Is welfare reform the best stimulus?

This transcript is automatically generated

-- like big bumper.

-- -- Welcome back so New York State lawmakers are proposing a ban on welfare recipients spending their checks on devices that means no booze cigarettes Lotto tickets -- trips to casinos.

Or strip clubs which guarantees that Dana will never ever be on welfare.

Says the bill's sponsor Republican.

Of course because -- evil this common sense legislation would protect hardworking taxpayers from abuse.

Now this is what I call stimulus plan from New York did -- just did more to make sure it's men stay employed than a hundred bailout plans.

I don't believe -- telling people how to spend their money but then again it's not their money it's ours.

This is the problem entitlement societies have if you're entitled to my money that -- I'm entitled I think to say how it's spent.

And here's a question any kid can answer windy get up -- married around.

When it stops maybe when -- debit cards are no longer tickets to paradise some folks might give them up.

But I'll admit everyone's entitled to a good time and perhaps on the big jealous strip clubs gambling booze it bothers me they're having.

A better time on my dime that I am and obviously there will be an enforcement problem with this bill which is why I'd like to volunteer Bob to help with that.

He can cover the strip clubs and casinos since both are part of -- morning routine.

That's who I work yes good record puts -- -- -- -- learn a lot of calories on that stripper poles and.

By now have to do so there's only about personal this bill.

Is that something has been tested -- legislatures is going to be pets -- all fifty.

Because of president Obama's bill.

That -- there's been a class tax relief bill that's where it was included where it said states would be.

Would not be able to get federal money unless they did -- this yet so we thank president -- And the fact is that it's totally New York State it's really -- to that New York State in all these horror stories emanate read this city right here.

And those of you I don't live here the rest of do I don't -- -- here that's our life here in Jersey it's isolated in the New York City.

In New York State right -- -- that -- -- I've ever fell three point 7% according to the government official statistic.

A partisan thing now right at everybody can look at dozens able of course you don't think if you're paying for somebody -- it either take care themselves that they should spend it on.

Stripping and imagine election here anybody voting -- -- -- that.

But is how big of -- about that I read as a -- how big is this problem that's -- that's pretty significant three point 7%.

I think substantially higher then I mean that there's no in the world that only three points three point 7% of that of the -- is that they find I know about.

Who knows what you know nobody can go -- EDT car walked down the street go to any one of these bodega and say.

-- give me half the money on this card well I can't go -- rides -- storm right accountability.

City you can do it in don't out the garage Bob brought there and lies the fraud if you can do that.

That's illegal and they look at you don't count that public all the people -- whose lives let's keep in mind -- -- the best vast majority don't do that.

But New York City there's a con con artist and have -- -- but if there's just a small percentage you do this think clearly it's not a big deal if we stop it.

Don't -- also this -- a sense that are doing it are not that bad apple spoils the bunch favorite there actually taking from other -- citizens who could.

Then and -- -- Anderson brought to New York State.

The tens of millions are I don't I have to point this out your three point 7% includes only with the big issues the people that they've caught doing -- Perhaps -- picture -- you know -- but you're Smart dock if they caught three point 7% how much is actually going out what do you think.

I would say maybe 1010.

So they're probably the third I nevertheless -- maybe it -- -- infant program -- like Medicare temperatures throughout their Medicare.

We probably 1520%.

And I mean why would be different.

It's harder to commit Medicare fraud and it is ago little slot here -- card who.

If you do that with the government it's easy to commit fraud in just about every area OK -- -- Having worked at the prosecutor's office and actually handled these cases -- you'd be surprised I mean there's so much more of it that goes on this is a small fraction that they're able to.

Yet because it's reported someone turns you win.

But it's very difficult to try and track at that's why they're saying this is something needs attention to try and curb it because there's more out there that we're not even getting to so why would you be against.

Financially responsible.

Measures like this to make sure that there is an abuse of this says.

On the court that -- the people who really need it are using a -- and other states of chaos in California and Washington and there's this is not a partisan issue that is said.

I would vote for that -- support his bill I don't know any politician.

In their right mind would -- as -- would -- I don't know area that this would help people get off welfare and food stamps but he -- -- -- -- -- not a discretionary funds stuff it's -- -- -- actually thinking -- -- -- -- -- prosecutor -- party mostly find out about this is it because if you weren't.

On food stamps and you found that there was fraud and there -- incentive for you return -- -- I mean maybe that's a better way to try to get people to stop.

Jealous friends like Greg tell that's the thinking -- yeah consistent and but people close -- they abuses happening.

Eric I'll do is very quickly got satellite board -- In America we spend 927 billion dollars on welfare and that does include so does not include Social Security checks to the other -- hundred million people receive benefits that's.

9000 almost 300 dollars per person if family -- -- gets 37000.

Bucks per year on average the average working family.

Makes -- -- grand a year 51 night after tax it's 38.

-- Bob you all its.

There almost setting it up that it's it's better you better off financially.

To stay home and take welfare benefit was two you -- oh yeah not me in large part of the stroke therein lies there's -- so white we're.

Are -- playing cards on that note it's gonna go Kart track gonna do during -- break.

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Is welfare reform the best stimulus?

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