I know a guy, 22 years old, who until March 2011 was living with, as well as a dependent of, his parents. In March, after getting his girlfriend pregnant, he decided to make some huge strides to become independent.

Now, a little back-story. Since 2005, he has worked a part-time job (25 hours a week, averaging around 240$ per weekly paycheck). He had achieved a decent credit score by financing a new-ish car and playing by the rules (on-time payments, etc.).

So, in March, he applied for a home loan and was granted a $60,000 loan to buy a house. Now, there is nothing wrong with this at all. A lot of young people are granted home loans. After all, it's a common next step in "growing up" for a lot of people.

Shortly after receiving his loan, he placed a down-payment on a house. Around the same time, he also purchased another new-ish car (2007) on a credit card and adopted 2 dogs and a kitten. Now here's where it gets interesting. After acquiring all of those bills and other miscellaneous expenses (including an expected child), he realized that $240 a week just wouldn't cut it. Even with his girlfriend's income included, there was no way that they could make ends meet. So, he and his girlfriend went and applied for FOODSTAMPS and WELFARE. And the kicker? They were ACCEPTED!

What the #, America? I always thought that foodstamps and welfare were established to help the needy, NOT the people who take on too much at once and can't afford their bills.

So, ATS, I wonder how many American citizens are using the system in this way. Opinions?

What about the TARP funding problem? (toxic asset blahblah) and the fact it was summed up around 4 trillion and the government ended up giving 800billion in the largest bailout in congressional history to unnationalized banks, which means they pissed that away in personal bonuses and vacations because they didn't have to report what happened with the money.

I think that's a bigger problem, anyway...

(not to mention 800billion is like pissing on a bonfire to put it out)

Your friend huh...suuuure. Comon man your telling this story about yourself, stop being a deadbeat and get a real job.