My Time at Walmart: Why We Need Serious Welfare Reform
During the 2010 and 2011 summers, I was a cashier at Wal-Mart #1788 in Scarborough, Maine. I spent hours upon hours toiling away at a register, scanning, bagging, and dealing with questionable clientele. These were all expected parts of the job, and I was okay with it. What I didn’t expect to be part of my job at Wal-Mart was to witness massive amounts of welfare fraud and abuse.
I understand that sometimes, people are destitute. They need help, and they accept help from the state in order to feed their families. This is fine. It happens. I’m not against temporary aid helping those who truly need it. What I saw at Wal-Mart, however, was not temporary aid. I witnessed generations of families all relying on the state to buy food and other items. I literally witnessed small children asking their mothers if they could borrow their EBT cards. I once had a man show me his welfare card for an ID to buy alcohol. The man was from Massachusetts. Governor Michael Dukakis’ signature was on his welfare card. Dukakis’ last gubernatorial term ended in January of 1991. I was born in June of 1991. The man had been on welfare my entire life. That’s not how welfare was intended, but sadly, it is what it has become.
Other things witnessed while working as a cashier included:
a) People ignoring me on their iPhones while the state paid for their food. (For those of you keeping score at home, an iPhone is at least $200, and requires a data package of at least $25 a month. If a person can spend $25+ a month so they can watch YouTube 24/7, I don’t see why they can’t spend that money on food.)
b) People using TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) money to buy such necessities such as earrings, kitkat bars, beer, WWE figurines, and, my personal favorite, a slip n’ slide. TANF money does not have restrictions like food stamps on what can be bought with it.
c) Extravagant purchases made with food stamps; including, but not limited to: steaks, lobsters, and giant birthday cakes.
d) A man who ran a hotdog stand on the pier in Portland, Maine used to come through my line. He would always discuss his hotdog stand and encourage me to “come visit him for lunch some day.” What would he buy? Hotdogs, buns, mustard, ketchup, etc. How would he pay for it? Food stamps. Either that man really likes hotdogs, or the state is paying for his business. Not okay.
The thing that disturbed me more than simple cases of fraud/abuse was the entitled nature of many of my customers. One time, a package of bell peppers did not ring up as food in the computer. After the woman swiped her EBT card, it showed a balance that equaled the cost of the peppers. The woman asked what the charge was, and a quick glance at the register screen showed that the peppers did not ring up as food. (Food items had the letter ‘F’ next to their description.) The woman immediately began yelling at me, saying that, “It’s food! You eat it!”
This wasn’t the only time things like this happened: if a person’s EBT balance was less than they thought it would be, or if their cards were declined, it was somehow my fault. I understand the situation is stressful, but a person should be knowledgeable about how much money is in their account prior to going grocery shopping. EBT totals are printed on receipts, and every cell phone has a calculator function. There’s no excuse, and there’s no reason to yell at the cashier for it.
The worst thing I ever saw at Wal-Mart Scarborough was two women and their children. These women each had multiple carts full of items, and each began loading them at the same time (this should have been a tip-off to their intelligence levels). The first woman, henceforth known as Welfare Queen #1, paid for about $400 worth of food with food stamps. The majority of her food was void of any nutritional value. She then pulled out an entire month’s worth of WIC (Women, Infants, and Children program) checks. I do not mind people paying with WIC, but the woman had virtually none of the correct items. WIC gives each participating mother a book containing actual images of items for which a person can and cannot redeem the voucher. This woman literally failed at image comprehension.
After redeeming 10+ WIC checks, Welfare Queen #1 had me adjust the prices of several items she was buying (Wal-Mart’s policy is to adjust the price of the item without question if it’s within a dollar or two). She then pulled out a vacuum cleaner, and informed me that the cost of the vacuum was $3.48 because, “that’s what the label says.” The vacuum cleaner was next to a stack of crates that were $3.48. Somehow, every other customer was able to discern that the vacuum cleaner was not $3.48, but Welfare Queen #1 and her friend Welfare Queen #2 were fooled. Welfare Queen #2 informed me that she used to work for Wal-Mart, and that the “laws of Wal-Mart legally said” that I would have to sell her the vacuum for $3.48. After contacting my manager, who went off to find the proper vacuum price, Welfare Queen #1 remarked that it must be tough to stand on a mat all day and be a cashier. I looked at her, smiled, shrugged, and said, “Well, it’s a job.” She was speechless. After they finally admitted defeat, (not before Welfare Queen #2 realizing she didn’t have enough money to buy all of the food she had picked out, resulting in the waste of about $200 worth of products) the two women left about an hour and a half after they arrived at my register. The next man in line said that the two women reminded him of buying steel drums and cement. I said I was reminded why I vote Republican.
Maine has a problem with welfare spending. Maine has some of the highest rates in the nation for food stamp enrollment, Medicaid, and TANF. Nearly 30% of the state is on some form of welfare. Maine is the only state in the nation to rank in the top two for all three categories. This is peculiar, as Maine’s poverty rate isn’t even close to being the highest in the nation. The system in Maine is far easier to get into than in other states, and it encourages dependency. When a person makes over the limit for benefits, they lose all benefits completely. There is no time limit and no motivation to actually get back to work. Furthermore, spending on welfare has increased dramatically, but there has been no reduction of the poverty rate. Something is going terribly wrong, and the things I saw at work were indicators of a much larger problem. Something must change before the state runs out of money funding welfare programs.
Christine Rousselle // Providence College // @Crousselle
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I j ust wanted 2 say this doesnt go far enough. THis doesnt go far enough. U wanna buy porterhouse stakes? you want to be buy a cake witth all the trimmings?? work for it. work at walmart. i dont want to tell MY kids that theyre future will be payi ng 4 LOOSERS 2 eat Sara Lee. I WANT THEM 2 BE WORKING 4 A LIVEING LIKE THIS YOUNG LADY, AT WALMART OR ANY OTHER BUISINESS IN TOWN!!!!!!!!
This needs to be shared with every Senator and Congressman – and to All State Attorney Generals – Something has to change to elimate this fraud
This needs to be shared with all Senators and Congressmen and State Attorney Generals – it is time to expose this fraud
My daughter experienced the exact same thing while working at a grocery store. Rude, entitled moochers working the system in every imaginable way possible.
Somehow my daughter was able to work 30 hours a week checking groceries, wait tables 4 nights a week and take 3 college classes, but the grown men and women who paraded through her checkout line each and every day with their welfare funds could not be bothered with such a thing as work.
I say it all the time. I am all for giving someone a hand up but I am sick of all the people exploiting that system and holding the rest of us hostage with it. Oh they’ll get theirs but I’m going to get mine too, and if you try to take it away from me I am going to get everyone to hate on you because you don’t care about the poor. Charity should be through a church and not through everyone’s paycheck before they are even allowed to cash it!
Excellent article.
My brother worked for a Walmart in Connecticut, he could have written this same commentary. He was disgusted by what he saw and had to go along with(store policy).
I really appreciate the attitude that you showed throughout this post. It is actually nearly perfectly in line with how I see things. I understand that there are folks who truly need assistance, but the way that welfare and food stamps are set up, basically allow folks to USE the programs whether they need them or not.
Excellent post though, and I can’t wait to see more in the future.
Glad to see glimmers of Hope in the rising generation.
I knew this was happening. I see it writ large every time I go to Walmart at the beginning of the month. Thanks for documenting it so eloquently. My guess is that you will now be visited by federal authorities accusing you of a hate crime. If so, be sure to let us know.
Excellent! I worked my way through high school in grocery stores, and through part of college at Wal-Mart. Those jobs are part of the reason I chose to vote Republican. I have been on assistance. I had my son at 16, worked 2 jobs and went to school. He was on WIC because after I quit nursing he needed very specialized formula. Even with 2 jobs I couldn’t afford it. When in college I worked at WM and went to school full time. It was really expensive! I got food stamps to help make ends meet. I was very frugal with them and always had money left at the end of the month. When on WIC and Stamps, I got off of them as soon as I could. There was once a great stigma attached to using assistance programs, and honestly, there still ought to be. Excellent article.
Not every person who receives food stamps is on welfare. Some people receive food stamps because they’re receiving unemployment payments. I live in NY state and unfortunately that’s the situation we’re in right now. I *LOVE* getting dirty looks and being demonized like I’m a “Welfare Queen” even though my boyfriend and I are both looking for jobs in a tough market. We don’t have EBT cash. We only pay for food with food stamps, but that’s ALL food. So if I pick up a birthday cake for my boyfriend (which hasn’t happened cause I usually bake it myself, but hypothetically…), I wouldn’t hesitate to pay for it with food stamps. That’s what they’re there for — to buy food.
I used to have the same attitude that you do about this issue but the funny thing is that when you actually walk a mile in the same shoes you so easily criticized, it can change your perspective. I’d rather be working, but I swallowed my pride so my boyfriend and I wouldn’t end up on the street when we lost our jobs. The next time you want to pass judgment on people for stuff like this, really consider the fact that you don’t personally know their situation and ten to one says you don’t know if they’re buying porterhouse steaks, shrimp, and birthday cakes every week.
Having been on FS before I just want to say we were very thankful that we could get birthday cakes as the toys on it were the kids b-day presents. It filled a void. I was frustrated as FS do pay for seeds and plants for gardens but Walmart never priced them as food items. It would have been a much better use of the money. We are off the system now and we are very frugal. Knowing what we had coming in and what I budget now I see why some people stay on it. It is sad that people don’t see it as a temporary program
Wonderfully written! Thanks for sharing!
It’s not hard to put restrictions on welfare and food stamps. Why won’t the government do it? This is all in their grand scheme of things to overthrow our constitution and usher in the new world order. The government especially obama preys on the uneducated. If the new world order should ever happen these people are going to be in for a rude awakening and not be able to purchase 1/4 of the things they (taxpayers) buy.
While I agree with most of the qualms the writer has with people misusing aid from the state, I disagree that certain food considered “extravagant purchases” should be stopped as well. If a person wants to buy a steak, lobster, candy, what is wrong with that? Steak is good and considered FOOD and everyonre deserves to have the foods they enjoy. Should they buy it everyday and leave out essentials like fruit, water and vegetables? No. But don’t treat people who really do need the aid less than and feel you can limit their freedom in what they choose to eat.
When I was in college (35 years ago) my wife and I were just scraping by on mac & cheese and oatmeal. I worked in a grocery store, and one night 4 other college students came in. They were renting a house together and they combined their food stamps and bought 2 cart-loads of groceries with steaks, roasts, all primo groceries. I have been very suspect of our welfare system ever since.
Like most, I don’t have a problem with a hand up for those who need it – by the Grace of God as they say.
But this kind of abuse is what is destroying our Country. I too have seen it back when I worked retail in high school and college.
Instead of the Government paying farmers not to farm, how about they grow commodities that can then be sold in Government Commodity stores or in certain sections of the regular grocery store? Then, those on public assistance can get all of the rice, beans, meat, vegetables, flour, milk, cheese, eggs, etc. that they need to feed their families.
If you want more than that, well then, there’s your incentive to get off public assistance.
Absolutely fabulous job young lady. Your insight gives me hope for the future
I witnessed something like this at a Goodwill checkout. Apparently people who qualify for our tax dollars are also given a discount there and I would think it would be for warm clothing and necessities. The woman ahead of me used her card to pay for jewelry.
Another time in a Wal Mart line a woman ahead of me sorted out her groceries from her pile of CDs & movies and I wondered why until she paid for her groceries with food stamps.
I am very proud to know that there are young people with working brains out there. I also think you are very brave to report this, and it should be shared until (if) the nonsense stops.
I do understand what you are saying, but are you saying that just because they are on food stamps they shouldn’t be able to eat a steak once in a while. I too have worked in a grocery store and have seen the abuse that happens. You are correct that once you get on the system its almost impossible to get off, but some of that is the governments fault. They start trying to get on their feet by getting a job and the government pulls the floor out from under them, taking everything from them all at once. They won’t let you get things going before they take everything so its easier just to stay on welfare and not worry that you won’t be able to eat cos you make just enough money to have benefits denied. I to am a republician, but I have seen first hand through people I know that if you try to help yourself at all the government cuts you off at your knees. Reform is neede, but it has to be done in the right way.
If you try to limit which items they can purchase you are distorting the markets.
There will always be fraud in systems. Be it Welfare, Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Assistance, Government Contracting, Tax Returns. You’ll get over it once you grow up and get a real job out in the real world.
Welfare queens are people voting themselves money, that is usually the point when a democracy starts on the path to implosion. Once voting yourself money catches on, every politician joins the game to exchange entitlement for votes, from there its about 100 years before the democracy dismantles because money is gone, honest taxpayers decline dramatically, every one tries to either leave the system or hide their incomes or failing that starts stealing from the system.
Just excellent, we need many, many more people of your age to start to think as you do.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here in Detroit while I was still employed with my company’s stamping plant on Detroit’s east side, I would skip out for lunch and pick up a couple things at the then existing party stores and wait in line behind the food stamp champs as they purchased their tobacco and alcohol products from the knowing store owner who would charge them dollars on the pennies for the products that weren’t approved under the welfare program. Food stamp conversions are a major source of income for inner city party stores and they are getting busted regularly in Detroit/
Inventory databases being what they are, it would be trivial to restrict WIC and EBT purchases to staple items such as milk, bread, low-cost cuts of meat, etc. Just one field in the database and you eliminate all purchases of luxury items. Why is this not a hot button issue in Maine and everywhere else?
Yes we need to stop the corporate welfare that goes on with this country. Who benefits more from this abuse, the people on welfare or Wall mart? It’s disgusting that people have to work two jobs just to afford to go to school and the only place that really reaps the benefits is that corporation, while it destroys local economies and gets job creation tax breaks as well.
Pardon me, but is the “benefit” the fault of Walmart? The decision is made by those with the ENTIRE card to spend there. Lastly would you like to provide sources on how Walmart has devalued local economies? My local Walmart has done no such thing if not having promoted expansion.
Pardon me, but is the “benefit” the fault of Walmart? The decision is made by those with the EBT card to spend there. Lastly would you like to provide sources on how Walmart has devalued local economies? My local Walmart has done no such thing if not having promoted expansion.
Wow… What an enlightened and sage experienced opinion you have developed as a seasoned observer and veteran cashier at Walmart… I will pray that you nor any of your friends and/or loved ones ever fall on hard times… I am more concerned with your lack of kindness than the welfare status issues in Maine… I am confident you will regret some of your judgments recorded here, once you have actually experienced some actual ‘living’…
Very well written, the only item I would not be too concerned about someone one FS buying would be the birthday cake.
The reason is because a few years ago, a lady wrote the local paper here, and they pubished the letter she wrote it was really sad. She said she had always worked, but because of her daughters diagnoses of cancer she could no longer hold a full time job, because of all the appointments and things she had to go to. Then at the last appointment not long before her daughter’s birthday, she was told her daughter was not going to be here much longer, if I remember right it was less than a year of life expectancy left.
She was very upset, and wanted to do something nice for what would be her daughters last birthday, so she purchased one of the fancy birthday cakes at the grocery store on fs. She stated she didnt have any money left after paying for all of her daughters care, and that her family had only recently qualified for foodstamps, (she said she’d never used them before, and that it was embarrassing to her)
Anyway, she bought the cake, and then overheard someone making a rude comment about how she should not have done that, which is what led her to write the paper, if I remember right her daughter died not long after that, and it was right after her daughters death that she wrote the paper.
Sometimes I think things are not quite what they seem. However, most of the time it seems like more people than not are abusing the system, and that is sad because it makes it so that people who need help either can’t get help, or won’t apply because of being afraid that someone will think that they are abusing the system.
Anyway, I think that there is a lot more abuse goes on than is even noticed, by people who have become dependant and who have now obtained the mindset that they are entitled to whatever that can be obtained by applying for welfare.
We need to abolish Welfare COMPLETELY. Get rid of ALL entitlement programs- Welfare, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security- ANY program that forceably removes money from the worker and gives back to the worker or to ANYONE else. It should NEVER have been taken without the workers permission…PERIOD. It is pure, legalized theft. No exceptions.
@ME Smith- Why is it a “lack of kindness” for someone to keep the money they earned, but NOT a lack of kindness for the government to steal money from others? You are such a hypocrite. I would bet $1,000 that if someone came up to you in the street and demanded your money, you would fight them tooth and nail- even if the reason they were taking your money was to give it to the homeless. You’re full of crap.
One thing that needs to be done is cashiers need to quit allowing the abuse at the register and a lot of this would stop.
Excellent article which illustrates why all welfare programs should be turned over to states and/or counties and municipalities. A short distance between the source (who writes the checks) to the recipients might discourage this type of behavior. Somehow, hardworking taxpayers need to be able to hold welfare cheats accountable…..even using that old-fashioned method — Shame!
My first sentence should have said “I would not be too concerned about someone on fs using foodstamps to purchase a birthday cake, there really could be a valid reason”
i went to a pick n save store here in wisconsin a week ago….and unfortunatly i too have a story to share with you regarding the abuse of EBT funds,,,,,this woman had cases of soda at least 8 to 10 steaks and countless other junk food items in her cart…..i looked at her shaking my head in utter amazement and she had the nerve to tell me to mind my own business….i said lady im paying taxes for you to abuse freely so dont give me any lip about your careless shopping habits….the cashier smiled at me and said she was proud that someone had the guts to tell the person something she wishes she were allowed to do….some ppl truly need the help but a ton of ppl freely abuse it and brag about it on youtube and sadly theres even ebt videos posted flaunting its abuse….lets hope something can be done about it but im not counting on it
In the early 80′s I worked for the Township version of Welfare. Some of the files I worked on were begun in the early 1940′s & they showed up every month for the Township to pay their rent & utilities. They showed up driving Cadillacs, dressed to the teeth some wearing furs! One man was pimped out & healthy. I asked why he was on relief & was told “because he “volunteered” as a dj at a radio station & didn’t have time to work! The job was a temp job. They offered me full time. I turned them down.
I am a person using medicaid and foodstamps, why? Because we can not afford it, I was working I worked for as long as possible til my daughter’s illness had gotten worse.
I have 2 children with special needs, and I can not work due to 4/5 appointments a week, and traveling 6hours to one appointment 3 times a month!
I do agree that those who ABUSE the foodstamps and ADC should be introuble.
but DON’T give everyone on them a bad rep.
I am ONLY On it because I NEED to be!
Wish there was *thumbs up* icon for this article and many, many of the comments. She’s right. Put restrictions and time limits on social programs, and stop stealing from the tax payer’s. It will be better for the people on the programs; having limits and goals, and it will make the general public happier to help.
Extremely well written. my wife works for a grocery chain and could have written this letter. The storys she tells me are neverending wonders. sometime she sees over $3000.00 left on a food stamp card. There is MASSIVE fraud here and you are allowed to buy soda and lobster with your card. I’m all for assistance, but the way this Govt is set up, there is no incentive to do any better for yourself and get off assistance. And UNFORTUNATELY, Pres Obama wants all of us dependent on the Govt. A double whammy. My question to all the dogooders in DC, where is your never ending number of taxpaying, hardworking Americans going to come from??There is only a limited number of WORKING people. The rest are unemployed, looking for work, over 99 weeks looking for work or retired.
Since when is Social Security an entitlement Mr. CDog? I paid into it for over forty years. My employers paid into it for over 40 years. I think I’m entitled to drawing a bit of it out now that I’m old…I’m sure you’ll feel the same when you reach my age.
I also pay my medicare payments even though I’m not sick. What do I receive from Medicare? Nothing. As soon as I reached 65 the Govt starts taking it out of my SS check, even though I don’t use that benefit. Kind of like insurance, isn’t it?
Get informed before you post so people won’t think you’re such an ignoramus. Thanks.
Well said. Excellent article. I agree that Welfare should be a temporary crutch, not a life-time entitlement that some people think they deserve.
I have to say something about this tho… I do know of people who abuse the system… But, there are people who do need help. The young lady writing this story… tell me do you make enough at walmart to support yourself with no help from credit cards or your parents? I look at the whole situation this way. If you fit into the criteria of being able to qualify then you deserve them. Not having a job right now is the norm for many. If you cant make enough even if you do have a job then that says something about how the system is messed up with the pay rate. But when you live outside of your means by using credit cards… that says something about you. You are not really making it yourself. The stuff you charge on your card is like welfare until it is paid off. You are doing no less than borrowing something that isnt yours. Tell me how many people go bankrupt to avoid paying for living outside their means… You cant REPO food you eat that you paid for with a credit card. Everyone… should have to pay with cash!!! Lets see how well you live then!!!!!!!!!!!
Judgmental cashiers who have been blessed enough to not be on welfare are the reason many of us choose the self-checkout line. Especially those of us who are the majority of people on food stamps and simply found ourselves in hard circumstances, needing to use the system for a while. We don’t want to be judged for what we purchase, as we won’t judge you. We don’t want to be judged for our clothing or our iPhones — perhaps that was a gift; perhaps we are stuck in a 2-year contract. The system was created for people like us, but it is people like you who make it so humiliating.
Thank you for your observation. This permanent welfare is not helping this country.
As a previous poster said, being on public assistance used to have a stigna associated with it. I concur that it would be nice if it still had the stigma, but it doesn’t. When I was a child, my mom (single mom) had to get food stamps. She was mortified, but we needed it. She had lost her job. However, I believe we only on it for maybe a month or two. She found a job and got off the assistance immediately. There was nothing worse than paying for groceries with food stamps. It was embarassing to say the least. She never wasted that money on stupid items either. She made it last so we could eat and not be HUNGRY. She did NOT have a birthday party with a cake from the bakery department.
As for the people buying lobster and steak…that is ridiculous. I have heard several people, some on this comment section, say they deserve to have a nice meal. I say “really?” Did they work for that meal? I don’t have food stamps. I work every day and I have had some rough times where I have had to go for 2 weeks with $10 in my pocket and barely had enough gas. I am not on food stamps, I won’t go on it unless it was absolutely necessary. I don’t get lobster or steak, because I cannot afford it. If you are food stamps, then you can’t afford the lobster or steak either. You are using someone else’s money to buy extravagent items and that is NOT right. To me, this attitude that they “deserve” this is getting out of hand. Why does one deserve something expensive when they haven’t worked for it?
Wonderful article. Thank you for your excellent and well written/thought out perspective!
I am a couponer/price matching queen at “The Wal-Mart.” I am always amazed at how hard I work to save a dollar for our family and yet I see so many wasting tax dollars.
Makes me so sad.
Thank you again!
This young lady needs to understand life from a few more views than that of her own privilige and narrowminded view ( republican) in this case.
This country was founded on some very basic and humane principles,
i.e.
All men are created equal,not to be confused with what or whom we are born into!!!
I understand that people suck, but so does walmart. What were you expecting?
LOL is someone unearthing the old Reagan lie about Cadillac-driving welfare queens?! I think anyone who takes a tax credit or deduction should be drug tested.
And let us not forget that Maine is a welfare state. They get more money from the Federal Government than they give in taxes.
Lori,
You said it all!!
How much larger do you want government to grow in order to enforce your personal opinions on what types of food SNAP recipients do and do not deserve to buy?
will the list be updated annually? will it be a whitelist or blacklist? how much government money will be wasted on administrative hearings contesting incorrectly classified food items, how much government money will be spent defending lawsuits from manufacurers who’s products have been excluded?
what would be the criteria for inclusion or exclusion? what would be the criteria for evaluating the performance of the criteria for inclusion or exclusion?
Wow! Very well written article! Thank you for showing us that there is hope for the younger generation of Americans!
I have been on both sides of this issue- as a young mother with young children we were abandoned by my husband. He packed up, left with his girlfriend and never came back, never paid a penny of child support and hid on the reservation so they couldn’t come after him. We applied for foodstamps and health care for the kids. We were on for about 9 months. I was always careful to buy as much good healthy food as possible, but when birthdays or holidays came it was a blessing to be able to get them a cake and some candy because they wouldn’t be getting anything else. I was constantly disgusted when at the welfare office by the people there in brand new clothes, driving nice cars, talking on their cell phones and bragging about how much they were sucking off the government and giving each other tips to get more and how to stay on as long as possible. Even though I had paid my taxes for years it hurt my pride big time to get on foodstamps and get the health care for the kids, but I had no option. The second we were able to get off we did. I also told them NO to the cash option- I was working two jobs and I didn’t want anything more from them than we had to take. It’s embarrassing to be on welfare.
During that same time I also worked as a grocery store cashier and was absolutely appalled at the fraud going on. People would have a cart of junk foods and convienence foods to use their foodstamps on and then a cart of clothes, jewelry, games, toys, shoes, etc. they paid cash for. I personally know a woman who has been on welfare, every single program available (and yes, earlier poster, foodstamps ARE welfare) since 1997!! In her state you are supposed to be limited to 5 years max. for welfare, but she is still on it to this day. She brags to everyone how she works the system like a pro. She has a nice house she pays less than $100 a month in rent for after assistance, her utilities are paid for, her phone is paid for, her food is paid for, her daycare is paid for, her car and gas are subsidized, she has a dozen different churches provide them with Christmas and another 6 agencies/charities doing the same. Her kids (all different father’s) have 10 times the gifts my kids ever had or will ever have! She refuses to work although she is in great health. She is now going to college, again, for FREE, along with cash to live on while attending. She already has 2 AA degrees, never has worked with them one single day, is taking another AA course and a bunch of fun classes for different arts and crafts and exercise. I have turned her into the foodstamp fraud line, the welfare fraud liine, the FAFSA fraud line and made calls to the various charities and churches providing for her and she STILL is getting everything FREE!!!! It makes me sick!! Her oldest daughter is now doing the same thing- they live together and lie and say she has to pay the mom rent so the daughter gets foodstamps and cash assistance now along with FREE college for her second degree too!! She never worked one day with her first degree (which I paid for). It is generational because that is what they teach their children, these leeches on the system.
It is most definitely BROKEN and in NEED of HUGE amounts of change!!! BHO is not going to do anything about it- his goal is socialism and making us as dependent upon the government as possible is a huge help to him.
Wow you’re judgey
I want to say one other thing, don’t give this young lady are hard time. She is absolutely right. She is not judgemental. She is just being honest and if you are not abusing the system, you should completely understand the point of this article. This is about abuse of the system and those that use it permanently. Not the people truly in need, who uses it as a hand up, not a hand out.
If you are getting lobster with your food stamps, you are abusing the system. If you are buying your supplies for your hot dog cart, you are abusing the system. If you are going to the bakery to buy a fully decorated cake that is 10 times more expensive than getting a mix and frosting, you are abusing the system. If you are on your iPhone and buying lobster at the same time…you are abusing the system. But I guess it is ok, it isn’t their money right? Why be frugal?
I have been on food stamps, so don’t give me the “walk a mile in their shoes.” If I were to get on food stamps due to bad circumstances, I would buy inexpensive items and stock up. I would not waste other people’s hard earned money on lobster for one meal instead of buying 3-4 meals worth of food. I would instead be a good steward with that money and buy as much as I could so I felt good that I didn’t waste their money and made it last. Remember, this money is not the government’s money, it is the money from tax paying citizens of this great country. Everytime someone abuses the system, it puts this country deeper in debt and thus requiring the hard working citizens to fork over more cash. This assistance doesn’t come off the government money tree. Sometimes, I think that people don’t realize where this money comes from. It comes from your neighbor, the woman at the check out line, the bank teller, the plumber, etc. It shouldn’t be abused…ever. Even if you think you “deserve” a lobster dinner.
@Sheri-I don’t have a credit card! Nor would my parents let me get one. My family is not rich, nor are we poor. We’re a typical middle-class family. We don’t vacation every year. We don’t have a massive plasma TV. My parents worked extremely hard to put themselves through college (my father working 2+ jobs) so that they would be able to provide the best for my brother and I. My brother has been working each summer (and into the fall) at a seafood restaurant since he was 14 years old. He’s got thousands of dollars saved in his bank account. My brother and I understand the value of hard work thanks to the good example provided by our parents. I’m thankful for all that I have been blessed with.
My question is what did you do about it?
I agree 100% with this young woman. I worked for the Dept. of Social Services in the 70′s and saw firsthand the waste, fraud & abuse that runs rampant in the system. It’s passed on from generation to generation and they don’t know what it is to earn something from the sweat of their own brow…..just given to them without earning it in some way. Enough is enough! I’m sick of it. I see it in the stores when I check out. Paying with food stamps and WIC but they have blinged out cell phones, gold teeth, designer basketball jerseys, nail manicured, hair extensions, and 3 or 4 kids in the cart under the age of 5. Sickening!
@Lori… Perhaps that humiliation will provide you with incentive to get your hands out of my pockets
This was very well written and I did not see it as directed at those that need short term help. There does need to be a safety net that allows people time to get back on their feet. There is however some confusion about accountability in our country these days. Neither I nor any other working class person is responsible for helping others evade the consequences of their bad decisions. Long term welfare needs to go away.
I have to say that although I agree partly with what you’re saying, I have seen the ‘other side’ of someone who had to have food stamps. One of my best friends and her family had to live off of food stamps for 6 months. They didn’t want to. I actually encouraged them to get some financial help. Her husband lost his business and lost all their income. He looked and looked for jobs. She did as well. They didn’t get anything for months. If they didn’t get food stamps, they wouldn’t of been able to eat. Some families have been on food stamps for years and it’s hard to get out of that type of life. Think of the people who live in some of the poorest areas in Appalachia. I have heard that if you are born there, it’s hard to get out of there. Not to be mean to you and what you said, but if someone is on food stamps, are they not allowed to have some of the advantages as the middle class? Can they not be able to eat a steak and have an ice cream cake? They should be able to have some of the same luxuries as the rest of the people who can afford them. They shouldn’t have to just eat mac and cheese and other high starch foods because that’s all they can afford. It’s just sad all around. The person that had the i phone maybe had just lost his job and had to go on food stamps and didn’t get a chance to cancel his phone. I’m not saying that people don’t ‘milk’ the system, because not everyone is honest and eventually it will catch up to them. But, I know many families who have filed Chapter 7 just this year. Many families who have been able to live a ‘normal’ life and it changed in the blink of an eye. It’s unfortunate that the families on welfare have generational apathy. But not everyone on welfare is considered ‘lazy’. Some people just have unfortunate events that take place in their lives. I stood in line before when I could barely feed my family when my boys were young and watched people with food stamps purchase all kinds of wonderful foods, while I had to stick to a budget of less than $100 per week for groceries.When my husband was in the Navy and we were a young married couple with a baby, we made $500 too much a year in order to qualify for WIC which would have provided milk, butter, eggs and cheese for us. We lived in an attic and were below poverty level. Even through our hardships and never getting assistance, it didn’t make me bitter. Over the years, my views have changed to where I can see where people need assistance. Our country is very fortunate. We have the best country in the world but yet there are poor people who live here and their lives may never change for the better.They may never get out of their struggles. I think if someone tries to find a job, works diligently at searching but yet can’t find one, it’s okay if they have to rely on food stamps. They shouldn’t be judged. They may not have the opportunities in their lives to change their destiny. None of us know what their true lives are like. We can’t judge them whether we are a cashier at a grocery store watching their purchases or in line behind them scanning what they buy. No one really knows except for God and the rest of us can’t determine their true hardships or lives unless we walk a mile in their shoes.
One mistake: That IS how welfare was intended – for aid until the children grew up. It was intended for widows who had lost the breadwinner of their families – or at any rate was expanded out of this relief for widowed coal miners. The worst mistake made was making welfare available to never married mothers and denying benefits to married women. Husbands abandoned their wives because it made economic sense to do so – and even to never marry at all.
Wow! How judgemental can you be. To believe all who receive Food Stamps do not work!!
I hope you no longer work in the public sector. No I do not receive Food Stamps and Yes! I work.
Your time at Walmart taught you that using the proof by example logical fallacy is okay. You need more college.
“Judgmental cashiers who have been blessed enough to not be on welfare are the reason many of us choose the self-checkout line. Especially those of us who are the majority of people on food stamps and simply found ourselves in hard circumstances, needing to use the system for a while. We don’t want to be judged for what we purchase, as we won’t judge you. We don’t want to be judged for our clothing or our iPhones — perhaps that was a gift; perhaps we are stuck in a 2-year contract. The system was created for people like us, but it is people like you who make it so humiliating.”
You are one of the many that did not read this. Her issue is not with those that need help. It is for those that take advantage of the system. If I lost my job – the “toys” would be the first to go. A lot of hard working people view this the same. I grew up in a working family that worked HARD and needed help from time to time. The kind of help as above. It was used for a short time – when needed – and that was it. We got through it. The iPhone, I am sure, is just one of many examples that she could of chosen to use. Another being $200 jeans, lux cars, name brand hand bags. This is what has upset people – including the writer. Nice clothes as a gift? Come on, we all know the rarity of that.
I also work for Wal-Mart in Maine, and its the same thing day in and day out. What I find even more comical is when the welfare moochers bring in piles and piles of coupons, to save money on the money that the state gives them every month? Its one thing if you are financially unstable and are unable to afford groceries upon all your other finances. I’m actually excited that Paul LePage is going to do something about this (first time I’ve ever agreed with him), but something seriously needs to be done.
I work for a collection agency, collecting on medical bills, and Medicare & Medicaide are our too major payers. Some ppl I talk to think they are intittled to healthcare, and scream at me telling me “Mediare will pay for that I don’t pay a thing” that idea of no responsibility is scary.
Thank you for writing this article. These real-life examples help to make your points clearly and definitively.
Wow! Must really be nice to be a kid making judgements on something you clearly no nothing about. My kids are on Food Stamps. I buy them steaks and birthday cakes too. You know why they get Food stamps?? Their deadbeat father refuses to pay child support and refuses to get a job. He sits around all day selling drugs. I take care of them with that food stamp money. If I didn’t have it they wouldn’t get enough to eat. I don’t make enough to afford the food for 3 children along with clothes, shoes, school supplies, doctors, rent and everything else they need to live.
I am the Father to these children. The sperm donor walked out on their mother when the smallest was 3 years old to get milk and never came back. So next time you wanna start judging why don’t you try walking a mile in our shoes. You worked one summer. I have been working since I was 15!! I run a REAL business I am a Sign Maker & Printer. My taxes pay for your Education. When you were born I was already holding two full time jobs and going to school. My wife has been able to find work in 3 years after being laid off as a Clerk of the Courts. A real JOB not some clerk at a Wal-Mart. So, yes my kids are entitled to those benefits. I pay for them with my Corporate Taxes!! Which are a lot more in one month then you have ever paid into the system.
The Republicans & the Democrats are both at Fault for our lousy economy!
Brilliant young Lady!
I gotta say using food stamps to buy hotdogs and then selling them is freaking brilliant. Wrong, but brilliant.
The simple fact of the matter is, public assistance or not, you do not buy steak and lobster with your food stamps. I am not on public assistance at all. I work 55 hours a week, bust my butt to provide for my family, my husband works nights. I went to school, got my education while working nights and paid for school by myself. I did what I had to do to get ahead, all while doing it without state assistance. There is nothing wrong with individuals who need some TEMPORARY help, this is the major problem, the system is abused. This topic makes me so angry. People have a sense of entitlement, these benefits are not owed to anyone. The person that wrote about credit cards, there is a big difference. If you do not pay your bill, there are consequences; what are the consequences for state assistance fraud? There are none, this being another problem. I do not buy steak for my family, we drive an 11 year old vehicle, I do not have internet on my phone and have a free phone that I received. Yes we may have the luxury of some items, but when I go out and work 55 hours in a week, I think I should be able to have a luxury item once in a while. I try to coupon for my family to save money, most individuals on food stamps don’t care, it is not their money.
My thoughts are all over the place, but this topic makes me so angry. I se it all too often. This young lady did a fabulous job and in my opinion did not judge anyone. It is not working individuals that humiliate those on state benefits, individuals that make such purchases and flaunt their state benefits do that and unfortunately it does hurt those that truly need the TEMPORARY benefits. I deal with unemployed individuals on a daily basis, jobs are few and far between, but there are jobs out there, especially during the holidays, but again people don’t want to work at McDonalds, etc. A job is a job-contributing member of society.
I could go on and on on this topic, I SERIOUSLY hope someone stops this horrible welfare system!
@Carl – So there was $3000 left on the card. How does that indicate abuse? That tells me they qualified for more help than they used. We need more people like that.
I lost my job unexpectedly. I qualified for food assistance for eight months before I even applied for it. Some people really don’t want to “use” the system but for their own reasons, which are none of your business, they do need the help. Churches, not the government, should provide this help. But they don’t, or can’t. Maybe because the people are taxed so much they have nothing left to give the church.
There has and will always be fraud in systems. Be it Welfare, Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Assistance, Government Contracting, Tax Returns. Lets find law makers that know or care enough to fix it before it takes us all down! You’d be amazed at how much beverage alcohol and drugs etc. are purchased by selling food stamps at a discount to others or exchanging your purchase for an in store credit to take to the liquor dept..
What this comes down to is a complete imbalance between rights and responsibilities. I have certain rights because I fulfill certain responsibilities. Others demand these same rights, but refuse the responsibilities.
If all men are created equal, why do I bear the burden of work, taxes, paying for my own food, mortgage, clothing and children, while others don’t bear these responsibilities equally?
Welfare is wrong. I would feel more benevolent, more generous, if the government wasn’t forcibly taking my money and giving it to others who demand it.
There are people who need help in this world. It shouldn’t be the government who provides the help. It should come from family, church and community. Everyone I know would open their cupboards to a neighbor in need. Likewise, everyone I know is resentful that the government takes from our cupboards and supports many who demand it because thy feel it is their right to take from others.
They are not relying on the “State.” They are relying on the sweat and toil of their neighbors and the store owner in their home town.
AND Just an FYI, unemployment benefits as well as state assistance are not benefits nor determined by what you pay in and is not an “entitlement”. Unemployment benefits consist of taxes, pd for by the employer you worked for…not by the individuals’ working
Well written. Nicely done!
Great write up! This info is sadly no surprise, but must be shared nonetheless.
“PISSED OFF at Judgemental Children” you need to just pipe down. If you took the time to read the article which clearly you didn’t then you would’ve seen she was “passing judgement” on those who abuse the system and do nothing to get off of it. So for all your accusations of people being judgmental you’re clearly the judgmental one here cause I doubt you even read the article or else you would’ve known that. An somehow my mother was in a similar situation as yours worked 3 shitty jobs and went to school full time an still managed to support me and my brother making sure we never went without anything that we needed. Me and my brother had no clue the sacrifices my mother made and all while NEVER GOING ON SOCIAL SERVICES, so by the sounds of things you and your “family” don’t really need it much cause I doubt you’re making less then an paying more in taxes and bills then my mother did seeing as how we live in NY one of the most taxed states. So really quit being a hypocrite cause I doubt you need social services near as much as you’re making it out to be or else you wouldn’t be getting fucking steaks an amazing birthday cakes for your children. People like you make me fucking sick you really do cause there are people who make sacrifices for their family an not going on social services when they don’t need it oh and are also not feeling like they’re entitled to anything in life like clearly you do, cause let me tell you something the only thing you’re entitled in life to is breathing and basic civil rights. Feeling entitled to money that isn’t fucking yours isn’t something you’re fucking entitled to. So please just shut up cause people like you honestly do make me sick an we need drastic reform to make sure shit like that stated in this article NEVER happens.
Clearly some people here did not get the JIST of what you were saying. Those of us with half a brain understood completely. ABUSE folks. If your on welfare it’s NOT OK for you to have an Iphone and it’s NOT ok that you get to buy lobster tails, or hold up a line and be rude to the cashier because you think you are entitled to that vacuum for $3.48.. Give me a break! When I went through hard times, I scaled back.. it’s called sacrificing and I sure didn’t have a $300 phone with a $100 a month cell phone bill and purchase Lobster! Your not entitled to what I earn! Great Article hon, you nailed it!!
I don’t know. I actually don’t see as much of a problem with that. It at least shows a sign of some economic thinking. Ifbthey can get more for less then there is less of a chance of them complaining like the real moochers out there. It shows a possible push to step out of the position their in, which is the actual purpose of food stamps, temporary assistance to get you on your feet.
Isn’t spending Food stamps, putting money into Americans pocket helping the USA out, any? Plus, why do people on FS should be made to eat low grade meats, and the cheep stuff that’s loaded with sodium and preservatives? Geesh, I guess us po folks will never win.
Well no, they are not meant to eat “lower quality” meals, only within their means.
Putting other people’s money into the socket of others doea not necessarily help the rest of the country. Eventually you run out of everyone elses’ money. It doesn’t create jobs only maintains a few.
Awesome article! Thank you so much for summing it all up! I agree with you 110 percent
I HAVE walked a mile in the shoes of some of the people who are on welfare and assistance. The difference is, I worked my tail off to get OFF of it as soon as possible, because I know how easy it makes a person decide it is smarter NOT to work and ride the system. I also did not want my daughter growing up thinking it was a viable option in anything other than absolutely necessary circumstances. Face it, people are hurting. Many more right now are on assistance than has been for many many years. They need it to feed their families, and pay their bills. But I can say there are many who abuse the system and ruin it for others. Lobster and Steak on food stamps? I would never have even thought about it. Do I understand needing to use what you are given to keep things at a “normal” for your kids’ birthday? Yes. But purchasing a cart every month of junk food and stuff that is not necessary all because you have the money, when the hard-working people I know can not afford to sit down at a steak dinner more than once every six months, just makes me sick. Short term assistance should be completely available to anyone who needs it. Long-term…no way.
I completely agree with everything you have said! I work in a grocery store, although smaller than Wal-Mart, we see this kind of thing everyday. Someone will come up to pay for their “groceries” with their EBT card. Then after this transaction is all said and done, they pull out a wad of cash and want to buy cigarettes, lottery tickets, and alcohol. If you have the kind of money to be supporting your addictions, then you don’t need the assistance that so many others are denied!
I for one am against government welfare programs. If there is a desire of the public to help the destitute, let the public do so at their own discretion. Private charities are far more efficient and would receive more donations if people weren’t bound to giving 30% or more of their incomes to an inefficient state involved in acts of charity they have no constitutional mandate to undertake.
Thank you, Christine. Providence should be proud to have a student as intelligent, insightful, and articulate as you.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.
Give him a fishing pole and you feed him for life.
The State is not the savior of mankind.
The entitlement mentality runs so deep here in Maine. Watch how long it takes for one to cross the street, or fist fight over the closest possible parking spot for a large person to conserve each and every calorie, ride an expensive little scooter, and then demand to have beer, cigarettes and tattoos paid for by my tax dollars.
I am so sick of it.
I have to say that abusing the system is wrong. But you do not know the stories behind the people that go through your line. And to judge them, or to eqaute them all as “losers” or “moochers” is also wrong. My mother used foodstamps to put food on our table, without it we would have gone hungry. My parents are both hard working people but just don’t make enough to cover the basics. We often didn’t have a phone, and we never had cable or internet growing up or any other extras. I’m all for reform and fixing the holes in the system, but there is a real need for Welfare.
You made some good points but your one sided understanding of this problem frustrates me. You can’t make a fair and equal agrument without understanding both sides.
Good start, but it doesn’t tell me much that I don’t know from being behind the entitled man who was upset he couldn’t buy a half-gallon of milk (rather than a full gallon, much more economical per unit) with the WIC benefits his presence in the household was probably hidden to receive.
Tell me something that actually surprises me:
- The guy from Massachusetts was using benefits from his state in yours, yes? I travel a lot for work but it had never occurred to me that one state’s EBT cards could be used elsewhere. Did you have anyone come from farther away? Maybe they were on a long vacation from not working, and not exactly traveling coach? Maybe they relocated from a high-cost-of-living, high-benefit state without sending in a change of address and are abusing the use-it-anywhere part of electronic benefits transfer?
- The ‘S’ in SNAP stands for “supplemental,” and money is fungible. What were some of the bennies supplementing?
The article is good writing, but the outright examples of abuse are thin. For two summers of your life I suspect you can dig in and find better.
By the way, the State of Maine also pays for this class of people to not only shop at Walmart all day, but to go online day and night. They own the internet and can flood posts like there is no tomorrow. The rest of us have to go to work so we can stay up all night and post.
“What, young man, do you do for a living?”
Answer: TANF
24 year old able bodied men playing video games all day because the doctor signed on saying “Attention Deficit Disorder” and now they are “disabled” and go about breeding. They do not feel like a man, so they must prove it. Each breeding means another welfare recipient for the working class.
I don’t care what the story is: you don’t work, you don’t eat.
Great post. And my boss is an alum of Providence.
When someone on welfare has a bill it is added to their check, this is why they can have a cell phone and cable TV.
Lynn, I was one of 10 kids and my mother and father worked as many hours as they could and refused food stamps. They had their dignity.
You could have done without the oreos.
Where is your self respect?
First of all, I agree with JenB. The first time I saw responses about getting a cake for a birthday, I thought ‘Do you know how much a cake from the baker costs? I could get mix and frosting and make about 4 for the price of that 1 cake!’ Too lazy to actually make a cake, I guess. Secondly, no, if you are on FS or WIC or whatever, than you can’t eat like you did when you were working. Microwave ‘convenience’ foods shouldn’t be allowed on those programs. What happened to buying flour and bread, ground beef, vegetables and noodles and actually ‘cooking’ a meal?
I used to have a good job, but got laid off. Looked for work for over a year to no avail. I collected unemployment. My wife also lost her job in that year and we looked into FS. But our unemployment was higher than income limit by $60 a month and since we don’t have children we couldn’t qualify. I eventually found a job for 40% of my previous income and took it. It paid less than unemployment. That company lost its contract and I am now unemployed again. My wife is still unemployed. The bank just filed a notice of foreclosure on our house.
Now, do I feel like I should be entitled? No. Do I eat the food I used to? No. Our budget for groceries is $25 a week. We have never gone hungry. We cook all our meals, don’t go out or order in. To feel that you are ‘entitled’ to steak, lobster, store made cake or the like is just plain wrong. I understand the occasional ‘hand-up’ but even then, it should be used way more responsibly. We cancelled her cell, dropped the land line and cable, do our clothes shopping at thrift stores. I have no sense of ‘entitlement’ or anyone oweing me anything despite our situation.
Crousselle – very well written and visionary article. We need more of you in this world.
Since we have to have a government license to have a dog, why not start licensing cats? Then we can use the money to give to the walmart deadbeats who keep making babies?
Just be thankful Allen’s Coffee Brandy is one of the five food groups for Mainers.
This, along with Marlboro, Wild Turkey, and Diet Pepsi can be ingested with Ice Cream to make up a healthy balance for my food stamps.
I agree our system is messed up but I want to show both sides of the coin. My husband and I were doing fantastic, bills paid, little extra in the bank, etc. Then our lives took a nosedive in 3 months. My husband was diagnosed with a cancer that most don’t survive. Then to top it off, I got laid off during the recession. We had to go on state insurance and thank God we did. If we hadn’t gone on Badgercare, we would have lost everything. Evantually I did get back to work, but only 28 hrs a week. “Yes, I would prefer to work full-time but I can’t work more than that. The reason is because even though he survived the chemo treatments, the chemo treatment was so severe, it did the worst things imaginable to him. 1. Toxic Neuropathy. He can no longer grip a hammer, hold a drill or do anything basic for what he used to do. Somedays I have to hold his hand so he can sign papers. How can someone like that work? He has to use a walker and has had 3 surgeries. 2. Heart damage. He has had a heart attack and due to the neuropathy, he can’t feel heart attacks. He can’t exert too much and will be having bypass soon since the chemo messed up the bottom of his heart.
My point? We went on food stamps and state insurance to live. We have a young daughter and would it have been better to lose our home due to massive medical bills and should she go hungry because we needed help? I cried when we went on assistance because I was ashamed that we needed to stoop to that, they were the ones to tell me to not be ashamed and that everyone needs help at some point in their lives.
If someone wants to buy some soda, a cake or even a steak, it’s money they were given to use. But here’s the thing, they are only given so much to spend in a month and if they choose to blow it in one shopping trip, it’s there problem. There were times my daughter wanted gummy worms or some cookies. Is it her fault her daddy was dealt a raw deal and she should go without? I admit, there was a time or two I would buy my daughter a Disney movie so what, that was my hard-earned cash from my job and if we chose to do that instead of taking her to expensive fast food joints or to the movies. A movie is something to watch more than once at home and it’s thrifty. Buying a CD is cheaper than a live concert. I watch people mismanage money in all walks of life, I watch people drink up their paychecks in a weekend and ask mommy and daddy to pay their bills, isn’t that welfare? We are no longer on the state insurance because my husband is now on Medicare for the rest of his life. Do you think a 51-yr old is happy sitting on his butt at home, absolutely not, he would give anything to work. Sometimes in life, choices are made for you. I always laugh listening to people I know who will party every weekend or go on extravagant shopping trips to Mall of America or expensive vacations and then cry about not having money and family will bail them out. It’s just a different form of assistance. It’s all gross mis-management. I can tell you we only got $350 a month to eat on. We had a garden and canned a lot ourselves and bought our meat in big bulk to save lots. I would use the money to buy noodles, potatoes, milk, bread, the staples needed. I remember feeling so ashamed because I could see eyes scanning my cart to see what I had and I got to the point I would shop out of town so if I did get judged at least it wasn’t anyone I knew. We don’t know what goes in some homes so please don’t lump all in one category. There are 3-4 generational welfare manipulators out there, but there are some of us that just needed to live. We are now off the insurance and EBT card, we still struggle, but we manage. This article just confirmed what I always felt, people are looking in the carts and judging. No one bats an eye watching a mother who has their baby in the cart who has 3 cases of beer and 10 bottles of booze and 6 cartons of cigs with nothing but junk food as long as it’s paid with their money. Is that any better? I couldn’t buy anything but food with my card and I made plenty of good choices, but there were times I would get my husband ice cream because it was the only thing he could stomach after chemo, was that wrong? If my daughter wanted chocolate syrup in her milk once in a while, is that wrong? Look, I’m all for people being responsible, but if you start telling people what they can and cant buy to put in their mouth, that’s ridiculous. My parents would come visit to help out when I needed to spend time with my husband at the hospital and they would eat the food in my fridge, it was EBT food, was it ok for them to consume it while I was at my husband’s side? Just try to not jump to conclusions until you know all circumstances in every situation.
I really agree with what this young lady is saying. Why is my college graduate daughter paying in half of her earnings as taxes? Since she has worked hard to get her degree, and works hard at her job, she has to pay for those teenage unwed moms. I am not saying that there are not people who truly need help but so many abuse the system. If you have one child, get welfare, and then have another one, YOU should have to pay for the second child out of your own pocket. One of my other daughters who went to school and works, needed dental work done….no help for her but she was told “well if you had a child” you would qualify for help….our government programs are designed to keep you on government aid instead of giving a hand up they give hand outs…
I agree with most of this, but I do have a few comments to make. My husband and I receive food stamps and Mainecare. I am a full time student and mother. I worked and paid into the system, and my husband always has and continues to. I pay for my groceries with food stamps and I have an iPhone. I had an iPhone long before the need arose for me to be on state aid. I am pretty sure that the $25 that I pay for my data package would no relieve me from needing assistance, and I claim with the state what my true earnings and expenses are. Also, I have purchased steaks with my food stamps. The lobster and enormous birthday cakes, I can semi understand the critism, but how can somebody be judged for buying steak? I just finished my first semester with a 4.0. For me welfare is not a way of life but a way to make ends meet until I can do better for myself and my family. I do not really appreciate judgement about my iPhone and steak purchases.
And there are people like myself that started working at the age of 14 and in 1998 I became disbled and I live on a very fixed income and I do have a EBT card and the state helps me with my medical, because I worked most of my life and mim. wage. And people that have retired that there income, does not pay the bills and they have to go on EBT card and medcaid. And we paid into these programs when we were working.and now we have to sign over our life insurance and all our belonging to be sold by the state when we die.
I am on welfare. Screw you people. I have 4 kids and don’t want no stranger raising them. I have 4 baby daddies who don’t pay no child support to me. The thing is that the other kids in school all have nice cell phones to text each other.
I demand cell phones for my kids.
I have four kids.
Why should my kids be looked down upon by your kids?
I demand a cell phone for each of my chlldren so they can call 911. Skool should not be demanding homework but give out iPads to help my kids.
This Christmas, their Skool gave me an iPad and I said that I got three other kids what do you expect them to do share? It is not fair.
If I had a job and was a tax payer I would be so mad right now.
To NIKKI: The reason why we all have a problem with them buying steak and lobster is that those of us footing the bill and paying for those food stamps CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY THE SAME THINGS because we are paying for these people’s food stamps.
To the gal who said we should walk in her shoes: I HAVE walked in your shoes, been on food stamps briefly when my daughter had a heart condition before her surgery and I had to shut my daycare business down and stay home with her because she couldn’t be around other kids in a daycare. I still didn’t abuse the system – didn’t buy the expensive stuff, but continued to buy as I always had, keeping in mind that just because I was getting some help from the taxpayers temporarily, it didn’t give me the right to buy a bunch of expensive extravagant food. I was very careful what I spent it on (this is back when they actually had paper stamps). Because of my careful spending, I ended up with extra at the end of every month and when I went off of food stamps, I actually had enough to pay for a full extra month of groceries. I KNOW what it’s like, and it doesn’t give those on it the right to abuse it by buying food the rest of us can’t afford to buy. There should be strict limits on what types of food you can buy with it – no junk food or only a small amount of it, basics like beans, veggies, fruits, meat, dairy, stuff so you can make your own meals – which is what many of us do now in order to survive and eat. They should NOT be able to purchase soda, candy, or other crap like that.
Exactly….. there must be limits to what you can purchase. The basics, bread, milk, beans, etc. No lobster, crablegs, sodas, etc. Heck, I cant even afford lobster!!!
Karen, since you are “disabled” and do not have a job, how do you even pay for online service to post here?
P*ssed off at judgmental children,
Was your wife holding out for a management position for the last three years a la “cousin Eddie” from Christmas Vacation? Maybe if she had lowered herself to working at WalMart you wouldn’t be collecting welfare to feed her children.
Kristen, you know damned well that you don’t pay $25 per month for iPhone service, but closer to $100 a month.
You get my tax dollars to pay for your food while you have a $200 iPhone.
It is wrong. You are stealing.
You’re a smart young lady… I’m glad you saw the reality of what has become of our country. It’s up to all of you young to spread the word and make others realize what the liberal left have done.. This once great country has turned into a hand out entitlement society. And those of us, and now including you, that would dare want to take these entitlements from these poor destitute people are evil.
Sad time for most of us!!!!
Well written!! I experienced the same feelings when I worked at a pharmacy for nine years. We had a drive thru and people would pull up in their brand new cars, one time even a Lexus, pull out their Medicaid card for their prescriptions. Or they would come to the counter with a handful of candy and soda and pull out their food stamps. If a medication was not covered by medicaid, it could’ve been $5.00, most would not pay for it, “it should be free, that’s why I have insurance”. Insurance??? I thought you paid for insurance. I was a single mom, lived in an apartment, that I paid for, had insurance from my job and drove the same car I had since I was sixteen until I was 24. While I still worked and was raising my son, I decided to go to school to better myself. I now have a wonderful husband and we both work and sometimes we still struggle. But it humbles us and we do not have a sense of entitlement, as I saw from many of my welfare customers.
This whole system is so screwy. If you can afford to buy a cell phone and a huge TV and drive a newer vehicle and buy cigarettes and booze, then you can afford to buy your OWN FOOD. I drive a 20-year-old car, have a small TV, don’t smoke, don’t drink, and I struggle every month to make ends meet. I work 60+ hours a week and I RESENT the fact that those who live off welfare have all of those things that I don’t have – the big TV, the new car, etc. Something is seriously wrong with our system when those who are supposedly poor and need help have nicer and newer stuff than those who are supporting their butts. People who call themselves poor in this country have No CLUE what poor really is. Poor is people living in huts or tin shacks in Africa or South America with dirt floors who wonder where their next meal is. Very rarely are people in this country POOR.
That being said, for the person above who was disabled, the system was meant to help YOU, the disabled, the person who truly can’t work. I have NO problem helping somebody who truly cannot take care of themselves due to no fault of their own. That’s what we as a moral people SHOULD do. I do have a problem helping those who just plain don’t want to work and just want to enjoy life while the rest of us work our tails off and have no life in order to support these lazy butts.
Defining problems are easy, lets come up with solutions!
Yes amazing article, instead of cutting corners in education and increasing taxes on the more fortunate so that the less fortunate can continue to spend careless money.
good read!
1. Lock in the (democrat) votes through dependency on welfare programs.
2. Promote fraud, waste, abuse. Burn through those tax dollars.
3. Demand “the rich” pay more to support the welfare state.
4. Take down a once successful freedom loving capitalistic society.
5. Totalitarianism!
Christine, you’ll be able to write another great article just based on the many ridiculous comments you are getting here. Great job. You hit the nail right on the head.
If you research the Colward-Piven strategy from back in the 1960′s, this is all by design. It was claimed that Cloward-Piven failed, but in reality is was just delayed.
Going to college isn’t a “right.”. If you can’t afford to go to college and feed your family at the same time, you decide which is more important. It isn’t up to the government to feed you or your children.
When I worked in social services I used to ask expectant parents how they were going to support their child. The vast majority said “TANF” as if it was a career choice. Maybe if people had to worry about how to support their kids, and didn’t feel so entitled to welfare, they would act a little more cautiously in regard to procreating.
Good piece! I’m looking forward to more from you. Thanks!
It is a well thought out and intelligent article. No one article (this is not a full documentary it is a singular article) is designed to or has the capacity to explore every crevice of every perspective of the issue being discussed.
Those of you ranting about how not everyone abuses the system or accusing the author of being judgmental clearly do not have a firm grip on the English language or are reading from such a biased perspective you could not see her repeated comments of understanding that there is a legitimate need.
The article acknowledged the legitimate need and also indicates clearly that it is in response to abuses to the system, not legitimate need. And you also show your liberal venom through launching personal attacks against someone who has a differing opinion.
Try to pull your head out of your own ass, gather the courage to look honestly at yourself and your life and implement a plan to turn it around. That does require a bit of personal responsibility, if you can handle it. And before you tell me to walk a mile in those shoes, I have and well more than a mile.
I love my job.
Let me explain.
My job does not pay much but it pays:
The rent and utilities
Food
Medical is covered fully
Free college tuition (though I don’t go)
Internet access
Cell phone
Cable TV
Xbox games and connection
There is a little left over for beer each month.
I don’t have a boss, I make my own hours, meaning I sleep until 11 or 12 noon each day.
I take breaks whenever I want.
I go wherever I want and most places give me a discount.
Some days I don’t have to get up if I don’t want to.
Most days I just play video games, watch movies and relax.
I am not up for any promotions and do not push myself.
Every day is stress free; no boss, no struggles, nothing.
I am a welfare Maine recipient.
I get paid for keeping a pulse. This I have been able to do for more than 38 years, and have been paid for almost 20 years to do so.
I suspect that I will keep this pulse going a long time since I don’t wear out with stress of a job like you have.
As long as you will keep the politicians worried about my well being, the longer I will live my stress free, work free, care free life.
THANK YOU hippies of Maine! Thank you for your compassion for me.
do you know the circumstances of these people? The iPhone may have been a gift. Last I knew lobsters were food. You make all these judgements without knowing the circumstances behind them. Sort of a typical conservative shoot from the hip kind of comments. The guy running the hot dog stand may not make enough money to live off so he may qualify for food stamps. I hope you never find yourself in the position of some of these people that are use food stamps and welfare and noone subjects you to the same attutude that you have.
when they allowed the use of EBT (credit cards) it took away the humility people once had about being on assistance. its easier now to be on foodstamps and nobody knows..i am not saying those on assistance should be dirty, or that they can’t buy their child the coolest cake at wal mart..but having to rip out those paper dollars was alot harder than swiping a card..probably easier to track the spending and what its spent on though if using a card. I agree, they need to taper people off if they get a job. me and my fiance both work 40 hrs a week and my kids and i have health insurance, but our fridge is bare three days a week, and we rarely can afford fruits or veggies…it would be easier to not work and get help.
jaycee,
clearly the iphones are all gifts, and the $100 per month is paid for by someone else, and Lobster is an essential food group.
Typical liberal nonsense.
I can’t afford Lobster and I can’t afford an iPhone because I work at a job.
If you want to pay more of your paycheck to the Walmarters, do so on your own free will and stop judging us!
Why can’t I buy deoderant with my TANF? You know I be stinkin
i have to agree with this post in some ways even though i am a single mother and receiving foodstamps and maine care. i dont recive much but every little bit helps i do feel embarrassed that i have to lean on public assistance to help feed my son and pay for medical attention. i have tried in the past to file for child support but they told me my sons father was on tanf and not resposible to pay for child support even though his partener was working full time. his father passed away last year and i found out my son is not eligble for survivors benifits because his father did not work enough (you dont pay in they dont pay out) understandable. But the woman over the phone told me to call my local welfare office i was offended i receive as much help from them as i can get i work full time and pay taxes i couldnt imagine purposly relying on tanf. i have been on tanf in the past for a few months and i tell you what 350$ a month doesnt go far. so please tell me this am i a welfare queen?
My thoughts are simple; we cannot condemn everyone because they buy cake or steak with foodstamps. Welfare isn’t the only area in which fraud and waste exist; all classes in our society has cheated the government (if you please) Therefore when we try and come up with a solution; our focus should not simply be EBT, Medicaid or TANF and ignore the other causes.
This problem is bigger that all of us.
NAMJ
@Crousselle – I do not want to enter this heated debate. I just wanted to say to you that you beautifully put into words the way that I feel. So many times I think, “My goodness, must be nice to have your bills paid for you” especially when I see homeless people in Maine who do not qualify for benefits because they don’t have a physical address. No one should be homeless or hungry in any state; when you deny people of the two basic needs that human beings need I think it is sickening. We need to reign in our spending so that the people that need assistance can get it. A friend of mine worked most of her life as a hair dresser and was diagnosed with brain cancer. She spent her savings on the chemo and went to apply for assistance; she was denied because she had “made too much in her working career”. Apparently, the state doesn’t give a damn if you’ve worked hard your entire life and your life savings went to pay for your medicine. She died 7 months after her diagnosis receiving hand outs from family and friends and putting off bill collectors because, what the hell? She was dying anyways, right? Makes me want to continue working…real motivation. I’m a firm believer of helping those who help themselves, and I believe that when used correctly welfare is a good system, but I also believe it needs severe reform with a 2 yr time frame. Two years is plenty of time to find and secure a job and a realistic time frame to make the necessary living changes you need to make for your family. We need to seriously re-evaluate how we view members of our society especially when you will service an individual with food stamps, but you will not do the same for a homeless begger who just needs some pocket change to get a cup of coffee to warm up on a cold winter day.
Dear Capehart:
If you have “4 baby daddies” maybe you should consider permanent birth control. God knows I don’t want to pay for any more of your kids!
I agree – the money is not managed well. We as a NATION have developed an entire “gimme” generation.
I am a single mother with a young son. I have no extended family. I bust my butt every day on the job and it is still not enough to pay all of the bills.
I don’t have a fancy phone but I do have one – I don’t own any credit cards but I do have an EBT card.
My side of the story – I think it sucks to be judged by the cashier checking me out – she has not walked in MY shoes – she doesn’t know my story. I pay taxes too so I do not feel I should be degraded because I don’t want to eat bread and water with the aid provided by the state.
I know all about the people related in this story. We have to adjust attitudes and not just take away benefits. How many dependent people do well going cold turkey? Massive reform and knowledge on how NOT to be addicted to the system.
Instant gratification…it is a deadly disease. If I teach my young child anything it will be to stand on his own two feet.
Maybe some people DO work. FULL TIME jobs and just fall short. Does that mean their kids should go WITHOUT birthday cakes ,etc? Maybe people shouldn’t be so quick to judge, and try walking a mile in their shoes ….
I’m glad some one is paying attention. Great article, I hope this makes it into the hands of lawmakers who have the ability to change this gross form of capitalism!
I can save billions of dollars:
Take down all the walls and remove all immigration laws.
One thing, though:
If you come to this county, you cannot get any welfare benefits whatsoever, until you have paid taxes for 10 years.
Immigration would come to an abrupt end.
I took my neighbor to Wal-Mart on Sunday. She and her husband are taxpayers who nearly lost their lives (and their children) in a car accident, when their sedan was t-boned. They are not financially on their feet yet, and their car won’t be ready for a few more weeks. She has EBT and it’s a godsend. I saw only wholesome food going into her cart. She is slightly afraid to leave her children to go back to her mid-level executive job and she’s the major breadwinner, but she’s making up her mind to go back soon. Her husband works a loading dock and his money goes to rent and utilities. I am glad there is somewhat of a safety net. Think of people who have it worse than my neighbors! We will all have a peaceful Christmas, with three children and a mother who could have been killed.
We had a low-class patient at the doctor’s office I worked at who started not paying her $10. co-pay. Once her amount due reached $100. she started becoming very belligerent every time we told her she had a balance and needed to make a payment on it. Yet she still expected a same day appointment when she got sick. The arrogance of these people is astounding. I then went through her drive-thru at Wendy’s and I should have told her to bill me later. After all I needed to eat, right? And why should I pay for something I “need”.
mommytot,
you can make a cake instead of using my tax dollars to buy one at a bakery.
I make my kids cakes and dont do welfare.
I see this daily in the medical field- it is never ending……
I can make as many babies as I want as long as I love them.
You can and will pay for them.
How dare you judge me for judging you when you judged me and my babies!
Free iPhones is a RIGHT of the poor like me and my babies!
Mel,
Maybe if the government didnt take money from your paycheck to support its programs, you wouldn’t need to extra help with food stamps.
welfare was never intended to be a permanent way of life, but a TEMPORARY helping hand.
I think everyone on welfare needs to be drug tested monthly in order to get there welfare..half the ppl are crack heads who can work but don’t. It’s disgusting.
Excellent article Christine!
I worked for Arby’s for more than five years. I’d see people pull up in brand new vehicles and ask to use their EBT cards! But what got to me even worse was a few of my employees… One example was this young woman, who made a pretty good living off the government cheese. In fact, everyday she’d tell me about some new program she was exploiting. Meanwhile, I’m slaving away, working 50+ hours a week, for a meager salary(well below the cost of living). I know what some are thinking right now – “Arby’s doesn’t pay enough to make a living.” Well, truth is, she could have worked full-time hours, if she wanted to. She could have even moved into management, if she wanted to. As she could do her job very well, when she wanted to. But if she worked too many hours, she wouldn’t qualify for as much assistance! And Arby’s would even cater to her! That meant her hours were capped at 30 per week. If she was gonna go over, I’d have to let her go home, and run short-handed. Nothing I could do, while keeping my own job. By the way, her wage from Arby’s, plus cash assistance, was about 50% more than mine, as a manager. She lived with her parents, and two kids. Her mom was making like $16/hr watching her own grandkids as a ‘PCA’. And her dad was likely collecting enough pension to pay for the whole lot of them. I didn’t get a number off her for that, but I know railroad pensions have a reputation for generosity.
I feel your anguish, Christine.
To those of you who believe the author is being judgmental – Take a good look at yourself. You see a picture of a young, pretty, white woman, and automatically you assume she has not known hardship or strife. That she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, never having lived a real life of the underprivileged. Do you know her? Have you met this woman? Do you know anything of her story that you haven’t read here? Who are you to judge? At least she has given examples, and related observations from her own experiences! She didn’t say they had no right to buy a cake. She asked why they needed a ‘big’ cake! Didn’t here a peep about the good old buck and a quarter box of cake. Steak and lobster? Quite frankly, I wouldn’t care if someone spent their entire EBT on one meal. But guess what, while I think the whole program is too generous; I’m quite sure they’re not getting enough to pay for lobster a few nights, and eating like college student the rest of the month. I’d doubt they’re doing that anyway. Chances are they’re making up for it at the local food shelf.
Perhaps the author is a little too kind.
Ok, so I was about to wrap this up when I happened to scroll up to see a comment that I’d previously skipped. I’m all for a lively exchange of opinions, and perhaps a tiny bit of attacks, but this post has indeed struck a nerve with me. And I shall respond to it exclusively in my next comment.
Those who accuse & judge this young woman for being “judgemental” against those who abuse the system are hypocrites! You chastise her but yet make assumptions. Those on welfare & food stamps need to be held accountable, just as I’m accountable to my employer. I believe they need to keep receipts for every dime spent & if after one month, things don’t jive, then good bye assistance. They should only be allowed to purchase food where an electronic receipt is issued & those receipts are entered into a database, where calculations are easily made at the end of every month. It doesn’t compute = ZERO money! I doubt most people who have nice nails, iphones, nice clothes, etc were given those items as gifts. We live in an entitlement society. Try talking to people who actually have to issue Welfare to a good deal of people who are only out to abuse the system. I realize that some people absolutely have no choice and for that, please apply! Soda, candy, chips, etc should not be items that those on Welfare should be able to purchase…only healthy items. I’d like to see stores giving free vouchers of fruits & veggies to folks because at the end of the day, a lot of it goes bad & to waste. Losbster & luxury items should be a “no no” but sometimes,steak can be purchased at a great price. I’d rather see a child eat steak, fruit, & veggies than candy or sugary cereal. Perhaps buying a birthday cake, every once in awhile,could be approved by the Welfare worker. I know someone, whose partner was a Welfare worker & she would try to hold people accountable, cut them off after the five year limit, but they called the governor’s office (who was a Dem at the time) and get approval to remain on assistance. It seems to me that’s keeping people down so they’d vote for you. These two are Democrats too, but the truth is the truth. If you’ve ever read Ruby Payne’s book about people in generational poverty (not situational poverty, there is a difference), she talks about what is important to people in poverty & a big one is entertainment. That’s why you will see 15 satelite dishes in front of a shack of a home or a brand new car, huge tv, etc. Her book isn’t to judge people, but I do take issue with it at times. Again, where is the accountability? There are some people who are too physically or mentally ill to ever work & I’m glad there is a safety net, a very tiny one, but one nonetheless.
mommy of 2 special needs…. Did you read the article completely? Most people understand that hard times happen but Welfare and entitlement programs were not supposed to replace a job, self-reliance, and personal responsibility, they were meant to help when circumstances beyond your control put you in a situation in which you needed help. What the article was pointing out is that there are far too many able bodied people taking advantage of a system designed to help those down on their luck. Abusing it to the point that those of us working and paying taxes are becoming angry and resentful. As a poster put, “if a person wants to buy a steak, lobster, candy, what is wrong with that?” Here is what is wrong; I buy my own groceries and can’t afford to buy steak, lobster, and candy most of the time so why should I be OK with someone who is depending on the fruits of MY labor to buy their food buy something I myself can’t afford? Poverty should be uncomfortable so people want to get out of it. Our current system has allowed way too many people to live comfortable lives at the taxpayers expense, and I am tired of being told I am mean and greedy when I get angry at people who are perfectly able to work that refuse because they can live well off MY work.
While it is a viscous cycle I would agree, you’re missing another fine point. WHO GOT THE MONEY? Wal-Mart! Who lobbys congress to NOT make the changes. Wal-Mart. You see what you fail to miss is that Wal-Mart owns one of the top 10 fastest computers in the world. They won’t publicize it, but that computer system tracks every SINGLE purchase in every store in the country down to the item, store location and register number that it was purchased at. They KNOW this fraud goes on but not only want it to continue but the lobby to keep exactly what you describe happening. They dont want the flow or the loopholes to stop on any of that. That billions in lost revenue. So again it is a viscous circle.
Voting Republican will NOT fix this!
it’s not the people who recieve helps fault it’s a faulty system. We have received food stamps in the past and I bought steak and Lobster, but the Lobster I bought was only 4 dollars. It doesn’t matter what they buy with the stamps. You only get a certain amount every month so if they want to buy lobster and caviar who cares. they’ll go hungry the rest of the month.
I agree with the majority of what you said. I myself and my family are currently on food stamps at this time. My husband was laid off from his job in June and has still not found a job that fits his line of work. He has been on unemployment since July and as of January we will have no income because his benefits will end. I am a stay at home mother of 2. There are alot of people who abuse the system. I just wanted you to know that not everyone does. Thank you for your article.
Well, Well, It’s not only the lowly south that has this problem!!! Some people work two and three jobs while these freeloaders are enjoying the fruits of everyone else’s labor!!!
This is why you vote “Republican”? Maine is a Republican run State deary…they have no one to blame but themselves.
A very well written article… most of us agree that the misuse of food stamps and state aided funds is wrong… that is simply a no brainer… the rub comes in who determines what is just and unjust…. we all can see… prime rib & lobster seems a bit over the top for all of us budget conscience people… I own my own business and work a gazillion hours a week, I eat lobster once a year for my birthday and steak a few times a year…. It would not be my place to tell people what they can purchase…. but with only X amount of dollars… it only goes as far as you are smartly buying…
Living on state/federal funding your whole life is OBVIOUSLY another no brainer… I am against it, GET A JOB!! That said… thru my own work within my community, I will say that some people can not work, can not hold a job…. do not be confused…. I am not talking about those making a career of working the system… but the few, the real people that suffer from real issues…I have been up front and personal with soup kitchens and neighborhood centers…. not everyone is trying to “get one by” the system…. those people deserve our help… the true question and issue is… how do we help the deserving, the people who really need the help… some of which will ALWAYS need the help…. they should not be penalized for the ones that abuse the system…. It is NOT about making a judgement against others… but about using good judgement!!
Well, the only thing I can say about this situation is that people on FS are allowed a certain dollar amount per month, if I’m not mistaken. If they choose to blow it early on expensive food, then later in the month, they will be suffering…the only thing I feel bad about is the children who may not benefit from their parent’s poor decision making with the food choices. The total dollar amount can be spend more wisely, but if it’s their choice to buy steaks,etc…they will suffer in the long run (or maybe they don’t need the benefits to begin with)…and I don’t agree with the people who are on public assistance and have Iphones or the equivalent….even if the phone is free, the monthly plan and data plan are more that I can afford, and I don’t qualify for this kind of assistance…
Missy, when I was growing up BEFORE THERE WAS WELFARE, people worked 2-3 jobs in order to take care of their families, even if it meant slinging burgers in a burger joint. You do what you have to in order to take care of your family, and NOT depend on others to do it for you. You said, “My husband was laid off from his job in June and has still not found a job that fits his line of work.” Why isn’t he working 2-3 jobs in the meantime while he is looking for work in his line of work and not taking unemployment? I don’t mean to come across as a mean ogre, but seriously, why isn’t he just working other types of jobs in order to pay the bills…and why aren’t you working? Why should we the taxpayers pay for you both who are clearly able bodied from the sounds of it because he can’t find a job “that fits his line of work” and you are home? I totally get the wanting to be home with the kids, I really do, and I commend you for that, but why not get a job while he is home and can watch the kids so you can afford to live?
I work 60+ hours a week and until recently worked 80 hours a week for most of my adult life. My job field has been lost thanks to gov’t mandates destroying my work field. I now work 60+ hours a week having taken a 25% pay cut and don’t something that isn’t quite the same as my previous field that is more difficult to do physically. I barely scrape by and am praying my car doesn’t die at 20 years old because I can’t afford a payment, BUT I live w/o gov’t assistance. Even if I qualified, which I suspect I do for energy assistance anyway, I wouldn’t take it because I was raised that you take care of yourself and don’t expect others to do it for you (unless you are unable to work due to a disability, then that’s a whole ‘nother ball game).
Food for thought………….
I witnessed the exact same thing at two different registers at TARGET on the same date. I had to leave one register because the person in front of me was arguing with the cashier. From what I overheard, she had almost $200.00 of groceries in her cart and was upset because she had to pay $1.68 out of her own pocket. BTW, she was not at all malnourished. At the registered I retreated to, a man was arguing with the cashier because he could not use his food stamp voucher card to purchase a blender. If you think this fraud is bad, just wait until Obamacare kicks into full gear!
I personally don’t listen to college kids. Got too much of their parent’s and their professor’s brains going for them and not enough understanding about how far this country has collapsed. God, she is from Maine! There’s a 1% state for you if there ever was one. No jobs, inbred politicians…unfortunately for Maine it won’t get any better until somebody folds NAFTA and starts penalizing and overtaxing companies that sell American jobs overseas or over the border. She strikes a chord, definitely, but a blind, one-sided version of it considering where she is from. Stand up for your own instead of the few who are REALLY killing this country.
so if your on food stamps your kids are not aloud to have a birthday cake??? and if you try to get walmart to go good on a mistake that they priced wrong than that makes you a welfare queen?? i for 1 made them go good on a computer they priced 1000 bucks cheaper than the real price. and guess what they had to when i showed them i had taken a cell pic and was going to report them to the bbb. the thought of a person buying a slip n slide for their kids as being a bad thing doesnt ring right to me. so because the parents are going through hard times the children shouldnt be aloud to have fun??? i think you are a stuck up over privileged snoot that should be less worried about who you wait on as a cashier and more worried about what will happen to you or your grandmother if your money is suddenly gone one day and there is no system to help you. not everyone abuses the system and to generalize people like you do without knowing them or there stories frankly makes you and ignorant self absorbed brat!
BTW one more point, Name me one single solitary republic governor who has eradicated welfare in his state? I’d gladly show you statistics for every state. Also one other thing to remember “There but by the grace of God go I.”. Point a few less fingers, judge a little less and support your local food bank. You can get the items pretty cheap at Wal-Mart.
People abuse systems of government, people abuse animals, people abuse their own children, people abuse other people. Instead of standing in judgment try and put yourselves in their shoes. There are many issues that that cause people to be temporarily on some sorts of welfare as well as situations that cause people to be on long term welfare. Why don’t we think of socially responsible ways of dealing with this that provide relationship, education, graciousness.. you get the idea. Unfortunately, people don’t want to get their hands dirty, give up the their time, energy or worldly goods. I have been on food stamps now for 4 years, and I am scared to death to lose them next year. We eat food that is thrown away. Yes, I eat and prepare food that the stores will not sell and would otherwise be thrown in the garbage. I am a governmental healthcare recipient. I tithe to my church. I help my neighbors. I am sick of these welfare conversations. I know to many that hoard and are unwilling to help those in need.
MT, the point is WHY SHOULD THE TAXPAYERS PAY FOR IT? If they want to have their kid have a birthday cake, they can buy a $1 box of cake mix and MAKE ONE THEMSELVES. If they want the kids to have the extras, GET A JOB. It’s NOT the taxpayer’s responsibility to make sure their kids have something fun in their lives – we didn’t have the fun of making the kids – it’s THEIR RESPONSIBILITY to take care of them and get them what they need…NOT OURS.
I know a lot of people on Tanf and food stamps I’m disabled so I recieve food stamps but there are people who lie to the state to keep there benefits so they don’t have to work
Although I agree with many points in the article I just want you to know that the EBT cash isn’t always welfare. I know that where I live a lot of times the EBT cash is child support that is being paid. It frustrates me when people abuse and take advantage of charity instead of trying to support themselves. But while I am currently on foodstamps my husband and I are trying to get to a point where we can feed our family without them. I have been able to get off WIC but it is a work in process. So be kind as you consider the poor idiots that abuse the system because not all of us are that way.
This is not true to everyone on food stamps!! I work, go to college, required to have an internship, which was unpaid and have a toddler who needs to eat, as I do not have support that can help anywhere else. I believe just because I can’t afford the decorated cake because I am doing too much, my son still deserves to have it!! Before fighting everyone on FS, spend one day in their shoes and see what it is like. I am not saying there aren’t people out there who do abuse it, however when you have eaten basically nothing worth awhile forever, because you can’t afford it, what is the problem with one Porter House Steak?? Absolutely nothing. It would be nice if people would step back and investigate the situation before assuming!!!
Christine R, you are too pretty and smart to be working at Walmart.
Bite your tongue young lady. Karma is a bitch and hits hard. Someday you’ll be unemployed and hungry and will do anything to feed your family… You’ll feel like a fool for writing this when you’re on Food Stamps Assistance.
As a parent who is currently receiving food stamps, I partly agree with this article. There are people who use and abuse the system. The buy other people’s food stamp cards, sell their own etc, However, to judge the people you see with the cards, is different. Their “toys” could’ve been a gift, or they could’ve gotten their “toys” or nice clothes before they lost their job. I work almost 35 hours a week, have a Bachelor’s Degree (although I am unable to find a job in my field at the current time), support my daughter all on my own, I pay my bills (and have a nice cell phone but got it on a deal at my cell phone company and am on a family member’s plan so I pay considerably less than if I had my own plan) and take care of my daughter all on my own. I receive food stamps, but use them as they are meant. Not everyone that receives food stamps are “welfare queens” or abuse the system.
this girl had my attention until she said “this is why i vote republican.” there are lots of instances where welfare is abused, no doubt. i’d say the percentage of people who do it is just about the same as the percentage of white, republican businessmen i see with their black amex cards taking “clients” (aka prostitutes, other people’s wives, escorts, underage girls, family members, friends) out to dinner and writing it off as a tax deduction because it somehow qualifies as a business dinner. in other words: it doesn’t matter if you’re poor, rich, dumb, smart, whatever. chances are, somewhere someone is taking advantage of a system that’s put in place to help the people who really need it.
Dawn, I commend you for going to school to better the situation for your child. You obviously have the goal of trying to get off of welfare eventually. GOOD! You should be proud of yourself.
That being said, however, I HAVE been in your shoes before, going to college and raising 2 kids. I worked full-time, paid daycare out of my own pocket, and took 18 credits a semester (a full load was considered 12 credits). I didn’t depend on any gov’t benefits at all. My daughter is raising her son, working full-time, going to college full load, and the only benefit she gets is Medicaid/title 19, which she would prefer to get off of and will be off as soon as she finishes school.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of those on welfare know how to WORK THE SYSTEM. I have seen my ex-hubby’s family talk about all the stuff they can get and do with welfare – get food stamps, medicaid, housing assistance, energy assistance, also frequent the food bank as often as they allow, go to community action and get huge bags loaded (over a year’s supply) with free shampoo, conditioner, other bathroom needs, kitchen needs – dish soap, garbage bags, even free bread, potatoes, etc, and get their trailer fixed up for free…basically they don’t spend a dime of their own money taking care of themselves. When there are free food giveaways, free hair cuts, free meals, they are there. They KNOW how to milk the system – and this happens all over the country. In the meantime, they have new computers, huge screen televisions, internet access and spend all day playing games on Facebook. They DON”T WANT TO WORK and why should they? Everything is handed to them. There isn’t a lick of responsibility they have to put forth to take care of themselves.
Those who work hard and still don’t make quite enough to make ends me, I don’t have a problem with helping them – PROVIDED THEY AREN’T SPENDING THEIR MONEY ON BOOZE AND CIGARETTES AND DRUGS and expect us to cover the shortfall because of their wasteful expenditures. Your freedom to imbibe in stuff should not infringe on our freedom to enjoy the fruits of OUR labors because you take all of our money.
I am a state help recipient in the state of Maine, and I too agree that there is a lot of abuse in the system. Then there are those, like me, who shop around for the best prices, so that I can feed my daughter a well-balanced diet, necessary for her health. That being said, you can rest easily knowing that when I have 8 or 10 steaks in my cart, it’s because they are london broil cuts, on sale for $1.89 a pound, because it is a big grilling holiday weekend (Memorial Day, 4th of July, etc). That specific week, it is cheaper for me to buy steaks, than it is to buy chicken. My family will have a steak dinner that night, using 2 of the steaks, then the rest will go in the freezer for another time. We don’t purchase meats at full-price, always when it’s the butcher’s choice for the week. If you saw me with 8 or 10 steaks this week, you just might see me with 4 or 5 packages of chicken next week, if it’s what’s on sale. It means that there is always food in my house, purchased below regular price, so that my daughter doesn’t go hungry.
@MT, nice name calling! Again, you make assumptions. What about making a bday cake? Much cheaper! Lobster & steak aren’t rights. Those who say, “who cares how they spend their food money?” Really? Do yo not realize they have to go to food banks or use other resources that could go to people who receive nothing per month? What about children, which is my biggest concern, who get nothing nutritionally? With all that being said, I have a much bigger issue with welfare for rich rock stars!
I never meant to imply that everyone on the system was a “welfare queen.” These two women were every bad stereotype of a welfare user–overweight, obnoxious, not intelligent, surrounded by children, bossy, arrogant, and rude. Plenty of people used foodstamps at work who were nice people, and I wouldn’t classify them as “queens.” If a person is actively working hard to get off the system, they’re not a queen. If a person is receiving benefits due to severe illness or disability (legitimate disability), they’re not a queen. If a person and her friend show absolutely no shame using no less than three welfare programs, lies about prices of other items (most people don’t request a price change before it’s scanned; she did), and attempts to get a 40 dollar vacuum for three dollars…well that elevates that person to queen status.
Okay Paul – really $25 bucks a week for two people to eat? That’s crazy. That’s $12.50 per person per week – that is $1.78 a day for each of you. I would like to know where you shop, what you eat, and whether or not you hunt.
I lost my job when the company I worked for decided that a 22 year old that wore low cut spandex and didn’t need health insurance (she had medicaid for her son) was a better bet than a 50+ year old breast cancer survivor (who had her own medical insurance through her husbands job. Unemployment helped while I tried to find another job – but it ran out and I still had not been able to find another job.
3 Years later my husband lost his job. Unemployment insurance kept us afloat – we both had to take our SS early. No one wanted to hire a 65 year old man in his field, and any other.
My health insurance costs just went up from $538 to $617 a month – I’m not 65 yet – my SS check is $676 a month. Our net income a month is about $1200. We live in a 35′ 15 year old motorhome that we bought with the last of our 401k.
I gather from many many of the comments here that we should give up all the comforts that we had before our lives fell apart and should live an austere life of deprivation. It’s easy to say that when you’re young, employed, and have never faced adversity. It’s easy to judge – and I am guilty when I see someone in a store with a basket full of junk – but you and I do NOT have the information or the right to cast stones. I look askance at a basket full of junk from a nutritional basis – not because I begrudge them the food.
if you are on foodstamps you shouldn’t be able to use coupons to stretch the money you do get? If you are on foodstamps you should only be allowed to buy cheap cuts of meat (chicken feet and turkey necks???), and low quality products that you wouldn’t eat? Yeah, we’ve given up a lot of the things we love. We can’t afford good wine anymore, we don’t buy steak unless it’s in the 50% off bin. There is no expensive cheese in our fridge, no well stocked bar. We gave up our Blackberries and went back to our old cell phones – we’d like to give one of them up but the cancellation fee is too high. We don’t travel, we don’t go to movies. We’re thinking of giving up our pets – three of which we’ve had for over 8 years because we can’t afford to care for them like we always have.
Yeah – I know, none of you young judges of humanity will read this through. You will all be sitting there trying to figure out how the hell to tell me I should or could cut my expenses and give up even more. But let me tell you – I’ve worked hard, given up stuff (including a half a breast!), raised 2 kids, donated $20 a month to St Jude’s for 8 years, done all the right and good things that my heart dictated, helped friends, and now . . . if I need assistance to live you don’t think I deserve it??? You don’t think I should have SS or Medicare??? You don’t think I’m “entitled” (by paying my own bill) to have cell phones, internet, or any comforts in life??? You have the nerve to judge people! Walk a mile in their shoes. You don’t mention if you have a cell phone, an Ipad, flat screen TV, good health, a nice car (ours is old), nice clothes. Do you go on vacations, out to night clubs, out to dinner???? Cross your fingers and hope to God that adversity never touches you!
Firstly: When you mentioned your month and year of birth, I suddenly felt quite old. So, shame on you for that.
Secondly: Years upon years ago, I worked as a cashier at a national grocery store located in a small college city in Texas. While employed, I was disgusted to see customers purchase “snack” items with their Lone Star Card (the Texas version of EBT). It wasn’t at all uncommon for one to buy a bag of chips and 20 oz. of Coke as their snack. I was disheartened.
This is a very thoughtful, thought-provoking column. Thank you so much.
It reminds me of the time I spent working as a bank teller in 1982 — I had to cash welfare checks for people driving late-model Lincoln Town Cars and Cadillacs.
Congratulations on being a college conservative, and good luck. I know from experience that it’s not easy.
I have sat here and read the majority of the comments. I have been told fs is not welfare. Anyway. Scatterbrain here so bare with me. You do need to walk a mile in “our shoes” to know what it is like..if we want to buy steak we will buy steak…I happen to look for the cheap steak and dollars off coupons on it etc. And Brandon what is wrong with using coupons to save your foodstamp money, especially if you do not get much per month and it has to last for a family of 3. Learn the circumstances of that person BEFORE you judge. Stop being so judgemental!!! I am not gonna go all bible here but God created all ppl equally. Now yes I am on fs but I am disabled and not able to work at this time. And I get a check on the 3rd of every month and I get Meicare/Medicaid. So does this make me a welfare queen as some of you have put it? Some of you really have no idea how hard it is. You can’t buy healthy foods because they are too expensive, so maybe that is why you see junk food. Food I use to buy 6 months ago, I can’t buy now because prices have gone up and trust me I noticed. We struggle to put food on our plates daily!! You really need to not judge it hurts, kind of like bullying it is what my son is learning in school right now that bullying is not cool and is wrong. Being judgemental like this is also wrong, giving those dirty looks without knowing the whole story is wrong. Do you think ppl on fs like coming in to buy food? Personally if I could I would rather do it over the internet. And yes I have a cellphone but I have a straight talk cellphone…no bells and whistles just plain jane cell phone. And obviously I have internet, but I have kids too that need to do research and homework too. And I own my own house too, and no…no one helped me with that.
Im sorry, while there are abuses this is a one sided view. First of all most of the money she would see (some 99%) would be FOOD STAMPS, which is limited to FOOD items, and most pre-made foods dont count either. Second, Walmart , who was first “made in America” then “made in China” is responsible for the loss of tons of jobs and small businesses all in the name of profit putting tons of people out of work. Some 40 million PLUS people are on food stamps now. If you eliminate the minors and those in nursing homes that is one helluva percentage of the population.Why dont you try comparing the cost of the food stamp program to the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or better yet to the costs of the bailouts of corporate america. It is easy to put people down without knowing their lives. Next… People can be on unemployment and receive foodstamps, or even have a relative pay for their phone as a gift.
“I never meant to imply that everyone on the system was a “welfare queen.” These two women were every bad stereotype of a welfare user–overweight, obnoxious, not intelligent, surrounded by children, bossy, arrogant, and rude.”
Gee I’ve met lots of people who were overweight, obnoxious, not intelligent, surrounded by children, bossy, arrogant, and rude who had plenty of money and thought that that entitled them to all of the above!
I work 20-25 hours a week, it’s all I have been able to find so far. I bring home on a good week maybe $230.00. My rent is $325.00, lights around $90.00 most of the time but last summer went up to over $200.00, water is included in my rent. I do not have cable. I use a friend’s internet. I do have a car, it’s paid for, gas is about $30 a week, insurance is $60 a month. I have no credit cards, no other bills. I only qualify for $64 a month from EBT. I have no health insurance but I do have health problems. I get my medicine from the Wal Mart pharmacy, all 3 that I have to take every day are on the $ 4 list there. When I get sick and go to a doctor I have to insist that any prescriptions have to be on that $4 list. If it’s not, I can’t afford it.
I have no family that could help and I live alone. It’s not a good way to live but it’s all I have. I used to get $165 a month EBT but I was able to get a few more hours at work and that was reduced to the $64 that I get now. I used to be able to get a steak that was reduced for quick sale, can’t do that anymore. Think about going to the grocery store and only having $64 to spend for a month’s worth of groceries. Most people could get by on that for awhile because they would have things in their cabinets already, but those won’t last long. What then? Well, you just plain do without. Think about everything that you eat and drink everyday. Why do you deserve those things and other don’t? Everyone deserves to get something extra every once in a while even if they a poor.
By the way, I graduated from high school and have several certificates of continuing education from a major university. I have always tried to better myself and have worked almost solid for the last 23 years.
There will always be some people that abuse the system, but please don’t make the ones that don’t suffer because of the ones that do.
I agree with a lot of this article, but I have issues with some of it. I worked at the same Walmart in Scarborough from 1996- 1998, and then the Auburn store from 2003 until 2010. My husband and I owned our home, were raising 5 children, and owned a store while I worked in Auburn. While working there full time, I also put myself through nursing school. We had a situation of hiring the wrong person to run the store, and that left us losing the store, our home, and our safety net. We got foodstamps (no cash). I bought my childrens birthday cakes with it, and I don’t feel bad about it. They deserved it. I am working in a better job, but still cannot afford everything like I did before. We still get stamps, and yes, I buy steak on occasion. I bust my butt, and work hard and we deserve to splurge sometimes. We don’t get enough to eat for the month, I supplement it. But I am grateful, and not ashamed. I WORK.. I pay taxes. I am not sitting home being lazy. Not everyone that gets help is mooching. You don’t have to be unemployed to get them. Disabled people get them. Granted, far too many claim disability that shouldn’t.
This was a great article, I just wanted to clarify that you can have a job and still get help. Nothing frustrated me more working with the public than to have them not speak a word of English except “food stamp” as they swiped their card. We will always see misuse. It is unfortunate.
“You don’t mention if you have a cell phone, an Ipad, flat screen TV, good health, a nice car (ours is old), nice clothes. Do you go on vacations, out to night clubs, out to dinner???? ”
Cell phone? Yes, because my job requires me to be on call and have it on me at all times. Unfortunately, I have to pay for it.
Ipad? NOPE
Flatscreen TV? nope…a small 23-inch old TV that has half a picture now
Good health? Not really – am partially disabled, but able to work from home with my job
Nice car? It’s 20 years old, has a bad oil leak that would cost too much to fix, and is rusty
Nice clothes? I get my sister’s hand-me-downs. The only things I buy myself are underclothing.
Vacations? What’s that? I haven’t had one in over 16 years.
Night clubs? Not into that at all, work too many hours to even consider doing much of anything outside of the home other than church and occasional meeting with an organization I’m involved in and on the board.
Go out for dinner? Very rarely….Can’t afford it.
Have a life? Not much of one outside of work. My life consists of spending time with my critters and my kids and my occasional meetings.
Do I hate my life? NOPE..love my life. I have the satisfaction that I”m taking care of MYSELF and nobody else is doing it for me. Other than my health problems, I have a good life. Do I want to work less hours? Absolutely!! But…this is what you do in order to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
Remember from scripture ” Those who do not work, shall not eat.” Laziness should NOT be rewarded. Obviously the disabled do not fit under this category because it’s through no fault of their own that they can’t work.
youre a friggin walmart cashier and yet you sit here in judgment of others…. who is really the stupid one here? you sound like a whiny liberal, not a conservative. i LOVE how you people always say “i dont mind if some really NEEDS welfare” well of course you mind, thats why you call them welfare queens. you people complain if they buy junk food, but then as soon as they buy GOOD food, you complain that they are eating better than you are.
