Massachusetts Taxpayers Footing Bill for Luxury Items – Fraud, Incompetence Rife in The Bay State - Business As Usual

From TheBoston Channel comes a report entitled: “Mass. Welfare Money Spent On Resorts, Nail Salons”, detailing the news outlets investigation into “cash assistance” relief programs in place in the Bay State. Apparently, the data collected by the station involved a three month period in the fourth quarter of 2010 revealed million dollars were spent on travel as well as other luxuries. The emphasis appears to be on those that have abused the system; however, the real headline should focus on the State’s management of the program.

The agency that oversees the program, the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance had never done an audit for waste for that program, or, if one reads into the fact that this was news to that Department, any other programs administered by the same.

With half the nation on food stamps and assistance under the current administrations watch (Washington), unemployment and the economy the main factors in the need for public assistance, one would think that aid could be delivered in a cost effective and dignified manner – perhaps, as with most “public programs” the Department of Transitional Experience might better serve the taxpayer if it were, say, outsourced to a private company.
In addition a few rule changes as to what one might do with money received from public assistance should be in order, along with ongoing monthly audits. Food, Clothing, and other essentials should be allowed, however, a trip to a nail salon, or a trip to Disneyworld, might be a bit over the top.

It is not that the Massachusetts Taxpayer is resentful of helping the needy, it is that the Massachusetts Taxpayer is quickly finding that one can no longer afford a trip to the nail salon, or a family vacation outside of the state, and still buy the weekly groceries – and articles such as this only fuel the flames of resentment, not at those receiving the aid, rather those that administer Taxpayer’s dollars.

According to a study conducted by the Heritage Foundation and released under testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in April of this year (See PDF link here), the average household of four received $30,000 annually in Welfare Assistance, which is above starting salaries in most industries in the Bay State, including Teachers in some areas of the state. With the Federal Government’s current inability to see the fiscal forest through the trees (similar to the Bay State’s administration since 2006), this type of fraud, waste and abuse and incentive for those receiving, or about to receive aid to settle down to a state paid lifestyle.

It is by far, for most, a life of existence, not luxury, however, there is nothing in place that would provide the incentive to move up and out of the system, with the exception of “educational programs”, which do little or nothing put pour more money into bureaucracy rather than in actualized results.

One anticipates paying reasonable taxes: to provide for repair of infrastructure, teachers’ salaries, protection (police, fire, military) and yes, even assistance to ones neighbors in need, yet one also expects that those who are elected officials, hired by the people, will in turn, appoint and hire administrators who are qualified to effectively administer programs named. Unfortunately, it is not the case in the Bay State, or the current administration for that matter. Those living in Massachusetts are growing used to indicted Speakers of the House, fraud, waste and abuse in all facets of the state Government; however, it does not mean that it is accepted. When the few that support the many continue to decline due to inflation and increased taxes, there will come a point where there simply is no way to continue to provide services -a point that appears to be missed by those living in the Ivory Towers of Denial.