Tiffany Bond  🦞 🇺🇸Verified account

Let's tackle the other policy of those delinquent on child support not being eligible for benefits....um, who are these people? I can think of very few situations where I have seen this occur. This sounds like a big headline for not a lot of impact. #mepolitics

I would guess there are very few people in this situation, and those who are really need the help. Off the top of my head, I can think of two situations where I have been in court and seen parents delinquent in support and also receiving food stamps. #mepolitics

The first one was someone struggling with massive undiagnosed mental health issues, actively trying to seek help but ineligible for healthcare..and unable to get a diagnosis. This person was sincerely trying to get help and get employed...should s/he starve? #mepolitics

The second situation I have seen was a parent of an older child where they had other young children in the home. Older child went to live with other parent, changing the $ dynamics. The parent was struggling and could not do it all with the young kids in the house. #mepolitics

It is my belief that though there may be societal punishments for not being a functional member of society if you have the capacity, we should not be levying those punishments on the tools needed TO BECOME a functional member of society. #mepolitics

Part of a hand up is making sure that we aren't creating a trap where people can only ask for a hand out because they have lost their ability to participate in our society. This is irresponsible legislation. #mepolitics

Rigid rules for people on the very edge of survival is not the way to go...& if you are heartless enough to believe I am wrong, it's also not fiscally prudent. If you want to increase the rates people turn to drugs & end up in jails we pay for, cut off their food. #mepolitics

Spend some time in one of our county jails. Talk to the people there. Ask what has pushed them into life choices ending in incarceration. Mental health issues, poverty, food insecurity, self-medication/addiction will top the list. #mepolitics