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Explain the Hope Florida scandal to me like I'm 5.. (In which stealing from taxpayers and the poor is wrong.)
https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2025/04/25/hope-florida-explained-what-happened-medicaid-desantis/How should we help poor people?
Thank you for asking, that is very kind! There are generally two big ideas in America. One side thinks humans have a responsibility to take care of each other by putting money into a pot everyone can use — we call this “the government.” The other thinks people should keep their money and, if needed, turn to places outside the government for help. There are a range of beliefs in between that do not fit on bumper stickers.
OK! What are they doing about that?
They set up this program called Hope Florida. It is supposed to connect struggling people with help from churches and charities. Credit for this idea goes to Casey DeSantis.
Say the charity gets the $20. But instead of giving it to people in need, the charity gives the money to other groups, which then give the $20 to James and his friends, who then use the $20 for personal purchases like Nerds Gummy Clusters.
That seems like fancy stealing. Yes! You’re doing great!
A similar thing happened in the Florida government, but instead of $20, the number was $10 million.
Thank you for asking, that is very kind! There are generally two big ideas in America. One side thinks humans have a responsibility to take care of each other by putting money into a pot everyone can use — we call this “the government.” The other thinks people should keep their money and, if needed, turn to places outside the government for help. There are a range of beliefs in between that do not fit on bumper stickers.
OK! What are they doing about that?
They set up this program called Hope Florida. It is supposed to connect struggling people with help from churches and charities. Credit for this idea goes to Casey DeSantis.
Say the charity gets the $20. But instead of giving it to people in need, the charity gives the money to other groups, which then give the $20 to James and his friends, who then use the $20 for personal purchases like Nerds Gummy Clusters.
That seems like fancy stealing. Yes! You’re doing great!
A similar thing happened in the Florida government, but instead of $20, the number was $10 million.
