Call me a curmudgeon, but I'm bitter about a food stamp incident

[Conan The Librarian]

I was at the supermarket a couple of weeks ago and it was late and there weren't many customers. A woman was headed to the register with about a dozen items. We were going to get to the regiseter at about the same time so I motioned her to go ahead.
 
She was shortly joined by her husband or boyfriend. They both had smart phones and were using them at the time. The food items were some staples and some luxuries. Can't remember the details.
 
She paid with food stamps, or actually a card and some papers that needed to be filled out. It took quite a long time and I had to wait for all of this, I had two items.
 
If it were me on food stamps, I would not have a smart phone, possibly would have a cell phone so long as I didn't have a land line. (Employers do need to get a hold of you by phone, so it is practically necessary to have a phone if you're working or trying to work.) I also would have let the other person go ahead, knowing I'd subject them to a long wait. I would also have let the other person go ahead out of a feeling of shame that I have to pay with welfare money. There would not have been any luxury items with the groceries, except possibly some inexpensive meat maybe once a week.
 
There just seemed to be an arrogance about these people. Nothing very assertive, but just annoying enough to be offended, and I don't offend easily.

[Sourdough]

I was in the grocery a few weeks ago and had a similer experience.  A young man rushed ahead to beat me to the register.  I only had about five items, he had a cart almost full of beer.  With chips, cheese, salsa, milk, and eggs on top.  He was talking to the cashier about a game coming on TV and how he and a bunch of guys were going to watch it at his house.  He paid for the cheese, milk and eggs with WIC cards.  He openly said the cheese was going to be use to make dip for the gang watching the  game.  This is abuse, but if I had reported it he would have just denied it and there was no way to prove it was used for that.

When my son was born, I had just retired from the Air Force.  My wife was an E-6 still active duty.  I went to the unemployment office looking to see what kind of work they had listed.  The people at the unemployment office tried to get me to bring the wife in to sign up for the WIC program.  Here we were with the wife employed and me drawing a retirement check, yet we were qualified for WIC.

[45-70.gov]

they were probly talking on an OBAMA PHONE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAOwJvTOio


we shouldn't  judge how they spend  our  money
we  need to fire the politician that took  our money ,,,,[democrats]

[lakota]

 
If it were me on food stamps, I would not have a smart phone, possibly would have a cell phone so long as I didn't have a land line. (Employers do need to get a hold of you by phone, so it is practically necessary to have a phone if you're working or trying to work.) I also would have let the other person go ahead, knowing I'd subject them to a long wait. I would also have let the other person go ahead out of a feeling of shame that I have to pay with welfare money. There would not have been any luxury items with the groceries, except possibly some inexpensive meat maybe once a week.
 

There is the problem. There is no shame. They are entitled and you are obligated. They are entitled to free food. You are obligated to pay for it. They are entitled to free Iphones. You are obligated to pay for it. They are entitled to free housing. You are obligated to pay for it....and apparently due to recent events they are also entitled to tatoos and you are obligated to pay for them. They are entitled to lap dances at strip clubs and you are obligated to pay for them. They are entitled to gamble at casinos and you are obligated to pay for it.

[blind ear]

There is no shame. They are entitled and you are obligated.

-
We allowed it to happen. Can we fix it? esr

[yellowtail3]

If it were me on food stamps, I would not have a smart phone, possibly would have a cell phone so long as I didn't have a land line. (Employers do need to get a hold of you by phone, so it is practically necessary to have a phone if you're working or trying to work.) I also would have let the other person go ahead, knowing I'd subject them to a long wait. I would also have let the other person go ahead out of a feeling of shame that I have to pay with welfare money. There would not have been any luxury items with the groceries, except possibly some inexpensive meat maybe once a week.

There is the problem. There is no shame.

Should there be shame?

[45-70.gov]

who cares about the shame
who  cares about their sence of entitlement
its not their  fault...they did not take my money




just  leave  MY  money  in   MY pocket
stopp  electing  those  that take our money.....they are to blame


stop refusing  to  ONLY vote for the perfect candidate....he ain't out there

[Val]

There is no shame. They are entitled and you are obligated.

-
We allowed it to happen. Can we fix it? esr

It's too late. We are already over the top. We are no longer the Nation of opportunity where hard work will earn you the American dream. We are know sinking further and further into the ugly swamp of Socialism. More and more of the population will get the freebees they think they deserve and fewer and fewer will be available to pay for the handouts. Greece, Spain, Italy, the US will be joining you in the not to distant future.

[mauser98us]

The election proved 51% of the voters realized they could get largesse from the Gov't.It's just gonna get worse.Goodbye America,hello Amerika.

[Shu]

Yes, we all have seen people abuse food stamps it happens way to often.
 However my duaghter and I were getting groceries and there was a woman with actual food stuffs buying food with the food stamps. She was going to put back some bread and oranges becuase she couldn't afford them . The person directly in front of us was making rude comments about her. My daughter asked me for a 20$ and stepped up and told the woman she saw her drop it by the cereal. The woman didn't have to put anything back took her groceries and walked out. The person in front of us asked my daughter why she did that. Daughter said it was obvious someone was in need, no reason to belittle them,  she at least walked out with some dignity.  I was pretty proud of my daughter at that moment.
 
