Is Maine getting ready to publicly out all of its welfare recipients?
Robert Macdonald, mayor of Maine’s second largest city, Lewiston, touched off a firestorm recently when he said he wants to create an online registry of Maine residents who receive welfare benefits.
Macdonald wrote in a column in the Twin City Times that if the public can find out information about public pensions, they should be able to do the same for welfare recipients. He says he’ll be submitting a bill asking that a website be created containing the names, addresses, length of time on assistance and the benefits being collected by every individual on the dole.
“Our liberal, progressive legislators and their social-service allies have made them a victimized, protected class,” he said in the op-ed.
Macdonald says he plans to also resubmit a bill that would limit an emergency benefit program to 60 months over a person’s lifetime and another prohibiting the state from paying benefits for any additional child born after the recipient has been accepted into general assistance.
The controversial politician’s plan has sparked debate on news sites and social media, and has been called everything from heartless to a way to encourage residents to be less dependent on public programs.
What do you think of Macdonald’s plan? Sound off in the comments below.
I think it’s a great idea. If I can go to a website to see who gets a municipal or state pension, why shouldn’t I be able to see who else is collecting public tax dollars. I like the stipulation that once you get on the public dole you do not collect additional dollars or benefits for additional children. I could only afford to raise two children so that’s all I had. Mayor McDonald is right.
I COMPLETELY CONCUR ,WELFARE MUST STOP BEING A FAMILY PLANING TOOL .MARY SOMEONE WITH A JOB.
I totally think this is a great idea. What are they ashamed of? If they just need help there is no shame in it. If they are professional moochers then they should be ticked.
Amen!
I agree completely. I have 3 children, my wife and I even paid for our own method of birth control. We didn’t call it women’s care. Another thought: the lies that our pollititions tell about needing Illegals to fill jobs that Legal citizens won’t take? How about requiring the welfare baby makers to take these jobs and they are paid by the hours worked. No work no pay. I am sick of supporting the losers in this country and our Gov. allows this to get votes so they can steal from the middle class workers. I also did not get a raise when I had another child so why should the loser welfare people be rewarded. Take welfare benefits from the gov. salaries and I bet the welfare would end completely. Term Limits, no retirement and no insurance for this corrupt gov.
I agree completely!
what started this assault on the poor was that a welfare receiver outed macdonald for double dipping on a gov.retirement,true or false but that’s the rumor,true a high % of recipients are capable of work but unemployment is going to get worse when employer obama care kicks in and they really start dumping full-time workers but shaming whole families imagine the cyber-bullies in the schools going after the poor kid in raggedy ass tennis shoes, that mayor is a douche-nozzle ,oh yeah he’s a politician,perfectly normal,oh bartender , get the mayor a vinegar and water i’m buying he looks thirsty…….
If you listen to the current administration, being on welfare is something to be both proud of and sought after. It’s been far too long since it was considered something shameful, probably no long after it was renamed to welfare from charity.
The only problem I have with this proposal is publishing addresses. I’d suggest replacing that with photos as they publish for sex offenders. No, they’re not anywhere near the same level of shame, but much closer than the lauded status conferred by the current administration. Welfare or charity used to be something that was to be avoided at all costs, but used for as short a time as possible. It has now become something people feel they have a right to and take for generations. We have largely shamed smokers into doing what is best for their own health, and society has deglamorized alcohol to the point where a DUI can cost you your current job or at least make it very difficult to find a new position. It’s time to restore the shame that used to be associated with being unable to take care of your own family, but we don’t need to put people’s lives at risk of being attacked in their homes because the government made it far too easy for a deranged lunatic to find them there.
maybe you can fix bed-wetters too!!!!! john smith got caught bed-wetting ,film at 11 ,nothing like a big dose of shame since no one was raped or felony crimes committed otherwise you could print there kids pictures too spread the shame around,you know share the pain make sure everybody knows
I think all states should adopt this policy. People should not have children they cannot afford to raise. We have enough expense raising and educating our own children. I have a heart for the poor but we need to give them a fishing pole and not a fish.
agree 100%
Anne;
Very well put !
good idea
It is apart of the constitution to promote the General Welfare. Unless the Constitution is rewrote then it can’t change however, I do agree that it handicap some individuals. I think to be on welfare is ok but only for a short period of time. Maybe the policy should give a grace period of how long the assistant will last. If the family can not afford to take care of the children, then they shouldn’t be allowed to have them.
