Evacuee Purchases Designer Handbag with Redcross Donation!

[Diane4145]

News reports last night, indicated that an evacuee recieving $2000 Debit Card, purchased a Designer Handbag. Purchase was made in ATL and for $800! The store knew that it was a donation, but said that they couldn't legally prevent it. Hmm... seems to me, that someone has some splaining to do! Both in the donors(IF FOOD STAMPS CAN PREVENT SPECIFIC ITEMS, SO CAN THEY!), as well as the ***** MAKING THE PURCHASE! People like this, cause alot of us to be leary of donating!!:nono1: :nono1: :nono1:

 

[Smiling JOe]

News reports last night, indicated that an evacuee recieving $2000 Debit Card, purchased a Designer Handbag. Purchase was made in ATL and for $800! The store knew that it was a donation, but said that they couldn't legally prevent it. Hmm... seems to me, that someone has some splaining to do! Both in the donors(IF FOOD STAMPS CAN PREVENT SPECIFIC ITEMS, SO CAN THEY!), as well as the ***** MAKING THE PURCHASE! People like this, cause alot of us to be leary of donating!!:nono1: :nono1: :nono1:

My question is: What stops anyone from looking up some names and addresses in the NOLA phone book, say that they lost all of their ID, and get new ones made, along with cash cards?

 

[Diane4145]

My concerns, exactly! There are sooo many needing and deserving people and lots of sorry scam artists! :nono1: :nono1: :nono1: This is going to get REAL MESSY!

My question is: What stops anyone from looking up some names and addresses in the NOLA phone book, say that they lost all of their ID, and get new ones made, along with cash cards?

 

[SlowMovin]

If I'm not mistaken (and I didn't hear/see the news report so I might be) those $2000 debit cards actually came from FEMA. Our tax dollars at work.

 

[DBOldford]

SlowMovin...in reading back over our Thread discussion of FEMA flood insurance, I realized that there's something missing in terms of the specifics. FEMA itself does not provide the insurance. Rather, they are the insurance administrator and private companies provide the policies. Just so you know that the FEMA flood insurance program is a completely different situation than the disaster relief. I am heartily opposed to those $2K credit cards, too. Just too much ready cash for people who can't possibly be thinking straight at this time. But this is like the welfare program...there will always be a few who abuse the system, yet many who benefit in a time of need.

 

[wetwilly]

If I'm not mistaken (and I didn't hear/see the news report so I might be) those $2000 debit cards actually came from FEMA. Our tax dollars at work.

The ones I saw were Red Cross debit cards. I think FEMA had some too. Actually heard yesterday or Friday that they stopped giving them out because they could not verify identity etc duh.

They are now going to a $$ deposit to your bank account or other account but that may not help most of the evacuees since they may not have had an account at a bank before the disaster.

No telling what they will finally do to help these people with Fed funds. Seems like the Fed plans are all flawed and noone can predict the flaw until after they implement.

 

[SlowMovin]

I wasn't aware the Red Cross was giving them out also. My mistake.

As for flood insurance, I actually knew about FEMA being involved in that but had forgotten (not sure why...every property I've ever bought had to have it). I was not, however, aware that they only administered it--haven't looked into the inner workings too closely.

I think where we might have an interesting (i.e. animated and probably becoming heated at some point ) discussion is over the proper role of the Federal government in situations such as this. It could be argued that from a strict constitutional point of view it has little if any. However, the country (and the courts) have given it an increasingly larger one...especially in the last 70 or so years. Hence, much of the discussion between the "constitutional originalists" vs. the "constitutional idealists".

 

[Diane4145]

If I'm not mistaken (and I didn't hear/see the news report so I might be) those $2000 debit cards actually came from FEMA. Our tax dollars at work.

Acutally, I'm unsure at which organization, "purchased the handbag"!

 

[katie blue]

Comes down to poor choices. It bugs me, that person could have used that for a deposit on an apartment or any number of things to help them get on their feet. I've seen this before with people who are "career poor" -- people who are able bodied and capable but choose a life of welfare. (Once, for one month, I was on unemployment. Couldn't believe all the "tips" I received from the "regulars" informing me how to buck the system and collect indefinitely. It's practically a business.) I have a great deal of compassion for those who are impoverished due to disabilities, age, and other circumstances beyond their control. But for the most part this is a land of real opportunity, and almost anyone with perserverence and the willingness to work can find a way to make it on their own.

Example of poor choices that keep you poor. I have a friend, wonderful guy, has always wanted a little house somewhere, but just can't seem to "get it together". Quits jobs when they get to be a hassle. He received a $25K inheritance a few years ago. He had tears in his eyes showing me the check. He spent most of it on a slick black Trans Am he bought on the spot from a lady at a gas station. (Didnt even know they still made those, huh.) Spent the rest on slick new conga drums (he doesn't play.) Car broke down in two months, he sold it for a small fraction of what he paid, bought a used Dodge truck with 300K miles on it with what he had left. That broke down a month later, he pawned the drums for rent and in 3 months, the inheritance was gone. So sad! But despite all of us begging him to put a downpayment on a house, he wouldnt listen. So your sympathy kind of has to end right there...


Oops, stream of consciousness, ddn't plan a long post. Poor choices. Bugs me, but only because I just want people to realize some of their potential, live as well as possible. flame away if you like..

 

[ktmeadows]

News reports last night, indicated that an evacuee recieving $2000 Debit Card, purchased a Designer Handbag. Purchase was made in ATL and for $800! The store knew that it was a donation, but said that they couldn't legally prevent it. Hmm... seems to me, that someone has some splaining to do! Both in the donors(IF FOOD STAMPS CAN PREVENT SPECIFIC ITEMS, SO CAN THEY!), as well as the ***** MAKING THE PURCHASE! People like this, cause alot of us to be leary of donating!!:nono1: :nono1: :nono1:

This is so sad...it just makes me sick to hear this, because there are so many with a real need. Unfortunately, there will always be those low-lifes like the one you describe who give the whole program a bad name.