Some people actually do need the assistance, I am very grateful that we don't.

[powderman]

SHU. Good post Sir and true. POWDERMAN. 

[Ranger99]

that was a kind thing to do.


the lady in question are the kind of folks
that public assistance is meant for.


there are now so many leeches trying
for a piece of the pie, the truly needy
are pushed aside.


i took my mother to the gro. store today
and a woman was making a scene because
there was no credit due on her lonestar card.
(food stamps) the manager finally had to
give her the boot. she thought by getting  louder
and more ugly and indignant, he was going to
let her slide. she didn't lack for gold jewelry
or hair weaves either. and drove away in a newer
cadillac escalade.

[DalesCarpentry]

I myself have never collected any public assistance other than going to the food bank when things got real bad. I agree there are people with families that do need them. I have seen people in the past sell their food stamps for 50 cents on the dollar so they could get cash to buy beer and cigarettes. That is the main reason that many states have gone to a debit card type thing to cut down on abuse of the system. Even though they do that I have heard of people taking the person shopping that is buying the food stamps at 50 cent on the dollar. They just pick out what they want and the person with the card buys it. No matter what you do there will be people that abuse the system. One thing that does bother me though is to see someone buying food with food stamps and their cart is full of top prime cuts of meat and all expensive name brand foods. I work and can't afford the quality of food that I have seen them buy. Dale

[JonnyReb]

 Thats it Dale, I too have NEVER gotten a handout from anyone or any government. I pay 1/3 of what I bring home in taxes. I don't make all that much to begin with and theres many times i'm at the grocery with 30 bucks worth of dog/cat chow and 20 bucks worth of staples for the fridge, because 50 bucks is all i've got to spend. There is almost always multiple "baby machines" slowly pushing their heaping cart while their entourage of chilluns gather round. Do they need the free food? Absolutely but I'm disgusted that our gub'ment has taught these folks that their way to sustinence involved lots of kids and no income, do this instead of working and being responsible and the grimy plumber behind you in line with his bags of dog chow and milk/eggs/bread will help pick up your tab..

[gstewart44]

Shu, 
I had a similar experience but a far different outcome.    Last year between Thanksgiving and Christmas I was shopping in our local grocery store.  There was a lady in front of me paying for her cart full of goods with her "Food Stamp Card".   The cashier told her that one of the items was not eligible for purchase with the card ( I forget what the item was now).   this lady started raising her voice and making a big ruckus about how all the other cashiers let her purchase this with her card.    A manager was called over and explained that the items was not eligible with the card.   
Voices raised again and minutes went by and I finally offered up a 5$ bill to cover the cost of the item so things could move forward.   The lady wadded up the bill and threw it back at me yelling "I don't need your money!   Who do you think you are!?    You think you are just better than me!   And they owe me this anyway!"   


At this point I had had enough ...... In a calm voice I plainly stated that       "Yes for sure you need my money.   My money is paying for all of the things you purchased with the Food Stamps.   Mine and all the other people standing in line that pay taxes!."   The lady starting hurling profanity at me and I just left my items in the checkout and walked out. 


I couldn't believe the exchange that happened when I just tried to do a good favor.      Oh well .........

[yellowtail3]

Daughter said it was obvious someone was in need, no reason to belittle them,  she at least walked out with some dignity.  I was pretty proud of my daughter at that moment.
 
Some people actually do need the assistance, I am very grateful that we don't.

A fine application of the Golden Rule, as enunciated by Jesus.

[greenrivers]

Cheats and thieves will always be among us. Unfortunately we do not police any of the "bennefits" we make available to the desirving. The real crime is allowing politians that get elected on half truths and outright lies, to redirect the fault for economic downfalls we are experiancing back on the working people when their leadership put us there in the first place through deregulation and oversight. Not because of negotiated contracts, retirements, social security, medicade, etc.. These are all prepaid in the first place.

[williamlayton]

Food Stamps and welfare are good ideas.
The idea should have a time limit.
Folks. somehow, need to learn to stand on their own feet and food stamps and welfare give them the boost. It should not become a lifestyle.
Starvation can only happen if one let's it happen--in America.
Now, the elderly are a different story.
Blessings

[Shu]

I think we need to realize there are some that actually need the assistance and we should not be upset by someone down on their luck. We all know there are thieves and liars that abuse the system. You can easily tell the difference between the two. The person who needs the assistance doesn't load groceries in an escalade wearing a few thousand bucks in gold talking on a smart phone.
 
We need to remember "but by the grace of God there I am". Just a thought, times are tough on everybody lately.

[45-70.gov]

I think we need to realize there are some that actually need the assistance and we should not be upset by someone down on their luck. We all know there are thieves and liars that abuse the system. You can easily tell the difference between the two. The person who needs the assistance doesn't load groceries in an escalade wearing a few thousand bucks in gold talking on a smart phone.
 