You are one smart cookie!!
Let me just say, the funny thing is Medicare thinks they are fending off abuse by not allowing nurse practitioners to sign home health orders. Yet, we do nothing about the issues you have described!
Dear Mr. ‘PISSED OFF…’
Why must you insult this young lady and the millions of others out there who work at places such as Wal-Mart? A cashier is not a ‘real’ job? Get your head out of your enlarged rectum! Any job is better than no job at all! Have you no sense of respect for the hard working individuals in your community who put up with jerks, like yourself, all day for minimum wage? What would the world be without cashiers? All of your entitlement entourage would have no one to yell at. Yelling at a machine doesn’t offer the same level of satisfaction to a belligerent moron who’s blinded by their own ignorance. How would you feel if someone were to insult your profession in such a manner. For example: What does a sign maker do? Scratch some BS phrase on a sheet of cardboard and hold it up on the street corner? Were you the guy I gave a handful of change and a employment agency business card to the other day? See these sort of ad hominems work both ways. For example: Your entire comment shows a complete lack of understanding in regards to basic economics. Quite possibly this bleeds into your business savvy, or lack there of. If you can’t run your own business successfully, how can you claim any ground on issues of economy. Really? You don’t see there being more sense in not paying so much in taxes, so that you may put your own money into the mouths and on the feet of your children? Heck, I don’t even need to insult you. Truth is, you did that to yourself. You made your own argument against you. But as I said in my prior comment, you hit a nerve. And I know I shouldn’t argue with an idiot – The whole “drag you down to their level and beat you with experience” thing. But I’ve got plenty of experience in dealing with idiots via. my previous ‘not real’ occupation. So, I’m not going to hold back. I know that if I show compassion and respect to someone who doesn’t know the meaning of either; they will only use it against me, in some form or another, at some point in time. So, I’ll go ahead and deliver the final blow. Though I know you’re probably not going to read this before it is flagged, and pulled. Have you considered adoption? I mean there’s no reason your kids should suffer because you can’t afford to take care of them. And there’s no reason I should have to pay for your kids’ food because your wife can’t make good decisions. I’m sure there’s a decent family out there, that would love to help you out and take the kids off your hands. Giving them a decent life for which you’re not willing to work for. Perhaps if your wife would get a job at Wal-Mart, she’d make enough to at least be able to cloth and feed the kids. Heck, her employee discount would go along way in helping. But I guess she decided that dignity was more important than feeding her kids. I can’t believe we now live in a country where there is more shame in being a cashier than there is in living on the backs of other Americans. Now don’t try to divert the blame all to the dead-beat father. After-all, it takes two to make a baby. Perhaps, she should have exercised a bit more discretion in who she involved herself with. But she made a mistake, three times, but never the less it was a mistake. People need to learn to take responsibility for their own mistakes. Don’t raise the kids to be bums. Teach them that living off of others is never alright. Sometimes you are forced to, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be ashamed, and doing everything you can to get out of the situation. But to say you are entitled. I do have compassion, but don’t think you can insult me then use it as my weakness.
If you are on Welfare you SHOULD NOT HAVE A IPHONE. You should be ashamed of yourself stealing money from the Goverment. What a SHAME. I hate leaving the grocery store seeing someone get in a LEXUS after they just paid with a EBT card.
Everyone deserves to get something extra every once in a while even if they a poor.
Yes, that’s true, but THE TAXPAYERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. What makes you think you deserve it and someone else should have to pay for it? Since when is it someone else’s responsibility to give someone something “extra” and fun? Before there was welfare, what do you think people did for something extra? Pooled resources with someone else, went without, etc. They didn’t expect someone else to give them something extra “because they deserve it.”
I “deserve” a new car because mine is an old piece of junk, but I certainly don’t expect someone else to provide it for me. I “deserve” a vacation after 16 years of working 80 hours a week with NO vacation, but I certainly don’t expect someone to pay my way for one or cover my bills while I’m on vacation. This “I deserve it” attitude is the crux of the problem here with the welfare system.
unfortunately “welfare cards” did not exist in 1991….although this is quite possibly spot on in certain instances….a good journalist will use only facts to ensure it doesnt lose credibility…thus lose readers….if u want to make a point u must stick to facts… and this was only flaw i picked up on in your article….but im sure u will get the point….
GREAT POST, Alexander!
What a bunch of pre-determined, conservative, judgemental bull crap. You see somebody once and figure you just know their situation. If you’re poor, you obviously aren’t working hard enough right? and you don’t deserve anything unless it’s been manufactured just for you. I have a droid, am on medicaid, and get EBT. I have an accounting degree, now I could be very close to landing a job that could help provide for my family so I can fit into your ideal world.
@Lee, it wasn’t an EBT card, it was a paper card similar to a social security card that said something like MASSACHUSETTS WELFARE OFFICE on it or something. It was signed by Dukakis. (I don’t remember all the exact details; it was from the first summer I worked there.The Dukakis thing stuck out.)
Excellent article, you give me hope for our nation’s future.
I visited Maine recently, and lobster was amazingly inexpensive at the grocery store – I had it every night. But I saved months for this trip.
If the hot dog man is properly reporting his income and legitimately qualifies for food stamps, more power to him. But I’m cynical by nature.
Here is my stance on it. I was in an excellent position as was my wife. We had the big 4000 square foot home, two new cars every year and lived well. I lost my job as did my wife. I did not receive one penny of government aid. I took a lower paying job trying to get by. I paid a huge sacrifice for it. I lost my home and all three cars, a big camper, and my boat. I have now gotten back on my feet due to HARDWORK not a handout. So i imagine some people on here will follow this with some cry me a river stories! But I got back on my feet due to hardwork and not sitting around crying about what someone has written. I really hope this gives those looking for nothing some inspiration to get off their ass and WORK, nothing more nothing less.
I just wanted to point out, that while working in any service industry in Any demographic, people will be rude to clerks, yell at clerks, and ignore clerks. It is difficult working with the public, but weather or not someone has an Ebt card doesn’t make them more or less rude than everyone else. The fraud, is terrible, but then again, so is Wal Mart. why don’t you do an article on the atrocities of this particular corporation? Actually that would be a great piece do a side by side story of “Corporate Welfare vs. Personal Welfare”.
Also, this is a good opinion piece, but in terms of journalism, not so much, phrases like “Welfare Queen” are offensive. But, hey you are young. Life perhaps hasn’t dealt you any hard knocks yet. And lastly, I have an I-phone, only cost me $49.00 everyone knows once your contract is up, you get a great deal on a phone, that is no secret.
I am also a very hard worker and mother of 3 boys and i have 2 jobs and volunteer on the ambulance.. It is not fair to say what people can and can’t buy with there food money and to judge people because of the help they are getting. I agree not everyone that gets help uses it well, but you cannot critsize if you do not know the whole story ..
Sorry for your difficulties, Ed, but I commend you for getting back on your feet by doing it all ON YOUR OWN and with your own hard work. THIS is the American way, and you represent it very well with your old pioneer spirit “pick yourself up by your bootstraps” attitude this country once had. Bravo! You should be very proud of yourself. : )
Well said! You are wise beyond your years!! I too worked at Walmart many years ago as a THIRD job when my husband died without any life insurance. I had 3 kids a home and only accepted foodstamps and a medical card until their social secuity survivor benefits kicked in. Then I would only accept a medical card.While at Walmart I had two welfare queens try similar antics on Christmas Eve. I decided then and there I was going back to school. Proud to say I have been a nurse for 7 years now! I was so happy when I not only mad too much money for foodstamps, but my kids had real insurance!! I have put 3 kids through college as well as myself. All of my children are conservatives as am I. They are 20, 23 and 26 now. Not bad if I do say so myself!!!!
I worked at a Shaw’s in Maine throughout high school and undergrad and saw many of the same things described above. There is no doubt in my mind that there are incredible levels of food stamp and welfare fraud in Maine but I think the real problems lie deeper. Maine is frequently mentioned as being one of the states with the greatest percent of our population reliant on food stamps. Maine is also known for our “Brain Drain” problem (young people move away to make money. I’m planning to make the same sort of escape as searching for a job in this state where I can make a decent salary has proved quite difficult) and Maine has been labeled as the worst state in the whole US to do business. So, long story short, I believe that along with combating welfare fraud Maine needs to become more business friendly and take serious measures to create entry-level jobs for the college graduates that the state is losing. Perhaps if there were more, higher paying jobs in the state there would be fewer people cheating the system.
well said my dear…. well said.
Oh, Gary, get off your high horse! Can’t you read what she is saying? I guess liberals are so open minded right? People accuse her of being judgemental and yet have no problem with judging her.
Wow you can clearly tell what people on here are getting Goverment assistance and the ones who are actually working for their money. I’m tired of my tax money getting taken so you can have ribs every night for dinner.
It;s no different in New York State either…..Standing in line at the local WM, my wife overheard a clerk coment to a WELFARE GAL, ” Having a big paey??, thats a lot of shrimp!!.”. WELFARE GAL responded ” Hell no”, that’s bait for my husband when he goes fishin’”… NUF SAID. Vote the Incumbents OUT and get the ship back on course..
That is absolutely right dems want more people like them so that they can “SAY” that they are compassionate and caring, but how is it compassionate is it to enslave someone into a system in where they will never be able to have any kind of wealth or earn a decent amount of money? They will be poor and will always be poor as long as they keep getting welfare and don’t work for their money. Welfare will keep them poor, if those people only knew that dems want them poor and to keep them poor so that they can keep voting dem as long as they live and after they die too. Dems are the only ones that keep voting for the same party after they die, people who vote republican their whole lives all of a sudden start voting for dems after they die.
Well said, Erin (from two posts up). I agree with the writer’s sentiment that people shouldn’t abuse the system and it’s deplorable for those who do. HOWEVER, you cannot judge or control what someone buys with their EBT card. It is their business and not yours and they have every right to choose what they want to buy with their EBT card. There is nothing wrong with buying a steak. Just because you are in a bad situation, do you think that that person doesn’t deserve to have a healthy, lean cut of beef from time to time? it’s not unhealthy nor is it junk food. Or is this person not worthy enough and and are allowed to only buy chicken thighs or unhealthy hot dogs? I make it my business to buy healthy foods for my child and I and rarely if ever buy junk food. However, if on a Friday night, I choose to splurge and buy a pizza and an off-brand 2-liter soda for my family then I have every right as an American to do that. Don’t tell me that there’s kids out there in wealthy families who’ve never had soda or pizza. It’s my choice and my decision and not anybody else’s business what I buy with my EBT card. I am very responsible with my purchases and I believe it’s okay from time to time to splurge and get that occasional treat. Again, it my own business, not yours to judge me. I get your point and appreciate your point of view but you can’t criticize anyone for ever buying a steak with their EBT card. And frankly, my dear, I couldn’t care less if you do.
Oh man, guys. really? She understands that most people really do need help. She’s talking about those who are not even trying to help themselves. My goodness, stop yelling at her! If you’re not guilty of abusing the welfare system, then you have no reason to be offended. As a single-income household, I know what it’s like to be poor and wonder where money will come from to pay bills, but my husband and I try live within our means. I worked at a local convenience store where I saw several people on a daily basis who had no intention of helping themselves. Several young families frequented the store with their WIC checks and food stamps, and that was okay by me. Starting a family while both husband and wife are finishing up their degree is financially challenging, I understand that. However, I had a problem with people using their food stamps on extravagant items, such as fifty or more dollars, on solely ice cream products or fancy specialized cheeses. I worked 40+ hours on minimum wage, and could not afford these items, yet those who were not working and freeloading were eating better than me. Don’t even tell me not to judge, or that I don’t know their situation. I already know that I don’t know your story or your neighbor’s story, or that there are some special occasions or situations. However, I know that if my taxes are funding somebody’s frivolous party, I am not going to happy, especially since I couldn’t even afford to throw a party for my family.
Christine, I think this was a well written article, thank you!
Good for you, Jamie! You should be very proud of yourself! My daughter is in college studying to become a nurse herself, raising her son by herself also, working full-time at the hospital, and w/o any assistance other than the medicaid card. It irks her to no end to be on it, but at this point, she has no choice as the father is required to have insurance, but doesn’t have any offered at his job, so he gets away with not having it on his son. My youngest daughter (21) lives on her own and works 2 jobs in order to take care of herself. She shops sales and is very, very good at using coupons for everything and shopping the best sales possible and buying clearance items. She amazes me with the deals she finds! She is disgusted with her friends who live off the gov’t and refuse to work. One friend has the attitude that even though her boyfriend makes dang good money and can support them in their own home that they own, she should get welfare anyway. She’s not paid into the system and thinks it’s her “right” to have it. She has 2 kids and doesn’t work and has no desire to work. That really irks my daughter to no end!
Here’s my idea of welfare reform:
(document presented in language of applicant)…..Public Assistance Implementation and Usage Contract.
This contract, entered into on (date) and expiring on (18 months from implementation date) by the (state agency) and applicant(s) listed herein (must submit names of applicant and children born to her via birth records),allows for the provision of food,housing allowance,child care and education for the purposes of job placement during the contract period,and is understood by all parties concerned that the provision of aforementioned assistance is on a one-time basis,not to be repeated or reinstated at any time for any reason between the applicant(s) and the agency named herein,and is for the aforementioned time period only,and can only be implemented following presentation of documents proving legal citizenship status and a drug screening process,both of which are to be conducted by the agency.
Once legal citizenship status and drug screen results are known by the agency and the applicant and found to be favorable,this contract can then be implemented.The following covenants hereby apply and are agreed upon by both the named agency herein and the applicant(s) seeking assistance (failure of any one of these covenants will be considered a contract breach on the part of the applicant,and will result in immediate termination of the contract;assistance will be terminated immediately and can never be reinstated at any time in the future for any reason:
Applicant MUST disclose the name(s) of the absent parent of applicant’s child/children so that an attempt to obtain monetary support for those children can be made through DNA analysis. Failure to disclose the absent parent’s name will result in automatic immediate cessation of benefits.
applicant will submit to random home visits which will be unannounced and will occur during the 5-day work week,normally during the early afternoon hours;
applicant will submit to random drug testing as directed by the agency;
applicant must not conceive,adopt (formally or informally,including family members,immediate or extended) marry or cohabitate during the contract period;
applicant must attend a one-year vocational program via a voucher provided by the agency;applicant must attend each class ( two absences will be allowed during the contract period and a doctor’s note must be submitted upon returning to class for each absence) and a transportation voucher will be provided by the agency for transportation during class hours;child care will be provided by the agency during class hours only.
Once applicant graduates from vocational training, a two-month job-placement period will commence,with child care provided by the agency; Upon applicant’s employment,there will be an additional 4 months of ongoing assistance to allow applicant enough time to establish themselves in their occupation and to make child-care arrangements for after the contract period.
Once this contract has reached its expiration date,the assistance provided,all provisions and covenants and financial considerations as well,will cease and terminate permanently.The applicant is barred from any and all future assistance.
I,________________ hereby agree to adhere to all covenants,rules,etc of this contract. I realize and fully understand that I am bound by this contract in order to receive assistance in any form,and that any violation or breach will result in my not receiving any form of assistance any further. I agree further that this contract was fully explained to me by the agency caseworker and that I will fully comply. (sign & date here)____________________________
Agency hereby agrees to and will implement to the best of its ability and obligations,all covenants of this contract.
(agency sign & date)_______________________
Monica, again it’s the attitude that you “deserve it.” What makes you think that us taxpayers should have to pay for you to eat better than we can afford to? My gosh, what an entitlement mentality. It IS our business what you use your EBT on because WE ARE THE ONES PAYING FOR IT.
It would be great if instead of cash assistance people would get a certain amount of pre-loaded groceries per week. Vegetables, potatoes, rice, pasta, cereal, dairy and some meat for each person. That would be very hard to exploit/scam with an “inside” person helping. As this story (and my own experience) demonstrates, allowing people to try to “pick their own” restricted list groceries assumes they paid attention long enough in school to learn how to read and write. There are a lot of people who scam the system with “fake divorces” (one spouse goes on welfare), cash businesses where the owner reports no income (like the hot dog vendor), and people using aliases to collect multiple welfare checks. There is no good reason why we can’t step up enforcement and eliminate some of this fraud.
Unfortunately there are some in the US who hope to recreate the slavery system only with “government aid” chaining people to a virtual plantation. Keep 51% of the populace dependent on government aid and you can stay in power forever. Assuming, of course, the other 49% are dumb enough to keep working and paying sky-high taxes to cover for the half that do not work.
While I put myself through college, in Maine, I did a work study at a early childhood development center. There were a couple of moms who had 5 kids (all with different fathers BTW) who used the welfare system to fund their (and their boyfriend’s) lives. They would drop all of their kids off and were always late to pick them up at the end of the day. They collected a check for each and every child and never thought about working (or using birth control for that matter). The goal was obvious, each kid was a check. The childcare for this particular program was even FREE for this specific “in need” population. The children were all sadly under developed and each one equalled a sum of money. It was my first experience with this type of fraud in Maine and not my last. It has gotten tragically worse over the decade and it is too easy for people out of state to come and milk our hard earned $. Maine has become a victim.
LOVE IT, TAMMY! You should send that to your governor’s office and your Congressman and Senators!
Welfare needs to be reformed so that people can buy healthy, nutritious foods for their families. Yes, there are people who make exorbitant purchases and abuse the assistance the government provides them with, absolutely. And across the political spectrum, we all agree this needs to end. But did you go home with these people after you rang them up? Do you know their situation? Your experience is NOT a representation of how people in this country are using welfare benefits. And besides, I’ve been a cashier at a supermarket across the street from a housing project in Brooklyn and again in one of Nassau County’s wealthiest grocery stores…..people are nasty EVERYWHERE do not think that just because the government is paying their groceries they should be nice to you.
It’s not just food stamps that are being abused. What about those signing up for college, getting grants, then dropping out after they receive the grant? Or, how about those on unemployment that CAN get a job but turn them down because the company that wants to hire them wants them to work too many hours and they’d lose their unemployment benefits? There are so many ways to work the system. People are learning from people that know. And, one thing I truly don’t understand is how one person may qualify for food stamps with cash, yet, another in the same situation, same number of children, same living conditions, don’t qualify for the cash portion. Visit your local courthouse sometime. I don’t know if it’s the same everywhere, but here in the heart of the capital of NC, you can sit outside a courtroom and listen to the women’s conversations with the so-called daddy of their baby – only to know through their conversation that the guy is just a friend – knowing his DNA won’t match – just so his female friend can stay on welfare. And, how many guys does she take to court claiming he’s the dad? Oh, I could go on and on…
While a agree with the majority of the article there is one thing that bothered me but maybe that it due to my own situation. I do use the assistance of WIC and I own a iPhone but the only reason I even have the phone is because it is a company issued phone- ie my boss pays for it. I’m sure there have been cashiers that see husband (who also has iPhone from same boss) standing in line waiting to pay while our daughter slides her finger on the screen to move icons as entertainment and they probably get aggravated that we have things like iPhones but use wic but it’s not always as cut and dry as it seems. And while I do agree that there is way to much fraud taking place with the system sometimes things just arent as they appear
To “reallyoldguy”: She is not talking about Social Security and Medicare that we do pay into…..she is talking about welfare and medicaid
I once had a man come into the movie theater I was working at and order roughly $30 worth of movie theater food. This food had no nutritional value; it consisted of soda, popcorn and candy. He then attempted to pay for his order with food stamps. I told “we are not a grocery store, we do not accept food stamps as payment”. I understand that everyone is entitled to enjoy their lives, but I just can’t get behind part of my paycheck going to pay for this man’s night out at the movie theater when it should be going to help those truly in need.
Wonderful article. Thank you.
but there IS a time limit for TANF benefits and probably just going to get shorter and shorter. The state easily shuts off your card and benefits for the most minor infractions. There are six month and yearly reviews. If you don’t show up they shut off your benefits. YES there is abuse of the system and working at Walfart of all places will be a showcase of all the scum bags that abuse it.
We are so judgmental of other people to assume that they are rich and abusing the system because of the car they drive. How do you even know it is THEIR car? A friend bought a Lexus for a very affordable price the same as a used 90′s Jetta but is now being judged for it? Making assumptions about people because of one interaction with them does not determine whether or not they are bad people. You can get an iphone 3 for free with some plans now. Just because someone HAS a smart phone and is on welfare does not mean that they don’t deserve something. You can be a hard working citizen and still have no money left over after rent and utilities.
I guess it just really bothers me that people feel entitled to tell others what they can or cannot have because they are on welfare. Even though they know nothing about the person they are judging. Walk a mile in their shoes. Being poor is a full time job.
You are being very judgemental and obviously not looking at the big picture. You need to drill down to get to the root of the real issue.
You have not had those issue in your life nor your immediate family environment. Although I have not had those issues, I would not dare think that I can compare myself to people who have had and only seen this recurrence in their lives and families.
Families of Accountants usually have children who become accountants
Families of Doctors often have children who become doctors
Families of Engineers often have families who become engineers etc
Cycles can be incredibly difficult to change. By nature people feel comfortable doing things based on their environment and upbringing.
To judge people who have different environmental factors in play than yourself is nothing to be commended on.
Goodness I could go on and on about this subject!!! I am a single parent and have been for years, however I chose to work and not “go” into the system, which would have actually benefitted me about as much or more as I made without working 3 jobs and without near as much stress. A single parent with a couple kids making minimal wages part time can qualify for section 8 housing which pays basically 75 percent of the rent (meaning the resident only has to pay $300 on a $1200 lease), medical benefits, food stamps, daycare, education. But this is not what I wanted to teach my child. I do have her on medical assistance, but that is the only assistance I have sought out. I simply can’t afford insurance and medical for her on my wages. My daughter is now in a Catholic high school, but that is because she worked hard for it and received a four year tuition scholarship! Like you, I believe it’s okay to accept help when you need it to progress upwards… but to use it as a way of life, that is totally different. Louisiana is one of the worst for knowing how to work the system.
Dead on article. She only missed one aspect that really sends me over the edge. When NON of them speak a bit of English and are nasty individuals. I stood behind a 3 generation family of Mexicans that had gone straight from the border to social services and then the grocery store. Not speaking any English they were demanding the cashier go through their vouchers and get to the one for food. On the grocery belt before lay over $30,000 in vouchers and what not. $30,000 for 3 women and 5 kids that no doubt just hopped the border and ran to social services to get their “REFUGEE” benefits. 3X any US citizen can recieve. You guessed it. I followed them out the store and watched as they piled into the 2010 Cadillac Escalade with Texas plates and $12,000 in tires and wheels.
Dear College Girl: Everyone is entitled to share their frustrations of the ignorance or misfortune of another human being. First of all, I’d like to commend you for your efforts of working for a living. However, I am assured that you do not have two or three children to house, feed, and clothe while the father is off parading with another woman, engaging in drugs or alcohol or institutionalized. Also, you do not know that these customers (who keep your job secure) are not working for $8.00 an hour somewhere to make barely enough to pay their utilities and transportation, let alone the high cost of rent. Many people receiving these EBT benefits are also employed. Unfortunately, others do not have the gift of intelligence or good looks, and this is why they are stuck in the system. On the other hand, there are many hard workers desperate to find work that just isn’t there. While applications are piled high, and the sign is still in the window for a month “Now Hiring” but not calling the applicants because they’re not “good enough”. I’m sure you can call your family for help when you need money for that haircut or nice sweater your wearing. Many of these people don’t have that blessing. If they’re spending part of their food stamps to buy a birthday cake for their child’s special event, God bless those children for getting that much out of their poverty stricken life. Instead of complaining of the pettiness of the poor and the small percentage of your pay that goes towards welfare reform, you should be grateful to have those annoying customers, securing your job and keeping a paycheck coming into your pocket.
I’m sorry, I am on food stamps and I DO buy steaks. Yes, it’s true. I DON’T do it all the time though, but I do it, so it makes me bad? I wait til there is a sale, it is cheeper than hamburger! Good greif, but I do not see how me being poor removes our rights to feed my family a steak dinner. We have been on food stamps for a long time, but we didn’t get it til my parents convinced us to get them because all we were eating was potatoes and whatever we got on wic. My hubby worked a full time supervisor wage job and we still didn’t make enouph money to eat. The food that wasn’t wic was bought by family. If it wasn’t for food stamps we would have starved to death.
Don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand people who live off the system! It irks me when I see people that have money and still trick the system to stay on it indefinitely. We have been on it while my hubby was in school as well, I worked for a while, but had to quit after my baby was born, afterwords I couldn’t get a job, no one was hiring or no one would hire me (I have restaurant, supervisor, packing plant experience, i also managed a small store by myself… So I had a good-ish resume. My hubby graduated and no one is hiring in his field.
Guess I should not budget my EBT to buy my kids’ dream cakes and make sure that we no longer are allowed to eat healthy food. Did you realize how much more healthy food costs? Do you know how careful I have to budget my EBT so that I can do special things for my family? It doesn’t matter that I am so careful to somehow make my kids’ lives more comfortable, or that sometimes I STILL am hungry because I skip meals so the kids don’t have to. Also, my kids don’t go to public school so I don’t take the states money for their lousy crowded classrooms have less kids going. The state saves thousands because I homeschool. I buy curriculum with any money I can scrape together. I have gone without new clothes for a long long time. My kids don’t have new clothes either, we wear hand-me-downs. If we want something for our kids, we save what little we have and buy things for them. We do not use TANF because I think we can manage without it. We have been told several times by the social workers that we qualify for that and HUD and EVERYTHING, but I refuse it. Food is what we need to get by. I do not want to take away from another family in need. Oh, we also have iPhones. We got them two years ago for around $100. We used our tax returns to buy our phones, and for your info, it was more/month for a landline than for our phone bill. That’s why we went to cell phones to begin with (we don’t have landline) we do without satilight, cable, new computers (the ones we have were bought with tax returns) we do without a lot, but we don’t make the kids go without. We do the best we can so that they can not feel “poor.” my kids know the value of money. This summer my ds at 10 took a job doing yard work ALL SUMMER so that he could buy himself a 3DS! He understood that we couldn’t buy one, so he asked for a job! I am so happy that he understands that he can work to earn $$ for the things he wants.
I am sorry that people on EBT offend you, but realize that some of those people are still going hungry, some of those that are buying “extravagance” maybe are budgeting so that they can. Maybe the parents are skipping meals so that a kiddo can have a beautiful cake.
I believe you have seen bad cases, I have seen bad cases too. They make me mad! It makes everyone on EBT look like idiots. But we’re are not all that way.
For the ever observant critics of this article, I suppose you noted in the second paragraph the author stated “I understand that sometimes, people are destitute. They need help, and they accept help from the state in order to feed their families. This is fine. It happens. I’m not against temporary aid helping those who truly need it.” This was not intended to be critical of those who are truly needy and in need of assistance. It is a reflection on the numerous cases of abuse that occurs within the system and the flaws of the system. I am in agreement regarding birthday cakes, not so much for adults, but for the children. Denying a child a birthday cake because it lacks nutrician value or is considered a luxury item seems spiteful and petty. However, abuse of the system is rampant and the taxpayers are footing the bill. I don’t mind footing the bill as long as it applied to those in true need and who have no other recourse.
I’m seriously considering going on welfare. Why? Someone has to come up with the $10,792 a year in property taxes on my home of the last 46 years! I grossed $9,000 last year, and again this year, it looks about the same. I’ve tried everything from graphic designer to Primerica to find work and am currently trying to make it as a videographer. Only problem is, electricity: $4,000. Taxes: almost $11,000.. heating oil, $1500 —for a year. I can grow much of my food in the back yard, but the tax collector won’t accept tomatoes as payment. If I have to pay for everyone else’s education, then someone out to help me out with my taxes!
I have food stamps and wic! I am a single mom struggeling to pay for everything! I work 30 hours a week and also try to sell lia sophia for extra income! I work till I can hardly stand and go home at night in massive pain and make min wage! I need the help to keep afloat and I hate shopping with my wic checks cause I always get nasty looks! I try to hide my ebt card when I use it! I totally agree that it should be limited and that you should only use the help when in dire need! Im hoping to be able to get my feet back on the ground and be able to support my child with no assistance! So dont look down on all who use assistance but I do agree!
I don’t think anybody would look down on you, in fact, others on wicked and welfare should look up to you and your push to do better.
Those that abuse the system are the ones that I think we would all agree are to be looked down upon in any way.
Melissa E. — first and foremost, cake is not truly food in the nutritional sense. Secondly, every lowlife says, “I used to feel like you do, but if you only walked a mile in my shoes, blah, blah, blah.” What that means is, “When I was working and paying taxes, I didn’t like paying for lowlifes. Now that I AM one, you better not judge. Just sayin’…
Monica, getting Food Stamps isn’t a right. As I’ve said, I’d like to see stores participate in a voucher program, offering discounted or free fruits & veggies, for the items they don’t sell, but will just go to waste. Buying luxury items isn’t a right either, & I see soda, pre-made food, lobster, etc as such. In my state, our local grocer has great sales on steak, although I do know it can be expensive. When you ask the governement i.e. tax payers to subsidize part of your food bill, then they have every right to dictate what you purchase.
I totally agree with the article, but one thing you should take into consideration is that voting Republican isn’t always the way to go. For example: Newt Gingrich, a Republican, is just as bad as Obama. It is best to pay attention to each candidate and what they believe, not what party they are in.
“Mrs. Brown,” you’re indicative of the problem. Your f**king entitlement attitude is the issue. Steaks, even on sale, are more expensive than ground chuck. Eat f**king hamburger helper, you skank.
LOVE THIS! exactly how i would put it. Im sick of having THREE jobs and seeing these “people” aka uncontributing citizens of society taking MY money that I work MY ASS OFF FOR! im all for helping someone when they are down or cant help themselves but i am NOT for people who think they are entitled to my hardworking money because they are a “minority”. if you can walk, talk and have an attitude then you can get a damn job! there should be ONE card with there name and show of photo ID ALL purchases should be accounted for and all people should be drug tested! lets go GENERATION Y AND X LETS CHANGE THIS!
Well written article. Seems like there should be someone you can show this to that can help bring about a change. We are going into another voting yr. and it would be a good time to bring it to someone’s attention!
Mrs. Brown from a few posts up . . . God bless you! Well said. You nailed it. I only get $67 per month on my EBT card and usually buy only staples with it but sometimes I do skimp and save on other things so that I can buy that steak or even pork tenderloin (gasp!) occasionally. I am very frugal and use coupons whenever I can. I am a single mom with no help from anyone. Oh and btw, I do work. I don’t live off the system.
And to DMPT, it’s not that I think I deserve it . . . it’s that you don’t think I do just because of my situation. You dehumanize people when you do that.
“When you subsidize poverty and failure, you get more of both..” – James Dale Davidson, National Taxpayers Union
Well-Sharon I did read your post-i do know you have given up alot-as far as the author of this article, I am currently a Cashier/courtesy Desk associate at a major retail chain. I live in Maine and I thought I would point out a few things too you-You are correct there is a lot of abuse within the welfare system, but I do believe the corruption is all of our faults for not demanding DHHS reform, starting with the top, micro-managing our states budgets and honest to god getting rid of lavish spending. If our elected officials would pay attention and start working *(taxpayer dollars) then maybe something could be done, We the American public need to take our concerns and ideas to our elected officials to demand change. Too often- we become narrow-minded and pass judgement on welfare folks but, out of all the replies I read, there was few that took on some of the blame’ for doing nothing but so many griped and assumed they knew what was going on. I honestly do not know why people want to divide by placing party blame-instead of becoming united, we know its broken,so now lets get busy. Quit playing he-said-she said games, I would think the public is smarter than that.,My favorite quote “Make the right decision or Make the decision right” When my customers check out-they pay, they are all treated the same. Treat people with a different attitude and you will get different results.
Monica, your comment shows you’re part of the problem. You “ONLY” get $67?? That’s $67 that a WORKING person paid for you. Be grateful, you sow.
Well it is nice to see that not just the older people see what is going on and I am glad it was wrote. Yes there are people that need a little help and there needs to be better rules. Point blank better rules and guide lines. There are people using food stamps that do need and its funny that all the people that are lashing out cause they use or used…..ARE NOT allowing there eyes to see that 90% of the people that are getting help ARE USING THE SYSTEM……..So for all the people that are getting help cause u really need it,….u should have no shame…..if in deed u are being smart about it and not blowing ur money on candy chips soda and such……but u should be ashamed of lashing out to all that see the real pic for all that R using the system. I work 7 days a week 3 jobs and take care of my grandmother and I can hardly pay for what we need and have no help or insurance cause my full time job does not have it. I own my home I pay all by bills and that includes my vehical. As a workng class citizen I should not be seeing my hard earned money being handed out to people that I know for a fact are sitting around doing nothing and are not trying to get jobs and say stright out…if i get a job i cant make more than….or i lose all my money and i cant afford to have my monthy rent go up its already 85.00 a month…..WHAT i have a house payment and thats 800.00 a month hole helava lot differeant. And these people have nice places also. Iv seen them so I know. But yet they eat better than I can cause I cant afford all the stuff they buy and oh wait free healthcare to. The people that need a little help, should have it there for them on a time frame…….No one should be making a living off the system and Our govermemnt needs to get there heads out of there ass’s and start fixing the issues……I for one will be printing and sending on to our local goverment……I hope the rest do the same…..Enough is Enough
Oh, and Monica, you dehumanize yourself when you can’t even frikken take care of your own self. You have internet, which somebody else is paying for. Why not buy food instead? Stupid sheeple.
This comment is to the person that worked at the collection agency and mentioned Medicaid and Medicare. Regarding Medicaid – Any good Medicaid provider knows that they can only charge what Medicaid has agreed to pay. They canNOT charge the patient the difference in their overpriced schemes. It is their responsibility to get approval before providing the service unless it is an emergency service. Even then they are to understand the program in order to participate. More providers commit fraud and overcharge the system then is understood. I am a disability advocate. If you tried to collect on a Medicaid client of mine we would be doing lots of investigation into your client that hired you. Why aren’t more people concerned about this double dipping overpriced medical scheme? The companies sure have no problem taking the money from the government do they?
I think it’s obvious to anyone who bothers to *carefully* read Crouselle’s column that she understands the difference between those who sincerely need help, and those who are entitled freeloaders – abusing the public purse by taking food stamps to which they’re not really entitled.
As for the program itself, food stamps should be run like WIC – a mandated list of nutritious food items, and no junk food. That would solve many of the endless problems with abuse, and the sale of EBT cards. Take away the option to buy $4 luxury organic candy bars and other frills, and the program won’t be as attractive.
Yes – sometimes, people sincerely need help, and when that happens, they should have help. However, welfare and food stamps should be temporary for anyone who isn’t disabled or elderly.
If you want to go to college, have children, or incur bills, fine – just pay for the expenses yourself.
Lori, “perhaps” you should have thought ahead and saved money instead of locking yourself into a 2-year contract for a f**king phone. Just sayin’… Stupid sheeple.
i work at walmart and i have been there for almost 3 years and i will say some of these people that have ebt should not have it if you can afford to get ur nails done every two weeks, gold jewlery, tattoos, smokes, and beer than you can by food for your family. i cant afford to get my nails done i cant afford a tattoo i cant buy jewlery like i want to. even tho i work i cant afford somethings and yet i make TO MUCH to get help from the goverment and yes i might not need it bc i have food on my table and i have a roof over my head but what if i didnt do you think they will give it to me no so i think they need to have evaulations on the people who are getting help from the goverment and if you have any unnessary thing like nails, beer or smokes you should be told to give back ur assistance
WOW I would hate to see Alot of You if ever in need, Really Just because someone has had food stamps for most of his life doesn’t make him back maybe he is disabled No i dont agree with him buyin booze but i’m not going to assume he is abusing the system either and as someone who has had to use medicaid, food stamps and TANF because my ex was not paying child support which is a a source they take once child support resumes I was not going to let my child go without a birthday cake or a present just because i needed extra help. Yeah there maybe some people out their like the women trying to get a vaccume for $4.00 but not all of us are bad and why just because we get help from the state should we be reduced to as some put it hambuger helper??? If we can provide what is needed it shouldn’t matter to anyone what we are eating some of us are unemployeed so guess what OUR WORKING TAX MONEY PAIED into it too!!!!! Before being all high and fucking mighty MS. WALMART reflect on your self beause as god has put forth don’t judge unless, the be judged!!!!
Marge, you’re “equal” enough to pay your own frikken way. STFU and quit your envy. You’re entitled to live the life YOU can provide yourself — NOT the life others can provide FOR you.
I’m going to try and be very polite. I am on foodstamps at this time. I had a job working one day a week just enough to pay for my car and gas but unfortunatly, the business closed so that left me with out a job. My boyfriend got laid off at the same time and has not recieved one payment from unemployment(don’t get me started on that one). We are trying to raise a child with special needs and no income. I stay home to take care of her. So what this article is telling me is that I can’t buy MY CHILD a nice birthday cake to celebrate HER day so she then knows that we are poor and we can’t have a party like other little boys and girls because mommy stays home to care for her and daddy, despite being out and looking for work, can’t provide. It’s nice to know that this is what people are really thinking of you when you step up to a register to pay with an EBT card….and P.S. You can’t judge one for all. Thanks for the boost of confidence. Its not easy for all of us to do what we need to do to provide for our families…don’t think it is OH SO EASY to step up and show an EBT card!!!
You judge people because they bought food with their food stamps? Whatever dude. Mind your own business and stop judging people so harshly less you walk a mile in their shoes. You want to take away cake from YOUR kids one day because you have no money to buy food less a cake for their birthday? Should poor people be forced to eat ravioli every day of their lives or should we provide nutricious food to those whom choose it? Yes, every system is flawed. Yes, people abuse it. Stop being so ‘better than thou’ and looking your nose down at people and try a little compassion. Also, guess what, you’re going to get yelled at the rest of your life at your job; by your boss, your co-workers and yes, customers some poor, some not. Try to deal with it. Even rich people yell, and mostly it’s about things that don’t matter as much as their starving children.
Being a welfare recipient this blog hurts my heart. I know it is accurate and changes have to be made. But, at what cost? I just moved from Michigan where the economy is one of the worse, if not the worse, in the nation. I am very aware of the misuse of government funding and the generational curse of dependency that plagues many families. For the most part it is ignorance that fuels the fire.
However, if maybe if there were more educational support of the system and how to programs attached with receiving benefits maybe people would be less inclined to abuse and more inclined to do better for themselves and their families. Every human wants to learn. When we have no one to take time to teach us we are left to fend for ourselves. Knowledge is power and many of our school systems fail to educate us in common useful recourses of study like budgeting, money management, customer service, and courtesy.
Once GOD got kicked out of the systems (school, government, etc) they were bound to crumble at some point. I am not by any means making excuses for the “Queens” yet I know that eliminating the EBT system completely would cause a lot of good people that have fallen on hard times to lose the only hope they have. When I see my fridge full I know I my family will make it. Even if we only have smiles, laughter, love, and food. I apologize on behalf of those recipients of government assistance that are just, righteous, and not here to make anyone’s life more difficult.
I have heard both sides and comments from both extreme ends of the argument. What I don’t hear is facts and solutions.
Fact – no state has made enough jobs to rectify the problems and refuse to create jobs to police their policies. They cut down on Gov’t office hours to save money when those same hours could be researching who is cheating on welfare and arresting people. Work smarter not harder people. Nothing will work unless the policies have teeth to bite into offenders. Honest people will stay honest and the cheats will continue till they are caught.
First – set limits to all policies and require manpower enough to make it work.
Second – use a 30-day rollover so people can get out and stay off welfare.
Third – if you see someone cheating the system turn them in – don’t just bitch and moan. Do something – be active – take pictures or videos of proof and then let the state go from there.
Fourth – Require your state to hire enough people to work the department that polices this ..if you don’t have a job volunteer to work it. Many states are letting welfare recipients work at the office they file at to get them out of the home and back into society. Push for reform.
Fifth – Quit pointing fingers unless you do something about it. As an American you have free will .. use it people to help keep people honest.
Sixth – I agree the farmers should be supplemented into growing staples for people on Welfare .. it would be less the States would have to pay out and also give out more of the basics. I remember Gov’t subsidized food. Good and a staple but I would not force someone to eat just that. Besides I have seen so many people that have never taught their kids how to cook. How can you live frugally if you can’t cook to save money? A treat now and then is good for the soul and should never be discouraged but flagrant disregard should be noticed and reported. So many children in college and high school could not cook a four course meal or even tell you what one was. That is our fault for not teaching them. Get real people .. we are all to blame when we sit back and not get active.
Here’s a question – how many people would take TANF and food stamps now, in exchange for paying back the money, down the road when times are better?
Or, do people on the assistance see it as “free,” and something to which they’re entitled, with no need to reimburse the state, and other taxpayers?
Nicely said Christine! Finally a pretty woman who doesn’t live in liberal Hollywood with a brain to match!
“tired of the whine,” why don’t you STFU? I’m sick to f**king death of paying for lowlifes and n**gers who buy crap and junk that is either outlandish or not food. Those of us who pay TAXES don’t want to pay for this sh*t anymore. When do I get a f**king say in what I am forced to pay for?? I say enough is enough. It’s time for the unwashed masses to get a f**king job — or, barring that, maybe they will quit voting for losers like Obama who are all for the welfare scabs. Any president who is pro-welfare only wants to enslave you. You deserve NOTHING from my pocket.
To those who have commented here that people should be entitled to eat food that they like, and so it should be allowed to be purchased with government aid, I can only register my strong disagreement. Steak is not a basic human right. Furthermore, for people who cannot afford it working to subsidize it in the diets of those who do not work is a travesty. I will go further: if you think that steak is a basic human right, you’ve never had to make a hard decision between eating food you like and paying the mortgage, which means you probably have no frame of reference for this discussion and your comments should be discounted, either on the basis of your extreme lack of knowledge of the subject matter, or because you don’t have the first clue what real life is like.
This point is well taken…I had a pastor of mine say once, “The first generation of welfare recipients were grateful, the second one expected it, and the third one demanded it.”
To Narrow Row-Just a quick thought-if you see our elected officails fat and unfit,Guess what our taxdollars paid for them to get that way-no worries,we will pay their health insurance too, maybe your program can apply to them too-
Katie, since I’M the f**king taxpayer, it IS my F**KING BUSINESS, b**ch!! You f**king lowlife scabby hos come in here and tell us, who PAY INTO THE SYSTEM, what we should care about and whatnot — you need to STFU. When I take my money back, you die. I won’t care.
On one hand you say, ” During the 2010 and 2011 summers, I was a cashier at Wal-Mart #1788 in Scarborough, Maine”, then you say, ” I witnessed generations of families all relying on the state to buy food and other items”. My question is. “How did you witness generations of families when you only worked two summers?”. It is so simplistic to judge the entire welfare system on such a small sample size as a Walmart store over the period of two summers.
First of all, Walmart customers are decidedly not normal by any measure of the word. They were fighting each other on “Black Friday” for $1.98 towels, for gosh sakes. Additionally, I would rather see a column which talks about the huge abuses on Wall Street that led to our near financial collapse, rather than worrying about a few Walmart customers getting some food and supplies for their families. At least those folks are buying the products and pumping up the Chinese economy as they do.
Go back to neo conservative class and study up a bit more on casting a bright light on this enormous problem of welfare abuse rather than maybe, just maybe, taking a look at all the GOP crooks out there who are stealing billions every day. Yeah, I think you really got to the heart of the matter by worrying about the few Walmart welfare abusers you saw in your two summers on the job. Oh, and keep voting Republican. They’ll only borrow and spend us to death instead of taxing and spending, which at least is more responsible when you take the time to think about it. Oh, I forgot. You don’t think. You vote REpublican. Have a nice day !!
I just had to chime in and comment on a few of the things I’ve read in the comment thread.
1. Sometimes being “judgmental” is a good thing. Yes, I said it. Being judgmental about certain things happening in society helps to create order among chaos. It’s perfectly natural for a human being to notice something wrong…and desire to see it get better. So just because something you willingly choose to do (buying a steak versus food that costs less and last longer is STUPID when you’re broke…I don’t care how you slice it), spurs concern out of others, doesn’t necessarily they’re wrong for their views…and might even be necessarily for order.
2. I’m employed, yet on a serious budget. I very rarely eat steak. I buy affordable food for one reason and one reason only…to keep me from going hungry and for intake of vital nutrients. When I was laid off from work 4 years ago, I made every last dime of what I was getting stretch as much as possible. It’s WHAT YOU DO when you’re out of money. You don’t buy steaks, you don’t buy birthday cakes and cards and other crap. You feed yourself and your family something inexpensive and nutritious enough to get through the day…and you spend every last waking hour busting the pavement looking for ANYTHING that will bring in enough to provide for your NEEDS. Not your WANTS. If you are not working, regardless or whether or not you’ve paid into the system before or it was “unfair” that you lost your job, or it’s “too hard” to find work…you are living off the goodwill of your fellow citizens and if you’ve reached a point in your life where the cashier at Walmart is questioning your purchases, regardless of her background, you need to take a look at your priorities.
3. We live in a very “entitled” society. Everyone feels like their kid should have the joy of blowing out candles on a birthday cake just like any other kid. But I guess it’s all relative in the grand scheme of things http://www.myspace.com/definenecessity/photos/947768
The government isn’t there to make sure your kid has a happy birthday…even if you do argue that you’ve paid in enough to deserve a little something back. It’s OUR JOB as good people to reach out to our neighbors who are struggling and willingly help them. Instead we see money disappear from our checks, witness the excesses and greed of MANY welfare recipients, and the desire for people to give MORE out of love for the person standing in line with the EBT card seem to just vanish because of the grasping and entitlement nature of so many.
Rachel —- bravo; very well said.
fuck u hataz we niggs gonna keep robbin yo whitey asses ha HUHHHH
Tony, you niggs gonna die because you’s too stooooopid to keep yourselves alive BY yourself. I be happy for stooooopid people dyin’.
A friend sent me a link to this posting. You are so right on. I am a bi-vocational children’s minister who started working at a Walmart in the Columbus, Ohio area this past spring and have also been amazed at some of the idiocy of the customers. Every cashier dreads the first day and the first weekend of the month as the “entitled” come traipsing through, abusing anything and anyone they encounter especially the employees.
My favorite (a-hem) customers are those who fill their carts with a bunch of things they want then wait until they’re checking out to decide what they are going to actually buy. And as you said, it results in hundreds of dollars of food that is thrown away. One such customer even asked me why the prices were going up so much and I told her. Nicely. She didn’t get the connection that she was driving the prices up with her second cartload from which she bought nothing. *sigh*
I wish there was a way they could have all that food they picked up be charged against the next months EBT deposit. They might get the hint that they should be keeping track as they are shopping. Then again, probably not. After all, they are entitled. Right?
Oh… and what is it about people asking if we like working there, standing on that mat all day? I’ve often given the same response, “It’s a job.”
Amen, Rachel. If there was a way to opt out, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I don’t want to provide for other families anymore. First, they aren’t grateful. Second, they now demand it. Third, I no longer feel that “brotherly fuzzy” that makes me want to take care of others. If I CHOOSE to, I’ll pick a family. If I don’t choose, that’s my prerogative. I want out.
I agree with everything you said! My son worked at a Save-a-Lot in Tennessee and he said like clockwork he would have the same gentleman come in and fill his buggy up with steaks. Nothing but steaks. As you stated the balance was printed on the receipt. Some people would have $3,000.00 balance on the receipt at the beginning of the month. Who spends that much on groceries every month? Please. It is meant as temporary not permanent. And the lady who said she buys steaks and birthday cakes….you don’t work… I don’t want to pay for it. My husband works. I teach. I tutor after school. I have one son in college and the other one works a full time job. We don’t buy steaks but twice a year. My son that worked at the grocery store has a different job now. He qualifies for an EBT card but refuses to apply for it.
1. Comment by @tony is probably just a fake comment made by someone who is just trying to instigate something.
2. Beth needs to stop the belittling and berating that she has continues to do.
Ok-enough said and read-, I feel that we as americans need to be part of the solution-quit blaming and get some results,
Ive been saying this for years, and iam an old man now!
Oh the life of retail. The next time you think about yelling at a cashier or other retail employee, just remember that this is the kind of stuff that we have to deal with all day.
Monica, it’s YOUR entitlement attitude that is the problem. Deserving and NEEDING are 2 entirely different things. You forget – it’s US TAXPAYERS WHO ARE ALLOWING YOU TO BE ABLE TO EAT. You’d think you’d be a bit more grateful for the handout you are receiving. That steak you are purchasing is one that I AS THE PERSON WHO IS PAYING FOR YOU TO BUY IT can’t afford to purchase. The idea that you deserve it is appalling to those of us who are paying your way and can’t afford to buy it for ourselves because our tax dollars are going to pay for people who feel entitled to everything handed to them and think they “deserve it.”
NIkki: Why don’t you MAKE the birthday cake for your child instead of spending $60 on a dang sheet cake? I would bet your kid would love a nice cake that their mom made herself far more than he/she would like one from a store. Homemade ones taste a heck of a lot better, too.
Rachel, BRAVO! You hit the nail on the head.
Though I agree with most of what you said – I do not think that Maine is one of the easier systems to take advantage of. I have lived in several states due to various reasoning and had to apply for assistance after my fiance passed away. Maine was actually more difficult for me to get. I agree that they don’t create a motivation for people to work – I never recieved Tanf, only actual food stamps – but I budgeted as I would if it were actual cash, I can’t afford lobster or steak on my regular cash income, so I sure won’t buy it with my food stamps. I am not trying to excuse anyone who manipulates the system. And I agree, there needs to be a huge makeover of it because there are several honest, hardworking and struggling people out there just trying to make ends meet who are either denied assistance, or penalized due to the audacity of others. I appreciate your article and will definitely be posting it to my facebook. Where I live now, for Welfare there has to be a drug test administered and proof you are actively seeking work. Kind of like if it were unemployment. It caused some sort of an uproar , but I imagine the mouths heard over all of it were the mouths of people who were guilty parties.
Wow! Are you serious? I have had to use food stamps and i am very offended by this. Just because we are on food stamps we cant eat steak or seafood or cant buy our children a birthday cake! Who do you think you are? I guess us poor folk can only eat beans and rice right? Get over yourself. Also does it ever occur to you that the people talking on their iphones may have gotten them as a present from someone or had them before they had to resort to applying for those food stamps? Its people like you that make me sick. You guys think everyone is scamming someone well they are not, I have used food stamps, I have bought the food I wanted to eat, I have stood in line talking on my I phone that my republican parents bought me for Christmas and you know how i paid the bill? With the full time job I work that pays for me and my two kids and my share of people on food stamps it is not anyone’s fault there is a recession in America! I will say a prayer for your stuck up self, because you need Jesus
One could buy the ingredients to bake a birthday cake cheaper than a ready made cake… laziness is a big problem today.
And here I thought Common Sense has died many years ago, but this writer proved me wrong. There is still hope for Common Sense to be revived, and this example of abuse to our Welfare programs I hope will lead to mass reforms and LESS entitlements.
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Anne, so it’s okay for you to enjoy steak, seafood, and spend the food stamps on a cake that you could much more wisely use the food stamps on making one instead of buying one when the rest of us who PAY FOR YOUR FOOD – CANNOT AFFORD to buy the steak and seafood because we are having to spend so much to support people who are not willing to take care of themselves and work? What the heck kind of attitude is that that you are entitled to it? I’m not saying eat only beans and rice, but honestly, use the foodstamps to buy decent quality food and not the expensive stuff. I’m not stuck up – I’ve gone hungry before with no food in my home for days on end…but I work – and have worked multiple jobs and 60-80 hours a week in order to support myself and NOT be on welfare. People in this country seem to think that either others should have to take care of them and they not work, OR they work one job and think that is enough and yet still depend on others to take care of them because they aren’t willing to work MORE in order to stay off welfare. What do you think people did before welfare? They worked 2-3 jobs. They didn’t expect and have the entitlement mentality that a handout is OWED to them. Heck, my own 21-year-old daughter works 2 jobs in order to take care of herself because it isn’t anybody else’s responsibility to take care of her. In the past, I’ve gone to school full-time and worked full-time and raised 2 kids during college and didn’t take welfare – I paid my own daycare costs, too. Sure, it was really really tough…..but I did it…and so can you. All of my adult life, I”ve worked 60-80 hours a week in order to provide for my family…and now own my own home. Maybe you should get a part-time job and get off the dole????
And as for the other discussions going on, I have experienced both sides. There have been times I would literally stand in the grocery store looking at something simple, like a bag of apples, fighting back the tears because it didn’t matter how much I wanted it, I honestly couldn’t afford it. I had a full-time salaried job but my income barely paid the rent and utilities.
Then last summer (2010), my position was eliminated. In my line of work, however, we don’t qualify for unemployment. That means no income. No job offers were coming either. Eventually, I had to humble myself to seek assistance. Because I don’t have any illegitimate children, I only qualified for food stamps. But a lot in food stamps. Twice what I usually spent on groceries, actually. It was strange to be able to buy fresh fruit, veggies and meat. Because I was given so much, I admit I did some excessive shopping, too, like buying doughnuts, tons of Christmas candy to share, brand name products of a few things. Having the food paid for also freed up what little money I did get through odd jobs to pay for rent.
I think recipients are given too much in food stamps. They don’t have to be thrifty. That’s where the contention comes. I didn’t need all that I was given. It was easy to buy all kinds of junk with it. I think the WIC program has the right idea by dictating what items can be purchased, ensuring the children get some nutrition not just junk food. As a cashier, though, I wish they weren’t such a pain in the butt .
My thought after reading this was not so much of what you experienced, (there are hundreds of these stories and we have all experienced them in Wal-Mart in one form or fashion) but that you were a contributing factor as much as Wal-Mart. First, for not speaking up, as a voter and someone who pays taxes, but two, that you did not contact your manager for every case you knew was wrong in order to deny the transaction. Is it any different than those under age being denied the purchase of alcohol or cigarettes. There are laws in place for a reason and those who have the right to refuse and up-hold the law and don’t, should not complain about what is wrong with the system, its not the system in place… it is the people who are involved in or around the system that breaks it.
Dear Christine, Perhaps you can see why our Founding Fathers wrote in Article 1, Section 8 of the constitution, the enumerated powers of Congress. They NEVER intended the Federal Government to do most of what is being done. They NEVER intended for the government to get into the business of religion – charity distribution. Thanks for sharing your experience and you are right to be shocked by the fraud and abuse.
I don’t buy steak unless it is less than $3 a pound usually. Hamburger IS more expensive than that. My local Fred Meyer has awesome meat sales! And I don’t eat hamburger helper. I value nutritious foods. I make tons from scratch. Hamburger helper is not a nutritious food! Yuk. I have grown and harvested gardens, I do what I can to save my EBT money so that we can buy special things. People make it sound like we can spend as much as we desire as long as we have the card. No, we can’t. There is a max amount per person you can get (and you are excluded if you are in college and not working 20 hrs a month) I think it is $150 per person for a month at the max amount, and that amount goes down with your income. So a person can save their money during a month and get a steak when they know for sure that they will have food through the month. If the money is not spent, it DOES expire.
I am republican and poor. My hubby has has bachelors degree in engineering and an Associates in business/accounting. He is actively job searching. Our family is paying our bills until we can make it on our own. We used our financial aid to pay all of our bills, anything we couldn’t pay, we got help from family. I am lucky that my family can afford to help us out. When I was a little kid my parents were on food stamps too. They were dirt poor. My dad was finally able to get a better job (he was working two, 3 if you include he was a pastor as well) my parents finally “grew out of” FS. They are doing very well, but even after my dad had his “good job”(that ruined his respiratory health) he was laid off at 50 something and had to go back to college. He is now making more money as a nurse. Things are working out for my parents, and I have faith that that is in our near future. I DO NOT want to be on ANYTHING state regulated. I want to budget an income with bills and medical and food. I want that. I hate living in the system, but wait for the day that I am not.
For some reason someone thought I needed cussed out. Idk why. I am a conservitave Christian who cannot afford food. I but luxuries now and then, but only when I save for them. I am frugal with ALL my spending, that’s how I grew up. I am not a big spender. My favorite store is Salation army and I don’t get vouchers from them and my kids don’t get presents from those organizations. We did two years from the university that my husband attended. The school had a program set up for students with families, we did except presents two years in a row, but no other time. Ever.
As for who all is paying for what. I have worked, my hubby started working when he was 15. We have been paying taxes a long time. And we WILL be paying taxes a long time. We will pay back into the system. We are still young, we have many years of taxs in us. Lol.
Btw-someone said something about getting grants then dropping out of school, you are required by law to pay back any money you received if you quit. Just so you know.
Beth, you are too lovely, but I must say I am in some disagreement. I feel it is my duty and I like to help people who need it because that is what my Lord and Savior did and says is to be done, and because I have needed help in my life and I know I will need it in the future. This system and others are not perfect, far from it. I agree that instead of complaining we need to fix it. Write a letter to your congressperson and get others to do the same. Don’t judge, but be discerning so you can change things for the better. Don’t just bemoan the problem and don’t think the same way we were thinking when the problem was created. Get creative, get active.
Sincerely,
A socially liberal, fiscally moderate member of the Modern Whig Party
I know and sympathize for those who are on welfare because I have been there…Me and my three girls during my divorce to their father was on welfare because he refused to help pay and I was a full time college student as well as working part time. It is suppose to be a temporary assistance. Now I live in the state of North Carolina and I see the abuse. I see people in expensive cars and expensive clothing with bad attitudes abusing the system. But only a few…because the new welfare system here in NC has taken effect. Social Services of my county has taken initiative to weed out the ones that have been on for years. They put the ones on welfare through a job search along with the local employment security (unemployment) and make them prove they are looking for work while they are on assistance..It is brilliant!!!!! If you don’t find work, you go through a seminar that helps you find work and get off the system. Jobs are scarce in the small town I live in and Yes, assistance in my area is on a high, but you cannot blame the ones that have kids and are trying to survive. I see a lot of people answering this essay and they do not state about having kids..you worry about your children eating right.
When I was on assistance, I made sure that the food I bought was healthy and no soda. Where we live, anything bakery or deli isn’t allowed on food stamps. Yes its food, but its prepared items that isn’t food stamp allowance.
PS..I worked for my local Wal Mart as a cashier…I know how it is to work with high stress and customers giving attitude..but I know that the customer isn’t always right…they are human and you as a worker is put through training. They treat you how to deal with horrible welfare queens…
THIS IS THE MOST PREDJUDICED CRAP I HAVE EVER READ… U R MAKING THE EXCEPTION THE NORMAL… I AM A MOTHER OF FOUR WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION, WHO WAS WIDOWED THRU TRAGIC ACCIDENT AND ENDED UP NEEDING ASSISTANCE. THEN I GOT A JOB, THEN I LOST THAT JOB THRU A LAYOFF NOT MY FAULT… THEY TOOK MY DAYCARE ASSISTANCE AWAY TELLING ME THEY WOULD GIVE IT BACK WHEN I GOT A JOB. HOW TO FIND ONE WITH TODDLERS IN TOW WAS A MYSTERY TO ME… THEN I WAS TOLD GO ON TANF THEN WE WILL HELP YOU, WOW!!!!!!!! THEN I GOT DENIED FOR THAT TANF… BUT U KNOW WHAT IF I HAD GOTTEN IT, U R DAMN RIGHT I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT MY KID A BIRTHDAY CAKE IF NEED BE.. WAKE UP. U NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF UNCONTROLLED WELFARE BENEFITS BEING ABUSED ARE BEING SO BY ILLEGALS. THE MAJORITY OF THE REST OF RECIPIANTS ARE SINGLE MOTHERS SENTENCED TO NO OTHER WAY…I WILL PRAY FOR YOUR IGNORANCE INT HAT, GOD DOES NOT SEE IT JUST TO PUT U IN THE PLACE OF THOSE U CONDEMN. AND AS FAR AS INTELLIGENCE LEVELS, HOW MUCH INTELLIGENCE DO U THINK ABOUNDS IN THE WALMART EMPLOYEE POPOULATION??? GET A GRIP. A MASTER’S DEGREE WITH 15 YRS OF STEADY WORK HISTORY IN A LUCRATIVE PROFESSION DID NOT SEPARATE ME FROM THE HIGH SCHOLL DROP OUT TEENAGE MOMMA STANDING IN LINE NEXT TO ME.. YOU OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF… I HAVE A NAME FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU, UNFORTUNEATLY IT’S NOT ALLOWED IN THIS FORUM.
Ridiculous. Your article, not the people on welfare. These people may be rude, but you know what- everyone can be rude. It is no easy task to receive TANF. The government doesn’t just throw money out to people who just ask for it- people have to qualify on some level. Let me tell you, there is a hell of a lot of paper work to go through before you can get food into the mouths of your children- and yes, even poor children like kit-kat bars and even poor children have birthdays that may warrant a cake purchase. As for the man buying alcohol- he qualifies for food stamps and hasn’t gotten off of them… who is to say that he isn’t battling alcoholism but cannot afford treatment or mental health care? So judgmental. Go try living on minimum wage for a while. Oh and raise a few kids at the same time. Oh and guess what- your kids have birthdays… and chicken pox… have fun taking time off work to take care of them- looks like you might need food stamps now, you “moocher.”
Walk a mile in their shoes before posting things like this. So unloving.
Nicely done
I have to commend you- the article is very well-written.
What does upset me is the nature of some of these comments and commentators.
You accuse her of judging people, I see equal judgement towards her in your comments. You tell her she needs to “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes”, yet you have no clue what life experiences she has dealt with.
Do I have an iPod? Yes, I do. It’s the very first iTouch and was given to me as a birthday present from my parents, before my father lost his job due to an injury. (His company van did not have a properly installed ladder-rack, and so he had to use a customer’s ladder- the rubber feet were old and they slid, causing him to fall about a story down to a hard concrete floor. He should have refused to use his van in that condition, or had a coworker bring a ladder, but as they say- hindsight is 20-20) My family has been fighting for a good two years with Workman’s Comp to try and get his surgery approved, in the meantime, he will now have permanent nerve damage because of how long this has been drawn out.
Basically saying, if you saw that I had the iTouch, but didn’t know my story (that I had a good life, and now we scrape by, all because of one accident) You would probably judge.
My mother works two jobs- she is a (highly underpaid) assistant editor to one newspaper, and the Editor for a smaller town newspaper. She has award-winning articles and has even had stories of hers published in books. Her second job- she works at a coffee shop on the weekends, making minimum wage and getting barely any tips (because the entitled little 16 year old who works before her takes them all. Accuse me of being judgemental if you will, but I know this 16 year old’s family personally, and let me say they have it very good. They may have had other problems in the family, but being family friend’s of theirs for years… I doubt it. Even though they are our friends, I cannot help but be a little jealous that they have it so much easier than we do, at least at this time.)
I got my first job at 17, I am 19 now. I am going to school on a (pretty much) full-ride scholarship because of my good grades and my ACT score. I would have LOVED to live on campus, but we did not and still do not have the money to afford it. We did not make enough to buy it ourselves, yet made too much to qualify for any aid. Talk about a catch 22. I kept that job and became a manager at 18, stuck with it for another year, but had to transfer due to my college schedule. How I envied the other kids my age who could jump from job to job for “fun”, the kind of kids who have their cars paid for by their parents and are working only to fund their clothing and DRUG HABITS. I am a 19 year old manager at a fast-food place, and haven’t even smoked a cigarette. WHY? It’s a foul and expensive habit. I drive a car that is as old as I am, and has 200,000 miles on it. I scrape by trying to help my family with money, pay for the gas I need to commute to college, and anything I really need.
I don’t have an expensive phone, mine is falling apart. My most expensive item is my 3DS, which is something I SAVED for over the course of a year.
READ THE ARTICLE.
She is not targeting those who utilize the system as it was MEANT FOR, she is targeting the abusers. I cannot say that I MYSELF have ever had to live on welfare and food-stamps, but some of my family has, and they worked very hard to get off of it.
I can understand getting a steak once in a while, or even a lobster (they have sales, you know) I DO believe it would be far cheaper to bake a cake (even I can figure that out without too much trouble)
Basically saying- If you’re on welfare, I don’t think it is fair for you to use taxpayer money for cigarettes and alcohol. Use food stamps for food, and don’t splurge! A steak here and there is fine, but if someone on welfare gets steak more often than I do, there is a problem with the system.
I have seen many people on welfare who use their “extra” money for drugs. How is this fair? You should be using that money for necessities.
I don’t get expensive clothes or cars or devices as gifts (aside from my iTouch, as mentioned earlier. It was a rare occurrence, my birthday after my high-school graduation) I get clothes from Target or Walmart. I ask for small things that I like (Walmart, for example, has $5 Disney DVD’s that I STILL love!) Small things in life like those make things more bearable, to sit with my father and watch a movie, knowing he may or not be able to get out of his chair or move without my help, knowing that I have to work 40+ hours a week (AND attend school) and my mom has upwards of 60 hours a week just to make ends meet.
I do not feel that it is fair that I have to pay taxes for people to leech off the system, when my family suffers to try and make ends meet. Can’t find a job? I would recommend looking into your local fast food joint. You will never be “too good” to work fast food. I do it myself. At 19, I am a manager. Imagine what you can accomplish if you are older than me!
So please, don’t be so judgemental if you don’t know a person’s story. Don’t tell me you cannot find work, it is always available, though it may not be what you want, you may have no choice but to take it. I’ve had odd-jobs where I made far less than minimum wage, but I did them anyway because I wanted to be able to give a gift to a family member.
One person I did want to reply to, though…
@Capepark- PLEASE tell me you are a troll or a joke. If not… I am terribly disappointed at how our nation views things. You and your babies are NOT entitled to iPads and iPods. I am sorry that you have to suffer alone, that you don’t have someone there to help support you, but that does not entitle you to things like that. I feel that your attitude in regards to the whole thing is terrible. I have had to work very hard for my nice things, and I will continue to work hard to keep them. You already HAVE nice things- you have four beautiful children who look to you for support and guidance, because they DON’T have a dad in their life. That means you have to be their pillar in a harsh and unforgiving world. You don’t get to have $200 for an iPod, because you get to give that $200 to care for your child. What would you use the iPod for that your babies cannot give you? If you have a radio and they are old enough, have them sing for you! Listen to the sweet and true words they speak. Hold them close and love them! An iPod can never love you like your babies can, Capepark. Read them a story and let them know that their mother loves them!
Seriously, even when you suffer, there is ALWAYS something better to look forward to. I cannot say that I have suffered as much as some people here have, but I can say that I have suffered more than some here. (Basically saying- No matter HOW bad or good you think you have it, there will ALWAYS be someone who has it worse OR better than you do) I look forward to the beautiful things in life- getting to see the family I do have during the holidays, eating our wonderful home cooking and spending time with each other. We have a $10 gift limit, except for the kids under 15. (My baby cousins, basically) No one overspends, and the gifts aren’t grand, by any means, but they are always something sweet that we wanted. When the holidays are over, I will look forward to the new year- knowing that I lived another year successfully. I may not always be perfect, but I am alive and have people in my life who love me for the person I am and who will ALWAYS be there to see the person I become. I will look forward to the Spring- the sweet-smelling young flowers, the birds who constantly wake me up (far too early) with their happy chirping… Even the rain. It means that no matter how shitty our economy gets, the world is STILL turning and is still alive.
Live for the little things you DO have, and don’t think you are entitled to the world.
Shitty economy or not, I still love our nation, because I get to be free.
@Sarah Ryan-Maine does not enforce time limits or work requirements for TANF, or any form of welfare. It’s a problem. 30% of the state is on some form of aid, and our poverty level is not that high. That’s the issue. People from other states are literally trucked in here because our programs are very generous. That’s not good, or fair.
I live in Alabama and i worked in a grocery store for 4 yrs and then a dollar store for 1.5 yr. I saw the same things every day. At the dollar store kids would come in a buy about $30 worth of candy with food stamps. At the grocery store I saw families come in and buy $200 to $400 worth of food on their food stamp cards then have a balance of $600 left. Their are dishonest people all over the US who have figured a way around the system. And from expeirence it varies on diffuclty by county. Some counties actually follow the rules or even make it harder, where as some are too easy. Some ask for proof others dont. So here the people who know how to work the system win and those who need it cant get it. It’s sickening. The fault is 50% of the food stamp office workers. And 50% the fault of the people who work the system.
While reforming welfare, reform the school lunch free/reduced program. Is it a wonder that many qualify when the amounts they need to (or need not) make are right on the form? Is it a wonder that most accounts will never be audited because the districts make more from the Fed subsidies than they do from a full pay — a full lunch cost is $2.00. The Feds reimburse a district $2.50 for that same lunch if kids are on the program. THEN, check out the kids that have $100+ outfits on (head to footwear), and smugly KNOW that you have to override their account, because THEY are entitled to the lunch before a full-pay gets his/hers! There used to be a stigma with this, now it’s a “benefit” of gracing us with their very presence! Trust me … if one person in the apartment building is on the program — they’re all on the program! You wonder where our money is going … check your local school cafeterias. Oh, and Walmart!
I think some people are misunderstanding what the women writing the article is trying to say. She’s not saying people on public assistance are bad people. We understand that people fall on hard times. But their is a difference between compassion and outright abuse of the taxpayer. Her point is that is it really fair to the taxpayers of Maine or any state that people would abuse the taxpayer and buy luxury items like lobster, steak, (I don’t have a problem with the birthday cake as long as it was not an everyday thing) while most people are out their busting their tails to make ends meat. Most people who work can not afford items like seafood and fine meats. Many families send their kids to school with PB and J sandwiches, (Nothing wrong with it just making a point) How is it suppose to make a lower middle class kid feel when he sees the “poor” kids getting free breakfast, lunch , and dinner at school while his family is sending him to the lunch room with the bare minimum, is it going to show him that the government will always be there to crutch him. I also understand the one posters point about trying to find a job. No doubt there are people out trying to find work and my heart goes out to them the job market is tough. No doubt there are people who need food stamps and welfare to help them in hard times. The problem is people are abusing the system at what point does compassion end and personal responsibility kick in. At what point do the freebies for welfare end. In some states they are giving out free cell phones, in other states free condoms as passed around like a bag of skittles. Is it really the responsibility of others to provide stuff like that. Should a Taxpayer in Texas have to pay for the condoms of a NYer. Now I understand the article is about food I was just making a point.
Perhaps all of you hard-working folks who are not getting assistance, and are not eating lobster and using iphones, and are working 3 jobs to get by, should educate yourselves on where your paid taxes really go. Examine your paystubs, your property tax bill. I assure you the majority of your taxes are paying for the roads you drive on, the schools your children go to, the firemen and policemen who keep you safe. Not to mention the politician’s salaries and the billion dollar wars we wage. If you work so hard, yet cannot afford lobster or a fancy phone, I’d be more angry at the government than the “welfare queens”. You can’t change the players but you can change the game.
Wow, Janet, you have to yell? I don’t know where you live, but in my area, we don’t have much for illegals. They aren’t the ones on the dole around here. The main ones on the dole here are those who don’t think they have to work because they’ve been raised to believe that “big gov’t will take care of us, the treaties said so.” They know how to scam the system and get more money between benefits and other stuff they are given in one year than I could make in 2 years. They get pissed when they have to pay sales tax on their nonfood items and will throw a fit because they have to cough up 16 cents. When the grocery clerks take their groceries to their car, they have 2010 SUVs (daughter works in grocery store – sees this every single day). These are people who have never worked a day in their lives, so they aren’t given them by family members or bought them before they went on the dole. They’ve ALWAYS been on the dole. I know for fact that they teach their kids that they don’t have to do well in school because the gov’t will take care of them. When I worked at the mall years ago, it was nothing for them to come in and buy boom boxes and 2-3 months later buy another one. When asked weren’t they just in a couple of months ago buying one, they would reply that it had gotten stolen and they were buying another one. A few months later, they’d do the same thing. I’m not talking the cheapie ones they have now – I’m talking $400-500 at the time. They’d pull out wads of $100 bills. It wasn’t drug money – it was gov’t money they got every month (land lease money they got paid by the gov’t). These are the same people who the gov’t gives XM or Sirius (whichever we have now) to put in their cars and homes because supposedly they don’t get enough radio stations in their area. That isn’t a necessity! Why is our gov’t paying for people to have radio like that??????? They also pay for them to have landlines if they want one. It’s sickening! We all have to pay for this stuff – why should they get it handed to them? Entitlement mentality at its best, perpetuated by our gov’t. Of course, they all vote democrap.
I for one agree that there should be restrictions on what you can and can not buy on food stamps. I worked at a convenience store for years, and saw first hand what can happen when it ISN’T regulated. We would LITERALLY have people waiting in the store right at midnight, so when there food stamps were added to their card, they could start shopping. I once had someone spend over $90 on energy drinks, candy, etc. As a cashier, we have no power over what the person at our counter can or can not buy. If it is approved by the register as a eligible item, then we have no way NOT to give them what they want. Asking for a manager isn’t going to help the system, it’s broken….that’s not OUR fault. What’s sad is these people spend all their food stamps on junk, and expensive meats, etc, and then by mid month, they are out of money. I worry for their children at that point. I just don’t think that the food stamp program was intended to be used in this way.
As for you who said “once (she) gets out into the real world” or “when you get a real job”…..I’m sorry, what makes your job more REAL than mine. YOU may make more, but if people DON’T work in gas stations, and grocery stores, what then? Please don’t look down your nose at me for what I do, and I won’t look down on you for being so simple minded that you can’t see that society would not function without our “imaginary” jobs.
Sain ~ Do you work retail? From your suggestion that we call a manager and deny a sale every time we think a customer is abusing the system, I have a hunch that you don’t. Those who abuse the system are abusive in other ways, too. If we even suggest we couldn’t finish the transaction because we think they are committing fraud, they would raise such a stink and the manager would give in anyway. And in order to report them at a later time, we would have to know their name. How do you think it would go if I asked to see the card of someone then wrote down their name? Peacefully? Not! We are not allowed to accuse a customer of anything, even if it is as plain as day. An empty soda bottle just happens to show up at the same time as a group of rowdy teens… I ask the boys if it’s theirs… two say no, one says yes… I asked if they needed to pay for it… no, they just need a place to throw it away… I asked if they paid for it earlier… now even the third guy says it’s not theirs. The teens find it absolutely hilarious because they know I can’t make them pay for what they’ve taken.
To Sarah Ryan.
The article s not knocking those who need it just those who abuse it. And it does happen like I said i saw kids buy $30 worth of cand! And if ur ok with supporting a man with acholsism with alchol thats you. But i’d rather my tax money go to the treatement he cant afford, which they do offer to people who cant afford it. That was like saying he a crack head so let him buy his crack with ebt cash. And I dunno what paper work you had to fill out, but I only had to fill out one page and it’s not embarassing. You should be grateful and praise God that your state offers such a program. Because there was a time when people just went hungery. I have made minimum wage for a long time and i got food stamps. And yes it’s difficult but it steal makes me sick to see people who wont get a job (and they will tell you they dont want one so they can get food stamps and welfare) get more food stamps in a month than I can in a year. That article was pertaining to those people not those who need. My mother can barely pay her bills and put food on her table for just her and sh cant get any help. I had to help her when I was 17 and my Dad died, which left us up the creek. O and he got a welfare check which stopped a moneth after his death beacause I turned 18. So dont get offensive becuse your not the only one whos been through hell. Atleast you were able to get the help!
What does Va benefits have to do with this article. VA benefits are earned as is disability. Unless you never paid into the system. Florida uses an EBT system they also allow certain people to get cash. In Florida you cannot buy non-food items. I am a veteran and I receive disability that I earned. What I spend my disability on is my business. I was receiving 16.00 a month EBT credit which I no longer recieve.
“It’s a problem. 30% of the state is on some form of aid, and our poverty level is not that high.That’s the issue.”
The issue should be poverty- addressing poverty and helping people out of it. Do you have any idea what the poverty line is? People living above the poverty line still struggle. The poverty line for a single person is around $12,000. To claim that since someone is making $12,001 annually means that they may not encounter a desperate need for assistance is just bogus. A family of 4 on $25,000… that is the poverty line. That won’t get you far. I love welfare. I’m not going to judge people by the steaks they scan. You don’t know where they’ve been or what got them there.
And you can go ahead and put away the false claim about people being “trucked” into Maine for the awesome assistance so they can get their iPhones and ask Siri where they can get the best lobster!
*Myth: Maine’s TANF benefits are too generous and encourage people to move to Maine from other states.
Fact: Maine’s maximum monthly TANF benefit is the very lowest in New England. Maine’s maximum benefit for a family of three is $485/month, which is only 34% of the poverty level ($1431/month). Even when food stamps are added, TANF families reach only 65% of the poverty level.
When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.
-Mother Teresa
If you JUDGE A PERSON, you have no time to love them.
-Mother Teresa
@Sarah Ryan…OMG, shut up already! You must be a bledding heart liberal, based on your hate and judgment. I too am a cashier for a Texas grocery chain and I see abuse every day! People need to learn to make sacrifices and cut out the little luxuries in life.
And another thing, I am always giving my own money to those who cannot pay for groceries…..I doubt you would even spare a penny for a starving family. This girl has a right to speak her mind and believe as she does, so get off your pedestal and quit looking down on those speaking their mind, because honestly lady, you are not perfect nor will you ever be. Grow up already!
well, “I was reminded why I vote Republican” pretty much says it all. Republicans just fix everything up nicely, don’t they. Of course, if you keep voting Republican, and you keep having these kinds of complaints, then …
Do you get the idea? Logic dictates that if you vote the same way time after time and can find no progress then you have to start voting for the other guys OR give up on logic.
Well when I first started reading this I truthfully felt like you judged people pretty harshly without really knowing them. Sometimes what you think you see isn’t always how it is…yes welfare has alot wrong with it. But people like me that have worked all my life needed it..I worked and went to school and had eight kids. I lost my job and was out of work. I lost my home my car and dignaty..I’m real happy I didn’t have you as a cashier thinking it was ok to judge me!!! Let me add while I was on welfare I went to what we have in Michigan known as the MOST program you have to volenteer somewhere for a certain amount of hours for the money you get for yourself and your children. Alot of the volenteer jobs became jobs for us lowlife people. So while your with your gavel rethink how you treat people or look down on them. You may not always know the truth of every situation. I worked extra hours at my volenteer job because I felt quilty and I wanted to help less fortunate people then myself. Now I work full time at a Salvation Army and I feel like I give back a 100 times over. No I’m not on welfare but I was for a whole year and it wasn’t easy. I agree with some of what you’ve said but by far not all of it. One day you might have to walk in some of those people’s shoes. So my advice is don’t be so quick to judge!!!!
I lived in China for a number of years. I saw REAL poverty–people would slowly starve themselves and work 12 hours a day, 6 days a week their whole lives from the time they left our equivalent of middle school–just to save enough money to support their families. Our welfare system is bullshit. People who have real need are by no means entitled to anything more than just enough to survive and get themselves back off it. “Don’t they deserve x,y,z?” No. Not even a little. Hard times are meant to suck. The frills are ones you cannot afford, and feeling entitled to them is an insult to all you graciously have. I know people who live meaningful lives with even less. “But I also paid into the tax system for X amount of years!” Taxes go to more than welfare and entitlements. Or should. It is the majority of our budget (deficit), for those of you not keeping score. Don’t be confused by the ‘big’ numbers we spend on foreign aid and wars (which are more necessary than you’ll ever have to know, thank God–while we don’t exactly live in a bubble, you can sure as hell remain sheltered from that knowledge.) People on long term welfare due to disability? Hey, if they are frugal, wise, thrifty, a combination thereof, and find ways to stretch their resources, more power to them. However, the prevalent attitude of some of them is very bothersome, to put it mildly. The “It’s not my fault I can’t work, and I deserve a certain level of comfort in life,” attitude. No. You don’t. No one does. By the grace of others’ labor, you are provided food and shelter. You are incredibly lucky. You don’t live in China where no one gives a shit. (I did pretty extensive research while I was there on their aging population and healthcare and welfare systems.) In China, our welfare queens would likely be physically forced or at least heavily coerced into being clinically sterilized. Our “welfare” children would be farmed out to orphanages until they could physically pass as a young adult of working age, whether they were or not, only to work for a business or company that paid them less than 100 USD a month, boarding them in a small, dirty room with 3-6 (sometimes
other members of their sex. If they are lucky, there’s a kitchen in the building they live in and a communal shower. Some don’t have those amenities we think of as essential. Many live in areas with poor infrastructure and heavy industrial metals in their tap water, causing a lifetime of ulcers and digestive problems. We all get handed raw deals now and then, but it’s how you overcome (or in some cases, understandably, simple manage) your hardships in life that is important. It is through struggle and developing relationships with others–showing appreciation, forgiveness, understanding, and respect–that we have a chance to contribute something, however small, to the world. I would never look down on someone taking welfare if they genuinely needed. However, I would absolutely pity and scorn those who did not respect all that made our safety net possible–by taking for granted the efforts of others–by favoring their own temporary wants, needs, and comforts over their respect and sense of duty for their fellow hard-working citizens, neighbors, and friends. None of us on this public forum knows what it is to genuinely want. We just think we do. Life is tough. We help each other. We should. I have a VERY strong sense of social responsibility, but that can take several forms. However, I have no sense of obligation to those who feel no responsibility to me or their fellow man as evidenced by chronic selfish behaviors, especially when many of their “needs” are entirely artificial or self-constructed. Hopefully, if they are ever forced to face the fact that no one is sympathetic to their several superficial “plights” and don’t care how much they don’t have, they’ll be humbled, start learning to care about people other than themselves, and appreciate what they do have. Then others will finally start caring about them in return. You give to receive. This is not the behavior of welfare abusers.
Others who have pointed out that wasteful behaviors permeate all levels of society, all I have to say is that if they are not committing them with others’ money, it’s a world of difference. It’s actually their right, not just one they demand. Family and community networks are only technically a form of welfare, but a totally acceptable one, since it’s based on entirely voluntary participation. I’m so damn proud to live in a country that cares, but ashamed at the selfishness of some individuals, their complete misunderstanding or lack of appreciation for what they have. It is ABUSE. Yes, all systems have abuses, but are any near as demoralizing to the community as a whole as welfare? A system that provides incentive to perpetuate reliance? At the expense of others who must give up their hard earned comforts? And teaches its recipients to milk the system? And feel that they are entitled to relatively comfortable living because they exist?
Is it right to judge? No. I didn’t say I was. Everyone has their stories, but clear welfare abuses are just plain rotten, they hurt everyone, especially the people who genuinely need, and that’s why we have the problem. People can sacrifice so much more, but we don’t have to any more in America. In many ways, that’s wonderful, but we’ve also grown beyond complacent. We take so much for granted.
This is a horribly offensive article. The author is arrogant and makes sweeping judgments based on little information. For a more complete and well-informed view, I’d recommend David Shipler’s THE WORKING POOR.
If social programs suffer from anything, it’s the lack of money needed to hire good people and to effectively administer and monitor the programs. People are flawed for sure, but you can’t possibly understand their entire situation based on what’s in their carts at walmart.
@Colton I am grown up and I am studying this very topic so I can help end poverty and suffering for people. I’m not a “bleeding heart liberal” but my heart does bleed thinking about the starving children in our public schools (here in Texas) whose families are receiving welfare and barely scraping by. And I don’t need to tell you of the charity I feel called to.
People judging and criticizing this young woman are close minded morons! She clearly states SEVERAL times that she is NOT against temporary assistance….what she IS against is the abuse that is going on in every state of America….in welfare, foodstamps, WIC, Medicare, etc.
Please stop and think before you speak to avoid making a fool out of yourself. Not only are lazy bums ,who do not want to try to get a job, abusing the system, but illegal aliens are as well. When somebody who is not a tax paying citizen and that does contribute to our society is eligible for foodstamps, then you know we have a serious problem!
The system needs a serious reform and these are some ideas that the intelligent majority of Americans would agree with me on…
1.) Forbid food that is non-nutritional(candy, soda, chips, junk food)…this includes using them at convienient stores.
2.) Exclude coupons and discounts. They are already getting assistance as it is, they do not need anymore help and yes, I’m referring to the abusers!
3.) Limit the amount of assistance and the time on the program (i.e. $300 a month for 6 months) then, you are kicked off the system to prevent fraud and abuse.
4.) Setup drug testing for those applying for assistance. If you can afford cocaine and prescription pills to snort and swallow, then you can very well afford food.
5.) For TANF(welfare) recepients…restrict what can be purchased only to necessities such as shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, utensils, disposable plates, paper towels, toilet paper, and other household necessary items. Also, remove the cash back option from the program.
It’s that simple! If only our government would think like we do…but I forgot, they know what is “best” for us!
God bless everyone! Take care! Oh and if you don’t like what I have to say, then DON’T READ MY POSTS!
I am a person who currently needs the state assistance and I completely agree that the system needs some serious work. I am a student working towards a career that will get me out of the system and keep me out. Even when my husban was working there was no way we could afford health insurance for us and our son so we went without. When we got pregnant with our second child, we needed to use state insurance and we were given food stamps as well, about $115 a month and we were GRATEFUL for that. I am almost done with school and my husband was laid off after 6 years at his job. I had to go to the welfare office yesterday. I was told that if you are a 40 year old living on moms couch and not even trying, you can get food stamps, but because I am a student trying to better my position and get out of the system, I cannot get food stamps. Fortunately my husband and children qualify, so I know we won’t starve while my hubby is looking for work, but I would rather see the help go to those who are making an honest effort to change their situation.
EXCELLENT POST, Gunzinger! Most in this country haven’t got a clue what real poverty is until they’ve gone to other countries and seen it first hand.
For those who are on EBT currently:
Do you smoke?
Do you drink?
I’m curious how many of you do either of the above.
RT Student, you have a very positive attitude. I like that! : ) Congrats on being almost done with school.
This stuff makes me so angry! There are honest people like me who are in the process of applying for benefits…why? Because I have seven medical conditions, a new one that required me to leave school and the state unexpectedly and the need–not extravagant choice–to borrow money. And honest people can’t make ends meet, must depend on food banks, worry about how they’re going to get through the next month. I pay $20 for Internet; I need it since that’s my only way to get information since I can’t read print. I just reduced cell bill as much as I could to about $69. I just learned that it might not be possible for me to finish school to obtain my degree, and that is so upsetting, because I want to contribute my gifts to society. I want to be able to support myself, my future family and be able to give to the less fortunate…since I know what this is like. Even though I might not be able to finish my degree, I’m not giving up yet…I’m going to try, and if I can not, I will find employment. People like me are eternally grateful for increased social security benefits next month because it will help a little. We live in crime-ridden neighborhoods, always fearing for our safety, in run-down dwellings and either without stuff we need or dependent on the generosity of others. Okay, what’s this complaint all about? No, I don’t want sympathy. These are the reasons why this kind of fraud and abuse makes me so angry! Strip these deceptive, heartless, unconscionable and unscrupulous people of the money they think they’re entitled to, and transfer it to us who need it. People like the ones you describe are gladly wasting money. People like me hold back tears of relief when we can use our EBT, can’t accurately express gratitude when we see that Medicaid will pay for that $600 ambulance trip and $400 CT scan. We’re speechless when someone spends $50 on basic food, toiletries and cleaning supplies to help us stay healthy and clean. *exhibits great control not to punch these people in the face* Thanks for listening to this rant! P.S. What am I doing with my time since I am not working right now?…working on getting my health under control with doctors, trying to start physical therapy, etc. I’m supporting kids with cancer and their families through communicating words of encouragement. I spend a lot of time resting, researching, working to keep my mind active. And I mention this stuff only to state that I’m not okay with collecting money and not doing a thing. So many people are…well, obviously! Okay, maybe the rant is finally done!
@Sarah Ryan…that is a very admirable quality, but unfortunately, there will always be poverty in this world…no matter how much we donate, volunteer and provide for others. Yes, we should do our part to help others, but it will never be fully gotten rid of completely…which is sad indeed.
I’m sorry that i lashed out, I just get so frustrated with how so many people do not seem to care (not implying you) about what is happening to our country before our very eyes! I live in South central Texas myself, and I see abuse everywhere I go…it is sad that many people enjoy taking advantage of the working class. It is this entitlement mentality, that “we owe everyone something” that is ruining our nation and has brought us to this very economical situation as it stands.
In regards to public education, the system is shot as well. The government should have never been involved with education….it has only destroyed it, and the children of America are suffering for their disastrous actions. Remove the Department of Education and either remove the public education system and replace it with charter, private and homeschool programs or instill a serious reformation of the public education system. Administrators and school boards should not be making hundreds of thousands while teachers are only making $20,000-$30,000 a year and funds being cut to important programs.
WAKE UP America!
Bethany, I feel so bad for you! I know what it is like to have health conditions that make you have to change your lifestyle. I was all set to go to medical school myself and my 2 health conditions I have prevented me from going. I tried getting my teaching degree instead – got the degree, but my health problems became so bad that I couldn’t do that kind of work either. I’ve had to work from home pretty much most of my adult life. I”m not complaining about it – i loved being home with my kids when they were young and now being home with my critters – but I really wanted to be a physician and help people that way. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards for me.
I hope and pray that you can get your health conditions under control and go back to school if that is your dream. Your situation is the reason why the welfare system SHOULD be there ONLY – for cases like yours where you can’t work due to health conditions. I would gladly contribute to that sort of a system. Is there anything any of us can do to help you now other than pray?
RE: “…A real JOB not some clerk at a Wal-Mart…”
If you think you’re “too good” to work any job and prefer to be on Welfare until you can find a job “good enough” for you- then you ARE abusing the system!
Go hungry for a few weeks and then see if you’re still too uppity to accept any available job!
Colton, i totally agree with you on the education system. As a former educator, and parent of 3 children who have gone through this fiasco of a system we now have, we need to abolish the Dept of Education and put it back into the schools – and get the unions out of the schools. It was pretty sad when my oldest said to me 12 years ago as she graduated from high school, “Mom, don’t let my sisters go to public school. I didn’t learn a single thing after 6th grade.” She was right, too. Well, except in one aspect – she learned that it was okay for girls to get abortions and for the gov’t to be involved in every aspect of your life. She told me this herself at 17. I homeschooled my 2 younger kids for a couple of years, then had no choice but to put them back into public school. I sure had to do a lot of damage control with them, reinforcing to them that what they learned in school wasn’t necessarily the truth and to evaluate everything they were taught for its validity.
@Patrick Boggs…well I certainly do not agree with everything the Republican politicians have done…but they certainly have not created a socialist healthcare program, put banks and corporations above people by giving them bailouts, shipped jobs overseas, made serious cuts to Medicare, education, Social Security, military and veteran benefits, national security and local economies, shut off offshore drilling to cause oil prices to skyrocket to $4.00 a gallon, created a team of unconstitutional “czars”, sold us out to the UN, allow the IRS, FDA, EPA, ACLU, and other communist orginizations to run rampant, destroying our freedoms and livelihood…..and I’m not just referring to Nobama, I’m going all the way back to Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, onward.
So, yes the Republicans have their share of failures and screw ups….the liberal/communist Democrat party has had alot to do with why our nation is so messed up…..not to mention close minded, ignorant “sheeple”(drones) that obey every word the government tells them.
You might want to go and carefully read the information in the link to TANF that you provided in your own article, because it very quickly undercuts your “OOOH WELFARE QUEENS STEALING OUR FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS” argument. Yes, TANF is funded by the Federal government, but it provides money as a block grant to the states, and it’s up to the states to administer the programs (Look: States’ rights in action!) It also limits benefits to families or individuals with dependent children, prohibits felons convicted under drug laws, and cuts off benefits after five years. The program also eliminated a lot of existing welfare programs. But you can read all that yourself at the site you linked.
Basically, you’re taking a lot of anecdotal evidence and then generalizing. But, you know what? The brand of stupid and entitlement you mention is not limited to people on welfare, nor do all people receiving federal benefits pull this crap. Rather, a certain percentage of customers of any demographic will try to get away with what they can get away with. Trust me, I’ve seen flaming rich people who live in houses that cost more money than you or I will ever see in our lives try to conveniently misinterpret some sign in order to browbeat some underpaid clerk into giving a ridiculous discount. You’re just cherry picking here. And, by the way, if you want to know why there are so many people on assistance in your area, start by looking at your employer. How many family-owned business were bulldozed out of existence when WalMart came in and started dumping cheap Chinese made crap in the area? If you want reform that will get Americans back to work, that’s the place to start. And, if you’re sincerely concerned about your tax dollars being wasted, start the cuts with the military, the biggest welfare queen of them all.
I think we working tax payers who stand in line patiently waiting for these idiots to complete their transaction should say something. Say, “I hope you enjoy all that. I worked hard for it”. Let them know its not acceptable what they are doing.
I took a neighbor to the store one day because he didn’t own a car. He couldn’t even figure out what was a better deal. I took him around the store showing him what he could get to maximize his purchasing power. He had three young girls in the home and he ended up buying the most expensive items (brand name items) and left with only half of what he could have gotten if he bought generic brands. His excuse was the kids didn’t like the taste of generic. At the register he was over his amount and I paid off his balance. Once he figured out I was a giving man he would constantly come over to ask me for money or help fix something in his rental home. He was always outside smoking Marlboro’s and talking on his blackberry phone that was paid for by the state. Oh, did I mention that we pay for that in our cell phone bills? Really we do, look at your statement and you will see a charge that goes for funding these people. I got tired of him coming over, especially the day I was really sick and he asked me to take him to the store a few blocks away to buy batteries for his hearing aid. Even after my wife told him I was sleeping because I had to work the grave yard shift (12 hours) and I had a cold, he still asked to wake me so he could ask me to take him.
I am all about helping out the disadvantaged, I saw a kid eating out of a trash can once. I asked him if he was hungry and if I could buy him lunch. I took him into the subway I just came out of and asked him to get whatever he wanted. I paid for his meal and gave him the change from the transaction. It was only a few bucks, enough for dinner but it meant the world to this kid. I only made 10 dollars an hour and had to feed 2 kids of my own but I always remember a saying from the bible, forgive me if I don’t get it exactly correct but it says treat your fellow man as though he was Jesus. On judgement day when I stand before God, I want him to see I helped my fellow man as God has helped me.
These people are nothing like Jesus, they are dependent on the good grace of others. They take and take from us as they point fingers at us for being better off than they are. They are the product of a liberal governmental system. Their incentive for not working is being able to live off of those who do work. All they have to do is vote Democrat and they will continue to get welfare, WIC, and unemployment extensions. When a system finally gets tired of them and asks them to get a job, they find every possible way to get fired so that they can get back on assistance.
