I have some suggestions for fixing the economy

Sometimes, we make things harder than they have to be, am I right? I was listening to a news story this morning about the latest bright ideas to "fix" our ailing economy and try to start taking bites out of this staggering debt we can't seem to get enough of. The think tank's suggestions? Take away tax breaks for home-owning families, and cut back on Social Security. Well now why didn't we think of that before? Why not squash the life out of what's left of the middle class in this country? Why not put some bigger screws to seniors? While healthcare premiums and costs skyrocket, let's further limit income for senior citizens. And in the midst of a cancer-riddled housing market, let's take away one of the last "good" reasons for buying a home. Gosh. Now I know why these guys get paid the big bucks.

Here's a thought, Uncle Sam. Get rid of the fraud and waste. No, no, I don't mean Congress (at least not for the purposes of this piece). I mean tax fraud. Welfare fraud. Food stamp fraud. Medicaid fraud. RAMPANT fraud! I know, the pat answer to this suggestion is, "Well, we're just so understaffed, we can't monitor the abuses." Bull. Compare how much tax money is flushed on fraud, and you'll be able to add enough staff to watch each person who's on the dole one-on-one.

Now before the left-wingers cry "foul," let me say very clearly that I know there are families who have hit on tough times and desperately need a safety net. We know such a family, and they work hard. They are, unfortunately, on the verge of losing their home. They have tried to work with the bank, but they can't seem to get a straight answer or a definitive action plan. They remain in limbo, stressed, worried, and even feeling embarrassed. But they work hard, and folks, " There but for the grace of God go we. "

We also know of a couple (not married, because that cuts into their government handouts). They are committing Medicaid fraud, tax fraud and food stamp fraud. They refuse to work, they use drugs, they neglect and abuse their children but cling desperately to them because of the food stamps and Medicaid. They thumb their noses at the system and at people who have, to no avail, tried to help them. Their fraud and abuses have been reported to the proper agencies, and to date nothing has been done to correct the problem. The agencies are understaffed, you see.

Did you know that the "poor, underprivileged" population has figured out how to buy real estate with food stamps? Yep. It happens every day. Now, if you're smart enough to figure that out, why in the hell aren't you working? Sounds like another puzzle for the think tank.