3-part Series: U.S. welfare flows to Cuba (Pt.1)

Sun-Sentinel ^ | 10/1/15 | By Sally Kestin, Megan O'Matz and John Maines with Tracey Eaton in Cuba

[ruralvoter]

“They’re taking benefits from the American taxpayer to subsidize their life in another country.”

Cuban immigrants are cashing in on U.S. welfare and returning to the island, making a mockery of the decades-old premise that they are refugees fleeing persecution at home. Some stay for months at a time — and the U.S. government keeps paying. Cubans’ unique access to food stamps, disability money and other welfare is meant to help them build new lives in America. Yet these days, it’s helping some finance their lives on the communist island. America’s open-ended generosity has grown into an entitlement that exceeds $680 million a year and is exploited with ease. No agency tracks the scope of the abuse, but a Sun Sentinel investigation found evidence suggesting it is widespread.

[ruralvoter]

Part 1 of a 3-Part Series. Here are the links to Parts 2 and 3:

2) Cubans retire to Florida - http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/sfl-us-cuba-welfare-benefits-part-2-htmlstory.html

3) Political protection - http://www.sun-sentinel.com/us-cuba-welfare-benefits/sfl-us-cuba-welfare-benefits-part-3-htmlstory.html

[Iron Munro]

"America’s open-ended generosity..."

America’s open-ended STUPIDITY...

[kearnyirish2]

Remittances from illegals here in the US keep Mexico afloat as well; at the same time as the Patriot Act makes it so difficult for Americans to open bank accounts and such, these banks are tripping arse over elbow to handle the banking needs of illegals in the US.

Here in NJ we have to jump through hoops to renew our drivers licenses, while California is giving them to undocumented invaders. I’m tempted to get one of those matricula consulares (or whatever they call those Mexican IDs handed out by the Mexican government IN THE U.S.) to see what I could do with it. Maybe get free food and such; paying bills is for suckers...

[econjack]

It’s time to replace welfare with workfare. If you can fog a mirror and draw welfare, you show up for work at a public building at 8AM everyday and work until 5PM cleaning tiolets, washing windows...whatever needs to be done. If you have kids, you will pay so much for each child for daycare at a pubic day care center that is run by other welfare recipients. You are also subject to random drug testing and will be required to carry a photo ID. If you don’t like this, get a private job.

[Mark17]

“They’re taking benefits from the American taxpayer to subsidize their life in another country.”

Can I give my best example of my shocked face?

[sarasmom]

It’s going to get really ugly here in Florida,and the USA, really quick.

The Feds are trying to convince USA citizens that “all the money they have paid for multiple decades into SSAN” is just gone.

Balance of post self-redacted.

[T-Boy]

i agree econ, ive been saying for years, they need to do something to earn the money, and others can take care of their kids. as it is now, they have after school programs we pay for that they use as babysitters so they can do whatever it is they do while not working and spending our money

[Eagles6]

When the SHTF it’s going to be brutal. All the gimmedats will still expecting to get paid.

[Amagi]

The US is untold trillions of dollars in debt and on the precipice of economic collapse.
Sending welfare to commie Cuba is, by itself, impeachable, IMO.
Obama overwelms by flooding the zone with impeachable offenses that keeps drunk, effete, and weakling Repub leadership off balance and paralyzed.
It is long past time to clean house in DC.

[Iron Munro]

When the SHTF it’s going to be brutal. All the gimmedats will still expecting to get paid.

That is the real scary aspect of the government turning millions into cradle to grave government teat suckers.

When the SHTF within 2 days they will be killing each other and anyone else caught in the inner cities.

A few days more and they will be ganging up and pouring into the suburbs.

Ten days and they will be out into the country and small towns.

[jughandle]

Pennsylvania also doles out the drivers licenses and car registrations to illegals. Notice the number of PA plates in the cities and at soccer games..

[Eagles6]

I don't think they will make it past the suburbs. When suburbanites, who own their own homes, have families and everything is on the line realize that the gubmint will not protect them enough will take matters into their own hands.

I hope...

[Iron Munro]

I don't think they will make it past the suburbs. When suburbanites, who own their own homes, have families and everything is on the line realize that the gubmint will not protect them enough will take matters into their own hands.

I hope...

I hope so too.

IMHO it will vary by locality and be greatly dependent on these two factors:

1. How quickly, if at all, suburban homeowners are able to rally and join together so that it isn't every man standing alone against a mob or organized gang.

2. How quickly the urban Moochers form into gangs large enough to overwhelm all but the largest organized and armed homeowner groups.

Of course there are many more variables such as geography of a neighborhood, choke points, etc. but I feel the two factors above are key.

[Eagles6]

Good points.

[kearnyirish2]

I didn’t know PA did that; when I lived in another part of town I saw some PA plates where NJ drivers were using relatives’ addresses in PA to get lower car insurance (since ours is so high). Ten years ago a lot of illegals would drive unlicensed, uninsured, unregistered in my area; I guess the cops cracked down, because now they’ve disappeared from cars and many may be seen pedaling bicycles to their under-the-table jobs. My town is looking very Third World, with many apparently sharing the same standard of living as Red Chinese peasants...