I have an Associates in Computer Science. I was laid off for a long time and unable to find work in my field. I found a job working as a security officer and work the job proudly. Never have we ever accepted welfare from the state.
Forgot to mention one thing: Several of us were having the same discussion a few days ago. We were talking about people who are receiving benefits but think it’s perfectly acceptable to purchase three computers, iphones, etc. During this conversation, those of us who use the benefits for legitimate purposes talked about how they should be used properly. It was interesting how those who used their benefits to purchase the ipods, etc. got terribly defensive. And btw, in this comment and in the previous one, the stuff I have written is not all-inclusive. It’s directed toward the woman who has a $1.2 milion home, those who use temporary assistance for extravagant purchases and to try to get away with totally ripping stores off. Someone previously commented on how this money might be used to purchase birthday presents for children. In my opinion, something like this is acceptable! And there are times when things are used for unique tasks–example, to help me after a brain injury, I bought some Legos to help me learn how to connect things again. My comments are directed toward those who deliberately, repeatedly and clearly misuse benefits. Just thought I should clarify…
@DPMT….Thank you! I’m glad somebody sees what I see! The Public Unions are another thing that is destroying this country….they are in bed with the socialist Democrats in Washington, because they need eachother for survival.
I’d like to keep in touch with you. Do you have Facebook? An email?
not to be blatantly racist, but lets just take a wild guess…i wonder if the two women at the end were black? i just WONDER…..
@Jess….you make an excellent point! I would not doubt it! And no, you’re not being racst….it’s just a logical fact that mostly colored people abuse the system more. (and yes to those who I think I’m being racist, I have color in me too, so don’t even go there with me).
Wal-Mart and welfare expansion go hand-in-hand. Welfare is a great thing to have as a back-up but we definitely want to make working more attractive, and to have partial welfare assistance to let people graduate in levels out of it, rather than to be cut off completely once hitting a certain amount.
As an unrelated note, if we spent more money to local providers, the recession would be lifted out much faster. -”tarotworldtour”
@tarotworldtour….Amen to that! Buy American, create American jobs….plain and simple!
I agree with you…people need to have hope in the economy as well to try harder to finds jobs and wean themselves from government assistance, and that in itself would lift a huge burden off our economy.
DPMT–I truly appreciate your compassionate response. It sounds like you understand this kind of predicament. Perhaps the most difficult thing is seeing dreams disappear because of circumstances beyond our control. I am sorry you experienced something similar…it’s so difficult when you strive to do something to help people for a living and need it instead. Your perspective is great; I’m sure there are still times when the situation is upsetting to you since you’re not doing what you planned. Still, it sounds like you have learned to be grateful for the things the changes have helped you to achieve. I feel the same way–if I was in school and working right now, I wouldn’t be able to respond to all of these cancer kids and their families…sometimes I don’t think I’m really doing anything, but these families tell us over and over again that simple things like notes of encouragement help immensely. I am trying to start a trial work period so I can figure out what I will be able to do, but I am worried about losing my benefits in case I find I’m not able to perform when/what/where I want to. That’s one of my problems with the welfare system. Actually, I have two: we’re provided enough to maybw pay the rent. I’m not complaining about that–I’m eternally grateful for it. My point is: we can’t really save money when what we’re able to bring in is barely (or not) enough to make ends meet. Second, with some parts of the system, we’re penalized for trying to become what rehabilitation counselors refer to as gainfully employed. These are just two of the issues where welfare reform is needed, and one thing is that our system shouldn’t be an all-or-nothing sort of a thing. If we’re working, we shouldn’t lose all of our benefits immediately, since whatever we’re doing may not be possible for whatever reason. Additionally, we might still need some benefits, depending on income, family situation, health insurance, etc. And to DPMT–I can not tell you how grateful I am for your empathetic response. Your prayers are definitely appreciated!
How is anyone supposed to find gainful employment without a phone or internet access? I’m not arguing that the state should provide these things, but let’s calm down with the polemic and look at the reality of job hunting.
Colton, I do actually have Facebook. I’m trying to figure out how to tell you what my name is on there w/o getting a bunch of people from here who I may have upset from trying to contact me there. Any ideas?
The two women at the end of the article were both white. I live in Maine. The population of Maine is 94.4% white. Our demographics are drastically different than say, Michigan or Texas. The man with the hotdog stand is white. The people who bought lobsters were white. The majority of my customers were white. This is not a racial issue, and I do not want it becoming one.
To those who think that all people who are on food stamps or receive WIC are lazy and are abusing the system are absolutely WRONG!!!! My husband and I both work but still don’t make enough to pay the bills and buy groceries. We have a 8 month old daughter who needs me to eat healthy so she can breastfeed. I am her main source of nutrition and without the WIC and food stamp assistance we receive I would not be able to provide for her. I do work to pay for her clothes and diapers so I do not receive welfare checks but I do receive money for food. I will admit I have bought steak with my food stamps but it was a one time thing and I don’t feel bad about it, because it was great to be able to have a nice dinner. You say that this girl is so judgmental but I myself used to think the same way until we needed the assistance in order to keep the roof over our head. I was humbled when I applied and found out that I was able to get food stamps to help us get by. We never thought in a million years that we would have to get assistance from the state but are greatly appreciative that the resources are available for us and others who actually need them. I don’t care who talks or stares when I use my food stamps or WIC because I know my own situation and everyone else can kiss it! I think those who have been on assistance for years and years and have no intentions of getting off of it have become reliant on the assistance and think that “if the state is still giving it to them then what is the rush to get back on my own two feet?” My husband and I have every intention of getting rid of our food stamps as soon as we can afford to but until then I will not be ashamed to use them. I know that some states are starting to do drug testing to be able to receive welfare and assistance, and I myself think that is a GREAT idea! I know a lot of people who are for and against this action being place in action in every state and those who are against it are mainly the ones who are using their welfare money on drugs and or alcohol, and that’s sad because they are the ones that give those of us who actually need the help a bad name.
anyone who does not agree/does not like this post is either stupid or is on welfare trying to defend their laziness!
Bethany, anytime, my dear! You will be in my prayers. I know what that is like to struggle with your health and still need to be able to make a living. I struggle with that every day. When my condition flares, it makes it tough for me to do my job. I”m “punched in” during my shift and have certain requirements I have to achieve daily, and when it flares, i can’t always meet my requirements. On the good days when I am feeling well, i work like a banshee and try to make up for those days when I didn’t meet requirements when I’m having a flare and miss some time. You just do what you have to do and make do! Somehow, it always works out and God always takes care of me one way or another.
Yes, I do sometimes wish I could have gone on to medical school, but still being in the health care field with my job, at least I can sort of live vicariously through the doctors – haha. It’s not the same, but it helps somewhat. I also see what they are going through with all of the changes in the field and have friends who are physicians who are seriously thinking about getting out of the field because of Obamacare and how much less they will be reimbursed and how much more gov’t paperwork and garbage they are required to do in order to get that tiny amount the gov’t currently reimburses them (and the govt is about ready to force another 29% pay cut for Medicare down their throats). With what they are dealing with, maybe God blessed me keeping me out of the profession in the long run, what with all of the crap physicians are going through right now and how much worse it will be soon.
JB, people can still survive w/o a phone. You can use a message number for phone calls for a potential employer to call. People still do that, you know.
wow… thanks for shedding light on something the rest of the common sense possessing America as known about for years. and thanks for keeping your seemingly unending judgemental tellings short and sweet (in case you didnt notice, im being sarcastic because they weren’t short, i honestly thought i would never get to the end of this article). enjoy your studio apartment, Republican…
I was raised in a two parent household with a stay at home mom and a dad with a great job. My father died suddenly when I was a teenager. His life insurance policy was not honored. All of my parents savings went to cover his medical bills and my eldest brothers first year of college. My mom started college and 2 jobs. My grandparents looked after us. We went without things that we did not need, but had our basic needs met. All four of us went to college because my mother fought tooth and nail to make sure that we had every advantage that we could in life. She never received any public assistance. She earned a BA and became a social worker. All of my siblings have good jobs. I had always had a good job. When I had my daughter I left my very lucrative job to be a stay at home mom. The relationship I was in became abusive and I had to leave our home to ensure our well-being. I was lucky. Family friends owned an apt that I was able to move in to the same day. I work four jobs. None of them pay very much, but I am able to maintain my role as a stay at home mom by working from home, working when she is in school. I am never not here for her and never need daycare.
We don’t have cable, we don’t have a fancy car. My job pays for my internet access. I do receive WIC and my daughter receives state healthcare. It was recommended to me that I apply for welfare benefits and I declined. I started receiving WIC only after her father ceased paying child support. We eat a very healthy diet, which doesn’t consist of processed, packaged foods. I shop at farmers markets in summer and any “treats” we have I also make. My daughter understands what healthy foods are and what they are not. She understands that work is important. She doesn’t “want” for anything. There isn’t anything that she is missing out on because she isn’t inundated with commercials from the television telling her that she should want them. We go to the library and do a lot things outside. We do art projects. I know that our life will not always be like this, that I will have a well-paying job with health insurance, but until that time, we have a good, simple life. I live next door to Section 8 housing and am appalled at how the people there live. I am heartsick for the kids being raised in those apartments. It is not unusual to call the police because of some sort of domestic disturbance. But here’s the thing that I think about most:
If I had been raised by different parents, that could be me. If I did not have the skills and the education that I have – the GIFT of knowing something different, something better – I could very easily be one of the people living in that house. We make a mistake when we assume that people can “be better” or “just get a job.” If you don’t learn how, it isn’t necessarily going to come naturally. The root of the problem of welfare abuse or any sort of reliance on welfare as your livelihood is in the fact that it is a cycle. You live what you learn. Getting WIC requires that you speak to a caseworker about how you feed your child. Your child’s growth and iron levels are monitored. It’s not huge, but it’s something. If you aren’t acquainted with proper nutrition, you aren’t going to be able to provide it to your children. If your mom never took you to the library, that is probably not a gift that you are going to give your child. Poverty, lack of education, and abuse are insidious diseases that spread from generation to generation and unless something happens to quell the tide, more of the same will be produced. Sometimes charity doesn’t have a definable monetary value – sometimes the most important kind of charity that we can give is the tools to make a better life – something that not everyone is fortunate enough to have received.
I could go on for hours on this , but I am only going to make a few points instead…
1) Just because a person is on FS or other programs does not mean they do not pay taxes.. Most everyone pays taxes. Having a job is not the only place taxes come from.
2) Many of our military, police, firemen, etc, receive FS for their families,, and as far as I am concerned any of our hero’s could eat steak and lobster or birthday cake all they want.. and if others can manage to buy steak and still have enough left for the rest of the meals for the month that means they know how to shop wisely.. sometimes that steak or seafood is actually cheaper than hamburger!
3)In Maine most people receiving benefits are working as well. They are just not making enough money.
4) You cannot look at the unemployment rate and use it as a accurate guide. It is misleading. When people no longer qualify for unemployment, even if they have not found a job, they are no longer counted.. hmmm but they still don’t have a job….This is why the roles have increased.
5) If the state focused more on way to collect child support or became creative with it, ( such as you can’t pay it, then we will pay for you , while you work for the town in trade, or have that parent babysit their own kid so the other parent can work) That would help a lot.. Many people could stay off aid, if only they got their child support.
6) most people are only one medical tragedy away from being in the shoes of those on assistance.. If that happens to you , the reader of this, I pray that people will offer you sympathy, empathy, compassion, and opportunities..
Actually, Kandie, you are incorrect on one thing. According to the IRS web site, 47% of Americans do NOT pay taxes, all lower wage earners, those who use most of the benefits. The top 25% wage earners in this country pay almost 80% of the taxes. FYI
@DPMT…just find me on Facebook and send me a request
it’s Colton Ross. I think we’re going to get along just fine!
I think that there is an aspect of this “growth” that must be addressed. Our government is out of control in ALL areas period. 2) Our globalist government is in the process of eliminating the American employee. There are literally millions of people that do not appear on the unemployment stats and roles. They are the once self employed self starter successful men of the trades. Your neighbors that used to pay high taxes, donate to the church and other charities and employ between 2 and ten employees in the construction trades. Roofer, drywallers, framers, finishers, installers of all types.
Our government has allowed millions of Americans to lose their means of income and the means of supporting many other families each. Just little contractors that worked their butts off. Our government has pulled a double whammy on this nation and most are sleeping through it. Our self sufficient tax paying businesses were destroyed by border jumpers that work for $3-5 dollars an hour. While politicians have convinced the nation that these are jobs “Americans will not do”. Bul***it!!! The border jumpers can work at those wages, poor product at that, because momasita is collecting SUPER Entitlements as in the 3x any amount under the “immigrant” “refugee” status that is just handed to them without a blink. When you look closely you find that that $3/ hour “hard working, ust want a better life” mexican is realizing the same income as if I were paying my guys $40-60 dollars per hour because we are underwriting our own demise. Just depends on how many kids they can pump out. So the American tax paying citizen takes it in the rectum 3 times over this “humane” policy towards foriegners. First he pays taxes through the nose for a life time. Next he loses his business to the mexican invaders and finally he loses because the government will not recognize self employment AND has to be destitude for 24 months before he qualifies for so much as a loaf of bread. By August of 2011 almost ALL heating assistance in this country was earmarked for mexicans because La Raza, the racist “hispanic” organization (meaning THE RACE) runs a very effecient campaign of political extortion to secure these fundings. Supporting lazy Americans is bad enough!! Why in God’s name are we supporting to elaborate degrees Criminal invading Non citizens?
And folks it is not just in the trades. We currently have 2.1 million American engineers of all types unemployed!! They don’t show up on the unemployment numbers because the job still exists only a H1B muslim visa holder is in the chair. Now think of it. We continue to import Through legal immigration 125,000 mid easterners PER MONTH!! Those that have replaced the once well paying jobs ($20/hr or so to start) are now doing that job for a few cents over minimum wage and because they have family sizes that average 9 children They too recieve the 3x refugee rate of assistance.
WE ARE SUBSIDIZING OUR OWN DEMISE. BOTH PARTIES ARE OF EQUAL GUILT OF TREASON AT THE ALTER OF GLOBALIST SOCIALISM. It was in black and white since 1994 what this plan has been but good ole Americans said “they would never try that there would be civil war”. News bullitin they have done it to the point of no return and there has been barely a peep out of the American society.
Wake the H*ll up!!! Our congress is currently trying to pass a law (both sides of the aisle and the POTUS agree) that enable the government to classify anyone that challenges policies such as these terrorists and can be held for life without trial. AMERICAN CITIZENS demanding the rule of law are being considered terrorists????
I lost my company to mexico. I was named a terrorist by the Bush administration because I demanded the rule of law. Now being terminal I welcome the prospect of not seeing my once great country become the open sewer that Detroit and LA are, spread across the entire nation.
None of this is an accident it is all in the plan. 4 presidents, 2 political parties and one unifying underlying agenda—– DESTROY AMERICA——–
A good article but you’re all missing the point…people are people and some may be ignorantly abusing the system, but the system only exists because of a much larger fraud brought down upon almost every single person in this country. And what was with the “I remember why I vote republican” part? That is just as ignorant as everything you stated in this article. You think being republican has anything to do with these very HUMAN issues you are talking about?
Look, I am right there with you in wanting everyone to be fair and stop being so abusive when they are being aided, its sickening. But the rest of us ignoring the root causes and letting the larger issues go unnoticed and therefore continue to thrive and eat us alive while you call yourself a better person because you are a republican who works for a terrible terrible corporation is way more sickening Im sorry.
Wake up and look at the bigger picture
Ashley: I am not on welfare at the moment though my family was on WIC for some time, and I have my own software development business. And I think this blog post goes entirely down the wrong line with what’s wrong with welfare in the US.
Welfare programs used to be divided into basically two kinds: unemployment benefits and a safety net for those who could not work (disabilities payments and the like). For people who are temporarily unemployed, there is nothing wrong with using your money that comes in however you like. If that means celebrating a birthday with steaks (and saving up for it for a while!) that’s what it means. Similarly, those who are unable to work because of disabilities should have the freedom to spend their payments however they see fit.
And yet I agree that we need welfare reform. The problem is not with the above types of programs but that we have a third kind of program which is very pernicious and needs to be done away with: financial assistance to low income working families. These programs need to be cut entirely away. If we want to help low-income working families the way to do it is to increase the minimum wage, not tax mom and pop businesses so that Walmart can have employees apply for public benefits. Because these use tax dollars obtained from broad taxes to allow large employers to externalize costs of low-wage workers, this means it is *corporate welfare* pretending to be social welfare. Get rid of these programs, perhaps increase the minimum wage by at least 50%, and paying for the unemployment/disabilities programs by making the corporations buy insurance against employees that are let go being unable to find work. The last one, disabilities paymments, we can talk about. However, large corporations should not be able to get a subsidy for their costs of doing business by asking their smaller competitors to pay taxes to foot the bill.
BTW, lest you think I am entirely on the left here, I despise social security. I think social security erodes and destroys both family and tradition, and I think we need to issue a cutoff line now, any age underneath the line (maybe 40?) does not get benefits (that would include me) and any age above does. At the same time, medicare I think, needs to be protected.
@Dawg….I am in complete agreement with your views! Do you have a Facebook as well? Send me a request if you do…it’s Colton Ross.
While I applaud the intent of this author (reforming a broken system), I am surprised that the author imagines Republicans are the ones to solve this problem. The reforms that this article would seem to require involve greater oversight and regulation–do you really think Republicans would support such measures? That would mean, ultimately, paying even more tax dollars toward the welfare system, and that will never happen on a Republican watch. The typical party platform in this area is about reducing the number of recipients (which still doesn’t solve the problems the author lists) or about cutting the programs completely (which, again, doesn’t solve these abuses). The problem is structural dependence–dependence created by other policies that devalue the person in favor of the corporation, that create a substantial burden on the working class, and that remove substantial important parts of our social safety net. Consider for a moment that many of these system abusers have had lives that were directly or indirectly damaged by government policies and entrenched racial and economic discrimination. Consider that many have dealt with years of bureaucratic intrusion into their lives. A strong incentive exists to game the system because many of these people perceive, many perhaps somewhat justifiably, that this is one small payment for a life situation that has been substantially ossified by government policies. I’m not saying that Democrats have done better in solving these problems or mitigating them, or that conservatives or liberals are more right. However, anecdotes from a summer of work would, I hope, not lead this author, a seemingly intelligent person, to broadly conclude that any politician saying “we need welfare reform” has the answers.
To offer my own anecdote, I was once in a middle class family that became poor due to the illness of both my elderly parents. They were already retired but hadn’t had enough extra income to adequately plan for medical costs and other long term care needs. Medicare and Medicaid proved, too, to be fairly useless after a couple months. My sister and I were forced to not only care for them but to also support ourselves, and to keep up their original home (the market value of which was now so low, due to the economy, as to make selling or borrowing it impractical). We qualified for assistance that totaled $18 a month. $18. I won’t go into all the bureaucratic details, but many of the programs have been so narrowly defined that accessing them is nearly impossible. Many require multiple applications just to get them, for seemingly no reason. The end result was that we supported a family of four, two of whom had serious medical bills, on $35,000 a year. I remember how many programs we scrapped and begged for, how strange it felt going to apply for this assistance, and how little we got. How many programs we were told had been cancelled, or had two year wait lists, or were severely de-funded, or had been pushed to the local or county governments and been scaled down significantly. So ask yourself this: if you want Republican social services reform, do you know what it will really look like? Do you know which families that don’t abuse the system and need the help are going to be swept away in this desire to reign in some Welfare Queens? People who want to game the system will figure out a way, no matter what changes are made. Perhaps the changes we need to make should more carefully consider the families that really need help but are being denied access to it.
Welfare reform never helps it only hurts and generally its children the sick and the elderly who suffer it has nothing to do with the SMALL minority who are “abusing” as she claims. Just because they have a cell phone that costs $25 a month? $25 doesnt pay for enough food for a week let alone a month. The only welfare reform we need is to remove all of the aid for illegals. The next thing she says about buying cakes and toys? So now poor kids are not allowed to have birthdays? riiight… THEN after “complaining” about how they have cell phones she makes the idiotic comment that “every cell phone has a calculator” well guess what… NOT EVERY WELFARE PERSON HAS A CELL PHONE! Further more she goes on to berate people and assume they are below her by labeling them “drama queen 1-2″ She also complains about WIC Walmart has one of the most appalling records when dealing with WIC. Hence why so many go without it! Because of rude inconsiderate hypocrits like her. Its disgusting. LIVE on the system for a few months and then try to tell me that people WANT to live like that and be in a constant state of poverty. If little miss goody-two-shoes is so pissy about welfare people having a steak its MUST be because she cant afford to buy one with her “amazing cashier job” So that means no one else should either? If she cant afford it on her income then no one else can.. yep sounds fair to me.. And this is why i vote democrat.
In Portage county Wisconsin in 1978 a good job paid $11/ Hour with full benefits.
In 2011 a good job in Portage county Wisconsin pays $11/ hour period.
Fuel- 425% increase
Housing (basic rental) 580% increase
Taxes 675% increase on property
Transportation (ie buying a basic pickup) 600% increase
Basic communication (ie phone) 800% increase
My question remains…How??? Plastic Money?
This is fer sure an absolute outrage. However, progressives like dukakkis, pelosi, reid, etc. won’t do a dern thin ’bout it cause the idiots and thiefs on welfare vote. In this administration, votes are the weapons of mass destruction where they give sumpin fer nuttin and the food is free!
SMALL minority, Morgan? WRONG! It’s a rather LARGE group of people who abuse the system. Those who truly need it as a hand UP are a very small percentage. Those who milk the system and don’t work – many never working a day in their lives and are multigenerational who use the welfare system are the majority.
Colton, there are quite a few Colton Ross’s on Facebook. What does your photo look like?
DPMT–your comments about the current health care system are basically the same reason I’m thankful I didn’t continue with education. I was an education major and absolutelyu loved it. Give me a classroom with fifteen four-year-olds, and I’ll be content! However, when I see what is happening with standards dependent on funding, I’m glad I didn’t pursue it. That’s because that crap greatly diminishes how a teacher can operate his or her classroom, teach using his/her own techniques, spend time on the areas where students are struggling, etc. I still love the children; I just don’t love the politics and how they are proving to be a great disservice to children and youth. Thanks for the info about the phone…I do think it’s best for me to keep the cell, though. With some of my health conditions, that’s the only way I can get help, one of two ways I can receive alerts about weather/city/state/national emergencies, arrange transportation, etc. I realized that I didn’t tell you something: one of those conditions is blindness. Phone and computer are the only ways I can really communicate. So anyway, I really appreciate your suggestion to help me cut costs where possible! Your perspective on your job and how it connects to health care makes complete sense, as well as the difficult positions physicians are stuck in. When one of my conditions changed life and forced me to drop out of school and move, I was two semesters away from getting my B.A. in psychology. As I think about your statements about health care, I wonder if there is a silver lining here. I am still going to return to school if it’s at all possible…I’m determined to do something! Btw, this discussion with you is great! *smile*
@DPMT…It’s a photo of me layind down on a bed with a black shirt on.
@Colton Ross. There are a whole bunch by that name. Go to Jerome Corsi and look for the reference to “Dawg” pick me out of there. Thx
OHNOES The poors should never have birthday cakes! How fowl! They should get a job before they are allowed to partake in ANY celebration. It is such a good thing that the rich in our great nation adhere to such strict ethical standards in our time of crisis (entirely caused by the poors with their LOBSTERS!!!)
It is a simple fix: 1) If you did not put into the system, you get no benefits, and 2) When you max out the contributions that you put in, the ride is over.
My friend just posted this article on my Facebook wall because everything you said reminded her of my complaints involving the people I saw at Walmart. I only worked there over the summer between years in college as a second job to make some extra money and the things I saw were absolutely disgusting. I live in New York and we get so many of the same kinds of people. I am so glad that you wrote this article-it is reason like this why I chose not to return to Walmart over my winter break! The things I saw people buy with their EBT Food Stamps and EBT Cash were just ridiculous. These people eat better than I do! Chicken, steak, shirmp, fish, you name it, they buy it with food stamps. Ridiculous.
Hello Christine, I enjoyed your article. Yes indeed, we do have a problem with a welfare-dependent underclass. Thomas Jefferson warned about this very thing:
“Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition.”
In other words, when an underclass is made dependent on the government, all of their drive and motivation is quickly snuffed out, and they become just another tool for those in power to use and control, or imprison and use as free labor. This is exactly what is happening in America today.
I witnessed it myself when in jail for growing a plant. (Cannabis.) In this six man cell I was surrounded by white trash scumbags. They told me all about the things they blew their EBC money on. Oh yeah, buying ounces of weed to sit around and smoke up on the taxpayers’ dime. There is an entire class of these people out there it seems, and they view it as completely normal and right. I was disgusted.
The larger problem that you’re searching for this is: we are living in a police state. Tyranny caught this country in its clutches in the early 20th century, slowly gained a foothold over decades, and now has us completely in its grip.
MUCH has changed about our country since Revolution days. A new Revolution is needed…and coming.
@Playahate-She didn’t say that they can’t have birthdays. The point is that if you are so poor that you need to be on food stamps, why the hell are you buying a giant birthday cake when you clearly need the money. Make one yourself, it’s cheaper! Clearly, you are on food stamps or completely support the system if you make comments like that.
@Morgan-I had a customer at Walmart say to me that she was paying with her “free money” and used an EBT card. Don’t even say that people don’t want to live on welfare. If they didn’t, they would be bettering their situation and not living on welfare for straight up years. And no, the author of this article is not a hypocrite, she is telling it like it is, and I for one completely agree as I worked at Walmart and had the same experiences she did.
Colton, for some reason, i’m not seeing your FB page at all, not with a photo of a guy with a black shirt on lying on a bed. Can you post a link?
Bethany, i have a friend who is also blind. She is one amazing gal. She just wrote a book that has been published and will be starting a book signing tour soon. She and her other three siblings were all born blind, and they are all very accomplished musicians. In fact, here is a link to a video of her and two of her siblings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcWXeDgdSOo
She is playing the keyboards. Her brother, Rory, is playing guitar, and her other brother is playing the drugs.
Her brother, Rory, is one heck of a guitar player. He plays it holding it on his lap face up, frets on the right hand, and fingers the frets that way. Here is a link to one of his videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIvNxF89qkA&feature=related Pretty amazing!
Bethany, are you on Facebook by any chance?
@DPMT. Supurb!!!!!
Where do u guys live that can get energy drinks, alcohol and cigs on food stamps?! That’s insane. They don’t do that here, nor should they. they made it impossible in Oregon to get those items with you EBT. You can get soda and candy, but not that stuff. If you are on TANF here, you are subject to housing inspections as well. They can tell if you have too much stuff or what not, if you make any money, you have to pay them back that same month, if you make money and don’t report it and they find out, you can be seriously fined and kicked out of the system for 5 years. Guess Oregon has strict laws in place.
To put a limit on food wouldnt be good. There are too many problems with it. Some people can only eat certain foods or have allergies or some need to have a high quality diet for other reasons (I have severe iron definency issues. So I need to eat more red meat than my hubby who needs more grains. My kids have serious food allergies. One was allergic to milk (like he would DIE of he had it) and so he had to have rice milk tht cost $1-3 a carton. But restricting on certain items would most likely restrict that because it would be labeled a luxury item? Yes it’s expensive and we really had to budget our money until he outgrew that allergy!)
Anyways. I am just saying, people have a max amount they can spend, they have to learn how to budget their own money. Another poster said that it isn’t easy getting into these programs, it wasn’t for us and when we got into it my hubby was without a job for about 2 months. He was going to start on one soon, but was waiting for it to open. But because we had no income they wouldn’t let us in right away (weird) we had to start paperwork. After paperwork you have an interview. After that initial interview we had to have a meeting with our “case worker” but only after my husband started attempting their career classes that he had to go apply for every job under the sun.
If he quit those classes at any point, we would be kicked off, if he skipped without a drs note, we would be kicked off.
You have to report on any and all income changes over x amount all the time and you have to do a recertification every 6 months. Every year you have to do an interview with your caseworker etc.. And always a boatload of paperwork!
Blah blah blah. I can’t wait for it to be over with already!! People treat you like crap the dog dragged in when you use food stamps. I have had so many cashiers glare at me, so many people be nice until they see that card. It is so hurtful. How can people be so mean? I am so tried be being treated like I’m stupid. I graduated high school, I’ve worked lots of jobs, I have been to college and with good grades (and that WHILE homeschooling AND I had a newborn.) but who cares. The glare says it all. They hate me and I must be a horrible person because I am on assistance. Obviously not everyone is like that. Nor is everyone on assistance abusing the system. But one person (even more than one) can be unfairly grouped with the bad ones. From my experience I could say that “All government/state workers are horrible mean and judgemental!” and I would be wrong because no matter that most of my experiences are they treat you like dirt in those offices, I have met a few good workers tht are NICE! Wow, it’s nice to chat with them when you have questions rather than the lady that looks at you like you’re carrying a disease and Like you haven’t bathed in a year. Seriously, like your not fit to look at the dirt on their shoe. Ignorant people. I can’t stand talking with them.
At least now we tell them “we won’t need you much longer because my hubby graduated with an engineering degree” it is fun to watch their eyebrows shoot through the roof and their whole demeanor changes. Like suddenly we became human to them.
It shouldnt change a thing- you treat a person like dirt- you pound them into the ground with you looks and comments- how do you expect them to live?
I have had too many years fighting depression. I clawed my way out of that. I can’t let ignorance of people around me kick me down there again. Before you pipe up and say something stupid to a person in the checkout- pause to think about how that will effect them! (not talking to author) please. If someone had said that to me I would have fallen deeper into my depression and bawled. I would have left the store without food and not gone back. I would have rather gone hungry. Seriously, it is humiliating enouph without a person who doesn’t even know your circumstances starts giving you nasty condescending looks when you use that card. I have even had store employees get mad at me and yell at me and tell me that I have to tell him that I am using food stamps (not true, he just didn’t know what HE was doing).
Like I said. I have been treated like crap too long. I know abusers. I can’t stand them because I get lumped into there with a glare. Sigh. Just be nice people. Please just be nice.
Stop judging 40 million people (the amount currently on food stamps) from these few bad apples. Way bigger issues to think about including this disgusting company. Maybe she should have gone on government assistance instead of assisting one of the biggest pieces of s*%t by working for them. Republicans need to stop blaming the poor
While it saddens me to say I’ve had to rely on the govt for food stamps assistance during a tough time financially with my husband having lost his job through no fault of his own and my minimum wage food service job not being enough income to make ends meet I can honestly say we were not abusing the system but I know some people do abuse it. I find it insulting for some people to just assume you’re freeloading when in fact you are a hard working employee just because you’re on food stamps. If it weren’t for food stamps and wic, my family would probably have had to starve, and to starve a child is not a good thing because of the effects it would have on development and growth. We weren’t able to get the cash assistance, only food assistance, but the cash assistance would have been really helpful so that we didn’t have to do things like keep our baby in too small clothes that left marks on his tummy from being too small because we couldn’t afford new clothes as he grew or that we sold our living room couch and some other things in order to not be evicted from our small apartment and end up homeless with a baby to care for or that we couldn’t afford to buy neccessities like toilet tissue so using public restrooms on the way to and from work was a must and stuffing a handful of tissue in my purse before i left the stall so i could have toilet tissue to use that night at home, or watering down the mouth wash, shampoo and handsoap in our bathroom just so it would last longer. I do think that there is something that could be done about the actual abusers of the system, and one thing would be to drug test them. I have never smoked and my husband doesn’t smoke and we really don’t drink hardly ever(3 yrs ago at a family member’s wedding was the last time I drank an alcoholic beverage) and we aren’t drug users(unless you consider the occasional ibuprofen for a headache) so we would pass drug testings no problem.
I do disagree with the discounts statement Colton made even though I know it was directed at abusers. If it weren’t for the fact that I could use the grocery store’s member discount card or whatever it is called that you have to have to get the items at sale price or else you pay full regular price and the fact that I could use coupons like $1 off of something we wouldn’t have been able to buy nearly half as much food as we have with our 140/month food stamp balance when prior to my husband’s job loss we probably spent around 300/month just on groceries not including other necessary hygiene items
Yes some people do cheat on food stamps, welfare in general…..other’s need a temporary hand up or go hungry and homeless. Get rid of the illegals stealing Millions of American’s jobs and taxpayer’s dollars funding food stamps, housing, gov checks, free medical care for themselves and whole familes and education to illegals…Problem solved!
Colton, I think i might have found you on FB. Do you have dark hair and is your finger in the picture, i.e. when you are trying to take the photo? Is Lloyd DeForest one of your friends? If so, I think I found you.
Right on, Getridofillegals! That would solve a huge bunch of problems in this country right off the bat.
@Thomas: Regarding your decision in respect to your parents’ house. In your portrayal, you chose not to sell the house because it would ‘cost’ your family. By cost, I am referring to the fact that a price in a bad economy does not equate to an expected return or the invested amount in the house. That is your bad. You should have done what millions have done generations past, are doing today, and will do in the future; and, sell it for what you could get.
Your decision lowered the standard of living for several people [limiting financial resources] than you realistically needed to by your own decision. And, your family suffered needlessly IMO. The house I occupy has devalued $100,000.00 over the past 3 years but I would not hesitate to sell the thing for $100,000 today, if I needed the money to provide care for any of my family. And, just as a reference point, the replacement cost on my house exceeds $400,000.00. I’ll never see that kind of price when I sell it. Unrealistic expectations can be damaging in more ways than one can imagine.
Please do not misinterpret my response to be antagonistic. I understand that you believed you were doing the best thing at the time. However, it was your decision, and you obviously lived with it. But, to present it in such a way as to ‘explain’ a situation outside of your control? No, I have to reject that presentation. Multitudes of families and individual are faced with very trying financial decisions today, just as they have faced them throughout the entire history of the human race. Regardless, I think you made the wrong decision from a purely financial perspective.
My people [ancestors] walked this land long before any ‘white’ man ever reached these shores. I thank God that one of them had the wisdom to refuse to acquiesce to the lure of ‘help from the government’. We have gone our own path as opposed to those living on reservations. Because of the decision to walk away from ‘The Great White Father”, my family has always endured on our own terms, regardless of how much “accumulated wealth” was necessarily dissolved by circumstances at any given time.
I guess that the point I am trying to make here is that just because someone acquires wealth, there is no guarantee of, nor a right to, retaining it. It is just a law of nature – we do what we can, with what we have, where we are. This idea of being self-sufficient is what made our nation the greatest one to ever exist. If we do not change the mentality in this culture as it exists today wherein a very large portion of the population believes that somehow, someone, somewhere is obligated to ‘provide me an existence”, we will witness the failure of the greatest haven of of a free mankind ever experienced.
The demise of this nation is precarilously perched on the precipice of financial failure right now. If you don’t believe me, try doing the math on paying back $15 trillion worth of deficit spending while increasing that deficit spending every year. It is impossible to accomplish in our lifetime. I’ve seen the figures that indicate that if the govt took control of every dime in this country right now, it would only finance about 6 months of our current spending rate..think about that and then tell me that we need a government mandated charity [hand-out] program. The stupidity has to end and pragmatic thinkers need to rise.
Raising minimum wage won’t help. The cost of living goes up with it.
Just the facts.
I don’t deny that people abuse the system but for some it is truly needed in times of hardship, and not everyone on food stamps is lazy and doesn’t work. Some people have jobs and degrees and still need help in this economy.
Here are some issues I have with some assumptions in this article…
So, because I am on food stamps, I am not allowed to buy my child their birthday cake,when that may be the only way I could afford it for them? Maybe I couldn’t get them anything else and just a family get together with a cake (that I am sooo thankful I can get with my food stamps this month otherwise my child wouldn’t get one) is all I could do.
Because I am on food stamps I am not allowed to splurge every once in a while on a steak like anyone else? It’s not like there is an unlimited amount of money you can spend, if you bought a lobster, you would know that you had to carefully plan and budget for it with the balance of your food stamps. I would rather see someone on food stamps eating fresh healthy foods than processed, boxed and junk foods.
Don’t assume that everyone that has a smart phone bought it and pay that much a month for it, maybe it was a gift and they are on a cricket plan like I am where data and all is only $40 a month, and that one phone is the only internet and phone connection they have.
In order to get cash assistance you have to go to classes and job training, so it’s not like someone is just sitting around and then buying whatever they want just because they can.
I am pretty sure some people “feel entitled” but also I am sure that most of the time if someone is getting upset over a food not coming up as food is because they have no other way to afford it at that time, and it is embarrassing to have to put things back, humiliating actually. While, yes, people should be up on their balance, even people make mistakes in their budget and balance their accounts of any type and end up over drafting or getting their credit card denied.
A few points I agree with. But not in every or even most situation can you assume all the details and jump to a conclusion where the person on welfare is in the wrong according to you, you also nee to consider all other points of view. Lastly, you can’t completely judge something that you have never had to go though. It is hard for most people to accept welfare in the first place and knowing that you are getting judged every time you swipe your EBT card makes it that much harder. You don’t know the back story to these people’s life, you don’t know the hardships they are going through.
For example just because someone is dressed nice, and put together doesn’t mean you should automatically assume they don’t need food stamps. People seem to think “Oh they had a nice dress and jewelry on and they were clean and well kept, they MUST be rich enough to not need food stamps. Wrong, maybe they like to look nice with what they have, maybe they only have a couple nice pieces of clothes and as any normal person like to be clean and presentable. Or maybe they were doing well with a job and had nice things, and now they are down on their luck and are needing help to feed their children. Maybe they led a normal, working, self sufficient job then their spouse fell ill and they had to devote all time to care of them and the kids and their spouse was the main bread winner and now they are struggling immensely. If you can take the time to think about why they SHOULDN’T have food stamps you should also take the time to thing about maybe why the do or should.
@Ashley
thank you.
ive had a job of some kind since i was 13 years old . recently i was dianosed with copd and ive tryed to get assisstance . well they say i need to spend 650 a month to get medicaid , thats more than half the money i get . and the top food stamp i can get is 16 dollars a month . but yet people that have been on welfare thier whole life and got 5 or 6 kids get 700 or 800 hundred in food stamps .plus a check for close to the same . i worked all my life to support these people , but when im in need of help omg its like pulling teeth and i finally gave up and am dealing with things the best i can on my own . i figured i would work till i reached retirement age , i was wrong and now i need help and it was not even worth me being seen in a place i associated with the poor and im sick to think these people get away with this .
I commend you on your mature attitude and insight. I agree that welfare should only be temporary for healthy people and for the disabled who are unable to work, but what what you have described is total abuse of the system and all those who pay taxes to help people get through the rough patches.
I have a double house and rent it out. I felt sorry for a family on welfare and rented an apartment to them. I didn’t get paid for rent for 8 months! They were lying druggies, milking the system, not working, kids in day care just to get them out of the house and away from their parent or parents, while they sit at home not paying the rent, crying poverty, and landlords not being able to even evict them without going to court and paying a lawyer for it. In addition, the money is never recovered. Bills pile up for landlords, too. Mortgage, utilities, insurance, maintenance, and taxes. How about all the damage incurred? How about a total of $18,000 worth of damage and no rent for 8 months? I know the people you have dealt with because I have, too, and not in MA! I never got a cent after that AND I had to pay court and attorney fees!
And the answer is NO to the person above who said that people go bankrupt and don’t pay their bills. Well, to you, I say, I took such a hit with that family that I nearly lost my house! I didn’t use anyone else’s money to pay it! I didn’t use plastic! I just paid double! Once to support them for 8 months, totally renovate a house they destroyed, paid all legal fees to GET them out, and paid the taxes to support them and others like them! Bitter? You bet!!!
I, too, used food stamps many years, ago when my husband got laid off for 3 months and we had no income. But, while in college having a family, I worked 2 jobs to help support us while taking a full course load. I, too, know about working and working HARD to get ahead! This young lady is not talking about people like me or most of you. She is talking about the professional welfare recipient who knows nothing else and is raising generation after generation of the same “working the system” people.
Let’s not forget about those who sell their food cards for pennies on the dollar outside stores in plain sight to anyone who will buy them! That was seen in yet another state! It’s not just MA, it’s systemic all over this country.
I’m sorry for ranting, but this young lady has a point! It was well written and true, even though some people don’t want to believe it or become defensive about it. If you don’t act like that, and are receiving welfare help on a temporary basis, or are disabled, then this article was not pointed at you! Use the system to help you get on your feet. That’s what it’s there for. It’s not there for people like those who have been described in the article! Those are the people who make it bad for those who need it legitimately! At least we can say that THEY don’t pay taxes……..
All I can say is, “Good luck tax payers, one and all”.
Ok I read all the comments n whole article. No you were not stating anything about people who honestly need help you only stated how ebt equals unintelligent lazy frauds not once did you mention people actually needing help or how the system keeps people poor because as soon as people start getting ahead at all they take any help at all away so your worse off then you were before. Also if you plan on being a journalist you should probably do fact checking before stating so called facts because being a mainiac ( not a mainer) I know that we have a ridiculously high unemployment rate and a great deal of it is people not getting jobs they are applying for even in the best time of year bc our local business owners are bringing in jamaicans Russians ect. To work for min wage and not pay taxes or spend money here so our local people can’t get up from the low of poverty hence high levels of help. Also why are so many people that would be illegal with out their anchor kids allowed to get our benefits for our needy?? We should be helping our own by allowing our own first to get jobs. You non locals have no idea how bad the winters are in Maine and with out assistance a lot of people who are trying their hardest would die all because what you think they are your pigeon hole idea of food stamp receivers?? Also the system allows the disgusting misuse by offering up every help they can to ppl who don’t need it so the people who do can’t get it! Not everyone makes enough to save so if they are laid off their screwed but because they made more then so much the last couple months they have to wait till they are in the homeless shelter to get help. Well if you lived in most of Maine you would know there’s a much larger majority of people with out vehicles and I don’t even remember seeing Lexus anywhere in all my time there but I had to leave to support my son whose dead beat father decided after 2 years that he with no bills no responsibility didn’t want it or to lose his attention and isn’t being forced to help support what he helped create and that is the real problem in this country. Way to many people freely pro creating with out being held responsible so those of us trying to be responsible and take care of our selves and make good choices can barely make it. Oh and BTW you people talking about unwed mothers you are he same people wanting to abolish abortion but you refuse to see that not every situation is the same and being unwed doesn’t make one person less able then someone who got married and was walked out on either way you got walked put on by a self important selfish person and I’d much rather see a mom busting ass and receiving some help where needed then a “mom” whose out spreading her legs trying to tap in whomever will come marry them or worse have a revolving door of scumbags so their kid and they can have a male in their life till they run off too. Yes I went in your mind off topic but far to many people seem to think this is all females when if we held our boys accountable a lot of this wouldn’t go on and having Paris Hilton look alike 10 yos isn’t helping either
Perfectly put. Idk where Louisiana ranks in the categories you mentioned, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if we were, sadly, “ahead,” of Maine. At any rate, you’re absolutely right on all accounts. Something has to change. I say we start a movement. Instead of occupying this place or that, we refuse to pay taxes until they’re appropriated properly. Just spitballing.. it’s late & I have to WORK in a few hours.
Oh and before you hate on me I’m a 25 yo of one who busts ass to support my one and am not unwed fat lazy or uneducated just trying my hardest to keep my baby boy happy and healthy even though I’m exhausted from working as many hours as I can get and end up paying my babysitter more then i make half the time out of my pocket before you go bitching about my babysitter being paid for and I drive a pos but its my pos that gets me back and forth and I had all my luxury items before I had money issues and take care of my stuff so I’m sorry if you see me using my wic checks and think my son doesn’t deserve to eat bc I bought some boots 3 years ago or because I have a cell phone because the last 5 times my car over heated I didn’t have one and no one at all stopped to offer any assistance on the side of the highway coming back from work so i had to sit there for hours with my son till our car could make it. Is rather be safe then sorry so I’m not sorry I have a 19$ phone I get a work discount on.
Beauty and brains….. only our side has both. The piece is great, but her photo left me breathless!
I agree with morgan all the way, there is no “fixing” the system Because that would mean that people would see it was never the welfare population who were running this country into the ground. Its funny that the Middle class and the rich are always the first to start trying to kill off the poor. Dont you think? I mean if you pay very close attention you would realize all to quickly that this is the end result for the republican agenda. Hi-ho Hitler… Aka Gingrich or should i say GreenGrinch? I mean come on. You guys are saying she has common sense? WHERE? Apparently and thankfully others see it too UP HER ASS. This is why i too vote democrat.
And i looked into the population on welfare assistance while it is high (especially for the last 5 years) the number of actual abuse cases varies. In most cases its null and void. The only clear abuse of the system is again as morgan said. Illegals, end of story.
Christine, don’t pay attention to the Leftist trolls who criticize you about observations that are clearly valid. While there were no doubt some who you mistook for welfare queens when they were otherwise, there were others who reasonable people would clearly judge as abusers. Your point is that fraud exists and that it should be remedied. Any rational person would agree with this, except perhaps those in the 47 percent category of U.S. workers who pay nothing in the way of federal income taxes. Because they have no stake in paying these people they could care less about the impact that such waste has on the 53 percent who are subsidizing the others. We will be lost when the non-payers become the majority, as there will be no stopping their propensity to raise taxes. We will be like Venezuela, where the poor are looting the national treasury and nationalizing private industry. Thank you Christine for telling the truth about what is likely a case of serious wasteful fraud.
The problem with all this is what the woman talked about is fraud on WALMARTS part, not the 2 women. One woman was strickly rude in yelling but that doesn’t make it fraud. $400 is foodstamps means there had to be 3 or 4 in the family and the woman may have been working for the “MINIMUM WAGE”. What is fraud is when a person claims children on their application but they don’t actually have the children in hand.
Not all Walmarts sale Booze.
Then there is the “Nutritional” food thing. You can make $400 worth of “non-nutritional food” go further and $400 worth of “nutritional” food because “non-nutritional” food is cheaper to purchase.
Just because a person gets “FOODSTAMPS” doesn’t mean they are getting MONEY to purchase other things.
‘Cringe’ I think this is a generalised point of view. I am studying a BSc in Health and Social Science here in the UK. I have been educated to widen my perspective of society and to accept that people present themselves in many different ways. Yes, the guy may be wrong buying alcohol…..but what if he has so many problems that he is battling and fighting against a drink problem, and maybe he is slowly beating it
The birthday cake, that could be the only thing to celebrate that persons birthday. There are wider issues. No one is entitled to sit behind a cash register and judge others.
I am studying for my degree, whilst raising 2 small children, on my own, on welfare because my ex husband turned us out of our home, beat me badly and left us with nothing. I would not like to think everytime I stood in a queue with a shopping trolley, that the contents were being judged. The face I present to society hides the demons I fight inside x
Nicola, it is a lie when they say a person can buy booze with foodstamps in the states. You can’t even buy “pre-made birthday cakes”. I have a friend who works for “WALMART” and she is on “FOODSTAMPS”. Main reason is she has 3 children herself and makes only $8.00 an hour. Between her rent, utilities, clothing for the children, transportation for all 4 (they ride the bus), school supplys, child care, etc……….. she doesn’t have any extra to buy food for her kids. If she was on TANF she would get $200 per person but she isn’t on TANF and the most she gets in foodstamps is $250 a month. She just had a decrease to $200 because of what Congress passed just recently.
Back in the 1970′s a person could live off the minimum wage. I know because I have two son’s and like you, I was raising them by myself. The difference is that utilities was included in my rent and child care was $25 dollars a week for my two boys.
She could be sued for breach of contract with her employeer. Some group, like SPLC will file a complaint against her, and then get it in writing that cashiers and such are virtually rendered “speechless” about what they see and hear. REPUBLICAN?? The other meat, I like to call them. Told me alot about this girls mindframe, and kind of made her views less meaningful to me. Both parties have an agenda, and I only wish this lady knew that she is playing right into the scheme of things. Republicans are already starting to lean toward the liberal center, since they know they have to have a foot on each side of the fence.
I love it this was a great article. And very true, I have seen it in the retail business and in the social service business and now in my own business as a home based daycare. Parents get assistance from the state for their childcare and then can’t pay their fees because the state pays the parents who are inturn supposed to pay their provider but they have done something else with the money. It sickens me. I have heard the Governor is considering random drug testing for people on welfare I think this might be a good first step towards a solution.
I sure wish Florida was so giving in welfare. I am 26, a mother of two, I live with my mother and little sister who is 8, I go to school full time, and take care of the children when I am not in school. Because of the price of childcare, we cannot afford to put any of the children in daycare. I work my butt off to get good grades, and pray that once I am finished I can find a well paying job, and daycare that my paycheck won’t go to in it’s entirety. My mother does not make much, just enough to keep us with a roof over our heads, food, TV/internet, home phone, not great cell phones, just a little more than your basic necessities. If that is more than people on welfare have then it is a surprise to me. I have seen these people, not only at Walmart either! During a recent outing with a friend (who can afford to shop extravagantly) I saw women pulling out food stamp cards for part of their purchase, then LOADS of cash to cover things I only wish I would buy my kids. Not to mention their expensive cell phones, jewelry, clothing..I could go on, what really fried my noodle, was a kid with them, maybe 14 or 15, with his own iphone….if this family is on welfare, with all these unnecessary items, why is my family ineligible? Who knows! But I keep relying on God, praying, working my butt off to go to school, take care of the kids, and I don’t whine about it! I realize that i have what I NEED,and I keep on going. I only wish I could do for my kids what these seemingly undeserving families get away with,and I don’t want to know how they do it, as it probably pertains to drugs. I won’t put my kids in jeopardy, or my school and future, just to live off the state, and have unnecessary things. Sorry this was so long, I don’t mean to whine, I just hate the holiday season when I see the corruptness in full force, and yes, I am jealous, I cannot do HALF of what these families do for their children, BUT I can provide their NEEDS. That is all I should be, and am, grateful for.
Interesting point about buying expensive foodstuffs. I know somebody who is sole carer for a bedbound wife – he has no savings after years of failed treatments and relies on benefits. Recently he bought a large piece of beef to roast as his wife had asked for a “proper roast dinner” for her 50th birthday (and wedding anniversary as that was a few days after). He arranged a small dinner party, did without himself for a week or so and managed to buy the meat. That was all he could afford – which I found out when he screwed up the courage to ask me (as a distant friend) for a bit of help with the vegetables. He may not have any money but he has his pride.
With a bit of lying (“smallest size they’ll deliver”) I got him to accept a decent mixed box from a farmers’ market and allow me to provide dessert as “that’s not a proper present”. No big deal to me, I can afford it easily, but I’d like to think that someone would do the same for me one day if I should need it.
By the way, he bought the meat from a major chain: last announced annual income from chain to owning family – £273 million. Taxes paid on that: £10 million.
LOL, how can this be true?
wishladya says:
December 13, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Wishlady, I am a product of the 1940′s and when my father died in 1948, (mother with only a 6th grade education) my mother did what she had to do to take care of us four kids. Drive a car for a poor person wasn’t even thinkable.
I’ll be labeled as cold hearted by some but I don’t believe that people “deserve” to eat steak, lobster, etc. those are luxuries. What they deserve is help buying necessities to help them survive until they can get back on their feet. It’s not “fair” but it’s life. Not everyone gets to go to college, not everyone gets to eat steak, not everyone gets to be a millionaire. If I’m going to work my hiney off to MAKE the money to pay for FS and I can’t afford to eat steak, those using the FS shouldn’t eat it either.
There is a sense of entitlement in this nation and there are people who no longer work hard to get ahead because they believe they are entitled to a certain standard of living. That’s not the case.
Since when is Steak or Lobster a Luxury?? Especially in Maine where their is a ton of Lobster Fisherman. Steak is part of a cow… It is not that expensive. Nor is it a Luxury item. Last I checked Walmart wasn’t selling KOBE beef (Which is the only steak that is a luxury item) Lobster in many states isn’t that expensive. In Maine its the equivalent of buying Oranges in Florida. Florida produces them so we don’t pay as much for them as you would in the Midwest.
If you can’t afford to buy yourself a Steak I have to wonder if its because your spending your grocery money buying Name Brand Soda and Beer instead. Its all about choices. I know my kids get steak because, I buy them the store brands whenever possible so they can enjoy those healthier cuts of meat. Rather than the processed garbage that will cause them health problems. Instead of complaining all the time about kids eating better than you why don’t you look at your own life choices as to why you can’t eat steak.
Excellent article. I was going to share for other’s to read until you had to add “This is why I vote Republican”. I am a Democrat and agree with you on this subject. I know many other Democrats who do as well. I live in a state that has been run by Republicans for 15 years now and we have a problem as well. Republicans are not the only ones that are tired of the abuse. I am even willing to vote Republican if the candidate is worthy of my vote. To bad you had to throw that statement into the article.
Ok, so what happens if you have a customer that pays with FS and she forgets a bag, and you run out to the parking lot to catch up with her and *gasp* she is driving a pretty decent car?? Maybe she even has a car payment!! FYI…..before you judge make sure you remember, that the car is under CONTRACT and maybe her circumstances have changed since signing for it, and you cant get out of it. Do you know how high the income level is a month to qualify for help?? You can WORK and make alot of money and still qualify for help. We have to look at family size vs. wages brought home etc too. I agree there are ALOT of young people in this country popping out babies knowing the system will take care of them, but its not everyone.
Now lets use the “why should they buy lobster?” line…..thats like saying “Joe you only make $9 an hour, but Steve you make $15, so Joe you get steak and Steve you get Lobster” yes, Joe and Steve worked for those things, BUT how do you know someone using FS isnt working? Do you know WHY people buy cheap crappy Food on FS?? because groceries are expensive!! it makes them stretch longer!! is it right? no, but I do know of people who bought Organic things on it….and you would probably complain about that, because “you work” and you cant afford to eat organic. Noone will ever be happy, nor will the system ever be perfect.
It saddens me to see how many on here are so quick to judge others. I do not know the “why” they are on these programs, nor is it any my business to know, or yours, just be assured if they are receving benifits than they are entitled to it
I am bringing up two of my grandchildren. The youngest was severly malnourished. Her doctor made out a prescription for WIC to purchase Pedisure so she would have the nutritional suppliment she needed. The first time I purchased Pedisure with the WIC checks I went to Walmart. The cashier told me that WIC does not buy this stuff. I pointed out to her that Pedisure was on the checks and yes they did. The cashier called her supervisior over and both of them told me that WIC did not purchase this. I said if so, then why is the Pedisure on the check? I did eventually get the Pedisure purchased. I have never felt so embarassed or upset that I was treated so badly. I did not go back to that store again to purchase anything on WIC.
If and when you need the help, be blessed you are able to have it and if you are not on it be blessed for that too.
Here is how fubar’d the welfare system in Maine is. in 2001 I was pregnant and due to complications I was put on bed rest. Although I had my short term disability through work and my husband still working full time, Between the two it was just enough to pay the bills, food….well that can be scrimped on. We decided to apply for food stamps, just enough to get us by until I could go back to work. With the states measures (whatever they are) between my short-term disability and my husband working, we still made $100.00 more than was allowed. SERIOUSLY!! $100.00. I loudly said in the room, “must be nice for those who don’t work and get a $500.00 food stamp card handed to them”.
I need to find the bumper sticker I saw once that says “Work Harder, Millions on Welfare Depend On YOU!”
SO agree with the writer here. Enough is enough. I am not against those who have lost their jobs receiving benefits and are ACTIVELY seeking and WILLING to take A job at least until they find something that they would prefer to do. She is right…it has become generational. Don’t worry about working, you can live on welfare. I have heard people say this! It’s sickening! My Dad always said, (and I grew up in Maine…) if you don’t work, you don’t eat. I will never forget that. I understand that times are tough. I don’t agree with certain things that can be purchased. For example, steak etc. These people are at the mercy of the State and the taxpayers (those who pay for these steaks etc…….) If I can’t buy steak why should I buy steak for you???? Really, think about it! My husband and I both work and WE support our children and live a VERY frugal lifestyle. Why should others be buying luxury items on our dime?? There should most definately be limits on what kind of products they can buy. Most of what I have seen if people wasting these benefits instead of buying decent food to feed their families. It’s the mentality that is the biggest problem. If a person adopts an attitude of entitilement toward the program, there is a problem. The program was originally created to be a TEMPORARY assistance to those who for whatever reason couldn’t TEMPORARILY work. Not for a lifetime of support. It is out of control and I personally feel that the welfare issue if one of our biggest contributors to our financial crisis.
Having worked in the retail field for many years, I can feel for the young lady who wrote the article, but also having been on welfare and fs WHILE WORKING, I can say honestly that one should NOT judge unless you know the facts of the situation. I was a single mom who was earning less than $8 an hour. I worked and went to school, but was not able to make ends meet. I was NOT receiving child support despite a court order, so I had to go on assistance.
As a cashier, I could see why some cashiers got mad at those on food stamps, however, being in the same boat, I also had compassion (which many of us need now more than ever).
Now that I am older and I see corporate and government abuse of TAX DOLLARS, it enrages me to see people who make blanket statements such as the author and some of the people commenting have done. How many of you know that Congress has many times over the years voted THEMSELVES raises of millions of TAX dollars, just so they can pay the upkeep of TWO OR MORE homes, while so many Americans are going through foreclosure because they can’t keep up with payments on ONE home? How many of you actually see what is going on in this country? Is the government entitled to welfare? Are these elected officials so wonderful that they are able to steal your tax dollars right out from under you, yet you turn a blind eye while condemning those who are not able to makes ends meet?
I have seen firsthand many people working four jobs, yet still qualifying for food stamps, because in the NOT SO GREAT STATE OF MAINE, the cost of living is FAR higher, per capita than the rest of the country. We are paying almost $5 for a gallon of milk, while in many other areas it is still less than $3. That is NOT the store brand.
The national minimum wage (VOTED BY CONGRESS) is less than $8 an hour, so in Maine, an hour of work equals a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread, MAYBE. Rents in the state are almost triple what many Mainers get for income (if you don’t believe me, just search the ads in CL. Many places are more than a month’s wages just for rent, and they don’t include heat, which in itself is astronomical, electric-which has been proven that Maine has the highest energy costs in the country)…..
KNOW YOUR FACTS BEFORE YOU JUDGE. The government has blinded the fortunate. They distract you with the every day “abuse” of the system, while they themselves are the BIGGEST abusers.
BTW, I also worked at Walmart. How many of you who post as cashiers know that Walmart sells their products at a 300% markup cost? Is that fair? Does anyone force people to shop at Walmart? In a sense, yes, because many people cannot afford NOT to shop at Walmart, so before you want to judge those who buy their food and other products with EBT cards, think of this…..their coming to Walmart to buy stuff is keeping YOU in a job. Think you can get a job anywhere? Sure you can, but no matter where you work, these people are keeping you in a job.
Totally agree with all your points. Very well stated. Too many people take advantage of the system and take money away from people who do truly need it. I hope something changes for this country, and soon, or we’re all in trouble.
Just to add to my recent post…..the other part of this equation is….when these people buy all kinds of junk, soda, garbage food. Then they get fat, diabetes, rotten teeth, heart problems and guess who pays their medical bills after they have wasted the money WE have supplied them with? We then have to pick up the cost of taking care of their lazy rear-ends. Where does it end????
welfare needs reforming. But did you ever ask yourself why? It seems ridiculous to imagine that people on food stamps would be allowed to buy soda until you realize that the corn industry lobby (soda is flavored with high fructose corn syrup) wanted their piece of the pie and persuaded (read :paid) congress to allow soda…and other processed foods containing HFCS (nearly everything on the shelves, nowadays) to be purchased by food stamps. Like everything else, if you really want change, get off the blog, go knocking on doors and collect some signatures. There are some awfully angry people commenting here…what will any of you actually DO about it? Oh…and best of luck fighting the corn lobby…they’ve got republicans and democrats in DC in their back pockets!
Pissedoff….you must be a welfare receipient! I can buy steak if I choose to but if you or anyone else wants steak…get off your LAZY a** and WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not but, my adopted children are. I pay more in Corporate taxes every month than you probably do in a year. I also pay taxes twice. Once on my corporate income and once more on my personal income. You probably get a refund on your taxes. I don’t get refunds. So, your actually not paying anything towards welfare or food stamps. If your getting any tax refunds your not paying taxes.
Nice post. Ask a police officer about welfare abuse sometime. They too see things about the welfare system that most never will. Unfortunately, even Republicans are unwilling to do anything about it. Here in Ohio, Kasich tried to screw government employees as a way to save taxpayer dollars, but has pardoned an infamous welfare queen, and rejecting mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients. Welfare will ruin this country.
I grew up in a large blended family. When we had hard times, we had to depend on AFDC. There were no food stamps or cards. We had to go to the town hall on a Saturday and pick up the food. We were given cheese, peanut butter, canned meats, and vegetables. These items helped get us through some hard times. Even then there were those that would abuse the system and sell the items they were given. I also worked in retail and saw the then food stamp abuse. People would buy a two cent cough drop with a one dollar food stamp coupon, which was legal, and be given $.98 in change.Tthis procedure would go on all day long. Then in the evening, they would come back with all that change and buy beer and cigarettes. I think this young lady prefaced her article by saying she had no problem with those really needing assistance. She is dead on that the system is flawed. If you can afford a smart phone, internet, cable TV and every gaming system know to man, then you have no business being on assistance. This is where we have gone wrong. We are not entitled to have those luxuries. We are not entitled to have steak and lobster. We are supposed to help those that can’t help themselves. I am very sick of taking care of those who won’t help themselves. When my children were young, my husband and I qualified financially for benefits. We never used any of them. We made do with what we had and prioritized needs over wants. We raised our children to do the same. It seems this young lady’s parents did as well!
I’m not sure how the whole thing works but you should have to renew your card lets say every 4 yrs like a drivers license and show some proof that you were actually looking for a job! its sickening that they pass down their knowledge of screwing the system to their kidsthe gov. knows this and still nothing is done to change it. thats our problem in a nutshell we allow it and enable them to continue taking advantage of OUR hard earned $$ to sustain their lifestyle~
PissedOff, a luxury item is something that isn’t needed and that can be replaced with something of a lesser cost. You can get a lot more hamburger meat or chicken for the money you’ll spend on steak and steak has no more nutritional value that hamburger or chicken.
And no, I don’t need your financial advice. My husband and I have worked our entire lives (still working), raised our child, scrimped and saved to put him through four years of college, ate ramen noodles with extra water added to make it go farther so we could afford the house payment and are now saving for retirement (and money to spoil grandkids I’m sure will come some day). We didn’t always eat steak (and still don’t) but when we DID eat it, we could AFFORD it and didn’t need assistance to buy it.
WELFARE HAS RUINED THIS ONCE GREAT AND GLORIOUS NATION.
WELFARE ENTITLEMENTS ARE AN EPIDEMIC, NOW HAVE BECOME A CANCER DISEASE AND SOON WILL BE A FREAKIN PLAGUE ON THE PLANET AS A WHOLE !!!!
THE ONLY WELFARE-REFORM THAT WE TRULY NEED, IS TO ABOLISH ALL WELFARE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND OF COURSE SHOT AND HANG ALL POLITICIANS TO MAKE THE TREES LOOK NICER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL
this pretty much describes my days cashiering in a grocery store in Minnesota, it’s not just in Maine. I’ve had people brag about collecting on their kids in Minnesota while the other “parent” collects in Chicago – it’s only a 7 hour drive to cash in. I’ve been cussed out countless times by people wearing leather and gold because the foodstamps that I contributed to with my 3 jobs were not enough for their groceries.
Take a guess how much, per month, the welfare recipient spends on cigarettes per month:
We did a survey in New England.
The average was $350 of tax payer money, one way or another, that goes to pay for a non producer’s cigarette habit.
this is sickening.
How are adopted children on welfare??? Doesn’t it become the responsibility to care for and provide for a child that is adopted by someone? Isn’t that the point? If a person does not have the financial means to care for a child that is for adoption, how can they adopt? That makes no sense….
You’re absolutely right, of course. The poor should not be able to buy toys for their children. Screw ‘em. Single mothers, especially, should simply get jobs. That the weekly cost of childcare will end up putting her right back below the poverty level is a cruel reality. Not our problem.
When you are older, you will understand that while there is fraud and abuse, it is not as rampant as you think. You will further realize that poverty can be a trap that is nearly impossible to escape. Count your blessings that you have never faced that trap first-hand. There but for the Grace of God …
We have taken away the drive of people to work, robbing them of initiative. We have created an underclass where 1/3 of the people rely upon 2/3 of the people just to survive. President Obama’s change is upon us and it is destroying us as a people and leaders of the world.
Asian students in US colleges mock our kids’ work ethic and entitled attitude.
This is the sad reality of the social engineering that began in earnest in the Depression and picked up speed in the 60′s.
Im in agreancess with smart cuts in welfare. Reign in the policies that enable some people to game the system.
My family was on welfare for 4 years or so and what came out of 5 family members that have high paying jobs!
Its very possible i will have made a million dollars in the next 15 yrs!
By the way…those of you commenting who are on welfare…how are you paying for this internet that you are on trying to defend your position. Hmmmm?? That IS a luxury…homework can be done at the library so don’t even try that one…… :
If they make women get her tubes tied, why don’t they make a man get his N…cut. Oh I know it takes away their Man hood. Right! If they were a man they would man up and take responceabality of their own,Instead they go and make kid after kid with about 5 differant women and think nothing of it. It’s the old and sick that are paying for their stupidy.
I totally agree with her. When I was younger my mother lost her job and we depended on food stamps to feed us. She finally found a job making hardly anything and the state took her stams and wanted her to pay it back. Welfare is for people who need it…NOT A LIFESTYLE!!!
Why does this not surprise me? Because I see the same thing here in Texas at Wal-Mart, HEB, Kroger and United Supermarkets. The cashiers who cave in to these miscreants (those who cash out their EBT and Food Stamps for cash) are also a part of the problem.
And the store management? Hell, they’re in on it, too!
Got a simple solution to welfare recipients: tie it to job search or your funds are cut off.
Cold Hard Facts:
the children argument is emotional. People who indiscriminately have children have to be responsible for paying for their toys; not society.
You are an enabler and the problem is that you are doing it with others’ hard earned money.
If you wish to donate to non workers, it should be your choice, not under the threat of arrest.
If I withhold my tax dollars in protest, I will lose my freedom while the underclass of non-producers continues to grow in this country.
You will not learn about human nature until it hurts you financially, and then you will complain loudly. It sometimes takes a depression to clear out the Messiah complex of people like you who demand money given to those who do not work.
The Scriptures are held dear by many and it teaches:
“If a man will not work, neither shall he eat”
Hunger is a great motivator and as long as single mothers know their welfare benefits increase with children, they will get pregnant.
25 years of social work has changed my mind. Many like me now admit that we were wrong…the older the social worker, the more he or she sees how wrong our generation was.
Redistribution of wealth means theft of one group.
“Thou shalt not steal.”
@Liberal no more…could not have said it better!
@Melissa E. I’ve walked that mile as you say, and this girl is RIGHT! I find that when people get defensive it just means they have something to be ashamed of or hide…
Jason,
I do not know a single person who would not open their food cabinet to help others.
The government should not be in the food distribution business. The beauro-mess that arises becomes an industry of government jobs and control. For every dollar of food, less than 10 cents gets to feeding. The rest goes to hiring workers, hiring supervisors, hiring book keepers, and hiring authorities to investigate the workers and hiring investigators for fraud, and then supervisors for them, and so on.
The government needs to get out. Charity organizations provide food in abundance for those in need.
The only thing we require is that the people come to us, yet our government takes even that from them by sending them the “credit card” EBT card.
If I put a limit on how much food one can take, I am assaulted with curses. I know who takes food to sell or trade for drugs and attempt to limit it. The 25-30 year olds have so grown up with this mentality that they think it is their right to have food they did not produce nor earn.
if welfare food stamps gets cut off, there will be rioting in Lewiston Maine and the locals had better be prepared to protect themselves and their stores.
I really appreciate this young woman’s perspective on what she witnessed while working at Wal-mart. I don’t think she was judging everyone who is on food stamps – only those who appear to be abusing it. Years ago, as a single mom, I spent a brief period of time on welfare and food stamps. It was the mid-80′s. I was job-searching in 5 counties. My welfare check wasn’t enough to cover my $150 per month rent, electric bill & gas bill. I didn’t have a phone or cable TV. My food stamps were only for food and was way more than what my daughter and I could eat in a month. I would have to spend my food stamps carefully so as to get the maximum amount of change from the stamps so I could save the change over the month in order to pay my utility bills. Also, I would take my mother shopping with me and I would buy her meat with my food stamps and she would pay equal amount in $$ to buy my bath soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, laundry soap, etc. as those items couldn’t be purchased with food stamps. I certainly didn’t buy steaks or lobster and I’m appalled that food stamps will buy “extravagant items” but not soap and toilet paper. I have not received government aid since then and I still do not buy “extravagant items” so it’s a little upsetting that my budget doesn’t allow for that type of spending, but my tax $$ afford someone to afford those items when they are NOT supporting themselves financially. Now with the ability to buy alcohol and fast food with government funds, I’m even more convinced we need reform on these programs. I know of families who are five generations on welfare. That’s insane. Rather than our tax $$ paying for generation after generation to be on welfare/food stamps, I would prefer to be paying for programs that will help people get off of welfare/food stamps. There need to be financial/budgeting programs; classes to teach job-seeking/interviewing skills, resume writing, etc. I also believe that once someone does start receiving welfare/food stamps, they SHOULD NOT be allowed to increase their benefits by having more children. We need to teach people how NOT to live on welfare/food stamps. I’m all in favor of giving a hand up – but we need to stop the unlimited hand-outs and teaching people how to live off of others. There will always be those who need help along the way – particularly when our economy is in its current state – but help should be meant as temporary, not a way of living.
When I seek donations for food for our charity, no one turns me down.
The most food comes from the wealthy, or upper middle class. They are incredibly generous.
My staff is low and overhead is low. We get 80 cents of every dollar to the hungry. We keep simple records, have only a few paid employees but have an abundance of volunteers.
One year we had a leave-raking for food program.
We had to drop the program as it seemed as if there were no more needy people!
You liberals/progressives do not know how you are robbing young people of drive and initiative. There is an entire cottage industry of therapists and psychologists who are willing to help frauds get disability, or get their IQ results just low enough so the person does not have to work and gets money.
We have mentally handicapped adults working for us. They are a delight. They feel so good about working because it satisfies a human drive to be productive.
Some cannot do much, but what they do fills them with dignity.
One young woman (mentally retarded) was told that she had to spend her paycheck or she would LOSE her food stamps! She said, “I pay for myself!” and against her case manager, she let her food stamps expire!
Now she must work, and work, she does!
I admire her.
Extremely well written! It disgusts me to no end the abuse of food stamps. I will admit I have an EBT card… but I’m also a single mother working a full 40 hours a week. I pay my full rent out of my own pocket as well as child care for my son.
I witnessed what I can only assume was a mother and her adult son buying over $500.00 worth of groceries… then shell out $100.00 on World of Warcraft stuff. I was appalled. That’s not how things should work. The dishonesty and laziness of people is absurd. The system definitely needs a reform…
1. Drug test anyone who applies for welfare.
2. Require all eligible adults in the household to send in a job hunting record monthly. Follow up with the companies listed. It would probably cost less to employ these individuals then it would to keep heading down the road we are. Plus it would open up jobs!
3. Lobster, giant t-bone steaks, soda, etc. should not be able to be purchased with an EBT card.
It thoroughly disgusts me the abuse of our system. It’s going to be a glorious day when I can put my EBT card through the shredder and have nothing more to do with state aid.
It is obvious that the Food Stamp program is abused and I think this is a great article. What I don’t get are the people defending the fact that they should be able to by steak, lobster and birthday cakes. Come on! We don’t buy steak and lobster because it’s too expensive, and I don’t buy birthday cakes, I make a cake, from scratch! If you don’t know how to do that, a mix is a lot cheaper! Since I support myself, if I want to buy a steak I can; but if you are depending on me (through food stamps you are) to buy your food for you then you will get good nutritious food; not extravagances.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful land with very few living there; plenty of land for all to share in its wealth.
A man came to a lake, and began to work hard cutting down trees, and slowly built a house for himself. Each day, he would go on the lake and catch fish so he could eat. It was a difficult life, because some days he was tired, but if he did not fish, he would not eat. He then married and had children and continued to work hard, improving his land, planting crops, and as others moved there, he worked long hours to catch extra fish, which he then sold or traded with others. He saved money for when he was too old to fish.
Houses were built everywhere and the land gave up plentiful in terms of food and provision. Everyone worked hard, fished every day, traded, bought and sold, and all saved for their futures. It was hard work, but they learned, hard work paid off well.
Soon, the people formed a government together, called “the State” or “town”, and each resident would put in a small amount of money from their fish sales, so that the people could defend themselves should an attack from those who want to steal their fish, come upon them. They elected officials to manage the money.
The man continued to work hard and one day, another man came to live near him. Because he was just getting started, some of the neighbors gave a small portion of their fish to him, to help him along. In exchange, this man would often help repair fishing poles for others, until his house was finished. For this hard working community, life was good. Hard work showed its rewards. Each family was responsible for themselves, but as good neighbors, they checked in on each other. If one became too sick to fish, those with more voluntarily gave a bit extra to the sick, until they recovered.
Others outside of this town, heard how at this lake, the community had lots of fish and the people took care of one another.
One day, another man moved in but he would not fish. He didn’t like fishing. He complained to the town about not having enough fish to eat. The town managers did not want to appear to be mean-spirited, and encouraged the man to begin to fish, like others, but this man, for whatever reasons, would not fish.
The settlers told him (and others like him who had heard about the prosperity and came to the town) that they could not continue to keep donating fish, for they had to save enough for their growing families, and encouraged the others who did not want to work, to begin to fish. They even loaned some fishing poles. Most worked, with some driven to it by hunger pains, but there were still some, who, for whatever reason, would not fish.
The number of those who would not fish grew and complained loudly to the town officials that those who fished would not share with them.
Some of the non wokers could not pay their rent, and the owners said they had to leave. They refused and complained that the town needed new managers, and told others that the town managers were mean spirited and selfish. Besides, winter was coming and it was too cold to just “kick them out”. Yet, for these people, they would not fish. They complained bitterly and even told the town’s elected managers that they would soon elect more kind and compassionate managers who would give them fish and make the bad landlords “go away”.
The town managers were afraid of losing their jobs as elected officials.
The town then said that everyone who owned land had to pay extra money to the town. If they did not pay, the town would take away their land.
The settlers were puzzled. Who owns our land? We thought we did.
The town managers went to the hardworking families, with guns in their hands, and said, “You must give us each more fish or you will be arrested. You give us the fish and we will give distribute it fairly to those who do not fish.”
The man soon learned that if he fished less, and caught less, he could keep more for himself.
And so property tax began, and took away true ownership from the citizens. Also, modern welfare began.
America is a very generous nation. What would happen if Food Stamps were abolished?
It is not enough to simply abolish food stamps. We must give the money BACK to the hard working families from whom it was taken.
But wouldn’t people starve?
No. People would not starve. Some would be driven to work, as hunger pains are quite an incentive to work. But Americans are generous and kind people. Churches and other charity organizations would rise to the challenge. Money put back to the people who earned it in the first place would then spend more at stores. Stores would hire more to keep up with the demand of customers. The stores could hire those willing to work.
i found that online and thought it agreed with the article. is it okay to do that? I did not credit the author because I dont know who she is.
When it comes to “entitlements and thinking one party is better then the other consider this social security fact. George W. Bush, a Republican, pushed through by fiat the “Totalization” program. 99% of Americans know what this is or what it means. To make matters worse none of the “candidates” will even address it when confronted. I had a personal exchange with Newt Gingrich. Instead of discussing it he cancelled the press conference in 2010.
The “Totalization Program” is a program that gives FULL, again X3, Social Security payments to mexicans at or above age 62 that live in mexico. The only thing it takes to recieve these benefits is to claim to have worked in the United States for 3 years of their life ILLEGALLY!!!!! Now this gem of a POS program does not appear on any of the globalist radar. They will not even address it’s existance!!! Republican, Paul Ryan that had the press about the getting tough on “entitlements” never mentioned the entitlements of ILLEGAL ALIENS, or, The Totalization program in the course of running down those people that paid at the point of a gun into SSI for 50+ years and call them them the bloodsucking entitlement crowd “that must be dealt with”. However a $600,000,000,000.00 per year transfer of wealth to illegal aliens that are lowering the wages of Americans (in many areas -40% in the past 5 years) and in fact displacing the American workforce gets not a mention in his BS globalist Budget proposal. Neither does that INSANE totalization program get a mention, FROM ANY CANDIDATE IN ANY PARTY. Thiis is a war on Americans. Americans better wake up and respond soon.
Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, 3 for Arabic and 4 to fire ever SOB on both sides of the aisle and the obamunist in chief and replace them with AMERICANS cancerned about AMERICA!!!!!!!
I agree with this but I feel that food stamps needs to be more like WIC where only certain types of items can be purchased. Our government is so worried about our obesity rate, etc, so you would think that having it nutritionally sound items for the most part would be better for the children and families involved! I know of people that use their cards to get soda and candy every time they go to get gas for their vehicles but have cell phones that are top of the line with all the features possible (and their kids have them too!). My husband and I work and we can’t afford all that!!!
People don’t have a right to a birthday cake. Individuals are no more entitled to receive a cake once a year than they are presents. A birthday party is a LUXURY. That’s the point. Birthday cakes, like steaks and lobsters, are extravagant expenses. While they may be food, they are not necessities. If there’s any legitimate purpose to welfare it’s to provide temporary assistance in meeting basic needs (food, shelter) while facilitating an individual’s transition into greater self-sufficiency.
This article is spot-on and regardless of how many people have sob stories to tell, welfare recipients have no right to what they are receiving and that includes people receiving unemployment benefits. How does losing one’s job entitle someone to receive a monthly check from the wallets of their duly employed neighbors? It doesn’t matter why the person lost their job – through their own fault or from circumstances beyond their control – no reason is ample justification for pilfering of the public treasury.
As this article attests ANY kind of government handout necessarily creates an unmerited sense of entitlement, rampant fraud and systemic abuse. States that wish to provide some form of assistance need to make it conditional, temporary and restricted to those essentials necessary to sustain life. As the author pointed out, I’m not giving someone $25 in food stamps so they can spend their $25 in cash on a cell phone bill (or Internet connection or satellite TV).
The federal government is prohibited by the Constitution from providing direct financial assistance to citizens in the first place, which is another problem with the whole system. States aren’t less free to try solutions that work because of Washington’s one-size-fits-all, top-down approach. Never mind that through federal funding, the citizens of states with sound approaches to public assistance and consequently lower welfare rolls, are paying for the less efficiently administered programs of other states. As with any federal entitlement program, it serves only to financially bankrupt the nation, but to morally bankrupt the citizens of that nation.
You can’t judge a book by it’s cover honestly… just because someone uses food stamps doesn’t mean they are a low life piece of crap that is “abusing” the system. Because of people being so judgemental, every time my family has to use them, we get looked at like we are scum. WE ARE NOT SCUM! My father got into a horrible accident and ever since my family has struggled with money, like some one above said before me try walking in that persons shoes and living through the hell we have been through.. And tell me with true honesty that if you were in my parents situation and had little money, that you wouldn’t by a birthday cake or a steak for someone’s birthday because it is their favorite food… put yourself in someone else’s place for a day and feel their pain before you go judging everyone again. I do agree with you though that some people abuse the system but not all of the people that you see buying cakes and steaks, unless they do it everyday…
I do understand what you are saying. The welfare system here in Maine, is abused. I am sure, you saw many customers repeatedly, and learned their spending habits. But, to all you cashiers, or the people in line behind me, please, do not judge me, because I buy my child a birthday cake, or a toy. Or that I every once and a while, need to splurge and buy myself a candybar, and eat it right there because my sugars are so low. Please do not judge, if I do buy that steak. You don’t know everyones situation. Please don’t judge based on our purchases. I am a single mother of three. After living with domestic violence for 14 years, I left him. I was forced to quit my job, due to my safety. I had worked for 11 years, in the nursing field. I was forced to except help. It has been three months, and am afraid to go back to work, due to the ptsd. I try my hardest to keep my troubles out of my childrens lives. So please. How would you feel, if day in, and day out, you tell your children, Im sorry, i dont have the money to buy that. To see the expressions on their faces. And to only have 100$ to spend on three kids for xmas. My oldest son loves steak. That 12$ steak I buy is for him. Don’t judge. I worked. I struggled. And I was forced to ask for help. And now, I am embarrassed. I am ashamed. And the look on your face, when that 30$ toy slides over the counter, makes me want to crawl into a hole. How do you know, that toy, is not the only gift my baby will recieve for his birthday? And, starting in 2012, there will be five year, life time limit to the usage of TANF. I fully agree about the time limit. Funds are abused. But not by all of us. So please. Unless you see me there constantly. Over and over again, buying “questionable items”, please, do not judge me. I have been beaten and broken down enough. I dont want this for my children. And the expression on your face, beats me down even more. Please, you dont know everyones situation.
I want to add that I saw thus same thing at the grocery store I was cashier at. If you use a coupon in Kansas, for food on an Ebt card, you had to pay tax, they would get so mad at having to pay .10 or whatever the small amount of tax was. Really? Some of their balances were over $1000 on their card. They buy junk food and steaks and whatever they want. And they are dressed in designer clothes, hair perfectly done and beautiful manicures. Why work when you can live like that? Great piece!
THis is why I don’t shop at WalMart.
Very well written. Your insight is refreshing. I agree with most of the comments – a hand up is always something that should be available. A hand-out with no incentive to improve your situation does nothing more than make people give up and become dependent. I’m not blaming those who need help. The system is broken – there needs to be a “step down” process that lets people get a job and start earning a living without wiping out all of their assistance.
I want to say thank you so much for taking a stand. Please be a voice you are young and can Make a difference. A great movie Come What they MAY. IF you get a chance watch it. I can understand your frustrating we live in Georgia and i have seen this my self. I witness someone actually getting cash our for personal whatever use of this TANF I couldn’t believe it. That means they can Buy Beer, Alcohol and cigarettes with tax payers money. This breaks my heart because I am a stay at home mom who home schools and we don’t have the extra and we live paycheck to pay check. As well as adopting 2 children from Eastern Europe on Faith not because we are rolling in the doe because we surely are not. We have to pay for everything we get. If they want to do those things that is there business by all means but I don’t feel our taxes should be helping to pay for these things. It is really sad that we haven’t got government officials that are really able to help make the Laws for the people. It seems they are too busy spending our hard earn money to do the things extravagant than to care about what everyone else is doing so it have went over looked. I agree about the phone thing. I don’t have one of those or even a Kindle that we need badly for school because the funds aren’t there. I would love to have an android but don’t have the funds to get that package deal. It really is a sad upside down world. My heart is broken.
I have said for years that if you are a mother, receiving welfare of any kind for you and your children that 1/2 of them should have to get jobs while the other half have to work taking care of the children. That way they are both “earning” their aid.
How about we add disability to the mix. I have a neighbor that does not work and collects disability. Why? He broke his foot in a non-work accident and claims he is unable to work (construction is supposedly his trade). In fact, his injury is so bad that he cannot even mow his yard with his expensive zero turn radius mower. Yet, he can drive his dune buggy and child-sized ATV around the property. He can also drive (like the devil) his vehicles — same physical requirements. Kicks the ball with his son and runs around the yard. The wife is not much better. They both have cell phones and satellite service. A few years back, after a relative neighbor complained, the police raided the residence. The guy was (probably still is) selling drugs. They got ready to cart him off to jail and the wife screamed, “You can’t take him. He’s the primary income earner in our family.” “Where does he work?” the police officer questioned. “He’s currently unemployed,” she responded. In other words, disability and welfare are his primary sources of income and, I presume, this goes away when you are in jail. Like others, I have no problem helping those with legitimate needs, but these folks want to sleep in, lay around all day watching television, then party all night — at my expense.
One of the best point-of-view articles on this subject in recent memory; you didn’t slap any one class or nationality of people – just stated what you witnessed, and how people behaved at your register. If Darwin were to witness our society now, he would have had to re-think his thoughts on evolution – and how today’s man is better (smarter, taller..) than yesterday’s. Creation is going ‘south’, and it’s far from a pretty sight.
Great post. Thanks for sharing your real-world experience, which advocates of these programs routinely downplay.
As a former FS user I have seen this.. But SC has certain restrictions that they don’t tell people. The only way I got on to it was I was out of a job for one month and haven’t received and unemployment check yet, (that is a whole story in its self too). Here they look at race, gender, marital status, and what job you have. They think that if you get unemployment you make too much. I was single unemployed, White, male. Once I started to receive unemployment they said I make to much and just pulled me off. They just don’t care down here. I have seen some drive like $40,000 cars and still pay in FS. This is why it needs to be over hauled. Right now I make just enough to live, and this is with out paying a part of my school that I still owe. All the state says I make too much. But other then that great articale.
I agree with what is said to a point… I recieve some welfare benefits I had a stroke and I am now on disability raising two children on my own… I don’t agree with abusing the system I have seen people rack up the seafood on food stamps and I don’t agree with that but because of people like that it gives everyone on assistance a bad name and I am more than that! So she has major points to the dissappointment in some people that abuse the system buying extravagent items selling there food stamps for money or worse its horrible… I am thankful that i recieve help if not I couldn’t feed my children… i make everything homemade but don’t judge me if i buy my kids a steak for a treat!!!
I think I just threw up while reading this. Unbelievable. And yet, totally believable.
What you saw in two summers I’ve been seeing my whole life. I pretty much grew up on welfare. I had my first job when I was 14, and I have been working ever since. I’ll be 28 in a few weeks, and I have no intentions or desire to ever go back on welfare. I just wish the state could see how welfare is being abused…..
Voting Republican doesn’t do squat. They’re just for a different kind of welfare — that is, for corporations. If you really want to make a REAL difference and if you actually did care beyond demonizing people (“welfare queen”), you would report these people you deem to be abusers of the system. Since you didn’t do that, it seems like you’re more interested in denigrating people in order to make yourself feel superior.
Well. I work full-time. I’m also a full-time mom. Yet, I receive benefits to make sure that the money I spend on bills, and other needs such as school clothes- can be spent to feed us.
So yes, I understand whole heartedly- but don’t make it sound like some of us who do work for a living- shouldn’t get benefits.
well said! It is annoying to be behind these people who eat like kings while the working class behind in the line are buying store brands to get by!
Typical leftist scum rushing in to defend parasites and moochers
And as to what is wrong with these parasites and moochers buying steaks and lobster and cake and alcohol and tobacco – those parasites and moochers are using money stolen from me, thereby making it so I can’t afford to buy steaks and lobster and cake and alcohol and toboacco.
Let se an article on all the corporate fraud and handouts next time.
My daughter in law was on food stamps for many years. She has 4 beautiful children. But I think buying a premade cake is crazy and she did for all 4 of the kids. If a cake at the bakery is $30.00. My gosh that is expencive. Make a cake and buy the stuff for the top. You can make a cake for under 5.
“I was born in June of 1991. The man had been on welfare my entire life.” …. Welfare reform of 1992 put time limits on TANF of 5 years; you made the wrong assumption.
You cannot buy beer with a TANF card.
“Steaks, lobsters, and giant birthday cakes.” should families be restricted to white bread and canned fruit? Terms of the poverty level haven’t changed since the 60′s – take a look into the repercussions for stuggling families.
“This woman literally failed at image comprehension.” I think you inadvertently made a case for spending more on public education (as did a few of your fans).
They had iPhones?? Oh, lawd! Those people should be using cans for communication. Maybe they do not have a landline and also need the Internet. Stop making assumptions.
Your arguments are flawed to say the least. Please write again when you have accurate information and have put your pretension aside.
I love how every comment on here that is condemming this girl for being “judgemental” all have spelling and grammar errors. Doesn’t that speak for itself for those people?
Very proud that you stand up for what you know is absolutely, positively WRONG! Maybe your generation will take more pride in paying as you go. It looks like my generation has decided welfare and something for nothing is totally American.
I also was a cashier in the past, I heard various People bragging they used alias names of diff. Daddy’s to their kids to get more access cards. They brag on how they cheat hte system. I see the abuse at Walmart. Who does not? I have been behind a Family and they used various cards. They were also eating better than the normal person. They had their nails done, phones, and wearing more gold then I could count! Welfare is a mess! There are real People working and not making ends meet. These People need the help! Not People who will not work, and expect a free ride. I really feel if the People are working and prove 20hrs or more, they need help. Our Country can’t afford to pay for the ones just using us for a free ride!
In response to R on’s lovely ramblings,
I love reading the comments and seeing your bright shiny gem of a comment right at the top. It really set the tone. I think it’s odd that you would call people on Welfare “LOOSERS” and that you don’t want “you’re” kids working for a “liveing” to pay for such, again, “loosers” to be able to feed their children. Hopefully your, oh sorry, “you’re”, children have a better grasp on the English language. That will really help them score that job working “4 A LIVEING” at any job in town. I get Food stamps. I’m in school full time. My husband works full time and attends school. I’ve never bought lobster or cake and I’d never eat Sara Lee or shop at Walmart. I may be a “LOOSER” but you sir or ma’am are an IDIOT.
After reading this article and the comments to follow, I couldn’t help but comment. Wonderfully written. Let me tell you one thing, I could not agree more!!!! I worked at a grocery store 30 hours a week while partaking in 19 credits worth of college courses. I saw the same things the author did. Its pathetic the way people use and abuse not only the governments money but the money WORKING PEOPLE MAKE! I do not want to continue to think that the money I work hard for goes to feed there fraud and abuse. Yes, I do believe people are lazy, people abuse, and people can try harder. Specifically @ ME Smith & Melissa E, you’re both not seeing what her point is. She’s stating that people ARE abusing these forms of government assistance. She is not saying everyone is. Don’t give her a hard time for stating the truth. I have never been on the other side of this issue. I do know people who currently have access to WIC, TANF, etc and use it wisely. This is her stating the truth, this is to be malicious. Going into the “real world” has nothing to do with it, this is real life: it doesn’t take someone in the real world to understand/see this fraud/abuse. It takes a smart individual who understands right and wrong, easy and hard. Times are tough, I get it… But she’s beyond right in her essay. The bottom line is get up, get a job, stop taking the easy way out.
some people REALLY have disabilities tht they cannot work.. or sickness or on medication for those illnesses where they are unable to work… i found some of these comments to b rude snobby n snippy… with out looking at details of every1s individual case i would say this is borderline prejudice? Who is anyone 2 judge me or any1 else, ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME!!!
For every one person who abuses the system there are 100 or 1000 who really need the help and are not abusing the system. Just because a person has a “debit” card doesn’t mean they have a lot of money in the bank they bank at. You actually need a “credit card” now a day just to purchase anything. A debit card does look like a credit card ya know.
I was talking to a friend recently, that has been on food stamps, and free housing for more than 10 years straight now. She said to me, “Times are tough…we’re struggling to survive.”….. WHAT? Struggling to survive, is NOT getting a check, that pays 100% of your life sustaining necessities (food and housing). How can you POSSIBLY be struggling to survive, when the 2 things that we fear not being able to do THE MOST, are 100% paid for? I’m sorry, but she was barking up the wrong tree on that. My husband works himself to the bone, and every month, we think, “Are we gonna make it? Will we keep this roof over our heads? Will we keep these kids fed?”. People that help themselves (hard workers), GET NO HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT, which is strange to me, since THEY pay for it, and most of them NEED some assistance. The hard working class gets left in the dirt, while the non working class collects what the workers are earning in order to live for FREE. Then complain that THEY are struggling to survive? People are SO dependent on these programs, that they’ve forgotten what it’s REALLY like, to struggle. The WORKING CLASS struggles to survive, while the welfare class “get’s their cake and eats it too”….
I’m not sure that this woman is actually a “friend” of yours, but suppose you brought your own “we’re struggling to survive” story to someone unemployed, or someone disabled, or a single or widowed mother. I would guess that they’d think that “you don’t REALLY know what it’s like to STRUGGLE.” It seems like you have a computer and internet, and enough free time to write that post, and a husband who is employed, and healthy enough to “work himself to the bone.” You receive plenty of government tax and legal benefits by being part of a married couple with children household. Maybe your friend is or is not struggling, but many could say the same about you, that you don’t know what it means to “REALLY STRUGGLE.” And perhaps someone who is in the upper middle class or wealthy would think “why doesn’t that woman stop complaining and work harder to get out of her condition.”
The thing is, I understand your feelings about that friend of yours, but I wouldn’t be so bold as to use this to make some sweeping statement about a “working class” or a “welfare class.” No line magically divides these two groups, and plenty of struggling, hard working people exist with one or both feet in that “welfare class.”
Looks like most of you are stereotyping everyone who received welfare as losers or lazy, and that’s the problem, everyone has different cercumstances, some may abuse the system but does that mean that everyone on the system is bad or lazy? Just saying, just cause one person who goes through the checkout is abusing the system, there could be 10 more that go by who really need the help, imagine how they feel with all those critical eyes looking at them because they are feeding their children with food stamps.
Im in Canada but I fed my kids once upon a time with welfare, and today me and my husband have a successful buisness, but still to this day, because I’m a native woman who shops with kids I still get looked at like I’m on welfare! Stereotyping to the max!
It makes me so mad to see how people defraud the system. We were foster parents a few years back and I remember very vividly being in line to use my WIC benefits for our girls who had severe food allergies, the woman in front of me was buying “bloody candy” for halloween for her kids at 10.00 a pop and she was purchasing about 10pkgs with her food stamps and I had just left the WIC office fighting for our girls to get almond milk because they were allergic to every thing else, and was turned down. Made me so mad, my children needed this food item but how do you need a 100.00 worth of “bloody candy”?
I am not against these government programs. There are times when people just need help and they should get it. However, government help should be temporary help. It should be assistance to get a person or family thru a tough time when they are not able to provide for themselves. It should not be a lifestyle (which is the type of clients that this author is referring to). Sure a person on Food Stamps or Welfare should be able to purchase good food – Not NY Stripe or Porterhouse but there are many other reasonable steaks and lobster available. No one on government assistance should be able to purchase extravagant items that the average working person cannot fit into their budget. No one (working or not) deserves to purchase things they cannot afford. It is this idea of entitlement – that we have the right to it, that we deserve it – that has put good people into desperate situations and is placing our good country on the brink of destruction. These programs should be used for necessary and reasonable purchases. If you want the extravagant items, then you are going to need to make some life sacrifices to earn & save for those item – like the regular working people do. And for those of you that think we need to inform our wonderful representative on Capital Hill – don’t worry – they very well know exactly what is happening and they don’t care. They have plenty of money, they don’t pay taxes so why would they care – it doesn’t affect them. It does affect the regular working crowd that is paying higher taxes to provide for these programs. So the tax paying crowd buys the generic label items to make their budget work so they can continue to work and pay taxes to support those that deserve the extravagant steaks, wine, beer and giant birthday cakes (nothing wrong with a birthday cake but it should be reasonable). It’s very sad and it is the truth.
