A few months ago we were appalled by a government program that gives a free cell phone and free minutes to the loosely-defined poor. Well, not to be outdone, Massachusetts is now giving them free cars.
Here’s how the Boston Herald explains the details of this welfare fiasco:
Gov. Deval Patrick’s free wheels for welfare recipients program is revving up despite the stalled economy, as the keys to donated cars loaded with state-funded insurance, repairs and even AAA membership are handed out to get them to work.
But the program – fueled by a funding boost despite the state’s fiscal crash – allows those who end up back on welfare to keep the cars anyway.
“It’s mind-boggling. You’ve got people out there saying, ‘I just lost my job. Hey, can I get a free car, too?’ ” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading).
The Herald added:
The state pays for the car’s insurance, inspection, excise tax, title, registration, repairs and a AAA membership for one year at a total cost of roughly $6,000 per car.
The program, which started in 2006, distributes cars donated by non-profit charities such as Good News Garage, a Lutheran charity, which also does the repair work on the car and bills the state.
Free cell phones! Free cars! Free food! Free medical care! Free houses!
Not working is almost as good as getting elected to congress.
Source: BostonHerald.com
This post was last modified on January 26, 2021
View Comments (28)
where do we sign up for this? I have no job and no car. I could use this for my family.
Hello. sir\Madam
My age is 20 year. and I m very poor boy. I dont have any thing here in pakistan . so plz help me n care me. Here is Taliban so plz help me... in my eduction, plz plz plz n care me
Outside of the sport of cricket, what does Pakistan produce that the rest of the world cares about? Another worthless nation.
Hello. sir\madam
I m 20 year old. and i dont have any thing and i like eduction. My father is very poor man. so plz Help me and suport me in eduction plz.. i m very poor boy..
Thanks for you
I thought this state spent millions on PUBLIC transportation???? Where the hell is that money if you gotta give people a car? Dirty democrap deeds done dirt cheap (at our expense)
I truly commned the STATE OF MASSACHUSSETS for such a wonderful and FANTASTIC initiative and my hats off to governor Deval Patrick. I happen to be one of those people who is very poor and in dire straits RIGHT NOW as I write without no car and living on my last months rent about to become homeless soon! My unemployment comp has run out and withouta vehicle finding work has been nearly impossible here in Florida where I reside. I wish Mr. Patrick's plan could serve as a model for other states to follow suit. As an ordained minister, I'm not ashamed to say YES I'M POOR VERY POOR AND I NEED THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM!
Pastor Jeshua Giro
If a state wants to run a communist type government, that's fine. The national government, on the other hand........
Point being that a state should be able to do pretty much whatever they want INSIDE their lines.
As far as Safelink goes, my daughter was injured in a serious accident that was not her fault, but she was hit by an uninsured, unlicensed driver so she will never see a dime. Her dad, who was well employed went blind a couple of years ago and can't help me help her. She will eventually get SSDI because she was employed full time while she spends several years in rehabilitation therapy to hopefully get her out of her wheelchair. I filled out the SafeLink app for her. She got a refurbished cheap phone that retails new for $9.99 at Walmart and gets 80 free minutes a month as long as she qualifies or the program lasts. Tracfone pays for most of the program. I live in a middle to upper middle class town in MA and we now have a food pantry because of the high unemployment. I volunteer there and see people I know who are mortified that they need a hand. This isn't a black and white or racial situation, it is economics. Americans are losing their jobs, their homes, and so many of us are one paycheck from living in our cars, if we have one. Karen
The govt doesn't make its own money. It is getting it from the people that live in the country, hence that car is not really "free". Someone is paying for it and it is being paid without the people of Mass permission.
I don't know what you're talking about. I've gotten a phone and minutes from Safelink and when my phone got lost, they replaced it.
LOOK AT THE DATE---------------------------
LOOK AT THE SCAM-------------------------
OPEN YOUR EYES --------------------------
SAFELINK IS A PROFIT ORGANIZATION JUST LIKE THE TOBACCO COMPANY
JUST LIKE THE MEDIA---------------
WHERE IS MY CHECK-------------------
WHERE IS MY PHONE -------------------
WHERE IS MY KEYS-------------------------
WHERE IS MY JOB--------------------------
THE INSANITY OF REPEAT-----REPEAT-----REPEATS
TUESDAY FEB.16th,2010-------------------