Particracy Forum

Mrs. Gonzalez, Minister of Health and SS: "Yes ma'am. However, I have determined that in many cases not enough aid is being provided, and aid is often being improperly allocated. Especially for those with disabilities or that suffer from chronic illnesses. I have made several requests to the President for emergency funding of new programmes. I haven't gotten much of a response in regards to that unfortunately."

Senator McArthur: How is it being improperly allocated?

Mrs. Gonzalez: "Well you see ma'am, there are certain laws that are preventing us from truly helping those in need. For instance, if a person with a physical disability attempts to work, all of their social benefits have to be taken away by law. This results in thousands of disabled adults around the country continuing to live in poverty because the benefits given to the disabled are very low, and will be cut off completely if they attempt to better themselves. Surely the gentlewoman sees why this is an issue."

Senator McArthur: Of course.

Senator Clarke: What about the allegations that resources devoted to aid are being rerouted to criminal enterprises? Is there any validity to those accusations?

Mrs. Gonzalez: "Fortunately, there is little evidence that safety net funding is be siphoned into the criminal sector. The rare cases we have encountered tended to be in the form of welfare fraud. Less than 0.01% of recipients have been convicted or suspected of fraud. It is incredibly rare. "

Senator Clarke: So do you have a proposal to remedy the situation?

Mrs. Gonzalez: "No sir. Considering we only had 7 cases of fraud last year, it doesn't seem to be a major problem. Asking for a solution to stopping an average of 7-10 cases of abuse a year is like asking for a solution to completely wipe out child abuse. It unfortunately couldn't happen, no matter what we do."

Senator Clarke: I'm sorry, what I meant was the general situation of poverty affecting Bekenial's East End.

Mrs. Gonzalez: *laughter* "My apologies Mr. Clarke. First of all, I personally believe that an overhaul in public housing infrastructure, an increase in the minimum wage, increased aid for those with disabilities, and repealing of laws that prevent those on welfare from acquiring jobs."