Gary L. Francione stated that “Welfare reforms and the whole “happy” exploitation movement are not “baby steps.” They are big steps–in a seriously backward direction.”(Good Read Quotes).Two people could go in the welfare office and one could come out and have a check, foodstamps and more, while the other would be denied(Morrison). This is what happened to Tenisha and her family of five kids who are sitting at home thinking about what they’ll eat tomorrow and the rest of the week because Tenisha’s application for Welfare was declined. Meanwhile, 15 miles away, Jackie and her family of 2 kids are snacking and watching a movie without a care of what they’ll eat tonight or for the next few weeks. This is because Jackie is on welfare. Jackie has falsified her documents about how many children she has and how much money she makes. Jackie is a …show more content…
The Department of Public Social Services reports they handle about 1.5 million cases involving benefits. During fiscal year 2004/2005 there were 60,634 reports of fraud, the department completed 52,930 investigations and 425 people were convicted of welfare fraud. Fraud or misrepresentation (not defined) was found on 10,789 cases (Rhode). When people falsify their documents like Jackie, they don’t realize that the government has probably caught them and are building a case against that person. Criminal Law experts state that “State welfare statutes and general criminal statutes (such as theft) impose penalties for conviction of welfare fraud that range from repayment of the monies fraudulently received to years in prison and hefty fines. For example, the “welfare queen” that then-candidate Reagan referred to received a prison sentence of two to six years” (England). Society believes that they can get away with anything, but the “Welfare Queen” is proof that theft will catch up to