Your application of the general Welfare clause to the issue of PERSONAL welfare is common and wrong. That is an example of reading into the Constitution what you want it to say instead of reading it for what it does say. This is one of an ever-increasing list of abuses which argue against stare decisis when the previous decisions so clearly and blatantly violate the original intent of the Constitution as to cause portions to have no meaning whatever.
You are correct that this interpretation is “apart” of the Constitution – it is so far apart from the Founder’s original intent that they would not recognize it as in compliance with the oaths of office which require the office holders “…support and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic…”
Agree completely.
Good idea and every state should get the generational welfare leeches off and out of the system. The working class is under such a heavy burden trying to make a living for their families, while the welfare leeches are living a life of leisure on the working persons dollar.
Yes, there are those who truly need a hand sometime and these are the ones that should get the help but only for a certain amount of time until they can get back on their feet.
So many elderly could use a few dollars more a month to make sure they have money enough for food.
VERY WELL SAID!EVERY STATE SHOULD APPLY THOSE RULES!AND TEXAS MORE,WE HAVE SO MANY ON”WELFARE IT A DAM SHAME!THAT”S WHY THEY DON’T BOTHER TO EVEN GO ‘LOOK FOR A JOB”! WHY?THEY GET EVERYTHING FOR “FREE”HERE IN THE “GOOD OLD U S A!HOUSTON HAS BEEN “PAYING FOR THEIR “FREE RENT FOR YRS.NOW!AND GUESS WHAT “PEOPLE”..IT”S COMING OUT OF “OUR”TAX PAYERS MONEY!!IT”S TIME TO “CLEAN UP THE “TOP OFFICE “PEOPLE”WHO THINK THEY R DOING A GOOD JOB”BY “GIVING AWAY OUR”HARD EARNED MONEY TO THESE”WELFARE LEECHES’!!!
As long as all who receive money from the state are listed, including corporations receiving large tax breaks along with the CEO’s income and taxes paid, government people receiving health benefits not available to the public at large, subsidies to companies for mining, oil drilling, logging, farming, etc. and any other people or companies receiving funds from the state. Perhaps it would be informative to know what is in the CAFR for the state as well. Let transparency be complete, not just for the weak and poor.
Too many people are truly envious of the rich. Do any of you really know what a pain it is to be truly wealthy? Your money becomes your god. You worry all the time about it. Also have you ever noticed that the more money you make the more you spend and it is just a vicious circle.
it should be a must
The vast majority of these people that are signed onto the Federal milk wagon will not be shamed….Publishing their info. won’t change their attitude one iota….That is, until there’s not enough tax payers left to pull that milk wagon.
I think this is a great idea. I wish that would happen in Illinois. I am sick and tired of supporting these lay people. They drive nicer cars, have richer clothes and spend a ton on things other than a necessity. It’s bad enough that we are now giving them free laptops, cell phones and internet service. I think welfare was originally set to provide funds for a set period of time and would stop even if the person has not looked for a job. It’s even worse here because we are a sanctuary city/state which means we have to support all the illegals who reside here. Enough is enough.
I think listing the names, addresses, and kinds of help people and organizations receive from tax payer money on a nationwide level is a GREAT idea. Especially, the names and addresses of those receiving freebies from the federal government.
I think e-verify should be implemented nationwide and the names of those hiring illegals to profit at the expense of those paying taxes having to pay for the illegal’s education and medical expenses is a far better idea for, if each undocumented individual in America, were not able to secure a job, free schooling, and medical assistance, they would leave on their own for they would not be able to survive in our nation.