We need to remember "but by the grace of God there I am". Just a thought, times are tough on everybody lately.

i  agree  but at what point do ''WE''  do this as an individual
and  at what point do ''WE  as a whole  turn it over
 to government to decide  how much ''WE'' give and to who
and  at what point to  ''WE'' send people with guns
to collect taxes  and  force  others to help the people ''WE'' think  need help

[kennyd]

I like curmudgeons.  Aim to be one myself.  As for the assistance some people need, there will always be cheats including the higher ups in the ad;ministration. 


Hopefully my family will never need any more help than being allowed payments on medical bills, or the one time a bank let us skip ONE payment on a loan and tacked it on the back.


As for luxury groceries, that is hard to determine.  I have followed all sorts through check lines, and wonder at some of the choices.  But I can't figure how to limit what some eat, if you disallow soda, then what of juice drinks, or Koolaid.  I know they can't buy soap, deodorant, or the things like that that a family needs.


Some of us are old enough to remember the food aid from the 50''s.   The Mexican family next door would get 20 pounds of cheese, and although they weren't supposed to they had to split up up with us and other neighbors so it wouldn't spoil.  They lived in 3 rooms with a coal range for heat and cooking.  Drove a worn out Ford Woodie wagon that took all of us to school and the nickel movies.  There are many fond memories of that time and those girls.  Their dad finally got a decent job in California, and they moved.

[mauser98us]

The problem is we are shifting from a mentality of what can I do to help myself to a mentality of entitlement.It does not help that the politicians use our money to buy votes with entitlements. The problem started when churches gave up their roles to help the downtrodden in their areas.Yes the poor shall always be among us,and we are to help,but it is also stated if you don't work,you shall not eat.When man turns away from the principles given to us, that is we we have problems.

[Doublebass73]

When I was in my early 20's I drove oil and propane trucks on weekends while I was going to school. I got to see first hand who was receiving fuel assistance. Around 80% of the people on fuel assistance had nice toys in the yard like snowmobiles, ATV's, Winnebagos, etc. There were people that needed it but a majority were abusing the system.

I grew up in Mass so I witnessed first hand food stamp abuse. Every week as a kid I went to the grocery store with my father. He bought no luxury items, just enough food to feed us for the week. If he bought meat it was always the cheapest cuts. While at the checkout it was the norm to see people buying lobsters and the priciest cuts of meat with food stamps. The cost for a safety net program is extremely high due to the amount of abuse going on.

[magooch]

There's nothing really new about all of this, but it probably has gotten much easier and worse.  I remember incidents exactly like this back in the Seventies.
 
In yesterday's paper, there was an article about our loacl CAP agency giving out money to help with heating this winter for the needy.  The article said the line went around the block and there were people who had set up and waiting in the line for a day before they even started taking requests.  It was a whole bunch of younger folks--older needy folks are eligible for a lower electric rate and don't have to stand in line to get it.  One single mother with a couple of kids (Mexican name) said her electric bill for one month in her little rental house was just under $500.  I don't think my electric bill is that much for a whole year.  It would be cheaper to set the woman and her kids up in a more up to date dwelling that was at least insulated properly. 
 
I guess this is what Obama meant when he said he wanted to "fundamentally change the country."  Translation: Just a whole lot more of the same old crap.

[m-g Willy]

I never really cared what someone else bought or how they paid for it.
If someone is on foodstamps ,,I couldn't care less if they bought a cart full of steaks or a cart full of corn meal and flour.
My way of thinking is it IS theirs to spend how ever they want.
And if I had my druthers,, I would lots rather my tax money be going to Americans instead of rebuilding  our enemies countries.

[45-70.gov]

i don't care if forigners become wothless   parasites


but  i don't want to see  americans become worthless  parasites  that  the politicians have made them

[Ranger99]

necessities- yes
luxuries- no

[Lost Oki]

Entitlements.  According to our current administration, WIC, Welfare and other govt programs are just that...And for those of you approaching retirement age, Social Security is one of their entitlement programs...so, in case you haven't noticed, a lot of older folks are getting displaced from retirement / old age homes because of changes in medicade...obama health care....get ready, its coming.

[Shu]

I used to be involved in a food bank program. Food was given to those really in need. Since ot was a non government operation we could pick and choose where food was delivered. There were elderly, some single moms and some folks just plain down on thier luck. Two big boxes of food were delivered to each house on our list starting at 3 AM. We were usually done by in about an hour and half. There were no escalades, gold chains etc for the people on our lists. Seeing first hand how really destitute people can be in this country of wealth can be a real eye opener.
 
Let each person decide what they should do, I am not trying to get anyone to give anything they don't want to. I happen to agree with alot of the folks about the created problems and sense of entitlement that is fostered.  I would rather have my money spent here than overseas for people who just want to kill Americans. Unfortunately we don't get that much say with our tax dollars.

[45-70.gov]

i have evicted   about 30 families is 30 years as a slumlord


they  all  had one thing in common
besides  not paying their rent


they smoked.....all  but 2 was just stupid.  the other yelled at his girlfriend in front of me