I can’t get Food Stamps right now even if I were to put up with these things, since I have 2 motorcycles (was given one) and I would have to sell one and give the money to the FS office or use it up. Instead, I’m selling one and that’s paying for EMT school. Also, any attempts to improve oneself must be kept secret. You are closely monitored to make sure you aren’t going to school or training, acquiring a better vehicle or a vehicle at all if you have none, etc. It’s a lifestyle, a career.

I live as off-the-grid as possible, because frankly something tells me this is going to be a very good idea in the coming times. My living expenses are very low, I actually have a dwelling and a fixed address, and in 6 months will be an EMT. If I have to panhandle again, I’ll tell people I need the money for “methadone treatment” or something, don’t ever EVER let the cat out of the bag if you are climbing up, people HATE that.

Now, even in the fairly mild climate I live, SF Bay Area, homeless folks die of exposure all the time. You get the flu, get pneumonia, stay sick for months, than a cold snap comes through and you just die. Happens all the time. Going into jail is a big improvement, “some” medical care instead of absolutely none, meals every day, no one steals your shoes while you’re asleep.

It’s possible to find a place with no credit, but it’s not easy and you deal with a lot of nuts. And you tend to end up moving a lot. You have to be not homeless long, so you’re still neat and clean looking, and a master salesman to talk your way into a place, then get out there and panhandle, panhandle, panhandle, and keep that rent paid. It’s hard for an above-average person (looks, discipline, intelligence) and almost impossible for an average person. For someone with a problem, such as depression, injury, lost their eyeglasses so they squint, etc. forget it.

It only remains to be seen just how bad this gets before the revolution starts.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/applicant_recipients/eligibility.htm

Food stamps are $200 per month, in food. as long as you are earning (like, from a job) less than $1,174/month in a household of 1. Here many people are struggling to find jobs, so it’s not always possible. Social Security is only 65+. TANF (welfare) is only for families (that is, with children) and can be used 5 years in a person’s lifetime. There’s public and subsidized housing but you still have to pay for it, there are wait lists that tend to be pretty long or often closed (as in my city), meaning that they aren’t accepting new applicants at all, and they conduct criminal background checks to see if you would be a “good tenant” so ex-cons would one again be ineligible

In Denmark you say that you can actually get $2000/per month just ‘cuz.

Also, people on parole and probation are often ineligible for a lot of government aid and grants here.

But don’t worry, many Americans here watch Fox News and think that all the blacks get everything for free, and illegal immigrants getting into this country only do it illegally because they’re too lazy to do the legal paperwork which according to them allows 3 million people to immigrate legally per year (real amount ~140,000) and that upon arrival they steal all the whites’ jobs by ambushing them in parking lots and then have the government give them free money.

AFAIK – In the US, one is allowed earnings of USD 2000 per month while being on food stamps. Thats pretty damn generous, IMO, compared to “socialist” Denmark, where you are allowed NOTHING, except the “social security” that is about USD 2000 in total (thats with the USD being at present level, DKK 5,00). This will barely pay the rent here – even in subsidized housing!

Ok, we have universal health-care; except for dental work. So Danish poor have very bad teeth.

To me, being a dropout in the US, still sounds like a better deal than the average 95% of the worlds normal population gets.

What am I missing??

At least in US he can bark all he wants. Nobody gives a shit.

Yeah, Yasha, explain this: “Yasha Levine is a mobile home inhabitin’ editor of The eXiled.” A few of us thought you were safely enclosed in that stucco and chicken wire that passes for housing in Vville.