Before it was Obama's stash, it was my cash!

There is a quote attributed to more than one person that states: “It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.”

More than 50,000 applications for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing program were handed out over the last few days in Detroit. It is estimated that one in four adults in Detroit is without a job and the foreclosure rate is among the nation’s highest.

Governor Jennifer Granholm and lawmakers are trying to close a $1.8 billion deficit in the general fund and another shortfall of about $1 billion in the school aid fund for the budget year that starts Oct. 1. There is about $1.2 billion available in federal stimulus cash for the general fund and about $800 million for school aid through next year, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency reported Thursday that state tax receipts for July were down 10 percent from a year ago. Business tax collections were down 19.1 percent from last year's mark, sales tax receipts were down 13.4 percent and income tax revenue was down 7.2 percent. In a related note, Michigan had a net domestic outmigration (-109,257 people) from 2007 to 2008 and has not seen an increase in payroll jobs in seven years. Is it any wonder people are leaving when their wages stay the same but taxes go up? The only states losing people faster are New York and California. Texas –With no personal income tax has the largest growth (Anyone see a trend?)

Back to the real story: Several thousand people showed up to get some of this “free money”. $3,000 per applicant It is being offered to only 3,500 if the more than 50,000. Radio Station WJR in Detroit on October 8th, 2009 had the following exchange:

ROGULSKI: Why are you here?
WOMAN #1: To get some money.
ROGULSKI: What kind of money?
WOMAN #1: Obama money.
ROGULSKI: Where’s it coming from?
WOMAN #1: Obama.
ROGULSKI: And where did Obama get it?
WOMAN #1: I don’t know, his stash. I don’t know. (laughter) I don’t know where he got it from, but he givin’ it to us, to help us.
WOMAN #2: And we love him.
WOMAN #1: We love him. That’s why we voted for him!
WOMEN: (chanting) Obama! Obama! Obama! (laughing)

Now on this one, we have to laugh. I mean, this woman is in line to collect her money from Obama. Her “Obamamoney” that she doesn’t know where Obama gets it. DO YOU PAY TAXES? If you do, then the money is coming from you! Could this result in a lawsuit that he is purchasing votes? When you rob from Peter to pay Paul, you can always count of the support of Paul. But wait, it continues with another woman……

ROGULSKI: Did you get an application to fill out yet?
WOMAN: I sure did. And I filled it out, and I am waiting to see what the results are going to be.
ROGULSKI: Will you know today how much money you’re getting?
WOMAN: No, I won’t, but I’m waiting for a phone call.
ROGULSKI: Where’s the money coming from?
WOMAN: I believe it’s coming from the City of Detroit or the state.
ROGULSKI: Where did they get it from?
WOMAN: Some funds that was forgiven (sic) by Obama.
ROGULSKI: And where did Obama get the funds?
WOMAN: Obama getting the funds from… Ummm, I have no idea, to tell you the truth. He’s the president.
ROGULSKI: In downtown Detroit, Ken Rogulski, WJR News.

I heard one person say that he was homeless because he moved back in with his parents.

Now I am not against giving people a hand up. I have been unemployed before and believe me, unemployment causes you to look at what you are spending money on and change your habits. Part of my deductions is to provide money for unemployment insurance. Unemployment payments are barely enough to live on. But I guess that is the purpose; help you through the rough times while you get back to work.
I am against giving a hand out. This was my cash before it was Obama’s stash (maybe he will use the money he got from the Nobel Peace Prize – another blog coming soon). I do have a few questions about this program.

As reported: To be considered, applicants must have lived in Detroit for the past six months, been homeless within the past year and be of low to moderate income. A single applicant is ineligible with an income of more than $24,850 annually; the maximum annual income for an eligible family of four is $35,500. Individuals and families meeting the income criteria and facing eviction and foreclosure also are eligible. Being able to maintain housing after getting the assistance also is a condition of the program. The program also provides money to keep utilities turned on.

My questions: If you are homeless, where will they send the check? If you are 18+ (now considered an adult) and you are “homeless” because you live at home with your parents do you qualify? Does anyone remember Katrina? Giving away “free money” is going to help the casinos, plastic surgery industry, the same way that the $2,000 debit cards handed out were used to purchase Louis Vuitton handbags and beer at strip clubs. http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=46361

I couldn’t make this stuff up. If I did, it would have to make sense.