This is to all of you who feel that people on welfare “deserve a good steak, ice cream cake, etc.”. Are you serious? Many of the people who pay the taxes that provide food assistance can not afford these items themselves. But yet somehow, you don’t see a problem with this. Shame on you for not thinking it through.
There are millions of people, myself included, that are making do with a smaller paycheck and higher bills. We spend every single penny with great care. We don’t own bling, we have basic cell phone service (if at all), we can’t afford manicures, many of use can’t afford health insurance or health care, we take care of ourselves and we pay taxes. How can anyone justify using the money of working families to pay for all of this? I can’t and I’m no longer willing to sit idly by.
I realize there are a few people on welfare who would like to purchase a nicely decorated cake for their dying child’s last birthday, but get real. How many does that apply to? If this is such a big problem, then I offer to set-up a charity to purchase birthday cakes for these children as soon as they are disallowed by the food stamp program.
Our nation is in a financial crisis. Many working families are barely scraping by, but by golly, the feel-good liberals among us will still insist that for some reason known only to them these people “deserve” what most of us can not afford.
I dont think that this girl is saying that the people on food stamps shouldn’t buy birthday cakes but a premade cake is about $30. A box of cake mix and a can of frosting is about $4. Make a cake…don’t buy one. And I dont think she’s saying that people on food stamps can’t have steak either. But buy steak the is a little less expensive. Not porterhouse and t-bones. I work a 40 hour a week job and so does my bf. We dont buy expensive steak and pre made birthday cakes because the money comes out of our POCKET. Sometimes when we don’t have to work for something we forget it’s true value. I have worked in the grocery business in the past and seen the same things this girl mentions in her article. Women and men at the counter buying chips, candy, soda, etc with their EBT cards and then when they are done they purchase their cigarettes and beer by whipping out $100 bills. Tell me there isnt something fishy there. We all know there is major abuse with the system. We can all see it. There are exceptions to every rule but people on food stamps and TANF should remember that its supposed to be a hand up…not a hand out.
Excellent read. Thank you for sharing this Christine! As someone who is living in Maine and works 50+ hours a week, it frustrates me that people who choose not to work for years on end, get all these benefits to a point of where they become content, and choose not to work for a living.
While I believe those who are down on their luck for a season, it’s necessary to get some relief, but limit it to a timeframe. There really needs to be some serious overhaul in our state, and I’m hoping that Governor LePage will be proactive in reforming the welfare system in our state!
How many people were served who used their food stamps correctly? There are always a small minority who will abuse any system that they are in. There is no need for reforms as inevitably it will only mean that the people who genuinly need assistance find it harder to get. What is needed is for these people to be delt with by the existing system. The laws are all there they need to be enforced.
Food with little nutritional value is usually a lot less expensive. So it will be purchased by those with a tight budget. This is something that needs to be adressed and not by making it more expensive so that there are less options for those with a very limited budget.
I’ve worked in retail for nearly 15 years, many of which have been in convenience stores. And I must say, I see this type of waste and fraud on a daily basis. Couple walks in, buys junk food, energy drinks (as long as it says ‘nutritional’ instead of ‘supplemental’ facts), beef jerky, ice cream, soda, all with the womans EBT food stamps. Then the live-in boyfriend turn around and spends as much if not more on lottery tickets. It makes me sick.
How many really believe that charities and a single person can help all who are needing help today. I am 64 years old, became disabled in 2010 with not only severe arthritis in my back, knees and feet but high bloodpressure. I can’t get around because of these disabilities. Do I need help, yes, but because of seeing the uncaring so called “Compassionate Conservatives” on line, I doubt I would get the help I need. I have gone without electricity on several accounts until the county finally stepped in and paid for it. My internet and phone, I need because of my disabilities. My internet and phone are one and the same and cost me as much as a land line would cost me. I have MagicJack for $19.95 plus tax a year and my DSL internet is $25.00 a month. I would be paying the same amount for a land line if I had one. Being elderly has not helped my case either because no one wants to hire an elderly person who is disabled. Heck, no one wants to hire an elderly person. I have worked in foodbanks handing out groceries. The food is getting thin and these foodbanks don’t have the food to serve all who come in anymore. The foodbank I helped out in 2009 would only hand out food to a family every 3 months because of the amount of people who would come to the foodbank.
If you think families of poor can help, you are sadly mistaken. Even with a college education some young people don’t have money to give their parents, brothers are sisters to help with their bills because those same young people need aide themselves. They pay almost half of their paychecks paying back a student loan.
What would Jesus say about the U.S. and their so called “Compassionate Concervatism” if he were walking the face of the earth today?
Gen.41
1.[19] And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
Exod.22
1.[25] If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
Exod.23
1.[3] Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
2.[6] Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
3.[11] But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.
Exod.30
1.[15] The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
Lev.14
1.[21] And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;
Lev.19
1.[10] And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.
2.[15] Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
Lev.23
1.[22] And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.
Lev.25
1.[25] If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.
2.[35] And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
3.[39] And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:
4.[47] And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger’s family:
Lev.27
1.[8] But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him.
Deut.15
1.[4] Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it:
2.[7] If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
3.[9] Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
4.[11] For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Deut.24
1.[12] And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
2.[14] Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:
3.[15] At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.
Judg.6
1.[15] And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.
Ruth.3
1.[10] And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
1Sam.2
1.[7] The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
2.[8] He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.
1Sam.18
1.[23] And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
2Sam.12
1.[1] And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2.[3] But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
3.[4] And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
2Kgs.24
1.[14] And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
2Kgs.25
1.[12] But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
Esth.9
1.[22] As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
Job.5
1.[15] But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.
2.[16] So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
Job.20
1.[10] His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.
2.[19] Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;
Job.24
1.[4] They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
2.[9] They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.
3.[14] The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.
Job.29
1.[12] Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
2.[16] I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
Job.30
1.[25] Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
Job.31
1.[16] If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
2.[19] If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
Job.34
1.[19] How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
2.[28] So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
Job.36
1.[6] He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
2.[15] He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
Pss.9
1.[18] For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Pss.10
1.[2] The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
2.[8] He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
3.[9] He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
4.[10] He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
5.[14] Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
Pss.12
1.[5] For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
Pss.14
1.[6] Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
Pss.34
1.[6] This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Pss.35
1.[10] All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
Pss.37
1.[14] The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
Pss.40
1.[17] But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Pss.41
1.[1] Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
Pss.49
1.[2] Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
Pss.68
1.[10] Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
Pss.69
1.[29] But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
2.[33] For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
Pss.70
1.[5] But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.
Pss.72
1.[2] He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
2.[4] He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
3.[12] For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
4.[13] He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
Pss.74
1.[19] O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
2.[21] O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
Pss.82
1.[3] Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
2.[4] Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
Pss.86
1.[1] Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
Pss.107
1.[41] Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
Pss.109
1.[16] Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
2.[22] For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
3.[31] For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
Pss.112
1.[9] He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
Pss.113
1.[7] He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
Pss.132
1.[15] I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
Pss.140
1.[12] I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
Prov.10
1.[4] He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
2.[15] The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
Prov.13
1.[7] There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
2.[8] The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
3.[23] Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
Prov.14
1.[20] The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
2.[21] He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
3.[31] He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
Prov.17
1.[5] Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Prov.18
1.[23] The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Prov.19
1.[1] Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Prov.19
1.[4] Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
2.[7] All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
3.[17] He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
4.[22] The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
Prov.21
1.[13] Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
2.[17] He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Prov.22
1.[2] The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
2.[7] The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
3.[9] He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
4.[16] He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
5.[22] Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
Prov.28
1.[3] A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
2.[6] Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
3.[8] He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
4.[11] The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
5.[15] As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
6.[27] He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Prov.29
1.[7] The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
2.[13] The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
3.[14] The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
Prov.30
1.[9] Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
2.[14] There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
Prov.31
1.[9] Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
2.[20] She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Qoh.4
1.[13] Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
2.[14] For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
Qoh.5
1.[8] If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
Qoh.6
1.[8] For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
Qoh.9
1.[15] Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
2.[16] Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Isa.3
1.[14] The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.
2.[15] What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the LORD GOD of hosts.
Isa.10
1.[2] To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
2.[30] Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.
Isa.11
1.[4] But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Isa.14
1.[30] And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.
2.[32] What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.
Isa.25
1.[4] For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
Isa.26
1.[6] The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
Isa.29
1.[19] The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Isa.32
1.[7] The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
Isa.41
1.[17] When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Isa.58
1.[7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Isa.66
1.[2] For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Jer.2
1.[34] Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
Jer.5
1.[4] Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.
Jer.20
1.[13] Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
Jer.22
1.[16] He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
Jer.39
1.[10] But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
Jer.40
1.[7] Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
Jer.52
1.[15] Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.
2.[16] But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.
Ezek.16
1.[49] Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
Ezek.18
1.[12] Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
2.[17] That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
Ezek.22
1.[29] The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
Dan.4
1.[27] Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
Amos.2
1.[6] Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;
2.[7] That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name:
Amos.4
1.[1] Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
Amos.5
1.[11] Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.
2.[12] For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
Amos.8
1.[4] Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,
2.[6] That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?
Hab.3
1.[14] Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
Zeph.3
1.[12] I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
Zech.7
1.[10] And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
Zech.11
1.[7] And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.
2.[11] And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD.
1Esdr.3
1.[19] It maketh the mind of the king and of the fatherless child to be all one; of the bondman and of the freeman, of the poor man and of the rich:
4Ezra.2
1.[20] Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherless, give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,
4Ezra.15
1.[51] Thou shalt be weakened as a poor woman with stripes, and as one chastised with wounds, so that the mighty and lovers shall not be able to receive thee.
Tob.2
1.[2] And when I saw abundance of meat, I said to my son, Go and bring what poor man soever thou shalt find out of our brethren, who is mindful of the Lord; and, lo, I tarry for thee.
Tob.4
1.[7] Give alms of thy substance; and when thou givest alms, let not thine eye be envious, neither turn thy face from any poor, and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee.
2.[21] And fear not, my son, that we are made poor: for thou hast much wealth, if thou fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is pleasing in his sight.
Wis.2
1.[10] Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged.
Sir.1
1.[28] Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.
Sir.4
1.[1] My son, defraud not the poor of his living, and make not the needy eyes to wait long.
2.[4] Reject not the supplication of the afflicted; neither turn away thy face from a poor man.
3.[8] Let it not grieve thee to bow down thine ear to the poor, and give him a friendly answer with meekness.
Sir.7
1.[32] And stretch thine hand unto the poor, that thy blessing may be perfected.
Sir.10
1.[22] Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of the Lord.
2.[23] It is not meet to despise the poor man that hath understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man.
3.[30] The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the rich man is honoured for his riches.
Sir.11
1.[21] Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and abide in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the sudden to make a poor man rich.
Sir.13
1.[3] The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he threateneth withal: the poor is wronged, and he must intreat also.
2.[18] What agreement is there between the hyena and a dog? and what peace between the rich and the poor?
3.[19] As the wild ass is the lion’s prey in the wilderness: so the rich eat up the poor.
4.[20] As the proud hate humility: so doth the rich abhor the poor.
5.[21] A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his friends: but a poor man being down is thrust away by his friends.
6.[22] When a rich man is fallen, he hath many helpers: he speaketh things not to be spoken, and yet men justify him: the poor man slipped, and yet they rebuked him too; he spake wisely, and could have no place.
7.[23] When a rich man speaketh, every man holdeth his tongue, and, look, what he saith, they extol it to the clouds: but if the poor man speak, they say, What fellow is this? and if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.
Sir.21
1.[5] A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.
Sir.25
1.[2] Three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doateth.
Sir.26
1.[4] Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.
Sir.29
1.[8] Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to shew him mercy.
2.[9] Help the poor for the commandment’s sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.
Sir.29
1.[22] Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man’s house.
Sir.30
1.[14] Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.
Sir.31
1.[4] The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.
Sir.34
1.[20] Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes.
Sir.35
1.[13] He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed.
Sir.38
1.[19] In affliction also sorrow remaineth: and the life of the poor is the curse of the heart.
EpJer.1
1.[27] As for the things that are sacrificed unto them, their priests sell and abuse; in like manner their wives lay up part thereof in salt; but unto the poor and impotent they give nothing of it.
2Mac.4
1.[47] Insomuch that he discharged Menelans from the accusations, who notwithstanding was cause of all the mischief: and those poor men, who, if they had told their cause, yea, before the Scythians, should have been judged innocent, them he condemned to death.
Matt.5
1.[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt.11
1.[5] The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Matt.19
1.[21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Matt.26
1.[9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
2.[11] For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Mark.10
1.[21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Mark.12
1.[42] And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
2.[43] And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Mark.14
1.[5] For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
2.[7] For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
Luke.4
1.[18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke.6
1.[20] And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luke.7
1.[22] Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Luke.14
1.[13] But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
2.[21] So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
Luke.18
1.[22] Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Luke.19
1.[8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Luke.21
1.[2] And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
2.[3] And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
John.12
1.[5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
2.[6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
3.[8] For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
John.13
1.[29] For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Rom.15
1.[26] For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
1Cor.13
1.[3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
2Cor.6
1.[10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2Cor.8
1.[9] For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2Cor.9
1.[9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Gal.2
1.[10] Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Jas.2
1.[2] For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
2.[3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
3.[5] Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
4.[6] But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Rev.3
1.[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev.13
1.[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Thank you for this awesome article I too work at a walmart and am a mother of 2 being the only one working most of the time in my family as my husband is going to school full time to be as I call him a computer geek lol I have had the assistance of food stamps and Maine care for bout 6 months as the good paying job with benefits is no longer there for us I have seen and smelt the welfare families before they even hit my line all frozen foods no fruit and veggies and just gross fattening expensive food it just is disturbing to me that welfare is probably contributing to their obesity. Going on state aid was not something I wanted todo for my family but I am thankful that I have the help while I’m still working the husband is going to school and my children are fed with nutritious foods not premade frozen bipartical meat and yes sometimes a tub of icecream for me and hubby for date night as we dont go out to save money.I would love to see restrictions on what can and can not be bought with food stamps ..yes I would pee in a cup if asked as I do support drug testing for welfare
I was disturbed by this article for a few reasons. I agree that cash assistance money and food stamps should not be abused. However, I didn’t like the tone of this entire article. It was condescending and self-righteous. I have worked since I was 15 years old. I’m 29 now. I have 2 small children ages 2 1/2 and 8 months. Currently, I receive both cash assistance and food stamp benefits. I’ve received them since the man that I was with left me alone to care for our children and my home. I’m going to college full-time so that I can eventually support my children and show them a better life. I work part time to make ends meet. I’ve bought things like earrings with my cash assistance: for A JOB INTERVIEW. I’ve bought my kids toys with it, too. Why? Because it’s not their fault that their dad left and things are tough. I don’t do it often but every once in a while, they deserve something nice. I couldn’t afford to buy a birthday cake for my daughter’s second birthday. I used my food stamps. I buy organic food which costs more but, guess what? Just because I live below the poverty level doesn’t mean that my family deserves to eat only crap filled with preservatives and chemicals. The person you speak of spending $400 on food with no nutritional value; Did it ever occur to you that maybe she was never taught by her own parents how to eat nutritionally and to feed her family well? Or how about this; it’s cheaper to eat poorly because those foods are more affordable which is part of the reason why obesity is rampant in lower income families. When I use all of my paycheck money to cover bills and the only cash I have left is on that card, I use it for the various odds and ends that I need. And you know what? I hate doing it. I hate doing it because of the worry that I’m being judged by people exactly like you. You don’t know their stories. You haven’t walked in their shoes. You wouldn’t know when I take that card out of my wallet and buy something that you deem “unnecessary” exactly what or who I’m buying it for and you surely don’t know that I’ve worked my butt off for 14 years and that I’m doing my best to give my kids a life as close to normal as I can while I struggle.
I am thankful for the help that my mother had when we had nothing. She used it for food only – without that help we wouldn’t have eaten. I couldn’t read the whole of this article simply because it’s disgusting when you are that person who desperately needed the help and you see people like that who are abusing that help. Those people don’t know what it’s like to be in need. That type of laziness doesn’t just hurt yourself.
I completely agree with lori. Though this article is correct, there are a lot of people who abuse the system and its a shame. But I am a single mother and no longer on foodstamps or tanf. I have worked hard for as long as I can remember. But when my sons birthday came around and I was broke. You best believe I got him a great birthday cake with my foodstamps and I don’t think there is any shame in that. I think its a huge shame that people judge others when they may not know what its like to go through hardships. I know most of my hardship have been brought on myself. but i have done whatever has been in my power to fix all that. So should I be judged cuz I bought a steak for supper to feed my kid. Or a birthday cake for his birthday?? I think that people on welfare should be under a thumb so the people abusing it will be caught. But ur judging everyone on welfare when you don’t know the lives of everyone.
I 100 percent agree with this artical… I understand that people need support some times and there is nothing wrong with that. I was offended tho by one of the comments about some one seeing a mom with lots of kids… I have 4 under 5 myself… Two of which are twins and they are my youngest. No I am not on food stamps or cash assistance but do recieve WIC… Two of my children had to be on 25 dollar a can formula due to medical issues and my twin are premature and are medically required to be on pediasure. My husband is military and we are responseable and carry zero credit card debt. If we paid for the girls pediasure out of pocket we ourselves would not be eating. As soon as they out grow the need we are getting off. I hate being on the system. I was raised in a family that was a prime example of abuse and I refuse to allow my family to go that direction. But I do think it’s wrong on the other end to automatically demonize everyone who accesses the system. I agree a lot is wrong but there are cases like mine it is nessary for a short time.
You forgot to mention how much of the actual cash you received reeked of the smell of marijuana. That’s how it was for me anyway…
I was @ my fuel assistance meeting(they do it in groups now)& EVERYONE but me was on their cellphones I don’t own a cell cause I can’t afford it.Their was also a woman w/a coach purse&shoes &a really really nice(expensive) baby phat coat&outfit&I over heard them say they had no income between the 2 of them&that their 16 year old hasn’t been able to do drivers ed yet but when we walked out the door together guess who was their to pick them up their 16 year old w/a car wayyyyy nicer than mine.I do get some food stamps&on my kids birthdays I get them each a lobster&a cake cause it has a castle&princess toys on it I’m really good at budgeting what we get about $100 a week &I make it last but yes lots of people that get more than just food stamps(free $$) screw w/the system bad.All you have to do is tell them you don’t know who the baby daddy is&boom free $$ every month I’m sorry but I have 3 friends that did that on purpose&it is sooo soo wrong 1 of them is even married to the baby daddy just didn’t get her SS changed so they have no idea&they wont look into it cause I have called the state on her about it¬hing has happened to them
Excellent article! I, too, have had to ask for food stamp help but was terribly frugal with my card. I knew my balance
and only bought steaks once when they were clearance!
well first off all the people downing on the people who are on tanf,foodstapms need to get off your fing high horse and look around you for once in your life i’m a 26 year old who can’t get a job to save my life yes i’m on foodstamps i get 200 a month for food and i buy nice steaks because i only get them once a month i buy a big birthday cake for my son because i can’t get him anything else i don’t care what you people think of people like me because you don’t know how fing hard it is to have to ask your friends and family for money to help you get toilet paper,laundry soap,for crying out loud christmas and birthday presents for my own child if i could get a job i would but no one will hire me for some reason but it’s not like i haven’t worked i have and i worked at walmart myself and you know what i wouldn’t want to go back to a place that lets dumb snobby people like that work there and put down people like me i hope they all burn
I agree with your article, a lot of people in Maine abuse the system. I have seen it all around. However, I have been through trying times in my life where I depended on help from the state. I was pregnant and my boyfriend and I opted to move home from Yarmouth because living on only my income while he was in school wasn’t going to work while adding a baby to the mix. When we moved back to Machias in Down East Maine (one of the most poverty stricken counties) I could not transfer back within the corporation I was employed (Maine Veteran’s Home) keeping my full time job. I lost all my benefits insurance maternity leave and a great paycheck. We used the state programs for MaineCare and food stamps only NO ebt cash. As we both found jobs we regularly reported our income and now our child is the only one receiving WIC and MaineCare. Witch will change soon, he will have insurance through the state called Cub Care witch we pay a lower monthly cost for as compared to like Anthem. I believe the programs are a wonderful thing and should have stricter laws so not to be taken such advantage of but properly used. I also believe that drug testing should be a requirement. If you have money to buy illegal substances then you should have money to buy things such as food or whatever else you use cash from your ebt card for. I also vote Republican and my now husband Conservative Republican. We work hard and live our life on a budget so we can afford to live in a beautiful home on the lake and buy whatever we want for our son. We are a success story from state help I wish there were more out there.
Actually, I know Rory Hoffman; his wife has a great voice, too. She does some of the background vocals on his music. And yes, I am on Facebook. Actually, the blindness is the easiest of my conditions to deal with…that surprises most people. I mean, of course it affects my life big time, but that one stays stable; I have been blind all my life, and I know how to live with it. It’s the other stuff that’s truly difficult. Wow…small world! You mentioned Rory, and he’s someone that I know. I attended a state school for the blind one year, and he performed in the same town, so of course they took us to his performance. He recognized all of us by stating that the first two rows consisted of “students from {the school}!” We all got free copies of one of his albums.
It was a good article until you stated that this is the reason why you vote republican, thus, turning your vary viable report into just another piece of political propaganda! The Governor Patrick is the first Democratic Governor of Massachusetts since 1990, yet, he and only he is responsible for the system and not fixing it?! Next you criticize the Maine welfare system and the current Governor Paul LePage is a Republican; shouldn’t that system be fixed by now if it is better to have a Republican than a Democratic Governor . . wake up young lady and realize that is the “Politician” and NOT the party that is and has been ruining our country!! . . and it is the “Politician” that keeps on pointing the finger at the voters for voting in the wrong people . . doesn’t matter who we vote in, Republican or Democrat, the only difference we see are different types of ruination. The people that would actually do the country good and make any sense at all are pushed out somehow by the big money people!
And just before u jump all over me clamping that we are living over the top All of our finances are budgeted in to catigories… Our food budget is 110 a week for 6 people. I meal plan and do not buy lux items… Soda, chips and candy never come into my home. Also steak eather… I do buy chicken in bulk when its on sale. We do not have cable and only hold one car payment. I only buy the nessary essentials to get buy. In order to go shopping on black Friday I made the thanksgiving turkey last for meals for the entire pay period so I could spend the 60 remaining on providing some what of a Christmas for my kids.
I live in Maine and right now the governor is trying to reform welfare. Although everyone says they want reform, any attempt is met with “not in my back yard”. In other words cut somewhere else. There are in fact many people who need a helping hand however there are many who make it a way of life. MaineCare (health insurance) is so widely abused. I realize health insurance is ridiculously expensive. If you are working and can afford to pay something for insurance but not the entire premium then give them some help. If the premium is $500.00 a month and you can only afford $200.00 then make them pay that and the state pay the other $300.00. The state does not need to pay the entire bill. And if you have varicose veins and want surgery, you should have to pay some of that bill – I have to in the form of a deductible so why shouldn’t you. Any condition that is not life threatening should not be paid for by public assistance. I have to see my PCP if I have a cold or the flu. This a requirement of my insurance. Why should you go to the emergency room which is much more expensive and have that paid for by MaineCare? Give anyone a help who truly needs it but DO NOT allow it to become a way of life for people and for their generations to follow – after all we usually live what we have learned and if you learn to live on welfare you have a tendency to live that way yourself.
I know people who have moved here from other states because they have researched which states have the best welfare! It is truly disgusting! I also know people who kick their husbands out so they can get MORE assistance! If the husband keeps an apartment they can get more and ha can “visit” for weeks. Imagine how much they would have if they didn’t have to keep a “second” home!
A.M.E.N.
Those of you that are making rude comments about the author really aren’t understanding what she is saying. She admits that there are people out there that absolutely need the benefits and aren’t abusive toward the system. Unfortunately, there are a lot that do abuse the system.
I think it’s funny how those of you on benefits get defensive about the food you buy and the fact that you have iphones aren’t seeing where the rest of us are coming from. I was a single mother for years and never accepted benefits. I worked, scrimped and scraped and made my way. I’m now married, we have income and yet I still can’t afford some of the “luxaries” that I see people on welfare having. I see people with great vehicles, top of the line phones, new clothes, all the best “toys,” yet they are the first ones at the registers using their benefit card each month. It’s disgusting that I live paycheck to paycheck yet our tax dollars pay for your food, daycare, medical care, and even gives you cash assistance to do with what you want.
Am I against buying lobster or steak? When you are using my money and other working people’s money to buy it, hell yes I am. When you can afford to feed your own face, I will say you shouldn’t be told what to buy. Until that day comes, I am in 100% agreement that there should be some severe restrictions imposed on what you can and can’t do with your welfare money.
I’m not heartless. I see the cases where it’s not abused and know that there are amazing people out there who aren’t choosing to get benefits but have no other choice. I see the people who are out there day after day looking for work. It’s not easy in this economy. Sadly, I see more of the “other type,” and that’s why I feel the way I do.
Congratulations on your “well-written” article, you ignorant, hateful person. It is people like you who make those who are truly needy ashamed to seek the help they need, because if they do, they will be vilified in a blog. I understand their is abuse, but it’s not the majority that is abusing the system. How many that came through your line were not abusers of the system? You don’t mention them, do you? Keep your ignorance off of the internet.
I am on ebt and I will agree that a lot of people take advantage of the system, but that is not always the case. So although I do think that it is a good idea to bring to light the people who are violating the system, I don’t think it is okay to make a blanket statement about all people that need the system. My husband had a great job, we had bought a house, had a kid and another on the way, then the economy went south. My husband lost his job, we lost our house to foreclosure because we couldn’t sell it on time and my husband had to go back to school full time to get the skills to get a new job to support our family. During this time he was working as much as he could outside of school and I had to work from home (what little work I could get) because it would have cost more to send my kids to daycare then I would have made.
Thank God, my husband is about to graduate and will be going back to full-time work on Monday!!!! We are doing our best to get off the system. One thing did bother me about the article above. I don’t buy a lot of extravegant things with our ebt because that money has to last our family for the whole month, but we have a set amount no matter what we buy. So when my childrens’ birthdays come around and I want to make a special purchase of a birthday cake that they are really wanting to make their day special then I am going to buy it. I am not spending anymore of the state’s money because I bought the cake, it just means that I have to make up for it by going without something else that month.
As for the big carts heaping over, I also will agree that they should have been buying food with nutritional value, so if they were just buying junk then yes they were in the wrong, but if it was just a big cart did you ever think some people are buying for big families and are also possibly buying for multiple weeks. I know that when I go shopping I go once a month for a “big trip” where I get pretty much everything I’ll need for the whole month, and then make “little side trips” later like if I need more milk or something. So don’t freak out just because a cart is mounded over please.
are you paying for your own college? or do you get grants and loans?….I have worked retail all of my life and I know what you mean by what you say, but not everybody is as privelaged as you to go to college and get a degree and get a good paying job. I have seen welfare fraud worse than what you have described and have gone home crying because by the time I pay the bills I had hardly any money left to do much with my son, but yet I made to much to get any kind of assistance. Do you have a family?, it is not cheap, granted there is fraud and there is deceit and their is attitude of entitlement, but not everybody is as lucky as you to have a job and go to school and still live at home.Do you have health insurance?..Lucky you, because I don’t and I’m sure I am twice your age ( I cant afford it and I over qualify for anything)….You are way to young to make such judgement on human life….put yourself in their shoes for one day, do your research (after all you are a college student and should be an expert on research), instead of complaining …do something…start a committee on welfare fraud, get involved with local government, then lets talk.
I agree with the article 110%. And YES I have been there, but also worked my tail off to get off of it as soon as possible. Did I buy expensive cuts of meat? Lobster? Decorated birthday cakes? NO. Think about it, there are HOMELESS CHILDREN that get NO birthday cake, presents, balloons, NOTHING, yet some feel entitled to a “pretty cake” because their child deserves it, when the child could care less about a decorated cake and would care MORE about the time you as a parent spent making them a cake for a quarter of what that bakery one cost. I was at Save-A-Lot the other day here in Maine, and saw two mothers together, each with one child, go through the line with 3 overflowing carts of groceries, again 75% of it junk food, soda, chips, donuts, ice cream, one ENTIRE CART was filled with THIS kind of food, and the total between the two ladies was well over 1000 dollars in FS!!! Hellooooo, our family makes a decent living and we can not even afford that a month in food, not even HALF of that! The icing on this cake was that I then went to Shaws (because I go to a bunch of different stores depending on where the sales are, thought maybe they were doing that too…) and then saw them (no joke) load a basket with alcohol, THEN used WIC checks to buy the MILK to go WITH the alcohol..after spending a grand on groceries with our tax dollars. I also personally know of at least 6 families screwing the government, not working, not looking for work, been on welfare for over 12 years, they smoke, drink, do drugs, and think we owe them the world. I don’t think ANYONE is against those using it that really and truly need a hand up. We all can be (and some have been) in that situation. We are talking about the large majority that SCAM us all. It is sickening…
You should really think twice about judging people that are getting help. I have had to be on assistance for a while due to the fact that my daughter is disabled and because of that I am unable to work. I have gotten the dirty looks while buying chips and cookies on food stamps but my daughter is autistic and only eats certain foods I don’t get cash just to help buy food. My daughter was also on WIC because even though at that time I was working my daughter had special nutritional needs and her formula was the most expensive formula they made where a weeks supply was more than most formula for several months. So until you have to walk a mile in those shoes you should really think about what you say. Believe me I would love to not need them. But until there is affordable childcare available for special needs kids this is not going to happen. I would much rather be able to work.
Corporate Welfare so dwarfs minor issues with social welfare it’s absurd. Yes some people misuse their EBTs … but lots of people misuse cash too.
I applaud you for taking the time to articulate what we all have thought for quite a while, keep clean hands and run for office, then we can see true reform.
Several of the comments from folks on foodstamps have actually mentioned that the authors are out of work at the moment and in the next sentence they mention that they don’t want to get a lowly job but are holding out for a “real” job. One fellow said his wife lost her job as a clerk of courts but couldn’t find another “real” job for the last three years. Another fellow said he was on food stamps and it was so “fing” hard to find a job but he didn’t want to go back to working at Wal*Mart (implying that he hadn’t even applied) because they hire snobby cashiers like the author of the original article.
If I was out of work and on foodstamps I would take any “fing” job that would hire me so I could make some money. I’ve been working since I was 14 years old. I’ve scraped the barnacles off floats, hosed butcher shop floors, cashiered for just over minimum wage, babysat, sorted cans and bottles for less than minimum wage — anything I could do to earn a living.
It annoys me when I see stories about formerly high-paid employees lilving on welfare for long periods of time because they “can’t find a job.” If they were willing to lower they own standards and get a low paying job rather than holding out for something that paid the same amount they were paid before being laid off they wouldn’t need to mooch the system. (McDonalds is seemingly always hiring) However, it’s easy to stay on welfare and “fing” hard to get off.
And I have also seen foodstamps pay for hundreds of dollars worth of Tenderloin steaks at $15 per pound (in a single order) when the buyer could just as easily have bought 30 pounds of cheaper (but still good steak) at $9 or $10 a pound. Lobsters, even cigarettes and beer (I think the cash component of the welfare system is worse than useless).
Still, I don’t think there should be any limits on what actual foodstamps will buy (as long as it is a food item). I think the system needs to be overhauled but it needs to be done on a case by case basis. I have family members that have been abusing the system for years (claiming that they are paying rent and utilities when I know damned well their parents are letting them live on their property for free).
You can’t lump everybody into one pile because there are people out there that do have legitmate reasons for being on welfare. There are people who are on it for a bit and get off as soon as they financially can.
And there are also people who can’t get assistance even though they really deserve it because they make too much to qualify and the mochers out there are gobbling up more than they deserve.
No matter which side of the story you are on, you have to agree that there is a large percentage of welfare recipients who are abusing the system, taking more than their share, and leaching out the money that could be better used to help other people. There is also a large percentage of people out there who are using the system as it was intended and who are truly deserving of such assistance.
There is no overarching “truth” in this situatiopn. Everything is grey, as it always is in life — nothing is ever black and white.
Great article! When I was in high school I worked at a local restaurant. There was a gal there with 2 kids who was a manager. She told me that she was going to quit because she would get more money from welfare than she made working! I remember thinking wow, what a loser! As a child we had a couple of years that we barely scraped by and would have qualified for aid but we NEVER asked for it because of pride – something people are greatly lacking.
To those of you who say “they deserve a steak” you need a smack in the head! That is part of what is WRONG with this country! Everyone thinks they “deserve” something they didn’t earn! When you make enough money to cover your expenses THEN you can get luxury items. If you can’t afford to food, clothing, or rent you don’t spend money on cigarettes, booze, and other non essential things. Those of us who have been successful in life know this and that is WHY we are successful! DON’T SPEND MONEY YOU DON’T HAVE ON THINGS YOU DON’T NEED!
Every fast food restaurant and gas station around is hiring but some people think they are “too good” to work at those places so they sit back and collect their unemployment or welfare check. We own 2 businesses and see this type of attitude all of the time. We are far more likely to hire someone who took any job available than those who would only take a job they felt was worth their time. It really shows what kind of work ethic people have if they are willing to work anywhere.
Well I have a couple things to say about this article..Some of it is absolutely true. I am a single mother and just recently lost my job. So yes I am recieving both FS and TANF. Yes I use my TANF to pay some of my bills and also get things for my son. I do by toys for my son with that money, not all the time but this time of year I use it to buy xmas presents? Do you consider me a bad person for doing so? I really would think twice before you do anything. And as for you stating there is no time limit..well there is for TANF in Maine you have a 5 year limit and then you are off of it and it doesnt have to be consequtive. Also they do encourage you to volunteer in order to recieve it. I have to volunteer my time to get the money I do. I need this money and I will not be happy with anyone who tries to take it away. So just because the few people who do abuse the system dont take it out on the people who need it cause thats whats goin to happen.
You know what is ridiculous??? A young lady who has obviously never fallen on a hard time in her life judging others… These people you are talking about that use the food card. Do you know if they are a widow of a soldier who may have been killed in the war, leaving her a single mother of 3 young children? Do you know if this is a family where the father/mother has worked for the same company for 20 years, just to have the company go under and they now need a little help until they find a new job? Could it be the single mother of a handicapped child who requires her to stay at home 24/7 care who is not able to work due to caring for her child? NO YOU DO NOT KNOW! So, unless you have all of the facts, you should keep your young, unexperienced mouth shut. You are young, you have yet to see what all is out there in the world. You may not think people fall on hard times because you have not, but they do. It is a fact. Like it or not. Not everyone has a family or friends who can pitch in and help. A lot of people have to stand on their own two feet and do the best they can do with what they have at the time. Who do you think you are, only God can judge… I myself tried to get hired on at Wal-Mart and after 4 interviews was not hired. Why? Local, political bias… Why don’t you count your blessings that you have a job instead of judging those who don’t in this economy… Times are hard, for a lot of people. This is sickening… Why don’t you worry more about waste in our government such as in Columbus, Ohio where they now have copper gutters on streets near downtown due to the mayor being buddy buddy with our President of the United States… THAT IS WRONG! While people in his own city go hungry and without Christmas! That is fraud! Not everyone needs help for years and unless you take the time to ask these “WELFARE QUEENS” their personal stories, then don’t call them that either… Because they don’t wear designer clothing or how did you come to this name… Name calling isn’t nice either… Would it be okay if someone called you a snide little *****? No… So then… You disgust me… It is easy to judge while you stand their with a job… Disgusting…
Aside from the blantent abuse, My big issue with FS is when people are buying all junk food on them. I rarely see anything nutritious in the carts and just the other day I was behind a woman at Walmart who had two boxes of chocolate twinkies and 24 pack of Coke Classic. And then she whipped out her EBT card to pay. Her child was with her, and buying this crap is what is going to send that child straight into diabetes. It’s like the food stamp program is funding the medicaid program. The whole system needs to be overhauled.
I have long thought that Welfare was greatly abused. I think the program needs a complete over haul. There should be limits as to what they can “buy” and what they cannot “buy”…no steaks, lobster…necessities where their money can buy more for their buck! I have seen so much fraud, as well as I am sure everyone else out there has. It is a crime. We are becoming a Welfare nation. Where is everyone’s pride? I feel badly for the young children of these lazy welfare parents. I say, if you can’t pay for your kids, let them go to some of these homeless couples that want children and cannot have them. The children would certainly be MUCH better off!
I was injured on a jobsite at MacDill AFB in Tampa Fl. I had Knee surgery. Thanks to a person being a doaner, I got their ACL to hold my knee together. My back on the other hand, was not something I wanted cut on. I was 47 when it happend. I worked in costruction since 16 (full time) Always finding work. My 2 kids are grown. Other than WIC which my young wife & I used for 2% milk to avoid rashes when they were babys, we / I have never had any type of assistance. I was on crutches, knee & back braces, & reduced to sleeping in a Lazy Boy,(when I could sleep). I had 2 mortgages & a wife that had given up on marrige years earlier. I couldn’t get a food stamp card to food my 16 yr old son. I couldn’t find any assistance anywhere! SSI, S.S. I am 50 yrs old now. If I ever need help again, I will ask for it with a gun in my hand. Yes I’m still working & paying taxes. Yes I still sleep in a chair because I can’t lay down straight, or stand up straight very well for very long. Yes I’m still paying both mortgages. I don’t eat much steak or celibrate birthdays anymore. I guess I lost my taste for those things…… you know, back when I couldn’t get them to taste them lol. I owned to much from working my whole life, to get help. NICE! Thanks for nothing when we needed something the most!
And we wonder why America is going broke.
Amazingly one of the primary lessons in college is that you do not use a few overly dramatic cases to generalize to an entire population that, for some bizarre reason, you feel superior toward. I grew up in Maine on welfare. I know this would be shocking to the young idiot in question but I am not currently on welfare. In fact, I am working on my final year toward a PhD. Trust me, it’s not a life you want to lead. My mother, after her time on welfare, saved babies for a living. How many babies have you saved? You should continue working at Walmart since you clearly haven’t learned anything in college and are probably not fit for any other employment.
You rock.
I work at a grocery store not far from there and witness the same thing every day. I work a full week, with another job on the side, and I go to school, and I’m not on any kind of assistance at all, government or personal.
And as one commenter reminded, its not about use, its about abuse. There are people in the state of Maine who work hard for what they have and still can’t make ends meet. There are also people who sit and do nothing and with the help of government assistance, somehow can make ends meet, almost better than the working person. These are the people who deserve to be punished for their actions.
I loved your aritcle. It gives insight to what people at stores see on a daily basis of how people take advantage of the state. My husband and I are hard working citizens, I have a wood crafting and painting business at home to make extra money to help with the bills unitl I am out of school for Medical Administrative Assistant. I have had neck problems and severe nerve damage problems in the back of my head and we dont have insurance. Its been a struggle for four years now with my pain out of control and than my husbands back went out and he had to have emergency surgery to repair a disc. I tried to apply for Maine Care to help us when my neck issues had gone on for 3 years with no relief. Also I was treated like dirt at a Bangor pain clinic because I did not have insurance, even though I had made a payment arrangement with them, it still was not good enough to help me out the Doctor insisted I come up with a lump sum before he could help me with any procedure that may get me out of pain. But the people with Maine Care were treated like Kings and got their procedures done with no questions asked. Well that is another whole story on how poor I got treated because I had no insurance. Well I got turned down for Maine Care because they said my husband made too much, yes enough to get by to pay bills not enough to pay Doctor bills. But than I see these people that get it and they take advantage of it all. It really makes me mad! They dont have to pay for food, they dont have to pay for medical bills, some dont pay for living and if they do its not much. Yes Im all for helping anyone that is need of course and truly deserves it because there are a lot of people out there that do need the assistance and dont take advantage of it, but there are more out there that dont need it and they use the state for every cent their worth. The feel entitled somehow I guess, or maybe its just how they grew up and learned the ropes of the welfare system. I finally found a great place in Lewiston with the best Doctors and nurses you could ever ask for, yes I have to pay up front but they treated me with nothing but respect and helped me when no one has and actually cared about me being in pain. And one nurse expressed her anger towards the people that get everything handed to them when people like us try in life and get nothing for free. But at least I can hold my head high, even though the ones that abuse the system are eating Lobster and huge cakes, I still can lay my head down at night with no guilt, but Im sure they do too.
My wife currently works with Wal*Mart as a “front-end Zone Manager”. She oversees the CSM (Customer Service Managers, ALL registers, the Service Desk, Cash Office and more…) She comes home nearly every day with very similar stories. You are right on the mark with your article. Maybe one story out of 50 shows a “glimmer of hope” for humanity”; but those stories aren’t enough. I’m concerned for the future of this country!
And another thing…..how is buying steak “Abusing” the system?? to me Abusing the system is people selling drugs, or not reporting income (i.e working under the table) to be able to qualify. I hardly think buying a F*cking steak or some d*mn M&M’s for a treat is abusing the system. Get a grip.
@Jenny – Spare us with the preaching, bible thumper. That stuff gets old fast.
As a person who has been on foodstamps because I can not work because of a disability which I have applied for SSDI but am in a waiting pattern, I am appalled at this article, Yes, there are some who abuse the system. That is when you REPORT them to the state (like the hot dog guy).
I do not see the problem with buying a child’s birthday cake on food stamps. I would not want to deprive my child of having a birthday party. I buy mostly store brand foods to save money, I use coupons (not to the extreme) to help save money and yes, I do buy a few name brand things. Yes, I buy steak with my food stamps but not t bones or porterhouse. I buy meat in bulk and break it down with a vaccuum sealer. It is cheaper that way. TANF is cash. Some people get rent help on other programs and the TANF cash buys what food stamps cant…toilet paper, toothpaste etc. I admit sometimes I use my TANF card to buy non necessitites like my son’s birthday gift or something like earrings .Just because I am poor and need the help from the state does that mean I am not allowed to buy something so I can “look” like someone who is not poor? as for the cell phone thing..I have a smart phone but I am on my parents family plan so I do not pay for it. As for my LL Bean, Gap, Lane Bryant etc clothes, I get many of them from GOODWILL. I bet you did not think of that when you are judging people based on their clothes or phones. Just because a person is poor, does that mean they are not deserving of making themselves look or feel good about themselves? Are we supposed to only have raggy clothes or walmart clothes and store brand food items? So because I am poor, I am not allowed to enjoy a good porterhouse steak or a lobster every once and a while? Am I only supposed to buy milk, eggs, cereal, bread, rice, pasta and other basics?
they should reforme the child support system while there at it. a check in the mail is awful convienent . just go cash it and spend it on what they want. dont see anyone griping about that. just sayin
You know, with all my years of working 2-3 jobs at a time, paying for my own schooling and supporting my family, you’d think I’d agree. You’d think I’d want to go after these people when I struggle to keep my family afloat whille others get a hand. I am not and couldn’t disagree more. Join me on the trips I take to elderly people’s destitute homes as they try to find the $30 to pay their electric bills and show pure shame using EBT to the point that they ask you to do it for them (or go hungry). Republicans are the ones who want to punish these people to conquer the “Welfare Queen” problem. Democrats can be blamed for helping create them to begin with, but if you want to cut the legs out from every one who gets aid, you better be prepared to lose all the people who supported you as a kid, educated you and hired you at Walmart.
This just scratches the surface. I think the real fraud and waste is in the healthcare system. We owned an apartment building for 15+ years and one of the lower charging landlords in the area…so we attracted many poorer tennants. Even though we did thorough background checks, most of these tennants lived like animals, were sex offenders, or had visiting relatives that were, were on drugs or sold them, (only knew of this becuase of frequent police visits) lied, cheated and stole or destroyed our property with no remorse. Bought elaborate items such as ATV’s, fancy motorcycles, and or cars, and electronics. 80% of these folks were paid by disability i.e. social security. Not only that, but one woman who was well over 400lbs with empty pizza boxes stacked high outside her door weekly, would take an ambulance trip to the ER averaging once a month to attract attention from her disgraceful family (costs taxpayers $5,000 a pop).
We ended up having to short sell the building for a loss (lack of consistent rent and bad economy), Ive lost my job and we are now having difficulty paying our mortage. I volunteer most of my time currently through my church and town committees to not go insane. Our world is being destroyed by those who care only for those who dont care about themselves and the very rich lawyers who support them.
GOD BLESS YOU for writing this article! In less than one day there are almost 500 comments! Good for you! I hope people of ALL ages “read it and weep”. The abuses are disgusting (and yet another blatant reason the country has debt in the TRILLIONS)! After I lost my home in 2010 and my business in 2011 I sought assistance from the state to help with food and energy bills for my family till I could find employment. I was told there is NO assistance if I cannot show a W2 or have no children under 18 y.o. I tried repeatedly to EDUCATE the staff on the fact that a business-owner does NOT have a W2- and wanted to know why I am discriminated against as a former business-owner. I have been supporting the system with my paychecks for over 40 years! It is now December– I am still unemployed and still denied SNAP (food stamps), and selling my furnishings and other personal posessions to be able to buy food, gas, heating oil, etc.
I have to say, I see many good points made here on both sides of the ‘welfare/food stamp’ debate. But I have to say most of all that this ‘CDog’ person, whoever the hell you are, it’s obvious from your cold, unfeeling, and uncaring statement that you’ve never perhaps come into hard times. You’ve obviously never been a person who has worked since the age of 15, let’s say, and went to college, got married, got cheated on, and were left behind with two little ones to feed, who both have special needs, and no other way of feeding them, since you’re always back and forth to doctor’s appointments and such. My point here is, whether you understand it or not, these systems of ‘help’ are there for a good reason. And you shouldn’t judge, as someone else here mentioned, until you’ve walked in those shoes. I can promise you that there are MANY people who are on assistance programs, who’ve had no choice but to swallow their pride in order to feed their families, and would love nothing more than to NOT have to be on them, but life is always so neat or simple. And not EVERYONE on assistance programs is a fraud or uses food stamps for ‘extravagant things’, but for necessities. And the person who mentioned that the way the government just quickly cuts one off at the knees, even when one is legitimately trying to get back on their feet is very right also. I truly hope, Mr CDog, that you never fall on hard times, have to swallow YOUR pride and take ANY form of assistance, or you’ll be eating the biggest humble pie you’ve ever had, that’s for sure.
And one more thing. That iphone you see me using? Yes. the 200$ one with the expensive plan. Its my brothers. I can not afford a phone. And i need a dependable one, that i can trust, so, as I have had to do twice in the last 6 months, i can call 911 as i am running out the back door, while the reason i am on aid breaks in the front door. I did not post my comments to the original poster. She has a valid point. There is serious abuse. I post my comments to everyone that looks at me in disgust as I hang my head and wait for the total to come up.
You rock.
I work at a grocery store not far from there and witness the same thing every day. I work a full week, with another job on the side, and I go to school, and I’m not on any kind of assistance at all, government or personal. I have an iPhone. Because I work hard, and pay for it. And you won’t see me pull my EBT card out, because I don’t NEED it. I could qualify, and I could use it, sure. I wouldn’t mind getting to spend 100+ dollars a month on things other than food. But EBT is for people who can’t eat, not people who want to eat better or people who want to use their money on the latest greatest craze, instead of buying food.
And as one commenter reminded, its not about use, its about abuse. There are people in the state of Maine who work hard for what they have and still can’t make ends meet. As one commenter (rudly) stated, there are people who have spouses overseas who pass away, plus several other scenarios which may entitle them to government assistance. These people are not the people that this article is about. The article is about the people who sit and do nothing and with the help of government assistance, somehow can make ends meet, almost better than the working person. These are the people who deserve to be punished for their actions.
I think those of you who just bashed her should apologize asap. She’s bringing up a valid point. Many actually. She wasn’t pointing YOU out. My mom was on food stamps. Ya know what we DIDN’T buy? Steak. Nothing like that. It’s called sacrificing until you get back on your feet. Just because you want it, doesn’t mean others should pay for it. And essentially, they are. Here in Cali, you can use the EBT card at liquor stores. (No wonder Cali is broke.) This should be shared with anyone in the govt who will actually do something. There needs to be a national set of restrictions. I was under the assumption that there was a 5 year restriction, but apparently I was wrong.
Watch out! When you want reform, the well oiled machine of those who like income redistribution will tear and rip and any man or woman in politics who can not be bought to conform to liberal/progressive intervention of handouts. This has got to be reform but only the masses of US citizens can do it. The senators and governors already know but reform is a career destroyer, they are there for careers, not ethics, just ask out governor in Wisconsin. Tries to save the state union extortion tactics siphoning money from the taxpayer and the union driven socialists are going to rip him to shreds. Reform and limiting WHAT can be purchased is common sense logic, and with computers today would be so easy, you have got to wonder why it is not reformed. It would only take a matter of months and the changes could be made, why the heck is it not done???
I am Egyptian, there are different ways here to deal with poverty. Eventhough, after reading your article ,You are very correct, These cards must be targeted for basic living-items and for the correct people.
***Lori says:
December 13, 2011 at 6:53 pm
“Judgmental cashiers who have been blessed enough to not be on welfare are the reason many of us choose the self-checkout line. Especially those of us who are the majority of people on food stamps and simply found ourselves in hard circumstances, needing to use the system for a while. We don’t want to be judged for what we purchase, as we won’t judge you. We don’t want to be judged for our clothing or our iPhones — perhaps that was a gift; perhaps we are stuck in a 2-year contract. The system was created for people like us, but it is people like you who make it so humiliating.”***
No, Lori. It’s the Welfare Queens that she was describing, who cheat the system and try to pull one over on Walmart by forcing them to sell a vacuum for $3.48, who make it humiliating for those who truly need the help. Don’t go blaming this cashier for her observances and bringing the fraud to light for everyone else who pays for it.
I am extremely frustrated as I read through these blogs as I read through these blogss. The article that was written is as true as it is sad. My husband and I struggle daily with our finances. He works all day and I work in the evening because we cannot afford child care during the day. We make just enough money to keep us over the eligibility line for any government assistance. This means that even though we sometimes it don’t make ends meet, nobody is there to help us. 3 small children it is a very expensive thing to try and feed our family. I often feed them rice and beans, spaghetti and red sauce, or pb&j…. as these things have proven to be cheapest to feed them. So for me to hear you people say god just because someone is on welfare does it mean they don’t “deserve” to have steak once in awhile makes me sick and proves that there is a serious flaw in the way the people of this country think and feel. We certainly do not feel that we are entitled to Steak because we don’t have the money to buy it. My husband is required to have a cellphone for his job, otherwise he wouldn’t have one because we can’t afford the bill.
I agree with some, but not all of this article. Like letter C. for instance!! I am a welfare mother and I haven’t been on it that long, but I don’t think it’s anyone’s business what I am buying with my food stamps. There is no reason that my family can’t enjoy a steak once a month! There is also no reason that I can’t buy my son a birthday cake once a year with food stamps when I have no other way to purchase it! I agree that it baffles me at times when people have iphones, 2011 vehicles and what not when they are also on welfare but we also don’t know their life. The people that have nice clothes and are also on welfare – - well I’d just like to say that a lot of my ‘STUFF’ that I have is from when I still lived with my mother or from christmas gifts ect. Of course there are people out there who buy in the wrong way and who are working the system for their own use, but some of the things that this woman came up with just don’t make sense to me. And I don’t have TANF but if i did, yes, I would spend some of that money on clothes or TOYS for my son. What matters most to me is making my son happy and if I wanted to buy a toy now and then with that money that is MY business. As long as all the bills were paid for and items of most importance (diapers, wipes, toilet paper, soap, ect) are paid for as well then I see absolutly no reason why I should not be able to put a smile on my sons face and buy him a toy! I think it’s very easy for people who have not been on welfare and who have not been that low down about money to judge someone that is on welfare. I do the best that I can, I am in college and earning a degree! and working at the same time, and if I’m not working the fiance is working. But if I went to wal*mart to buy my groceries that cashier would NOT know that about me. They would simply know that I’m buying food stamps, and God forbid, I’m buying a steak with those food stamps!!
While it’s disheartening that there are abuses to governmental assistance programs, for every person who abuses the system, I would think there are many more who utilize the programs for there intended use (stay afloat until times get better).
But you’re right though, we do need to have a conversation about the social safety net. Is it worth it to have people who abuse the system in order to provide for those who actually need and an intend to get off eventually? My answer would be yes, but we probably need to increase the oversight on the program.
It probably skews your opinion to work in a place visited by so many people that abuse the system. It would be interesting to actually look at some data on the issue, measuring how many people actually abuse the system.
Very well written and to the point..I personally have worked in retail most of my life..I believe the food stamp program needs to be totally overhauled..I have seen with my own eyes people who are on food stamps because they are extremely obsese using their food stamps to buy junk –cookies-ice cream-sodas–cakes–chips..Food stamps should be for actual food products only..meat-veggies-fruits-breads not junk..I have heard people say over and over again they cant not make 300 to 500 a month in food stamps stretch out the whole month..Well I have no problem in doing it for cash for less than 200 a month..you have to plan –use sales–coupons..people on the food stamp program can buy anything they want..why should us as american taxpayers scrape pennies to buy hamburger while someone who doesnt work at all can get steaks??? Not all people on the food stamp program are lazy some actaully need them..but the numbers of people abusing the system outweigh the people that need them..
I see this daily. I work in a dental office and see these “entitled” people daily. There is something wring with this country. People now make a living with welfare. Why is there no limit on how long you can collect welfare? The government is quick to penalize the working class on limiting unemployment to those who work and lose their jobs, and allow corporations to cut benefits on people that work their entire life. We need a government take over. They need to wake the hell up and see that the “working class” Americans are what keep this country going. Not the “welfare class” Americans. Our government is pathetic. I work in a dental office and these people drive in with their BMW’s and have a pocket full of cash, but bitch about a $1 or $2 co-pay. They feel as though they are entitled. It doesnt work with me. I kicked several out of the office and make them aware that they are the reason people don’t take MA patients. They don’t take care of their teeth by simply brushing them, but they want us to bleach them and they want it for free. I agree that it is needed for those who fall in to a bad place, but not to live off it and also give it to alcoholics and drug addicts because they have a disease? They made that choice. Why should webjave to pay for it. This country is said and enables this type of behavior.
Crousselle, you do bring up some valid points in your article. I applaud your willingness to speak out on this subject and to publish it on the web. I would like for you to consider that when you make a post such as this without providing a balanced view of the issues you may be pegged as being narrow minded and judgmental. This is probably not the case but simply because you didn’t refer to the honest folks using public assistance you created more controversy. You also probably didn’t need to use language that creates stigma such as “welfare queen”. These things while true diluted the power of your post for me. I wish you the best of luck and kudos to you for working during the summer while attending school.
wow i am a single mom of 3 kids i work a full time job and i get food stamps and yes i have a cell phone i need it for work and yes i have bought steak and a birthday cake for my kids birthday not all people miss use the system judgement is wrong when you relly know nothing about the person you are judging
This disgusts me as well. I’m on some form of welfare but my husband and I are doing what we can to get off it. We still use foodstamps because he works and I stay home with our 7 month old baby. When the baby is old enough, I will also work. I was on all 3 forms of help before because of being abused and a young mother. I’ve never abused my welfare and have always been thankful for it. I cook all the meals, I bake cakes from scratch because it’s cheaper. I paid my bills, saved every penny. It was hard but with help from family, I was able to provide small meaningful birthdays and Christmases. I make meal plans, I don’t buy unhealthy food. Even if it’s more expensive to have the healthy choices it’s worth it. When we run out, which is about a week before my next allotment, we use money we set aside for this very reason. To feed my family of 5 it is at least $150/week. Because I married my husband we receive less, because he works, we receive less. I use none of my state foodstamps for soda, candy, Little Debbie, sugared cereal. Believe me, it WOULD be easier to give up and live off the state, I see plenty of lazy slugs doing just that. I don’t want to be one of those. We live paycheck to paycheck and if it wasn’t for foodstamps, we would not be able to feed our family. But also, because I’m honest and don’t take it for a ride, we get a lot less than those that do NOTHING and buy things from Schwan’s and have HUGE celebrations. I agree, we need to change things.
I have emailed Governor Lepage more than once about the broken food stamp system here in Maine. I know many stories just like this, and I agree that it is a travesty. However, to immediately jump to “this is why I vote Republican” just continued to divide people–comments like that will NEVER bring people together, don’t you see? I’m a liberal democrat who has called out people and called the state on people I see abusing the system. I work 60 hours a week and am incensed when I see abuses like the ones she wrote about here. This is a fantastic article–but you should never have crossed the line into the bias that is killing our country. Congratulations on this exposure, now let’s see if the illustrious governor will do ANYTHING about it, rather than cutting Medicaid for those who really need it.
Ah…I have come to speak for the “other side of the coin” – so to speak. While I empathize with hard working folks who think as the writer of this article is, I also realize that her article represents a perception which omits many important realities.
Now, I’m nearly 67 years old, disabled and retired, and I do not receive food stamps. However, there have been times in my life that I have needed to be on welfare, including food stamps and Maine Care Medical Insurance in order to survive and raise our four children. Some of those years I also lived in Government Housing. I was always hard working, did what I could to respond to the needs of my family and neighbors. Like the writer of this article, I encountered many “Welfare Families – and individuals.” However, I did not perceive them the same way the article’s writer perceived them – well, not for the most part anyway. In all populations of people there are a minority of those who just don’t care but that does not represent the majority.
So, for what it’s worth – be aware of how things are “on the other side.”
1) When I went to the Vocational Rehabilitation offices to seek help to become employed I was told outright that I should go on Social Security Disability, Maine Care, and Food Stamps instead. That’s not what I wanted. I wanted the dignity and freedom of working. That was rejected as I would have been too much trouble to employ.
2) When I was on food stamps, with four children, I went to the store and purchased the highest qualities of meats that I could afford because, in the long haul, they gave us the most eatable portions, the least fats and bones, and the best nutrition for our dollar. I decided that having less quantity and more quality was the way to go. If I could get marked down meats I did that. I basically shopped for all foods that way – more quality was prioritized over more quantity.
3) When I was on food stamps – when one of the kids had a birthday I did not have much to offer in terms of cash purchasing so every year they’d get to tell me what they wanted for their Birthday Dinner – whatever it was they got! In similar fashion I deviated from my usual conservative food buying for Christmas and Easter.
4) It did anger me that I was allowed to buy junk like potato chips, soda, candies, and the like but that I could not buy children’s vitamins on food stamps!
5) As for a welfare person buying a “slip n slide” with their income – I ask: Why shouldn’t a “Welfare Child” have a Birthday gift if their parent can manage to squeeze that out of their monthly income? It isn’t like that parent could afford something better.
6) Many people that I encountered that were “Generational Welfare Families” simply did not have the collective personal resources that would have been necessary to have lifted themselves out of the socio-economic position they were in. There’s a whole list of reasons for this: mental ability – both IQ related and mental health related, physical ability, financial ability (it takes money to be able to position one’s self to be able to go out to work), employment opportunities (if the work opportunities are not present then they can’t be used), and cleverness – that’s what I said, “cleverness.” Why the last thing? Well, those in my family learned that it was best to use a friend’s address on applications in order to avoid the waste basket used for applications with unseemly address on them. Yah, persons from “the projects” were deemed “undesirables” and deposited in the recycling bin. These are some of the reasons that folks remain on welfare.
7) All of our children grew up relatively healthy, clean, and trim. All graduated from school, some in the top 10 of their classes. None of them receive AFDC as adults. All of them worked by the time they turned 15 years old. And…their father re-paid every penny that the state billed him for – so the AFDC was not a “hand out” – it was more like a loan that’s been paid in full!
Ease up folks – old saying, “Don’t judge your neighbor until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.” 
<3
I worked at a different type of grocery store and found slight humor in your article because I know it and lived it all too well my 2 years there.. I saw people come through and spend $75 on lobster… $40+ on bottled soda… Hear people go off on me about how they don’t find it acceptable they can buy uncooked lobster and chicken on EBT but they cannot buy it if it is cooked… so I would have to put the cooked $12 lobster back. I witnessed people coming in in designer clothing, groomed to the nines with the latest gadgets and Coach bags taking TANF cash off not one but TWO EBT cards (One person took $800 off one card and another $450 off another) Then walk out and get into their brand new car or truck.. People take cash of their TANF side and buy lots of scratch tickets or lottery tickets… People who would come buy milk with their food side and Brandy with the Cash side… OH but let us NOT forget my all time almost got fired over customer. She walked up to my register with 2 small children. The girl asked ‘mom can we have a pack of gum?’.. -No I don’t have the extra money to get you gum right now-… Then her son ‘Mom can we get a bag of chips PLEASE we will share it!?!’.. -NO I told you I DONT have any money right now STOP asking me for stuff.-.. She then NO FREAKIN LIE puts up TWO 30 racks of friggin beer and asked me to get her two cartons of Marlboros!! I was already pissed off and dumbfounded that she wouldn’t buy her kids a $2 bag of chips to share but she just got what $100+ worth of cigarettes and $60 worth of beer?? She then swiped her damn EBT card and hit cash. That was then my mouth involuntarily opened and told her that if I had known she was paying with that I would have refused the sale to her. She said I cannot refuse sale to anyone no matter what they are buying or how they pay unless its a minor and I quickly told her that no I reserve the right to refuse sale to anyone and although it wasn’t right or fair what she did that she was buying all this and not getting her kids 1 thing, I was mad but was going to let it go. When I saw that I was standing there in a 9 hour work day away from MY 3 children to pay for her to smoke and drink it up pissed me off and reminded her yet again that had I known I would have refused. I said it may not be the healthiest food choice but I don’t mind standing there to put food in her kids tummies if they are hungry but I do mind standing there to give her lung cancer and liver disease. By now her card was approved and she was on her way out and I was quickly taken into the office and written up.
Wow…you can sure tell who the takers are on this board. Say whatever you need to so you feel better about yourselves…you’re not fooling anyone; not even yourself. Not in your heart and soul. Someone getting help for 2 yrs is one thing; more than that is just disgraceful, and doesn’t say much about your character. PC is out the window. The masses are tired of footing the bill and are now calling you takers out for what you are. It’s the truth. It may hurt your feelings, but it’s the truth. Deal with it and take care of yourself, your family. Quite leaning on everyone else for years and years. Have some pride and self respect.
Wake up “AMERICA”!!!
This was an amazing post…. until this line: “I said I was reminded why I vote Republican.” The idea that all Democrats promote unrestricted welfare is wrong, just like the idea that all Republicans want to deprive the needy of assistance.
Whether you vote Republican or Democrat, this issue is a huge problem, and partisianism will never fix it. Simply voting for a Republican, or a Democrat, won’t fix it.
Now the decision makers are trying to allow EBT use at fast food restaraunts here in TN. Where does it stop?
Be careful with your hate. “Takers” indeed. Why would you buy processed food from out of the country with your money when you could buy American-made steak and support our economy?
I’m sorry some of you had degenerate parents but really…stop hating.
As I read the story further I can see her lack of sensitivity. The other day I saw a woman at the welfare office. She drove in with a 2009 escalade, beautiful thing. My thoughts were just as judgmental as this lady’s until I found out, through my wife, that her husband had been laid-off just months prior and the car was bought when things were well financially. 2 years later he’s laid-off. I have an expensive smart phone which was bought under a 2 year plan 1 year prior to being let go form my 4 year job. My payments are above $25/mo. I’m sure I, along with thousands of others didn’t plan on spending the money just to get laid off and live off the Government.
love this article! My family and I are stuck in a horrible limbo of making less than $200 over the monthly required income level to be eligible for benefits of any kind (insurance and heating being the two biggies!) My 5 year old son and I have been without health insurance for the last 4 years simply because we cannot afford to be insured through our employers to the tune of alost $600 a month and continue to pay for our housing, food, and utilities. He has never in his life had a store bought cake, Betty Crocker mixes for this little guy. Christmas presents? I wish I could give my little man more than 2 or 3 presents this year…my Christmas budget for him was $40. My husband and I? We don’t even buy presents for each other and haven’t for the last 7 years, we have oil to purchase and a power bill to pay. Cable television? Cancelled that 2 years ago, food was more important. I do not deny that there are people who legitimately need the assistance, when I hear how people are using TANF (some that have been on it for YEARS or even decades….isn’t that T supposed to stand for temporary?) to purchase christmas presents or food stamps to buy steak and lobster, paid in part for my husband and I working our tails off just to keep ourselves above water, yeah I get frustrated.
I witnessed some of the same fraud. One instance was last month. The gal gave the cashier about $900 cash to refill her Walmart credit card. I would bet my life that she was paid cash for a job and is sheltering the money there instead of opening a bank account where welfare would bust her.
Another case involves a family friend. They pay a person $1,500 cash a month that also gets $900 from the state for three children. They also live in a 4 bedroom house for $75 a month and have utilities paid for. Food is all on EBT card…..this insanity has to stop!
How can you say they’re committing welfare fraud? Just because you witnessed what they purchased doesn’t mean you know their income. If they choose to give their food to others thats their business. You’re not qualified to make that conclusion. If you do your research you’ll find that te state makes these people go thru a lot to get food stamps and other assistance. Trust me Uncle Sam wouldn’t be giving it away if he did not think they needed it. Maybe if you gave them better jobs then they would not need food stamps. Think about that for a minute!!
I wrote simular article for Lew Rockwell about 8 years ago now. http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig4/saboe1.html
This young lady has hit the nail right on the head. I have seen this entitlement mentality increase since the late 1980′s. I went through some hard time but the only type of assistant I ever took was unemployment for a period of about 6 weeks until I found a new job and I actually spent those 6 weeks looking for work not sitting around as so many do now. I can tell you as an employer that I see people on a regular basis who take a job with our company when their unemployment benefits run out only to attempt to get fired ASAP to go back on unemployment. Many of there young people will actually brag about trying to get fired to collect UI so they can just hang out and do what they want. Personally I hated being on unemployment but at the time I really didn’t have a choice.
This is well written with a lot of good arguments. Welfare is a gift, not a right. It’s terrible that people abuse it. It seems like some of them feel entitled to it. Perhaps, they need a spending coach to help them understand what is acceptabl, and how to avoid dependence on the state.
I don’t believe a single word. Really- you adjusted prices on several items for no reason? You blame someone for having to tell you that green peppers are a food? A huge birthday cake and lobsters? I bet you know twins named Oranjello and Lemonjello too, right? You are exactly what is wrong with the right wing party- lies and misinformation spread like wildfire and believed by the gullible. Hilarious that someone working at Wal Mart thinks they are above those shopping there.
Great Article Christine! To ALL those who are against this article: The truth bothers you, doesn’t it ? Yes the economy is bad and you lost your job, but don’t you know what common sense is ? (sorry I forgot, that doesn’t exist anymore!) if you can’t afford a B-day cake with out of pocket money, then you do NOT buy it. if you have no cash in your wallet to buy sodas, chips, and candy bars,junk food, then do NOT buy them! Why do I have to pay for your sodas, candy bars, party cakes, and other useless items that not healthy for you to begin with ?! oh yes, I know why: so you can go to the Dr. and use your ‘MedicAid-out-of-MY-paycheck plan’ and abuse that too!
YES, I KNOW what it means to STRUGGLE! Been there done that, but at that time my parents had COMMON SENSE and they’ve cut off LOTS of ‘pleasures’ , cut off on electricity, so we can have FOOD to eat! And guess what?? They did it with SEVEN children without being a burden on someone else’s paycheck! My husband went through terrible financial STRUGGLES as well, and made it without being a burden on someone else’s paycheck!
And guess what ?? the welfare system IS being abused! A yr and a half ago my husband hired someone; she worked for TWO days at his office and QUIT and applied for Unemployment, and she just came from Unemployment before she worked those two days !
If you want a job to have money for FOOD, you WILL find it, believe me! But you need to want it MORE than you want to stay home and do nothing but live on welfare! Go clean somewhere, go babysit, go mow neighbors lawns, go to a fast food and see if they hire, there are many options, and you will have enough money to buy decent nutritious food to stay alive! Cut off our internet, iphone, TV cable, sell your TV, save on your electric bill, quit eating junk, quit eating fast food, quit shopping for useless items, and you will have ENOUGH money for FOOD Without welfare ! Good luck!
Ok way to far here kiddo i seriously doubt someone is buying a huge birthday cake every single month they get food stamps !! You are saying kids who have parents who do not make ” enough” money do not deserve cake ??? wow !!! Not every single “welfare” queen as you call us sits and does not work and as a matter of fact when you receive cash TANF benefits that you complained about someone buying a slip and slide with lol THEY MAKE YOU WORK 80 HOURS A WEEK PULLING WEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHATEVER ELSE THEY “FIND” FOR 100 BUCKS A MONTH PER PERSON !!!!!! they do not just hand it to you !!!!! now honey i know if you pulled weeds for 20 hours a week for 40 bucks cause i have one child i make 40 bucks a week thats 2 bucks an hour right ???? use that phone do the math !! lets see you bust your butt working at a pull weeds in the summer kind of job just cause you are looking for a good job and tell me you do not deserve to buy a slip and slide if thats what you worked for that is what you worked for just sayin !!!!!
Reading this story is no surprise to me, over 29 years ago I use to be on welfare and I guess I was one of the rare ones in life, I planned meals I also wasnt going to settle for a life of being on it either. One thing I can say is I was thankful for the help as It was needed, but I was only on it for less then a year. Some people are ungreatful for the help they get, well others I see are trying to work and support their family and never get any help as they make to much money, but they have nothing no fancy phone or nice car like the ones who are not trying. I just think its a shame to see the ones who are trying get no help and the ones who do not need it and abuse it get it right away, Also on this matter I think anyone on welfare should have to take random drug tests, I have to pass one to get my job so why cant they take one to get our money.just saying!
BTW I just also wanted to point out that you know what yes we have used the Food Stamp system and when I found myself a single mom with my first son I used the TANF too but you know there is a way to make it work!! We did NOT buy chocolate and chips and soda and junk on our card those were luxuries for us then and we bought those with our money. He wanted a toy it wasn’t an expensive one he understood the value of a dollar young and we went to GoodWill or the Dollar store and he got something that was not too expensive I would have never bought a slip and slide on TANF because it is for bills shelter heat.. We also once a week had steak but you know what? Hannaford has steaks for under $3.. No need for a big expensive steak when a cheap one gets the job done!
Well written piece, Christine.
@ Melissa E – I blieve it was quite well stated that there is understanding that there is sometimes a LIMITED need for assistance but, when the country still followed more closesly its ‘original intent’, the church was the town center and the community stepped in to help its neighbors, NOT this monstrosity of a government bureaucracy we have today.
@ Nikki – Steak, lobster and candy, paid for by monies from half of working society’s payroll taxes is NOT free! There are millions who make it through frugal, informed decision-making. What this young woman was pointing out was the blatantly obvious manipulation of a system that allows ‘cradle-to-grave’ entitlements that have bankrupted this entire nation and threaten society as a whole! It’s the SOCIAL programs that have done that!
@ Fat Milhouse Sean – Limiting choices for Food Stamps and WIC would ‘distort the markets’!? What are you smoking!?!? The markets are distorted by the artificial manipulation of government trying to ‘equalize’ an unequal society! You cannot extort money from one class to pay for propositions they do not agree with and expect ‘natural’ fiscal outcomes. That’s called TRYANNY! What you say makes about as much sense as saying that frogs should have a knot tied in their tongues to give flies a better chance of survival.
Check this out … to everyone who thinks TANF in Maine really is “living off the government.” http://www.nccp.org/profiles/ME_profile_36.html
The annual MAXIMUM TANF benefits FOR A FAMILY OF THREE is $5,820. PLEASE! That’s NOTHING!!
“There is a lifetime time limit of 60 months on a family”s receipt of federally-funded benefits.”
People do not LIVE off of federal assistance. They’re not rolling around in Mercedes, buying gold, and having 30 baby-daddies … Regan used this term “welfare queen” during his campaign in the 1970′s and totally gave a horrible, inaccurate, and ignorant perception of people getting state or federal assistance.
If you think THIS is bad, how about you consider the millionaires who get tax breaks on their second homes. Or, who do not have to pay capital gains taxes.
I’m a struggling graduate student living off a measly stipend — I live in DC and living expenses are high. I have a tuition waiver, thank god (otherwise I couldn’t afford to go to school). Recently, I got a 1099 tax form for my TUITION WAIVER; I have to pay taxes on the tuition I receive! Is that not ridiculous?!?!?
People need to stop being so narrow in their arguments! Yes, I agree, there are people that abuse the welfare system! But, there are also people who do not! Are you really going to expend all your energy on a few hundred people in your state that decide to buy lobsters and birthday cake — what an outrage!?! How about you focus your energy where the real problems rest … in the fact that millionaires are running our nation and that there aren’t jobs (millions of jobs are being outsourced — come on, Maine … haven’t you seen the devastation this outsourcing has caused in the manufacturing sector??). ALSO … PLEASE, use spell check; there are people on BOTH sides of this argument on here whose points aren’t getting across due to the lack of grammatical correctness!
*(#%&(*W&%(W*%& <—- my frustration.
I just want to say that I totally agree with people over using the system being wrong -{ if the education is not there this is all they have to fall back on } but I must say that this american life style has warrented all of this! America’s big luxurious expenses trickle all the way down to the poor and the truth of the matter is if you aren’t spending that money or living extravagantly you are disregarded n discarded, but what she don’t see if people breaking their neck to live off the land and stop sucking the earth dry of all its natural resource is so that we all can live in harmony. and if it’s not okay for everybody to spend some and then this conversation is worthless
Here is an analogy that might make you think differently about this situation. Every year the federal government supports hundreds of thousands of college students through federal aid programs. Most of this money is ostensibly for “educational expenses” but every semester I know of students who use their funding, much of which will never need to be repaid because it is a grant, or which will be a loan that is forgiven or defaulted, for things like alcohol, eating out, drugs, cigarettes, pornography, and all sorts of luxuries. School administrators regularly game the system too, lining their own pockets with funds intended for students. The funny thing is that you never hear (at least in most policy discourse) cries about the problem of the “FAFSA Queen.”
Let’s try another example. Every year billions of dollars are contributed to our military budget and to our highway transportation budget. As a taxpayer in a democracy I understand that the bundle of goods I’d prefer (less war, more public transportation) will likely never see the light of day. But what I can’t stand seeing is the congressional district that gets unneeded aid for its military base or the one that funnels unnecessary dollars to “fix roads” that are perfectly fine while others continue to rot. But, again, we simply lack the administrative capacity for the oversight needed to fix this. Or maybe I should talk about the way farmers can game the system of farm-related incentives. Or the way real estate developers fraudulently abuse government incentives for affordable housing creation. We have a massive amount of government spending–this would be true under either Republicans or Democrats, albeit with slight differences in how the marginal dollar is spent in certain areas. And we have, in turn, a massive number of scam artists who abuse this system.
Are “welfare queens” a problem? Sure. But I find it laughable that we point at them often first when deciding how we must reform our socio-government contract. They are a drop in the bucket, and the proposals put forward for fixing the leak usually mean dumping half the water or tearing up the bucket.
I know I work hard for my money and the dollar does not stretch very far. I go without food could use assistance but do not qualify make too much. Sad we who work. For our money don’t have free or low cost housing could use that too. I hope governor lepage takes this welfare package seriously and do something make people go to work .after certain amount of time has passed. Why should I have I have to suffer. Watch others cheat the system and fault the one who works hard while they reap the benefits just not fair they get free medical while I pay hundreds in ins rates and still have med bills. No fair! Walk a mile in my shoes.
I’m a struggling single mother that has been receiving benefits such as food stamps and WIC for approximately 6 months now. I read your article and agree 100% but there is something that I’d like to add. This may seem biased and certainly not meant to be offensive it’s just another way the system has failed to take care of the American’s that need assistance. My issue is that I’m appalled when I see non-American’s (I’ll call them this but I’m sure you all know what I mean- illegals-) receiving benefits when they don’t work, don’t even try to work, and have multiple children. I’m 40 years old. I have been paying taxes for 25 years. I have worked for 25 years. I have been paying into the system for 25 years and now in my time of need the state of Georgia is only aiding me to the tune of $16.00 a month!! Where’s all that money that I contributed to for 25 years? It goes to the non- Americans that have never paid taxes, have never worked, or realize how good they got it with their “benefits” and have no reason to get a job! This disgusts me and changes the way I feel about being an American.
There is a difference between fraud and things that are needed, now I will agree that “buying” hotdogs and condiments for your hot dog cart business is fraud. But since when is buying your child a birthday cake fraud? Some women can’t bake to save themselves and they try to make sure their children have a good birthday, now there is nothing wrong with that. I myself have been a walmart worker, I have no shame in saying that, I also have no shame in saying that I myself get food stamps to help feed my family, I also got food stamps while working at walmart, now does that make me a fraud? I think not, that just shows that even the working class people need a little assistance from time to time. I know what this young woman means when some people take it out on the cashier if things don’t exactly go their way and it does get frustrating, but to sit here and be as far as I am concerned being very judgmental towards anyone that needs state funded assistance. To me, she sat on her “high horse” and looked down on those that are trying to provide a life for their family with any means necessary. Seeing that she is being so judgmental towards those that need assistance, I am going to voice my judgmental opinion on the author of that article. She obviously don’t have children, and must come from money so it is OK for her to pass judgement on those of us that have children and don’t have money. I am starting to see the very reason why I teach my kids to not criticize anyone that asks for help for they might just need the help, though there are some that abuse it, there are others that do NOT, and to be put into that category just upsets me. I think Christine needs to walk a mile in someone Else’s shoes before she snubs her nose at those that are unfortunate.
I’m still trying to gather my jaw off the floor, and I’m unsure if it’s because a petulant child thinks she has any right to judge others, or if it’s because people are agreeing with you. Let me give you a little insight, sweetheart. I was laid off at 6 months pregnant, and after months struggling to find a job, my husband and I made the decision that it was more prudent for me to go back to school, to give me a better chance in the job market. For the past year, my husband has worked two jobs while I stay at home as a full time student and full time mother. We receive both Maincare and Food Stamps. Without the Food Stamps, we would starve. We barely make ends meet, but we have been able to keep our credit afloat and provide the basics for our family. We also both have iPhones, purchased prior to my layoff. By all accounts, your advice would be that I should not be allowed to have this device. So I assume that you feel cancelling, being assessed hundreds of dollars in fees and taking the hit to our credit would be more prudent? You have no idea how stressful it is that on top of needing help, I have to deal with the ignorance of people like you judging me and making assumptions. You best hope that you are never put into a situation where you need some sort of help, because you will rue the day you judged others. Yes, there are people who abuse the system. But insulting them, labeling them, denouncing them as lesser than yourself? That only hurts those of us who use the help the right way, not those who don’t. I’m ashamed that you’re the next generation, God help my son for what he may have to endure with people like you making decisions. You have a lot of growing up to do before you’ve earned a right to state what people are and are not entitled to.
And yes it does get abused ALOT people sell them misuse them and make single moms who work and get food stamps look really really bad not saying everyone is perfect but hey come on now not every family on assistance programs are pieces of system abusing crap only half of them
To those defending the author as “not judgemental” because she expresses that she’s only against “welfare queens” and not the people she feels “truly need it”, well, guess what – that’s judgemental. It is the definition of judgemental for this middle class college student to believe that she can judge someones true need based on a singular interaction. Pu-lease, I would doubt that this girl would meet anyone she feels “truly need it”. Do the world a favor, stop thinking you know anything, let alone everything, about a person based on one interaction at Wal-Mart. I hope you don’t break anything when you finally fall from that sky-high horse you’re on.
I dont have a problem with people on FS buying birthday cakes for their kids, people who are truly in need – the topper from the grocery store cake might be the only toy the kid gets. Thats fine. What I DO mind, are the ones I see who are using fs to eat steak, lobster etc, then whipping our big ole wad of cash to pay for the cigs and beer. THAT hacks me off. I over heard a lady tell a friend one day if she had “one more kid” her check would go up enough she could afford a new car, so she was in the market for a nice looking man. We were on WIC and medicaid when I had my first child – we were both in grad school, bc failed and we had our beautiful oldest daughter- with out medicaid and wic we wouldn’t have been able to take care of her. I nursed her, but the extra cheese and protein for me was helpful. However we didn’t apply for fs, even though we qualified, bc our grad school income, as little as it was, was enough to buy the food for my husband and I. Since that time (our daughter is now 10) I am certain I have more than repaid what it cost for the state of Louisiana to help us out that 19 months. I have no problem with people using the aid when they need it.
Wow, There’s a lot of people that really don’t get it. She said, She is not against people on assistance programs. She’s against THE ABUSE OF THE PROGRAMS. I read several peoples thoughts from both sides. I live in the Wash. D.C. area , I see a great deal of fraud all the time. My Ex Wife is a prime example of people working the system. We have 2 kids together, girls 16 & 10. I have the 16yr old, she has the 10yr old. I’m out of work now. I have a hard time paying for little luxury’s in life. I do get unemployment and now they’re taking $98. a week out to send to my Ex. She pays $0.00 for squat !!! Including her 16 yr old. She also has 3 kids in Calif. which she pays $ O—zip for. She owes State of California over $73,000 in child support for those kids, but she collects money from state of MD. and is not being harassed by law enforcement WTF?? I pay my bills & buy my food with no help. I work at odd jobs to make ends meet. Yeah I may not report a lil extra $$ to unemployment because what ever you say you made extra that week, they short you on your next check. That hardly seems fair of like an incentive to get a job. I have many yrs specialized skills in a special construction trade. I was making $28 an hr. I was bringing home around $850-1000 a week. My rent is $1600 + Utls. I get $1200.a mo from unemployment, That is something I paid into for many yrs. I don’t get assistance from the state. Am I wrong to not report my Xtra $ I make here & there, while looking for regular employment? YES according to the state. I guess I should file for welfare to help ends meet right??? NOT as long as I have 2 good hands & feet I can work with.. I think they should be more rules & regs on receiving welfare, and piss testing. I have to Pee in a cup to get a job to earn $ to pay taxes, but these people who “Work” The System. 2 weeks ago I stood in line behind a well dressed woman of color who had 2 carts full of stuff. I figured, wow she must have a big family. I’d hate to have to pay for all those groceries….geesh. She all kinds of gold & diamonds on, real nice fancy nails. All her Bling on display to tell the world, Look at Me! I’m Rich! Then her total comes up….$ 437.++ I was blown away when out comes the Independence Card (food stamps) to pay for it all. Well sonofabitch, I did have to pay for all those groceries ! I paid my $61.00 for my few things for the week. I go outside to see her loading all these goodies in the back of her Lincoln Nigavator. Looking suspect of abuse??? Yes !! I had people say that maybe the clothes & jewels & truck were all gifts….Really?? are people really that fu*kin naive? or just Stupid?
Everyone seems a little up in arms about the Writer’s comment on steak and lobster. I think the point made is that the purpose of welfare in the first place, is to help people meet there most basic needs. My husband and I each own our own business and work extremely hard for the money we make. We’ve bought one good steak in our lifetime and it was actually an accident.
I had my own experience that changed my perspective. I was planning the wedding of a NFL football player. He and his fiancé had three kids together but being technically unmarried, she had a food stamp card. The groom tried to give me that card when I went to pick up all the alcohol. He was making $300,000 a year.
Very well written.
I came from a third world country where we worked really hard. I’m now in the US and have used the opportunities available here to succeed starting from nothing.. I’ve realized that Americans born here have no idea about how blessed they are. There is now a generation that is being spoilt because they think they are entitled to everything in life. Things like welfare goes unchecked created generations dependent on welfare. Welfare in it’s current form is a system that rewards those who do not work and punishes those who do work.
The people over here defending the “birthday cake” for any reason whatsoever just proves that they have no sense of responsibility. If you want a birthday cake for any reason whatsoever, buy it with YOUR OWN MONEY… .not by benefits subsidized by hardworking tax payers. By letting excesses like these, the government is PUNISHING HARD WORKING TAX PAYERS.
American kids in the last 30 years are getting more stupid and entitlement centered as the years go by… thanks to their parent’s generation of irresponsibility. That is why Americans kids have the highest number in drop out rates (40%) and also the highest number of people who change majors from STEM to something far more easier. This is simply because most American kids no longer know what it means to work hard and have short attention spans to focus on anything that can make them succeed in life.
it’s refreshing to see people like the author go against the tide.
Let me break it down for you……. I too agree there ia abuse in the system no doubt, but to judge me because I stand before you with my foodstamp card that I get $16 a month and use it for let’s say my Son’s birthday cake….You don’t know that all I get is $16 dollars an month and work 2 jobs and pay almost $200 dollars every 2 weeks for health insurance for my son and myself, which brings down my earned income to a low enough amount that makes me now eligible for my $16 a month in foodstamps and medical assistance for my son to help cover the co-pays that are left from my private insurance that costs me so much out of every paycheck that I can’t afford co pays or to go to movies or to buy myself new clothes. You don’t know that 2 nights a week my son and I don’t get home until 1 am because I am working a second job to ensure I have enough money to buy my son new clothes and toys as he grows and needs more. You don’t know that my son’s father has a mental illness that manifested while I was pregnant, and after knowing him for 28 years (yes we grew up together) I was living with a stranger, no he is incapable of helping, because he can’t work because he has to be on heavy anti psycotics that make him drowsy and sluggish to prevent him from feeling like he wants to cut out my heart…yeah you don’t any of this but when I pull out my BRIGHT ORANGE card and swipe for what ever it is I choose to use MY $16 a month, you judge me, you make your assumptions to what kind of person I am. So if I want to by my son a BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH MY FOODSTAMPS, GOD DAMN IT, I WILL!!!! That only means that $16 will be coming out of my paycheck to buy milk or bread!! So mind our own bussiness and stop judging everyone who has that bright orange card. I pay for my own food stamps and medical assistance with the close to $300 dollars that comes out of my paychecks in taxes!
Your article was extremely well written and insightful. Yes, the system is used and abused so extensively that it is indeed destroying our country.
But.
There are truly people out there that are in such sad situations. You cannot possibly truly know each and every situation that comes through your check out line.
In general this country is so messed up right now it is not even funny. Welfare and assistance are just mere symptoms of a greater issue in this country.
It sounds like you needed to spend less time analyzing how people paid (i.e. not your business) and more time doing your job.
I just think it is funny how people blame the government that the ones who abuse the system can not get off welfare. The government did ask for those people to get on it to begin with. My husband is in the Army and we have four children, 13 years ago we tried to get JUST food stamps because we were strugging with his low government PAY CHECK and got turned down. But those who dont even try to work, or go to school to better themselves can ride the system, bull!! Those who complain about the govenment taking it right from under them is the ones who pass it from generation to generation like its some familyharlom or something. My husand is a recruiter in the army and some girl told him that she is going to have lots of babies and live on welfar like her momma…just sad! Welfare system needs to step up and get those people off that dont need before they run out of money and those who work and pay taxes wont have medicare and retirement checks. Get of your you know what and get a JOB!!!
My mom would spend hours toiling away at a cash register at $3.75 an hour as a cashier at a bakery. Believe me, the amount of food stamps that we received was not enough for steak and other luxury items. Our big treat of the week was to pick out out favorite brand of cereal.
My father avoided paying his child support, he was only required to pay $80 a month. Whenever his wages started to get garnished, he would quit his job and work under the table.
We also received Section 8 supplemental housing for reduced rent. We would have an inspection and someone would go through the house once or twice a year to make sure it was up to code. My mom would scrub the walls with bleach to make sure that it would pass because the house had a tendency to mold. She would get a couple hundred dollars a month off her rent for her efforts. She worked hard to have a clean place for us to live.
When my Mom got a raise to $4.25 an hour, the state considered that enough and cut us off. We didn’t have enough money for anything extra, even second hand clothes were a luxury. We had no car and we took a bus when necessary. We walked nearly a mile to the grocery store and carried our groceries home, because bus fare was too expensive. Our Saturday night treat was Kool-aid and popcorn. For entertainment, we watched Happy-days and the Love Boat on an old tiny black and white TV. Thank God we had left overs from the bakery when the food ran out, not exactly nutritious.
Yes, there are people out there committing fraud, Social Services has a tough job. Is it more expensive to spend a bunch of money investigating these people or is it easier to just go by income level? It is not a perfect system. Try to keep in mind that before you judge, consider that there are a lot of people that receive EBT with different circumstances, some of them do work and receive them as supplemental to their low wages. Be sure to vote for a higher minimum wage to reward those that do work.
I personally think they are thieves and they are stealing. It makes me sad and angry that my tax dollars are being stolen like this. No wonder our country is so far in debt, both on the individual level, state level, and the national level.
Awesome article, and here I thought crap like this only happened in MN.
Anyone who can rationalize the acts of such bums needs to pay more taxes so I can have a turn.
Agreed! What if all of us did just that? Took our turn? Where would the tax money come from then? I get so angry at these people that take and take and take for years and years. Decades even. Just wanted to say I liked your frankness. I’m so tired of all the PC this country has been doing…it needs to stop, so we can make the changes needed. I don’t care anymore about hurting someones feelings. Don’t give a rats-a$$ anymore.
This gives me HOPE for the future; and maybe with more college students like this, actual CHANGE that may save America. The bottom line here is entitlement versus empowerment. We need to focus more on empowerment than entitlement because most people would prefer a job to welfare, even though there are obviously those who are just L-A-Z-Y.
My dad never told me how to live, he showed me. He was a single dad and at times between jobs, he would go on food stamps. He got off of them as soon as he had another job. I grew up without medicaid. I never had my teeth cleaned until 19 years of age. Some are judgmental of this writer. Is she young? yes. Will she understand different opinions later in life? maybe.
For those that *need* help, they should have it. If they want to limit their other food choices for the month and buy the occasional steak, cake, etc. That is on them. I know I wouldn’t want to, but that is on their head.
My dad lost his license due to a DUI. When getting them back, he had a job, and we ate cheap chicken and really cheap pizza that I have issues with eating to this day. But we survived and we both sacrificed for his mistake.
Later in life, he got saved and lived a great life. He was rich by no means, but acquired a new wife and had a son. He found that he was dying of Leukemia. He was ordered not to work because he was a truck driver and it would interfere with driving properly. His wife did not work. They had no debt except a 225.00 house payment. They went to the food stamp office to receive help. They were told that because he had a late model truck he was making payments on that he couldn’t be helped. He explained that the insurance he bought on it when he purchased the vehicle paid for the payments. They did *not* care. he went to his grave wondering how his new family would make it. Yet, a person can *LEASE* a car and receive food stamps. Why? because they don’t “own” the car.
According to man’s laws some of the people the ride the system may squeak by with “living within the law”, but one day we all will face a judge. That judge will ask everyone why they did things in their lives that were not pleasing.
Should things change? We should try to help our poor when we can, and for those poor that are able, they should help themselves by working at whatever job they can find.
Teaching your children the tricks of the system to get and stay on it is in my opinion shameful.
One last story. When I was 18, I needed a place to live. I had friends whose parents took me in. They gave me a limit of time that I could stay with them. I called the government agencies very reluctantly, but I needed help. I swallowed my pride and tried my best. After several calls that led to nowhere, I came across this man who gave me advice. He said they couldn’t help me because I wasn’t with child. I asked the man “So, you are saying I should go out and get pregnant to get help?” He said “do what you have to do”. There was no way that I was ready for a child, I wasn’t even in a relationship. I couldn’t bring a child into this world that way.
I, too, was a cashier, seen many folks come through with junk, paying for their groceries with lots of jewelry on. I don;t care if they got it for gifts. You don’t show all that in a grocery store when using stamps!! They were buying things my dad couldn’t afford working a full time job. I went through school not telling my dad I needed certain supplies because I knew he couldn’t afford them. I always got bad grades on science projects because of this.
There is so much more help now for those that need it. For those that truly do, AWESOME. For those that abuse it, shame.
This is an interesting and well written article. While the author makes many valid points about systemic problems and the cycle of dependency, she also reveals what I think the larger issue is, and that is, our expectations of what the poor should look like and how they behave. She complains about people using Iphones, buying kitkat bars, WWE figurines and a slip n slide, as well as steak and birthday cakes. Implicit in this is the expectation that the poor should be miserable and grateful, and somehow do not have the right to buy things like birthday cakes and slip n slides for their children.
While I agree that the system is flawed and that there is real harm in generations of dependency, we who are privileged enough to have work and reliable income need to look into the eyes of those who are not and recognize ourselves, and the humanity we share. This applies to both the right and the left, both of whom perpetuate fraudulent stereotypes of the poor – the shiftless and lazy cheats of the right, and the poor defenseless victims of the left. The truth is that in these harsh economic times, more and more people are truly in need of help. It is also true that enabling long term dependency on such help is not only a financial drain on society but also a waste of human potential. How many innovators, how many significant contributors to our society and culture are we not realizing by perpetuating this cycle of dependency?
The author is correct, we need serious welfare reform, but I think any solution will require a greater depth in understanding. We need to create a system that is humane and caring and at the same time demanding and developing. I don’t know what that system would look like or how it will come about, but the usual liberal versus conservative rhetoric won’t create it. Until we all shed our preconceived notions of who the poor are and what they should look like and how they should behave, nothing will change, and the cheaters versus victims arguments will persist.
http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparetable.jsp?cat=1&ind=26
Really- people are living it up on a hundred bucks a month and change? Love to see you limit yourself to that much- while feeding a family. Please post your monthly menu for us, using that dollar amount and including a couple of kids. Go ahead. I dare you. Anyone who thinks welfare recipients are somehow getting rich is far too ignorant to be taken seriously. And no- I have never been on welfare in my life.
“What I find even more comical is when the welfare moochers bring in piles and piles of coupons, to save money on the money that the state gives them every month? ” Chances are that they are not getting a lot of food stamps to begin with. I am a single parent and currently on food stamps. Yes, I did have a job but got laid off 2 years ago and haven’t found a job yet. I have gone through all my savings and swallowed my pride to ask for help, it is not much. I use coupons to save money and to make what I receive last. As for the steak, lobster and cake issue have you ever considered that it was a “special meal” for someone. A “good” meal can do wonders for your mental health when you are on these programs.
