you to get it fixed and bring the repair bill to the cop station and they will toss the ticket. At least that is the way it is around here. Unless you get snarky with the cop. Then all bets are off.

When I was in a traffic accident 4 years ago, my wallet (along with everything else inside the car) got "lost in the shuffle", so to speak.  The only thing the cop asked for was either my SS number or my drivers license number when I explained to him I rarely keep my wallet in my back pocket.  Sitting on that thing for 4-6 hours at a time can be a real pain in the ass! (BTW, I know BOTH of them, along with my wife's SS number,  my EX-WIFE'S SS number (boy, think of the fun I could have with that!), ALL 5 of my son's, and the VIN numbers of all my vehicles.

I was pulled over recently when a brake light wasn't working on my car, when the cop pointed it out, I slapped the trunk a good lick and it came back on! He said well it seems to fixed now, have a nice day!