The DavidCyrus Blog of Wisdom

Those Rich Florida Welfare Bums

How much can you "get" from welfare, anyway?

I received an email post-election from a friend who was, in her own words, "never a friend of Obama's." Her note warned me, "I hope you like living in a welfare state."

This sentiment is shared by many McCain suppporters. Before November, I'd heard a good number of them attempt to categorize Obama as some rich uncle for America's lazy class. Now, after the election, the same people are predicting a massive hand-out of my money to non-working freeloaders, begining on Inaguration Day.

But I'm not worried. I remember how welfare was cut back in the '90s. It wasn't killing us then, and a few long-overdue (if any) increases won't hurt us now.

Why do I feel comfortable handing out free money to non-working people? Because I checked out how much they get, and believe me, in Florida, nobody is getting rich on welfare. In fact, nobody is getting Jack on welfare.

Welfare, in Florida, is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). According to the application, a fellow with the most minor of shelter costs (above $50 per month) can pull in a maximum of $180 of monthly welfare. If he lives somewhere rent-free, his max is $95.

Can you imagine living on $95 a month? That works out to about three dollars a day. A dollar for each meal. No car. No clothes. Nothing else.

The next time somebody tries to tell you how welfare moms and lazy welfare abusers are gaming the system, ask them if they know how much money people get from welfare.