I am sure that are people who are exploiting the system but there are many more who are not and need the help. People get off your high horse and stop judging other people when you don’t know the reason as to why people are on these programs. I, myself am glad that these programs exist. If they did not, many people would be homeless, hungry and very unhealthy. Then again you would most likely judge them as alcoholic or druggies on the street. Just so you know, there are so many families right now living in their vehicles because they lost their job, house/apartment and if they wan t to buy their children a birthday cake (maybe they don’t have a place to bake the cake) then so be it.
Its funny to me that you guys think tanf and food stamps are unrestricted.. Have you spoken to anyone on them? There is a limit and a way to go about it..
i think it is really judgemental. I been there, inbetween jobs, or when my babies were too little for daycare.(i guess that means i shouldn’t have had any kids to you anyhow) You has a point or two, that some ppl do abuse the system. but not everyone recieving Welfare is a welfare queen, some people on welfare stuggle everyday to get by even with the aid. ive walked in the shoes on unemployment, or just plain unable to work. What about women who are pregnant and made to go on bed rest. (that must be wrong too).. i work 2 jobs, and my husband works one, i got to school full time, we don’t have a house phone but both have cheap cell phone incase of emergencies. we don’t have cable, or anything spectacualr. Im glad your parents were well off Christina, because your in college. Your not even an adult yet. Are you paying for your college or your parents? or grants through the federal goverment? Because Me, I the tax payer working two jobs, paying taxes…would be paying for that. Welfare is only perminant if you want it to be, and even then, with the cuts they are making its more work to be on it then not. Your likely making the people who really need this feel ashamed. I hope god graces you at somepoint and puts her right into these shoes. Because my dear just because your young and in college does not mean your job, your parents, job or anything else in life wont be cut. Goodluck, i’d continue to be as judgemental as you are because you know nothing about what they go through in life. Take a walk in their shoes. I DARE you.
This article is well written, and has some great anecdotes. However, we’d all do well to remember that the poor are an easy and obvious scapegoat. There are always going to be people who take advantage of the system – but realize that there are plenty of elected officials in Washington, D.C. doing just that. We the electorate got them into office, but they don’t listen to us – they do the bidding of the highest bidder.
Social safety nets are not the biggest part of the national deficit. While I agree that welfare should be reformed (perhaps it should be refused for those who are physically able to work and not supporting children despite their psychological status; those who test positive for drugs; those with a certain percentage of visible tattoos; or those who wear pajama pants to the signup office), cutting the strings of the social safety net would be highly detrimental.
Do we really want children to go hungry, even if their typical meal is boxed macaroni and cheese? Can we cut out some of the unnecessary war spending first, to fix the budget? Do consultants really need to be making millions from U.S. tax dollars? And can we tax those citizens who hide their money in offshore shelters? The poor are not taking the most of the U.S. deficit spending.
I have most DEFIANTLY been in your exact position! I worked as a full time cashier at a grocery store during my four years at college. I found myself in many situations where I just had to walk away. Working 40+ hours a week with hours ranging from 3am to 9pm, maintaining a 20 hour a week internship at a farm which consisted of showing up any time between 6am feed and 12am night check and maintaining a 15 credit hour school schedule left me with little tolerance for exceptionally overweight parents and children with carts full of spaghetti-O’s, Tony’s Pizzas, Hot Dogs, Chips, Soda… and my favorite, LOBSTER! Unfortunately this was just the tip of the iceberg on what I thought to be a large epidemic then.
I have since graduated and as my nearly $20,000 in student loans sit in forbearance while I work two jobs, neither of which have benefits or health care, I can not help to become a little bit more frustrated every time I see Maine taxes taken out of my weekly allowance because now, more so than ever I see what true “NEED” is.
I volunteer my spare time to a few local organizations which regularly donate to nonprofits such as the Food Pantry, Medical Needs and Heat Assistance… and here is what I’ve learned: People can write a darn good story for $100.
I am willing to go on a limb and say that a good 60% of the families in line at the food pantry every Thursday are not in “NEED”, they would just rather spend their money on material things. Secret Santa beneficiaries buy Wii’s, X-boxes, Tv’s and all the other luxuries that even I know I can not afford… yet I’ve found time and money to donate to this “worthy cause”. The state is paying for tummy tucks, breast implants and dental reconstruction. People that collect Welfare & Mainecare do not stop there… They apply at EVERY charity, town heat assistance and tax relief, free child care, meals on wheels free schooling and my favorite is the grant program that the state offers to insulate a home, pay for a new furnace, shingle your roof and jack your basement. At what point is enough…ENOUGH?
The state of Maine has for years consistently come in first for poorest, worst for business and worst educational system. I wish someone would get a clue and start rewarding productive members of society and let the leeches live the life of TRUE NEED and maybe that will motivate them to join the working class folks that EARN their income.
I wish you could hit Like or Dislike on these notes or comment directly to a specific post…..Ughhh
We grew up in an era with no food stamps. Poor as they come but we all worked to keep food on the table and never accepted anything from government except required shots from the health department for kids. Unemployment checks required people to demonstrate that they were actively looking for work. If a neighbor saw you were hungry and offered you spam and mac and cheese would you demand steak and lobster? Someone else has to pay the bill and I for one would take what I could get to stay alive and work hard to find work.
excellent article and a well educated young lady who knows the score.So what is wrong with our politicians? They are just sitting on their hands waiting for their hand outs. You are right SOMETHING MUST BE DONE.
The logic is simple: you don’t use food stamps for luxury items like birthday cakes, steaks, lobster etc…. no matter how rare or cheap it is.
USE YOUR OWN MONEY FOR THAT – NOT BENEFITS SUBSIDIZED BY HARD WORK TAX PAYERS.
It doesn’t matter if it’s ONE DOLLAR on food stamp FRAUD or 200 hundred dollars of food stamp FRAUD.
It’s STILL A FRAUD.
Americans are simply spoilt with such an entitlement attitude. And no one is telling that the poor have “no right” to these… they can enjoy these luxuries WITH THEIR OWN MONEY…. NOT WITH THE MONEY OF HARD WORKING TAX PAYERS who don’t intend it for such abuse.
I’ve read through nearly all the comments on this thread, and some of those who are attempting to provide a rebuttal, and accuse this girl of being insensitive, or hating the poor, or being “priviledged”, obviously have awful reading comprehension skills.
She pointed out a few of many instances that she has had while working at Walmart. Not just a “few inflated experiences”, but a few within many. She also pointed out that she has no problem with those who truly need assistance, but has a problem with those who abuse the system. This is why reform is needed, not to remove the assistance from the poor, but give it to those who actually can use it, and not game the system.
Unlike a lot of commenters who are against this young lady, she does not make generalizations of those in need, in contrast to the commenters generalizing her views into some rediculous stereotype that has been hyped up by liberal dogma.
There is no problem with someone buying steak, or lobster, but before they do so, they should really think about whose money they are spending, as it’s not “theirs.”
p.s.- I was, unfortunately, among the so called “generational welfare” families – it was hard work to be such too – grave tragedy and misfortune made it necessary for our grandmother to bow to use of food stamps after our mother died of brain cancer and died leaving five young children to be raised (I was nearly 4 and my oldest sibling was only 9 – our father was gone) – I was the only one of us five that ended up on public assistance, and that was off and on through the years our kids were growing up. There had been a time in my life when I had been a Technical Illustrator for Amana Refrigeration, I also had other jobs in my adulthood, but being on welfare was the hardest job I’ve ever had!
Any store that will run ready to eat foods, booze or smokes through on an EBT card is breaking the law. Many stores set their registers up to do things fraudulently. I personally do not have a problem with a person using their SNAP benefits to purchase a steak, ALL states allow the benefits to stay on a card for 12 months, if elderly Aunt Sally wants to save $10 a month of the $20 she gets a month to buy her family a good dinner for Thanksgiving who are we to judge?
I am far from being an everyone on welfare person. I worked in the welfare system long enough to know “lifers” and “multigenerational families” know how to play the system…They are lying to you, you know they are lying to you and they know you know but not much can be done about it. Workers are overwhelmed by caseloads that are never ending, Benefit Recovery…aka Fraud unit that I also worked in is overwhelmed with cases as well. Some states have as few as 2 investigators to cover the entire state!
Remember not everyone gets $$$$$ monthly in SNAP benefits, yes it is meant to be an assistance in food purchasing and some people use it as such. There has probably been abuse of the program from the first time benefits were approved. What is heart breaking is when a person that has worked their entire life and is injured and about to loose everything they have swallows their pride to apply for benefits then you have to deny them because they are honest! They need help for perhaps 4 or 5 months until they go back to work but because they said yes I have $100 in savings that puts them over the limit. Then the next case is Susie Loosepants who at 21 has just had her 4th child by daddy #4 and she tells you how much her benefits are to go up! Or Wanda No-morals who uis pregnant and living with her boyfriend who works but she gets benefits because she is “smart enough” to state they do not eat together. How is that for bull?
Speaking of welfare and Wal-Mart…Many recipients of benefits work at Wal-Mart, if giant store chain trained AND enforced what their cashiers are allowed to charge to their cards would that be like biting the hand that feeds it?
First I just want to start off by saying, It’s a good article, but you are not right in judging everyone who is on welfare. I am married with three children. All though we have income coming in, it is not enough for food. We have nothing extra. No cable, no tv, nothing just bare essentials. I have internet for my kids to do research for school that is it. I am on foodstamps, and yes I get my children their birthday cakes with it and yes they occasionally get junk food, and yes I occasionally treat my husband and i to a steak. We work and pay our taxes just like everyone else. We just don’t make enough. My husband and I don’t have health insurance, my children are on medicaid. We don’t have brand new cars they are both used and paid for cars. You all need to stop throwing everyone in the same category as welfare queens and abusing the system. Sometimes it is all the choice we have.
I haven’t even read through a lot of these comments because most of you people disgust me. Sit there and acting like it’s some wonderful thing what this girl did in writing this. All she ended up doing it was assume the worst in people. Now yes there are people that abuse the system but just because someone buys something “nice” once in a while doesn’t mean they’re abusing it. Also these people that are on it now are people that have worked their whole lives and PAYED THEIR TAXES FOR THESE PROGRAMS. These programs are here for us in our time of need and you people feel it’s okay to judge those on it. I was the one stuck eating nothing but a package of ramen noodles a day to survive. I finally caved in and got the benefits I’ve been paying into for years. Until you’re in the situation you have no IDEA what it’s really like.
It’s hell to even get the benefits and well at least in my state and I’m pretty sure it’s in most states IF YOU ARE ON TANAF YOU HAVE TO DO 35 HOURS A WEEK OF A VOLUNTEER WORK OR JOB TRAINING PROGRAM. My fiance was hauling stuff onto trucks and driving all over the state for his program. You gonna tell me he didn’t earn his money? And that’s 35 hours a week EACH so that means we have to get 70 hours for the two of us to get a measly $424 a month for 3 people (we have a daughter) So how many of you would work that many hours for that little money? So yes you know what on occasion we might buy a toy for our daughter, or some candy, or whatever else just to give a small sense of normalcy. I think most of you have no clue what is required to get on these benefits, altho each state is different, but before you assume that someone’s getting something for nothing maybe you should find out what the program deal is. Maybe people get that entitled attitude because they’re working for like 2 dollars an hour and being judged by people like all of you.
I am a single parent of TWO diabetic kids and although my food is almost always HEALTH DRIVEN there are occasional sweet snacks. I have seen nemerous amounts of people who abuse the system, BUT unknowing of any of their situations I do not poke fun and make accusations! I have been on and off welfare for about 108 months total, with my share of school and work, but like I said I have TWO diabetic children who gets shots every 2 and a half, 3 hours, totaling between 12-18 shots a day, 6-9 shots a piece per kid!! God forbid there be a vacation in there school where I miss my school n or my work!! Loss jobs left and right!! I am someone who gets deeply offended by some of these statements, although I am from Saco and I know the people you are referring too are not me, sometimes you need to look a little deeper! I do agree that qualifications for TANF and FOODSTAMPS should be looked Igbo a little more, and picking out who’s sob story is true and who’s isn’t must be a hard job, but really………….be human! Oh and the birthday cake thing, WWE figurines, slip n slide earrings, what about childrens birthdays or Christmas??? TANF cash does not only go towards rent lights heat phone it’s used to SUPPORT. So don’t assume without knowing the WHOLE story!!
This article is well written and points out many flaws in our system. The author is not being judgmental at all. She is simply stating a few of the problems that she sees while doing her job. It is perfectly fine for a citizen to take issue with the abuses of the governmental systems that are put in place to help people who have truly fallen on hard times. I think the majority of us would agree that we have no problem with people who actually need help receiving assistance. That is the point of these programs, but they should not be long term solutions. Nor should not be used to buy frivolous items or expensive food. It is not the right of one to buy food they enjoy at the taxpayers expense. We have a small family owned business, and when things get tight, we tighten up. No steaks. Chicken. We cut out eating out. We cook at home. Sometimes we have to tell our children ‘no’ when they want something. Whey shouldn’t we expect people on assistance to be just as wise with the money they receive from these programs (the taxpayers) as we are when our paychecks don’t cover everything we want or need? Steaks are not a necessity. Slip and slides are not a necessity. I have seen a lot of nasty comments on here from people about judging, but the bottom line is, as a taxpayer and a voter it is my job to make a decision on whether or not these programs are being used wisely. I have a daughter who is a diabetic. We use the only pediatric endocrinology clinic in our state. Every time we go in, I pay our co-pay (the one we have because we pay through the nose for insurance while not buying other things we want) while I see multiple parents who pay nothing because their children are on Medicaid. Do I have a problem with Medicaid itself? No. Do I have a problem with it when mom pulls up in a nicer car than mine, designer jeans, shoes, sunglasses, and a very expensive purse? You bet I do! And that is not judgmental. Unfortunately, we have a segment of society that thinks our taxpayers should pay for their food as well as their healthcare while they have the finer things in life. It is called entitlement. Does everyone on assistance feel that way? Of course not! But to disparage this author because she is pointing out something that is certainly a problem in our society is wrong. I know people who have used these programs because they were in desperate need. They would rather be working! They were mortified to be relying on others to pay their bills. Unfortunately, we now have a segment of our society who do not feel that way. They are perfectly happy to have the handouts. Those are the people we have a problem with. We definitely need an overhaul of these systems. I am so happy to see a young lady who has a strong sense of right and wrong and isn’t afraid to speak out. It bodes well for the next generation! Keep up the good work!
@Melissa I don’t see anywhere in her post where she would look down on you, or label you a “welfare queen.” It starts in the first sentence of her second paragraph.
“I understand that sometimes, people are destitute. They need help, and they accept help from the state in order to feed their families. This is fine. It happens. I’m not against temporary aid helping those who truly need it.”
There is no problem with those who truly need it. There is a problem with those who don’t really need it, but take it anyway, and those who game the system.
As for your comments on your pregnancy, I really have no clue where you are coming from (according to her post), or how she would be thinking those cases are wrong.
Just a small bit of information for those of you who have NO idea what is going on……TANF is not just EBT cash, some child support payments are made through TANF so because that person’s “spouse” chose to be irresponsible and the responsible one had to go through the court to receive their child support, shouldn’t result in criticism. Not everyone abuses the system and not everyone that needs the system will get what they need…..because of comments like this. Everyone that swipes an EBT card is NOT taking advantage and I know and agree that there are people using it that are abusing it but just because a person drives a nice car or has a nice phone does NOT mean they are abusing it. I used to think that way too, but I had someone tell me one time that when they were on food stamps they would get dirty looks because they had a new car. Their baby’s grand parents bought her that car so she could get around and get back and forth to Dr’s appts and stuff! There are also people that are on disability that get their checks onto the EBT card as cash, are you going to say they don’t deserve it? If the system gets reformed there are people who NEED it who will not get it and there are people that get it that will STILL abuse it! Why not try to get back to America’s roots and reform people’s character then a LOT of things will change instead of just food stamps! Let’s bring America back to God….where if you don’t work, you don’t eat…love thy neighbor as thyself….judge not, lest ye be judged!
I also work as a cashier at Walmart in Texas and I have seen it over and over again, people on food stamps. Now as much as I know there are some who really need it I can tell you the majority that come through my line don’t need it. Its just abuse and fraud. The other thing I didn’t see her mention was that I have witnessed is someone with their lonestar(EBT) card and bring a friend or friends along. Not only was she buying for herself, she was buying for her friend ofr friends. It upsets me when I see someone come along and pay for their groceries with food stamps but yet buy really really nice things with cash. I work a full time job and work Walmart to supplement my income. I still can’t buy alot of things I would like to have. What is wrong with our world! I would have never had my eyes opened to this until I started at Walmart and seen it for myself.
Its the Demoratc way! Total dependance on Government!
I live in TX and just thought I’d share a story with you. I lived in a very poor neighborhood at the time and worked a low paying job. My roommate and I had scrounged the entire house to find enough to buy a box of ice cream. Yup, a box, you know the really cheap ice cream? Anyway, we were standing in line at the store behind a woman dressed in an expensive looking silk dress and nice shoes. She was covered in jewels and her hair and nails were well manicured. She bought over 300 dollars worth of food and other things (including steak, cigarettes, and a cake) and then pulled out her WIC card to pay. I was floor. How could she afford all the stuff she was wearing and then pay with WIC??? After she left, and we paid in change, we went outside and saw her loading her things into her BMW with the gold package. It was disgusting. At the time I was living on Ramen Noodles and she was eating steak that my taxes paid for. It was unbelievable.
You worked at a Wal Mart that fraudulently ran through items that are not covered by food stamps, and made the personal choice to adjust prices on items so they could be covered by WIC, so that Wal Mart could collect the money in order to pay your paycheck. Nice job getting paid by welfare young lady! You learned how to work the system and benefited from it- and then have the nerve to complain about those providing you with a paycheck. Typical republican voter- complains loudly about others while milking the system yourself and voting the way daddy told you to.
I was one of those mothers. I was on Food Stamps for several years. I had 3 children of my own, I worked the entire time I was getting the resources. I also had three foster children which the state I lived in paid nothing to help me with these state appointed children that they placed in my home. The system is rigged. They offer help, but in turn make it so hard to get off. So many restrictions, did you know that in my state if I worked a extra shift to so that I could save a bit and get ahead, I was penalized for taking the extra shift, by my next months allotment I had lost 70.00 dollars in stamps. so the the extra amount I earned just went right back to the being at ground zero. I must say to that my caseworker in particular told me once and I shit you not these were her words to me during a conversation ” she said and I quote, you want more money then have another kid, the state just upped the amount for another child”. Now call me crazy, but seriously, that is your answer. I was shocked and so horrified. I stayed on the program on and off for about 4 years..finally I had enough. I told them to shove the stamps, missing 2 days a month of work for appointments, losing almost $90.00 for a total sum of $232.00 a month for food for 6 was insanity. My Republican and Democrat Government both suck. They are the takers and they give with great strings attached. My kids and I ate Roman Noodles for 3 years straight, everyday there times a day…no cereals, no fruit, no veggies it just was not in the budget. I made homebread, and milk was a luxury, on birthdays, and holidays I bought a quart of milk and we all had one glass of ice cold milk. I would never go back on the system, I swore, I was turned in to CPS 6 times in those years and all 6 times I won. I told every system person, that I would rather have my kids and I be lacking in nutrition, then every to have to rely on my government. I would rather hunt and kill then every think this government will HELP you. They will not. Not Republicans, Not Democrats, you see there is no profit in helping us, only in hurting us. The system is set to be a prison, a constant and complete muzzle. I no that there are those who take advantage of these services, but let’s be honest, the government takes advantage of us everyday, and think nothing of it. For example, why am we paying for these fools, insurance, when I don’t even get insurance, or pay all there holidays, and cell phones, etc… so I say the whole DAMN SYSTEM in this country is EVIL and Corrupt. I no longer hold faith in the system, I no longer find comfort in my government. I will never feel by the people, for the people, of the people. That ship has long sailed. Today, even though economy is tough, really tough my children would never accept the help of the system, they would rather watch their child die of starvation , panhandle, or just do iwth out. They and I stay as far away from anything the government has to offer, it is not an offer it is selling you soul, your child’s soul…so I say, the people you have written about are merely gettin theirs, just like out government gets theirs, by any means necessary. The government has been teacher, and now you want to complain about them…REALLY where the hell is the complaint and article about the system…TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY>>AND SOMEWHERE in between is the truth…..be careful of trusting in the government, they would sooner, right you off, keep you in prison, then truly HELP!!!! We are disposable according to our government, whole sectors of the population can be genocided and it is ok…Katrina example. OUR government wrote off an entire state..you really think you are safe being Republican, or Democrat…it;s all rigged in their favor…Like Vegas…THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS>….I say leave home quickly…ty for letting me share.
It’s saddening and frustrating for me to read that because she is upset with percieved welfare fraud that her conclusion is to vote republican. That will certainly not solve any welfare fraud. It is in the best interest of both political parties to keep people poor and shopping at Wal-mart and to use young people like you to work there for an unlivable wage. Could you support yourself with your Wal-mart income? I am not saying that you personally would be tempted to commit fraud, but Wal-mart encourages its employees to apply for food stamps, and welfare fraud it just a drop in the hat compared to the explotation and fraud which Wal-mart uses as its general business practices. Wal-marts import business could pay for state welfare fraud a million times over, while at the same time crushing US-made competition. You don’t understand that it is in the best interest for Wal-mart, and for Democrats and Republicans, to keep people poor and a few million in food stamp fraud is a pittance. I hope you learn more about the true cost of globalization and outsourcing in college!!
Yes, Darren. That really is unbelievable.
Truly.
I don’t eat lobster but I know that sometimes stores mark them and steaks down to less than the cost of hamburger. Are you denying these families the right to eat meat? I’m on food stamps and use coupons to help budget what we have so maybe I can buy a treat for the kids once a month. I prefer to make their birthday cakes, to help save more money, but not everyone can bake. I’ve worked the low level fast food jobs before to earn money for college but have chosen to stay home with my son while my husband works instead of paying my entire paycheck to daycare.You let me know once the well paying jobs come back, if they ever do, and I’ll fill out an application. Hasn’t done me any good the last few places I’ve applied to. It’s a small community. Would I like to be able to get off of food stamps and WIC? Yes. However, I don’t foresee it happening anytime soon with our current ignorant governor.
America is the land of opportunity. There are plenty of opportunities to WORK. If you are physically unable to work, there are programs for disabled people to still be able to have a job. There is no excuse except for pure laziness. I work everyday and still don’t buy lobster for dinner. Maybe I should quit and have the goverment buy me lobster for dinner?
Amen sister!!! It has become a way of life and many believe they are owed that right to live off others and expect it to be handed out. They get angry when questioned and have no work ethic. It is easier to take the hand out instead of actually working for it. Generations have learned how to use the system and continue to do so. It is time to show them how to be a contributing member of society and not a lifetime leech.
In general I do agree that fraud should be stopped if possible. However, since you have chosen to sit in judgement of others I would like to point out a few flaws in your argument. First you mention people on assistance having cell phones and although it seems like an extravagance at first it is probably the only phone and internet connection they have. In todays world they are very helpful in job searching. Secondly you then go on to say every cell has a calculator when talking about going over on the food they are buying, so should they have cells now or not?
I also want to point out that the food being “void of nutritional value” is especially a problem for people who may have limited or no access to a proper kitchen to cook healthful nutritious meals.
Welfare, foodstamps, and WIC no doubt have some people seeking to defraud the system, as any assistance program will. Unfortunately many times this fraud does not actually reach the financial level that it needs to to be cost effective to fight it. If it costs twice as much to stop the fraud than it does to let it continue would you still support reforms? I actually can respect standing on your principles on this, however I think the more cost effective way to do that is when you see fraud, call it what it is to the faces of the people you believe are committing it. If there are other circumstances hopefully they will inform you and you can learn that many times there is more than what meets the eye. Public shaming would go a long way in solving things but it’s dirty work cause you are not always right.
This opinion brought to you by a employed tax paying citizen who has only received aid once, unemployment for a short while until I found a new job.
I worked for Walmart as a cashier and the writer is right. I would see people buy food with their food stamps, then in a separate order buy stereos and other high end electronics and pull out $100 bills to pay for it. It disgusted me all the time to see that.
I recall a similar incident at Walmart. A lady in front of me was buying those Lunchables, applesauce , & juice boxes. The items were for her daycare biz that she runs out of her home. She paid for it all with an EBT card. Welfare was subsidizing her work.
Guaranteed most of the SLACKERS Momma’s and Grandmomma’s are LAZY AS* SLACKERS TOO!!!! Gotta love the SLACKERS!
I am a single parent with two wonderful little boys. I also am a full time college student studying to become a registered medical assistant. Now I graduate in June and plan on moving up. I am right now on Maine care and TANF only because I needed the help because I have no one to help me. My children’s father is not in there life’s and nor do they pay child support. People shouldn’t be so quick to judge someone else, when that toy they are buying is a birthday gift or Christmas present a get well soon because I know you just had surgery. I am one who does not want to be on TANF anymore. When I do graduate and land a decent job I will no longer be on it. I will not judge anyone who is on it because you do not know their family background and what goes on in their lives. I also am for them doing something about it but never be to quick to judge an individual because there can be many outcomes to what you say and do.
Very good article…
Oh a note I missed here cause people bring up people with “nice things” buying stuff with food stamps etc. You do realize a lot of people were doing well then the economy crashed right? A friend of mine who just had her second child, her husband lost his job a week before the baby was born. They have some nice things because he had a good job, but now they look to wic and stuff to not lose everything and be able to survive. Just another note to all you people who assume that because someone is wearing something nice they auto don’t need benefits. Maybe they just ended up in a bad situation recently and they have nice things from before, you don’t know. Hell you can find nice name brand stuff at thrift stores. I bought a beautiful dress from a thrift store for 2 dollars years ago even before I was in a poor situation. I was doing volunteer work there and fell in love with it.
Liliana, you asked the woman what the food was for? She told you she ran a home daycare business and used welfare to supplement that? Or are you ASSuming?
Republicans sure are an angry lot.
Well for one thing Walmart contributes to this problem to a very high degree by not paying a living wage. I Never shop at Walmart because I do not support the government of China or it’s inhumane treatment of children. As well as the slave labor camps which they use and Walmart supports and only plays lip-service to the community by condemning it out of one side of their mouth. Having worked for Walmart it would be expected that you would see a large volume of low income citizens. Equating food stamps usage as being demonstrative that an individual is on welfare totally misstates the truth. That you would see many people on food stamps in our current economic state who are on unemployment is not to be unexpected. While their are those who abuse the system just as you see fortune 500 companies abusing our tax system doesn’t make all of those who use food stamps less worthy than the CEO’s of JP-Morgan, Bank of America and the list goes on. I really don’t think these type of articles further your cause they only diminish any chance of having a meaningful discussion on possible reform of the food stamp program. Our current Republican legislators are only playing games of brinkmanship with the administration and could care less about the state of America today. Their only goal is to unseat our current President while the country slides further down the economic ladder. So I don’t know that I would be proud to be a Republican however I am proud of being an Independent with no allegiance to either party. If the citizens of this country are truly interested in all the people of this country being able to get a piece of the American pie they should stop rewarding Walmart. By our country taking legal action against the financial sector that truly got us in this current mess we would realize a better rate of return rather than attacking those in need.
I love how all the food stamp queens can afford internet as well.
I totally agree with all said in the article. I saw the abuse when I worked for grocery store chains in the 1980′s. I have also been on Food Stamps very temporarily after losing a job. We had an infant to feed and a teenager. I did find another job and went back to work. I still received WIC . I did get off of it when our son was 5 .
I think that the abuse has got out of hand and has been out of hand for a long time. Reform needs to be done and more restriction need to be put in place in quite a few areas. . I don’t knock it if people truly need the assistance,however when It is abused and there are generations of people from the same family on Food Stamps- that is way too long ! OK -maybe the baby Daddy left. …go to work. There is assistance for daycare or other programs in a lot of areas. Check on it ! Having 8 kids by 6 different men ain’t the way to go and living on the system. Use birth control and go to work if you are able to-even if it is in a dollar store or grocery store or being a hotel maid. It is a job. people would feel better about themselves also by being off of Welfare. Also needed is proper nutrition classes for all recipients.
How will voting Republican help this situation? How many Republicans (and Democrats) in elected office do you think perpetrate much larger frauds on a continual basis? And they have you focused on a few white trash welfare recipients. Useful idiot.
Aside from the issue your article was well written Christine.
I doubt this will be read, since there are already a ton of comments, but I have to put my .02 in… We are in the “class” called the “working poor.” My family and I have been on food stamps for the majority of our 16-year marriage. I was working most of the time, but not always. We have three kids and have also been on WIC. WIC is a great program, as it’s designed to “simply help out.” From what I’ve heard recently, they are starting to put restrictions on the income levels (didn’t used to have them). But, they’ve also loosened up a bit on what you can buy with WIC. It used to be OJ, apple juice, milk, cheese, and only about 4 types of cereals (Cheerios, Corn Flakes, and a couple others that were equally nutrition-deficient).
Recently, I started a job that allowed us to get off of food stamps. The salary, however, is not much more than what my old salary was + food stamps. We are still “working poor.” That term is used to describe people who make too much for assistance, but too little to pay for health insurance or any other “standard” benefit. I don’t mind, though. I haven’t been interested in having health insurance for awhile. We don’t need it because of the way we live our lives. We don’t get sick very often (including colds).
I know there are LOTS of abusers and “takers” out there (we know some). However, the MAJORITY of the people who are on assistance are on it because they need it in today’s society. Housing costs are too high; food costs are increasing; gas prices are increasing; locally-grown food is decreasing; more jobs are being outsourced because it’s cheaper for businesses to pay somebody in India $8K/yr over an American doing the same job for $24K/yr; public education, which allows for better-paying jobs, is ridiculously priced…and many other factors which make it difficult to get ahead if you aren’t already. There is fewer middle-class people in the US today because of this. Either you are poor, almost-poor, upper-middle-class, or rich. And the gap in the center is widening every year.
With that said, I pose the question, “What would happen if all govt-provided food stamps, welfare, etc. were to suddenly be cut off?” I’m guessing that many of the non-working people would suddenly “find” jobs; many companies that outsource would be forced to hire local employees; the average age of the farmer would drop drastically, as people would return to growing their own food; and many people would realize that they could live on MUCH less than they do. Other families would end up worse off than they are, and the crime rate in cities would increase. There are pros and cons to the gov’t providing assistance. And from being on both sides of the fence (and sometimes clinging to one of those sides), I can see many of those pros and cons without hesitation, without judgment, and with full knowledge that there is always a chance for us, and anyone that has looked at this page, to end up needing assistance from the government.
@Crousselle… Will you marry me?.. Haha awesome article! Now you need to work at your Trauma Hospital for 6 months to see the abuse in the Healthcare Industry. I believe it is almost as bad or worse then the EBT program.
Typical right wing lies and hyperbole.
Some of you are extremely gullible. Maybe you need some fresh air and lobster.
Do you realize that EBT cards are also used to give women their child support in some situations. If an ex husband becomes a low life and decides not to pay his child support, because he’s found a new girlfriend he’d rather spend his money on, the government will give the mother the child support up front on an EBT card and remove it themselves from the ex’s paycheck or income tax. My friend had to carry around an EBT card and got looks from assholes just like you when she wanted to but her children a BIG cake or a slip n slide. If you have not looked into a situation enough to know what you’re talking about, you should not talk! Yes, I admit some people abuse the system, there is no doubt about that. Some of those people do not have any pride and could care less who pays for thier phone as long as they don’t have to. But HALF of the examples you gave were just rediculous and mindless. You are in no position to decide at a quick glance because of what someone is buying that they are below you. You’re a selfish little girl who has not even lived life yet. Wait until your future husband decides he doesn’t want you anymore and you have a mountain of bills you planned on paying back TOGETHER! Instead they are split in half and you are not given alimony becuase you bothered to have a job all your life! People can’t ignore you at the checkout if they are on welfare??? I have a feeling people ignore you whether they are on welfare or not!
When I was a very young child (8-9), my family moved to a community in South Texas. We were from Pennsylvania. We were probably considered low-income, but my parents would NEVER accept assistance because we could make it – and we did make it. —However, I was bullied brutally and endlessly for the way we lived and the way I dressed – by other children whose families DID receive welfare and food-stamps. I overheard one conversation my mom had with a woman who was deeply rooted in that community. The woman, who felt she was far too fortunate and proud to receive government assistance herself, describe the corruption of the welfare and food stamp system and suggested to my mom that for my health and safety that they should pull me and my sister out of that public school, her children had been in that school. The things I heard and witnessed at that school eventually became too much for me, and after a year and a half, my hair began falling out in huge clumps. My parents pulled me from the school, took extra jobs, got help from a church, and got me into a ~very~ small private school.
“How will voting Republican help this situation? How many Republicans (and Democrats) in elected office do you think perpetrate much larger frauds on a continual basis? And they have you focused on a few white trash welfare recipients. Useful idiot.”
Well said Eric!
I have noticed several commenters stating that welfare recipients have the right to eat steak and lobster on welfare if they so desire because it’s food… I’m sorry, but my husband is employed with the military, we get paid pretty well. I work two part time jobs to supplement our lifestyle. Given that, I can’t afford to eat steak and lobster. Why should my tax dollars go to provide something for somebody else that I, myself, a gainfully employed person can’t afford?
You want your children and your boyfriend to have a birthday cake– it’s call Betty Crocker, cake is about $2.50, the frosting is around $1.50 (there’s usually a coupon for $1.00 off cake and frosting if you buy them together). There is no need for a $25.00 decorated sheet cake. If you want steak. Flank steak is normally about $1.25/lb, versus upwards of $3-5 for porterhouse, and flank steak is very easy to prepare and just as tasty. Lobster is about $25/pound– really? Most working people can’t afford lobster.
YOU my Dear are why we have faith in our children ..the future needs you and all those who believe in change and correction. Its not just Walmart or Maine it is everywhere and although welfare is there to help get people on their feet..it is allowing them to sit on their ass’s .You are truly an inspiration and I can only hope for a bright future for my grandchildren because of our children speaking up now to get a change.Your parents have alot to be proud of. Best of luck in your future and Thank-you…..
1. I would HIGHLY recommend you read a book called “Bridges Out of Poverty”. It has helped me understand poverty in a COMPLETELY different way. When working with clients, I was very frustrated and judging decisions individuals were making, but this book opened my eyes a little bit about some of the differences between poverty and middle class. Some things I was born and raised with that individuals you are describing don’t have.
2. One thing about money. In poverty, the rule about money is “spend it”. Do you have a bank? Did your parents use a bank growing up? Mine did. Most people in poverty are un-banked. If you are on welfare, you are not allowed to pass a certain amount of ‘assets’, so individuals see saving as a problem. Also, many of them have no credit or defaulted student loans (from not being able to pay), so they do not trust putting their money in a bank (the loans can start taking it). Therefore, individuals in poverty are taught to spend money when they have it. In middle class, the rule about money is you have to budget and manage it. This is a fundamental difference that is passed down in families. It appears you are in college, that’s wonderful. My guess is you came form a middle class home that taught you the value of money and saving. Kids from poverty don’t get this.
3. Another large difference is “driving force”. What motivates you? What drives you? In middle class, the answer is usually achievement. I am 23 and just completed my masters degree while working full time, and I’m married! I am motivated by achievement. This is middle class! I can hear this in your article “Why can’t they work? I work for what I get. I am going to school and doing this….” In middle class the rule is we are making decisions today to effect our future. We are very focused on achievement because that is what has been taught to us. When you go to a middle class party, the first question is “What do you do?” In poverty, the driving force is survival. When your entire income is $700 a month (including food stamps and assistance) you are in a constant survival mode. In poverty, the driving force is surviving, relationships, and entertainment. Individuals are making decisions to survive today and are not looking far past that. This is something that is taught. When you go to a party of someone in poverty, no one asks what you do. They are just worried about surviving. Relationships, “I don’t have must but I have my family”. Relationships are huge in poverty. Also, entertainment (DVDs, birthday cakes, alcohol) is needed to break away from the stress of poverty. While you may have seen a tainted view at Walmart, poverty is stressful. Many of those people you were helping do not have money to pay their electric bill and are evicted every other month.
4. Getting a job. A great book about this is called “Why dont they just get a job?”. It is harder for someone in poverty to get a job- lack of education, criminal background, lack of transportation, un-medicated mental health/depression, cannot afford childcare, etc. There is a lot more to the problem than just funding a job.
Petulant little spoiled girl throwing an entitled, ignorant tantrum. Yawn.
It’s difficult to focus on the real issues when we are passing judgement.
This young American has figured out early in life what some never figure out. The world is full of takers and they make it hard on the truly needy.
I got fired from Bj’s wholesale for flipping off a welfare abuser, this couple has been on welfare for as long as I can remember. He worked, and her fat lazy ass sat around the house. How did they collect all the frindge benifits of our lovely welfare system? I’ll tell you. All she had to do is say her husband left her. So now the husband, “who still lives with her” has to pay child support which rolls right back into the household, so he’s not losing anything as far as a paycheck and she continues to collect WELFARE! Time to stomp out welfare completely and force people to get off their lazy asses and get a job. If I can get and hold 2 jobs! Then there are obviously plenty of jobs out there. You just have to get off your ass and look as well as accept the wages being paid. It’s not like you’re worth $25.00 an hr.
I think you have an opportunity here. Great article. My husband was out of work for only three months. For the first time ever, we got food stamps to help. Even though we’re a family of five, they ended up only giving us $260 a month. I was a little surprised. I know other, single moms, that would get over $500. We ended up only getting three months worth, then it ended because we actually let them know he got a job. I do see people that are on it forever, because they lose it if they report pretty much any income. The system needs to work better. GREAT JOB!! You should write another article and give even more detail of what you’ve seen. You’re onto something here.
This is an enlightening article on general welfare with points well made- but the general welfare program is set up by the state so that it can eventually claim rights to any property in the estate of the person on welfare, so at least part of that taxpayer money is returned.This is a hidden part of the picture that is rarely brought up. If there has been an analysis of the ratio of property gained by the state through the estates of welfare recipients to what is paid out, then it is a well kept secret.
Corporate welfare is also big time business in Maine financed by the taxpayer but in this case the taxpayer always takes the fall, while the beneficiaries of corporate welfare become wealthy or not- which ever way, the burden of financing corporate welfare is the taxpayers problem, but the profits are to be enjoyed by the special interest sector that the legislature calls “the targeted sector”. Which costs the general taxpayer more? Which gets more coverage? I do not know the answer to the first questions, though considering the much larger sums going to finance corporate welfare, I would speculate that corporate welfare costs us more. I know that general welfare gets more coverage as corporate welfare is largely unreported.
Compare your welfare recipient using those funds to open a hot dog stand. We don’t know the back story there- it could be his plan to get off of welfare, or not- but compare the money that costs the tax payer to the sums going to finance corporate welfare. Do you know that The taxpayer is a mandatory investor in the Maine state government chartered Small Enterprise Growth Fund to the tune of 10% of the total investment and that the taxpayer’s investment in that fund always “rolls over” to reinvest in the fund in direct contrast to the “exit strategy” required to satisfy the other 90% private investors so that they can make a profit? Think about it taxpayer- no exit strategy- 90% exit strategy as a means to a profit. I think that is costing the tax payer a mountain or two more than the welfare entreprenuer’s hot-dog stand.
And while the welfare hot dog entrepreneur may be “beating the system”, The SEGF is a corporation unconstitutionally chartered by our legislature in violation of Article IV, Part third, section 14 of the Maine State Constitution. Which is the more significant crime against the people? If you take the welfare system as a whole that includes general and corporate welfare, you can see that it is stacked against one class of people, while designed to benefit a “targeted sector”. It makes me want to say BRAVO to the welfare entrepreneur. The welfare system is designed to keep him on welfare, in fact the government managed economy of Maine is designed to keep him on welfare- definitely not part of the “targeted sector” which our legislature has selected as those that it exists to serve. Gotta kind of admire the “innovation” of our welfare entrepreneur.
What does the tax payer get in return for its investment in corporate welfare? Rhetoric of how the government is “creating jobs”. Perhaps the welfare entrepreneur is also .creating jobs – jobs for the “un-targeted sector”, that sector which our legislature is not here to serve- only to enroll in entitlement programs. If our welfare entrepreneur makes it off of welfare and his business grows and employs more people, he will still be part of the “un-targeted sector”- that sector , which is taxed but not represented by our legislature’s “economic development programs”.
Are you that chick from Glee?
god i hate that show
These people should be cut off and dumped into the labor market. There are LOTS of good jobs out there.
This girl is RIGHT ON … I’ve witnessed the same things over and over again, for over 20 years!! The first time (and I recall it specifically) was in the Farmer Jack’s store in Melvindale, MI (a small city just outside Detroit) and a 20-something girl in line ahead of me with a dirty, snot-nosed kid in the cart, was holding up the line because she was attempting to purchase non-covered items with FS – all the while digging carefully through her expensive leather purse so as not to damage her expensive salon manicured nails, and no less than three thick, expensive gold chains around her neck!! Not only that, she was in the CASH ONLY – 10 Items of Less line. And there I was, only there to pick up a few necessities of milk, juice, fruits and vegetables that I could afford because I was a full time college student (who also worked full time), living alone and paying my own rent, trying to get through the line to get home to eat, study and go to bed ~ and it has only gotten worse since then. I see that crap every time I go to a grocery store and it makes me SICK, literally sick, and you know what you fraudulent assistance abusers (as though any of you are reading this) YOU RUIN MY DAY and make me think very unpleasant thoughts about you. And for the record, there is such a thing as BAKING YOUR OWN BIRTHDAY CAKES from scratch, rather than spending your govenment assistance dollars on high priced, specialized cakes. After all, its the thought that counts, isn’t it?
For every story of abuse, there are thousands of stories of appropriate use and at least one happily-ever-after. Let me tell you of a woman who bravely left her neglectful addict husband (as well as their home and her job). With three children in tow, she moved half-way across the country. Her retired parents couldn’t care for four extra humans, so she found a two-bedroom shack to rent and worked temp jobs for minimum wage. Welfare programs often helped her family. Fast-forward 10 years. She became the manager of the IT group at a famous company. Her eldest has a graduate degree and two other children work for a small biz owner. If it weren’t for welfare, we’d all have been dead. Yes, we. The woman was my mother and I am the eldest.
I was in a super Walmart recently (a super Walmart is a combination supermarket and regular Walmart) with my wife a daughter, I work two jobs and have bills to pay and so I was buying only basic foods items and some basic necessities. In front of me a was another couple they were buying stakes and other food items that were out of my price range as well as a mini fridge, some just released video games as well, how did the pay for it all you ask, well they whipped out a Benefit card (that is the welfare card in my state). The extra kicker was in the parking lot they got into a far better vehicle than I drive or even could afford.
Oh Yeah, this is surely the way to solve welfare reform. Queen Welfare #1 and #2. I understand that people are tired of other people taking advantage of the system, but this name-calling is so unappropriate. It’s border line rasict and that’s the bottom line.It pains me that so many people agree with this article. I agree that the system shouldn’t be abused, but I guantentee you that to some, it’s a helper. How many of the people who commented and agreed with this article actually had to go without? How many of you had no support from no one, but yet had to support yourself, with hardly any money? Everyone does not go through life starting from the top. OMG THIS ARTICLE. It really does make me somewhat upset, because I know so many people who would like to refer to some people as Welfare Queen #1 and #2 and who want to call those who uses food stamps “unintelligible” are peope who I may work with. I may even go to church with you or perhaps take a class with you. This mindset is all around me. People, do not be fooled, just because the author of this article did not use this terminology alot in her essay, just the mere fact she even bothered to mention shows that it stems much deeper than what’s written down.
As a young college student I am so glad to see that there are fellow College Students (Finance Major) that realize that Welfare fraud is a serious issue. I was having a conversation with a liberal one day about this very topic and needless to say that it got ugly. Heck this liberal even tried to pull the race card and accusing me of being racist to minorities the people who are most likely to be on public assistance. I AM SICK AND TIRED of paying welfare benefits WITH MY TAX MONEY for people WHO REFUSE TO GO OUT AND TRY to find a JOB!!!!!
This is a huge problem. People don’t even see the wrongness of these programs that legally plunder and foster dependency. I am all for helping someone out, BUT it is not, nor has it ever been, the government’s place to do so. Do you think friends, family, and neighbors would help someone they know who is in need? Yes, they would. Would the accountability structure be better and much more efficient? Absolutely.
Our elected officials will not fix things, which is awful because not only are we collectively destroying our economy (which ironically would help EVERYONE, including those in need, if it were better), but we are also putting future generations in destitution because of the insurmountable debt. Our collective selfishness, weakness, and foolishness to not be able to do right is what we will forever be remembered by. We are soft, ignorant, and unprincipled. Previous generations worked hard to set us up nicely, and we are torching it. People as stupid as us deserve no forgiveness… History will judge us harshly… and correctly.
Love this article, I agree 100%. I work at a Shaws in Maine. I’ve seen everything just like you have. One thing I hate to see that you didn’t mention was how I’ll have morbidly obese customers come through and buy soda, potato chips, and little debbie snacks. Not only am I paying for him to eat junk food, I’m paying for his healthcare too. There is nothing wrong with him, he just doesn’t want to work. EBT in maine needs to only pay for healthy foods, not junk food. Its a downward spiral that hard working Mainer’s are paying for. It needs to stop.
Thank you for the article. Ignore the bigoted liberals posting inane comments because they have no real argument. Your article was well written and it is not just your state that abuses are occurring. I have personally seen it in Indiana and Texas. It is also happening in higher ed. People are going to college so they can “live” off the extra aid that is returned after they pay for tuition and books. It is sad and a direct reflection of a “me first” attitude. I just wish more democrats and liberals would look to the words of President John F. Kennedy. “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”. Sadly, they only want to think about themselves.
Love the article. Very well written. For those who are talking about the steaks, I think we all know she isn’t referring to the kind of person who just buys a couple of steaks with the rest of their healthy groceries. I do think that once upon a time, welfare may have been a good idea and mostly used for the right reasons, but now it should all just come to a complete stop – yank it right out from under everyone and watch them get creative and make money. Hey, it sounds “mean”, but I firmly believe that if the government wasn’t so ridiculously over-involved in EVERYTHING, people would have the money to “take care of their own”. America has become lazy and dependent – I’m not even 30 years old and it disgusts me. The work ethic here should be unparalleled, but I can rarely shop or eat anywhere without seeing (a) someone taking advantage [as this article so perfectly demonstrates], or (b) someone who obviously can’t stand his/her job. I suppose the gov’t enjoys being in control, and when you govern all the money, you maintain control. When will the people of America wake up? Democrat, Republican, Independent – who cares! Being of a particular political party will not keep one from being affected by all of the nonsense that it sweeping the Nation. I simply believe that at this point in the game (with everything being so far out of control), it’s going to take a quick, drastic change to CHANGE the US of A.
Rich Verson An incredibly disingenuous article written by someone who hasn’t been around the block…but her website URL says it well. She’s a privileged observer. She thinks she’s writing about the pratfalls of a broken welfare system, but in reality she’s passing judgement on those that she looks down upon. There are and will always be those that bend and break the rules, from the poor to hedge fund managers to politicians. Hopefully this little girls eyes will eventually understand what she sees.
I don’t think that EVERYONE should get a bad reputation for being on “welfare”! I myself was on TANF and foodstamps for a couple of years. I was in an abusive relationship and had a little girl to support. I went to new hope for women which is ALSO a support group, and had to be relocated from my town into a place where I knew no one and had minimal support from family and friends. I am now on my own living in a trailer which I purchased on my own and am now off of TANF but still recieve FS as I don’t make enough to make ends meet. So before you pass judgement on others maybe you should take a look at your own life and ask yourself if you have ever had to receive assistance from family and friends and what you would have to do if you didn’t have support from them. And furthermore, what about all the women out there that keep having these babies that they can’t afford nor take care of? I, myself had a child at a young age but am smart enough to know that I can barely support the one I have now and smart enough to wait until I am more finacially stable to have another! There are many of us on “welfare” that really need it and its too bad that a few bad apples ruin the reputation of anyone else that has no choice but to be on it to get by!!!!! NO ONE and I repeat, NO ONE is perfect! Yes, I had to hang my head and ask for assistance, and when it comes to my daughter I would do it again if need be! My child is not going to go without! AND THAT DOES NOT MAKE ME A BAD PERSON!
Does anyone really know the history of our current welfare system? It was created in the late 1940′s by our president Franklin D. Roosevelt for those who were trying to get back on their feet after the war and depression. The system he created was called “Social Security” and as evolved into the many programs we have today. He believed it to be a temporary solution to getting folks out of poverty. Talking to those who lived through that era, they were grateful to have the help because it meant food on the table. Growing up in Maine, I have seen the frustration people have with the welfare system. You all have one of the best education systems in the country, but yet people are still running to the welfare lines for assistance. The problem is the state government is not encouraging more companies to invest in the state, so you can have more than service type jobs that barely pay more than what you would make sitting at home collecting welfare. If you want true welfare reform, go to you government and protest to bring more white collar jobs to the state, so Maine’s graduates will have a job and not forced to take their skills out of state. Keeping what the state has worked so hard to educate at home will create jobs because they know what the state needs and are familiar with its people.
I don’t think that judging people based on their EBT card they use at a Walmart checkout line is fair. Although I do agree with food stamps being abused, but I think that not as many of the consumers using EBT cards have them for the reason you may think. For example in my state, the same card is used for TANF, unemployment, and disability as is used for child support. So in essence, if I came to your checkout purchasing a Slip and Slide on my EBT card, you will have already judged me and assumed that I must be abusing my government assistance. Little would your closed mind know that I do have a full time job, as well as my children receive child support on that card you so happen to frown upon. So yes, I am going to buy toys, light bulbs, birthday cakes, and anything else that my children need in their home, and you can continue to be unaware of how judgmental you really can be. Although I do agree with your general message that government assistance programs are being abused, I don’t think swiping debit cards is a very accurate or educated way of deciding for yourself what our government needs to work on.
my back hurts from taxes going to feed fat ass lazy leechers….get off yur asses already
Please explain to us, without googling, how voting republican is helping the issue. Thank you.
Fraud happens at levels of society. Cops, Catholic priests, Ted Haggard, Enron, MC Global, Bernie Madoff, Countrywide Financial. All good points raised by this young lady. It’s Interesting to me which sides and issues conservatives feel strongest about. Bank bailouts ok. Destroy the middle class ok. Risky investments that caused the housing bubble ok. Offshore millions of American jobs, ok. Some goofball bought a 10.00 lobster at Walmart which might be the same price per pound as roast beef using an EBT card well now that’s just wrong. These and thems and those people. Oldest game in the book. It’s a red herring to what is really happening to America. We are getting fleeced by big business. Look at the stock market. Look whose income has risen vs. fallen over the last four years. Yep Obama is a socialist. That’s why the top 1% incomes have risen by double digits in this “recession”. Give me a break. Wake up you idiots. Think for yourself. Look at the data and stop being prodded like cattle by some article about a woman arguing about a vacuum.
I have looked into food stamps for my family. We make too much to qualify, however if we did qualify, we would receive the equivalent of $400 to purchase our monthly groceries. In our current budget, I have $200 for food & household supplies (TP, paper towels, soap, laundry detergent, etc), and that is tight. I would love to feed my family better, but I can’t afford it. I hope that the people who do qualify for this benefit take advantage (in a good way) of the healthy foods they can afford to purchase with it.
Excellent article! I worked as a cashier and also in the customer service department at Shaw’s for over a year, and I saw it all too. People would come through my line with a whole bunch of groceries that included sugary sweets and lobsters, etc., and would be paying with a City Voucher, but would not tell me they had a voucher until the very end of the order. I would then have to go back through all of the groceries I had just rung up, that had already been bagged and placed in their cart, and pull out all of the items that they were not allowed to get with a City Voucher. I just know they were hoping that I would miss some of the items that they were not supposed to get. In that case, Shaw’s would not have been reimbursed by the City for any of the order, because we let the person buy items they should not have.
I’ve seen people buy hundreds of dollars in alcohol with cash and then buy all of their junk food with food stamps in one shopping trip. Or, what about those people that were buying bottled water with food stamps, only do dump it all out so that they could get the cash deposits from returning the bottles once they were empty? Such a waste!
I worked at a grocery store when I was fresh out of highschool also. There was this one guy that would come in and buy a 25 cent pack of gum with food stamps (back when it was paper money), so he could get 75 cents change back. He’d come in and do this multiple times throughout the day, and then on his last trip in, he’d use all the change he’d gotten back to buy a pack of cigarettes.
It all just makes me so sick! Get a job people and stop all the scheming and wasting. You are NOT entitled to welfare, so don’t act like it. And stop popping out babies just so you can get more money from the State!
I worked at a grocery store as well. I remember one woman in particular would come through my line wearing a fur coat, her hair, makeup & nails done perfectly. She would “purchase” lobster, steak, etc. and pay with food stamps, she would also stand there while I bagged $300.00 worth of groceries with her nose in the air. One day I watched out the window & saw her pull away in a Mercedes SUV. When I lost my job, I cleaned toilets for a living, not the most glamorous job but it paid the bills.
for the most part well written, I understand where you are coming from! I do agree that everyone could use a little surf and turf now and then if they save for it, and a birthday cake for the kids only comes once a year. Alcohol and tobacco product in my opinion should not be on the list of item you should be able to get through assistance. Also yes it is in a part a fault on the systems side that people stay on assistance so long, there should be a step program so people can work their way out of a hole and get back on their feet, it just doesn’t happen over night! the TRUE issue at hand is those that live off the system for years upon years that do not try to better their themselves or their situation. those that choose to just skate by and live off the system cause they are simply to lazy to get their ass off the couch and try and find a job or that just don’t want to work because they feel like living off the tax payers is the just fine.
Does there need to be a assistance reform- YES!!! so we can help those who truly need a hand in a tough time and I’m sorry to have to say it but cut the our losses with the ones that are just dead weight
I too have been in line behind people who bought questionable items with their EBT, food stamps, etc. and I was a bit miffed but you know, you can’t judge an entire system by one or two people. If you did, every corporation on this planet, every business person, every banker, every hedge fund manager, every armchair warrior, would be evil and deserving of our wrath.
I’m actually happy that so many people who ARE legitimately on assistance are writing in with their experiences because we don’t hear from these people. You’re a silent majority of people who are acting responsibly and in this economy, doing the best you can to survive what others, those I’ve listed above, have wrought.
IF this article does one thing, it’s allowed us to hear from you. You don’t wish to bring attention to yourselves because of your hard times, so you don’t often write articles describing your experiences and therefore Republicans and other judgmental folks never hear your stories. They reign supreme in their observations, never knowing the stories behind their angry assumptions, never even being able to imagine what the majority of those on assistance feel. I hope the author is reading the comments and they are proving food for thought, so to speak. I hope the raging judgmental folks are absorbing your words, your “there but for the grace of God” experiences, that hopefully they, in their temporary comfort, never have to face, but yet may.
I started out planning to write something snarky about the Republican research investigators I know who use their govt. grant welfare to attend fancy but utterly useless meeting in exotic places, and who stand around the water cooler making comments exactly like his young woman’s article . . . they certainly don’t see themselves as a problem. It’s so easy to point fingers. Contractor fraud and the welfare fraud committed as part of foreign aid packages to far from poor nations more than eats up the total any welfare king/queen/princeling mafia can consume. I agree we need to clean up the system, but not because some poor kid is getting away with a foreign made toy or some woman stuck in a system is breaking our bank over some cheap bauble made in China because we’ve exported all of our jobs there and she has no bauble factory at which to find a decent job. While this story will make the right wing salivate, they never really get hungry enough to fight the real cause of this dilemma.
Will they ever dare?
It cracks me up to see egads of people complaining about abuse of welfare for the poor but are completely fine (and support with their votes) the bloated military budget. Government contractors (especially defense contractors) at all levels – federal, state, county – often equate to white collar welfare.
I have a graduate degree and was once on unemployment for a short period of time. Although the amount I received through unemployment was nowhere near my previous salary, I am thankful that it was there as a safety net. As one poster stated, you cannot judge until you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
When you grow up, hopefully you will learn that you never have any idea about what is truly going on in someone’s home and you certainly cannot judge based on what is in their cart at Wal-Mart. Yes, it is unfortunate that certain individuals were rude to you. Perhaps all the individuals paying with their credit cards were polite, but I doubt that. Rude people are everywhere – from Wal-Mart to the halls of Congress.
Honestly I believe its is ultimately up to each individual and how they perceive it. I was raised my whole life until 17 on welfare, my mother grew up on an Indian reservation until 16 and was kicked off because she started to look a little black being my grandmother was African American…so she never receive formal education but she studied books and within a year of leaving the reservation she received her GED but could not find work, she worked cleaning houses u til she was to sick to work and when i was six she passed. My sister was 19 and continued the benefits because she couldn’t find a job and didn’t want to be judged because she was in special education….well when I turned 17 I was the first to not only obtain my high school diploma but attend college but it wasn’t long before I realised I could barely afford to eat so i didn’t enroll in foodstamps I went to the military…I paid the cost and didn’t tours all over the world to include being an Iraq vet…now I am paid monthly to go to school because of my scholarship that I am ENTITLED to yet many of my fellow peers are very resentful that I don’t have to work while in college and that my tuition and books are paid 100%. I try not to judge people and yes I do have those same judgements when i glance at some of these peoples carts but at the end of the day I try to worry about what the hell i feed my family and not what everyone else is doing…I’ve learned first hand focusing on your own problems and not others will help you achieve more and now I am about to graduate in the summer of next month with an associate….people dont know once i got an honorable discharge last year I got pregnant a month later and continued on campus, had my kid and never took a break….yet I was one of those babies feed off junk food from the food stamps and Wic lived in poverty and should have never been anything…people have a choice and i choose to do better cause even though my mom couldn’t she was trying to save all her social security checks to put my in private school….its not the situation sometimes its just the people, never judge a book but its cover…God bless all of y’all and know that focusing on your self takes you places but focusing on others will drag you down with them….OIF Vet…respectfully
It is a crying shame that I can not get approved for a Link card because I am white. Yes, I said it, I AM WHITE. I’ve been at Whole Foods where I’ve seen a couple my parents ages with diamond rings and Louie Vuitton purses pay for their steak and lobster with a Link card, yet I fed my 3 kids white rice for dinner last night because the case worker from the Link card office refuses to call me back. It isn’t fair! I sent in an application back in Sept which was refused with out anyone letting me know. I had to send in another application in Nov which I haven’t heard a thing about yet.
I don’t get how so many people get approved for these cards but I am having such a hard time. My poor kids are the ones who are suffering. Its going to be a really thin Christmas around here thanks to the “system”.
Go Government!!
Nicely written. I was behind some woman in a grocery store. The food she had on the belt, was a dream to me. Sure enough she paid with food stamps, and sure enough right there in her wallet was an American Express card, and several other credit cards. She walked out of the store and got into a very nice, very new car and drove away. Must be nice.
This article has a lot of good points. But it is really sad and distasteful that you couldn’t find it within you to write it without name calling and seeming really judge mental. Everyone has passionate feelings about this subject. You made yourself look like a mouthy young snob. If you really want to get the point across to a larger crowd write it with more professionalism. Walmart queen met with the welfare queen. Congrats!
Excellent article. Well written, very informative. Seeing these programs being abused hurts those who really do need it… As a hardworking, proud taxpayer, it frustrates me not to see our money liberally distributed. Remember that 51% of the US voters are not income tax payers, so, sadly, I do not see a reform happening anytime soon.
You said you saw a welfare card signed by Michael Dukakis in 1991. After 1991, Massachusetts had 4 republican governors in a row (including Romney). Why didn’t voting republican fix the problems you claim to see? Why can no one answer this?
Those saying they vote Republican because of people abusing food stamps are missing the bigger picture. I do not like the idea of a mom buying a cake and candy with her food card, but what about banks getting bailed out. What about corporations outsourcing all of our jobs overseas, and now people cannot even find employment at Walmart. There are people out there looking for work for two plus years now, and they cannot find a job. Just because you are rich and can afford to buy the steak does not mean you were not a recipient of welfare of some kind. Your parents could be rich, and then you are a freeloading kid buying what you want with your parents money. That is deemed okay in our culture because it is the family’s money, right? Our economy went down the tubes in the Bush years, and the Republcians elected to office in 2010 are failing to create a plentiful amount of jobs for Americans. Saying that unemployment is not a problem is simply not true anymore. This cashier sees one end of the freeloading mentality, but what about those getting tax cuts who are doing nothing to enrich our country. We need to focus on the bigger picture here.
“a) People ignoring me on their iPhones while the state paid for their food. (For those of you keeping score at home, an iPhone is at least $200, and requires a data package of at least $25 a month. If a person can spend $25+ a month so they can watch YouTube 24/7, I don’t see why they can’t spend that money on food.)”
In many states (I don’t know for sure that Maine is one of them) foster parents get food stamps for the children they are caring for. This isn’t income based, it’s to reimburse the families for caring for children who are wards of the state. So it’s entirely possible that the person on the iPhone has an income above the poverty line but is still using food stamps to pay for food.
“c) Extravagant purchases made with food stamps; including, but not limited to: steaks, lobsters, and giant birthday cakes.” Prepared food (the cake) doesn’t qualify under the food stamps law. If it did ring through, Walmart is at fault. Second, lobster is cheaper pound for pound than hamburger and finally, people often save their food stamps for special occasions.
a few years ago i lost a very good paying job and ended up on unemployment. i tried to apply for food stamps or maine care and was denied because i made about $100 more than they would allow. i struggled and it wasnt easy, i had to file bankrupcy and lost my home, but i did find a job paying $7.50 per hour, still making too much for state help. i now have a better job and no need for state help, but the state has no problem taking money out of my hard earned paycheck to help other people that work to stay below the income level allowed to maintain their state aid.
This is fabulous. My only thing, you can buy an iPhone for like $19 if it’s refurbished. That’s what I had to do because I am a full-time, working mommy of 3 and really wanted one! And I am from Maine, but have never collected Welfare, go figure!
Great post, I will be re-posting!
I think that there are ppl that over use the system,however..one minuite ppl are bitchi** about there not being enough jobs and then the other hand ppl are bitchi** about ppl being on welfare!!What is the issue?!!It sounds to me that you are bored and needed something to complain about and god for bid you get struck and end up on welfare in some way shape or form!!I hope you do!!Get a life and STOP starting arguments where there does not need to b one..better yet honestly,giving your name and the location of where you work could put you in danger..might quit running off at tha mouth!!!!
Thank you Christine. Excellent article.
You can’t blame the recipients, it’s the whole system. I’ve been there. I became pregnant, relationship failed, and I was faced with raising a child alone with no means of support. I applied and received Section 8 housing which paid all my rent, got a utility check to cover my electricity, TANF (AFDC back then), free medical, and enough food stamps to feed an army. I was a stay at home mom and I had it made. I went back to work when my child was 2 to try and “better” myself and all I can say is hindsight is 20/20. I barely had enough to buy a can of chicken noodle soup after all my bills were paid because “I didn’t qualify anymore because I made too much”. Yes, people do abuse it, but try and make it alone on a low-paying job with no hope in sight. Very depressing.
Having worked at Walmart for four years (most of those years as a cashier) I understand some of the frustration the author of this article is feeling. I used to get frustrated too when I would see people buying carts full of merchandise with foodstamps. I think the author is being too critical though and too judgmental. She doesn’t know the whole story. She doesn’t know how little a person on foodstamps or TANF actually receives. It’s not nearly enough to stretch a whole month. It was not designed to entirely meet a person’s needs. Food stamps are actually figured on a starvation diet. If a person wants to waste all of their money on a giant cake or steaks they’re going to end up paying for it at the end of the month by not having enough to get by on. It’s their choice! It doesn’t do any good to allow yourself to become bitter because the non-worker seems to have it easier than the worker (making little lore than minimum wage does). At least you still have your dignity. Oftentimes those on public assistance lose their dignity. The question becomes “What price will you pay for your dignity?” Don’t envy the welfare reciever. Be thankful for the good health that you have been given, and the job you have been blessed with. Often those on public assistance have weight issues because of the types of food they buy. Those who do try to stretch it out for a month often resort to cheap starchy foods to get by on. Plus they often lack the energy or motivation to get up in the morning and face the day. Is that really something to envy? As far as the job of cashiering being “toilsome” I did not find it that way. I think it’s all in perspective and how a person looks at it. I try to focus on what I have and what God has blessed me with verses what others have or are receiving. A person could become very bitter if they focused on others all the time. It’s better to let it go, or at least be accurate and fair in the things you are accusing others of. There’s always two sides to every story, and everyone has a story to tell. If we don’t know someone else’s story it’s really hard to accurately judge them.
I don’t think that she is in the wrong for any reason. I agree with every single thing you said! I have experienced first hand the abuse and fraud of the welfare system. I have seen a fair share of abuse- multiple cards being used for one transaction, using the “cash” to purchase tobacco or alcohol, kids using mom/dad’s card to buy candy, buying $200 worth of candy/soda/junk, and spending more than whats on their EBT and getting mad at me. That has nothing to do with me, you should be responsible enough to keep track. To all of you haters who think that she is “judging” you, get a grip. If you have a serious need for welfare assistance, then it is what it is. But what you do not understand is that people abuse it because its clearly easy to, because its easy to not work and mooch off of hardworking people and the government. Why is it me and every other hardworking person’s job to provide for you? If you can’t pay for a bday cake out of pocket, then you shouldn’t buy it! Welfare isn’t a gift. Mooching can’t make people feel very good, am I right? Guilty conscience anyone? All of you who say that she should take a walk in your shoes, that’s not the point, its not about compassion, its about cheating/mooching and not feeling uneasy about it. I would back her up to the end. Well written article.
This miffs me on several levels. I have lived with a disability for 16 years, and was denied social security disability despite the massive amounts of medical records my doctors produced. Even though the administrative judge who ruled against me was later found to make biased rulings, it is too late for me to access the social security benefits for which I qualified because I worked. I use every skill and credential I have to work when I can. When I am out of remission, I’m on my own — no handouts for me! It disturbs me for able-bodied men and women to shirk their responsibilities to themselves and their children to depend, year after year, on others to sustain themselves and their habits. I was born poor, but my parents did the best they could for me, which included getting me to school and making sure I did my best, teaching me to be responsible, and even with compassion, knowing when it’s better to teach someone to fish rather than give them a fish to feed them just for a day.
People who continue to make excuses for folks who are able to do for themselves and choose not to, are not their friends but are among the instruments that keep them in the bowels of poverty. Being poor may be a condition of life at the moment, but it does not have to be a mindset of dependency. With all that said, I don’t think either party — Republican or Democratic has the answers to get our country out of this mess — they are both caught up in their own selfish motives.
Congratulations to everyone who knows someone who has used welfare properly. There are always three sides to any story. The fact is, there will always be people who truly NEED help. We do not NEED the government to collect our money, and give it out as they see fit (through their programs which can obviously be easily taken advantage of). This only promotes dependency and laziness. Taking away government welfare does not mean NOT HELPING PEOPLE. It simply puts the money back into the PEOPLE’S hands so that we can help those who NEED it even more. There are plenty of organized missions, charities, etc; those who NEED help would not go without. Taking the money BACK from the government will cut HUGE WASTE, and thus more money to help our communities and again, those who NEED it. Don’t forget that we the PEOPLE elected a government – it is not THEIR money – it is OUR money. Have you become so dependent on a government to tell you what to do that you no longer think you have any say over your hard earned dollars (speaking to those who earn their dollars)? I’m all about HELPING – in fact, I do a LOT of helping and charity work… but I too have seen these fraudulent welfare users in action too many times!
Im glad someone took the time to do this. I was a cashier at hannaford for 4 1/2 years and saw almost the exact thing. As to the point about lobster, I do believe it’s not right for people to buy them on food stamps because: Hard working people can not afford lobster up here. Maine is famous for lobster, but the everyday hard working people can not afford the indulgence of fresh seafood, the people we carry shouldn’t have it either. I’m not saying that they are beneath the working class, be cause I don’t have a job anymore. But when I quit, I didn’t run to the state. However, my brother, a college student, his wife a college student, and three jobs between the two of them, couldn’t afford food because of the student loans they were paying off, applied for food stamps for help, and were denied. However, the women living in free government housing wearing REAL coach shoes and baby phat coats, are buying $400 worth of junk food for their already obiese 6 year olds
So 5 years ago I would have agreed with this article 110%, like a lot of you. Flash forward to now, I am a SAHM of 2 children (I have a 2 and a half year old and a 1 and a half year old) My husband works his ass off everyday, he goes to work by 6am does not come home until 5pm AND THAN goes to school from 630pm till 11pm. He is a contractor and makes pretty good money. I am a college educated woman who lost her job 2 years ago. We are on food stamps from our state, no TANF, just food stamps. And I do use my government money to buy steak, ice cream, and other treats that I want to get for my children or myself. In saying that I buy healthy foods as well, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. I have never bought a birthday cake, BUT I did buy some pies at Thanksgiving. I am not a “welfare queen”, I use coupons and my grocery card for all purchases and I also know how to spend only 30 dollars for 200 dollars worth of groceries. At the end of the month if I have extra that is when I buy treats for my family. I am hoping that when my son starts preschool in February I can go back to work because it will cut my childcare cost in half. These are hard times for families like mine, we tried to do it by ourselves, but by the end of the week we would have MAYBE 40 dollars extra in our bank account. So before anyone judges take a walk in some one else’s shoes for a second. I know there are people that abuse the system (I see it every time I go to the social service office) but there are families like mine that just need an extra something to make it through the month. Things are VERY expensive in this country, we are not like other countries that have free health care, or help pay for education. Also some countries help their citizens with childcare, let me tell you this IF that were the case in America there would be less on welfare and more people out working adding to the economy. Especially with my situation, with my 2 children in daycare we would be spending $450 dollars a WEEK!
So once again, put yourselves in my shoes. I do not plan on staying on state aide forever, and I know my husband does not like it either, but we have to do what we have to do for our family. Please do not lump all food stamp recipients together in one group, not all of us want to be on the system all our lives. Get over yourselves grow some compassion for the people that really need the help, be humble that you can afford what you have but my family is struggling. Instead of giving me and my children dirty looks in the grocery line think of what I may have gone through that day. And ONCE you do all that come back and let me know if you feel the same.
It’s sad people abuse the system like this. People who need the assistance can’t get it here in my state. There is so much abuse of the welfare system here in Mississippi, i.e. people applying under two or three different identities while driving Cadillac Escalades.
I’m a Democrate to the core and like most Democrats we think this is wrong. If I can work full time and go to school full time then welfare recipients should be able to at least do half of what i can do. I understand that people need a helping hand and people get into tough and stressful situations sometimes. I agree with helping someone out but supporting them completly is unacceptable. Because I sometimes did not have enough money to support myself while working full time and going to school full time I sometimes went hungry. But, I never ever considered filng for food stamps or any sort of government assistance because I have to much pride and respect for myself. Something that we notice about most of these welfare recipients is that they are so fat, and they weigh 100 pounds or more over their proper weight.
Please send this to the folks who run the Welfare system. I worked as a cashier at a grocery store for five years part-time, and the abuse was rampant. It was one of my three jobs; some of the people coming in through the line know how to work the s ystem so they don’t have to work. I way unless one is disabled or taking care of infants, work or starve. Sorry, I’m cynical.
I had to get welfare on several ocassions in my life. Only to make it through the tough times. I throughly appreciate this system when IT IS NESCESSARY. But when you get these people who want to sit on their duffs eating fattening foods, gaining that weight; taking advantage of the system; and just plain old making excuses to not work. SHAME ON YOU! If the shoe was on the other foot. Who would be complaining then!
wow, i hope that you never have to walk a mile in the shoes of the people that you cast judgement upon. congratulations on working at WalMart while in school. Are you paying for your entire education? are your parents? Or do you receive ANY assistance (grants, loans, scholarships)? those assistance programs for your college education are exactly the same as the public assistance food programs you’re trashing on. in your lengthy 20-something years, surely you’ve seen it all and know it all, so you know exactly what you’ll do to avoid being such a piece of trash as you describe.
good luck to you when you graduate college with the republicans you vote for. good luck finding a job in this economy. i hope your parents are ready to support your judgemental self for a while to come.
PeopIe can have an iPhone, but NOT have a Data Plan on it. I have such a phone.
I have to agree that many people abuse these programs. I worked at the dollar store and Easter was the worst. I had a lady buy 300 Dollars in easter candy on ebt. I do think the programs should be more observed by those instituting them. But I do see people completely knocking these programs, which I believe is wrong. Our country would be a lot worse off if these programs didnt offer services to the people who really need them. I’m not afraid to say that I do receive ebt benefits and wic. I don’t see problems with me getting them because I work 40-50 hours a week, and take on a full time, 18 credit hour college schedule. I have been employed since before I graduated high school almost 4 years ago, and my longest unemployment period was three days. I work for everything I have, and after bills and gas for work, I do well to have 10 dollars extra at the end of the week, which I usually try to put back in case of emergency or for my one year old. I am a single mother of a beautiful one year old boy, and without these programs we would starve. I buy what we need and that’s it and still feel ashamed when I checkout in a line at a store, I usually use a self checkout to avoid it. I plan on getting off these programs as soon as I get a better job that can pay for everything. I’m an example of someone who doesn’t abuse, but needs these programs. I agree with you but to those who are completely knocking these programs, for some of us, it’s not an option.
To demonize the writer for someone elses bad behavior shows a lack of understanding to the problem outlined. To those who would ‘lay guilt’ on the writer….take a look at the point she’s making! I’m so tired of the guilt those of us who don’t agree with stealing get lambasted with for speaking the truth. Enough already. Nothing will ever change with that mindset! And at some point taxpayers money will no longer be an option! Take a look at Greece!
I thought it was unfair about the guy who owned a hotdog business that the state is paying for his business. My family owns a business, and we make just enough money to not be on the welfare. We’re a poor family, but there’s only 2 differences. 1) we’re not on welfare. 2) we WORK. I’m so sick and tired of moochers and lazy people. That’s why I’m a Republican. We need a serious change in welfare.
Oh, I didn’t pay $200 for my iPhone either, I purchased it used. I am not on welfare, just frugal.
I’m on state aid and don’t like it. The state says I can’t work because my husband’s medical problems. I have asked the state many times if there was any way I can go back to work and they tell me no. If I do we would have to pay for all of my husband’s and kids medical bills. There is no way we can do that. I have told them to keep my medical and the food stamps but they still won’t. The only way around it is too get a divorce and we don’t want to have to do to that. I worked hard as a lna and don’t like being on state but when it is the only thing you can do without breaking up your family what can you do? We don’t buy crap with our stamps either. We buy store named things and the cheapest of everything. There is room for reform. First of all I want to work let me work. and drug test the people and check the local bars when people get cash on the days they do. Bet you find lots of them there!
Okay I have sat here for almost an hour reading these comments….First of all, being judgemental is two sided…Do you know how many people look at me behind a counter as a cashier and think…Loser?!?! No, by all means, I am NOT a loser! I am supporting a family! I make way under the cost of living and yet I still dont qualify for any assistant programs! I think the point she was trying to get across to you black and white area people totally flew over your damn ignorant heads! She clearly stated the gray area and every single one of you over looked it! All you saw was STEAK!! Working in the public I can honestly see where she is coming from. Why should these abusers on the system get steak and lobster??? I cant afford it!! I work fulltime and I havent had a steak in years and please believe Ive never even had lobster! I see MANY people abusing our assistance programs and it makes me sick! When I pick up my paycheck on payday it really saddens me. I get over $100 taken out every pay period to pay for other people to have these “luxuries” which she has clearly pointed out. Dont get me wrong, I know there are many people out there who need and dont abuse such programs, like she said, but as for me, working in the public for as many years as I have, you can clearly point out the users! Just so you are aware, yes I have been on the system, yes I had received food stamps, but that was all I got. I didnt get any cash assistance. Therefore, I always worked to make my ends meet at the end of the month. Not to mention, what I did receive in foodstamps was only to help…It didnt get me through a whole month. Which brings me to my next ordeal. Me and my husband made $50 over the limit to receive food stamps which meant we were buying food with our earned money. We lived off of rice! Me, my husband and two kids….RICE!! The last two weeks of every month…RICE! I didnt splurge on expensive items or waste my money…It was hard times! I had to keep a roof over our head, my utility bill paid, gas in our vehicles, necessities stocked and food on our table by any means possible. Even if it meant we would barely have anything to eat…. So before you all jump to judging her…. Be thankful that someone of her age is seeing things for as they are now and hope that there are plenty more where she came from. You all may not believe this but all of these great programs and assistance and housing is all going to come to an end. Watch and see….If anyone reads this, when it does happen…Your gonna say…That chick was right! Look a little further into our government and whats REALLY going on. It wont be long before all that help that these people who live off of it get….Will be gone. Our country is going down hill…I am not Republican or Democrat….Im a Realist…. One day your monthly payments of free cash and free food will be gone so get off your ass and make something of yourselves. If you depend on the government then you are too too foolish… Remember where their paychecks come from…Us hard working citizens…
Take a look at Greece? How about taking a look at Switzerland.
She obviously doesn’t have much empathy. People will take advantage of systems. It’s the government job to make sure abuse is limited, but companies like Walmart encourage this type of behavior in their policies and in their lobbying. The subsidize their workers pay and their customer’s payment through government support. Can’t touch on that subject though, that would be against businesses! One sided poorly thought out argument that blames the poor and uneducated and doesn’t fully explore the issue at hand? “That’s why she votes republican.”
It’s sad how these corporate entities are being catered to by the republicans, while they are taking money from the system through welfare capital anyway. Republicans want to “create more jobs”, but what use is that if society doesn’t have enough money to fill the demand necessary to sustain those jobs? Welfare does stimulate demand, but how it does so needs to be more tightly controlled. That is not an urgent issue for politicians to address. Republicans want to take more money out of the middle-class, which will probably drive more people to reap the benefits of welfare.
I live in Maine. I’m 8 months pregnant, and I have a three year old son. I work full time and yet I still qualify for state-aid. The health insurance at my work costs over $200 a week, which is just about as much as I make after taxes. Without Mainecare, my son and I would not have any health care at all. After I pay for rent, hot water, heat, electricity and gas for my car (to get to and from work) I only have about $100 left per month for expenses. We receive about $70 per month in food stamps and WIC as well. I DO NOT use my food stamps to buy steak, in fact I try to stretch my food stamp dollars as much as possible by using coupons, buying in bulk and making food from scratch. We almost never throw food away. It makes me extremely angry when others abuse their benefits and when people make assumptions that ALL welfare recipients MUST be lazy, non-working, unintelligent mooches. I work hard and I love my kids. Which is why I do everything in my power to make sure that they have the food and health care that they need. I hope, someday soon I will find a better job, which will pay me enough so I do not have to claim state benefits, but until then, I will do what I must.
NO you don’t get to buy steak and lobster on effing government assistance. NO, NO, NO YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED!!!! The mother buying the cake for her dying daughter being the exception to the rule… That’s very touching. But I am so sorry, I worked my @SS off in school, used credit cards and student loans, worked full time, and drove around the same old crappy truck with rear wheel drive in Michigan winters for over a decade. Even when I graduated from school, I worked my old job during the day and my new job at night. Yes, 40 hours during the day and 36 at night. I got my bills paid off, ate CHEAP boxed and canned foods, and when my debt was paid off, I quit my day job and was finally able to work the job for which I went to school. I HAVE been in the home where the food stamps were used for a short period of time while my parents got on their feet after moving to a safer area than Detroit to raise their children. My dad gave my mom $20/week to buy groceries and SHE MADE IT WORK. Did we eat a lot of hot dogs and spaghetti with no meat in the sauce? HELL YES. WE ATE. Three kids. Oh, and my mom went to school after we were all of school age, got her phlebotomy certificate, and worked a job at the hospital AND the local lab drawing blood.
For those who have the special needs children, for the truly disabled, for those who have TRUE need, the system is a beautiful thing. This article isn’t meant to insult ALL people on assistance, rather shed light on examples of those who take utter advantage… but for some reason, the ones on assistance come out quickly to defend themselves and everyone else. You have no need to defend yourself if you TRULY need the assistance. So relax and quit taking offense, for the love of God. I have to laugh myself silly because I grew up down the road from Leroy Fick, the Bridge Card Millionaire. Oh yes, he was on welfare for MANY years. A vietnam vet, God bless him, who maybe needed the assistance. He used to shoot his guns in random directions, drunk, lost his license for multiple DUIs, would get around town on his bicycle… Still managed to buy his lotto tickets… Guess what – HE WON! 1.2 million dollars, which worked out to…oh, how did he say it… “Only just over 800,000 dollars after the government took theirs.” He continued to use his bridge card (EBT) because he felt it was “owed” to him after all the taxes they took out of his lottery winnings. WTF?!?!? SERIOUSLY, Leroy??? How did he get away with it, might you ask? The money was not considered income. Look it up – google “Leroy Fick”… You will want to slap the sh!t out of the man once you see his smug face. B@stard.
Hey here’s another fun fact… Just because someone votes republican (I did not last time, I voted democrat all the way) does not make them rich, horrible people. There are many other reasons to vote republican than monetary. I don’t know what I will vote next time around. I have never been impressed either way, but if you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to bitch about the outcome. You didn’t even make the attempt to get who you wanted in charge.
Long story longer, everyone is entitled to an opinion. Remember the old saying, “Opinions are like @ssholes… Everyone’s got one, and most of them stink.”
I did not have time to read all of the comments, but I read a lot of them. Here is my response.
1. This is well written and it addresses a HUGE problem that needs to be fixed.
2. One huge fix would be reforming welfare so that it rewards effort and punishes sloth. Currently, if you get a job while on welfare, it is likely to REDUCE your standard of living by taking more from your “benefits” package than you earn. Reverse that so that working is beneficial and many would work to improve their situation and the cost of welfare would go down at the same time.
3. Mandatory random drug screening should also b the case as it is unthinkable and wrong that our tax dollars should go to provide drugs to junkies.
4. To the woman who said that she was thankful to be able to provide gifts and a cake to her son. You were abusing the system. Welfare should NEVER pay for more than BASIC NEEDS. Now, do not think that this is heartless or greedy. I give more to charity each year than most people earn in a year. I participate in gift programs for the needy regularly. There are a couple of major differences, though. Charity is voluntary. Welfare is the unconstitutional theft from one citizen to give to another. Also, children are watching. What do children learn from this behavior? That the government is the place to get gifts for your kids. That taxpayers are on the hook not only for necessities, but for wants. This is part of where generational welfare comes from.
5. Finally, to all of those who do not see the problem with food stamps paying for things such as filet mignon and lobster, I can help. Get a lipstick, go into your bathroom and up to your sink. Look in the mirror, and take the lipstick and circle your reflection. YOU ARE NOW LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM! It is the mentality that anything goes when spending OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY that is expanding the fraud and abuse of the system.
One thing I will say is, I think some people need to learn to get their introvert on a bit more. I have never looked at what other people are buying at the store, or how they pay for it. Why would you do that? Why would you watch someone walk out of the store and look at what type of car they are getting in. Maybe I am just worried about tripping if I am looking at what other people are doing, but mostly I would rather just look at what is in my cart, and make sure I got everything on my list. Also, I do not drive and I am a pedestrian who walks to and from the store. Sometimes I think people need to get out and exercise more, and maybe drive around less. I guess that is something I notice about people. If you are too worried about what other people are buy and how they are paying for it, maybe you need a hobby or something.
Pay no attention to any negative remarks. They are self servicing or did not read the article correctly. Your article is excellent and so true. We have the same problem in North Carolina. Here there are many people who have been on welfare their whole lives and are teaching their children the same. Entitlement is their favorite word. Earning is a much better word.
“Remember where their paychecks come from…Us hard working citizens…”
And none work harder than the middle/lower class democrats. Whom the writer is blaming.
The fact of the matter is simply this…..the system NEEDS reform. Period. There are many who need more, and plenty that abuse the system. Many have valid personal exceptions to the article. Despite some personal opinions in the article, the young lady is correct….the welfare program and many others need to be reformed. There are MANY career abusers and multi-generational dependents. Lets make sure that the people that REALLY need it, get everything they need.
Absolutely brilliant Christine. Blessings on your studies and career.
I personally have no problem with these people starving to death. let their bodies pile up from starvation if they can’t afford food. At least then we’d see more jobs for cemetery workers and more food available for those who work for it.
Though I am a Democrat I can agree with some of the points you made in your article, but not all of them. Being that I am a college student as well working two jobs and going to school I personally am on Food stamps. The amount of time I spend in school does not give me adequate time to be working and making money and food stamps helps me out a lot.- and yes I have bought a birthday cake for my father with my food stamps. I do not see the problem with it considering I can barely pay for food and a birthday cake is food.
I am going to school for Social Work I do not abuse the system and I am not a welfare queen. I understand that there needs to be some reform to the system but some of those people you so quickly judged could have a disease, a mental illness, or something of that nature that you know nothing about. Don’t be so quick to judge unless you’ve lived in their shoes or know their back story. Considering you’re in college you must have some sort of financial aid no? And if not your parents must be paying for it-therefor you must know nothing about what it’s like to grow up poor. Don’t be so quick to judge.
I am just wondering…. were you brought up a rich spoiled child? Because, the simple fact of the matter is that children are impacted by living in poverty… and your judgmental article is written with snob-pride. You may have been working at Walmart one summer… but was mommy and daddy paying for your car payment…gas…college tuition? People need help. You need a clue. FYI- you can get in lots of trouble discriminating against people that are on Food Stamps. Good Luck with that, and I really hope that you have to be on food stamps some day…. because like a few others have said before, to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes may change your perception. I really think before writing such a judgmental article, you should have maybe done your research in a place other that Walmart. Maybe calling the DHHS office, and speaking to some of the people that see these desolate people.
It doesnt help eaither when religious groups brining people from overseas to maine and enroll them in such programs just to become their religion and “save” them…to be honest they should stay where they are from because its just pure robery from those who really need it. There are tons of ppl who have multiple cars, tattoos, big screen tvs and luxuries that NO person on assistance should get. I get assistance and we live w/ one car and work three jobs, dont drink or smoke and it seems ppl who are “lesser off” have so much more than us. ITS RIDICULOUS!!!
This is what the Democrats want; total dependence on government to keep them in power. This is what Obama want; total dependence on government to keep him in power and someday abrogating the 22nd Amendment and rewrite the Constitution so that he can become King. Thousands and thousands of woman in ghettos all over the country are now making babies on the streets for welfare and aid to dependent children which allows them to collect over $100,000 a year and the Democrats like it. They are all votes or future votes for Democrats.
Thank you Melissa E. For stating it so clearly. Articles like this and attitudes of cashiers who wrote this is what makes it humiliating to go in and use food stamps or wic. I am 31 years old and from 15-29 always had a job. But unfortunately after having my daughter my job was unable to hire me back. Did i see it coming does unemployment even begin to cover the costs asssociated with babies? No so yes I did get foodstamps and wic which helped tremendously. Have I ever bought a steak yes weekly no should I be called a welfare queen for it. I would hope not. I make sure my family is fed. I take no handouts other then help with food and its people like this author who makes it hard on others. Those rolling of the eyes you make when cashing me out does not go unnoticed. Spend a day in my shoes. Did I see myself needing the help no but then again I didnt see myself out of a Job with a newborn baby either.
I have been on foodstamps now for almost a year due to the loss of my job! I have a 1yr old and a husand who works but in the winter his hours get cut so bad we can barely pay our bills! Now i agree with some of what is said but the comment about the iphone is WAY WAY OFF! i have a iphone that cost me.01 yup one penny so it makes me wonder do cashiers look at me and my iphone and assume im abusing the state because can afford an iphone? sad that people are so quick to think they know someones sitution by looking at the type of phone they have!!
@June Huxie I do not see any negative remarks on this article. People are allowed to disagree with the writer, that is the point of discourse. They read the article, but they do not agree with some of the writer’s and commentators’ views.
Wow… “Infuriated” (way to use your real name while threatening the writer, oh brave one!)… feeling a tad bit guilty? If you were on welfare and using it properly, you surely wouldn’t be upset about this article. She said several times throughout her article that she believes in the proper use of welfare. She is speaking against rude and lazy welfare users. Perhaps you are offended because this is you? You may want to be careful threatening people. Law enforcement can trace it back to you. Here is something to remember: “Better to be thought of as ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
Good for you for writing what is becoming America’s biggest problem. For those who are overlooking what this brilliant young lady is talking about…..she is talking about people who take advatange of the system! I too was on welfare, BUT only long enough to get on my feet. This is what this young lady is saying the whole PURPOSE of welfare is for. It’s not for free loaders. I have seen what she’s talking about and let me tell you that people that she’s talking about are free loaders and very lazy. They don’t understand the concept of working for the things that you need or want. Good for this young lady to write the truth. And if her story affends you….then it must be hitting some kind of nerve to be true. Only people who are going to be negitive about the truth that she is simply pointing out are the guilty! BTW if you get any kind of assistance from the state, it is welfare!
Bravo, girl. I have seen it all way too much as well… we shop at what we call “ghetto walmart” because it’s the only super store around. I hate shopping there because every time we do, there are tons of people buying total JUNK with their government money (among so many other disgusting behaviors I see every time I go there).
I am 41, have been married 21 years… no spring chicken with “no real life experience” here. I have worked 60 hours/week and my husband has worked 50 hours/week to support our family of 4. We can never afford to buy lobster & steak on our incomes but somehow people with no job can buy total JUNK food and these luxury food items with our tax dollars. I do understand that some are legit for people in truly hard life circumstances. If they use the programs to actually buy FOOD (not garbage), for their families, like the rest of us have to do with our HARD EARNED money… the ones who scam even more to buy alcohol & cigarettes are disgusting, sorry but it’s true. Something is really wrong in this country when hard working CITIZENS get the shaft while so many lazy people scam the system like this.
I understand there are times people genuinely need help, temporarily, to get on their feet, while they are looking for a new job, to get through a rough patch when things happen like a lousy spouse/significant other leaves and you are stuck with the bills & you need help to feed your family (with actual FOOD). But those situations should be TEMPORARY… with every intention to get back to work like everyone else… but to just sit back & let the checks roll in without trying to better their own situation with the same determination as most of us do in this country, is just plain criminal. Personally, I’m sick of giving my hard earned money to people who dishonor our country’s freedoms in this way. You are NOT ENTITLED to my money.
As a WIC and EBT recipient family, I greatly value the assistance that has come available and it has been invaluable to put GOOD and DECENT food on our table. I do admit that we have purchased the garbage food but not porterhouses, lobsters, or giant birthday cakes. That just means less money for the other necessities that go a longer way such as rice, potatoes, and the lesser expensive meats such as roasts and poultry that are a good meal and a few lunches. We budget our food assistance (we don’t get cash because my husband does make too much for that) like we budget our paycheck and try to make it stretch for at least two of the four weeks in a month. Our aid is just $241, probably about 1/2 of our outgo in food feeding a family of five. WIC, I didn’t think, could really be negotiated. You get what’s on there, period. I’m just not smart enough, or maybe too lazy, to cheat the system. I do believe though that it does need an overhaul and it hasn’t been addressed because I’m sure it’s a rather daunting task and quite challenging. Maybe at the grassroots level or at least state by state to start. In this instance, I do believe that more government is better and they need to be trained also as “consultants” and “counselors” so they can help families get off of the program and look at each family on a case by case basis because each family situation is different. We’re not poverty level poor but we do need assistance every month to put more healthy ingredients in our cupboard. All the bad food is CHEAP and a root to our health problems and gluttony in our nation and we would like the opportunity to plead our case. My husband is a journeyman electrician, subject to the ebb and flow of construction industry and his company tries very hard to keep him working but that isn’t possible 2080 hours a year. The other caveat is that he doesn’t make journeyman wages…the small company also can’t afford it. The other question is if my husband were to lose his job, what would the govenment (the TAXPAYER) want him to do? Stay on unemployment and get food assistance? Go to work doing the job he started out doing in high school at the grocery store or McDonald’s? We would still need food assistance and then cash because at that point we wouldn’t be able to pay our rent let alone put GOOD food on the table. We’re supposed to be able to improve our jobs and careers as we get older, not go backwards. And then what about me? I stay and home and raise our children to be producers and contributors to society. Oh I CAN work, I have a four-year degree from an accredited university, and worked up until I had my first child. But is the government (TAXPAYER) going to force me to go to work? Who is going to raise my children? The government aka as the public school system? I think not. They can’t handle themselves let alone give my children a decent education or protect them from the angst, drama, illegality, out there perpetuated by the media. Socialism isn’t the answer though but I do feel that all the assistance programs need to work as one…maybe becoming one? Lots of question…virtually no solutions!
There are some great truths in this article. And I’m a dem, generally speaking.
I think if repub candidates weren’t such a religious, socially backwards bunch, I’d be inclined to vote for one, simply because of the story above.
You are an ignorant and judgmental person. People like you make me sick. First, if you had to live such an desperate like – you would drink from time to time to ease your worries too. And mabe he has been on welfare your whole life but perhaps he is mentally handicapped or has MS, or a disabled war vet. YOU DON’T KNOW !!!! You disgust me , I want to vomit just to think that you wrote something like this article of stupidity !!!! I could go on and on and on about different parts of your article but the point is the same. YOU ARE AN IDIOT .
I would agree and totally disagree with alot of statements made in this article. I would also tell this “little” girl to live alittle more, or do a bit more growing up before making such concrete assumptions!!! People pick and choose how to spend their money or in this case FS/cash benefits…whatever. I bet this little cuttie who wrote the article smokes??? Does the cashier make underminding comments to her or think rude thought??? Maybe she will find herself in some trouble because she trusted the wrong “frat” guy up there in college and gets prego…OOOPPS! Didnt see that coming and might find herslef getting an unexpected abortion so mommy and daddy dont find out… or maybe she will end up getting WIC… point being you never…NEVER! know where life is going to take you. Just because your on top this year doesnt mean next year will be the same! People need to be alittle less judgemental, mind their business and just be happy with what they have at the moment! Because thats all we are guarenteed is the moment…and not even that honestly! She must think that because she works at Wally World that she is more deserving of a steak…LOL Also remember that the fraud and abuse wouldnt exsist if the people working in the welfare office cared alittle more about their “well” paying government jobs and questions alitlle bit more or asked ” have you been trying to get a job?” Or maybe if they were alittle more friendly and said ” oh by the way before you leave I just want to let you know that this might help to find a job…or this might help or we have this program to help watch the kids so you can look/get a job…whatever! Its everyone…there is not just one side to this story! Lastly since she is such a supportive and self proclaiming REPUBLICIAN I would like to ask her… so you then are also in support of the death pen… or what are your views on gun control… Theres alot more to being a rep. hunny! Hopefully she knows that before she votes… this article makes me wonder how informed her voting decisions are….???