It is high time we the people know how our tax money is spend. Then, I assure you, real changes would come about for one that works two or three jobs to care for his or her family would not take lightly the abuse being perpetrated by our elected officials.
As for women and men who create children AFTER they have had to ask for benefits, they should be prosecuted for child neglect for creating children you cannot afford and which further taxes the assistance of those born prior to asking for help is horrible indeed.
Last, though not least, a way needs to be found to list all those parents who leave their children to be supported by the government. What the hell happened with staying with your less than perfect spouse till the children had grown? There are no perfect humans anywhere on this planet. And now, with the government supporting children, the adults just have fun, make kids, and let the government support them so they can continue having fun without the responsibility raising a family involves.
Tax payers deserve to know the whole truth about how the money they are forced to pay is used.
I think that he is on the right track. I think people need a hand up not an hand out.
people need a hand up nit a hand out. I think who every gets aid should do some type of work.
Great idea, but this was tried a few years ago and a few “bleeding hearts” got in power and it is business as usual. The punishment should be stiffer for those who lie and put someone on who should not be. It is a real joke when you sit outside a welfare office and see them arrive in Mercedes and BMWs (just to name a few) and those who are paying for them cannot afford a YUGO. Then it is, what about the children; you knew before you had them you could not afford them.
AND REQUIRE EACH RECIPIENT (INCLUDING CHILDREN COVERED BY PAYMENT – PRETEEN AND TEENAGERS) PASS A DRUG TEST PRIOR TO EACH PAYMENT. WE WHO WORK MUST PASS DRUG TESTING TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT THUS THOSE WE ARE SUPPORTING THROUGH WELFARE PROGRAMS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME REQUIREMENT. AS A VOLUNTEER IN-TAKE COUNSELOR, NEARLY 50% OF WELFARE RECIPIENTS WHO I HAVE INTERVIEWED ARE DEFAULING THE WELFARE SYSTEM.
I think that anything that makes government’s actions accessible to the public is good. Let’s see how much we are spending and where. An open government is always preferable. Data should already be there and retrieval should work with minimal is any additional cost. Most states and counties already have a web presence. It may even mean less man hours if the public’s (including recipients) questions can be answered on line. It is well worth trying.
hey Bob, California is full of your so called “bleeding hearts”, yet we have some of the toughest welfare laws in the US, including the 60 month ’emergency’ limit and the ‘no more children’ clause. I’d like to see drug testing included myself, but as far as ‘shaming’ individuals on welfare? Really? welcome to the RSA, Republican States of america.
and remember the US constitution, right there in the preamble
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
I have no problem with it except for the part of denying extra benefits for children born after benefits begin. I think this will lead to an increas in abortions. However, the increase in benefits should be minimal and the amount per child should decrease as the number of children increases..
I am a life long democrat and will be supporting Trump
I agree with this project & it would create more jobs for those who would do testing for drug abuse. Lots of pluses for this law.
Bob, is right, those on welfare cannot even spell job, much less want to look for one. They make more money freeloading on the taxpayers. How about getting off the couch, put down the drugs and work for yourself. Their are jobs out there for those willing to get off their ,,,,,, ….
I totally agree! I do not believe in abortion or aid to do so! I believe we are responsible for the management of our families whatever the means. I believe those who choose to bear children out of wedlock after one child should be surgically removed from the responsibility of future decisions.
‘Nough said.
I believe that ALL money spent by our government (our tax dollars) should be posted for scrutiny of the citizens who are footing the bill. There shouldn’t be anyone who would have a problem with that. If a person needs help supporting themselves or family, they should be required to consent to drug screening, trained to shop wisely and search or train for work. Better yet, fill positions for the state that are currently contracted out and have to be paid for. This would lower expenses and lessen the burden of those who are working to pay for welfare or any government employee. NO children after applying for help from us. Required birth control use to prevent pregnancy, so no need for abortions. If they fail at that task, they are dropped from the roles of government assistance immediately. Government employees should abide by all of the laws that the rest of us do.