do you think people on welfare shouldnt vote?

@Fernie It's no use. At such a preciously young age, Ms. PiceousPanda has far surpassed others with her wisdom and experience in matters of government. It might've been that Intro to Economics class or Poli-Sci for Freshmen. I mean, the thought of addressing societal issues with the aim of a more efficient economy, c'mon...charts and figures echoed by a Pulitzer Prize nominated agency like National Priorities Project? Silliness.

We live in a new age where truth isn't what is; it's what you want it to be.

@Graylight im sorry if u would like to prove me wrong with uodated evidence not a MEME. i wasnt in a political class. i learned this on my own through research

Well, then, by all means... Here's some "research" for you, free of memes, charts, numbers or pesky facts. Sourec: EconoFact, a non-partisan publication preenting facts and incisive analysis to the national debate on economic and social policies. Launched in January 2017, it is written by leading academic economists from across the country and published by the Edward R. Murrow Center for a Digital World at The Fletcher School at Tufts University:

Spending on cash and near-cash transfer programs to low-income families comprises less than 5 percent of the federal budget. These programs are not drivers of increased government spending.

The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), which is one of the nation's largest anti-poverty programs, offers limited assistance to non-working able-bodied individuals without dependents. In 2015 the federal government spent $76.1 billion on SNAP, slightly more than 2 percent of total federal outlays, providing food vouchers to an average of 45.8 million individuals a month. Average monthly benefits per person in 2015 were $126.81 (data available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The federal government had SSI program outlays of $52.3 billion in 2015 – comprising 1.42 percent of federal outlays.

So yes, military spending comprises much, much more of the federal spending than do social welfare programs. The government is designed to account for both, as caring for citizens is the very point of its structure.

Now, being such a picky researcher who demands sources - and then different sources when you don't like the info - we'll go ahead and wait patiently for your citations...

@PiceousPanda This is not in the constitution. This is your opinion. Further, you cannot speak for others you know nothing about and what they do and don't care about.

@SW-User i cant do much. no one cares for our future generation but ur own. we encoraged an attitude of irrespeonsibility sympathy and what not. in the end we will all get what we deserve. vote in my more people who will bring us further into debt. trump signed something to alow him to spend one trillion dollars. u know its very common for anyone who will eventually go bankrupt to simply use and use money because they have nothing else to lose.

@PiceousPanda I see. Yep. Have a great day.

@PiceousPanda You're saying you understand how this works, explain it to me. They say it encourages growth, they can say that all they want. How does it encourage growth? If you understand it, explain it.

@UndeadPrivateer not they say. through evidence it is SHOWN. ive been on here all day and im getting tired of this. if u dont believe it thats fine goodluck

@PiceousPanda It's shown where? What is your historical example of this working?

I'm deleting any reply that chooses to insult rather than converse. If u dont want ur reply deleted. Act mature for once

@RodneyTrotter dude... You must be a pain to talk to when you don't agree with someone. Smh goodluck

@ProdigalSummer Using my age isn't an arguement and making excuses isnt an arguement. I sure as hell no if i wasnt 17. you would find something else to insult me and degrade my opinions somehow. ive always had my own mind. it wont change growing up. i will evolve but i will cross any idea barrier that people are afraid of questioning. goodluck lady

@ladycae You are a perfect example of why we have welfare and a social safety net in the first place.

So maybe this rant is less about the national budget and more about personal greed, shortsightedness and selfishness?

@Elegy possibly. i dont think its greed. desperation. sympathy in the wrong place? when women were given the right to vote we should have required them to be more informed about it. i think thats the start on how we came to this situation. they want stuff. men valued freedom more. which is why there seems to be a difference in political stance. i think its being misinformed simply

All very interesting, thank you.

@PiceousPanda We do need to cut costs, but it would make more sense to raise taxes on the wealthy than to give them the biggest tax cut in history. You can't balance the budget on the backs of the poor. It just doesn't work.

@snowbelt raising taxes will only make it worse not better. the wealthy can not pay for all the shit we owe! peoople want to do what u believe and it has gone nowhere.

@PiceousPanda The tax cut took money we didn't have and gave it to the top 2% of the wealthy. Obviously that doesn't bother you in the least to give them money we don't have. However, you'd gladly take it away from people who need it who are poor. You make no sense. Your argument clearly isn't based on what we can afford, or you wouldn't support tax cuts that are unaffordable.

@SW-User omg, Read more and comment less, this is amazing.

@SW-User and if we start deciding who can vote and who cannot...we are done!!!!

@canusernamebemyusername the military and social care is one of the main ones that we spend on and need to cut cost of

Oh okay. Just looked like social care only.

@snowbelt If everyone thinks only of their particular interests when they vote, then democracy is a flawed system.

@ladycae Where does the question state that it is about America?
Do you think opinions from foreigners who agree with you are not valid either, or only those of them who disagree?

@Cierzo Democracy is absolutely a flawed system, but it is the best system we've got. The reality is that everyone considers their own interests when they vote, but that doesn't mean that they don't consider the interests of others as well. Everyone who is eligible to vote should be given the opportunity to do so.

@PiceousPanda of course since you use it.

@sighmeupforthat im not against welfare. im against encouraging it. if we have the money then why not but we dont.

@SW-User REREAD WHAT I SAID!,,,,if one loses there job and have kids to support,they are not freeloaders! please ead before you get on my ass!

@Bluesky52 You really are defensive. I was trying to gain clarification. Have a nice day.

@SW-User i was too trying too,,,we are getting anywhere,have a nice day too,

@sighmeupforthat pay taxes they recieve back? what?

@ozgirl512 which is why im gettong hatem i forgot that I am willing to cross ideas that peoppe will never think of out of fear and blind belief

@PiceousPanda I don't agree with hateful replies .. But it is a touchy subject... Many people are jobless through no fault of their own... But to then disenfranchise them is a double whammy

@sighmeupforthat and when i get older what am i?? and ignorant dumb ass. continue with ur excuses to not have a civil conversation. people like you tire me. anything ur against ur automatically go to insults and derogatory language rather than conversing. goodluck. i know many people who are older than you and agree with me but youll find a way to degrade there opiniona s well