Businesses- take note of the petulant writer’s name and picture: do you want THIS child posting about your clients publicly? Walmart is lucky to be rid of her. Even they were too good for her.
I am so sad reading this. Do you get financial aid? do you ever spend it on things that are considered extravegant? do you account for every dime you spend? why are you bashing these poor folks when the rich need to account for all they spend
What is worse than people who abuse welfare is a middle class kid who thinks she understands and can judge a poor person’s life based on a 1 minute transaction. Open your mind, sweetheart. You might think you’ve got it all figured out, but you’ve got no idea. Furthermore, the few examples of fraud you would use to justify scrapping the whole system pale in comparison to the humanitarian and environmental crimes that the company you work for is committing on a global scale. Walmart peddles cheap products made by the children of China, most of which will be taking up space in landfills withing 5 years, consequently driving manufacturing jobs from this country. Listening to people like you be so certain of their so-called “conservative” principals because they once saw a poor person purchase steak with food stamps makes me thank God that I was blessed with a mind broad enough to be a liberal.
Finally, a college student who actually understands politics. It’s refreshing to hear that from someone so young. You will definitely be going places in life with your hard working, common sense attitude. If only more people like yourself “got it” at your age, then the country would be a better place.
“I’m not against temporary aid helping those who truly need it.”
Well, aren’t you special?! The judgmental tone of this privileged college kid is so typically one-sided, evidenced by the Democrat remark. This isn’t even “empirical” data; it’s an ignorant girl’s assumptions of how other people live based on 2 minutes in a check out line!
Well you sure sparked a line of debate, huh?! Great points and very well written. I too have worked at Wal-Mart. My husband and I are both employed full time and we are very fortunate but for eight months I worked at Wal-Mart in order to have some much-needed extra income. I think that some, I didn’t read all of the posts, may not see that you probably weren’t speaking to those who use the system fairly. Those who purchase the items covered and use the funds for which they were intended. You were, I think, speaking about those who are not using the system in a way that is beneficial for everyone – by not wasting money. I did not realize that Maine had such a lax system for welfare participation. In Virginia, when WIC items are being purchased we processed those items first and we only honored the checks if they were for the exact products as listed. The fact that the state of Maine does not allow those same guidelines is irresponsible on their part. I say that not because I want to deny anyone food or basic necessities, but rather because it wastes money that could be used to help other families or organizations. In Virginia you cannot get cash on your EBT card. Any policy otherwise is absolutely unacceptable. If EBT cards could be used to pay for gasoline, electric, utilities then that makes sense because the money is going toward a family’s basic needs. These programs are great for those, like myself at one point, who needed a hand up to get through a rough time in their lives. However, the government shouldn’t be responsible for for a person’s entire lifestyle. You are right in that there are some who use the system irresponsibly who also have a sense of entitlement – that they deserve not only to have their basic needs met, but to have their wants met also. Food stamps should not pay for pre-made birthday cakes for $12, $15, $17 when it already will cover flour, sugar, eggs, oil, or boxed cake mixes for much less. There is a difference between the luxury of being able to purchase a pre-made cake and making one myself. It is a luxury, not a necessity. As for the guy who ran his hot dog business, I saw that all the time too. People have church bake sales, hot dog sales, etc., using their food stamps to pay for the ingredients. That’s outright fraud and there should be systems in place when a certain quantity of food is being purchased. Again, well said. I didn’t hear at all that you are against the people who need assistance, for a period of time, but rather you are making a statement that your state, and our country, needs to better equip individuals and encourage them to stand on their own in order for them to contribute to the system in which pays for their livelihood.
Benefits available to those who need them isn’t necessarily a bad idea, however, more stringent requirements should be in place.
I haven’t read through all of the comments, however, I have a disabled father who relies on benefits from the state of Oregon. He is bipolar/schizophrenic and is not always easily controlled with medication. He was a part of the working class until his disease progressed.
However, he continues to give back to the community and works full time hours as a volunteer at a food bank. He has given the majority of his check to those in greater need, etc.
Perhaps, if we continue to distribute benefits, a certain amount of volunteer hours should be recorded (good for those still unemployed, it looks good to future employers!), etc.
And as always, I feel that mandatory drug testing should be implemented in all states for welfare recipients.
Just once I would like to see something written about the people who are on assistance because otherwise their children would starve. I can’t find work (that’s right, I WANT a job, I am not some lazy slob abusing welfare, but no one will hire me!) and my husband works in construction, which means about once a year we end up on food stamps. I hate using that EBT card, but I have to remind myself that if I didn’t then my kids would go hungry. I have taught them that there is no shame in getting help when you need it, but to get off the help as quickly as you can.
I’m not saying there is not welfare fraud and abuse of the system. Personally, I know several people who abuse the system (and yes I’ve reported them) but these people are still a small percentage of who is on welfare. It seems like more because all you hear people complain about are the ones taking advantage of the system. But that’s not the fault of the system itself, it’s the fault of the people who have never been taught that this behavior is not ok.
As far as begrudging people for buying birthday cakes and steak, I have done that with fs as well. Why? For one, my son is prone to anemia so I buy steaks (granted I get them as cheap as possible) often. As for birthday cakes, when it’s a choice of pay the rent with your cash and spend twenty bucks off your food stamps card so your kid can have a happy birthday–well, I think you know the choice most people will make. Just because the kids are poor doesn’t mean they have to suffer on their birthdays.
As far as these people out there who think you can live high on the hog on welfare, you really can’t. They give you the bare minimum to survive on. People who are paying for iPhones and everything else obviously have income they are getting away with not reporting. That’s why it’s called cheating the system.
I get sick of these rants about people abusing welfare because it lumps all of us in with them. Yes I have a cellphone and a nicer TV, but they were things I purchased after saving up the money and finding a great deal on them (and I have sold off all my electronics when I needed to pay bills before). I didn’t cheat the system. The fact is, everyone just wants someone to hate. So when you have a job you attack people on welfare. You have to work for your money so you assume you know everything about the people on the other side of the cash register. You ever stop to think that that woman might have flipped out about the green peppers because she didn’t have any other means to pay for them? It’s not a feeling of entitlement, it’s a panic that that is the last of your food money for the month. Yes you can keep track of your balance, but here’s a dirty little secret, the state can and will decide they have overpaid you at some point and take money off your card without warning you. Meaning, you go in thinking you have so much on there to discover it’s gone.No there is no reason to yell at the cashier for it, but there is also no reason for the cashier to assume they know every facet of these peoples’ lives and can judge them for it. My knee jerk reaction when I hear someone complain about welfare abuse is to assume they are entitled little snobs who have no idea how hard it is to make it in the real world because mommy and daddy pay all their bills, but I suppress that. Why? Because I don’t know you, I don’t know your story. Only that you are obviously frustrated with life and need to blame someone about it. So you go on your blog and rant about how everyone on welfare is obviously just a lazy slob who is out to exploit a system. Yes those people exist, but people like you give everyone the idea that the only people on welfare are ones who don’t need it and are just too lazy to get a job.
The real issue is education. People need to be better educated on how to handle life in general.People who are seeking assistance should have to receive job training, and there should be better programs in place to help them find work. I’ve always felt that fs should work more like WIC–there should be restrictions on what you can and cannot buy. Things such as Doritos, Pepsi, etc should not be allowed. Instead make these people learn how to buy the necessities and cook for themselves so they eat healthier. When I’ve been on fs, the money usually buys just meat for the month (of course I’ve never gotten more than a couple hundred at a time). Instead of saying we should abolish welfare all together, push for some changes in the program. It’s your tax dollars paying for these things, push to have say in where it’s going. And try to bare in mind that at some point you might need help too.
PS I guarantee a lot of these people who abuse the system would quit if there were tighter restrictions on what they can and cannot buy.
Time for a reality check here folks! For those of you who still feel you (or your children) “deserve” an occasional steak, birthday cake, toys for Christmas, etc. – are you not reading the many comments from people who are actually working, paying taxes (in other words, paying for you) and can not afford steaks, lobster, etc.
It makes me sick to read comments like “yes, I buy a birthday cake and lobster for each of my four children’s birthdays”. Are you serious? I can’t remember the last time my husband and I had steak, but my tax money should pay for your steak?
The disconnect I read here is sad. If the folks who could work would get off their duffs and just do it – take care of yourselves and your children, there would be enough money for the truly needy to be well-taken care of. For those of you who somehow justify your steaks, lobster, cakes and toys – you are nothing but thieves. You steal from hardworking taxpayers and (extra shame on you) you steal from the truly needy.
A lot of things need to change in the welfare system. Things like……I can’t get help. I am a single mom of 4 who receives no assistance. Daddy decided life was easier without the family and pays no child support since he now gets SSI for the sudden drinking problem he has developed. I have taken in 2 additional children who have one parent overseas and mommy decided taking care of her kids is to hard. I can get no help for these children because MOMMY is still claiming them and has been for the 3 months I have been feeding and clothing them. Don’t get me wrong….happy to do my part. I am just curious how someone can sit on there butt playing with their high cost phones and living in there nice $37 a month, housing assistance apartment, while I bust my butt taking care of not only my children but the children of others as well with no help. It will be about 6 more months before DHHS can investigate and get back to me on where the kids actually live. Well, I know where they live. I am the one not eating so they have food while someone else is eating a high cost steak with the extra foodstamps she is illegally collecting.
I can agree with some things, however, there are lots of things I disagree with. Buying a birthday cake is not abuse of the system, It’s actually nice that it’s allowed because so many kids would go without if that were the case & I think the children deserve something nice. A person is given a set amount of money each month to buy food. It’s actually a small amount in comparison to what you’d spend on food in cash, you’d spend more than what they give you. You have to be frugal with it. Extravagant purchases can’t be made every day or they’d never get through the month. So if they’re frugal and can buy a steak or lobster or even a cake with their small budget, then who are you/we to judge?
People make mistakes sometimes. People do things without really thinking out the entire situation and the consequences they have to pay for them. Like if someone has a child at a young age, but wants to do what they think is right and keep the child and then they are forced to be on welfare or food stamps in order to survive. Without the state paying for day care, the mom is never going to get the education she needs & even so paying for the education itself is a burden a single mom shouldn’t have to struggle with, but still that’s the way it is. So, she decides she can’t afford college, doesn’t have enough education to get a “real” job, and then she’s on welfare. Nothing wrong with that. Life’s a struggle for a lot of people. Including myself. I have 3 jobs. I am working my butt off to support my children without the aid of the state.
It’s annoying to see someone keep popping out children to keep getting food stamps & welfare. There are cases in which you may wish to remove reproductive organs from someone. Like Octo-mom who had children which she couldn’t care for without a ton of help and then she went and got pregnant again… Not okay. Lots of cases like that. Even the woman on the news who had 12 kids and no job. But it’s also annoying that people who claim to be disabled can preform tasks just fine. Yet they claim to be disabled.
I went to a class in order to try and get a job working for the county. The instructor said less than 3% of people on welfare actually abuse it. That’s for MN though. Might vary per state.
I had a cashier tell me that a lady would come in every month to buy every lobster they had so she could go home and sell them online. Guess how she paid for them? YUP!!!!
And if you would have followed them out to the parking log, most of the would be driving a new car.
There are people that need help from time to time. Too many have learned how to work the system, its only going to get worse as they seem to whine for more and more.
LOL @ people like Michael and Dee who apparently failed their reading comprehension exams in school. This girl is simply saying that we need to fix our very broken Welfare system and she’s right. She then backs up her statement with droves of evidence. Thank god I was blessed with a mind intelligent enough to understand written English, yet broad enough to see the world as it is.
Good illustration of why welfare reform is needed, and why it has nothing to do with race. Maine is about as white as it gets. People simply have no respect for money or themselves when they get accustomed to spending other people’s money.
Excellent. Just a few weekends ago I stopped at a gas station to grab a drink for my child on a road trip. There was a boy at the check out. Early 20′s. He bought two big 44oz sodas from the fountain and paid with food stamps. Then he whipped out a WAD of cash to pay for beer and cigarettes. I wanted to set him on fire.
Welfare doesn’t stop at the grocery check-out. I have a friend that vents to me all the time about the welfare patients that come through her pharmacy everyday. Much like this young lady, she has no problem with those folks who TRULY have a need for it; however, when a successful business owner is on on medicaid- something is wrong. Or the policy that says patients can WAIVE their co-pay. My parents have very good insurance, and thankfully, but they could not do the same. The co-pay these folks on medicaid have to pay- is sometimes as low as 50 cents! AND YES THEY WAIVE IT! It’s honestly disgusting how folks abuse the whole system. Some of you are getting upset and saying that she needs to walk a mile in these other peoples shoes first- but you are misunderstanding. She is stated EARLY in the article that she understands and welcomes those who TRULY need the aid to take it- but it’s the abusers who are draining all taxpayers pockets.
The only thing I can say to this is they are working on it and there are limits in Maine of I believe 5years they r cutting back and taking benefits away from people who are abusing the system look up gov.lepages views and what he’s doing he’s making changes also he has closed the welfare and mainecare list completely to anyone with out kids and like I said he’s taking away from people abusing the system (not trying to piss anyone off just letting u no government officials have heard u and are doing something about it)
GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!
I was behide someone the other day at Hannaford that got lobsters her total came to 167 dollars …I said to her Wow you having a Lobster party….then out comes the Food Stamp card…you got to be kidding me…you can buy Lobsters with a food stamp card…I work and can’t afford them!!!!
An excellent read.
May I ask to see your boobies?
One thing I need to point out however, is there are a multitude of working families who receive foodstamps and if it wasn’t for the help from this program would be in poverty, would have children who wouldn’t know where their next meal was coming from or even a roof over their head. I do agree there are those that abuse the system. But there are others that work very hard to do what they are supposed and try to get into the work force. Jobs aren’t exactly easy to get right now, and those that do have jobs often times can’t afford to feed themselves. Then you have others that recieve welfare while the state collects the same amount or more from the other parent. The majority are good citizens only doing what they need to do to survive and care for their children. Take a look at the mean average income in the state of maine, compared to the tax rate and the cost of living and some of your answers as to why there is such a high rate of welfare dependency in the state would be answsered. I worked with no aid for most of my adolescent and adult life. I got very very ill, went through a divorce and am now in a position where I have to rely on aid to survive. 3 years and counting. Do I like it, no, but I don’t have a choice at this moment. I buy expensive foods and I buy non expensive foods with my benefits, but that’s because I am thrifty enough to work it out that way and make the amounts cover everything I need. I payed into the system for many years. But whatever, nobody ever seems to see anything but the worst case scenerios anyways.
Okay cc – a little rebuttal to your comment “Are you paying for your entire education? are your parents? Or do you receive ANY assistance (grants, loans, scholarships)? those assistance programs for your college education are exactly the same as the public assistance food programs you’re trashing on.”
Taking out a student loan is NOTHING like the public assistance. It’s a LOAN. It must be PAID BACK. Scholarships are given for people who EARN them. My first year of school was paid mostly for by scholarships because of my HARD WORK in high school, for which I EARNED exemplary marks. The rest, I took out federal loans – which I immediately, upon graduating, paid back. I did not graduate with a bunch of republicans, I graduated with a bunch of PEOPLE. Grants – depending on where they come from – you are correct about for the most part. Just wanted to clarify that for you.
Cj, bravo. You are a shining example of those who do NOT take advantage. God bless you.
Tanya, I understand what you’re saying. A divorce? My goodness – that’s not fair. It’s a crock, in fact… I will tell you, though… I do know someone who did just that. They always said yes, LEGALLY they were divorced, but in God’s eyes, they would always be married… I could give you all the details, but to make a long story short, husband was diagnosed with a horrible and aggressive cancer, which he fought for about three years before it finally took him. Two of the best people I have ever known in my life, had to survive on assistance while she cared for him and watched him die. God bless them and people in hard situations like them. You and your family – all the best.
Also, as someone who has been on the system, I can tell you they make it really easy to get caught up in it and stay on it.
I will admit that I haven’t had time to read every single comment on here, but I have read several. I was also a cashier at Wal-Mart when I was in college (I am now 30). I saw the same type of abuse. It was extrememly frustrating. I also paid for most of my college, my own car and insurance and several other things on my own during college and graduated debt free because I managed my money correctly. I have been on my own for several years now and experiencing “real life.” My husband and I have gone through EXTREMELY difficult financial times. We are both self-employed and have been building our own businesses for years. There were several times when we had literally nothing in our bank account, but we took responsibility for it. We never asked the taxpayers to pay for our stuff–not even food. We don’t believe in that. Did we get to buy steaks, lobsters, or huge birthday cakes??? NO WAY!! We couldn’t afford it!!! That is the point. You buy necessities and that is all. Where on earth are these people finding a place where it is written that “everyone deserves a steak now and then”??? NO THEY DON’T! And they will survive JUST FINE without one- we did.
Between the lax welfare rules and the coupons that stores will “double the value” of and not set limits on how many items can be purchased, it’s no wonder that the American economy has bottomed out. In Canada, the welfare system does have it’s abusers, but we get a set cash amount to spend on shelter, personal care (which includes our food) and we have to go through programs and workshops geared to get us back to work (usually within 12 months). If the programs and workshops are not followed, there is an investigation to find out why. We can only us one coupon per item, cannot use coupons on sale items, and there is usually a limit on how many items can be purchased when they are on sale. Our malls have not closed, our banks did not fall, our housing market did not crash….I’m glad I live in Canada.
I totally agree the Welfare system is bankrupting this country but our politians want to keep giving it out like candy and cut our military back. Lets weaken our country some more make all our citizens dependent on the goverment while weakening our military sounds like a formula for our Country to fail.
I agree with her story so much. I live in Huntington, WV and see this kind of thing happen every time I ever walk in a Walmart. It got to the point of angering me so much that I just won’t shop there any more. Other stores have people every now and then, but nearly so severe. This really has to stop. I hate the fact that money I make is going towards people like that. I can understand if you just lost your job, and you have nothing for a couple of weeks, but for buying outrageous items and abusing the system is too much. Find a job. I don’t care if it is minimum wage. It’s a JOB and it can help support you. I really want to know what this country has come to when we have to rely in borrowing money from other countries and other sources because we can not keep up with our own. Eliminating welfare issues by giving a certain amount of time to find a job, and giving certain descriptions on what people can buy with welfare would probably help get our country out of debt. People wonder why I’m a Conservative…
At your age, I could not fathom how anyone who worked hard could possibly find themselves caught in the social safety net. I stood behind a similar counter, but realized quickly that the sort of reprehensible behavior you describe is hardly limited to the poor. The difference is, we don’t feel entitled to judge rude and dishonest people in the middle class because we don’t subsidize them, right? Wrong. We “subsidize” the middle class, the wealthy and corporations with three times the tax money — while many pay NO taxes (payroll and sales taxes consume a larger share of the poor’s income than the wealthy).
How ironic that your observations come from your position behind a Wal-Mart checkout counter; Wal-Mart is not only our biggest employer, but also the most greedy “entitled” corporate welfare queen. The majority of those using our social safety net work; many for Wal-Mart, who is known for handing new hires a W-4 with one hand and an application for welfare with another — a living wage is more just, both for hardworking people just like yourself, and the taxpayer.
“Stand in awe of the burdens the poor have to carry, rather than in judgement of how they carry them.” ~Fr. Boyle
Please send your ire upward, not down at those less fortunate than yourself.
Great article!!! I COMPLETELY AGREE….SOMEONE NEEDS TO SHARE WITH CONGRESS. NOT ONLY WITH FOODSTAMPS, MEDICAL PROGRAM AS WELL. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE SCREENING.
This is really pathetic to read and really disheartening. I’m a single parent with a J O B that is proudly not on any type of government assistance. Yes it is hard to make it and yes I live paycheck to paycheck. I find it extremely pathetic of those that take advantage of the system! Something has to be done and someone needs to make a stand. I feel for those families that are struggling even on assistance and wish I were wealthy enough to help those that are desperately trying.
I agree that general welfare is an easy target and a popular one at that. The unsung hero of this story is the welfare entrepreneur with his hot dog stand that he was so proud of that he invited the author to see it but the author responded by reporting about his abuse of the welfare system as in her eyes any attempt to create an income while on welfare is abuse of that system.. I thought that the popular meme directed at those on general welfare is “get a job”>
While the unemployment statistics have gone down as people have given up getting a job, what do you think those people are doing? Laying down and dying? Going on welfare? Becoming self-employed ?. What is missing from the author’s picture? Why does she denigrate the hot-dog entrepreneur? Why does she assume the worse? Why does she not recognize that the hot dog entrepreneur may be down but not beaten.
In that sense the author is part of the problem for her hidden participation in class warfare which is perpetuated by concepts such as “the creative class” “The innovative sector” “The targeted sector”. which places one sector of society on a privileged plateau and strips the rest of their relevance and dignity.
Interesting to note that she responded to what she calls “Welfare Queen #1″ by saying “at least its a job” but fails to recognize that the welfare hot dog entrepreneur also has a job. She does not know have enough information to claim that the hot dog stand entrepreneur is making money that he does not report, she is just bothered that the taxpayer is “financing his business” by providing him welfare. If he makes more money by buying food and reselling it, then she has a problem with that which has nothing to do with whether or not he is breaking any rules, which he may or may not be doing. This is just someone who “doesn’t have a job” in her eyes- No he he is employed in creating an income even if he still needs some assistance. And he has his dignity.
Really?!? Beating down the hot dog stand person? Ever wonder that maybe if he uses food stamps to purchase the food for his “business” that maybe, just maybe he isn’t reporting the income of his “business”? Highly unlikely!
Yes, there is alot of abuse to the welfare systems going on. Yes, I too have worked at Wal-mart and have seen it as well. I tried to stop it by saying ” You know not to mean or judge mental but instead of buying that lobster or steak or could be buying milk and eggs and your benifits would go further.”, and the next thing I knew I was getting written up for that comment because it wasn’t the right thing to say. I too receive food stamps at this point and I make them last as long as I can. My husband works 50- 60 hours a week and has been cut back to 30- 35 hours a week. I am in school right now and we have four children to take care of. I go into the store to get food and take out my EBT card and people give me some ugly looks. I start talking to the cashier as she is ringing in my food and I talk loud enough for everyone to hear, ” Funny how people are all friendly and speak to you when you are paying in cash but when you fall onto hard times and need a little help people don’t talk to you any more. They would rather give you a nasty look.” Now people that know me and know my situation understand and don’t judge us for what they see. I understand the writers point because I have been there, but I have also been on the other side of the bridge as well.
Excellent observation from such a young lady. I was on tanf, food stamps, and the aspire program when I was left to raise an infant on my own with no child support. I went back to school full time and worked. I didn’t like being on the program. The caseworkers were jaded and rude and the system was/is definately flawed. As you mentioned you can buy a fat and sugar filled cake from the bakery on food stamps but when I got out of class at dinner time, I couldn’t buy a rottisery chicken for my son and i because that is considered a prepared food item. I could have made many nutritious meals out of that, including stock for soup. Some say you should be able to get lobster or expensive steaks, but work hard, get a job and buy your own. The summer between semesters I was taking a class but the state determined that it wasn’t enough hours per week to qualify for the benefits. I asked to stay home with my son since I had just pulled him out of a “federally funded daycare” for being abused by other children there. I was taking a course that required a lot of reading and writing outside of school. I was told to either get a job or volunteer. So just to let everyone know, the state was going to pay about $500 a month for daycare for my son while i went to school and cleaned kennels at the humane society. Doesn’t make much sense. I got excellent grades at school and was still going to school in the summer. Is their any rewards to letting someone spend time with their child while going to school in the summer and save the state some money? I only had one year left and my grades reflected my intention to continue school. I got a job for the summer instead, they pulled some of my benefits and it took me 2 months to get the benefits back once I started school and stopped working. Thankfully I had parents to help me buy diapers, toilet paper etc. during that time. Now also so you know, I was in the dental hygiene program and kept a 4.0 GPA all four semesters until I graduated, while taking care of a young child on my own. I worked hard in school, took care of my son, stayed up late, and got up some days at 5am to study. I was on the programs for 2 1/2 years. Now I work as a dental hygienist and pay my taxes to support those who sit on their butts and teach their children to do the same. I am more than happy to help those who use the system as it is meant to be, but frustrated at how it is. Something needs to change.
I just wanted to add that it is not only tanf that goes onto a ebt card. They also put child support and mileage payments among many other things which you have no idea what those welfare queens as you call them had for money on their cards. So before you judge you should find out the facts. The money could have been from their child support and they bought their kids a slip and slide with it. Hmmmm so who is wrong their. Also I do agree that lobster is not a necessity but some people only buy it once in a while as a treat. I can see one lobster for yourself , maybe it was a hard week. Who are you to judge what people are buying. Take a look at the workers that are in the offices before you slam on the people buying with their money. I was told personally by an aspire workers in the biddeford office that i was not eligible for the assistance because i made 41 dollars to much. We had little discussion about people receiving benefits and not using them properly, in the next breath the lady tells me that they had extra money in their budget so in order for them to get that same amount again the following year the office sent their works on a trip to a casino…. so who do you think you should be looking at!
So glad that at …what are you Christine- 20…22 years old? …that you have lived a long LONG, fullfilled life…to where you have walked miles and miles in rough situations, such as struggled with an addiction, been abandoned by family and friends, had a child, lost a job…or worse- lost a limb (where you were not able use you’re lil’ lap top over there at Providence College). I’m also glad to know that YOU are the second coming of Christ himself and should place judgement upon others! All because you worked at WalMart for two summers…
WOW- if I was only as bright and hypocritical as you at 20-something…or where or where would I be now…
I work in a welfare office dear sarcastic writer- It’s pretty presumptuous of you to assume that the whole welfare system is corrupt because of what…4 customers you high-lighted here in this actical? Shall we pick 4 republican officals and base our view of all republicans on their actions? Should we look at all male coaches as we currently look at Coach Sandusky? The old saying (…mind you it’s way WAY older that your 20 wise years of life) “if there is a will- there is a way,” unfortunately applies to all things- good and bad! So- if someone can come from nothing and work their way into becoming a millionaire…the same is true for someone trying to ‘beat the system.’
There is fraud and corruption in all walks of life, in all systems and in all areas of government… yet not all who are in those systems or use public services are immoral.
Maybe your next artical could explore HOW to develop affordable food or hosuing for that matter- so that people that are making a state-minimun wage and working 40 hrs a week can afford rent AND heat as well as a birthday cake…just a suggestion…
I truely appreciate this article and the message it delivers. I am also a slight bit frustrated with those people who abuse the system. I had to be on food stamps for 2 years due to loosing my eyesight in a terrible accident and undergoing physcial therapy while raising an infant. I couldn’t work and my husband was working 2 jobs while finishing school. It was tough times and I am grateful I had a place to turn to for help. I was not on welfare and I do agree that these two programs should not be confused with one another dispite the fact that they do often go hand in hand, they are 2 seperate programs.
I have now been gainfully employed for 4 years and I’m working in the retail buisness in Maine. I am also very discouraged when people check out at my store buying $200 shoes and another $300 in clothes every month, then I run into them later purchasing food with food stamps. These are the same folks who get upset with me because they can’t get reception on their IPhone while they are at my register. The people I get mad at also purchase items that arent really appropriate and cost a ton of money with food stamps. There is no need for purchasing a porter house steak, Little Debbie snacks, Lobster or even Friendly’s ice cream. My son had 2 birthday’s while we were on food stamps and I purchased a $1 box of cake mix, cheap frosting and store brand ice-cream to celebrate. It was still beautiful and it was even more special that we made it together. I don’t in any way feel a child should suffer or miss out on a birthday party because their parent isn’t working, but we need to remember that there is a fine line between becoming extravagent and doing something memorable for them.
<My only other gripe is when I hear people say "I can't work, I have children." You know what, I have 2 and we have figured it out. If there are 2 of you, work different shifts; trust me, it sucks, but it saves money on daycare and gives you a pretty good feeling when you earn your first paycheck. If you are alone, there are options that the state assists with until your children are old enough to attend school or find another single parent in your area that you can work something out where you take care of each other children while the first one works (I've seen this work out great for a friend). There is a difference between those who need help to get on their feet and those who make a living out of the system. I am not talking to those who are trying to better their families lives and are working towards getting off the system, but those who take advantage of it and abuse it should be charged with fruaud. May every government official read this article and these comments and do something to change our governemnt handout policies.
It’s easy to blame the government for bad management and the slackers for treating welfare as a career, but I’ll bet that if you pealed back enough layers you would find that major food manufacturers that produce processed foods and retailers like Walmart spend a boatload to make sure the system continues. After all, they benefit as much as the abusers.
This is an excellent post about a very sad culture!
While I agree in principle to what the writer is saying here I have to say, “Houston,we have a problem!”. We all need to be careful to stay vigilant and use our critical thinking skills, experiences and ability to see things for what they are. There are over 600 comments here with 90% of the posters focusing on some goober who bought a lobster or a woman who argued about a vacuum cleaner’s price. This article is what I like to call a Red Herring. It’s more of the same distraction used by those whose interest is in making sure you will support their political policies designed to continue to erode the middle class. Forget all this crap for a moment. Wake up. The American middle class is about to crushed by the power of the super rich and corporate America. Our system is driven by the consumer and simply stated the reason the economy is down is because the consumer is hurting. Nobody is going to hire until they have demand not from Warren Buffet but from your neighbor down the street who is now underemployed or unemployed. Who has profited most from the last 3 years? The 1% or the average consumer? Hint look at the stock market. Look at incomes of the super rich over the last four years and ask yourself, is Obama really hurting the rich? Corporate America no longer cares about the American consumer because they can go elsewhere in the world (“emerging markets”) and make money either by realizing revenue in other parts of the world or reduce labor costs by eliminating or moving operations and/or jobs overseas where costs are much lower. Costs are lower in places like China and India not because of taxes or regulation but because the people there have a much lower standard of living and are in emerging economies where wages are depressed. Although not for long. If I am a CEO, I have two overarching goals: increase revenue and control costs. I only add jobs when I absolutely have to not because of how much tax I pay but because adding the job supports adding revenue, otherwise I am controlling costs by downsizing or not hiring. It’s simple people. The comments here should remind you that we have become no different than these dysfunctional societies we see on TV where people are fighting in the streets and pelting rocks at each other because someone is a member of one group or worships at the wrong church. Meanwhile their leaders are living high on the hog, disseminating propaganda to keep their people confused and worried about who might be eating lobster vs. macaroni and cheese and who is shopping at Walmart with an EBT card. Elevate your thinking!!! The GOP has taken a position of letting the middle class bear the brunt of the recession while they feed you propaganda to earn your vote. They are on the side lines and don’t care about you. Taxes and the deficit has become a smokescreen to the real issue– lack of jobs, too much incentive to not create jobs. WAKE UP!!!!!!!!
In all reality, what your saying is that in your opinion, people on government assistance for foodshare should only be able to buy the bare essentials to stay alive and should not have any ability to utilize those funds to have any decent quality of life. First of all, a cake from isn’t really anything special, and wouldn’t you want your child to have a nice cake for their birhday? But unfortunatly, this POS from wal-mart will have to do. Second: I currently have an Iphone 3GS. It was free with a 2 year commitment. Third, the data plan is $15.00 a month. For a person that may not be able to afford a computer, this is a very inexpensive alternative.
WIC. This is really where you show how evil your mind is. I’ve been through 3 kids on WIC. There are no pictures that match to items. There is no magic booklet that we have ever received. If a person is lucky, they just use the WIC checks to get whatever brand/size they did before and hope that what qualifies doesn’t change. Meanwhile, my wife has 3 children to manage in the lines all the while trying to separate each of the WIC items to make it easier for checkout for a person that is (i hope) not nearly as ungrateful as you seem to be.
Now lets look at other costs.. People have to pay rent and bills. With the economy what it is today costs of rent/utilities are getting higher and higher with regularity. So, hopefully, the relief that you an get from the little amount they do give you in foodshare can be enough to scrape together what you can to pay the bills that put a roof over your head.
Get off of your soapbox and start to look through eyes with compassion.
The last time the country did something serious about welfare reform, Newt Gingrich was leading the way. Well, OK, Bubba Clinton was there, too.
d(^_^)b
http://libertyatstake.blogspot.com/
“Because the Only Good Progressive is a Failed Progressive”
Just shopping at Walmart and other stores I see a lot of this. I’m not saying that fraud will ever go away 100%, or that there is no value in these problems, just that “there is no fixing stupid” and long term progams like this encourage people to stay stupid! No, not all of them, but enough
I agree that we need welfare reform for the poor but we also need corporate welfare reform and Military contract reform, and government reform which are all more expensive than welfare fro the poor fraud and all. I would like to know how you plan to reform all of these abuse of power and fraud issues.
It’s not OK to steal from the taxpayer to provide assistance to the needy. This is not the meaning of ‘All men were created equal’ as one poster commented. My parents were poor but refused a handout and traded what they could rake and scrape from the environment to welfare recipients for their cheese and other commodities which were more than we could afford at the time.
Well written article. I hope this young lady continues to speak up and I wish her the best in her future.
I’m an EMT. We work 24 hours on, 48 hours off – as long as we’re not on a call, we’ll go shop for what we want for dinner in the morning. My station is in the South end of my city, which is the less-affluent neighborhood (the majority of the occupants of the South Valley speak only Spanish).
I cannot remember the last time we went shopping and didn’t end up behind a welfare/food stamp recipient who was trying to pay for crap that wasn’t covered by the benefit they were using. I also cannot remember the last time that happened and it did NOT result in both the customer yelling at the cashier and then getting on their smartphone and calling someone at home to kibitz about it.
Though I could not have a more different perspective on the issue, I appreciate your mature handling of it. Thought-provoking comments. One thing that stands out to me is that it seems people- not just people on Welfare or receiving TANF- are uneducated with regard to nutrition and misguided about what kinds of items are really necessities. In my opinion, those issues point to a problem with an economic system that makes people feel like they have to buy toys and slip n slides and junk food- and indeed they are applauded for this behavior (being good consumers), often buy the same individuals who want to make cuts to Welfare and other social programs because, hey, that’s the free market- you can make it or break it. That, to me, is the ugliest part of it all. What do you think?
my dad was once in line behind a lady back when they had food stamps, and a lady was told that she couldn t buy a 25 pound bag of dog food with foodstamps, so she grabed the bag and left the check out makin him wait. she came back with 10 pounds of ground round and said smartly , MY DOG CAN EAT THIS THEN.
Im not sure if anyone else has mentioned this yet or not, but I would just like to add that it is not only the recipients of the welfare programs that are abusing them, I have seen cashiers that allow customers to pay for alcohol, cigarettes and diapers with their food stamps. And Walmart is one of the stores where i have seen this done. I also know of a small town store here in Maine that allows people to buy pizza and other hot foods with food stamps.
Very well written article, and I also do not agree with the abuse that is taking place. I have an ex that was working 2 jobs but couldnt pay his child support and then i got a letter saying he did not have to pay because he was on TANF, while still working the 2 jobs. Gotta love how people can
I found this disturbing. This young woman is very intelligent, but her heartless attitude toward the poor is very sad. Her disparaging descriptions (welfare Queen) just show exactly how the majority of R’s view the poor. Are there lazy people who could work but prefer to game the system? Of course. But I also know those folks have innocent children at home who cannot help the circumstances into which they were born. I have always worked & have never had to have assistance, but I understand and have compassion for those who simply didn’t win the family lottery. No matter how lazy some of these gamers are, I know that my life is a hundred times better & I don’t resent my tax dollars taking care of their kids. R’s are all about getting them born but don’t feel any responsibility for them once they’re here. This lady’s attitude is why I will never vote R.
I agree completely with you. I work as a cashier at a gas station that accpts EBT cards. My most cringing moment where I want to jump over the counter is when the customer brings up their gallon of milk, plethera of candy bars, little debbies, other numerous “food” items, and their half-gallon of Allen’s coffee brandy… then they ask for their Marlboros, Pall Malls or Camels and pay for their “food” items with their EBT card… I’ve actually had co-workers finish transactions before because I feel like these people need to have their teeth punched out. In fact I’ve almost denied a sale because of the amount of cigarettes or alcohol with the purchase. It makes me sick… I’m paying taxes and they get to “buy” all of these things to get messed up? What a crock of sh*t.
Drug testing for welfare – FL got it – thank you Gov Walker. The stampers shuffle their feet, too lazy to even pick them up to take a step. They speak rudely to the cashiers, buy name brand EVERYTHING & complain it’s never enough – gimme gimme gimme. I’ve seen balances on stampers’ EBT cards in front of me, up to $1000.00. I raised my own kid on $5.00/hr & took no stamps. Now, I am at the same crappy job for last 22 years and I coupon to save, with said coups eyeballed maniacally by the cashiers, while stampers get NO oversight, no questions asked. Encouraging laziness and fraud for the sake of votes is plain evil. ‘Stamps are akin to modern day slavery-style tactics & it works. And the new age slaves are quite OKAY with it all. No self respect. For themselves, their kids, or society. Sad. (for u bleeders, this post is NOT ABOUT TRUE NEED, but about cheating disgusting queens).
First, the article said help for those who need it is one thing, help for a lifetime for those who do not need it, but choose to enjoy it, is another. As for buying steaks and lobsters? Birthday cakes? Sorry!! I cannot afford those things. I will be damned if I can’t give to my family because the government takes from me and gives to someone else, and they can have what I cannot afford! Bull. A cake? A mix is less than $2, icing about the same, bake your own like I do because I cannot afford to buy one already made. This idea that those who get food stamps and aid should be allowed to use it the way they want is crap. If they want to use it the way they want, they need to earn it. If I am paying for it, I decide how it is spent. That’s how it works when you are ‘being taken care of’ because you cannot take care of yourself. Ah, parents. Nanny state. Good comparison. When you are given what you need, it does not mean you get what you want. Do I want anyone to go hungry? No! Especially not a child. However, to tell me that my tax dollars fund their soda, beer, junk food, and unhealthy foods that in turn create more illness that I also pay for is fine because it is their choice is nonsense. The government should flat out refuse to fund junk food and soda completely as well as beer and wine for that matter. All tax dollars being given to use for aid should have limits placed on how they are spent.
Christine, I am glad to see as a young college student you have an interest in issues regarding the management of our country. I hope your interest does not stop with articles but that in the future you consider correcting such problems by holding political office. This is one of the reasons I started http://www.winanelection.com.
Its tragic that some people cannot seem to, or do not care to, get off the welfare rolls. It’s costly to the nations coffers for sure. However, we also fight wars for reasons other than self-defense, and they cost us a lot more in money and human suffering.
While I agree with most of what you have to say, I would like to see you tackle corporate welfare and the cost of wars across the globe.
I know people abuse the welfare system, but not all do! Ive worked hard for everything i have in life. After being at my job for a long time, i was laid off. Its been hard over these past 2 years. If i wouldnt have had the help from food stamps, my children may have starved. Barley being able to pay my bills is stressful enough and knowing that I have the food stamps to keep my kids fed makes things less stressful. I work 2 jobs and go to school at night. I still struggle to pay my bills and i dont get much time with my kids but I know that they have food to eat. Those bad apples ruin it for the rest of us. And everyone comments about welfare calling people that have it losers or worthless, but that is not the case., I hated sucking up my pride to get help. Think to yourself what you would do if you lost your source of food. And by golly if I want to use my food stamps and buy me a steak I think I have every right too. I have paid into this just like every other working person. Not everyone is like these people you are talking about and I think people should stop stereotyping everyone based on a few rotten folks!
Wow. I don’t know what has gotten under my skin more. The article, or all the people praising such vicious portrayals of judgement. Until you’ve been there, don’t be so quick to criticize. I grew up with no worries as a child. I always had food on the table and was lucky enough to have had parents that had good jobs. When it came time to go to college, I chose to go into the military, for the same reason many men and women do that love their country. When I served my 7 years and my time in Iraq, I felt it was time to go to school so I used my G.I.Bill and college fund. Then I started a family and have two young children now. Turns out with the economy the way it is, there isn’t a great call for my trade, nor a decent enough salary to help support a good life for my children. So for the past three years I have been a full time student and with a year to go I will be a registered nurse. I have also for the last year and a half been on “food stamps”.
Now I will agree with you on the fact that fraud is a problem. Fraud is everywhere unfortunately, and isn’t going away anytime soon. Its a shame. Sounds like the “hot dog guy” may have been pulling a fast one. But until you’ve seen the man take the hotdogs directly to his cart, don’t be so quick to slander him. He could sell hot dogs because he likes hot dogs. Probably not though. Fraud is an issue.
You talked about these “EBT” users that are violating the intergrity of the welfare system by choosing to purchase steak, lobster, and birthday cakes on their ebt card. Let me tell you, I have done all three. When my son had his third birthday party, I had all I could do to pay our bills and get him an ample amount of presents. I thank the state for allowing me that right to get him a “large” birthday cake. He deserves it! I have also bought steak and lobster. It costs about $6.00 to get a lobster. Were’nt not going to Street and Company and spending $30 for it. Same with the steak. What? Are we not allowed to eat meat? The reason the rates are high, or too high to you, is because they take into account how many family members there are and what it costs in “todays” active market to properly deliver the right amount of nutrition. These high rates you talk about are very generous of the state, and I will fairly admit that its just enough to feed the family for 30 days every time. No more no less. They have done a bit of research on prices in our “fair” market to establish these “inflated” grants of assisstance you so quickly criticize.
TANF money on a womans ebt card is for women who are not receiving child support from the father and vice versa. Those are the only people who receive it. The state then, at some point, gets the money paid back by garnishing the wages of the parent who isnt paying support.
You speak about people accusing you for items that don’t ring up. They tell you its your fault. I can emphathize with you having been in customer service for ten years. It frustrating. However thats all part of the job when you sign on the dotted line. Thats probably why you’re going to Providence college right now. Thats why Im going to the Univ of Maine. So maybe my hard work can get me somewhere else.
Many people who have iphones were already in the midst of a two year contract and also its their internet. They can’t afford a computer.lligence level to me comes off very low and immature. How dare you p
Labeling someone as a Welfare Queen and judging someones inteublically shame these people. Do you think its all candy and parachutes of potpourri? No its not, and infact its quite embarrassing to have to pull out a welfare card. However the first and last thoughts in my head everyday are my children, and with todays economical downfall I thank the state for affording me assistance to get myself out. Im not abusing the system, and most of us on assisstance are not either. Whereever you go in life, richer or poorer you will find dishonest people. You said the state doesnt present any motivation for us to want to get out, but you couldnt be more inaccurate. Most of the other nontraditional students who attend nursing school with me are on assisstance. Trust me, we are very motivated. Unfortunately their are some who will always be satisfied with an EBT card, but for the majority who are using it temporarily we are not. Why punish the motivated?
I think when you sat down so eager to display your opinion, you shouldve had a PR representative take a gander. You couldve attacked this with way more class. I admire your strive to fix society. You are young and I hope you don’t have to travel down such roads. More me personally it has molded me into the man and father that I know I needed to be. When I get out of this in two more semesters I will have seen both sides and then feel I can write my own editorial on something I have first hand knowledge of. Good luck in school. I hear Providence College is real nice
This remarkable young lady needs to run for office. It’s young people like her that will need to push the old guard out and help redeem us. Thanks for the great read!
This is one of the most rude articles I have ever read. How do you know what that person has been through…or is going through?
Sounds like you were dealing with someone with disabilities. How do you know that didn’t just get out of work? And just because a guy has a card from 1991 doesn’t mean he has ben on it his whole life….. The card expired . Um, duh. BUT I’ve seen that guy with the hot dog stand…..
BY the way, you look like paul lepage. Puke.
So, we need welfare reform because of your personal disdain for welfare recipients?
so instead of complaining with the Occupy Wall Street kids about high tuition, she was working summers to make ends meet. Good for her.
This article is so eloquent and well written. I served in the army and find that those on welfare should consider joining the military instead of watching You Tube all day as this writer has so clearly explained. I think that poverty is hereditary, as well as laziness, both of which go hand in hand. It disgusts me that I served my country in Iraq and because I work for a living to support those too lazy to apply for a job at places like Walmart and McDonalds, I am made to suffer. I sure am glad I am able to protect this country of television watching bums…I am a Nurse Practitioner in and had a very young mother tell me that the state was going to give her a car so she would never have to call them for a ride to her medical appointments. Another woman told me she was going to become pregnant so she could increase her benefits. As a health care provider, people ask me to fill out disability paperework so they can maintain their benefits or actually get every cent they can from the state to continue in their current state of nothingness. This is another concerning issue for me… I work every day, giving pieces of myself to these “sick” people, and yet nearly 40% of my hard earned cash goes to this disgraceful group of good-for-nothings that we are forced to support. I am horrified every day at the laziness and entitlement in our society. What happened to this country? Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Laziness. Pathetic. Thank you for writing your observations and for sharing your views, we need more people like you, unashamed to work at Walmart and serve those draining our economy on a daily basis.
You are right Christine(author), this whole system needs to be reformed. But don’t forget about the other families who do not abuse it.
Our family is on FS & I hate it! I hate the looks I get sometimes from the cashiers, I hate the fact that I have to tell the government every detail of our life, I hate the mound of paperwork & have to send in to keep my benefits, I hate the fact that I have to depend on someone else in order to feed my family. We went a long time eating hardly anything because we didn’t want to depend on the government to feed us, but it got to the point that my children were losing weight & were not well so we had to set our pride aside. I found out that my 17 yr old son was skipping meals so that his younger siblings could eat. That broke my heart.
My husband is not a dead beat. He works super hard when he has a job, but can’t seem to get anything more than contract jobs that always run out. We have a large family & never dreamed we would be on this end of the system. A few years ago,we were the ones who gave to people & helped people so they wouldn’t have to depend on the government & now here we are. We have no home anymore & live with our parents. Our cars are total crap & hardly work. We use pay as you go cell phones. Our kids don’t ask for anything for b-day or Christmas because they know we can’t get them anything. It is horrible!
but, thanks to this little card I not only can buy healthy stuff for my kids, but treats as well. For my son’s b-day we did buy steaks to grill because he deserved it & we never eat them. We buy soda & chips & even candy. for many of our kids b-day’s that is all they got…food- because that is ALL we could get them.
Please be careful not to judge too harshly those who come through your line & pay with food stamps. You don’t know their story. But at the same time I do agree that the system is screwed up. there is no incentive to get a job & make money because every tiny cent you make they use to deduct how much you get in benefits. If my husband makes $1000 this month it all goes to bills, none of it goes for food & it won’t even cover all the bills, but because he actually made something they want to deduct how much money we get on the FS Card. They even want to know if anyone gave you money to help with bills. So, if you are totally honest you get screwed.
Honestly I am sure most of you commenting have never been on food stamps a day in your life. If they did put a year time limit then my family would starve to death in this economy, my husband has a college degree and can only get comission based sales jobs and no one is buying. I do not think the Welfare Queens acted like that because they were on food stamps, they were ghetto people and people are ghetto wheter they use it or pay with cash. Why can’t I buy soda and birthday cake? How else should I celebrate my young daughters birthdays? As far as cell phones, that is often the only phone someone has and now at Verizon you cannot even get a phone that does not require a data plan of at least $10 each month. I just think more care should be taken and we should not judge unless you have walked in someone’s shoes.
Back when I was in high school I worked at a Country Club. It was a hard job but it taught me many life lessons.
Not everyone makes their own money. Some are born on 3rd base and act as if they earned it.
Some earned it the hard way, working their way up.
Some stole it, Literally and Figuratively.
But the biggest lesson I learned is that the majority of them would do anything to ensure that they kept it and that no one else could have it.
I heard men talk about insider trading, fudging their taxes, hiding money off shore, and starting shell companies to hide profits, paying people under the table, hiring undocumented workers. All to “save a buck”
How are the people you described any different from the ones I did?
Are they not both just as guilty as each other. Are they not stealing money from those that could actually use it?
Why is there only an outrage when the poor do it?
Why do thousands rally to end welfare and food stamps, and none for tax reform?
Why aren’t the loopholes and gaps in the system closed so that everyone pays their fair share?
Because the poor can’t afford lobbyist, and the rich can.
Because the poor doesn’t own media outlets and the rich do.
I applaud you and your willingness to put your opinions out there. You strike me as a smart and inquisitive individual.
I Challenge you to find as many sources from ALL sides, when reading up on topics that catch your attention.
There is a very simple thought process that will help you in learning about the world and in dealing with others.
KNOW THAT EVERYONE HAS AN AGENDA
All political groups, news outlets, bloggers, authors, writers and commentators. They all want to get their ideas and beliefs out there. BUT, if you find the balance between the agendas, and find UN-altered sources of data, only then will you have a true picture of the issue.
Use the education that was granted to you, and dig below the surface of what is said on tv and the radio. You might find a better story underneath.
Most of what the writer states here IS NOT fraud and it seems she has never been to a point of having to use the system to survive. Not to mention Walmart is a discount store and it caters to lower income people.
Welfare fraud is when people go to the casinos and take money off their Tanf to gamble or drink. Or when they sell their food stamps for cash. Not when they buy steak, lobster or birthday cakes!
Writer, I hope you never end up in a position to where you have to depend on the state for survival!
Wel fare is BS for sure and needs reform in the form of drug testing, time limits on how long you can be on it, and random home inspections as well as strict guidelines as to what one can buy…i also think wal-mart is evil it is the third largest employer besides the chinese army and the us dept. of defense….and most of the shit sold at wal-mart comes from china so essentially if they cut off trade with the US they would be putting millions of people out of jobs…..the problem is our political representatives are too out of touch with their constituents….next debate question should be “how much does a gallon of milk, a pound of bacon, a loaf of bread, and a dzen eggs cost?” and watch their pin-heads explode
As a former employee of DHHS, I just have to correct you on one thing. Clients are actually not ‘cut off’ completely from services. In most cases, they are given ‘transitional’ benefits such as Food Stamps, MaineCare and child care-so the incentive is actually there to go back to work. The difference is they actually have to WORK to get a paycheck rather than just sitting and collecting welfare. Maine’s welfare system is horrendous. They encourage people to come from all over and collect. It’s a joke and absolutely needs reform. The Federal guidelines for TANF actually state that a person can only be on TANF for 5 years (total not consecutive) but most eligibility workers do not enforce that. I could go on and on but it’s not my article. Good work just make sure you get all the policy facts correct next time. Honestly, great work capturing this issue.
Maybe that person’s iPhone is being paid for by their job. A job where a phone is considered a “perk” or a “benefit” while they are being paid below market rate and receiving negligible raises, if any. Maybe they’ve even seen a pay cut, or been subject to mandatory furlough days. Maybe the increase in the costs of living have put them in a position where their low-paying salary can’t provide the basics for their family, but they have a company phone.
Save your judgment. I’d hope you would keep it to yourself permanently, but since that is doubtful, at least save it until you graduate and get a “real world” job and see how the corporate world works. Try to raise a family and live in that corporate world and see how it goes.
This is brilliant and scary all at the same time. Working at Kaiser Foundation Hospital, I see the same exact thing. People come into the pharmacy and raise hell about picking up their medicine if it comes with a price and he or she is on Medi-Cal. That same person will be holding a Coach purse, talking on an iPhone and have their nails done, but refuse to spend $2.48 on hydrocortisone cream for their 3-year-old child. I get outraged every time I see someone abusing the system, and I see it on a regular basis. Everyone is talking about the1% and how all their wealth is ruining this nation and how the 99% are the ones who are suffering. If you want to know why America is trillions of dollars in debt, look at the government assistance programs and all the stupid people who abuse the system. Unemployment, welfare, WIC, Medi-Cal, etc. All that stuff is just draining the money that we don’t have as a nation and THAT’S why I have no doubts that in the near future, we will go from being the greatest country in the world to the U.S. Republic of China.
I think the system is sometimes abused and probably should be revamped but it also serves a purpose. I have never been on it myself and have worked at a grocery store and watched its abuse but have also watched it allow older Americans to buy actual food when I knew that before they received their food stamps they were sometimes eating cheap catfood and saltine crackers because that was all they could afford. With the electronic food stamp card system, the system needs to ensure they are only buying actual food (or assorted items that can be used for food like seeds everywhere and fishing supplies in places like Alaska); this is why the cards were supposed to be better than the food stamps of old that could be traded like currency (because they were food stamp funny money). Maybe the system should be more like WIC that works to ensure that foods that have been deemed beneficial are on the list for use only but that would take a lot of oversight. I am not sure how to revamp the system but it is not all bad in itself; there are just people that will take advantage of any assistance and unfortunately they are the reason that when people see someone pulling out their food stamp card, they just expect that person to be abusing the system and taking advantage either. I have witnessed people treated horribly when they were trying to do nothing other than feed their families good food and just like the abuse situation, that should never happen either. One woman was treated so poorly in front of me at the grocery store one day because of her trying to use her EBT card, she broke into tears and left the store. She did not leave, she just sat in her car and cried (I could see her from inside). I told the cashier that she should not be rude to customers like that, then I bought not only my stuff but the ladies stuff and took it to her (it amounted to less than $50 and contained foods like spaghetti fixing, cereal for her kids and veggies and fruits, nothing over the top). When I took it to her, she told me that she could not accept and I told her that since I at the time had the money to help, that it was not anything other than a gift to her kids (who were there with her). She told me that her husband had lost his job after being injured and she was only able to get a part time job at a grocery store not to far away but she was shopping at this one because she was embarrassed about needing help. Her husband spends every day including weekends looking for more work and taking one off jobs but she was now afraid that they were about to lose their apartment also. This is who the system is supposed to help, people who want to work and are willing to work, just need a little help. It is also meant to help people who can no longer work (there are actually people out there like that). That is who the system should support.
I am just curious to know how the author’s Providence College education is getting paid for. Obviously not by working at walmart. Even she would tell you that if she had to pay a rent/mortgage, heat (gets pretty cold in Maine), transportation to work, internet (so she can write great articles like this one) and the various luxuries like phone, cable and edible food that she has taken for granted all these years on that walmart paycheck she would need some kind of help. But i’m sure that walmart money goes towards clothes, makeup, pizza, beer and other things the average student at PC spends their money on while someone else has their back.
Which brings me to the origanal question, how is that $50,000 a year (I am assuming board unless she is commuting from Maine daily) education getting paid for?
Possibility #1: Mommy and Daddy. When you live off a strangers hard work your a dead beat, when you live off your parents hard work your a pretty typical upper middle class kid. I’m sure she had to get decent grades to get into PC so kudos but I’m pretty sure welfare queen 1 & 2 wern’t lucky enough to have parents that could foot the bill for a privite four year college.
Possibility #2: Financial Aid. I’m sure the author is beyond accepting this type of federal welfare money so I will move on.
Possibility #3 Student Loans. Or as I like to call it, delayed reality. If $200,000 of tuition was financed soley off of long term debt than I will be the first to extend my pity to the author because even with a PC eduaction your going to be in debt for most of your life.
Possibility #4 Like most of us that went to a school we couldn’t independently afford, a combination of all 3. Which should demonstate that most of us have a dependency on someone, weather its family, government or privite enterprise. If she’s got a healthy mix of 1 and 2 than she will probobly be ok and probobly doesn’t need to be so bitter about a poor person hoping to own a vacuum cleaner.
A compelling and beautifully written essay. Thank you for contributing to an important conversation.
This is awesome, I am a reciever of the state’s help, but I appreciate it. My husband is very sick and I don’t really have a choice right now with little ones in the house. It makes me angry to see what some people buy. I make wise decisions and use coupons just like everyone else. When my girls are in school full time I will look for work and when my husband recovers from his cancer he will go back to school and get a decent job. The state needs to crack down on those able to work.
While I agree with your thinking – it has nothing to do with “voting Republican”.
Trust me, Liberals can be just as disgusted by this type of behavior as ANYONE else.
s
You really want to stop Welfare Fraud; Tell your state representitive and legislators to intoduce a BILL that states everyone on Food Stamps or EBT that as part of thier enrollment process They will be taking a DRUG?ALCOHOL TEST Monthly; Lets see how many will stay on the goverment dole when this actualy happens
Although I understand your point, learn how to write. This is NOT very well written in the least. Also, your attitude sucks. Don’t work at WalMart or you’ll hate the poor. We get it.
When I lived in Miami I saw this every time I went to the grocery store, Women paying for non nutritional foods, dressed in expensive clothes in GOLD jewelry, with their fake nails and fake eyelashes and their hair weaves, carrying coach and gucci purses while their children were all dirty and snoty nosed with ratty hair, and I stand there asking myself, which of my items i have in hand isn’t a NEED so I can afford the to buy the rest?
how is that I worked part time because I couldn’t find a full time job, I wasn’t making ends meet, I was borrowing money from this bill to pay that bill and I don’t qualify for one lick of state aid, because i had a part time job? I WASN’T earning enough to cover rent, food, gas and electric,and i wasn’t eligible for any aide yet these people who DON’T work keep their welfare benefits do?
There needs to be a cap on how long they can stay on welfare, And maybe a single woman with 3 plus children( from different fathers, a typical welfare user ) needs to be put on birth control while on state aide, Hey you want state help, well comply. and be on birth control. Look the children learn from who? Their parents, and if they grow up seeing how THINGS are done, are they going to go work, they will do what they learned from home abuse the system as well. NO One wants to work, but it’s a fact of life. I am down on my luck right now, no job, can’t find even part time, and because I have a child who lets me live with her I don’t qualify for any temporary assistance.. Go figure…
Those who really do need the help don’t get it, and I don’t understand how this welfare system works but it needs fixed. FAST
As I read this article and many of the comments following, I realize that people are missing some very important sentences in the article.
“The system in Maine is far easier to get into than in other states, and it encourages dependency. When a person makes over the limit for benefits, they lose all benefits completely.”
People do not want to see or hear it, but unfortunately, the SYSTEM has created the abusers. The abusers did not create the system.
A true story I know of, and I’m sure this is one of many like it, is that a teenager became pregnant. She chose to keep the baby and the father was right there with her. However, after a while the father deserted her in the final months of her pregnancy and she had to move home with her parents. She could not get a job because she could not get daycare. Her parents could not afford daycare, because they were already paying for diapers, formula and doctor’s visits. The young girl went to get some assistance, but the state told her and her parents that the parents were responsible for the teenager and the baby as long as they were living with the parents.
The teenager moved out with a friend, started getting TANF, food stamps, applied and received section 8, received free daycare, free clothing and help with car insurance and repairs. All this help and all she had to do was sit at home, watching tv.
A couple years later, after working to get her GED, she decided she wanted to get a job and take care of herself and her child. She found a job, working at the time for $5 an hour, minimum wage. This young girl felt great about herself. She opened a savings account and decided she would start saving for all those extras that everyone works toward.
Then her review with DHS came upon her. She told them she had a job. Things were great! Then reality hit. Because she had a job making $5 an hour, she no longer qualified for Maine care insurance, she qualified for $20 food stamps, her section 8 was decreased so she had to pay most of the rent, free daycare was taken away from her, and help with her vehicle was taken away.
She did not want everything paid for her. That was why she got a job. However, when all was said and done, she made more money sitting at home watching tv with her child in free daycare. And it was less STRESSFUL. She had NO INCENTIVE to go out and get a job and better herself. Unfortunately, 25 years later and 3 kids later she is still collecting assistance.
I know many people are going to criticize this and I understand that. I personally do not believe that people should be abusing the system. However, I also believe that sitting around and criticizing these people is not going to change things. Lots of people take the easy way out and the SYSTEM is allowing it.
I also am a cashier and see the abuse. However, I believe that talking about people buying steak, lobsters, birthday cakes and slip ‘n slides are really just a way to get people riled up and respond. Lots of people need these benefits and shouldn’t have to only eat mac and cheese, raman noodles, chop suey or cereal all month long. Right now, we need to work on the bigger issue, which is the SYSTEM, which, unfortunately has created the abusers.
darling, if you had even once purchased your own lobster with your own money, you’d know that in summer in Maine, they are often cheaper per lb than bologna!
Except that…Wal-mart itself is part of why we have such high rates of poverty in this country. Last I checked, “full-time” employment at Wal-mart is 28 hours. I used to work at a hotel in Rockport, Maine. Every other employee there worked f/t at Wal-Mart, and also worked to make up the difference at the hotel and other places to support their families. Wal-Mart is completely against its workers joining together to make policies that benefit them and their families, so the wages there usually just reflect barely above federal minimum wage. And then there’s the fact the the government gives tremendous handouts to companies, ‘corporate welfare’, http://www.citizen.org/congress/welfare/index.cfm and these corporations can’t be seen as benevolent institutions who then create jobs. In fact, most of these companies just sit on their profits, giving them to their top execs, or investing it for more profit.
To blame individuals is wrong. Most of the people who receive food stamps do work, or want to work. In fact, welfare has been mostly destroyed. Clinton instituted the welfare to workfare program. Also, is the writer arguing that children, old people, disabled people (many disabilities are invisible) should not be given any support, should be left to be homeless or starving?
Welfare is in fact, mostly a subsidy to the fact that companies aren’t willing to pay their workers a living wage that they can support themselves on. The government ends up making the difference. I believe we do not need to keep scrabbling for crumbs and hating each other, blaming each other for what we feel is unjust-that others are somehow getting away with being lazy while we work our asses off. There is enough to go around if we spread it fairly, if we stop giving corporations welfare!
She mentions that the level of government support is not proportionate to getting people out of poverty, which is true, however that is NOT the reason for governments providing support. The government generally provides not enough to live on, not even enough to feed a family with. It is true that government support is a trap, not a great solution, because it requires that people REMAIN poor. There are MANY people in Maine, and everywhere else who don’t have universal health care who require health insurance for life-saving medications and health care, who absolutely can’t risk earning over the very low minimum in order to qualify for government subsidized health coverage. We can’t keep blaming individuals for SYSTEMIC issues.
If welfare were to become more strict, and essentially “boot” people out, wouldn’t this inherently lead to more crime? I don’t see people in this position that are “not deserving” necessarily stopping at getting what they want. This just proves to be a less violent way of obtaining said things, which I’m fine with, as corporations do the same exact thing all the time. The Same. Exact. Thing. Including Wal-Mart.
That said, I’m not on food stamps. I don’t plan on being on any assistance, but I was grateful for it being there when I was a child and my mother needed it for my brother and I. I was embarrassed as hell when I had to use them too (but hey they took them at the Korean store when we needed milk and or Tasty Kakes because she couldn’t bake).
Buying food on Welfare is illegal and is a crime. Its also illegal to buy food for others. Someone stated middle class gets some kind of tax break or help, where is that at?? I am now middle class, use to be poor and on foodstamps, and trust me I got help poor but NOTHING middle class. I have four children and when I cant buy steaks to eat and others buy it because they get foodstamps, it really pisses me off. Someone says they should be able to buy what they like, are you for real?? they can buy what they like with their OWN money. But, there is honest people collecting and in need so, I am not against welfare. BUt, I can tell you I dont spend as much on food as they get in foodstamps. I was amazed at home much foodstamps they give you when I was on them; you can feed several people, more then the amount that are actually in them. This article is true in many states and is an example of self entitlement. Just because you are poor does not mean you get to spend other peoples money on what ever you want!!!
2 Thessalonians 3:10
Too lazy to work? Then you don’t need free food.
while you make good points here, I have seen FAR worse. I live in t a town where about 85% of the population is on welfare and drugs together.I live in Waterville Maine. I have seen on several occasions, people selling their food stamp money and buying drugs with it. That is a felony! I have seen one girl i used to live with, wait till he beginning of the month when she gets her TANF, then spend over half of it on weed! that money is meant to buy stuff for her kid. then she would smoke said weed, in front of her 6 year old. I got out of that situation fast! I have seen people buy food with food stamps then return it for cash, i have seen people driving mustangs ( my upstairs neighbor) brand new ones, and owing 2 other cars, but get food stamps. I’m not going to lie, i get them too, but i use them on good food for my 2 kids, I need the help because i am a full time single mother of 2 and a full-time college student also. But most of these people just sit on the butts collecting form the state. I just did 2 papers in my college writing class about the welfare abuse and it needs to be taken care of. I so agree with you.
Well you are forgetting a few key points, 1) some of the people getting wic & ebt actually NEED it & 2) the people that need help the most usually get denied from the lack of funds due to the people that do abuse the system. I lost my job afte I had my son, I worked from from the time I WAS 14 years old til I had him at 26, I paid my fair share of taxes & can I can get any any help, NO I dont “qualify” even though we’re homeless, I can only get wic help. What a great system we have.
I have 3 small children and i have a full time job but I only make $8.50 an hour and i don’t make enough to pay rent, bills and food by myself and I went up to my local DHHR to apply for foodstamps and i was denyed. BUT while i was in the waitinfg room to be seen i saw women there with just one child and were in scrubs which clearly indicates that they more than likely work in either a doctor’s office or hospital and they make more than myself, walking out of there with big smiles on their faces. But I was turned down. I have a few family members and friends that also have children and REFUSE to work and they get medical cards and food stamps and our tax money is paying for it. I don’t think that its in anyway fare that I pay money into the system to pay for dead beat ppl to lay around on their butts all day and pretty much get paid for it and I work my butt off all week , all month, every year and I go and ask for a little help and I am denied. I’m also a cashier/key holder at my job and I’ve had the same type of things said to me. I’ve had ppl get very upset becasue they can’t buy energy drinks with their EBT cards or some candys. Thats not my fault maybe you should bring some cash along with you just in case. And its really not fair that the customer can stand there and cuss you and call you names and all you can do is stand there and let it happen. That is degrating to the cashier and because these companies are scared to loss money they alllow it to happen. Theres a lot of things that are wrong with the way employeers allow their employees get treated. Our world id headed for Hell very quickly.
Worked at a grocery store in NY for years before moving to maine. The families with their lavish westechester county attire, their babies wearing ugg boots would come in and hand me their WIC checks, give me their Venezuela ID cards, and didn’t speak enough english for me to explain to them that my store tiny little store did not have the equipment nessecary to accept WIC.
Like you mentioned. talking on their Iphones not giving a shit. meanwhile people i know who DO need assistance, who were born and raised, Including a military family, cant get it.
sick
I agree with some parts in this article but only some. THis girl doesnt know the reason behind these people having welfare. Oh yeah people cheat the system, but they always will. But most really need assistance. I have EBT and believe me, if I could find me a job, then i would surely give it up. I hate going in and using my foodstamps. BUt hey, until i got laid off, I paid into the system and have every right to use it in my time of need! I work 2 jobs and go to school and still have problems paying the bills so it nice to know that my children have food to eat! So before you judge someone, little girl, you first need to know their situation. and if you dont, then you should keep your opinions to yourself
In regards to the comment about the iPhone–it’s easy to judge when you don’t know the whole story. I am on EBT, and I have an iPhone. It was much cheaper to cut off our home phone, cut off our Internet, and get an iPhone. I have my own business and run it with my iPhone. And, sometimes the older iPhones are a lot less than $200.
I don’t disagree that there is a problem, but just wanted to point this out. For those of us who don’t abuse the system, we don’t like to see incomplete perspectives like this. I guess my pride doesn’t allow me to be classified with other people who do abuse, simply because I have an iPhone.
Thanks!
Sandy
A few thoughts from former cashier at Wal*Mart (09-10), and a progressive (I found this post on facebook from a conservative friend).
*There are people who do ‘abuse’ the system. I’ve seen people come in and use their welfare money for cigarettes before. That obviously is a terrible waste of that money. As a taxpayer who has money going towards welfare recipients, I think I should have a say if they can buy something so harmful as cigarettes. Or we should restrict how much sugar they are intaking. DIabetes is a serious issue in this country costing taxpayers millions of dollars in healtcare fees through medicare and medicaid. If we can limit what people buy with WIC, then we can add the same limitations to unhealthy products (cakes, cookies, soda, etc)
*I have also seen people get $800+ in food stamps, and then buy several hundred dollars worth of entertainment products with cash. If you have $60 for an X-box game, then you can afford to buy $60 worth of groceries with cash and not food stamps.
*Although I can name instances of abuse, I can tell you that for 10 people, there is one abuser and nine people who use it honestly. How much money would really be saved by overhauling the system? Would it be offset by administrative costs used to track and reform? It seems like the only real way to ensure that abuse is stopped and there isn’t burden on the taxpayer is to cancel all forms of welfare. This, of course, is radical and will do more harm than good.
*What is the economic cost of revamping the system? Imagine this scenario. Since the author mentioned Maine, let’s talk about Maine. Lobster is popular in Maine (or so the media portrays. I am a midwestern boy, myself, so I don’t know!). Let’s say we have 1 Million people on welfare in Maine (maybe that is too high or low. WHatever, its just an example). Now, let’s say that, in accordance to the views of everyone, that every welfare recipient lives the high life and buys lobster with food stamps. Lets assume that these lobsters cost $11. $11 X 1 million= $11,000,000 (easy math, yay!). Now I am not sure how much money the lobster industry in Maine brings in, but if these people buy lobster twice a month, then that is 22 million dollars per MONTH taken away from the Lobster industry. Who loses out? Those people who work in the lobster industry! How many jobs might be lost over that?
*There is also the economic cost to the stores. Lets say each person has $100 dollars to spend on food. The normal person has to figure tax into that, welfare recipients do not. Welfare recipients can buy 100$ worth of groceries. Other people can buy 90$ dollars worth of groceries, and pay 10$ worth of tax. The sad truth is that for stores like Wal*Mart, there is a lot of business done there by people on welfare. The store I worked probably had 45% of its customers on some sort of welfare. How much money would they be losing out if we did something drastic? How many jobs would be lost because of that?
So what is the solution? I have no freaking idea. On one hand we know that there is abuse, and it would seem like a good idea to work in some sort of restrictions and abuse prevention. On the other hand, we don’t want to drastically cut off this aid, because it will have a big economic toll on people. So where is the middle ground on this?
“Pissed Off” claims to run his own business, yet his family is on food stamps.
Applying elementary logic to the information provided, I can only conclude that this guy sucks at running a business and should probably go work for someone else.
I hear Wal-Mart is hiring.
Hi, Christine- Two questions for you…..1) Did you report the fraud? And 2) Why are you working for a big corporation like Wal Mart that doesn’t pay well and depends on welfare folks for its money? Your friend, Jean-Marie
Yes, there needs to be welfare reform there’s no denying that. Yet, basing it off the minority is a ridiculous notion!
If you truly want too see change, start giving these people on welfare options for education. Whether it’s for a GED or an associates degree. By bettering them and having them educated it gives them a chance to break the cycle.
I remember when the job i had went away because of the owners who bankrupted the business. Applies for unemployment and started receiving it and I decided to go back to school if I wasn’t able to find a job very quickly.
Of course I was still open to working part time or at least work when I was not in class, yet the unemployment claim after I had gone back to school was denied because I wasn’t available for certain hours in the day.
The systems are seriously flawed yet I can hardly blame any of them for committing some sorts of fraud to at least give their children something they probably never had. Like a nice birthday party.
Also, it should be noted that even a lot of the people I worked with in Wal*Mart were on welfare, though they put in 32-40 hours per week. It was sad to see CMS’ and assistant managers have to use food stamps! But people have that need, and we as a civil society should provide the need.
Let me state first that I agree wholeheartedly that there needs to be serious welfare reform. I don’t disagree with a thing that was said in this post except for one: “This is a reminder of why I vote republican.”
I do not vote republican (for the most part) because what the republicans have become don’t represent what republicans once did. I vote for Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe because they tend to be true republicans, but what the party has become is something akin to a party driven by religious beliefs which don’t belong in politics.
I believe that there should be a complete separation of Church and State. Even within the Christian faith, there are different factions that believe different things. These factions even partake in wars with each other in parts of the world. Let’s not forget the violence that was rampant in Ireland between the Catholics and the Protestants.
I don’t want anybody telling me what I should believe nor do I wish to force what I believe onto anybody else.
I cannot stand behind a party as a whole that wishes to discriminate against a group of people who should have the same rights as everybody else. I feel that is bringing religion into politics – and more so, only a particular interpretation of that particular religion.
I try to vote for people instead of voting for parties.
My idea candidate is somebody who believes that all people, regardless of religion, race, or sexual orientation are provided the same rights. This candidate would believe that education is one of the top priorities for government spending, that welfare needs serious reform, that we truly get the government out of the lives of people, that tax breaks on major corporations and oil companies be retracted, that the 1% is taxed at a higher rate and that loopholes that prevent such people from being taxed correctly be examined.
It is important that we heed human rights and remember the words attributed to Benjamin Franklin:
“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
Right now, the Republican party is so determined to instill fear that they are convincing us that we should have some of our rights taken away for our own safety. I’d rather have my freedom than the start of something that could lose us both our freedom and our personal safety.
I have used an EBT card for food. There is no stipulation about what type of food you must buy with the card. You have a certain amount loaded on the card and when it’s gone, IT’S GONE. Period. So if you choose to eat steak for one or two meals that is your choice, however, it’s probably wiser to make it stretch. What bothers me is that some people get SO MUCH money for food each month while my son, 76 year ol mom and I get less than 300.00/month. My mom was told if she applied separately she would get 40.00/month. This is an old woman who lives on social security (less than 1000.00/month). I have NEVER qualified to get EBT cash or anything else.
If you can’t figure out a new vaccum is worth more than 3.98 you are just plain STUPID. Or, they think the cashier is stupid OR just to see if they can badger the manager to give it away for less that 4.00. These women you talked about are IGNORANT and SELFISH! There is no self servie swipe machine in the store on which to check a balance. You have to go to customer service (and probably stand in line) BEFORE you shop (if you have lost your receipt with remaining balance) and ask her to set up the swipe machine so you can check. Or call the number on the card it gives the balance. Make it simple, have a check swiper you can use yourself instead of standing in line.
Customers like that are rude, self-centered, ignorant people who don’t give a rats ass about anyone but themselves and THEIRS. Those are the give me, give me, give me’s and the world owes me a living. I can see why they ticked you off.
Yes you are spot on. Welfare needs reforming because there are lots of people who need help like EBT cards who can’t get them because they are the right color. While EBT cards are automatically doled out to people of color.
I think it’s funny, so many welfare recipients and other commies have commented saying they “deserve this and that” and crying about equality. I’m paying for their welfare with my tax dollars and I can’t even afford what these people think they deserve. They’re no better than common street thugs who rob you at gunpoint.
I do think the author is judgemental, at the same time that doesn’t mean that these problems do not exist
most infuriating of all of these comments is this bitch right here :
apehart says:
December 13, 2011 at 8:40 pm
I am on welfare. Screw you people. I have 4 kids and don’t want no stranger raising them. I have 4 baby daddies who don’t pay no child support to me. The thing is that the other kids in school all have nice cell phones to text each other.
I demand cell phones for my kids.
I have four kids.
Why should my kids be looked down upon by your kids?
I demand a cell phone for each of my chlldren so they can call 911. Skool should not be demanding homework but give out iPads to help my kids.
This Christmas, their Skool gave me an iPad and I said that I got three other kids what do you expect them to do share? It is not fair.
If I had a job and was a tax payer I would be so mad right now.
you should learn to close your legs no one owes you or your bastards I-pads, you are not entitled to our hard-earned money because you like to irresponsibly fuck
i have six children and my husband works 6 days a week to pay for our beautiful home, van, food, clothes and everything else. No one owes you a fucking Ipad or cell phone, it is the self-entitled shaniquas of this country that our bringing it down, no wonder all their offspring turn to gang-banging
FOUR baby daddies? Really? One would think you would have learned after the first two tricks that you might have set some standards for yourself, apparently not, welfare cunts like you should not have children and should be made to fucking lick the streets clean for your benefits. PA is meant tor those who need assistance after hard times, not for whores who like to fuck but don’t like to work
Word of advice—–start charging per fuck so we don’t have to pay for it lazy bitches like you devalue women and our ruining this country, Get a fucking JOB Shaniqua, you are fucking DISGUSTING and try being fucking GRATEFUL if your kid’s school gave him an I pad be fucking GRATEFUL for it and YEAH MAKE YOUR BASTARDS SHARE IT FOR CHRIST’S SAKE
no one owes you a living, if you chose to fuck men who don’t give a shit about their offspring that is called YOUR bad decistion not hard-working tax-payers problem you lazy bitch
Now on from the low-life as she is a perfect example as to why welfare needs reform
Not everyone on welfare or foodstamps started out that way, so I really don’t think it is reasonable to expect that recipients walk around in rags. I saw someone mentioned a fur coat, that very well could have been a gift or perhaps she bought it prior to collecting benefits. Not everyone is a moocher and many have lost their jobs and are now in need, that doesn’t mean they should have to sell their tv’s or go without decent clothing, many had their nice shit before losing their jobs. There is a difference between people like that and the cunt above who thinks she should fuck and we all should pay for it because she made 4 bad choices in fucking any tom dick or harry to reproduce
She should be the poster child for fucking birth control, We earn our money and will have a hard Christmas for the first time ever due to his job taking away Christmas bonuses this year, but we will have a Christmas regardless
I also don’t think it is anyone’s business what others eat no matter how it is paid, though I do concede Lobster is a bit ridiculous, sadly the kids of these parents buying lobster will probably miss several meals so Mommy and Daddy can have lobster, what a shame, As far as steak goes I wouldn’t call steak extravagant as it can be bought on sale most times and depends of the cut, we don’t collect any fucking thing, and with 6 kids we still can afford steak, though i admit i buy it when it is on sale or buy one get one free
SHANIQUA you are NOT entitled to shit just because you chose to spread your legs for bums who don’t pay child support, get a fucking job and stop fucking you low-life bitch
So, your definition of “massive fraud and abuse” is:
People who rely on public benefits longer than you believe is reasonable
People who use their own earnings to purchase alcohol
People who have modern cell phones
People who make food purchases you don’t approve of
People who get upset when their benefits unexpectedly run out
People who you think are dumb
Does that cover it? Let’s talk again when you graduate and can’t find a job.
First off you are grouping ALL people on welfare into one category. I work full time and take over time when possible, but I am raising a teenager and a child with major emotional and sensory issues that need me at home so working a second job just isn’t going to work. I have no family to help with childcare are helping to take care of my younger one when he is sick. Even thought I work full time and I work a job doing over nights so I can be available for my son during the day if he needs me I still do not make enough money to be off welfare. I do happen to get a lot of pre-packaged food which I admit isn’t always the best but it is quicker and easier. I am trying to learn how to prepare meals in advance. I have never gotten child support for my oldest son who I had at age 19 and will never get support from his father because he is is on welfare for a social anxiety issue. Now in order to get welfare I have to be working or going to school or volunteer 40 hours a week to get my $200 a month i food stamps. My oldest sons father gets food stamps, Maine Care, housing and cash in the amount of about $500 a month. He is NOT required to go to school, work or even go to counseling even though he has been arrested several times for drug and alcohol related issues. These are the issues that need to be addressed. If he were required to pay child support I may not need the food stamps anymore. But because he has NEVER worked a day in his life and NEVER paid into social security my son gets no benefits from social security and his father is exempt from paying child support, this to me is where the biggest welfare re-form needs to take place with the social security system that allows drug and alcohol dependent people and mentally ill,to remain on the system and not have to do anything to try and get well. The people with Bi-polar aren’t required to do anything unless they choose to. yet it is well known that with the correct meds. and therapy they can lead very self sufficient lives and work certain kinds of jobs. I wish people would stop blaming single mothers on welfare, there has been a lot of re-form to try and get them off welfare sometimes they just aren’t qualified to work high enough paying jobs to be out of the poverty level or there are other reasons you don’t know about that are keeping them there.
Judgemental…
You simply can’t tell people how to spend beyond the parameters already established…you may not agree with their steak purchase. HOWEVER,suspected ABUSE should be reported! The guy buying hot dogs (runs a hot dog stand) is abuse, but buying a birthday cake is another.
Singed with a graduate degree.
Jenn
Temper your ignorance with education:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaming_the_victim
So where are these families supposed to get jobs? In florida right now tons of people are living in cars I think stating people who are customers as questionable clientele is very judgemental of you, if you dont know someone or you know someone for a few minutes and call them questionable is basically saying they are suspicious or guilty of something you think they are a certain way when you should be more openminded, i also wonder if you even have children or know how hard it is on these families to raise them, also you should judge people (well you shouldn’t) but if your going to do it do it on an individual level and no you dont have all the answers so dont act like you do by making this propaganda why didnt you bring up the nice family on foodstamps probably because your so biased you didn’t consider it and that makes you a hater, I worked at walmart for a while and I hardly ever got yelled at so people are probably picking up on your judgemental tendancies good luck in life and I hope you become a more aware person.
Forget about voting Republican unless it’s Ron Paul. Libertarians do not believe in entitlements. If you really want change, vote for a Libertarian and get your money and your freedom back.
We had serious welfare reform in 1996. It was turned from a federally managed program into block grants to individual states and states were empowered to establish, administer and enforce their programs as they saw fit. You don’t like how your state runs their program? Your state has a welfare abuse hot line. Call it.
These are harsh times and it’s easy to criticize when resources are scarce. But try not to be judgmental, you do not know the life story of these people.
And did you know, as of 2009, the average duration of welfare cases across the united states was 2.5 years? Hardly indicative of widespread abuse. Although abuse does happen, it is no where near as common or widespread as the most vocal critics want you to believe it is.
It’s people like this (meaning the welfare queens) that give me (a single working mom) a bad name. I bust my butt at work to provide for my child without help from her father. I get food stamps because without them I wouldn’t be able to feed my child. I also get Mainecare because my ex husband doesn’t provide ins for his daughter like he’s supposed to, but I also have my own private insurance that I pay for our of pocket as primary because I refuse to depend on the state. I agree with the limitations for welfare, and I have to fill out paperwork every 6 months to make sure I still qualify.
Welcome to America, where no one is held accountable. If the person that issued the food stamp card, actually audited their monthly purchases this foolishness would have been stopped a LONG time ago. Problem is, many Americans are lazy. Period. We act like we are too good to work certain jobs, too good to wear certain clothes, too good to share a common space with another person that’s perceived or deemed as having a lower stature then themselves, etc.. Our priorities as a country are ass backwards.
TO: Brandon who wrote “I also work for Wal-Mart in Maine, and its the same thing day in and day out. What I find even more comical is when the welfare moochers bring in piles and piles of coupons, to save money on the money that the state gives them every month? Its one thing if you are financially unstable and are unable to afford groceries upon all your other finances. I’m actually excited that Paul LePage is going to do something about this (first time I’ve ever agreed with him), but something seriously needs to be done.”
Really? You work at Wal-Mart, but you don’t know that the money that is discounted by using coupons is paid back by the MANUFACTURERS, not YOU. I would much rather see someone on Welfare using coupons, rather than just paying full-price for an item. This goes to show that they are trying to spend the money they recieve wisely. They will get more for the money provided, but at least they are trying. To me, this would at least help to show them how they can save money, if they do get off of welfare, in order to provide for themselves.
I couldn’t agree with this article more. This issue resides in every state, but I don’t know that there will ever be a resolution. I am 27 and I live in TN. My husband and I work full-time and we have a 16 month-old son. As everyone knows, the economy sucks. Diapers and formula didn’t pay for themselves, but not once did I even think about trying to get WIC or Welfare. My child is MY responsibility. If you’re responsible enough to conceive a child, you should be held accountable for your actions. I understand people lose their jos, insurance and sources of income. However, those are so many who never had any intentions of even getting a job. Why bother when you can have your groceries, health insurance paid for and government housing for $17? Yet, you can afford to take the money that was given to you (courtesy of my pay check) for YOUR children and have your 2 cell phones, a $200 cable bill, your hair done, nails done, wearing a $100 pair of shoes while your child is dressed in hand-me-downs. SHAME ON YOU! It’s not MY fault you have 3 kids my three different daddy’s. Instead of people turning “Walk a mile in my shoes” against one’s that aren’t on welfare, they should turn it right back on the ABUSERS of the system (note that I said nothing about the one’s who NEED it due to hardships). Get up every day, get ready, get your child ready and go to work for 8 hours (doesn’t include the 2 hours of rush-hour traffic)! Then, once you do get your paycheck, take a close look at the taxes that come out (This is what ends up in your pocket). Not to mention, the health insurance you pay for out of every check to provide health insurance for your family (this includes the child(ren) YOU concevied)!!! This doesn’t include mortgage or rent(you know, that $17 a month), the electricity bill, gas bill, water bill (all inclusive in the $17 rent). Cable and cell phones are a luxury, not a necessity. That is unless you’re a drug dealer. In that case, I guess it would be a necessity. WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES, then we’ll talk!!!!
way to go CHRISTIAN! The right attitude and a much better opinion.
Funny that you would mention Former Governor Dukakis of Massachusetts. I am from Massachusetts, and after reading your first few sentences, I was reminded of some comments once made by his successor, William Weld. It’s been a long time since I heard them, so I paraphrase, but it was something like “welfare is intended to be a springboard, not a hammock”. My own political ideologies were still developing at that point in my life, and that simple remark had a great deal of influence on me. To this day, I believe the Republican party is the party of common sense.
While I’m here, I’ll also mention (like so many others) that I am very impressed with your article. I stumbled upon your blog for the first time today, but I can see that you’re a bright, well-spoken woman with some great things to say. I’m also impressed by the number of comments this article has received so far. It’s great to see your sensible ideas reaching so many people. Keep it up!
I am taking a class on welfare right now and this piece is very biased and unfair. Do a little non-biased research, with compassion or not. I highly recommend reading “Flat broke with children” to understand that welfare reform already took place, and so far it has left more people than ever on welfare. It is a flawed system, don’t always blame the individuals! You will end up oppressing yourself that way too.
thats why you vote republican? what about the four past governors who were republican and didnt do &*^%, quit your whining like its a republican or democrat reason for lousy policies, its BOTH sides that have the issue.
Good article up until you feel the need to show which side you support, we dont need or care which side you vote on, however we do care about the issues you bring up.
Awesomeness in writing. You’ve done a great job of exposing what the average consumer may see from time to time, and this article is no doubt going to become a sensation. Kind regards, womanontheright
Even worse in the liberal entitlement state of New York. Crap, we even pay the soda deposit and soda tax, and when folks buy carts full of soda for their kids graduation party that is a lot of tax money pee’d awa. You think that these moochers would at elast give the state the 5 cent deposit back!
This is amazing! I worked at Kroger in Michigan for four years and everything you have written hear rings true for my experience. Add onto it however, that I witnessed a guy buy over 10 packages of pop (each with six to twelve cans/bottles inside) on his food stamps and then go out to his car and dump it all in the parking lot. He then came in, returned the bottles and bought a pack of cigarettes. Absolutely disgusting! I wanna help people out too, but there need to be more regulations and more hoops to jump through to get help.
I couldn’t agree more with this article. It makes me furious when I see people in line at the grocery store with a grocery cart full of mostly all junk and then eating nothing but steak, shrimp, and lobster – and I am paying for it – yet I can’t even afford that luxury too often AND MY HUSBAND AND I WORK!!!!!! There is something wrong with this picture – why am I going without so that they can live high on the hog? If you are capable of working – GET A JOB!!!!! I don’t care what it is – just get a job!!!!! Obviously the people who are engaging in this fraud are not going to change on their own – and all they are doing is teaching it to their children – the government needs to wake up and take care of this ASAP!!!!!
while there are many, many people abusing the system, I believe some things need to be set very straight! First of all, none of these programs should be abolished but most definitely reformed. You NEVER know someones’ personal situation and to say that the mother of 5 whose husband was killed in Iraq shouldn’t receive any assistance because one cannot learn to share is childish and goes back to the basics we learn as children to “play well with others” and second, medicaid and ss taxes aren’t for others they are paid for YOU and YOUR retirement as well! Food stamps is a federally funded program and so is state insurance which is why (and I worked in a dr’s office so can say this factually) the majority of states are in debt to doctors because they cannot pay the bill, well, if you are paying taxes how is this so? Because you don’t pay for this! To prohibit someone who is unable to afford the luxury of college and a 65,000 + a year salary any assistance to get a HAND UP is sad, disgusting and NOT what we should represent…..If you were to lose your job today and be unable to afford anything and someone said we can help do not for one single second tell me you would choose being homeless and hungry over putting your “pride away”. Everyone deserves help at some point in their life and to want to take it away altogether, well, I can only pray that you are never kicked while you are down, spit on when asking for help, or have to face your children when they cry for warmth, shelter, or food. Everyone is as unique as their situation and judgement will only get you as far as your front door, it will keep you small-minded, bitter and hateful towards those you will never understand.
@Elisabeth – are you seriously justifying buying a bakery cake for a child? Only if it were illegal to actually bake your own cake could that be considered a wise choice. Maybe you’ll find it truly amazing that many children have actually survived a birthday with *gasp* a cake mix boxed cake and homemade frosting.
And steaks for an anemic child? A variety of foods can provide great sources of iron: meats; egg yolks; broccoli, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables; dried peas and beans; blackstrap molasses; raisins; and whole-grain bread. I’m trying to stay away from sarcasm, but it’s hard. . . . . . . .
And all those people spending EBT money at your place of business keep your stupid azz employed. Just scan the groceries chick, how people pay is none of your business. Lets just say we cut the EBT program completely. You lose your little gig and your parents 401K goes in the crapper. Walmart is making a Fortune off of these transactions and they are one of the DOW’s largest companies. Do you have any clue how much Wal-mart would lose if those program were cut? Of course you don’t because that would be real Journalism.
Hello all I have read this article and hope so hope this young woman never falls from grace…First the man you said was on FS your whole life how do you know that he was not a vet who got hurt and cant work receives social security and is eligible for FS…and I have seen the EBT card and all you people who think that people are on FS how do you know they look just like debit cards to me just like from my bank…AND some people that are on FS could also have a full-time job and still be able to receive help…I was a single mom that had a really good job and not on the system (as you call it) but your so called Government reminded me that I was not able to live that dream…I did fall on hard times lost my job and then only job I could get was one that paid me less then what I was making so yes I used them and even though I didnt buy lobster or steak I did find that being on FS you cant eat a health as one wants…the price of food is going up and in order to feed you family for a month you have to make sacrifices. Now the queen #1 that was spending $400 how do you not know that she is buying for the month not just a party…enjoy your life and again hope you never have to use the system
Less than 2% of all people on welfare in the USA commit fraud.
“The myth of the Cadillac-driving welfare queen who defrauds the system lingers even though there’s no proof of it”, said Erin O’Brien, a poverty expert at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
In fact, welfare fraud among Philadelphia’s 95,456 recipients is “minute,” according to Peter Berson, assistant chief of the government fraud unit in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
The 200 to 400 cases of welfare fraud in the city each year – down 50% since 2002 because of better enforcement and fewer recipients – are not nonworking women having babies to game the government, but working women receiving welfare and working at other jobs without reporting the income, Berson said.
In conclusion, the rate of welfare fraud is so low as to almost not be worth mentioning. The next time you hear an allegation of welfare fraud, ask to see the hard facts. Anecdotes are just that, and urban myths develop quickly. In hard times, Americans blame the poor.
The facts tell me that 98 out of 100 people on welfare are not defrauding the system. Ninety-eight out of one hundred welfare recipients you meet are honest people who are struggling. Isn’t it time we dropped the stigma? You would be much better served to rail against Corp. welfare then to demonize your fellow citizens that are already walking a very hard road.
PS: Tired of seeing people using someone elses food stamp card. Cashiers have to at times punch in the account numbers. The gender and or ages do not always match the photo. There should be a finger print verification, only the ONE approved user for that account can use it. No mroe sharing of accounts
I completely agree, I went through the same kind of crap my freshman year of college. I worked at a grocery store as well. My personal favorite was the lady who came through my line with a Prada purse and an iPhone (this was back when they had JUST came out and cost like $500). I found it peculiar that she had to pay for her food with EBT. Absolutely infuriating.
If we, the tax payers, don’t like seeing welfare recipients spending “our” money on expensive steaks vs hamburger meat and extravagant birthday cakes vs cake mixes to take and bake their own, then we, the tax payers, should be able to call the shots. When ever someone else is putting out the money for you they have the right to call the shots. And if the welfare recipients don’t like going with out steak and extravagant birthday cakes, then maybe that would encourage them to get a job so no one could tell them what they can buy or not buy. That’s the way the system should work. People tend to not like restrictions and quite possibly would get the idea that if they work and quit living off of other people’s money they could buy what ever they pleased with out having to answer to anyone or feel anyone’s scorn for their choices.
Great job!
Very well written, I worked at Rite Aid for three years as both a cashier and a pharmacy tech so I am witness to this exact type of situation.
As someone who personally receives food stamps, I tend to agree with some of what you’re saying. However, I take a bit of exception to your point ‘c’ regarding so-called “extravagant” food purchases. Granted, regular purchase of such things is absurd and wasteful, but just because someone is poor doesn’t mean they need to be reminded of that constantly. And people such as yourself, Miss Born-in-1991, have a lot of living to do before you are in any position to be looking down your noses at us.
Ten years ago when I was making $60K I may have shared more of your opinion, but after several major life events and job losses, salary and wage reductions, and more than a year receiving assistance in the form of food stamps, I have a different point of view. And I have purchased a birthday cake or two so that my children don’t have to see their Daddy as the pathetic excuse that you seem to view us, and I have used food stamps to buy a large rib roast and cut into steaks myself at half the cost of buying steaks individually.
I’m sorry, but I can’t agree that two summer jobs at a store gives you much of a platform to stand on and look down on others. It barely gives you any insight at all. If all you had was a summer job, and were attending college, you haven’t even lived in the real world yet, in my opinion.
nice job
I used to work in Retail as well. I have witnessed far worse than Welfare abuse, such as scams on returns, stolen merchandise, fraudulent checks, counterfeits and just down right rude people. However, I must say while all this does occur, we do have to remember that this is not every single individual out there. I used to have a hard time doing returns on items I knew were stolen and I got even more mad when they had the audacity to make a scene when I knew and they knew they were wrong. What kept me going is the thought that the percentage of these kind of people is minimal compared to the honest ones. We have to remember while the statistics appear to be high, the abuse is only a fraction. Don’t get me wrong, witnessing system abuse in any way can be very frustrating, I say that out of personal experience. But on the other hand, not every single person is abusing the system. Why should we focus on all the bad and negative? How many people list the good and positive? People that abuse Welfare and scam-artists are not the only people that reside in our world. Instead of trying to renovate a decaying world, we should focus and the good and work to complete a great world as Wallace Wattles states.
You lost me at “Welfare Queen”. Its hard to look objective when you say things like that.
The more I read your stories the more that sound slike the same old conservative drivel – antecdotes but no actual statistics. Coupled with the above, I wonder to myself – how much of this is real?
