Arrgh.

[kengr]

I just heard on the news that FEMA is dropping that program to give the survivors of Katrina $2000 debit cards. Ok, I figured there were going to be problems with it, especially given a few things about how they were handling it.

But their idea of a replacement? People have to apply on the web and the money will be deposited in their bank accounts.

This has several *huge*, gaping holes.

First of all, a lot of folks are going to need *help* to do this, even if they can get to a computer. I'm sorry, but I have had to try to teach folks how to use computers. And most people *still* can't use them without a lot of help.

And entering info about bank accounts that way? Along with whatever ID info would be needed to verify that it wasn't a scam? That's *asking* for ID theft.

And then there's the other problem. There are people who do not *have* bank accounts, and ion fact, because of credit problems and bounced checks *can't get* bank accounts.

I've been there. Had a $60k cashiers check and none of the banks I tried would open an account for me.

Poor folks, who could use the money the most are also the most likely to be in that situation.

<sigh>

Looks like another case of planners meaning well but just not having any conception of what life is like for the folks they are trying to help.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Well, there you have it folks. That ever-present chasm between the proverbial haves and have-nots, covered with a beeeeautiful oriental rug! I have it on good authority that debit cards with smaller amounts are being sold on the black market in cities like Atlanta for as little as 85.00. What a deal! I thought Ebay was great. Gotta learn to think bigger. I guess there's no way around it I mean being African American and all.