Nikki, Steak is an extravagant item people who work for a living rarely buy it because of the cost. Lobster is even more extravagant most people who work for a living only buy this type of item once a year and maybe not even then. Birthday cakes are fine as long as they are within reason. People on welfare should have to take budgeting classes and should be required to do some kind of community service for what they are getting for free. Too bad if it would be beneath them to do things like sweep the streets or pick up trash in parks. They might get some pride out of it and think they would want to make a living instead of mooching. Having one child after another should not be rewarded either, if you continue to have children even though you cannot afford to feed the ones you have you should be cut off. This will disway people from having more children into a life of poverty. Certainly, people need help once in a while and most people who have any kind of work ethic would get off of welfare as soon as possible because no one should live off of others.
they need to stop paying for a child to be born,if u r on welfare u should not be getting preggo,make welfare clients work for their city to pay back what they get unless u r disabled and on disability, city can use extra hands like keeping streets clean of animal poo shoveling snow lawn care ect…..i see people with a ton of kids on welfare ( wow ) and who paid for these kids to be born? ebt card should only be used and restricted for bill payment and household cleaning and personal hygene items. they can put a restriction on these cards and show proof of reciepts with their signature on them call landlords of rent paid for proof if needed a little extra work from the state/govner employee’s won’t hurt. welfare needs to be reformed better before there is nothing left.
I completely agree with this writer. I knew a lady in California who got laid off in 2009 because the construction business took a big hit in this economy. She went on unemployment for over two years while she looked for the “right job.” She was offered jobs but turned them down because “they didn’t make as much as her original job did” and because her “unemployment checks are more than that.” ARE YOU SERIOUS! This is the mindset of people nowadays… instead of being embarrassed to be taking help from tax payers, and taking a job at McDonald’s, just to get off her unemployment, she was off turning down jobs and taking trips to Mexico and Disneyland and eating out all the time. I understand this isn’t the case for everybody, but there is a lot of examples like this. Now-a-days you don’t see people on welfare for a few months while they get back on their feet. You see generation after generation falling into this sad habit.
Yes, instead of buying a $20 birthday cake every other month for your 6 kids, buy them a cupcake! They don’t care! I agree with a lot of these people seeing the fault in buying steaks and lobsters with your food stamps. That is not the purpose of food stamps. It is to help you make ends meet while you get yourself off your feet while you work your ass to get there. Taxpayers who are even making your precious food stamps possible are more entitled to those steaks and lobsters, since it IS their MONEY you are using to purchase such luxury items.
Get a job and buy all the steak and lobster you want!!
I will be the first to agree that welfare does need major reform. However, all of you ignorant people who call welfare recipients “moochers” and “losers” and “lowlifes” just remember how you’re judging these people if and when you happen to come in need of assistance yourself. And as for the author, you should be embarrassed of how condescending you sound. Calling the women welfare queens is not only rude, it shows how ignorant and judgmental you are as a person. Here’s something to chew on: instead of writing petty articles that only a few people read regarding the welfare system needing changed, go out and become an activist for change. Then you can really get a good insight as to how the system needs changed and THEN you can complain about it needing changed. If you want change, seek it.
Fron Christine’s Facebook page: Activities: College Republicans; Favorite Books: Ann Coulter’s “Guilty: Liberal “Victims” and Their Assault on America”; Inspirational people: Ronald Reagan. Hmmmm…I wonder if she had any preconceived notions about poor folks BEFORE she started working at Walmart???
Oh, & she’s a YANKEES fan…
https://www.facebook.com/christine.rousselle
ps…fast food joints and liquor stores need to stop accepting EBT cards!!
Humility is good. Yes, many people do need assistance. What this young lady was doing was stating the cold hard truth about people who ABUSE the system. She clearly states that she understands people do need help, but when it’s so blatantly shoved in your face…no matter where you work or who you’re in line behind…it sucks.
Totally agree that our welfare system needs to be fixed. Totally DO NOT agree with many commenters’ views of these people as inferior to themselves, or whatever other form of “I am better than these Wal-Mart people” mentality they choose to indulge in.
Jesus died for all of us. In His eyes we are no better than any of those people. In His eyes we are all sinners — and He loves each and every one of us enough to have died for us. So when we look down on other people, no matter the reason, we are looking down on someone Jesus loves and sees as worthy of His death on the cross.
I’m not perfect, and I have a tendency to judge people far too quickly, but I hope I am letting Him change my heart so that I see people with His love instead of my own judgment.
Now, how you live that out is between you and God. It is my hope that He’ll spur us on to “love and good deeds” to help these people. In the very least, pray for them. But then also put feet to your prayers (and I’m preaching to myself here, too.)
Stacy A
What an excellent post young lady
I hope your time in Maine was nice besides being witness to all the crap you saw. It just stinks that things have come to the point that they have. Unfortunately, while it is the fault of the people abusing….it is also the fault of those in charge of these programs to make sure this kind of sh** doesn’t happen…..oh but then I need to remember they are government workers and I’m sorry to say, government workers have too many benefits and too many days off. If they were in private business, work would get done and there would be a lot less of this criminal type exploitation of our tax dollars. YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB ON THIS ARTICLE! Kudos and hugs from Maine 
It amazes me that I read about 100 comments in this article and most of the people arguing in support of food stamps do not understand the point of food stamps. Here are a few examples that really stuck out. The guy that said he pays more in taxes than she made the whole time she worked at Walmart but his wife’s ex husband didnt pay child support for her 3 children so she deserves food stamps. I should not have to pay for her children to eat because her ex husband doesnt and if her new husband makes that much money then why does she still receive them. Next is the I could not afford to go to college and raise my kid so I got food stamps group. Food stamps were not meant to support you through college, if you have a kid or not. You may not have chosen to have a kid but you did and you need to live with that. If that means you can’t afford to go to college than so be it. College is not a right and I should not have to pay for your food while you go because you cannot afford to. If you can’t afford both then I guess college is out of the question for you. That is life. The third and final group is the it is my money and I can do what I want with it group. One it is not your money, it is the taxpayers money. I am not saying that you should be limited to what you can buy but if you can afford to pay a monthly cell phone bill, even if it is only $25 then you should not be on food stamps. That is $25 that you can use toward your food bill. I’m pretty sure that is not the only “right” that you feel you are “entitled” to that we could cut from your monthly budget as well. Some people, not all, seem to think that the tax payer needs to help you make ends meet so that you can be like everyone else. Unfortunetly (being completely sincere) you can not. Food stamps were meant to help people so that they did not starve while they were struggling. Not allow them to live like everyone else. I am not saying that everyone abuses the system but many do and some abuse the system without even knowing that they do. I grew up in a family of 6 and my father owned his own business. There were times that business was not good and we had to eat chicken soup with no chicken, franks and beans with no franks, and we ate enough oatmeal to make anyone hate oatmeal. We didn’t have cable tv, we didn’t take vacations, we never went out to eat, and my parents certainly didn’t drive new cars. We also didn’t use food stamps. When times got tough expenses were cut. We were not “entitled” to anything.
At the risk of a flurry of craziness I think that there is a lot more to this than simple reform. For the record I have drawn public assistance and I am a child of a family who lived on public assistance. Admittedly there is an entitlement mentality, and unless you have experienced it… it is very hard to explain. Many people, not all admittedly, are not trying to “work” the system. Yes, when you are on public assistance every once in awhile you want to taste the good life…. it is humiliating and frustrating to draw benefits in the first place and you can “pretend” for a moment you are just like everyone else…. what you dont realize until you are off benefits is that “everyone else” isnt getting steak.
Furthermore buying a slip and slide for kids on TANF is not such a bad thing, what are they like $10?
If you are running into irritated and cranky recipients of benefits there are other reasons as well. You do not know how many cashiers at Walmart and other stores look at you with disgust… and it was particularly bad when food stamps were still paper. Then the whole line would look at you like that!
I dont know about in Maine but where we lived if your car was worth too much .. you lose benefits. Which means that even if you buy a plain jane vehicle, owe more than its worth and pay regular car payments you can lose help.
Finally, the spell if you will was broken for me and my family when my husband and I went to driving truck. We made too much for benefits, and even though the job didnt last long we decided that even though we qualified for some assistance with regular jobs… we were going it alone, cold turkey. Without it I had more pride and made better decisions, but when I was drawing it I did not realize… dont know if that makes sense to anyone or not….
Do we need change? YES!! a Thousand times yes… but just remember these are people with families who are many times just trying to feel like they are a part of the rest of the world. It may be a wrong way to do it, but the majority of the people I have personally known on benefits never figured out how to profit from the system….my opinion for what it is worth.
NOT ALL OF US ARE “WELFARE QUEENS.”
{{*insert expletive here regarding your insensitive sweeping generalization*}}
I work full time, my husband works full time, we have four children. We both also managed to go to school full time over the past 2 years to earn our bachelor’s degrees. (Thanks to some financial aid and a large amount of student loans!) Our goal is to better ourselves and NOT rely on any sort of social services…
I will lose my job in 10 more business days because I work under a grant and our contract is ending. The economy is crap, and people are still losing their jobs. It took almost 3 years for my husband to find the job he is in now, for crying out loud! I don’t plan to sit at home and collect (a meager) unemployment check. I have been interviewing for 6 months, but have yet to be offered a new position.
WE RECEIVE FOOD STAMPS. WE WORK HARD. WE ARE TRYING TO BETTER OURSELVES AND OUR SITUATION. NOT ALL PEOPLE RECEIVING SOCIAL SERVICE BENEFITS ARE “WELFARE QUEENS”. The system is broken, that is true, but sweeping generalizations and ignorant statements like you made are the thing that cast the pall of shame over those of us who don’t *WANT* to have to swallow our prides and ask for assistance.
*You never mention the countless women using WIC checks who neatly line their products up, perfectly matched with the one or two checks they’d like to use that day.
*You never mention the family who can’t afford Christmas gifts who buys Holiday cookies with their food stamps so their children can give their teachers a small gift.
You never mention the person who makes sure to hold their benefit card against their palm so the person behind her thinks it is a regular credit card and not a benefit card because she is ashamed and saddened to get “the look” that lumps her in with the group of people who abuse the system (never mind that her order is full of fresh produce, yogurt and raw foods rather than processed TV dinners and steaks and lobsters.
Bravo for taking a stand and putting forth the effort to bring system abuse to light, but shame on you for doing it so irresponsibly and without regard for the countless families who DO rely on the benefits due to no fault of their own, who are careful to follow the guidelines, and who still use coupons and shopper reward card to stretch their government dollars rather than waste it away on frivolous extravagences.
Be active against abuse of the system! Goodness knows abuse runs rampant, but please considerate of those who DO NOT abuse the system in your actions and words.
What the article shows you is not that she is judging all people on welfare, or any other kind of assistance, but she is talking about the way how many citizens are capable of actually working, or what not, but day-in, and day-out they use the states funds to live. People who essentially need the funding are okay, but the people who just feed off of it are the ones putting Maine into a semi-pervotic(Not a word, but it actually makes sense, so I’m going to use it) state. If it continues, I’m sure the economy of Maine will slowly decline. Although, the government could do more about this. They could, perhaps, take more initiative into hand by limiting what you can buy that is not needed on assistance. I’m not a very intelligent political person(seeing as I am in my teen years), although I’m sure that the government could do a lot more then I have mentioned in this post.
Let me just say I have witnessed some the things you wrote about but also know not everyone is like that. I have worked at least one job (sometimes as many as four at a time) since I was 14 and I get food share. I have bought my daughter a birthday cake. I have bought a better cut of meat (leaner and healthier), some soda, candy as a treat etc. I have received WIC for both of my children when they were infants- formula at $46+ a canister(lasting aprox 3 days?) when I could no longer breast feed was not in my budget. I was married and working and still needed the help.
I would not be able to feed my children (and I do not have a massive amount of them either – I have two.) with out the help. I am embarrassed as can be to have to accept the help but I would rather feed my children. We use coupons, we buy on special, we shop Aldi’s, we use store brands and generics, we scrimp for the weeks before Thanksgiving and Christmas and Easter just so that we can have a wonderful holiday meal to share. Before anyone goes pointing fingers and yelling how it is unfair maybe you should take a month in someone’s shoes who is forced to use it. I never thought I would. I’d give anything not to have to.
I don’t drive a new car, I don’t buy new clothes or go out. We shop at Goodwill, Salvation Army thrift stores, resale shops and rummage sales. I pay rent, utilities, and insurance just like everyone else does. but when those are paid there is not money left to feed us. I know I will hear lots of horrible things and mean feed back from this but it really bothered me to read how everyone assumes the worst of everyone on aid. I suppose I could not accept the food help and pay for groceries which would mean I would have no power/utilities OR I could stop paying rent and live in a shelter or box… I feel I chose the lesser of the evils. My kids are warm and clothed…and thankfully with the help, fed. Judge me as you will for responding…
I am from Scarborough, ME and I completely agree with you. I HATE shopping at Walmart because I always get stuck in line behind some classy individual using food stamps to purchase non-food items and then having to put things back. One time the woman in front of me had her bratty kid with her. He opened a bag of chips and then proceeded to throw them all over the cashier and myself all while the mother said nothing. Then she said she wasn’t buying them because they are opened. GET A CLUE! Maine is pathetic when it comes to welfare, TANF and other programs. Don’t even get me started on unemployment in Maine! You can pretty much walk into the State of Maine as an illegal citizen and get money from us. Way to go Mainers!
this article is saying we need welfare reform not to abolish it altogether so for those of you that actually need the assistance here or there and use it correctly stop telling us why u need it so much and realize the problem is people like this cashier encountered that buy items that dont qualify and basically life off the system without even trying to budget their money get a job and only buy the necessities of life. Welfare was never meant to be a handout its meant to be a handup so you can get by while you look for a job etc!
As I agree very much with this article I have to state that I don’t think EVERYBODY that is on foodstamps is abusing the system. I am a single mother to 3 children ages 6,4 and 3 (yes all by the same man who I was married to) I work full-time but I sitll need some help right now to put food on my table. I think that its different because I do work and pay my taxes and I don’t just expect someone to pay for all my things. Food is the only assistance I recieve and hope that one day soon I can be stable enough to be off food stamps. I think people see the EBT card and automatically start making judgements on the person using it. Please don’t judge them as some of them may be in a similar situation as myself and not have a choice but ask for help!
Well said! Thank you for the enlightening article, I’m going to share it with the readers of my blog!
Life would be better if all would mind their own business, stop judging others, we are not God, and don’t know the circumstances of others and why they receive assistance. The government for one, does not govern with certain classes in mind and the poor get poorer while the rich get richer. I am sure that one of the duties as Wal Mart cashier is not Judging the customers and taking the time to write, in detail, what they purchase and how they pay for it. Who cares?? Live your life and thank God everyday for your blessings and the fact that you are not in their shoes. With so many starving to death around the world and children left without parents and so on and so on, who really gives a shit who abuses state mandated and controlled programs and who doesn’t. Get a life, you’re wasting too much time on worrying what they’re doing with their lives and their modes of survival. You will not effect the system in any way, shape or form.
I really think some people are missing the point. She came right out and said there’s nothing wrong with people needing help during a hard time, and that’s what the system should have been designed for. Those of you who are being uber defensive need to re-read this article for what it’s actually saying. It’s talking clearly, CLEARLY about those who take advantage of the system, not for those people who use it for a few months to get back on their feet. If you’re being super defensive, maybe you should take a step back and see if maybe you’re taking advantage of the system… and remember, it’s people like me that are paying for people like YOU to feel entitled to not have to work. I’m not working my butt off and dealing with the things I deal with at my job so you can eat for free for years and yet be totally capable of working.
So, perhaps a good follow-up piece would address how you propose to fix the system you believe is broken. Have at it! And good luck.
For the record, I worked my way through both a BA degree and a law degree. And I’m still paying back my student loans. I’ve never been on any form of public assistance, ever. So no, I’m not someone who benefits directly from the EBT or other assistance.
That said, I own a small business. And I pay a lot of income tax. And I’d still be willing to pay **more** taxes — to get this nation to a place where ALL our citizens are well-educated enough that that rarely need public assistance. Until we start truly teaching math and science in our schools, until we truly value children (we say we do but we DO NOT), until we truly value our elderly and what they can teach us (again, we say we do but we do not), our country will continue to slide downhill until we collapse, like every other great nation has in history.
Why do we think we will be the exception to that rule? We won’t, unless we start investing in the education of this nation and until we stop equating intelligence and being well-read with snobbishness. And just in case you aren’t aware, Republicans are well-known for avoiding spending on early childhood education and other programs that WOULD help get people off assistance. Don’t assume that being Republican means something fabulous for the future of this nation. It appears to mean quite bad things for the country.
There are good and bad people on welfare, there are good and bad doctors, lawyers, police officers, students, cashiers at Wal-Mart, democrats, republicans, computer programmers, scientists, you name it! People who receive public assistance are no exception — it’s a futile exercise to go on about “abuses” you witnessed — why not focus on the solutions instead? That takes real work, real time and real money from all of us. It also takes real love, caring and real kindness.
p.s. I would never want a child to go without a birthday cake because his or her mother or father needed public assistance. It’s absurd to call a birthday cake “extravagant.” It isn’t the children’s fault their parents’ need or want help — let’s not punish children for their parent’s mistakes and issues — that is shameful.
I grew up with a family that depends on the state. I eventually ended up in foster care because of abuse and neglect. I ended up on the streets ,because I refused to go on foodstamps or ask for help because of what I saw happen with my own family. Unfortunately, I had to take assistance in order to get myself together. I am currently on foodstamps ,but I only receive 100 a month. I do not know how people can buy expensive cuts of meat or cakes. When you should be finding food that lasts. What irritates me more is when people like my cousin(evil) keeps having babies just to get more foodstamps where she can sell them for cash. She has said that is the reason she has those babies. I am currently going to college and I volunteer with a agency that helps homeless/runaway youth and serve on a state and federal advisory board. If you can’t find a job volunteer your time. I am a intern now, because I volunteered. Took me over a year, but you know what its better than sitting there thinking I am going to live off of the government for the rest of my life. I think there should be a time limit. Someone usually can find a job in atleast 5 years. Doesn’t take decades to find one. Volunteering can land you a job faster than going to school especially non-profits. People might think this woman is insensitive for writing this blog, but she is just telling a truth. That is coming from someone who is on assistance and has had every bad thing you can think of happen to them. No excuses. If you want a better life then do something about it. If there is a will there is a way. Just sayin.
ok…i work at Walmart. have been for well over 8 yrs. i’ve done it all, cashier, stock, and all of it overnight. i am saddened by the amount of non english speaking Lone Star card holders milling about the registers waiting for midnight when their cards with new amounts kick in. i look in the carts and all i see is junk food like processed chicken patties, candy, chips, and sodas. not a fresh fruit or veggie in sight. feeding kids on such a diet tells me they are too lazy to even cook a decent meal.
i see mega overweight folks sitting in the electric carts using the EBT cards for their junk food and stuff. i think if they would walk behind a cart while shopping they just might lose enough weight to not need the electric cart. but that’s just my thinking.
FS and/or EBT should be a tempory solution, not a lifestyle. and i believe drugs tests should be used. and if it becomes permament, then it should be up to the person to do what it takes to stretch it out as much as possible. using coupons i think is an excellent way to do this. i will never damn a person who uses coupons, watch for sales, and buys fresh food.
I understand that there are some people who do indeed need some assistance, and I think for those people social programs work well. But I also believe that in order for someone to be on welfare, receiving food stamps, on Madicaid, or any other “pre-elderly” program that may be out there, there needs to be a true medical need (I.e. caring for an ill child or parent, unable to work due to a disability, etc.). On top of that though, there also needs to be a recheck of status every few months, or else things are prolonged as they are now. For those unable to work due to their own disability, a follow-up doctor appointment would be great (as some disabilities are temporary). Now for those receiving Social Security who are under 65, have never worked (or who’s spouse never worked for widows/widowers), or who are somehow else manipulating the system – they need to be removed IMMEDIATELY! I’m 38 years old, have worked and put into Social Security for 20 of the last 22 years, and it’s extremely questionable if I’ll EVER see any when I retire someday. Social Security was intended for older individuals, yet there are people out there who have received since birth because of their parents’ situation(s). That’s despicable, and now we’re ALSO supposed to add illegal immigrants to the mix – INSANE!
Now I understand that times are tough right now, and there are a lot of people out of work. For those that have lost their jobs and are looking for work – umemployment compensation is key. And I would also agree that there should be assistance with some basics also. But limitations are critical. Does anyone remember the staples that were given out in the 80′s? Cheese, butter, milk, bologna, bread, peanut butter, and maybe noodles? That’s the kind of stuff that should be aided. Even if you had a produce section – a small bag of fruit and some staple veggies.
Then some of the welfare lifers would get off their lazy butts and help themselves!
I know this must frustrate you, especially since you are working so hard during the summer and going to college to get a degree that will make you employable. Keep up the good work, and the great attitude. We all know that entitlement programs are bankrupting our country, our states, our counties and our cities. I don’t know what they are going to do when the money runs out (and it will!), but I know you will be able to take care of yourself. It’s refreshing to hear from a conservative college student.
Welfare absolutely needs reform. But there is no way that there will ever be a system that only helps people who behave the way you think they should behave. Won’t happen. Poor people are going to make bad decisions just like everyone else does. I make bad decisions about how to spend my money all the time. Sometimes I’m lazy. Difference is, when i make a bad economic decision, my children don’t go hungry. Tying welfare to education and training might help. Many other reforms might help. But you will never stop people from making bad decisions. Ultimately, we either have to try to help people or not.
It seems to me that the people who want to get rid of welfare are usually the people who have never been homeless, without a job, and/or have minimal income. The system is never going to be perfect, but when it comes down to it is it better for even one child to not be homeless or go without food just so we can make sure someone can’t buy a steak or birthday cake?
The system is flawed, yes. Especially because people who DO have jobs, but can barely afford their rent and food, aren’t always eligible for food stamps. Because someone came up with a magical number that if you don’t fall under, that means you don’t get help.
My husband was out of work for 6 months after getting laid off, these are hard times. If it weren’t for us living together at the time, he would have probably had to move in with someone else, fortunately he is lucky to have friends and family around him that would support him but not everyone is so lucky. My father was homeless for 3 months, staying at a homeless shelter during that time. He couldn’t find a full-time job and even now he works at a job, where he works sometimes 60 hours a week, but receives no benefits what so ever. No paid time off, no health insurance, nothing.
So what I have to ask is, who are you to judge? You don’t know a single person’s story, all you did was observe and judge. You didn’t talk to them about it, you don’t know what is going on. Your article made you sound like an entitled young adult who dear god, had to work at a WalMart for a short time and deal with poor people. Why don’t you go work in a soup kitchen and get to know these people, hear their stories, and really discover why they need help.
I appreciate your thoughts on the welfare system and I could find small pieces from your blog which I would agree with. I DO NOT agree with abusing the system, cheating, lying, fraud. I receive foodstamps for my family and have been for seven years. Seem like a long time? Perhaps…But guess what? That is what helps feed my family. I say HELPS because we STILL pay out of OUR OWN pockets for groceries each week!!!! Feeding a family of 5 is very expensive! We work. We are NOT bums that sit home and take advantage of the program. My husband picks up ANY spare hours he can. I am per diem at my job, but I work whenever I am able. I also have an auto-immune disease that attacks my spinal cord and there are some days that I can barely move. I go to school full time. I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa, I have a GPA of 4.0 and I plan to be a registered nurse when I am done school. We have three small children that depend on us for everything. We cannot afford the best of the best, but you can damn well bet we TRY our best to give them whatever they need. We struggle daily with our finances and making it to the next day or week on what we have for paychecks. We NEED the help. PERIOD. I agree some abuse the system and there should be consequences and stricter laws for the welfare system, but I DO NOT agree with the way you talk down to those who are receiving the aid. I can only hope that one day you yourself will be in a situation where you will depend on an EBT card to buy your groceries and perhaps then you might understand the humiliation and defeat you feel as you swipe that card. Do not look down on me because I buy steak for my family. I’m sorry, perhaps I should feed them bread and water on a nightly basis? Would that make those of you who feel superior to us on the welfare system feel better? Do I buy the most expensive items when I do my groceries? Of course not. I am frugal. I have a list, I use coupons, and I try to get things on sale. If I want to purchase steak for a meal for my family then I will do so and I will NOT be looked down upon for feeding them this just because I am paying with an EBT card. Reform welfare? Yes. But perhaps you should reform your snotty, arrogrant, and unrealistic view on those who NEED welfare! Have kids, balance work, school, your house, bills, etc. and then tell me about how much you “know” on your blog!
Oh….and another thing – I definitely think there should be STRICT GUIDELINES as to the type of foods that can be purchased with this assistance….because there are wayyyy tooo many people out there who have not one clue about nutrition. And then to buy a cart full of groceries that only cause disease and sickness – well what’s the sense in that? But people do and I will thumb my nose at them! And I will look in your cart to see if you’re spending your $$$ HELP WISELY! FEED YOUR FAMILIES WHOLE FOODS, LOTS OF FRUIT AND VEGGIES – IT’S MY MONEY YOU’RE USING TO FEED THEM – MAKE IT COUNT!
The fraud is what aggravates me. Over 30 years ago I was shopping with my wife and new baby. We were keeping track of everything so as not to overdraw our bank account. We arrived at the check out lane with our meager cart of groceries behind a couple about our age with an overflowing cart. We watched for what seemed like forever as they unloaded name brand items, premium meats, ice cream, desserts, dog food and even some beer. When they finished they of course pulled out their food stamps. That was not my gripe here. When they were through they were informed what items were not covered. The young man reached into his pocket and pulled out a large roll of cash and paid the difference. They laughed and joked about how the State would never find out about his cash job. My wife broke down in tears. Try as I might I could not console my wife, it was some time before she recovered.
We were playing by the rules while others were cheating.
I like how many people read this article but didn’t get the point of it. Anyone that thinks the system is not being abused is kidding themselves. The whole point is that the people that use the system to live off assistance are hurting those that really NEED it, either directly or indirectly. Don’t confuse the dismay over abuse as a blanket finger-wagging against all those that NEED it. What the welfare system REALLY needs is an effective method of encouraging those that are capable of getting off assistance to do so.
This is more an indictment of our underfunded education system and lack of industry regulation to provide living wages. That’s what keeps people on welfare…they can’t get skills to get jobs.
All i can say is, http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/photos
These are not normal people, they clearly have mental issues.
But i do agree 100% with this article, it’s sad but it happens. Part of me however feels that it may be less expensive to feed these losers as opposed to stop feeding them and than pay the price with higher crime rates which than you have to spend $$ on the police force and on jailing them. I don’t know the monetary spending exactly but perhaps that’s why this system is in trouble.
First, this is not an article; it is an editorial. Second, if you dislike poor people as much a syou do, you probably shouldn’t be working at Wal*Mart where you are required to have contact with the great unwashed.
In 1975-1977 I worked close to full-time and was a full-time high school student. Usually the folks with the nicest cars and who bought the nicest food used food stamps. I still see the same today. Yesterday I went to a local grocery store to buy some meat and spinach to eat for lunch at my desk. I wanted to buy the organic spinach but it was over $9 a pound! I had to settle for the likely pesticide laden product but was heartened to see that the organic spinach that I can’t afford as a CFO is approved for WIC.
I have worked very hard and the Lord has blessed my career with success. However, folks on “government” help, most of who choose not to work (see 2 Thess 3:10) can afford this on my nickle!
I am a married mother of 3 who is on food stamps, and while I agree with your article that it is something that is abused in our country, not all of us on food stamps are like wellfare queen 1 & 2. My husband lost his job of 4 years a few months ago, and we are on unemployment. I have a rare blood disorder among a few other medical problems, and I am unable to work. We just got approved for food stamps yesterday, and I am not looking forward to judgemental eyes in the checkout line – but the fact of the matter is that we need them to feed our family. My husband is out looking for a job, and is also starting classes in January for some more career training. Being on food stamps is NOT how we want to live our lives, but it is certainly a fact that we need them right now. I do not approve of people who use the system – and just sit on their butts accepting whatever assistance that they can get to come their way. But times are tough, people are out of jobs and trying their very best to get back on their feet – like my family. This is not a way of life, but it is a way to get by while we get there, and for that – I am so very thankful.
What is not mentioned… is that some people (like myself) occasionally get back child support payments, which may loaded onto the same cards as the TANF and the Food Stamps come on. I have received some unfair and ugly looks for using that card on what others perceived as unnecessary. What they didn’t know is that the money didn’t originate from the government. Yes, I was guilty of using that money to buy my daughter goodies and treats such as a new pair of snow shoes, jewelry, or whatever seemed to fit the occasion. Since this money was not received on a regular basis, it was not always used for staples or what other people deemed to be necessities. I recently received money and actually spent it on myself – I know SHOCK – but since I covered 100% or her growing up expenses, and she is grown and gone, I think that I should be able to spend that money however I choose, without being judged. Just food for thought. I know a lot of people abuse the system; however without knowing the whole story (maybe that fancy phone was a gift, and maybe they don’t have all the features because they can’t afford them?), then it is not right to judge. Just the opinion of someone who has been wrongly judged by someone else without the whole story. Oh – and withdrawing cash off that card gets even more interesting. You can hear them thinking “I wonder what they are going to spend that money on” or you even may hear a whisper about you and drugs as you walk away …not a sentiment that pops into a cashier’s head when you make the same cash withdrawal off your bank card.
I don’t have my head in the sand. Like I said MANY abuse the system … but before you judge someone for using one of those cards, you’d better know 100% or their situation. Actually, regarding judging … Isn’t that for God, and God alone to do??
Yes there is a problem out there but lets take a look at the fact that many people don’t make enough to feed a family with the cost of food. Look at the fact healthy food cost more and I am not one to feed my kids crap. Me and my wife both work and I work EMS in the state of Ohio we qualified for Medicaid both working fulltime with 2 kids. Maybe the first fix would to be better payout for actually working. Next would be random drug test on people who get benefits. The states have in place people who are suppose to go around and keeping track of these people. But I also want you to realize don’t judge the mother who gets her kid a big cake the one he wants with food stamps that may be the only thing that kid will get. Yes there is abuse and a lot of it but this article puts everyone who receives benefits.
Good article. There is some ridiculousness out there!! I am a home-schooling mother of two. My husband is a manager at a grocery store. We both have degrees. We are on food stamps. What is REALLY sad is that people that have worked hard and are working hard are NOT making enough to make it. Although we do sometimes purchase some unhealthy stuff with our food stamps, for the most part we eat pretty healthy. And I do not feel bad for being on them because God knows we’ve paid our fair share in taxes. We do not use medicaid.
I worked at a grocery store in Massachusetts and once had a woman buy a carriage completely full of 2-liter Coca-Colas with Food Stamps. She then proceeded to go to the bottle return, and deposit them for the bottle return. Bare in mind they were still completely full of liquid. She nearly ruined the machine (someone had to open it up and wipe down the entire inside for it to work again, while getting covered in coke).
Before anyone in the store had realized this had happened, she came back into the store and bought cigarettes with the money she got from the bottle returns. In short, she wasted $50+ in return for a $5-7 box of cigarettes.
A few weeks later we found a lost child in the store, we called police and it took about 2 hours for the mother to come to the store to get him. She knew he was there and came of her own accord. The mother was the same woman as above.
I would like to clarify that I am not against WIC. I think it’s probably the best one out of all of the programs, because it requires a person to buy healthy, nutritious food for their children. In Maine, each WIC mother is given a booklet that has pictures and lists of items they can and cannot purchase. The booklet also has her signature on it, and she is required to bring it with her before she can use the voucher. Each register also has a booklet, and we are instructed to match up items and make sure they are correct. I do not know if other states do this. I have nothing against WIC mothers. Making sure your children are healthy and fed is a sign of good parenting.
Love this artice. While I cashiered at a grocery store in high school, people would have me ring up 2 different orders for their purchase. One was for the food stamps to pay and the other was paid with cash for cigarettes & alcohol.
I could not agree more with you. I also work at Walmart right here in Maine. Just yesterday I got yelled at because the Christmas Popcorn tins were not covered under Foodstamps. This is something that also frustrates me every day. I can’t afford to blow my money on an 8 dollar tin of popcorn why should you get it free.
Two days ago I had an 800 dollar order of candy, soda, chips, frozen dinners, Christmas candy you name it. The customer had the audacity to say “I only have 750 on my foodstamps”. WOW I just got my student loan bill looks like my grocery bill a month just went down to 175 dollars.
Very good article, and I can empathize and agree with a lot of the statements made. I’ve worked at a small grocery store chain for 4 years now, and when you work at the same store for so long, you do encounter a lot of “system abuse” concerning welfare. Believe me, I have absolutely NO problem with giving help to the people who need it. My parents needed that help at one time, and were willing to take on the ‘welfare queen’ stigma to make sure we could eat. My dad was a full-time student for engineering, worked full-time, and my mom worked full-time during nights as well. However, since both my parents were responsible and had jobs before going to the government for help, they weren’t given any help. Great logic.
There is a great difference in what people need, and how they use the system in the wrong way. I will GLADLY work my butt off for the people who really need these programs, but I have a hard time working for the people that come in every week to buy soda, chips, candy, and nothing else (as in, all they ever buy is junk food – not the people who buy some “nice things” along with good, normal food). There needs to be a balance to the system, and you can’t put everyone who’s on welfare in a box, because not everyone’s abusing it, and many have different reasons for being on it.
I can see how many would feel this is a biased article. But it seems quite objective. Put yourself in this girl’s shoes and be honest – after working that same job for that time period, you might feel the same way, or even *gasp* have the same thoughts on this subject. The difference is that some people can be open about these things despite what other people think. Don’t chew others out for their opinion.
Wow… Plenty of people have something to say about this article. And some even have the nerve to ridicule this woman for having the nerve to have her own opinion about things. How dare she? I admire and congratulate her for standing up and talking about it. Most people just see things and grumble under their breath about it, but don’t have the nerve or willingness to stand up and say “THIS IS WRONG”. Yes it is wrong for a person to buy a birthday cake, when they have all the ingredients there to make a cake for way less than the price of a birthday cake. Kids should be able to celebrate their birthday but if the mom is not working, and even if she is, then she can take the time to make a cake. My parents had to file bankruptcy when I was 14, and we never went on welfare & the state never helped us a bit. My parents both worked 2 jobs to support our family and lots of times, my mom would make 1lb of hamburger meat last our family of 4 for a whole week. Sometimes I would open our pantry door and see nothing but beans sitting there lonely on the shelf by itself. But we still never went on welfare. My brother & I both worked (cutting grass and babysitting) to try and help make ends meet, or to buy the extras that we wanted that our parents couldn’t afford. My mother made our birthday cakes, they were never store bought, even before they had to file bankruptcy. And they did not file bankruptcy because we were living out of our means. My parents were always frugal with their money. We came on hard times, and both of them lost their jobs & had trouble finding new ones. In 1994, we had a 1981 Buick Regal and a 1987 Honda Accord, neither of which were new, but they were paid off. And we had a small 3 bedroom house, that we lost in the bankruptcy. When I ran on some hard times in my adult life, I lost my job and was stuck in a lease where I could barely make the rent by cleaning houses for people, I applied for food stamps and was denied because my boss lied about why she fired me. Which left me either without food or without a roof over my head. I know of a family right now where the mother teaches her children to live off of welfare. She teaches them to fake disabilities and has doctors that will lie for her, and has all 6 of her kids living off of welfare, the ones that are under 18, she gets their checks and the ones that are over 18, they get their own checks unless they still live with her. It’s disgusting and ridiculous because I know that not one of them has the disability that they are claiming to have. Also know of a man who gets a womans disability check that has been dead for 3 years, and they still send her check every month, and he still cashes it every month. It’s ridiculous that he’s gotten away with this for 3 years, he’s not even related to the woman that died. And I too worked in grocery store through college, and saw so many of these people that would come in there with their food stamp cards and pay for someone else’s groceries, and the other person would give them cash for it right in front of me. It’s amazing what people will do. And the cashier can not do anything about it if she wants to keep her job. She just has to keep working. And it’s not about trying to humiliate people who are on Food Stamps because some people have every right to be on them. It’s about the people who abuse them, and they are the ones that are not humiliated to use them, they are proud to present that food stamp card at the register. The ones who are humiliated are the ones who are not taking advantage of the system. Someone needs to do something about it, but you can’t depend on a college student to change everything, but it’s a start when she at least had the guts to put her thoughts into an article and publish it like this. But that’s just my opinion.
It is sad to see that some people try to “rationalize” another perspective to what this young woman is attesting to. Please know that no matter how much you seem to think that she is a hypocrite, please re-read if your comprehension skills does not permit you to understand fully her meaning. She clearly stated that she understood that in some cases it is absolutely essential that people receive the help. She never said that ALL reciepients were “labeled” like the specific cases she is describing.
I am a working American that pays taxes with every pay check and every purchase I make. There are times that I am in a grocery store and witness the exact same things this young woman is describing. The most atrocious and despicable things are that the average tax payer could even afford to get a full “buggy” of groceries for their families, much less steaks and lobsters. This happens throughout the entire country and it is also the main reason why their remains the “unsaid” sentiments when it comes to this “welfare system”. We all want everyone to live well, but live right.
I work on average 10-14 hour days to make ends meet, never have I been on welfare nor will I ever. Yes, I have been unemployed before, but was able to make ends meet with my savings and not burden the rest of society. Was it fun eating ramen noodles? NO, nor was it fun to watch holidays go by without the usual trimmings. Who’s fault? ECONOMY…that’s it. I am part of America and when America goes through tough times, I just have to tough it out with America. No one owes me anything and I need not owe anyone anything.
If you can shamelessly hold your hand out to receive help when you know you should be getting a job, then at least have the common decency to be humble and not treat people like they are beneath you! Especially when THEY are EARNING theirs!
yes there are people who abuse the system. I quit smoking when I had to go on welfare. If you can not support your kids, you should be able to afford mto smoke. They have changed the law so you can only be on TANF for 5years now period! You can get a one time 6 months extension but that is it. I will say that this girl that wrote this prob never had to struggle or figure out were your kids next meal or x-mas presants were going to come from. Also, I get all state , 585 a mont5h for a famuilt of 3. ( my keypad messing up, sorry) YoU TELL ME HOW TO LIVE ON THAT! Yes , sometimes people on the state do things they should not but not all of us do. You should not judge a book by its cover.
It’s these same people who come to pick up their rx at a pharmacy, with a venti drink from a coffee shop in hand, and get mad that thier rx is $.50-$1, yelling at us saying, “Fity cent!! I thought it ‘posed be FREE!! I gots medicaid!! I ain’t e’n gots fity cent’!!” LOL!! Riiiight!! Because you just spent your last $5 on that drink?? And people wonder why the judgement may be passed.. Obviously to us if you have enough money to buy an almost $5 drink, you should have no trouble coming up with “fity cent” to pay for an rx.. And if you are on food stamps you shouldn’t be buying t-bone steaks at $8/lb so you can invite all your friends and family over for a barbecue EVERY weekend!! I’m not saying you shouldn’t be able to enjoy a t-bone steak every now and then but this is not what was intended when the government came up with the program.. It was intended for you to buy food to survive not to impress the neighbors.. WIC has restricted items and I think the food stamp program needs to revaluate what can and can not be bought.. I don’t want to judge anyone but it’s the attitudes and actions of these people that effect the judgement.. When we see you using a very expensive phone or driving a very expensive car, things that I can’t even afford but yet I make to much to get any kind of help from the government, and then you get attitude because of the price or because something doesn’t scan right, that’s when judgement comes into play.. Sorry but you bring all judgements on yourself..
a) Just because you’re on food stamps doesn’t mean you don’t work. It may mean you work at a job that doesn’t pay a living wage. b) How do you feel about corporate welfare czars? You know, the GE’s and oil companies of the world that don’t pay a dime in taxes despite huge profits, and, in GE’s case, even get a rebate.
I do agree with you on the fact that fraud is happining in our welfare system, I think each one on welfare should also do a monthly drug test. This is due to the fact that a lot of times food stamps are giving in place of “buying” the drug. I also think home visits should be made to make sure the truth is being told. I do know that there are some people in need of the help they receive, and my mom is one of those people. She has recently become a protective custodian over 4 young children, mind you all of her own 4 children are grown with children of their own, buy my mother couldn’t see these children just being thrown into foster care. She and my father could not afford 4 more children this late in life, so therefore the food stamps and TANF, aid her in taking care of these children. I am thankful for the welfare system in being able to help her during this time. I have also seen first hand how the fraud ruins the help for others that desperately need it. I myself was unemployed for two years and tried several times to apply for assistance, but with my unemployment check and my husbands income we made roughly $100.00 more than the qualified limit, and I thought to myself we really need this and yet I cant get it because the person living in a $500,000 home is receiving over $800.00 a month in food stamps because they apprently need it more than I did. Keep in mind I do not live in a $500,000 home, we are low level middle class, if that what you call it. But I just could not bring myself to believe that the person in the “big” house needed the stamps more than myself being unemployed. But by the grace of God we made it through. I do think that our welfare system needs a check up!!
Fantastic article!! And…I too have seen the welfare fraud and food stamps abuse! This lady did NOT say all people on assistance should not get it! She , like me, KNOWS that is FRAUD, and a lot of Lazy-ass, Liberals, are on the taxpayers dole! It makes me sick to see such and Entitlement Generation!! I was raised to believe that if you cannot afford it–you do not need it–and no one owes you anything.
I watched as one recently laid off worker did not know how to use her card, got looks from the cashier.
It blew me away to see the cashier say no, no, no, to some fresh food and bags of beans the person was trying to buy. The plan says you have to get them in cans.
Reform what they can purchase by adding more fresh foods.
I could write a similar article about “non welfare” customers too. Fraud is what you call it when they are on welfare, so what do you call it when they work for government, for corporations, banks, and here i go, wall street!
I am a full time nursing student and a mother of 2. My husband works full time to provide for us. We are on no type of assistance but yet we are so broke. My husband makes enough to pay the bills but we arent left with hardly anything afterwards. I go to the grocery store to try to see what I can get on our shoestring budget and I get in line behind a women with 4 children. She has what looks to be expensive red heels on, expensive jeans and shirt. Jewlery from head to toe. Nails and toes are perfect and lets not forget the hair was also done perfectly. The kids were dressed in hand me downs. Most of their pants were WAY to short and their shoes had holes in them. She has a cart full of candy, cereal, chips, ice cream and a bunch of food I would not feed my children on a regular basis. She pays with EBT. Well, after I check out with my 50 dollars of fruit, meat and milk I walk out to my car. Guess who is parked right bedide me! The welfare queen! She is driving a freakin Cadillac Escalade!!!!!!!!!! This is what ticks me off! My husband and I are honest people. Raised to do the right thing the right way. We dont qualify for public assistance and even if we did we would only use if we had no other choice. I realize that not everyone that is on public assistance is abusing the system but there are ALOT out there that are. I hope she is enjoying her high lifestyle that she gets from my husbands (and everybody elses) paycheck while we scrape by on a tight budget and have to juggle when we can get new shoes for the kids while she is wearing her Jimmy Choos (or however you spell it).
Christine, I appreciate the frustration and don’t in any way doubt your observations, or those of many commentators. Actually, I have a few of my own! However, I will offer some other perspectives–becuase the problem is not so much the system, as the part we all play in it.
You mention that many of the expenditures do not fit the criteria provided for in the system…so, it is not the system at fault, but the people mis-using it AND that includes the people cashing/accepting the payment that is outside the rules of the system…right?
When observing someone breaking the rules, do you take personal action? Say something? Report? Engage the funding organization so that fraudulent use can be targeted? Or is it “too hard” or “useless” or other wise excusable to NOT act properly to fight fraud…it’s after all, the system, someone elses (all of our) problem.
That might sound harsh-I apologize for that. What I am saying, however, is taht the system exists because some people do need it. I do not object to my tax dollars providing a safety net to those in need. I object plenty to the money being used wrongly.
Thanks for writing!
An attractive, female, small government republican from RI? From PC? You are two states to far south, and you worked at Wal Mart one state to far east. Come check out why you should be living in the free state this Feb. at the Liberty Forum: http://freestateproject.org/libertyforum
One more comment..
Reform is necessary, but like another poster stated…. who is going to come up with the plan? And as far as telling people what type of food they can buy… are you serious? Who decides what is best for someone else? One person may think only organic foods should be purchased.. checked the price of that lately?
The answer in my small opinion is education. A real education about real world situations. When is the last time you seen a class in high school that taught about budgeting? They teach kids how to balance a check book but what about how to manage the money that is in that checking account? How about supporting kids.. building them up? Teach children that they can succeed and be more!
Wow, some of the comments from people on welfare defending themselves just blows me away. I have a combat disabed veteran husband who lost his left leg, is blind in one eye (I should say both), suffered a traumatic brain injury and his good foot was so severely fractured that he’s in pain every day when he comes home. We have 3 young boys, and he went to college for years in a wheelchair and now works full time as a social worker. Sounds easy I’m sure to some, but looking back at those days, I don’t know how we did it!
We were on social security just so he could make it through college and of course I feel he earned the right to use it. He had to fight just to get off of social security once he found work, but he did get off after some persistence.
He makes good money but we don’t even buy steaks and extravagent cakes for our kids, we budget and save for our kids college funds, and our retirement. But I’m sure people on welfare would call us priveleged or even lucky…that’s another one of my favorites.
I don’t think people are truly listening to what she is saying in this article. Instead they are just judging her opinions because she is so young. She is talking about those ABUSING the system not everyone using the system that truly need it. Staying on it for 20 years, buying beer, steaks, iphones, come on now my husband makes 80+ a year and we have go phones! Toys, earrings, slip n slides, hot dogs for your hot dog cart? This money is paid for out of tax payers pockets not from the Federal Government. My husband who was blown up in Iraq is paying for their steaks! And yes we do have the right to be upset with what others buy with their FS, it’s our country as well and we are all paying into it. If we were in a great depression again I don’t think this country would survive, most people don’t know what sacrifice is anymore. This money should be used for families who lose their jobs because a family member is suffering from an illness or someone who physically can’t work or single moms who just need a little more help….PEOPLE WHO NEED IT! For those that are using it for the right reasons you have that right and Americans support you. It’s the ones abusing the system that are making americans so jaded and causing the dirty looks in checkout lines.
I think that this is a great article! It definitely shows how people abuse the system everyday. I fully support services like WIC, Medicaid, Food Stamps etc..when used properly. You use the services provided until you don’t need them anymore and then you get off. I was a young mom and my husband and I had very little money. The only services I used were WIC and Medicaid. I used the services for about a 9mos and then I got off of them, once I got myself a job. I do not understand how people can live their lives milking the system. I couldn’t wait to get off and it amazes me how there are so many people who are perfectly fine allowing the government to pay for their bills. I think what also upsets me the most is that there are people in this country that are going through very hard times and can barely get by and they do not have health insurance, or they have very little money for food and they apply and they get denied. This makes me upset because these are people who truly need the help and the government is saying no, but the people who clearly want to milk the system are receiving all the benefits. I agree with you, things need to change. I personally think that people should not be allowed to stay on welfare after 2 years. I think that 2 years is plenty of time to find a job. Even if it is not the one you want, it is still a job! Good article. I hope Maine will get things squared away to hopefully stop the abuse that is clearly going on. Good job!
Perhaps, if it bothers you so much that $.04 of your weekly wages goes to paying for food for families, then perhaps you would prefer we give them nothing…and you can pay your insurance deductible when they break into your car, your house, or mug you on the street. Because that is what will happen. Crime will escalate! Public will riot!
Taking care of YOUR welfare is what that meager amount out of your paycheck covers. Foodstamp abuse is sick, yes, and pathetic. 90% of people on welfare and stamps have little education, drug or alcohol abuse issues, personal/mental issues, and absolutely no idea of the meaning of independence. These people expect the land of the free to be “free” yet they themselves will never be. Sad.
All that said. I know I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now if I hadn’t been given the opportunity (or taken the advantage) to join TANF and receive food stamps while I was in workforce training. I was able to secure a full-time, well-paying job and housing through that program that I am no longer on because the system does work for people who aren’t abusing it.
Never in the decades that I have known people on welfare has it ever not been constantly “reformed”. Even the employees of the Department of Health & Human Services will tell you that as soon as they learn the new process, it changes. Every few months new programs are added as old ones are eliminated, new rules are established and old ones rewritten. It IS getting harder to stay on welfare (unless you are permanently disabled) for everyone. Problem is, when the majority of welfare participants have all the time in the world, they learn to work around the barriers placed for them. The very same barriers intended to make them look for work or become self-sufficient.
They make good drug dealers, that’s for sure!
I love that someone in college is a conservative!!! I am disgusted by the flat out abuse of the system that was intended as a help through a temporary problem! It’s about to get worse if we don’t fix healthcare reform. And my job (as an insurance broker for group benefits) will be gone. At that point, I may concede defeat and join the idiots you describe above.
It never ceases to impress me how Wal-Mart employees exert their personal opinions and observations as facts in regards to welfare. Last time I checked, most employees working for this company are not experts in social work, nor have any experience in policy advocacy or reform. Let’s be real. We all know that it is a flawed system. The whole system is. Rather than targeting those who “abuse” welf are, lets shift our focus to figuring out why this country, in the year 2011, refuses to admit that there is institutionalized classism and racism that forces certain groups into the welfare-queen stereotype. Christine, you are college educated, I assume? Use your education (which I’m sure you worked for and paid for without any assistance) to foster a better understanding for yourself of class, race, and sex issues. Until you do so, you are going to continue to make false generalizations of disadvantaged people and will perpetuate the ignorance that continues to keep them disadvantaged.
you know…i get so sad when people waste their time commenting on people and their purchases when they have no clue what is going on in that persons life. so many people today are unemployed, or even WORSE underemployed and underpaid, despite their sincere desire to provide for their families. I know several families on FS and none of them “abuse” the system. so what if they buy steak or lobster, its food, and healthy food at that too. So what if they buy a birthday cake for their child. Perhaps that is the only way they could provide for their child’s birthday. and who cares if they buy Wii games, or movies, or whatever else. you don’t know if that is birthday $ they were given, or an extra blessing they happened to have gotten. seriously people, just focus on the fact that the Lord has obviously blessed your family to the point that you don’t HAVE to be on FS and pray that he would improve the circumstances of those that do. consider the fact that MANY of those using food stamps ARE employed, hard working people who just do not make enough $ to adequately provide for their families any other way. they are also tax payers, and contributors to society. just because they are on FS doesn’t make them lazy abusers of YOUR hard earned money.
Fantastic article! Good insight, into our Corrupt and Fraudulent system. Yes, there are a few receiving assistance that deserve it–elderly, sick, disabled!! That is it! All the bitches unmarried and collecting from taxpayers, while all the different “baby-daddies” hide out is disgraceful!! We DO need welfare reform!! And…NO Illegals should NOT receive taxpayers dollars, but I see it everyday, while people who really need help do without…and they paid into the system all their lives!!
I have seen this issue from both sides. My husband and I have both worked hard all our lives and have always lived frugally with no debt. But the recession has crippled his business and made it hard for me to find work that pays anything. So after three years of negative income and using up our savings, we are receiving food stamps. I see the problems with the system–I have been writing about them at thenouveaupoor on WordPress; but I also find the hard comments depressing. It’s a difficult decision to take help. It’s more difficult when you know your every action is being judged. But having seen the system from the inside, I definitely see areas that need reform. Thanks for opening this debate. It’s one the whole country should engage in.
Unfortunately, this is what America is becomming. Alot of people are lazy and don’t want to work. Some people think that luxuries are a right and not a privelidge. People think that because this is America, they are going to get the “goodies” one way or another and if someone else pays for it….oh well! This is a nation of spoiled people that don’t know what it is like to wonder where their next meal is comming from or if it is comming at all. We all need to go through that at least once in our lifetime to get a new appreciation for what we have. Welfare reform needs to happen years ago.
This is one example that our enemies are counting on when they say, ” we don’t have to worry about a war with the United States, we will wait until they crumble from within and will take over before they know what happens!!! This is history repeating itself. Look at the Fall of the Roman Empire, then look at the United States today……this is the beginning of the Fall of the USA and there is nothing that will be done about it because we don’t want to face the reality. Just a thought……
Good post. See it all the time down here, too. But if you write something like this here in South Carolina you will be immediately branded a raaaaaacist.
Yeah its pretty pathetic!! Reminds me of Louisianna. PLENTY of capable, able bodied and able minded people doing EVERYTHING in their power to believe in the DEMON-cratic way and take money from actual hard working Americans. SICKENING AT BEST!!! Quickest cure for this Demon-cratic problem….DRUG TESTING to receive welfare. There’s 70% wiped out in one shot. Plus, the cokes, pepsi’s and other non needed supposed essentials shouldn’t be allowed
I understand what you are saying, but there are some of us that worked all their life, and for what ever reason..loss of job, short or long term disibility has the right to have food stamps and buy whatever they want to. I buy steak, and once a year I do treat myself to a small lobster. I can make 100.00 a month in FS last me the entire month…..buying what ever I choose to eat. I have earned that right. I am 50 and now disabled, but I worked 17 years as a CNA and have been on both sides of the coins.
BETHANY, what is your name on FB? I would love to find you on there.
So many self-righteous people, so little time for them to bitch. If you have EVER bought something you wanted instead of something you needed, then you are a worthless hypocrite and everything you wrote is invalid. Knowing that you have with almost complete certainty, I must completely dismiss this article as moments in my life I will never get back and move on with a chuckle.
What I don’t understand is why you think that voting Republican makes any difference? They run away scared when somebody actually suggests making people work for a living.
Does anybody know how to stop the email notifications from this? I got over 400 in my mailbox alone this morning/middle of the night.
Don’t know if this will get much notice, but I am on my own cell phone plan from AT&T, I own an iPhone and got lucky to get the unlimited plan before everyone got stingy on service. I pay $127 a month to have a cell phone with a data plan. That is also with a 15% off discount through my company. This abuse of welfare makes me sick. I am glad that there is a program to keep citizens on their feet while looking to better themselves, but those who ride it and are lazy and don’t help themselves or society, I have a big problem with and it needs to end.
It’s a free market. People can spend their money however they want it, regardless of how they earned it. The problem is not with the social program that provides money for the less fortunate, it’s how our country uses our less fortunate to drive the consumer economy. I’ll never understand people feeling so entitled that they can judge what someone else does. Sure, is their fraud and abuse? Yes. But isn’t there fraud and abuse everywhere? In congress, the govt., in Walmart’s business practices, everywhere. So why are the people who have extremely limited oppurtunity for fraud and abuse the one’s who are immoral?
Because you’re a classist, and a racist. That’s all.
Glad that the young lady who wrote this has seen the light early on in life.
The problem is its generational.This has been going on for years and years. Babies having babies and getting paid for it. Now pretty much every stop n rob store on the corner now takes EBT cards. You see kids in there buying ho ho’s, corn chips, coke, red pop and little debbie snack cakes and putting them on the card. You have momma, grand mamma and their auntie so freaking over weight they can hardly walk to the parking lot to get in their new Buick or Lexus yapping on their new cell phone. And of course we the tax payer are paying for those phones as well now.
And now according to Washington, the underprivileged need high speed interwebz at their cribs and guess who is going to pay for that? I am guessing they need the high speed stuff so they can hook up their X box or PS 3 and play on line on their 60″ HD TV. We sure as hell don’t want skillet to grow up and not have access to the web. Its too hard on them to go the library and use their internet. That’s just too degrading. Drive down through the projects of any town and look and see how many satellite dishes you see. Is access to cable and satellite really a need in the country?
I can’t wait for all this to come to an end and it will because we as a county ARE broke. Very soon one day China won’t loan us the money and then these free programs are going to come crashing down. When they do, the animals will be out in the street demanding their free stuff. That’s when the fun will begin. We moved out to the country to get away from this crap and have put away enough to last us for a year or more. I know I am a careless, heartless person who won’t be willing to share with anyone else but my immediate family. You want to know why? Because we have worked our asses off and saved and saved and saved. We don’t eat high on the hog and I don’t think anyone owes me nothing. We’ve worked our entire lives and we won’t quit working. You want something? Then work harder to get it.
So you can sit there and wait for someone to give you your free stuff or you can get off your lazy tails and go out and work for it. Don’t tell me there are not jobs out there. There ARE jobs, but you won’t lower your standards and go do them and you might have to get a couple of them to get by. Its just easier to sit there and watch Jerry Springer and Dr Phil every day. You may not start out at the top but those who are willing to help themselves deserve help. Those that don’t or won’t deserve nothing and should get nothing.
It is not hard to find individual abuses of government assistance. However the VAST majority of people receiving assistance are people who would rather work than receive aid. Abuses occur but don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. Many people in my area would love to have a job but can’t find one. $31 is the average weekly food stamp allocation. This is hardly an extravagant amount. I agree those who can work should work and recieve no assistance. But those laid off and unable to find a job should be fed. We cannot ignore the basic needs of good people in a bad situation. Not one of us is immune from the possibility of ending up in this situation.
I am over 50, physically disabled, single with no family or support system, and with several other medical issues (diabetic, heart condition). I also work full time – 40+ hours per week – yet because I “make too much money”, I don’t qualify for any medical, financial, or food aid of any sort. I pay my bills on time faithfully each month, and use what little is left to subsist on ramen noodles and kool-aid. Someone what to tell me how I can get a steak once in a while? Someone want to tell me why the myth of “work hard, spend little, and you’ll get ahead” is still believed in, when it is such utter BS!
@FedUpwithStupidity: Your comments are antagonistic, and I’d appreciate some form of apology. A house worth $100,000 with a $400,000 replacement cost? How wonderful that would be. Our house was valued at $30,000. That’s right: $30,000. All the houses in that rural area have similar values. It’s replacement cost would be about $100,000 on a very, very good day. It is a humble and old but good shelter; it is no McMansion. We now rent and always had, because we never anticipated having to care for our parents to this extent and we had never desired saddling ourselves with a mortgage at a young age. Our parents never had to take out a mortgage either. Our whole family now lives in a small rental unit to ensure we’re in a community with good medical care. If we absorbed another shock to our household, we’d be homeless but for that original family house. Do you now see why the $30,000 we might get from selling the house for the short term gain looks insignificant compared to the long term knowledge that we’d always have at least a shelter? Do you still view our decision as not pragmatic? Sometimes, you can work your entire life and make good decisions and very bad things happen. What the author needs to realize and what you seem unable to grasp is that welfare reform rarely fixes the cases of abuse and simply makes it more difficult for those who are temporarily facing hard times to have a springboard or a hand up.
If you can’t understand all this, then I’m fed up with *your* stupidity.
Jenny: The Bible says, “He who shall not work, neither let him eat.” There’s a pretty big difference between being disabled and poor and being lazy and poor on purpose to mooch from the government. The Bible is very clear about people who are lazy and refuse to work. Read Proverbs. It sounds like you are the kind of person this system was designed for… and you are not the kind of person this article was written about.
First off, those few you discussed are NOT everyone on Food Stamps. Maybe you should have reported these people instead of blogging about it. The people who really do need Food Stamps are trying to feed their families. Wait until you graduate college and have a family and lose your job. I have a job and so does my husband, but I was raised on Food Stamps. I know it is kind of hard to wipe your butt with no toilet paper. With this economy right now, please tell me what you think should be done. DO NOT punish the poor, just because of others. And so you know, WIC is not a form of welfare. WIC is an awesome program for mothers and children to eat healthy. And those who receive Food Stamps do not necessarily have to be on welfare.
https://www.facebook.com/christine.rousselle
From Christine Rousselle’s Facebook page:
Christine’s Favorite Books: “365 Ways to Drive a Liberal Crazy”; Anne Coulter’s “Guilty: Liberal “Victims” and Their Assault on America”, “If Democrats Had Any Brains, They’d Be Republicans”, & “Godless: The Church of Liberalism”.
She’s also traveled quite extensively for a girl paying her way through school by working at Walmart, as her article implies. Pictures show her recently as far away as Disney World, & the Reagan Ranch among other exotic locations. She appears at counter protests to what appears to be Occupy Wall Street holding a sign saying “I love Capitalism”. She is clearly a Right wing provocateur who has means to travel & enjoy the finer things in life. I have no idea why she even had to work at Walmart for the summer. I’ll bet her Mommy & Daddy are well-to-do right wingers who passed down their politics the way she suggests poor folks pass down their welfare habits.
Great Post and I couldn’t agree with you more! The fraud has to be controlled.
Very interesting read from someone who worked on the inside of a store I just try to avoid at all costs because of the “people” you so accurately described. Thanks for sharing how horrible people are and how they abuse the “entitlements” that states somehow owe them (in their minds).
After reading your post, I just wish I had the b*lls to demand that someone change the price of my vacuum to $3.48! I apparently am a stupid consumer to not have thought of this while demeaning the store cashier!
When you have people working full time to support their families and they cant afford to eat steaks then your are darn right I think we should be able to say people on food stamps shouldnt be able to buy them with the money we as working tax payers provide. My husband and myself both work 40+ hours a week each and we dont eat lobster, shrimp, and steak so NO I do not think people on food stamps should either. They should be frugal at the grocery store like we have to be but they arent because they have more money to spend on food each month than we do. Thats what irritates me. If they were only given half the amount of money each month then they would not be eating such expensive food and the government wouldnt be broke.
Pat says:
December 14, 2011 at 1:53 pm “It’s a free market. People can spend their money however they want it, regardless of how they earned it.” NO! It’s not their money and they didn’t earn it! AHHH!!
I remember the day that I got laid-off last year. I was standing in line at the Walmart register. My 4 year old asked if she could get a candy bar. I told her “no, we must use our money to buy food, because mommy doesn’t know when she will be able to find another job.” Ahead of me was an obese lady and her child. They had two carts one filled with “real” food, and the other piled high with junk food. They paid with an ebt card. I don’t have a problem with people that actually need assistance it is those that abuse the system.
Wow! Well written! You make an excellent point. If you represent the future of Maine, then the Pine Tree State has a very bright future indeed!
I would be very interested in knowing exactly what type of childhood the author had. I was poor. Some nights I went to bed hungry because food wasn’t plentiful. I’d bet our author has never went to bed hungry. I’d bet our author didn’t wear hand-me-downs out of necessity. I’d bet our author had a pretty easy, sheltered childhood. It’s funny how many people judge what they’ve never experienced. Ridiculous.
Careful, certain ppl get wind of this and they’ll be moving to Maine.
I worked in a counseling office. Food stamps are only part of what goes on. First, there are many, many services available for supposedly low or no income people, including help with utilities, medicine, doctor or hospital help, counseling, rent, etc. In the Chicago are there is a huge thick book that lists the various programs. Second, where people are ashamed of being on welfare, there is no sharing of information with others. Long timers talk about what’s out there like it’s a business. Who is offering what, what agency has run out of funds and who has some money left, who is going where, etc. is information shared. Often we would have a room full of people who knew each other, like it was old home day. There were some people who really needed help, but they didn’t know how to work the system and didn’t come with the right papers. I no longer work there but did for many years. I see now that some charity places, including toys for children sources, are getting smart. People must come with serious identification and addresses, birth certificates for the children, whatever is needed. No more getting several turkeys and selling them off. No more getting great toys from many different places.
If I could put something into effect, I would make people do volunteer work of some kind for whatever they get to the point of having to cook for group meals. Need to bring children along? Let other volunteers watch them. The only exceptions would be for the fragile elderly or those handicapped. I remember this was tried once, but I don’t remember the outcome.
Melissa E, you are a moron. In the article, Christine was referring to people who abuse the system, NOT the people who are in real need.
Why are you lashing out and defending the abuse of the system, unless you yourself are an abuser???
Not everyone who is on foodstamps is a mooch. My husband and I got on them to help feed us and our kids. We moved to another state after my husband lost his job of 3 years. We are frugal with ours and always make it last throughout the entire month. Do we get the occasional soda? Yes. Cookies or some type of sweet every once in a while? Yes. I have no apologies for the things I buy. I, like many other people, have paid into the system since I was 16 years old. It’s time my tax dollars help me when I need it. I am a coupon clipping, store brand buying kind of shopper. You won’t see nothing but hotpockets and tv dinners in my cart. I buy veggies, meat, cheese, cereal and fruit with my ebt card. I get to buy things now I used to struggle so hard to buy before. Now, with that said, there are people who abuse the system. I used to work at a grocery store and it always disgusted me how moms would send in their children with their ebt cards to buy candy bars and mt dew. People like that don’t deserve to be on them. Or the people who buy nothing but hot pockets and pizza. Just keep in mind that yes, there are genuine people out there who do need them and had to swallow their pride to provide for their families.
Excellent article. I too believe there are those who actually need them to help them along, but there should be limits. I once had a person infront of me in line with her EBT card wearing a pair of real UG boots and all designer clothes…really I can’t afford that and I have a job. Growing up poor and on occasions needing food stamps, I know they have their place. People need to learn to be frugle. I knew we were poor and my mom would always say she didn’t want to live like this, she worked 3 jobs and I lived with my grandmother, who was also poor, just so we didn’t have to be on foodstamps. My other thought is, at least here in MN, I see help wanted signs in just about every store I go into, it may be crap work and crap pay, but at least it would be a job.
I did hear from one of my friends that had to go on welfare, that she made more money sitting at home being on welfare than she did at her minimum wage job! She thought it was discraseful to be on welfare and now works 2 jobs to get by. However, it seems wrong that this is the case because why would you ever want to get off of them if you make more money while on them?
It is a testament to the power of our corporate media that nearly everyone here is so concerned with how the poor and marginalized (yes and sometimes ignorant and stupid) exploit the system that also exploits them instead of focusing on the massive corporate welfare robbing taxpayers not only of their money but also their democracy. The biggest companies in America don’t stay powerful b/c of the “free market,” they actually subvert the free market principles by ensuring (via lobbyists) they receive regular and enormous government subsidies all while paying zero taxes yet getting millions in tax returns. They also receive taxpayer bailouts when they fail at free market principles (but they don’t mind since they all get huge profits and bonuses from the whole situation. Only taxpayers and employees and clients/customers suffer the consequences.)
Then they proceed to pay for the campaigns of the politicians so that the politicians continue to serve their corporate sponsors instead of the people. Our “representatives” come in already vetted by powerful interests and the people no longer have a voice in democracy, rather they are used as a buffet that our “representatives” guide their corporate sponsors to in order to feed on.
Next time you want to tell someone they can’t participate in our culture b/c they’re on food stamps, and judge them for not somehow overcoming generations of poverty and marginalization and lack of resources, remember you can do far more to help yourself, your loved ones, your country, and the cause of democracy by re-focusing on the FAR more insidious and dangerous CORPORATE WELFARE.
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Nader/CutCorpWelfare_Nader.html
I am also a cashier at a Wal-Mart in Oklahoma….. I have seen much of the same things… Had a couple come through this summer and pay for over $400 worth of food on food stamps and then turn around and paid for a swimming pool ($400++) on a credit card….if you can buy a swimming pool… you can pay for your own food
I love all the comments about I “deserve” to have steak, lobster, birthday cakes.
We are not on welfare and are not considered “poor” but we don’t have many of these luxuries.
We don’t have flat screen or cable.
My car is 9 years old, window is cracked (saving to have it replaced), Dent from a hit and run in the parking lot (can’t afford deductible)
Our clothes come from thrift stores or are hand me downs (and we pass down the kids clothes again when they outgrow them).
Christmas gifts are socks, underwear, new gloves, shoes, etc that are needed. Stockings have things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, health and beauty things that I get free after couponing.
I coupon and shop sales but I’m not a coupon queen because we don’t eat processed foods. If we have steak it was because I could get it cheaper than other meats (I don’t pay more than $2.99 a pound)
When we have a birthday party, we make the cakes.
We very rarely eat out. If we do, it’s a big treat.
The only time you see soda in this house is for the kids birthday parties.
Our house was bought as a foreclosure.
It is decorated with thrift store finds -my couch and loveseat cost $25
I have a cell phone paid for by my job- it is not a fancy one w/data plans, etc. I have internet due to work too.
My kids have cell phones (but no texting, etc. and limited minutes). We don’t have a house phone because this was cheaper.
We don’t go to regular movie theatres -only go to the $1 theatre occasionally and then only on $1 popcorn days.
I don’t use a microwave and went a year without a dryer while saving up.
Our vacations are long weekend trips once a year to see relatives or camping in local state parks (w/camping gear that we picked up used or was given to us)
I homeschool two kids on $500 school budget a year (and have to balance my time with work -not easy). We use the library a lot.
We do a lot of charity work and some of it has taken over to the government housing apartments. EVERY household there had a flat wide screen TV. 75% of the cars are newer luxury models. They have all the different game systems and games. The kids are on free and reduced lunch but have $2 to buy snacks at the lunch counter every day. The kids have Iphones, etc. All of I hear is how they “deserve” this or that. No, you don’t “deserve” it.
So my tax money goes to pies and cakes? Really sweet! Get to work Lepage, you have your work cut out for you!
she didnt say any of this because of her political views. the fact that she votes republican is because of stuff like this. i agree 100% with her and im independant. im tired of paying taxes and having people leech off the state and live better than i do working two jobs and stuck living with my parent in my mid twenties because i can’t afford what these people are getting for free.
Rather than saving up for what we want and spend on what we need, this country is borrowing what we want and getting handouts for what we need. You can disagree, but you’d be disagreeing with fact. PS: I proudly state that I have never, nor will I ever own a credit card, I’ve only (and justly) received unemployment for two months (which I paid into), & our secrete for living assistance free on low income is budgeting (buying only what we need and saving up for what we want).
Here is a list what you don’t know being just a cashier at Wal-Mart. The article is fraught with misinformation and fallacies and I challenge you to find the answers for yourself. There will always be people who will abuse the system to be sure, but the key to research is knowing how empirical observations can lead you astray. I hardly think you qualify to assess what constitutes “massive amounts of welfare fraud and abuse”. I guess you’ll learn that in college?
1. The people checking out through the line may not be the person receiving the benefits. Benefit recipients can designate an authorized representative. The person you see using the card may be a paid caretaker, family member or friend, group home worker, or (depending on the state) a foster parent. For that reason, you shouldn’t judge the financial situation of the benefit recipient by the possession of technology of the person buying the items.
2. Programs vary from state to state, but where I live, cash benefits are to single parent households, the elderly or disabled, or refugees. Household expenses might include gifts or recreational items such as earrings, a slip and slide, or kitkat bars. Benefits are not given with the expectation that they are the only to be used for things you would die without, they are given with the expectation they will be used as a (normally transitional) source of funds incorporated into the household budget. The expectation that recipients must divide their funds so as not to use benefits for “non essential” purchases is unrealistic and undermines the whole point of the EBT card.
3. Plus, it’s a little silly to think that people in poverty shouldn’t get to buy gifts or some fun things just because they use some form of public assistance. So you expect a family of 4 who makes under 20k a year to never get to go to the movies, buy a birthday cake, or play with a slip and slide (which I might add is MUCH cheaper than a water park and it can be used all summer)? “Well, I guess you can receive public assistance to feed your children, but I’d better not catch you buying anything to take your mind off of your difficult impoverished life!” What exactly are you jealous of here?
4. WHAT?! Someone who is impoverished and most likely uneducated acted foolishly in public when it came to managing their purchases?! I’m shocked! Why did she not kiss your feet and thank you for your generosity as a taxpayer?
5. 1991 does not constitute a generational use of welfare. The disabled and handicapped often receive benefits their whole lives. If you don’t like it, I suggest you work on creating unprecedented medical and scientific advances or raise minimum wage.
That being said, I did enjoy the last paragraph. Your observations on the problems with motivation in the Maine welfare program and usage were really good. Maine does have a problem and need reform. I just think it’s important that you realize all of your other information does not make that argument for you. You come off as an inexperienced, judgmental Wal-Mart cashier. I know you don’t want to be. Try it again using academic methods and language.
The left doesn’t mind this. This is how they are guaranteed votes in elections. When you object to this FRAUD, you are called heartless because you don’t care about the unfortunate people of society. This is how the left plays the class warfare game they play. To help the helpless is one thing….but to support those that are too lazy to work and commit FRAUD generation after generation….that is WHERE the AMERICAN PEOPLE need to start SOUNDING OFF ABOUT it to their CONGRESSMEN. DON’T LET UP…..This has been going on WAY TOO LONG…at the expense of hard working AMERICANS….
The irony of this whole article…. is that these ‘Welfare Scammers’ spending at Wall-Mart… Gave Ms Christine Rousselle a job… Every cent that she earned during at her job, came from Government welfare checks!!!!
Few groups are easier to demonize than minorities on welfare, or the dreaded “Welfare queen” from Reagan’s Southern Strategy.
Few people view Medicare and Social Security as welfare programs, because people “pay into it”. While this is true to some degree, the reality of the programs is that nowadays, because age limits haven’t been adjusted, the average beneficiary receives 3-4 times more in SS benefits than they ever paid in, and there’s literally absolutely no connection between the amount of Medicare tax paid in to the amount of Medicare benefits received. These programs cost FAR FAR FAR more than TANF and so on.
But nobody likes to demonize the elderly, and the elderly vote, unlike poor minorities.
Also, anecdotal evidence is about a half-step from just plain fiction.
I’m not arguing that reforms wouldn’t help, but there is no perfect system. Either we’re going to have a somewhat overgenerous system that helps most/all of the people who need it and occasionally helps those who don’t, or we’re going to have an overly restrictive one where some/many people who do need the help don’t get it. This notion of everyone who needs it getting it and nobody who doesn’t not is just a conservative fairytale, not unlike many of their other policy proposals.
The outrage over welfare abuse is disproportionate from the size of the problem. Meanwhile, we’ve spent more on national defense in the last 30+ years than THE REST OF THE WORLD COMBINED. But I suppose when your name is McConnell Douglas as opposed to LaShonda Jackson, people aren’t as prone to giving a shit.
There is so much misinformation and distortion in here, that I would barely no where to start. You are a conservative, because you are ill-informed, ignorant and judgmental. No worries, though. Your karma is coming your way.
Republicans are simple-minded morons. If you can’t see the obvious holes in her story, go back & watch the NASCAR race:
https://www.facebook.com/christine.rousselle
Why don’t we just end the hand outs – cold turkey? I bet these people who are so “entitled” will have jobs faster than you can say “free money”. I am appalled that people think steaks and lobster are “deserved” (entitled). In MY house, you get what you WORK for! I can understand lending a hand when needed, but this system is out of control. I think there should be an isle in the grocery store that carries “no name” or cheaper goods that food stamp and welfare people are required to choose from if they are using my “free money”.
Whatever happened to shame? These people have NO pride and brag about how they continually screw the system! These people love a hand out – they are stepping on our backs and braying like donkeys about it! Wake up people! Theirs makes up a large population and IF they vote, they vote for themselves. This equals MORE programs for THEM! Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up! Snap the cover shut on this cookie jar! Question purchases that are made – make these people answer for their steaks and lobsters!
Too bad if you don’t “appreciate” you purchases being scrutinized! How do you think WE feel??? We are the ones PAYING for them! If I had it MY way – you’d be in a soup kitchen. Oh, and STOP having kids! If you can’t take care of them by yourself, you shouldn’t be having them! They are NOT tokens to be traded for MORE hand outs! They are not a “right” of yours – not if they become “ours” to raise!
I’m so disgusted – too bad most of the people who SHOULD see these posts are busy staying out of work and off buying steaks and lobster.
I’d like to know how voting Republican would help prevent welfare? This is stuff that’s been institutionalized by our country. After years of acceptance, this is the American Dream. I wanna know why this is a welfare program issue and not an education issue?
Also, we are viewing this through biased eyes as well. Most people work and pay into something and in the end inflation and greed cannot sustain us as we live longer. This girl is going to college and does not expect to be back at Walmart working after she graduates from College but put the other shoes on and view it from the perspective of a person who did work all their lives and are belabored by high medical expense who are living beyond the years we used to live when welfare was instituted and it becomes very muddy water.
This article is more an education issue for me as clearly these people are street smart enough to work the system while the educated look on in resentment. The pictures for WIC items and reading comprehension is just a failure to teach people to be better informed. The bottom line is even if they are buying steaks and cakes, they are still not smart enough to budget money. They blew away money on expensive stuff they’ll eat in one night and then the rest of the month they’re eating peanut butter and scamming fast food restaurants.
First: this is an excellent article and you have done a wonderful job expressing your opinions, no where in the article did it try to convey that these were anything more than your observances or opinions.
Second: Readers, there is no need to be defensive. the article is about fraud and abuse, if you are using your food stamps correctly, she didn’t mean you.
Third: you can buy all the ingredients to make several cakes for the price of one prepared cake, with money to spare, I have done it, intentionally, to see.
Four: I do not have ANY problem with welfare, I do though, have a HUGE problem with entitlement and fraud, and like it or not, it is rampant, in all camps of welfare.
Great observation.. Someone needs to send this to EVERY news agency. I do wonder if they will report… Sad. People have little or no pride and take such advantage.
Gotta love it. Kit kat bars? Honestly? The person could be a diabetic and the candy could be a medical NECESSITY. You don’t know the circumstances. So just do your job and keep your mouth shut. after all, you have a job BECAUSE of those “welfare queens”.
Oh my goodness!! I am giving you a virtual high five! I worked in a small, family run grocery store in Portland and witnessed the same behavior. What drives me insane now is when they come in with their TD Banknorth Visa or their Bank of American Master Card for $9 worth of product and are driving a $50,000 car. Grr. Anywho thank you so much for the post!!
This chick is exactly the type of cashier I HATE : Pay no attention to what I’m buying or how I can or can’t pay for it; stop making inferences based on what is on your conveyor belt & what ‘type’ of person is emptying their cart onto it; don’t judge people based on their Wal-Mart purchases; Social Services are put in to place so that EVERYONE has “certain unalienable Rights,that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence); and lastly: Providence College is $55,000 per year for tuition & either she’s paying for it ALL (or her parents are) or she received a ton of….wait for it…wait for it…FINANCIAL AID.
WOW there are SO many prejudiced people out there who like to make judgements against things that they know NOTHING about!!
I agree with SOME of this article but also have MANY problems with this article!
How is this possible when there was a law passed where a person can not be on food stamps for more than 5 years in their life?
Also do people know that to received food stamps that you have to do 20 hours of volunteer work a week with a total of 80 hours a month? So people are working for their food stamps. This is equal to the hours of a part time job. PLUS besides the volunteer hours, you are expected to apply for ten jobs a week. Where do you go when there are no more places to apply?
As far as buying the steaks, etc. did she ever consider that it was a special occasion and that for the rest of the time the person ate Ramean noodles for the rest of the time so that they could afford the steak? Or do people on food stamps not deserve to have special occasions like the rest of people?
How do I know all of this? I am on food stamps right now and am SO tired of people’s prejudices when I pull my EBT card and the cashier announcing loudly OH its a food stamp card. I am also so tired of people saying OH so you are living off my hard work and just sitting around the house when that is not true! I pray that none of you judgmental people ever lose your job, become disabled, or have anything else bad in your life happen to you where you may have to use the system and then you will have to deal with judgmental people such as the one that you see when you look in the mirror.
Corporations love it when poor people fight with each other over the issue of food stamp abuse because it distracts them from noticing the real cause of our current depressed economic state: Corporate welfare abuse. OPEN YOUR EYES, YOU MORONS.
@Michael-I haven’t been to Disney World since 2007, you know, before the recession? The trip to California was paid for by a group who was impressed with the activism I had done on campus, and it was the first time I had ever been out there. I was protesting at Occupy PROVIDENCE, not OWS. Occupy Providence is a 10 minute bus ride away from my school. I’m also not sure what you mean by “exotic” locations–I’ve never been to Europe, Mexico, etc. I’ve been to Puerto Rico once, when I was nine years old, because my family flew down to visit my father, a Merchant Marine, on one of his trips. His ship traveled from Jacksonville to San Juan. It wasn’t a ritzy vacation. My parents worked VERY hard to provide for my brother and I, and I am thankful. My mother’s father died on the job (working overtime to buy Christmas presents) when she was nine years old, and my Grandmother scrimped and saved so that my mother and uncles could live good lives. My mom had a paper route at a young age in order to have spending money. My father worked two jobs to put himself through college and eventually earned a Chief Engineers license. My parents did not grow up rich. I had to work at Wal-Mart because I needed a job. My brother and I both work. Our parents do not pay for everything, and they shouldn’t. I’ve been very conservative since a young age, and I make my own decisions. My mother was a registered democrat for 18 years and is clueless about politics. My father is a little more opinionated, but he was never in the house for more than 10 weeks at a time due to his job. Please don’t make assumptions about me.
I agree, with the exception of a few statements. I was married for 13 years to my husband and at the time had been living a wealthy care-free life, until one day my husband springs on me he had met someone else and had filed for divorce, he packed up all of our furniture etc, and left me with an empty house and 3 children to make it on my own. Mind you he never allowed me to work so our children could be raised the way HE saw fit. He was court ordered to pay child support which I never saw. Not having been in the work force since my teens it was rather difficult to find good employment. I finally broke down and applied for aid so I could feed my children. After 6mo. of looking I finally got called to work as a cashier at a fastfood business. I remember walking through the grocery store in my work uniform and purchasing groceries with my Fs card and the dirty looks and comments that where made to me and how I would cry because I was so ashamed it had come to this. It took me a long time working many hours picking up xtra shifts before I could repair all the financial damage that was done after my divorce, afterall I made min. wage $7 an hr and my mortgage alone was $650mo, I had made $800-900a mo. I had infact purchased a birthday cake for my son with my card, because working the hrs I did I had no time to bake one for him and you try to explain to a 6yr old why his birthday is not important enough to have something as simple as a cake. I managed my finances well and also managed to save some money and after only having been in the system for a little over a year had pulled myself off. I now am very successful and along with my new fiancee of 3 years make a great living. I will never forget my time on public assistance or the people who made it possible for my family to make it through that period of my life. I spend alot of my time now giving back to the community and donating money to less fortunate. Try going to a battered womans support group and then come out critisizing those women who also need public assistance, not everything should be taken at face value, and because of the people out there who do abuse the system the only people that will suffer are the people who truely do need the help!
MARRY ME!!!!!!
@Anonymous: I am not “Assuming” (your word) that she ran a daycare. She was talking about her daycare with the cashier as I came up to the register with my cart. There was a lot of lunchables, applesauce & juice boxes. She continued to talk about her biz as she was checking out with the EBT card. No assumption on my part. After she left, I asked the cashier if I heard correctly & she said yes, lady comes in all the time.
I am sorry but I agree with some and not others. First there are reasons to be on welfare but it is outrageous that those that have worked for and paid into it are many times denied when they need it or are given $100 for a month’s supply of food. Yet you see all the illegals that have had babies here in the US and they have hundreds if not thousands of dollars on theirs!!!!! Give me a break! Give them only food for the kids and not them. They need to go back and get in line to be let in legally to get into the country! I am sorry but just because they birthed a child here if they themselves are not citizens. Look to them for alot of this welfare fraud!
Great article, another thing , you know there is a serious problem when people on welfare coming through the line having the government paying for their food & stuff yet they have perfect manicures & highlights in their hair which is not cheap, them & their kids are wearing the hottest fashions & $50 DC shoes, the whole family including the kids have Smartphones or MP3 players. All things that cost ALOT of money. So if I can’t afford all those things w/both me & my husband work hard to take care of our kids & can barely keep a roof over our heads, how are they able to afford all the nice clothes & expensive electronics if they are so “needy & poor” on welfare.
#1,I am a Democrat, and I take offense that only Republicans take offense to FS fraud. I work at my locat Pick and Save. I see FS fraud all the time, and I also see responsible FS use. The people who have been on it for years are the ones who abuse, and the ones who just lost their incomes recently due to the GM closings and all the jobs that went with it are the ones who seem to shop wisely on the card. I have contacted many of my congressmen and senators regarding this, (both Democrat and Republican) and they do not seem too interested in solving the problem. Maybe because not enough of those working to make ends meet have voiced their opinions to those we elect.
I had a woman come through my line the other night and she had 2 separate orders. She paid for the first order with her FS card, because the 2nd order was for one of the local fast food restaurants. To my amazement, she paid the second order also on her card. I told her that was fraud. Her response? “Why? I am getting paid back for it.” Others come in when we have our soda sales and will fill up 2 or 3 carts with soda and then take it to local gas stations and sell it back to them.
The only way the Food Stamp program is going to work to satisfy everyone, is if they make it similar to WIC. Allow only the necessary foods and drink one needs to survive. If it is a taxable product, (like soda) it does not qualify as a FS product. Candy is not a necessity. And if you are using the self check out, you are allowing businesses to lay off more people. Keep the jobs there. Do not promote more layoffs.. this ony promotes more welfare.
Dateline NBC exposes sex pervs, Cheaters exposes people who are unfaithful, cops shows us people getting busted or arrested for various crimes. I think this is as absurd as anything else on TV. I’d love to see a reality show that busts people for this and in turns forces them into getting off welfare.
Seriously? You worked at a Wal-Mart and that somehow entitles you to an opinion. I work for a non-profit that assists low income people become self sufficient. Most of these people do not want to be on assistance, but have no choice, they need to eat. The cases of fraud are the few, but they are the ones that get the most publicity, mainly because of people like you. So what they bought steaks and birthday cakes? And while I do believe there should be some reform, especially when it concerns cash assistance, I don’t believe we should completely wipe the program out. I hope that you never have the need for food or cash assistance, but if you do, I hope people like you don’t eliminate the program.
good read.. a lot of us worked crappy jobs!! they really aren’t THAT hard to find.. go to any mcdonalds in texas and they don’t speak english! same with cleaning!
What blows my mind is the number of people that think that someone on Foodstamps should have complete control over food choice – When the program started in the 1930′s – you got bags of beans, rice, dry milk, flour, etc. When they went to actual stamp booklets, you could get ground beef (to a limit), potatoes, etc. but no candy, processed foods. Why do you think everyone deserves steak and bakery cakes? I have been unemployed for 5-1/2 years – I CAN’T get welfare, unemployment, Food stamps, WIC, etc. I haven’t purchased a steak in at least 10 years. What makes you think I should pay for you to have what I can’t afford for myself? As for the lady that said she only bought the fancy bakery cake because the toys on the top were the kid’s bday gift…well I am 52 this year and have never had a bday party. If you baked a cake from scratch and explained to the kids why they were not getting gifts, wouldn’t that be a much better gift/lesson to give them? Who deserves ANYTHING? IF you earn it, maybe! On foodstamps – no one! This makes me sick – here I sit using up my savings to pay taxes to support this ? – I done!
My husband and I have had a business for over 6 years. It started failing last year and I started looking desperately for work. last december we lost a lot of money on a job and felt totally helpless going into x-mas with 4 kids and no money, waiting in line for food at churches. We applied for services and qualified for food stamps. You cannot imagine how gratefull we were. It actually turned out our income was so low we could have been on for the whole previous year! I still cannot find work and am going to college, paid for by the state and grants. We still get foodstamps and are gratefull. YES, when my kids have a birthday, i buy a HUGE cake and invite all the friends and neighbors. We are trying, we are not stupid or rude to people. It is OK for my kid’s special day to be special! We dont have cell phones or cable or nice cars. We lost our house, our pets and livestock. The money is given for food, who are you to say what I can and cant decide to splurge on.
This is an excellent article and makes me WANT to vote republican. F’n moochers.
Great Article Christine
Great Article Christine
When I was young in the 60′s welfare was not card to load up on junk food. You got what was called government surplus food. Powered eggs, powered milk, caned beef or chicken and other simple things in ugly unlabeled cans with a name stamped on top of the can. Likely you had to pick it up in a cold warehouse. If we did the right thing and go back to that system it would help a lot in putting an end to so much of this nonsense.
I see the same abuse at the local Win co store, Carts piled with expensive foods and junk food, lots of junk food. It’s a terrible thing to create entitlement generations but our country is doing it as fast as we can. Now we have a President that is trying to do it with the health care system. I have a good income by working for it and I never buy the expensive and almost zero junk food.
Down the street is a large Section 8 (welfare) apartment complex. Lot of swearing, drug activity, and litter on the street that I pick up near my house. We pay for there rent, for there food and they dump there garbage on us. I suggest we use that excellent idea of drug testing before you get food stamps or get your rent paid by the rest of us!
Harold R
Nikki,
The problem with buying things like steaks and i phones with your ebt money is that the rest of the country (for example myself, currently pursuing my 8th year of higher education to become a physician) are not able to afford steak and i phones. Furthermore, much of their ebt money will go to cigarettes to make them sick, and junk food to make them obese, which will then send them into the hospital to rack up a giant bill that you and I will pay for, as tax paying citizens. I have been a registered Democrat all my life, until I saw what people are really doing with their welfare money, and in 90% of the cases, it is NOT what it was meant for.
Honestly, this sounds like whining about one’s job as much as it does about welfare abuse. Christine shows some real career promise to have landed a cashier’s position at WallyMart during her college summer breaks. I guess that beats doing an internship with a real breadwinning company or seeking out work that is in line with her major. And maybe that is part of where the ‘welfare queen’ comment of “it must be tough to stand on a mat all day and be a cashier” really dug into Christine. That standing there judging that she was a better human being than her customers she was stuck with the irony that she was employed at a bottom feeder employer in a less than entry level job while her college buddies grabbed the attention of real Fortune 500 employers and dealt with complex business solutions. What Ms. Rousselle doesn’t appear to contemplate is the other side of the story that may indeed be valid for some of her clients. I’m not saying all, and I’m not condoning or marginalizing fraud or problems with the system, but there is sometime to be said to counter Christine’s accusations. There can be extenuating circumstance. Welfare recipients aren’t always of full mental capacity – there are such mental disorders that make work a near impossibility for some. Others that carry food stamps may not be destitute themselves, but may be caring for a disabled dependent or have a severely disabled child and are homebound to care for them – versus the “have a job” comment that Christine smuggly threw back at her patrons. There is a middle ground Ms. Rousselle and I hope you find it. And if you don’t, then I’d suggest watching out. You never know when a disease, disorder, accident, ailment, etc. could be lurking that changes your life instantly and completely and leaves you or your caregiver wondering when the next set of foodstamps will arive in the mail.
While there are certainly opportunists and ignorant people and even downright criminals involved. But it goes back to the fact that we are trained like dogs to tear apart people who commit small acts of theft (poverty and crime go hand in hand) but never once think about the corporate criminals, the theft of our tax dollars, the theft of our democracy, the use of tax dollars for killing masses of foreign human beings along with our loved ones in the armed forces. The crime at the top is so obscene and so vile it is really unbelievable how disgusted we get at a fat person using food stamps to buy soda (b/c that’s our money!) yet think nothing of the way those in power pillage our country and especially other developing countries, propping up warlords, privatizing education here, imprisoning thousands of Black people as the new Jim Crow, raiding taxpayer coffers and transferring them into private profits, and worst of all denying people here a voice in power so that they die from lack of health care or a livable wage or the various other ways poverty and marginalization kills people while also literally killing and torturing brown people all over the world in our name.
Is the fat, poor, stupid woman really our enemy? Really? Seriously? Not the banking cartel or corrupt politicians? The oil, bank, and big business execs and their lobbyists? I can name a few names that are Satan compared to our “welfare queen.” Cheney, Bush, Wolfowitz, Obama, Biden, Giethner, Rubin, Holder (voting rights anyone?), Goldman Sachs execs. Not to mention the World Bank, the IMF, and the Fed. Anyone curious about more please check out Confessions of an Economic Hitman along with its followup A Game As Old As Empire (gives data and multiple sources for the EHM account.)
I will say that some of the people who are using these benefits are doing it wrong.
I just recently applied for foodstamps. I am disabled and cannot work, and my husband cannot get work right now through the temp agency he was going through, because there is nothing available for him. He also reapplied for unemployment. My $600 disability check pays for the rent, and that’s it. We currently have no other benefits coming in. I am eating lunch right now, you know what lunch is today? A tuna sandwich. You know what it was yesterday? A tuna sandwich. Last night’s dinner was ground beef mixed with beans, corn, tomatoes and spices, spread over bread in what my husband called a “Mexican open-faced sandwich.” Tonight is swai fillets that we found on sale, 10 fillets in a package for $10 and we split one fillet between the two of us. We don’t buy lobsters, or steaks. Last time I had a lobster was 5 years ago, when my husband had a decent job and was able to take me out. But that was then, and this is now. Now we need help, we need the assistance to get us through until he can find work again. Hell, right now, we don’t even have a car because we can’t afford to buy one, and our old one got junked for money because we couldn’t afford to fix it.
The people that abuse the system like that ruin it for the people who truly do need it. I see it all the time, women having children for the sake of staying on welfare, people who lie and cheat the system so they never have to work. But people like me, people who need it, get lucky to get what they have.
I am not a welfare queen. Legit disability. I even did work for quite some time, but I was actually fired due to my disability, before I was able to even apply to get on disability.
So don’t lump everyone into the same category.
Preach it sister.
I would like to invite the author to contact me so that she can get the side of a person that obeys the rules but continually gets judged by cashiers and others.
Well said, Ms. Rousselle! Excellent balance in your perspective, with appreciation for the compassion we must have for those in true need, the responsibility those who receive assistance have in doing everything they can to improve their situation, and the deleterious impact too much “help” actually has on the individual and society. Good on ‘ya!
Imagine that you put a gallon of milk in the fridge,. Then a person comes by and says, I will just take a drop. No one will notice. then a few more people come by and do the same thing. By the end of the day, there is only a quart of milk left.
I bought the milk for the needy, and now it is almost gone.
What solutions can all of our astute minds come up with and force our government to enforce in a fair way?
Do we go to a govt food distribution system where nobody gets a card to spend at a for profit business but gets their allotment directly from the govt.? sounds like communism and you may not like it.
Govt milk?
I think a lot of the people commenting are actually unaware of how the system works and think their reforms are a solution. Im conservative but I realize the NEED for social welfare programs. Take an economics class at your local community college and this will make more sense.
Yes, there are those out there who are abusing the system. Ironically however their abuses really don’t add up that much compared to the actual welfare budget. Look at unemployment for example – since most of you are actually rallying against that and not food stamps (though you don’t realize it). In most states/counties unemployment compensation is based on prior income. The majority of abusers worked at a place like McDonalds and therefor only made (for example) $800 a month$200 a week. Since generally unemployment doesn’t equal your previous pay (by means of urging you to find work) we will say they receive $125 a week$500 a month. Since most of you are unaware unemployment in most states requires a job search and a number of interviews a week to be paid out. The dept of labor actually collects employment logs and audits them, calling employers to make sure in fact there was an application, interview and that if offered a job it wasn’t turned down. For those of you who say “there should be a requirement to find a job on unemployment” well … there is already.
Now, a majority of people out there on unemployment do actually need it. They lost their $40,000 a year jobs, not their afternoon shift at the golden arches. In the above example by not working the person was out perhaps $300 a month by collecting unemployment. The reduction however if you were making $40,000 a year is WAY larger, we are talking thousands of dollars a year in losses. Likewise, those making $40,000 a year generally have a home, family, major bills and so on – as some of you keyed onto with your own stories, the welfare received was not actually enough to really make your bills even out, likewise you didn’t abuse the system. So in it’s own right, it somewhat works. Therefor by comparison when you look at the overall budget for social welfare programs shelling out the $11,000 a year for the abuser is a problem but is pennies compared to the larger portion of unemployment recipients who receive large checks. Their job search isnt applying at Wally-world because they can’t afford to live on $11,000 a year with two kids and a mortgage. Most of you if you lost your jobs admittedly would not take a $30,000 pay cut.
So, that out of the way lets evaluate WHY we need social welfare in the US today. We like to look at how things used to be in this country but we fail to understand that our economic model today is way different than the one that existed a mere 100 years ago. Yes, unemployment helps the unemployed (who by the way had to lose the job by reason other than their own, you can’t quit a job and collect) keep paying their mortgage and put food on the table but those acts don’t just benefit the recipient. Continuing to pay their mortgages keeps the lender in buisness, who keeps paying their employees keeping them off the welfare system. Lets look at an above example, the slip`n`slide & cigarettes, by spending the money at Walmart for those items, Walmart continues to operate and employ people, and they continue to purchase products from the distributor who sells them the slide, who in turn employs people, and who orders the slide from the manufacturer who employs people. All of those people turn around and spend that money back into the economy which continues to run. If we stopped paying welfare, think about the economic impact. That is the key reason the government continues to pay welfare and extends it – because if 8% of the US population suddenly stopped putting money into the economy unemployment would sky rocket. Think about how many of your struggling companies could lose 10% of their buisness and be okay?
Anyone who has been to a business management class understands the concept of man hours, and therefor is aware that a 10% loss of customers could represent not employing one or two employees (small buisness) or a company like Walmart it means closing a store or two (many employees). We already realize that means that many more people now need unemployment. So, next time the person wearing leather and gold uses their EBT to buy a $25 slip`n`slide realize they just paid for you to stand at the cash register for Walmart for the next two and a half hours (assuming you get paid $10/hour which is probably more than you make).
Next lets address the “im tired of paying for you to buy the slip`n`slide with my taxes”. A lot of people sound very uneducated when they say this. When you pay unemployment out of your income via your employer yes, you are paying the welfare system who pays that person who just walked through your line. However you are paying an insurance fee – if you become unemployed YOU are entitled to compensation. Few people in history have ever been upset when they received the car insurance check for their new car after a wreck. Many of you, should you lose your job tomorrow and receive unemployment would not be angry then that you paid into it. You would probably also be upset with people who said you were a low life sucking on the tit of society, since you are educated and had a respectable job and therefor are searching for another one but you don’t get hired over night. When we evaluate the $25 slip`n`slide and how it paid your salary for 2.5 hours lets then figure if you pay say $0.25 an hour into unemployment (I hate math so I am keeping it easy) it means that of the $25 of unemployment funds that were used to purchase the slide and then paid to you in hourly wages in effect you paid $.62 in unemployment which came from that original unemployment fund. While this isn’t a very sustainable model it is one way to think about how you pay your taxes – if anything – you never paid into unemployment at all. Odds are that $25 slip`n`slide will pay for your entire paycheck’s actual unemployment deduction, thus recycling the money in the program. I just put it in there because when I’ve been a cashier I have enjoyed thinking of it like that when I was in your situation.
Onto food stamps and the like. Here lies the problem with your arguments about reform, if you don’t know what you are talking about reforming, your plan for reform sounds (and probably is) uninformed and therefor wrong. Food stamps and WIC are not paid necessarily to the unemployed. Telling someone on food stamps to get a job is like telling the bus driver to drive a bus. These welfare programs are for the poor, people who despite having a job do not make enough to pay to live where they are. When I say this people think I mean someone who makes $15,000 a year lives in a mansion. Where I live my rent is $790 to live in a crappy apartment, and likewise, there are laws that limit occupancy so I can’t have my bud’s crashing on my couch and paying rent. If I make $7/hr in minimum wage and work 40 hours a week I only make $280 a week, or $1,120 a month. With gas at $3 a gallon and not being able to afford working close to home lets say I spend $50 on gas a week, which translates to $200 a week in work related expense. Additionally I need to eat, which if I eat $10 per day of food means $70 a week ($280 a month). Next lets just put an even $150 for utilities (I actually pay more than that). So, my monthly expenses are $1,420 but I only make $1,120 a month – and that’s just me being single. Most welfare programs are for families.
So you say I should move where the rent is cheaper? I actually did that, it makes the problem worse. I moved two towns over where rent is cheaper, but had to continue to work (for example) in my old job. Instead of spending $200 on gas per month it changed to spending that in a week. In the western US we don’t have the same public transportation systems as the east cost mind you (I digress). If everyone who couldn’t make ends meet with low pay moved away from where we all live, all the service businesses that we receive services from would have to close (since they would have no employees) which would cause problems for those of us not in this layer of poverty. This is why we have programs like WIC and Food Stamps – because if I pay you $300 for food you actually make enough money to pay your bills in the above model; so you continue to work at 7/11 which is where I buy gas so I can continue to work in my $30,000 a year job which supports the economy. The only true fiscally sensible alternative to replacing WIC is repealing child labor laws … which most of us agree is not socially acceptable.
My favorite argument I hear a lot is about jailing those who abuse welfare systems. This is perhaps one of the dumbest ideas I have heard. First, removing these people from the economic cycle hurts the economy as we evaluated above. More importantly if you abuse the system and manage to make $11,000 a year from the govt its pennies compared to the $66,000+ it costs to incarcerate you for that year. Additionally, since jails can only hold so many people, if I fill the jail with deadbeat citizens I can’t put rapists, murders, and other violent felons behind those same bars. I am not making this up, go ask any of the “legalize pot” campaigns about early parole and release programs because of overcrowding of prisons.
If you are still with me thus far, congratulations hopefully I have provided you with some insight into how the system actually works. With any luck now instead of repeating the same senseless argument you can think about an actual solution to the problem. If you find yourself working at a cash register and someone on food stamps comes through and buys a carton of smokes look on the bright side, they will probably die sooner, reducing their impact on the welfare system. When they come through and buy a slip`n`slide or that fancy new fake leather jacket smile and know they are keeping your employer in the black, and keeping you off welfare. Likewise, be glad that those who abuse the system will generally spend their entire lives below the poverty line and never enjoy that trip to Rome, Super Bowl tickets, the wedding of their dreams (unless shot-gun style is your thing) and best of all the elevated sense of self which allows someone to complain about the poor.
Wut chu mean dat you be payin for my food and bling. Did yall not hear wut Obama promissed us, he be payin for everything so don’t go round sayin that u be payin for my stuff. no sir. Mr. Obama done got me some nice extensions, some rent a rims on my Marcedes, he pay for my nails to get done and day look goooood. Dat man know how to take care of da majority of us americans.
Take my son for example, he got xbox and playstation and I only work a day a week. Dis christmas he gettin new air jordans, upgradin his busted azz iphone 4 to da iphone 4s. He aint gonna look like no sucka in school.
So yall try walkin in my shoes, they be 300 dolla shoes so you would be aight.
My husband was laid off from his job about 2 years ago for 8 months. First we got rid of our cell phones, then we got rid of our cable but when it got too bad I finally went down to apply for food stamps to see us and our boys through until he found another job or was called back ( which he finally was about 3 months after I started getting the stamps) while I was down there waiting my turn I saw several young girls with babies and a woman about my age late 30′s with older kids. The women were dripping in gold jewelry. Necklace nameplates, charms and the such. Earrings and rings as well. Designer clothes, shoes and coats. Using expensive cell phones. I could not believe my eyes. The lady with the older kids had a a touchscreen phone and so did at least 2 of her teenage kids and all 3 were wearing Baby Phat jackets and boots. I went outside to smoke one of my $2 a pack small cigars because I could no longer afford rolling cigarettes ( and a month after this I even quit that and have now been smoke free for over 2 years ). While outside I started talking to two case workers who were on smoke breaks as well. I asked them both if it drives them crazy to see these people come in here talking about how they cant pay their bills or feed their kids but yet wear designer clothes and nice jewelry. The one told me she wasnt a welfare worker but was a social worker and she what really upset her ( and rightfully so ) was how she would go into these peoples houses and they would have the biggest flat screens and every game console known to man but wouldnt have a lick of food in the cupboards or fridge. So I understand what you mean.
@Michael – Typical liberal trying to use character assassination to bring down your opponent because you aren’t intelligent enough to argue on facts and policies alone.
There are so many misguided comments here acting like we all want to eliminate Welfare altogether. I haven’t seen so many people ignorant of politics since my college days.
Abuse is rampant everywhere, but it doesn’t change that MOST people do what they are supposed to with their goverment help. I realize that you are often “reminded of why you vote Republican”, but I think the story should be tempered with the fact that the people you described are the exception not the rule, that out of the 1000′s of people you see each week not everyone is cheating the system, and that there were indeed families who came through your line who followed the rules to the letter.
BTW… just a little comment on the ‘giant birthday cake’… I know those cakes are $25, but even a poor child deserves a birthday cake and a party. I was a welfare child. My mother was divorced with 5 children. Her total child support award was $40 a month plus the house. There were 5 of us children and not one of us got birthday cake or a birthday party when we were growing up. It wasn’t our fault that Richard left my mother for a woman 1/2 her age (which he would do 3 more times to women before he died… with a wife younger than his oldest grandchild). If some woman used her food stamps to buy a $25 birthday cake and invited other children to a party, it means that that child got a birthday cake AND gifts (brought by others to the party). Why should the child not have a birthday celebration simply because their family is down on their luck?
I agree that welfare reform is necessary. It is long overdue. I am reminded to vote Democrat because the Republicans think “welfare reform” means cutting out all social programs. Here is something to think about: Without social programs, which is what voting Republican in 2012 means, how well will you sleep knowing no one is abusing the system but that hundreds of thousands of children are going to bed hungry every night right here in the good old USA? If we could count on people and businesses to do the right thing and help those in need, it would be one thing, but let’s face it: that isn’t happening and it isn’t going to happen. It’s every stinking man for themselves if you listen to the GOP and TP… The GOTP says there are plenty of jobs and everyone could work “if they wanted to” and at the same time are screaming “there are no jobs and it’s Obama’s fault”… it can’t be both ways. Right now the people who are getting the tax breaks are not hiring because they’re greedy. They’re working skeleton crews and raking in the dough and getting tax breaks for doing it while you are in favor of denying a kid a frigging birthday cake… Wake up and smell the coffee! Quit drinking the GOTP koolaid. We need welfare reform but we can’t cut off the people who need some help right now.
Welfare reform should have limits. Unemployment should have limits. There are a lot of things that can be done, but voting Republican won’t set limits, it will take away all forms of help, including help for those who are truly in need.
I agree with the fact that people should not take advantage of our welfare system. I also believe that our welfare programs are a great nessasity to many families that are working very hard and can still not make ends meet. I do not agree with the lack of couth you have to label people “welfare queen 1 and 2″. The article spent a little too much time discussing your judgments about others and not enough time focusing on the things we can do to change the problems our systems face. I have two suggestions 1: get a job in a high end retail possition where you will only be dealing with wealthy entitled people. Walmart is not really known for its classiness or extraordinarily brilliant clientele. 2: placing judgments on people will only make you a bitter hatred filled person.
Also I’d like to mention that steak and lobster arent foods that are specifically meant for one class or the other. I commend those people for buying actual food and not a pile of processed garbage.
Terrific article! When I was working full time and raising my two sons, I qualified for food stamps but never took them. The idea to work in law enforcement and make so little money to actually qualify for food stamps just blew my mind. In the state of Kentucky there is also so much abuse of the unemployment and welfare assistance programs, it boggles the mind. I continued working until I retired after 26 years, never taking any assistance from the state, thankfully I remained healthy and never stopped working, unlike the generations of young adults in our state today who simply will NOT work. I began working and paying into the retirement system early in my 20′s and retired before I was 50 years old. My family was poor, my mother raised 6 children alone on public assistance and I simply did not want that kind of life for me or my sons. I understand there are cases out there where the family need the assistance, as in my mother’s case (she was ill and disabled) but there are extreme cases of abuse as well.
In Oregon and Washington they cut ALL dental from anyone 18 and up (including disabled people) they should cut foodstamps so that people can stop eating cake and use dental which is something they actually need.
I would also like to add that I’m certainly far from being ignorant or lazy. I have just happened to fall on hard times. Could I work full time? Yes. But after I pay daycare expenses for my children and the ridiculous cost of gas back and forth to work I MAY break even. I would rather be on foodstamps than have someone else raise my children. Also, just because I wear a decent outfit or my hair looks nice, have you stopped to consider where you get those things? I go to the beauty school for my hair and it costs a whole $5 and I buy most of my stuff at Goodwill or I may just get lucky enough to find something on the clearance racks at Cato. My children wear consignment store clothes. We drive a vehicle that is 14 years old. But we’re surviving. Just a little insight…
I saw the same sense of entitlement when I worked two seasons for a tax-preparation company. Folks came in armed with all the right answers to qualify for the Earned Income Credit. I couldn’t always prove they were cheating, so I had to file their taxes, but I knew in my heart that some were. The ones who came back wanting to modify their return because they suddenly had a social security number for a grandchild and “had forgotten” the child lived with them that tax year…those were the ones I was able to refuse. They were blatantly lying and trying to beat the system. So many young families aren’t married these days because the mom will claim all the living expenses of raising the kids as a “single” mom and “qualify” for more EIC by never saying the father lives with her and is working! EIC fraud is HUGE every year. My husband and I have qualified for the EIC a couple lean years…legitimately…and we were grateful for the help. The abuse and entitlement out there is a very sad compass of the morality (or lack of) out there!
@ChristineRousselle – Please don’t make assumptions about you? I feel entitled to make assumptions since you made so many assumptions about people. Except I based my assumptions on hundreds of photos & self proclaimed interests that YOU POSTED on your personal Facebook page. You based you assumptions on what people purchased during your 2 minute transaction at Walmart.
To all the people who are criticizing this article on the basis of one’s “freedom to buy steaks and birthday cakes”:
You’re missing the forest for the trees.
Further, even if one concedes this point, it would do no harm to the case presented here, which is:
Welfare should not exist so people can be selfish and lazy for as long as they want in any way they want. That’s irresponsible.
I thought that was the obvious point of the article. Nothing seems to be obvious anymore…
I have several problems with this article; mainly the generalizations that are made about your “questionable clientele.” The picture you paint in this editorial is designed to feed the agenda of the GOP media machine.
I am a server (though most of my wealthy Republican clientele call me their “waitress”) at a busy restaurant in the financial/business district of Chicago. I have no doubt that you were treated rudely during your time as a cashier; what you must know, however, is that nearly all people in low-paying jobs that require manual labor, being on your feet, and smiling through the pain are subjected to their customers’ abusive, insensitive, ignorant comments. On top of being sexually harassed on a daily basis, I’m constantly asked by individuals why I don’t have a “real” job, or “if” I graduated college. (My “real” job is auditioning as an actor, which requires the flexibility that waiting tables provides me and yes, I DID, in fact, graduate from University of Illinois-Chicago, Magna Cum Laude.)
The social issue that you are sorely missing is the compassion that lacks among the masses these days, and it isn’t because people are abusing the welfare system. It is because generally, people are spoiled, selfish, and immature, especially towards strangers and those deemed “beneath” them, and your political party is the absolute worst culprit of exhibiting those behaviors.
The truth is, the welfare rates and government supported programs such as EBT and WIC are at their lowest rates they have been at in a long time. I took many classes in the School of Public Health at UIC, and visiting the state websites, you would be astonished as to how little money is really being “handed out” as a whole. I ABSOLUTELY acknowledge the fact that people are abusing the system, and that reformation is sorely needed. But cutting these programs as your political party suggests does not solve the problem; it stifles even further the deserving individuals who are born and bred into hard-pressed lives with no one to guide them and are forced to attend inadequate, underfunded school systems.
And if you want to talk about “abusing the system,” I see droves and droves of wealthy men sit at my tables lamenting the fact that their taxes might be raised, yet abuse their CORPORATE CARDS to buy a lot more than $400 worth of alcohol. If a person is questionable because she uses $400 to buy food that you deem nutritionally inadequate, I think you would agree that spending $800 on alcohol on the Corporate Card is just as questionable. Sure, they may cap these write-offs at 50%, but it lessens the tax burden for the corporation. At a time when corporate profits are at record highs, these “tax write offs” seem questionable to ME. And let’s look at these people, who sure as heck are not yelling about green peppers. Nah, they’re not yelling about a whole lot because life is much easier to THEM, I assure you, than the ones you describe in your article. The hard truth is, these traders, financiers, attorneys, and consultants drink their lives away and stunt their minds from growing, making them unable to think dynamically. THAT is the epitome of laziness, and they are just as guilty of abusing the powers they’ve been given as the ones you write about. The only concern they have is getting buzzed after work, going home to their material possessions, and hitting the repeat button on life each day with mindless spending, when in reality, they could be out putting their “hard earned” money to: Charities that use arts therapy as a low cost option to make a difference in an abused child’s life, soup kitchens run by our churches, homeless shelters that need basic hygiene supplies that could clean a man up so he could be presentable for an interview, health and sciences research, education in impoverished neighborhoods, and more. Perhaps living a more examined, fulfilled life would better these people’s outlooks and we’d start to see social change in the United States in a shift toward compassion and empathy, which is what is missing. And perhaps if everyone was willing to help out a little more, we wouldn’t have such a need for the government “hand outs.”
And for a young woman to tout the fact that she is proud to “vote Republican,” I ask you to examine the serious health ramifications this could have towards you simply because you are a female. Google H.R. 358 and then tell me you’re not terrified you’d be the victim of rape one day and walk into a hospital that refuses to provide you with treatment that could prevent pregnancy. How about the proposed cuts to Planned Parenthood by Congress, that would pose serious public health risks to women who are no longer able to afford the services they need to cure illnesses, or prevent disease? Federal policy restricts funding for abortion, by the way, so I’m confused as to why there is a lot of focus on cutting HEALTH SERVICES (pap smears, breast exams, etc.) to women. Another bill that represents a serious threat to women’s health and rights is Rep. Mike Pence’s (R-IN-06) “Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act.” This bill would strip federal FAMILY PLANNING FUNDING (as provided by the Title X Family Planning Program) from health care providers that also provide abortion care with PRIVATE funds. Or, when the Department of Health and Human Services is advocating to ensure that birth control pills be issued with no co-pay, yet the Tea Party is opposed to it; what happens when someone simply can’t afford to buy their birth control pills? They get pregnant. They have a child. And they will no doubt resort to programs such as WIC. But you want to slash WIC and family planning from the federal agenda? Well, now what? Children grow up malnourished, exhausted, under educated, and with a reduced chance to contribute to society. I lived down the street from Section 8 housing a few years ago. Have YOU ever seen a 6 year-old child dig through the trash on a street corner? The inadequacies and the conflicting views that your political party subscribes to astounds me in the lack of critical thinking.
And one last note- the part where you mention the “Welfare Queen’s” food choices with no nutritional value. (Aside from the fact that I see hoards of businessmen consume 24 oz steaks and other foods with zero nutritional value when their waistline suggests it would behoove them to order vegetables-and hopefully they’ll save adequately for the cardiovascular treatment they will undoubtedly be needing in 25 years, because with the direction we’re going, Congress doesn’t think the elderly’s medical costs should be substantiated at the federal level.) Had it occurred to you that perhaps the “Welfare Queen” grew up in a low-income neighborhood with no choice but to attend the dilapidated elementary school that I guarantee you did NOT offer “health education” classes. She also most likely grew up in a neighborhood that was a lengthy commute to a supermarket that provided fresh produce. Food desserts are a travesty in this nation, and another such travesty is the meat and dairy industry which are FEDERALLY funded and pump the illogical thinking that hormone injected “dairy and protein” are what we need to be feeding ourselves every day, thus the reason you have 8 year-olds who are menstruating and over-sexualized by the time they’re 12. Good thing they won’t be able to buy the Plan B pill until they’re 18, though, huh? I assure you that those living below the poverty level don’t know a thing about nutrition because no one in their life ever gave enough of a care to educate them, or they didn’t have the means to because they didn’t grow up privleged. And Type II diabetes is now considered a growing epidemic amongst our nation’s youth, but Michele Obama is a “liberal Socialist” for wanting to implement policy and change in our public school cafeteria programs. http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/05/michelle_obama_unveils_childho.html
Man, I could go on and on, but my advice to those in agreement with this sad article that’s unfortunately the view of someone in my peer group is to educate yourself at the university level about social and public health, and then go wait tables on the wealthy. You’ll have much more of a compelling argument and more “questionable characters” will come into view.
My husband and I have worked for over the past 21 years of our lives. Now my husband lost his job and I am currently looking for work. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 21 years and have registered to attend college to “brush” up my skills (my background is in computers). We have recently applied for food stamps and medicaid and got accepted. I have a family of 5 and need the help. In the past, we have donated food and money to these organizations and I do not feel guilty for asking for the necessary help now. I do see some ppl abuse the system and that is where the concentration is needed. You cannot categorize everyone who is receiving financial assistance as “abusing the system”. There was a comment from someone here that stated that you don’t have the right to judge and I agree. You do not know the circumstances of every individual or family that is on public assistance. Every family/person has a story and a past. You are fortunate that you have a job so leave it at that and do not pass judgement on anyone. If you are a Christian, then refer to your Bible and remember “who casts out the first stone”…
If a person/family wants to buy a birthday cake, then I feel it isn’t any of your freaking business if they choose to purchase it. They may be buying the cake for a child knowing that they don’t have the money to purchase one. It is considered “food”. And if they want to purchase steaks, then so be it. Maybe once in a great while, it is nice to treat oneself with a good meal. Maybe the person is buying steak because of an anniversary or birthday. You cannot judge on what people buy. It is none of your business. You just continue to work at Walmart and keep your mouth shut.
I could go on and on about this, but I am done with you and your close-minded behavior.
Well, this is of course a frustrating topic for the taxpayer as well as the recipient. Many people elect not to apply for much needed benefits, due to the stigma built around articles such as this one.
But keep in mind that this essay is written by a college student, who most likely has not faced many of the rigors of “the real world”. I myself always scoffed at adults who dismissed my problems with a “just wait til you get to the real world”….but let me tell you, they were right! Life since college has been a real eye opener to me. I’ve never has to struggle and worry so hard!
It’s a scary time…However, I have the good fortune of a college degree, and am living in temporary poverty, due to my choice to perform national public service.
But let’s dig into the situation this young woman addresses. Yes, there are flagrant abuses to our welfare system…and it seems to be a permanent solution to some of its recipients. A better scenario is one in which case workers are trained to better assist their clients in getting off of public assistance. This will require a very hands on, and slow moving approach to empower welfare recipients to climb out of poverty’s grasp. That is what I’d like to read about…not a college student’s frankly under-developed opinion on the matter, built over a summer at Wal-Mart. I would much rather read links that offer SOLUTIONS, rather than gripes from people who’ve never had to struggle.
I am also a cashier at Walmart ; and I could have written the same and more. I don’t know when this entitlement of generations of lazy people started, but enough is enough . Rude people, telling us insult after insult for just doing our job and trying to help them with their Wic checks, like it is our job to do their shopping for them also , they tell me to do my damn job . I don’t know how mucho more we can pay the way for our poor. We aré tacking care of every bill they have, and they in turn teach the next generation and on and on.
It really all comes down to responsibility. Being responsible for your children, finances, etc. There is no excuse for being irresponsible, regardless of your upbringing. Like one of the greatest quotes says, “Everything I needed to know in life I was taught in kindergarten”. Be nice to people, have manners, share, etc.
If you are a person who thinks for one minute that the government should take care of you then maybe you should move to China.
So many thoughts are rushing through my head after reading this article. I disagree with about half of this girl’s points. Actually, more like 90% of it.
She says welfare needs reform. I agree. And that’s where our paths (and really my point of view with any conservative theorem) diverge.
My stance if very straight forward. I have no right at all to judge you. If you are disabled and need state assistance, that’s okay by me. You see, to be considered “disabled” I understand a doctor has diagnosed you so. I need to assume that the doctors and social workers following up with these patients in the so called “system” are doing just that. However, if they did not have the fund to resources to do that, I’d say you’ve found the root-cause of welfare’s problems. If I were, however, a 19 year old cashier at Wal-Mart, I would understand that I do not know anything at all about what a particular person or family’s circumstances are that have landed them in a situation requiring aid.
What I do know is that as a 19 year old working summers at Wal-Mart, I probably don’t even make enough to owe any taxes. I live with my parents and maybe don’t even pay for my own car insurance. I receive my own type of welfare, and maybe even feel entitled to that financial help from my parents. I most likely have federal loans helping me pay for college. Despite this debt and reliance on someone else’s income, I probably have an iPhone with a data plan, even though a track phone would do just as well (And maybe I could put the money I saved towards my own education cause you know, I don’t rely on anyone but me!).
To quote the big guy, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” To me that says to not judge someone because you feel entitled too. (It also says that maybe every college kid should get a full time job and pay for college without any federal assistance if they’re gonna dump on others getting federal aid.) The thing is Christine, your two summers at a Wal-Mart do not make you an expert on welfare, food stamps, the health of our economy, or the plight of the poor. Those people brought steaks, you said? And…? They got meat from Wal-Mart, not Omaha Steaks. I mean, think about this. Do you really think these people are living it up? Chances are (I admit, this is an assumption, but so was most of what you wrote) they are living in state subsidized housing (if they’re lucky), or a trailer they can barely afford to heat. Maybe all they have for a job is a part-time night shift gig at a Circle K with no benefits (Unlike you, who thanks to Obama’s Healthcare Plan can now stay on with your parent’s heath insurance longer). I mean, it’s not like these people are getting a free ride here. Are you truly jealous that the state is buying their food? You think they’re partying 24/7 cause they don’t have to work? How do you even know they don’t work? Exactly, you don’t. You don’t know anything about them.
Being poor is hard, and to quote Jesus once again, “What you do unto the least of my brothers you do unto me.” That article you just wrote, slamming the poor for having it easy? Looking down at them, vain, and feeling as though they don’t deserve their food rations? Think about the hate you’re breeding. Not only do they have to budget what they can buy for the week on their food stamps, they also have to realize that the shirt they’re wearing might look a little too nice (“Well if they didn’t buy that shirt from the Gap, maybe they could afford their own food!”). They also have to remember to hide their cell phone less the 19-year-old Wal-Mart cashier might think hey don’t deserve to buy that cake they picked up for their kid’s birthday. So don’t look down your nose at these people. You have no idea what’s brought them to the point they’re at.
Or, to be fair, they could actually be having trailerpark-wide community meetings where they arrange a childcare rotation cause if “Welfare Queen #2″ can pop out another kid her benefits will increase X amount! Which, despite another mouth to feed, will equal another $500 in her pocket every year! Hell, she can go buy plenty of green peppers with that kind of cash! Wow, what a life!
So here are my problems with the stereotypes, contradictions, and hate your article breeds. First, despite what you imply, you do not (nor do any of your readers) have all the information you need to throw someone off of medicare/food stamps/EBT/what-have-you. One shopping spree at Wal-Mart does not Welfare fraud make. Second, “voting republican” will not blindly solve the problem. These are the same people who want to tax the poor and middle class, while giving tax breaks and reducing oversight on corporations and millionaires. Yeah, cause furthering income inequality will fix “the welfare problem.” Third, opening your article with the caveat, “I know some people need help…” does not give you a pass on judging anyone. There is a reason it was decided that “Welfare Queens 1 & 2″ were given those benefits. And honestly, it’s not any of your business why. They may have a physical disability or psychiatric diagnosis that prevents them from finding sufficient work. Maybe all their money goes to pay health care bills because it’s not like republicans are doing anything to get all of America’s citizens covered (Healthcare should be a right in the richest country in the world.).
But I did say there needed to be reform, didn’t I? What we need is more help for the poor, not less. It’s society’s responsibility to help our weakest members. What we need are more social workers and doctors and nurses and psychiatrists to help these people, particularly the ones you were so quick to banish as undeserving. Do you honestly believe these people like living in their trailer parks with all the crime and drug problems that go along with many of those communities? Do you think they like worrying how they’re going to pay for the oil to heat their home? Do you think they like being forced to buy unhealthy food because it’s all they can afford?
Do you think they like standing in your line at Wal-Mart?
If you’re worried about the state going broke, or the United States going broke, I’d point you at some other problems. Too many wars. Too many tax breaks for the rich, too few for the poor. Weak regulations that allow companies to pollute our land, leading to wealth for the few and disease for the masses. Reliance on oil, any oil, foreign or domestic, without giving the support to alternative energies due to lobbying from Big Oil. I’m angry my tax dollars go to support all of that, but I’m happy that some of my tax dollars go to support anyone on Welfare. I can sleep at night knowing someone got to eat because Maine is so generous, but I toss and turn at night knowing someone was shot in Iraq with that same tax money.
So I guess I’d challenge you to truly think about what’s bankrupting our state. Are we giving the poor too many breaks, or are we giving the rich too many breaks? Somehow, I don’t think your “Welfare Queens”, or even your friend with the iPhone, had anything to do at all with the State’s, Country’s, or World’s financial problems.
When I read something like what you wrote, I think to myself, “This is exactly why I don’t vote Republican.”
So why didn’t you take down these people’s information and turn them in? How is the system suppose to catch fraudulent welfare recipients if cashiers just smile and make snide comments? Stand up and be counted. FIle charges and alert the local authorities. Your Senator or Congressman doesn’t have the power to enforce the law, fraudulent claims department of the EBT does. Where’s the report you filed? What proof do we have that these people actually exist besides your anecdotal evidence? IF you’re just going to sit on your hands and blog about it, then what good have you done? How is the system suppose to work if you are unwilling to participate? I’m tired of hearing conservative rhetoric about Welfare Queens, and all the other boogeymen that the right creates to whoop the masses into a frenzy. Yeah, boogymen, I said it: Welfare Queens, the Unemployed, Muslims, Iranians, Libyans, Iraqis, Hezbollah, Al Queda, Gays, Lesbians, Liberals, Hippies, Black Teenagers, Commies, Socialists, Chinese, Mexicans, Teachers, Unions, Democrats, Environmentalists, Drug Users, Drug Dealers, etc, etc. You even think God himself is going to come and destroy the world in your lifetime. Scary! Scary! Grow up and get your head out of the sand. The people of this country are being fleeced, by the very people you keep voting into office: Conservative Democrats & Republicans. The fact that you both work for and shop at Wal-Mart make you part of the machine that is destroying the economy. What Thomas Jefferson called “the aristocracy of our monied corporations” is that whom you serve. Wake up! Shed your peasant mentality. Quit applauding the aristocrats for allowing you the privilege of seeing them drive by in their golden carriages. Welfare is unnecessary if everyone has an education and a job, yet conservatives politicians continue to kill public education and allow fiercely unbalanced trade agreements to remain on the books year after year after year (Chinese goods sold in the USA: 2% tariff, USA goods sold in China 22% tariff, brought to you by Wal-Mart). The rest of the world is passing the USA in math & science. Their are plenty of jobs in this country, but they take a knowledge & practical understanding of physics and higher math, so employees get shipped in from India or China. Way to go conservative politicians, USA screwed again! I am not a Liberal, so don’t go there. I work, I pay bills, I struggle, I don’t blame others for my struggles, I don’t pass judgement on people, I don’t believe anything the government tells me, I vote based on the candidate’s voting record and position on FOREIGN POLICY. Because without new tariffs, we’ve already lost the trade war.Globalization is how the Corporations are fleecing this country dry. And the majority of government waste is fueled by the military. Ask yourself why are we still building nuclear missiles when we already have 20,000 of them that are just rusting, oh wait they’re not rusting, the military waste that much more money maintaining them. Don’t even get me started on the $200billion that’s wasted on the DEA…
Food stamps are welfare.
Definitions of welfare:
3.financial or other assistance to an individual or family from a city, state, or national government: Thousands of jobless people in this city would starve if it weren’t for welfare.
4.( initial capital letter ) Informal . a governmental agency that provides funds and aid to people in need, especially those unable to work.
Idiom
5.on welfare, receiving financial aid from the government or from a private organization because of hardship and need.
High Five to you Christine!! Welfare is for people who need TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE with food stamps,TANF, ETC…. not a lifetime career!!! If you can’t afford your first born child..fine but what right to you have to birth 3,4,5 or more children and expect the taxpayers to pay YOU a monthly allowance for them! You can complain about the DEAD BEAT dads or moms that aren’t paying you child support, did you think about that before not using protection???
@ metzymom, could have made a cake for pennys on the dollar. Great piece!!
Excellent article. I understand your perspective completely. However, at times, your “insight” resembles that of someone who doesn’t know much about WHY people end up on food stamps in the first place. Most people on welfare have not been taught how to manage their money. And, the generational cycle you spoke of continues for that very reason. In a sense the welfare queens (a borderline offensive phrase since it is generally associated with black women on welfare only) are not to blame for what you experienced. They truly do not know any different or better. It is a flawed system that gives money to people without teaching them how to never need aid again. Without a change in mentality, removing welfare benefits will only hurt this country’s impoverished children.
I worked at a grocery store in North Dakota when I was 16. My very first experience redeeming food stamps was with a very muscular man with a Texas driver’s license and a North Dakota EBT card. As he riffled through his wallet I could see at least $2000 in $100 bills. He was wearing two gold chains and name brand clothing. Ever since then, I’ve known something was very wrong with how welfare is managed.
Ariel, I apologize for not reading your article before I posted mine…I could have gone on and on about this issue also, but you said it all for me. Good point. I am proud that at least someone out there is paying attention…..
try New Mexico,It’s out in this little town called Truth Or Consquences, just really make you wonder..and when Clinton was president they Had Welfare Reform,Only allowed to be on welfare for 5 years,and my thought is, what Ever happen with that?
I’m a cashier at Wal-mart and see the exact same thing…. and more. Humongous fat people filling their carts (that’s right. “Carts”) with nothing but ice cream, candy, and soda. They are the rudest, meanest people you’d ever encounter. Often, they are on the go-carts for the disabled. They have at least two carts full of crap, and use the Express Lanes. Some of them, as soon as they leave the store, empty all the soda bottles by dumping them out, then cash them in for the deposits and purchase beer. If they changed the law so that all you can purchase with food stamps is milk, eggs, cheese, cereals, and meat, things will change.
You can’t judge people’s [ab]use of welfare based upon the products they buy, even when you see the same people every week for years buying things that no one “needs.” But all the liberals in your comment section sure have no problem judging your post based on its content.
I believe the word “hypocrite” comes to mind…or perhaps “blind”?
I agree with a lot of what you said. However as a person who has earned a Bachelors degree, and yet is on food stamps, who works two part time jobs, and still can’t afford to feed my children there are some things that bother me. Simply because I receive assistance I shouldn’t buy steak? Simply because I receive assistance my daughter can’t get a birthday cake like her friends get? Simply because I get assistance I shouldn’t have a cell phone? The money I make pays for the bills I need to pay, and tax dollars (mine included) help me with some of the expense for food for my children.
@ChristineRousselle- Nice to see you admit you were SUCH A RIGHT-WING ACTIVIST that you were REWARDED with a west coast trip to the REAGAN RANCH & some CONSERVATIVE youth group convention which included you being photographed with that Koch brother minion, SCOTT WALKER. I pointed out the OWS trip to prove you are a RIGHT-WING PROVOCATEUR, like your hero, ANNE COULTER. The writing’s on the wall folks. The Facebook wall, that is:
https://www.facebook.com/christine.rousselle
Not everyone on SNAP does not work.. I saw someone say if you don’t work you don’t eat.. well some people are working.. but their pay is low and after they pay rent, utilities there is no money left over for food.. those people are not abusing the system they are trying to survive. Yes the abuse needs to stop but those that really need help should have it.
I worked at Walmart for 2 years myself in Washington state where everyone and their mother can get food stamps and TANF unless you ACTUALLY need it! I saw so many of these things as well and it made me sick! My Mom use to have a neighbor who was on food stamps and they would run out on the first and buy 100′s of dollars of soda, lobster and steak. Two weeks later her 12 year old son, who was friends with my brother would come over and ask if he could stay for dinner because all they had to eat was cereal!!! My Mom eventually turned them in and they had to pay it all back as her husband had been working under the table. My husband and I were on food stamps for a couple of years when he became disabled and I tirelessly would plan my menu’s and clip coupons to assure that my food stamps stretched the full month and my children were fed healthy foods. After the two years the state decided we needed to be investigated because my Grandmother had been paying our rent so we wouldn’t be out on the street and there was NO way that a family member would be willing to do that for so long. It makes me angry to see the people who really need it being treated like crap and yet women who are popping out kids like crazy to get more money or people who use these things to support drug habits and the like are allowed to stay on the help for YEARS!!!
Now, let’s talk about financial assistance for people who are suppose to be disabled. There is a lot of abuse there as well. I met a lady in her 50s at the dog park. She had informed me she had just finished an ultra Marathon relay race. She told me she gets disability checks for pain of unknown origin. The guidelines for disabilities needs to be more stringent. I think the people I empathize more with are elderly people, but even then, if a senior is receiving 50,000 plus more in retirement pension, we have to re evaluate. Also, there are a lot of illegal aliens from all parts of the world, here in the US getting benefits.
I disagree with your conclusion. “Something must change before…”? Nah. I’ll tell you what’s going to happen. They’re going to run out of money. Then they’re going to run out of people/governments/international banks to borrow from. Then things will change. The only people who should really be worried are those who have made a “living” out of receiving welfare benefits and don’t know how to do anything else.
And how many people worked with her at Walmart, but did not make enough to get above the poverty level and they were on welfare, getting ebt cards and insurance because walmart won’t pay them enough to afford to live? It’s not just a walmart problem, Marden’s benefit provider for their non management employees has long been DHHS, LePage even bragged about how he kept one of his “most efficient employees” at $10 an hour for over 3 years so that she would not lose her Maine Care benefits. Now he;s responsible for kicking her off.
I don’t even know what to say. This is a problem on both sides. People do abuse the system all the time, I am not one of them. I recieve food stamps to help out with food.My husband is a full time student and I just lost my job in August.I have worked everyday since I was 14 yrs old! I’m now 33. We have a 2 yr old daughter. We all need to eat, my $250 a week in unemployment doesnt pay all the bills , rent and food. The only thing I do qualify for is food stamps. I dont even qualify for heating assistance, thank goodness it’s been a warm winter so far.Last year we didn’t have heat until january and it was 14 degrees out and a negative wind chill.But I finally put another call into heating assistance and they did helped us out, they said this 1 time. It hurts to hear all the negative remarks about Welfare queens and so on. I dont want to live forever on food stamps, but right now that’s all I have. As for steak, seriously! I guess I’ll live on hot dogs and such, how dare you choose what foods I can and can’t eat. I would never buy lobster, but a steak once in a while is just fine thank you very much. Get over yourselves. Oh and all Mainers are not coffee brandy, rednecks who sit back and smoke marlboros and shoot deer all day!!!!!!!!!! So keep your stereotyping to yourself too.I have worked hard for what I have and have accomplished, so I was laid off because of the ecconomy, I guess that’s my fault and I should give my child to the state and live on the street because I’m taking money out of other “hard working” peoples pockets!!!!!!! Never judge a situation you don’t know anything about. I will admit there are a lot of people out there that abuse the system and live forever on it, but remember there are people that just want to eat and find a job and get off the system. One night my husband, daughter(in a wet diaper) and I sat outside walmart for 2hrs in the car waiting for my unemployment check to get in so we could buy diapers. Do you know how terrible I felt that I could buy diapers for my daughter? After 2hrs my check was still not in, we had to go home with a daughter in a wet diaper and wait….this was 10 o’clock at night. My check never went through and I had to search the house for something for her to wear…. I finally found a swimmy diaper in the bottom of the diaper bag. I think diapers should be on the food stamp list, but I’m sure you’ll just say “why dont you potty train her?” I have been trying, she does sometimes. I tell you this because I want to let people knowI dont abuse the system and I don’t splurge on frivolous things, I just keep trying and moving forward and if it makes me a bad person to ask for help sometimes, then I guess I’m a terrible person.
The funny thing about observations and reality is that observations are not based on facts. You might have observed a lot of welfare fraud, but in reality, in Maine, only 2/10ths of 1% of families on TANF commit fraud. Furthermore, almost all parents using TANF are required to work 30 hours/week. For more information on TANF (since you clearly have plenty of observations but no facts and figures to back up your ideas) check out http://www.mejp.org/PDF/tanf_facts.pdf
Another thing: welfare is only available for single mothers. That guy who “had been on welfare [your] whole life” is an outright falsehood; I’m not disputing it happened, but you clearly don’t know what kind of entitlement program he was on.
Before you cite me as a liberal–I am a registered republican voter. I am also educated enough to know the truth about poverty in this country.
at the risk of making people mad, this is my point of view. i have 5 children who do not have iphones or ipads. i also have a husband that works 60-70 hours a week to support those children. we are not on any government funded programs. i do not eat steak and lobster because i can not afford it. probably because i am paying for that for those people who are too lazy to work. i do not think you are entitled to benefits if you are not paying those taxes in and i do not think you are entitled to the benefits if you come here and have babies just to be able to stay in this country. if you make bad decisions to sleep with some deadbeat, from remarks i saw earlier, then you need to make the decision to get out and get a job to support the child that is a result of that. just because you are too lazy to work does not mean your children are entiltled to better things than my children have . just cant beleive these people who think they are entitled.
I certainly hope you are just a Freshman College Conservative and that you have a few years left of your college career during which time you might learn to be a little less judgmental and in any event, to gather all facts before reaching a conclusion. You determined a man who had an ID card from 1991 had been welfare too long. DO you know anything about his health? His mental condition? Or could you just tell by looking at him that it was “too long.” I wonder if you managed to make any judgments about the people paying in cash. DId you wonder why they had cash? DId you rush to judge them by concluding that the fact that they had cash meant they were drug dealers or maybe that they only dealt in cash to avoid paying ten of thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) of dollars in taxes, leaving the rest of us to pay their share. Isn’t that cheating? No, you have focused on the poor and have determined just by watching that they are bad people abusing the system. Again, try to keep an open mind over the rest of your college career as you have a lot to learn.
Well, this is of course a frustrating topic for the taxpayer as well as the recipient. Many people elect not to apply for much needed benefits, due to the stigma built around articles such as this one.
But keep in mind that this essay is written by a college student, who most likely has not faced many of the rigors of “the real world”. I myself always scoffed at adults who dismissed my problems with a “just wait til you get to the real world”….but let me tell you, they were right! Life since college has been a real eye opener to me. I’ve never has to struggle and worry so hard!
It’s a scary time…However, I have the good fortune of a college degree, and am living in temporary poverty, due to my choice to perform national public service.
But let’s dig into the situation this young woman addresses. Yes, there are flagrant abuses to our welfare system…and it seems to be a permanent solution to some of its recipients. A better scenario is one in which case workers are trained to better assist their clients in getting off of public assistance. This will require a very hands on, and slow moving approach to empower welfare recipients to climb out of poverty’s grasp. That is what I’d like to read about…not a college student’s frankly under-developed opinion on the matter, built over a summer at Wal-Mart. I would much rather read links that offer SOLUTIONS, rather than gripes from people who’ve never had to struggle.
This is nothing. In California, they will do all of the above, and then ask you to help them to the car. THE CAR: A Brand New Escalade.
A great article… until you said you voted Republican. Shame.
Great post. Thank you for sharing this. I admit, I come from a family steeply in debt and who now, due to a layoff, makes 40K less than we did just six months ago. Still, the idea of having my entire life funded by the government is abhorrent to me. Welfare is really a system of control disguised as help for the needy. Just go out on the street and look around. Does anyone look any less needy? There are still homeless people sleeping outside banks and in parks while the people on welfare are the people more than capable of going out and obtaining a job. Okay, maybe that sounds a bit harsh, but come on; we live in AMERICA, not some oppressed communist country that regulates production. And I know Wal-Mart isn’t the most glamorous place to work, but kudos to you for exchanging something of value with society.
You talk about the people using food stamps as having a sense of entitlement, but you write this article with a sense of entitlement and arrogance. You sit in judgement of those that you think are inferior; however, it is your shortsightedness that is inferior.
Yes, it is true there are many out there that are abusing the system, but you judge with the broad brush of a Republican. Some of those people you judge are on a fixed income and are too old to work or have a disability. Others are using it as a hand up as it is intended; however, you have the audacity to stand in judgement on how they spend their food stamps!
How dare they buy steak and cake! You would have them eat gruel all day every day! Several people here have stated that you don’t know what it is like until you walk a mile in their shoes.Then there are other people on here that are praising your arrogance–how ignorant!
This article is a one sided rant to make yourself feel better about yourself. Didn’t you learn about journalistic ethics in college, maybe you were not interested. Either way, shame on you for standing in judgement of others. If you don’t like how the system works, don’t just talk about or write about it–do something about it!
If you are wondering, I have never been on food stamps, but I’m glad the system is there for those that need it legitimately. I have seen friends and family struggle to put food on the table. It is not because they don’t want to work, some are unable to find work or they are unable to work.
Judge not unless ye be judged!
I’ll pray for you.
You are a rather hateful person. You guise being a classist with “understanding” and it’s total bullshit.
I just want to inform/remind everyone here of what TANF stands for, TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.
What a shame to see such poor judgment exercised by a supposedly college educated individual. Let’s hope you never find yourself on the other side of the cashier’s line, waiting to cash out with food stamps. Well, maybe that would be a good thing for you to learn. You obviously are oblivious to the plight of those less fortunate than you. Grow up, Christine, learn about the world before regurgitating hateful ignorance about matters you simply don’t understand, can’t comprehend, or are capable of judging objectively. What a shameful piece of bigotry to read from such a young person.
You are a very intelligent young woman… I too have worked the cashier line at Wal-Mart in my hometown of Cordele, Ga. as well as Harvey’s Supermarket…. One of the things that bothered me the most was you could see folks come in and buy hundreds of dollars in food with and EBT card… All expensive meat, lobster and name brand everything….. They treat you like dirt at the checkout counter…. Then verbally abuse the bag boy who goes out and loads their government purchased grocery items into brand new luxury cars.. I agree with the cell phone bit too. Many an iphone I have seen on the ear of a welfare recipient… And they have the nerve to think it unconstitutional to make drug testing mandatory for welfare recipients… I think it is only fair because we are drug tested for jobs… Another thing that gets me is in Georgia they require welfare recipients to be actively seeking work.. They have a sheet to fill out that they have to present and get signed everywhere they go to search for a job. I know what the sheet looks like I have had folks come in places I have worked, looking like they just got out of bed; pajamas, bedroom slippers, curlers in hair or shower cap on… They do not even ask for an application they throw the sheet down on the counter and say “Hey you sign this for me” and I am like “Uh no I won’t cause your sorry butt didn’t even ask me for an application.” The majority of them don’t want to work they want something for nothing. I thought welfare was supposed to be for when someone hit hard times and needed a little help to get back on their feet. Their is a difference between help and SUPPORT… I am a single parent and I support my son…
The writer is still young and has yet to experience the real stress families are facing in this economy but I will still quote my comment I left on facebook in reference to this article.
~I read the article and at the risk of starting a debate I refuse to participate in, a side was left out. There are elderly folks on a fixed income who would not eat or would not purchase their medicine in order to eat if they didn’t have the EBT benefits. There are so many people today who are unemployed because of a failed government who can not just “walk into Walmart and get a job”. It’s not that simple for families in today’s economy. I feel sad for the families and elderly who truly needed the benefits but were hurt by the things she said in this article. Was the birthday cake for a child who probably didn’t get much of a gift due to limited funds and at least got that one wish? Who knows. That part was left out. I agree that many people are on benefits who shouldn’t be and are using their benefits to purchase drugs and alcohol. I say, we have to be drug tested to get a job, drug test before handing out the card but don’t allow families and the elderly to go hungry or feel ashamed for receiving benefits. I won’t debate. That’s my opinion and I’ll leave it there.
Thank you for the article! I am from the Metro Detroit area and know this situation very well. I don’t mean to drag politics into this but there is one man who consistently mentions the real facts and truths. Entitlements is actually one of these topics that he mentions often. I’m sure anyone who follows politics (and not just the talking puppets) knows exactly who I am talking about. Unfortunately we need to wake up and realize that things don’t and won’t change from one administration to another. (No matter if your R or D) Please people take a stand and vote for the person the consistent candidate.
You are typical of the GOP media machine nonsense, making up anecdotes and claiming they support some sort of policy. You must obtain the aggregated data on how people spend their assistance. Because if you are only seeing 1% (interesting number, that) than you cannot draw the conclusions you draw. Your circumstantial blather is of no use, whatsoever.
Your sole non-primary reference mentions the GOP Congressional Welfare reform of the Nineties, which they negotiated then President Clinton to apply the policy after two years on welfare you’re off. But you forget to mention the GOP penchant for “States Rights” which is what allows Maine to deviate from the Federal standards. Without GOP ‘States Rights’ philosophy, Maine’s statistical position near top the top in the Census information you cite, indirectly, would be impossible.
There is no “reduction in the poverty rate” because, you innumerate cashier, being on aid leaves you still under the poverty rate.
I’m sure WalMart will be proud to hear YOU think their clientele is ‘questionable.’ How do you discern that? You can just tell? And by ‘questionable,’ what do you mean? Criminals? If they have committed a crime you should report them. If not, then what specifically of all these ‘questionable’ people does not make them equal Americans to you under the law?
I agree there is abuse, but am tired of ALL who are on assistance getting judged. People assume that people of assistance do not pay taxes. I hate to inform you we ALL pay taxes in one way or another. We get assistance, my husband works, he gets taxes taken out of each check. We pay tax on our electric bill, phone bill, heating bill, internet. We pay tax every time we purchase gas to go to work. We pay taxes on our home. We pay tax every time we buy toilet paper.
It infuriates me for people to say that people on assistance deserve to eat low quality food. Are we back in the day of classes and colors thinking they are better than others and deserve better than others. Should we make people on state help sit at the back if buses and eat in different parts of restaurants. (oh yeah, that is right, people of such low class don’t deserve to ever eat in a restaurant). I am not saying that the horrible things that happened in our nation to the African Americans is comparable. But the same mentality is being shown here. “I hate you because I have to work to help your child not starve”. “You don’t deserve anything good in life because you are poor”
Yes churches should help when they can, but think of this how may of you that have such a problem with people on food stamps actually go to church and give so the church can help? Jesus told us to give and it will be given unto you, help take care of those who are in need. He sees the condition of your heart. And I pray you never have to know what it is like to need those benefits.
I agree there is abuse, but this system is no more corrupt that the government that runs it. Or the greedy Wal-Mart that benefits from it.
And for those who hate when people on food stamps use coupons, we all do not get $3,000 a month in benefits and have to budget our food stamps like you rich folk budget your hard earned cash.
The only thing shameful about this article is that EVERYONE isn’t pointing out what a short-sighted, obnoxiously judgmental person this young lady is. Furthermore, she is a right-wing provocateur as evidenced by this: https://www.facebook.com/christine.rousselle Facebook page.
I had similar observations volunteering at a toy giveaway program one Christmas. Most recipients were dressed in the latest fashions and killed time on cell phones that were much nicer than I could afford at the time. Their lack of gratitude and sense of entitlement saddened me. At least the toys were donated, so unlike food stamps, they were not paid for with my taxes.
I try to keep an eye out in the Walmart checkout line for someone who appears down on their luck. I’d love to pay for their groceries. The last time I shopped there, a woman with a cart full of junk food waved her friend over from another line to pay for her cart full of junk food with her food stamp card. Why do I judge them for the junk food? Because their poor nutrition will likely also cost me one day when they have heart problems or develop diabetes.
to those saying there is a time limit on the amount of time you can receive TANF in the state of Maine (5 yrs) or that you have to volunteer, why is then that I know of at least 5 people off the top of my head, that have received that TANF check for well over that 5 years? I know one that has been on it for 12, one for 14, one for 16, and two for 10 years. And guess what? They all drink, party, do drugs, have cars, and haven’t worked a legit day in YEARS, only “under the table” jobs, or they steal, or sell their CHILDRENS things for cash. How is it THEY have gotten away with getting it for more than the 5 years? LIES. The “I am an alcoholic I can’t work” or “I am too stressed to work, I can’t leave the house.” etc. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? And the for the millionth time, THESE are the people we are talking about, THE SCAMMERS, the ones that make it a lifestyle and think they are OWED it to society. We do not mean those that have lost their job after years of working, or those that need just a hand up because they are in a tough spot, or are seriously ill, or have disabled children. We mean these able bodied vultures that sit back and laugh at those of us that work for a living. And there are so many more out there, then you can ever imagine. And it is VERY sad that THESE DOLTS have to ruin it for those that truly do need it. Be mad at them, and the state for not investigating further, or for just being lazy themselves and saying “ok for another year, here ya go.” Cause I know with a couple of them, YES it was THAT easy. Sickening isn’t it?
I debated on if I should comment on this or not. I don’t know if I am more appalled by some of the judgmental opinions of a college student that has yet to live in the real world or some of the comments on here. I am a mother of 5. I have not always been on FS and Medicaid. When a vehicle breaks down and you are down to one vehicle the higher paying job wins and the other stays home. I get $125 a month on food stamps. That is a little over $25 a week to feed my family of 7 but I am thankful for it. My husband brings home less than $1200 a month. Am I proud of it? No. But it is cashiers like you that drives me to the self check out. It is embarrassing and I cringe when I have people behind me. Looking at what is left on a FS card is none of your business. While i agree on some of the things you have on here other things just make me so mad i could scream. What people buy on their FS is not your business! So they are on FS they can’t have a steak now and then? Only cheap meat cuts and discounted food should be allowed? Who are you to decide this? A birthday cake for a child of a parent that can’t bake or doesn’t have time to because they work two jobs and still don’t have enough to cover their bills? Perhaps that person doesn’t have an oven or a working one to make a cake in. “Junk food is all in their carts with little nutritional value”….Try to stretch $125 to last a month (with price matching and coupons) and see if macaroni and cheese and less nutritional foods find their way into your cart because that will fill the little tummies so they don’t go to bed hungry. You are “proudly Republican?” Views like this makes me glad i am an independent. Gas prices being as high as they are, how anyone that doesn’t have the resources to shell out that much at the pump JUST to get to work let alone put food on the table and a roof over their heads in this country is truly trying. I think that when you grow up and get into the real world and have hardships that fall on you and you can’t run to mommy and daddy for help maybe you will look back at this article and be just as embarrassed of your self as I am for you. Little girl you truly need to get out in the world, live on your own, and see the hardships that life is really about before you spout off. Please try to see how life is on the other foot before putting yours in your mouth!
Amazing and compelling reading. I agree fully. I have no problem assisting people who need it and are going to move on with their lives. But life on public assistance should be a spartan, uncomfortable existence – no processed foods, no luxuries, no alcohol, no tobacco and no reproducing. And I want WalMart to help police how public assistance is spent in their stores – not look the other way and tolerate obvious fraud so it can make a buck.
I completely know what this young lady is referring to!!! I my self use to work at a Wal-Mart in Alabama. It would infuriate me to see people come in and buy birthday cakes, lobster, porterhouse steaks, racks of ribs, items for a neighborhood BBQ or my all time fave…..game day tailgating!!! Some of these pople would have babies and small children with them and not one thing in their cart was anything a child could eat, and the WIC was clearly used on items the adults wanted….what are you feeding this child? And they wonder why Alabama has one of the highest obesity rates in the country!! Luckily the state of Alabama will not let you buy alcohol with EBT but if we did I’m sure that that would happen too!! Sadly enough not I personally know people who get EBT even though they clearly make too much to get it, which makes me even more inraged because at one time I was working a job making well under poverity level, trying to make it on my own with out my parents’ help, coming home from work praying the lights were still on because I could barely pay to the bill and was litterally eating off the pure kindness of others. The State of Alabama told me that i DID NOT qualify for government assistance b/c I myself worked for the State of Alabama at the time! At this time the State of Alabama employees had not seen a pay raise in 6 yrs and to this day still has not. I even know of people that get EBT but don’t use it other than to buy their friends groceries, despite the fact they have 2 hungry kids at home themselves so the friend will support their “habbit.” Luckily in Alabama we do not have the TANF program otherwise I would comepletely come unhinged!!!!
This article is well written and exposes how big government is relying on programs to keep people enslaved and in chains!
This article makes me feel ashamed, I am disabled due to a brutal attack that left me brain damaged for the rest of my life. I don’t receive food stamps right now thankfully. But there were times that I did and I am so thankful. But it was embarrassing, a loser, a lesser person. There is nothing “Queenly” about that. Yes, I am a waste of taxpayers money, But my mother is not, she worked from the age of 13 until her retirement, she gets a small amount of food stamps each month. She is 82, and anyone who has a problem with the elderly getting help should be ashamed. These people knew what work was, an they worked. If my mother chooses to buy herself a lobster or a steak she has every right. She paid her taxes ,helped pay the government it’s wages. Do not throw everyone in the same basket. And too, there may come a day when the tables are turned, an when they do hopefully there still will be help for those who really need it. An to think there was a time I had 4 years of college ahead of me too.
I would also like to say that she has a right to her opinion… And I understand like I know she does that there are people that truly do need the ASSISTANCE… My grandma is on a fixed income too but she manages within her means…. I certainly don’t think that TANF should be used to purchase cigarettes and alcoholic beverages because they are not necessities… I do not think the writer of the article was arrogant at all…. Wait until you have been the cashier and you see a young person… Fully capable of working a job… Come in with hundreds of dollars of food stamps driving a brand new luxury car, talking on the most expensive of cell phones, dressed in expensive name brand clothes, buying the most expensive of everything… and then spending TANF to buy beer for this week’s football party… Then you have a sweet elderly man who is retired, he and his wife live on social security and the small pension he receives from the company he worked at all his life and paid taxes… He drives a beat up van rolling on its last tire and wears the plainest of attire… He is pinching every penny because the government only gives him and his wife barely over $20 of food stamps per MONTH… I believe welfare should be for the needy NOT THE LAZY!!!!!!!!!! We are in desperate need for reform.
I am all for someone using state resources to get back on their feet if they need it. Hell, I have used it myself…to get back on my feet. Not as a choice of living. There are way to many people who are abusing the system that the people who really do need the assistance are being denied.The problem is that the state does not set enough guidlines on what can and cannot be used….if you are getting foodstamps you should be required to buy the least expensive of some products, ie., store brands not name brands. Why can candy, junk food, etc be bought.???
Some people get up to $1000 in foodstamps a month. I am lucky if I can budget out $200 a month for groceries. A family of four on one income. And I am told I make to much?
I don’t know why but I keep thinking about this article and the question I keep thinking about isn’t one I think you’d expect… instead of asking why people abuse the system, maybe we should be asking why companies like Walmart make it so easy to do! Why does Walmart allow people to buy things they are NOT supposed to be able to buy with social aid? Perhaps if companies quit making it easy for abusers, there’d be less abuse? As for those folks above who “would never accept welfare” or “find it abhorent”, please remember “There but for the Grace of God go I”. You might be surprised at what you’d do or what you’d accept if your children were hungry. And for those of you who say “not even then”? Shame on you for lying. You’d let your children starve before applying for and accepting assistance? You’d beg, borrow, and steal just like everyone else if it meant food for your children.
I do not condone welfare fraud. I do think there should be stricter guidelines, drug testing, term limits, and strict penalties for abusers AND businesses that allow abuse, but I don’t think you can do away with the social programs. This is just too great a country to allow it’s children to go to bed hungry.
I hate to say it but a lot of my relatives live in Maine, and have bilked the system their entire lives! I don’t think any of them has ever done an honest days work in their entire lives! (Sorry folks)
While swimming in college our team would volunteer one day every year, during Christmas season, with the Salvation Army and help families that were “qualified” walk through and pick up a designated number of items for each of their children. Now, I enjoyed the time spent there being able to lend assistance during the holidays. However, my issue came when some (definitely not all) families would load these gifts into their Mercedes, BMWs, Land Rovers, etc. I could not believe that people would actually pull into the Salvation Army for Christmas Gifts for the needy and then ask us to load them into their new 525i. Majority of these families were thrilled to have the ability to provide presents for their children at Christmas, but it disgusted me to see the number of people that just take advantage of the system.
I agree. Get the generational welfare bums off the system. give them a time limit. regulate what they can buy on all forms of welfare, and drug test them all.
The only thing shameful about this article is that EVERYONE isn’t pointing out what a short-sighted, obnoxiously judgmental person this young lady is. Furthermore, she is not an apolitical, simple cashier working her way through school. She’s a right-wing provocateur who, as a result of her activism, was GIVEN a trip to the west coast to among other things, visit the Reagan Ranch See her https://www.facebook.com/christine.rousselle Facebook page for yourself.
You guys are all talking how people fraud the welfare system well there is people out there that dont fraud the system there is people that actually use the system right im one of themim not ashamed to admit im on assistance to feed my family no i dont buy the expensive food i dont have the funds to do i get the cheapest i can buy but there are people out there that does abuse the system i agree i know a few but u get the people that need it and they cant get it but u all are making it out that everyone on the system abuse it well guess what not everyone does
This is not a “Republican/Democrat” thing. It’s attitude. Yeah — there are abusers — and these should be ferreted out and removed from the system: we need enforcement. But enforcement would require an increase in the welfare budget, and we know that isn’t going to happen in the next few years. But the attitude of cashiers should soften up a bit, too. I receive less than $85 a month in food stamps, and combine them with the biggest and best coupons I can. Sometimes, if I buy a certain collection of items (with coupons!) I qualify to purchase a roast at a reduced price. I’ll do it, and don’t you raise your eyebrow at me when I do. I will buy from the mark-down bins, and if there is a package of lobster in there with today’s expiration date and marked down to the price of a pound of ground beef — I will buy that also, and either freeze it or cook it that day as a rare treat..
What cashiers (and others) do not understand is that the cost of OTC medications — even in store brand names — is not covered by food stamps, and health-related purchases are out-of-pocket expenses for us old folks on Social Security or Social Security Disability. We try to get by without the high cost prescription drugs, but the cost of health related needs are often over $100 per month. Even pet food and needs for service animals are not covered. And (surprise surprise!) even toilet paper is not covered, nor are feminine or incontinent needs. We would benefit greatly if enforcement would weed out the abusers. On the back of my EBT card is a phone number where one can call to check her balance or report a stolen card – and where can probably report a known abuser. Forty years ago I needed assistance. I needed it for all of four months, then notified them my situation had changed, that I no longer needed assistance. I sent back food stamps to them for four months before they caught on. I suspect I am not the only person to have done this. We may need help for a while, but we want to make it on our own.
As for funds available on a TANF card — which covers several different payments to the recipient — I have seen wii, a trampoline and other “luxury” items bought that no doubt raised a few eyebrows, but they were bought at the recommendation of those treating an add/adsd child with severe emotional problems. If you don’t know the story, don’t make the judgement.
With the economy the way it is, more people than ever need this sort of help. It’s hard. It’s humiliating. We use the “self check out” whenever we can, but sometimes we run into a young clerk at Walmart who treats us like we are caught stealing — when all we’re trying to do is survive. We will treat her with respect and dignity, thus insuring our own.
Thank you for sharing this enlightening article. However, and I’m speaking as a committeman in the Republican party, I am not sure why voting “Republican” makes a difference. We should always vote on principle. After all, plenty of Republicans vote for bad things, such as endless war and bailouts.
I found this to be an interesting article and pretty much agreed with a lot of it until I got to the part where people with food stamps shouldn’t be able to purchase birthday cakes. I’m a victim of domestic violent and when my daughter’s father and I were together according to him I was NOT allowed to work, I wanted to because he’s one that would rather live off the system than do for himself, however I’m the complete opposite, but when he pulled a gun to my head it was a quick decision that there was no decision to make, facts were facts and he HAD to go, so I was left with no money, no baby sitter, no transportation (city buses are unpredictable in the winter time around here and that’s when he left us) and no family to help with my daughter, so for the first year we split up yes — I was on food stamps, and yes, I used them for my daughter’s first birthday cake which I actually baked myself, I used it for simple sandwiches I put together for the family that came to celebrate.
I know there are people that abuse benefits such as foodstamps and what not, however I don’t feel that the people that truly need the help should be subjected to certain items, some of us don’t ask to be put in a certain situation and things can change in the blink of an eye as I have experienced this, and I was very thankful when I learned foodstamps would cover a cake at walmart if I decided against baking my own for my daughter’s birthday, I think things could be more monitored with government services, however I think it’s very unfair to subject the innocent people that need those services. When I was given a greyhound ticket to come visit my family back home in Florida that I had not seen in years, of course I wanted to do something special so I was very greatful then as well to be able to purchase crab legs & shrimp and thank them for spending the money on me to go down there, so it was occasional that I’d spend my food stamps on things like that, so again, not EVERYONE should be penalized for things like these. Even when I got a job and began working, and was attending school, both my job and class were full time, plus being a full time mom, I had my food stamps for a couple months until I was prepared to quit using them, food stamps helped tremendously to get me on my feet, when WIC wasn’t covering enough formula for my daughter, food stamps were there to help.
I’m not knocking this article because I too used to frown upon government services, hell for the first few months I’d quickly mute the self checkout registers because it asked specifically for my “EBT Pin” and I was embarrassed, then I realized it didn’t matter.. People could think what they want about me and there was nothing I could do about it except prove that eventually I’d be on my own feet and in the mean time I needed to be thankful and do what I needed to get to that point so I wouldn’t have to rely on the government longer than what’s deemed “acceptable” and here I am.
This is a very good article, however, again, I don’t think it’s fair that people that TRULY need the help should be judged and told that it’s unacceptable to buy items such as birthday cakes, because while YES, I chose to have my child, but I never asked for her father to become abusive 4 months after her birth either.
Seriously? This girl is working at Wal-Mart as a temporary job to help her get through college. No doubt she has some other form of aid, such as money from her parents, scholarships, Pell grants, or relatives. These people who she so snidely judges have FAMILIES, they are not living off their parents, they cannot afford to go to school and they have children to feed, rent to pay, bills, etc. These are grown people with lives, and you think your measly Wal-Mart wage is enough to support a family on because it is enough for your spending money while you go to college? Shut up, you naive little bitch, until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. You try growing up in poverty, being failed by your public school system, and then being expected to support yourself on a minimum wage job? No one can live on that little money. If it was not for food stamps, welfare, medicare, etc, these people would be starving/rioting. Don’t assume that they should be willing to live at a lower standard than you just because you are “middle class” and they are poor and deserve it. Really, you need to open your eyes and see how this country really works.
These people do not need to be put down, made fun of or be a target for anger, they need emotional and mental help and support. No one lives that way because it’s fun and easy. If you are one who winds up in that sort of a situation, you are having problems one way or another. Who are we to judge??? “Welfare queen #1 and welfare queen #2, disgusting! Maybe they can’t work because no one ever taught them how to deal with and heal from traumas they faced as children. In fact all you have to do is look up statistics and you will see that it is not all fun and games on the other side of the register. I bet my life that if you visited the home of one of these people you would not find a pretty sight. This article is heartless and that is a bigger problem in our society than any other. Instead of “who are they to take our money!” what about… “how can we help these people to be empowered to find happiness and create great lives for themselves?”. Everyone deserves love, support and respect. Everyone.
Great article! I go to the store you mention and fully agree with your observations. There have been plenty of times when i’ve been behind people who can’t seem to comprehend how much money they have vs. what they are buying and then complain about it, all the while just wasting everyone’s time. There is no reason for the store and other customers to have to put up with this. Good customer service is important, but this is abuse, plain and simple.
This article was greatly written. She never said that EVERYONE was absuing the system, people. I LOVE the fact that all the people who are bitching about how this article targets FS users and other assistance recipients ARE THOSE RECIPIENTS, and are on the internet (which you must pay for), on a smart phone (paying for the data plan), or at a library (free internet… but I doubt this is anyone here…). HILARIOUS!
Well said. For those of you saying you just can’t find a job and she does not understand your struggles- remember that she works at Wal Mart. There are plenty of jobs, just not the ones people want (8-5 paid vacations) or where they want them (NYC). Sometimes you have to take a job to survive and not because it’s your niche or passion. I waited tables, fried chicken and held various other crappy jobs until I was able to get a better one. I don’t think you should always judge people for what they buy but we are as tax payers the ones paying for that steak. What entitles anyone to a steak? The bottom line is you work for those luxuries. She said, and everyone agrees, we should help the people who really need it get back on their feet, but I don’t want to support their iPhone bill.
XFD I only buy steak, lobsters, and beer with CA. I’ve gotten cashiers like you fired for the judgemental remarks they have made. Cry more hun, my lobster only tastes better
Yes, I am saying that people that cannot earn their money because a job is not available cannot have steak or big birthday cakes. We can provide nutritious subsistence, such as beans and rice, and those without income can be thankful that we provide it so they don’t starve.
My husband worked in a grocery store in Oklahoma when we were in college. We never got pizza; it was a luxury we had to live without. He worked hard unloading trucks and stocking shelves to pay for our meager ramen noodles while he watched the guy down the street stoll in to get steaks with food stamps. Then he’d buy penny candy put at the counter for the purpose of using a food stamp, getting change, then, after several transactions, he’d have enough cash to buy cigs. The guy would stroll home to watch TV. My husband and I kept working hard to buy our food. Sixteen years later we still don’t buy steak. When I consider a big birthday cake for a party and see the price, I make my own cake.
The sense of entitlement tells you that some people “deserve” steak and cakes every now and then. If that sounds right to you, then you do not appreciate that we have a system to keep people from starving. We could sympathize, pat you on the back, and hope you find some food. Instead, we give you money to buy food. Why would we give you money we had to earn to buy something you don’t need. Especially when all the time you think you “deserve” it every now and then. You should be grateful that when times get tough you live in a country that lends a hand. In other places in the world everyone lives on beans and rice, and they work hard just to earn the money for that food. Who’s buying them steak?
I am sad to see there is even ONE response in support of this short-sighted, obnoxiously judgmental young lady. Furthermore, she is not an apolitical, simple cashier working her way through school…She’s a right-wing provocateur who was rewarded for her activism with a free trip to visit the Reagan Ranch, among other places: See her https://www.facebook.com/christine.rousselle Facebook page for yourself.
” The man was from Massachusetts. Governor Michael Dukakis’ signature was on his welfare card. Dukakis’ last gubernatorial term ended in January of 1991. I was born in June of 1991. The man had been on welfare my entire life.”
1. SNAP/EBT is a governmental program and not a state program. You can use your card in all 50 states.
2. You asked for a picture I.D (btw: To my knowledge EBT/”welfare card” does NOT have a photo on it.) and that is what he had. Just because he still had the card doesn’t mean anything.
3. Paper food stamps were phased out and EBT card replaced the paper in the LATE 90′s.
I’ll start by saying that by no means do I describe myself as being conservative however I completely agree. In fact, I wrote a very similar essay about welfare reform as my college entrance essay. State Aid needs to be regulated much more heavily and a person should have to prove that they are seeking employment (much like unemployment insurance) if they wish to continue to receive state aid. There should also be restrictions on the amount of time one is allowed to receive aid, with the only exception of clear discernible cases of disability- and I mean real disability, because being too lazy to work is not a disability.
Amen! We definitely need reform!
This young lady makes some valid points about the limits of dependency and the staggering amount of nutritional ignorance out there. I believe if one has to be on food stamps they should be required to buy actual food. Not birthday cakes, cookies, soda, chips and garbage like that. What she fails to mention is that wherever and whenever Wal-Mart comes to town, welfare dependency actually increases because the company pays poorly and provides little or no health insurance, this despite the fact that they are easily one of the largest and most profitable companies on the planet. Did you know that the 6 Wal-Mart heirs have more money than 1/3 or 100 million Americans combined? If rich people want “welfare queens” to work, they should get off their asses and actually create some jobs instead of sitting around eating caviar and watching Fox news.
Working at a grocery store may not be considered a “career” but it is most certainly a “real job”. i have worked my self through school doing odd ball jobs such as assembling jungle gyms and treehouses for kids around christmas to workign night shifts in a machine shop to working as an art instructor. Im from a small town where jobs are few and far between but I applied for months and worked whatever job i could get be it counting bolts and nuts or cleaning bathrooms. My mother was unemployed and my dad doesnt make much. why not reward the people doing whatever it takes to get a job instead of rewarding those doing whatever it takes to stay on the system??
I saw a similar thing earlier this year with a woman in line in front of me at the grocery store. She loaded up her cart with like a 100 items, didn’t bother trying to figure out how much the items cost, and when the cashier told her she didn’t have enough, she spent 20 minutes trying to figure out what she could keep. I probably spent a total of 30 minute in the same line and people behind me were getting antsy wondering what was going on because it was late evening and there was only one cashier. What irked me the most was the woman had a data plan phone talking to her friend on it the entire time, a designer D&G bag (whether it was real i don’t know) and then when I saw her in the parking lot, she drove a friggin SUV with flashy rims. She has the finances to get those items but she can’t afford to buy food without WIC checks? Yeah something needs to be done about these slackers. I make a good living and I don’t own a data phone or an SUV with fancy rims.
Well said! When I was younger I worked with a 24 yr old woman (I was about 19 at the time) who had 4 kids already by 2 different fathers. She openly admitted that she was on welfare (while at work) and decided to discuss her plans for breast implants with another co-worker and me. As someone who had already been living on my own for a few years and working, I was outraged. I told her not to discuss it with me because my taxes were paying for her stupid fake boobs. She didn’t even care. She just shrugged her shoulders, said, “oh well,” and walked away.
It does not matter if you vote Republican or Democrat. Both parties have their own reasons for keeping the welfare system in place.
Someone from either party needs to be bold enough to change the system.
It is time for WORKFARE. If you need to be on a welfare type of system, then it is time you contributed to society as a whole. Pickup litter from the streets, do the smaller tasks that are not able to be done by government because of time constraints. There is NO reason for anyone to sit on their fat, lazy asses and only collect a government check. It is time for you to EARN YOUR KEEP.
The first thing that should be done is to phase out the welfare system as it is within 1-2 years and convert it into a WORKFARE system. I’m not saying people have to work 40 hours a week to get the assistance, but 20 hours should not be a big deal. No more increases just because you have multiple children.
It is time to teach RESPONSIBILITY to people. If they cannot handle it, they suffer the consequences just like everyone else.
Interesting that all those opposed to this terrible welfare system are not laying out any plausible way to improve it. You seriously think the state in unaware of these frauds? By the way….I am completely in agreement that moochers are the rust on society’s bike chain…but I am curious, what is the answer? Does anybody realize the money that would be needed to overhaul, supervise & maintain a failed system like that? It just is not as easy as “vote republican”. That is just political naivety. Under Bush….the same meatheads were going through your checkout. The same ones go there now under Obama-lama-rama-dingdong. I think it is one of those problems so greatly gone wrong that no one dares tackle it and potentially be responsible for any further demise. Sad. I wish there were a way to help those who need help and expose those who shamelessly lack integrity.
I stopped reading after the first thing on your list showed your tendency to judge without thinking. My boyfriend and I both work full time and receive food stamps. We make that little at our jobs. My boyfriend works for a cell phone company and he got his very nice cell phone for free and the service package is less than $30 a month. I know people with nice phones who are on welfare, their families gave them it as a gift and it’s their only source of communication or internet access, even for school.
You don’t know any of the people you brought up, no matter the situation. You don’t know the circumstances of their live. You’re just being judgmental. There are definitely people who abuse the system, there is no doubt about that. But you’re simply putting people into a category and deciding you know them and their situation because you bag their groceries. Give me a break.
There are definitely a lot of abusers of the system…but please remember that you don’t know everything about a person, and don’t be so quick to judge. 15 years ago I was a single mother of 3 surviving off my meager child support and food stamps, and this was before they had the handy little cards, I had to use the actual paper food stamps, and that was humiliating. And when the cashier rang up my items incorrectly in a way that would result in cash coming out of my small reserve, I did let her know. There was nothing “entitled” about asking to have an order total correctly. BUT the state put me through a certificate program, and I have been working and supporting all of my children on my own for the past 14 years. So don’t judge people, you don’t know what they are going through or why they are getting food stamps. And who are you to judge when someone buys a birthday cake for their child, poor kids deserve a memorable birthday too. To me, it really gets to me when those who are privileged look down on those who are not. Most of us are trying to get by the best way we know how.
This article was greatly written. She never said that EVERYONE was absuing the system, people. I LOVE the fact that all the people who are bitching about how this article targets FS users and other assistance recipients ARE THOSE RECIPIENTS, and are on the internet (which you must pay for), on a smart phone (paying for the data plan), or at a library (free internet… but I doubt this is anyone here…). HILARIOUS!
REALLY?! How ignorant are you? I have a data plan on my phone because it is required by my phone contract. I also have it because I cannot afford a computer or the Internet for a computer which is atleast $50 in my area. I guess that even though I have paid taxes all my working life ignorant ASSHOLES like you feel I don’t deserve the simplest of things like Internet. You’re an absolute, incompetent idiot and I hope you never have it rough. Karma is a bitch so you better think twice before making such dumbass comments you selfish prick.
Read Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne. It helped me to see a little bit of how these generational poverty people think. Our government has certainly created a means to continue their lifestyle.
Easy for Christine Rousselle to say. She goes to Providence College, where a bunch of the students are cheaters. Take a look: http://www.thecowl.com/news/alleged-cheating-detected-in-civ-class-1.1101433#.TukL25jFIso A friend of mine who goes there said it’s usually the conservative students who cheat. Also, many of the conservative students at Providence College get FREE government money that’s supposed to go towards school. What do you think they spend it on? Student Assistance Queen #1 spent it on bumper stickers that said “I Luv My Country More than U do.” Student Assistance Queen #2 spent it on books by Ann Coulter.
See how easy it is to tar an entire group with a broad brush?
I worked at the Dollar General for almost 3 years. I went through the same thing. Day after day people would come through my line with buggies full of chips, ice cream, candy, cookies, soda, and very little actual food. Why is it that these items that cause weight gain and encourage sloth can be purchased with food stamps, but vitamins, ensure, formula, and medicine cannot? I am all for helping those in need, but one does not NEED candy, cookies, ice cream and chips. The items allowed to be purchased need revision. Let them have energy drinks, maybe they will find the strength to find work. Let them have formula for the baby, medicine for the ill, and vitamins to supplement healthy living. I don’t see anything wrong with steak or lobster, at least that is food. However soda is a luxury, you want Pepsi, get a paycheck. I do not think we should let them starve, but I saw people spend hundreds of dollars on junk. I was working 38 hours a week, and eating ramen and weenies for dinner. One lady came in driving a Lexus, wearing diamonds, and using Food Stamps? There should not be a reward in welfare. It should provide sustenance, nutrition, and supplementation.
I’ve read many of the comments here. We are hearing from intelligent fiscal conservatives who are going through hard times. We have Icomments from well meaning writers who would keep con men in business. We do not hear from those who are scamming the system. For them it works so why would they care what others think. I liked the writer who said schools should be teaching students what money is all about, how to make it, how to save it, how to spend it, what money can do for those who know how to use it wisely and what to do when fiscal disaster strikes. Schools are dumping students into the real world with no coping skills. If one is lucky enough to have parents who can teach such life skills, life is better. If I had a million dollars, I would set up schools outside of school to teach young people how to go step by step into the real world of money in easy to understand lessons.
Christine Rousselle, you are an asshole.
I am just so pleased that you had the get up and go to get a job!
I hope we see more young people who are university students like you and less of the Walmart variety.
Being someone that unfortunately has to rely on food stamps at the present, I still understand what this girl is saying. I work 2 part-time jobs after losing my full-time job and my boyfriend works too (we are both in our 30s) and we are still having a hard time paying our rent and bills. We usually have to budget everything to the dollar because we both get paid only every two weeks. Unfortunately, the amount I am given (I live in MA) is not enough to get myself enough food for 3 square meals a day so I often have to skip a meal or buy some very un-nutritious items because I can’t even afford to use any of my paycheck for food. However, even I am appalled at the abuse of food stamps that I see. And the author is right, I work two retail jobs and we get treated the shittiest by all customers. As soon as I can, I am getting off food stamps and I hope that all these people that are raping the system think long and hard about the situation. I get dirty looks all the time at my supermarket from the cashiers and others in line but part of me knows it’s only because the people this author writes about are making the rest of us in a temporary bad state look bad.
I always love the comments from people about how she is judging, acting ‘elite’ and so on! These are cold hard facts about a system that people who chose to make it their life, work as hard at gaming it as a working person works at their job. She mentions the need for some, and many agree when the need arises a society should be ready to assist. However, it is not society’s job to provide for those who have no desire or intention to work, add to society or improve their condition! I have recently worked in a job that caters very strongly to people who rely on government assistance to live – Pizza. Business spikes the first of every month when checks come out. Having a Wal-Mart just in back of me even heightened this increase in activity. Marketing managers within Pizza Hut admit that they cater to and attract a lower socio-economic individual. I was directly told it was too difficult to attract a higher level person and their spending habits were hard to track and plan by. Along this line YUM Brands (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC) are petitioning the government to allow them to accept food stamps! Let me assure you, money to value$ to nutrition a family can do better at the grocery store than at any restaurant. The food has to be marked up to cover costs of preparing and cooking and packaging that food. Ingredients purchased in a grocery store can cover several meals. I’ve also been screamed at, sworn at and told I was belittling by customers because they would be required to pay extra for extra cheese, double meat and more! They figure out the game in this area as well, knowing that the slightest complaint (even if they are the ones at fault) will garner them free food, future purchasing credit and discounts. Pizza Hut in particular apologizes for absolutely everything and sends out free coupons, refunds and credits at the snap of a finger. I’ve seen people who haven’t paid for food over the course of several weeks of ordering pizzas, making complaints so that everyone jumps and gives it to them and prepared replacement with no further questions. I don’t beseech people help when they need it, but these are people who don’t and won’t work. See little reason to work and as a result have no work ethics. When offered a job one girl who said she was ready to get off the government assistance lasted for 16 days! It became I don’t clean toilets, I don’t get paid enough to do that, I have to work when?, I need this day or that day off, calling in sick 3 days in a week (even though she was seen at Wal-Mart by other employees on 2 of those days), I need a cigarette break and so on until everyone else working was fed up with it! Good article and on the money with problems we have developed in our country that need changing!
Yes there are cases of abuse….did this young lady report any of this? Of course not, she is too busy bitching about it so that everyone who gets any kind of assistance is branded with the same mark as the abusers. Abusers are about .01% of the entire assistance situation…but they are always made to see like the norm. GMAB, instead of bitching, report them and get something done.
Good article. It takes courage to publish a story like this. Keep up the good work!
Interesting article and perspective. Is is sometimes so easy to see the wrong when you point it out so eloquently. I have worked in both State and Federal programs and indeed you see such waste as well there, Paying hundres of dollars to make sure that they only have the best rooms when travelling, best meals when travelling; hundreds of not thousands of dollars for coffeepots, even toilets……Reform……..needs to start at the top first!
Very well written. Clearly you are frustrated with those whom you believe to be abusing the system. I agree with you to some extent. The only thing I would say is that there are others who abuse government money far more than “welfare queens”. Hopefully one day you take as much an interest in corporate welfare and the lobbyists who bribe our legislatures out of billions every year. Now that would be an interesting read.
Actually, Brandon, the people on Food stamps using coupons to stretch their money and make it last to help them get all they need for month is not stupid, it is being a good steward of what little they have. As for the people judging this young lady for working at Walmart, SHAME ON YOU!! First off, she has a job- good for her, many people her age do not. Second- My husband lost his business due to the economy, and is now working at Walmart. It is not because he is stupid or lazy or not qualified to do anything else, but because it was the only job available at the time and we have bills to pay and three children to support. Any Job that provides a pay check is a REAL job no matter how meanial it may seem to others. There are many people with Degrees that have lost jobs and had to take a lower position somewhere just to make ends meet. It is not just uneducated people who work cash registers, stock store shelves, and wait tables.
Per Wiki, “As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 16,790 people, 6,462 households, and 4,678 families residing in the town. The population density was 355.7 people per square mile (137.3/km²). There were 7,233 housing units at an average density of 151.6 per square mile (58.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.34% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.”
POVERTY. IT AINT JUST A BLACK THING, IS IT?
Can someone tell me how these people got so much government money to spend on frivolities? ’cause I grew up poor, and my mom only had about 50 bucks a week to spend on groceries.
I don’t remember any steaks or lobsters. I DO remember eating macaroni and pasta so often that even now as an adult I don’t care to eat it unless I must. I remember having one box of cookies a week, and once it was gone, it was gone. A candy bar every now and again was something to be excited about. I remember wearing crappy hand me downs and only getting “new” clothes when their taxes came back. Christmas was an ordeal for my family that began in June and ended with my mom finally having the money saved up to get the presents out of lay away. It took them a whole year to save up the 200$ to buy a Super Nintendo. My mom went without coffee and god knows what else the whole year to pull it off. I remember how EXCITED I was to get my own TV–a hand me down birthday present from my best friend. TV was older than I WAS. It was an old crappy 12 inch 70s nightmare, but I loved it. The “big TV” was an 18 inch color TV my parents bought in 1986 when we moved into our house during better times. I remember my dad’s cars–yeah–all 6 of them. They ranged in make years from 1965 to 1986. I think the longest one ran was 3 years. We went through THREE of them in a 1 month period. They were junkers he was given, some he bought for 50$. We didn’t have the income to afford a new car, you see, and my parents refusal to go into debt with a credit card meant they had no credit score, so if they HAD tried to finance one, our lovely financial system would have gouged them with a 20% interest rate.
You know I never went on a family vacation? I didn’t even leave the state until I turned 18. I lived 45 minutes from Disney World my entire life, but we only went 3 times–all with free tickets given as presents by friends who worked there. I remember not being able to go on field trips because my parents couldn’t afford the ticket price.
My dad worked 40, some times 60 hour weeks installing insulation. I remember weekends where I didn’t see him because he was sent across the state to a new housing complex. He spent 30 years crawling around attics in the hot Florida weather until the recession murdered the industry. He made around 5$ an hour when I was a kid for his hard work. My mom stayed home with us, going back to work only when I was 13 and was old enough to look after my sister. Even at 5$ an hour, the aid we received was hardly anything, and that was with 2 kids. After rent and utilities and gas, there was hardly enough left to rub two pennies together, and I remember many times my dad digging through the couch for quarters so he could put a couple bucks in the gas tank. Christmas was the only exception, but even then, our Christmases would seem pretty small to most kids.
So I don’t know. I’m sure welfare queens exist. They must, since so many of you have seen them. But I grew up in a poor, blue collar neighborhood where most people were just getting by. I knew kids who had single parents, kids who had unemployed parents, kids whose parents were on disability. None of them had name brand clothes. None of them drank name brand soda,or had name brand snacks. Most were on free lunch at the school. We spent our summers running around the woods or attending Vacation Bible School. Our birthday parties were celebrated with home made cakes at home.
So–to those of you with the more venomous comments, just remember that most people who are poor are just working folks, trying to provide a service to the rest of society. You need them as much as we need anyone who works. They built your house. They prepare your food. They ring you out at the store. They cut your grass. Heck, they even police your streets and teach your kids. They have a right to respect and happiness, just like you do.
This is Bull…… Yes some people SUCK!!!! but the lady with the slip & slide & the person with the cake, did U stop and think Hmmmmm…. they get FS maybe they have KIDS??? kids do have a birthdays once a year and do like gifts & CAKE….Sorry they dont have a silver spoon up there butts
Capehart says:
December 13, 2011 at 8:40 pm
I am on welfare. Screw you people. I have 4 kids and don’t want no stranger raising them. I have 4 baby daddies who don’t pay no child support to me. The thing is that the other kids in school all have nice cell phones to text each other.
I demand cell phones for my kids.
I have four kids.
Why should my kids be looked down upon by your kids?
I demand a cell phone for each of my chlldren so they can call 911. Skool should not be demanding homework but give out iPads to help my kids.
This Christmas, their Skool gave me an iPad and I said that I got three other kids what do you expect them to do share? It is not fair.
If I had a job and was a tax payer I would be so mad right now.
^Really? If this comment is serious and not a joke then it’s ridiculous. Seriously?? Skool? Obviously welfare doesn’t teach you how to spell. I work 40 hours a week at 1 job, 15 at another and I still don’t own an iPad. Or even an iPhone! So please tell me why your kids are entitled to one? Are they somehow better than all the other kids? Doubtful…
Did I ever say I was an apolitical, simple cashier? No! The blog is called The College Conservative. This is not my first post for them. I have a life outside of working at Wal-Mart. You can stop your attacks now, they’re not needed. Wal-Mart cashiers have lives outside of Wal-Mart…I have former co-workers who have bands, are diehard Bruins fans, and active in their churches. Just because you work at Wal-Mart does not mean you are “simple,” nor does it mean you are apolitical.
To all the “unfortunate” souls who commented on this article saying that they are on welfare because they truly need to be: Why are you wasting your time on the Internet, not only reading these articles, but taking the time out to comment on them..GO LOOK FOR A JOB. Or at least do something to make yourself valuable so you can stop feeling sorry for yourself and relying on me to buy your food.
MV, government is not the problem….people with your attitudes are. Instead of sounding so self-righteous, why don’t YOU work to find better solutions to fixing public aid…To where people won’t be so dependent upon it?
Although the author’s points are valid and she is right about the serious abuse of the sytem, terms like ” youtube 24/7″ and Welfare Queen make this artice biased, and therefor not credible. I am a high school teacher and I would tell this author to be taken seriously you need to start at the beginning from a neutral opinion and give the facts. Name calling takes away her creditability, and therefor this could not be sent to congressmen and representatives. Also I hope the author understands that one does not have to be destitute to be on welfae. Lower ranked military families qualify, and so does the average Wal Mart employee. The price of groceries are higher than a minimim wage worker can afford when children expenses, utilities, rent and gas is factored in. I could sit and write a piece on Wal Mart Employees and tell you every bad thing I had ever heard about them, but the majority of employees are good people. I appreciate this piece and think more people need to speak out on the abuse and call for drug testing and a time limit of benefits, but I urge people to avoid name calling and stero-types like “Welfare Queen 1″ when writing….it makes them look less intelligent.
I can not believe the amount of people commenting that were offended by the article. The article was brilliant and was written by a young lady that represents our future society. To all of the people who questioned why do we worry what others do, it is the right of every last tax paying American citizen to question every single last purchase by those who are on any form of public assistance. The money you are using to buy the things you want and need is not yours nor does it belong to some big organization that doesn’t have a face called the Government. It belongs to the guy next to you in the check out line, the gal or guy ringing up these items that are free to you. I myself am absolutely sick and tired of it all. My family and my grandfather’s family before me have all seen hard times. Months behind on mortgage payments when times were at their worst, but never once has myself nor has anyone in my family for generations past ever taken a hand out. We fight and we claw and we scratch to make ends meet. That’s the way I was raised. I swear it seems that people are being raised now to learn how to live off of the working man. These Gov. check’s you are waiting for, someone had to work long and hard for you to have it, it does not just come out of this big slush fund that magically appears for free. Personally I think there should be very strict regulations and qualifications for receiving any free money. I do believe in drug screening and alcohol screening. Not that I don’t drink a beer once and awhile but guess what that is a luxury that should only be purchased with monies you’ve earned not someone else’s. We aren’t buying your drugs and alcohol. Not to mention you obviously are not in the right frame of mind to educate yourself or look for employment all doped up. There should be a very strict list of things that can be purchased. I am talking the bare essentials to get by. Oh what that’s not very comfortable? It’s not supposed to be you want it better go out and earn a descent living. I am not a college educated man but you know what? When I realized that waiting tables and cashiering were not going to pay the bills I learned a building trade became an electrician through very hard work and asking a million questions until I was very good at what I did and after 25 years opened my own business. No one gave it to me I worked for every last dollar I got and my children did without when we we didn’t have it. I instilled in them how important it is to get educated and now I have one that is going to be a Jr. at U of I and the other about go into his freshman year of college. We can not let people that don’t need help keep milking us. The resentment is building at an astronomical rate. People are getting very angry and if our gov. will not correct the situation the citizens are going to have to speak up for change. I have been saying this for about a decade now and the feeling is growing stronger. There is going to another revolutionary war because the middle class guy, the guy that does most of the working and paying for things in this once fine country is tired of being walked all over. Tempers are flaring you mark my words. For all of you taking and never giving, for all of you never working but still surviving because your neighbor keeps bleeding for you, you all should be ashamed of yourself. I hope that your time of revelation will come and help to become part of the solution and not continue to be a part of the problem that is plaguing America today.
Excellent article! Good job girl!
I’ll bet that those welfare queens also vote Republican. This is exactly how the Republicans want society. They want the haves to have more and the have nots to go away and not bother them. If it were up to the Republicans there would be no more middle class. If the Republicans get their way we won’t have to worry about people being abused as cashiers as they will be replaced by self-checkouts and security guards to make sure you scan all of your items. Get real people, Republicans will end the American way of life and return us to indentured servitude if allowed to. If you work for someone else for a living, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS VOTING REPUBLICAN!!!!
I currently receive TANF as out income was lost due to the season ending and was not able to find another job in time, and I hate to say that one accusation is wrong, there IS a time limit on when you have to get a Job, there is a 5 year limit on TANF right now, and you have to fill out job search logs in order to keep TANF, have you ever been on welfare? because if you have you would know this, the reason you can buy lobsters is because they are not cooked… I agree that you shouldn’t be able to get them, but why are you complaining about something you cannot control, you are wasting time with this as people have complained about it for years and years….. and cakes.. people get them for kids parties, you are saying to punish the kids on their birthday just because their parents are on food stamps/ welfare.. And some people who have an iPhone may have gotten it as a gift, i know people who have expensive phones their parents bought, and pay their bill that way they always have a phone on them, and you can have a nice phone and only pay 45$ for unlimited service, you are to quick to judge people. I have bought my kids gifts with my TANF because I was not going to let them go without on their birthday pr Xmas because I have applied to 30 different places and no call backs or I call them and they say they are not hiring.
[R on says:
December 13, 2011 at 1:46 pm
I j ust wanted 2 say this doesnt go far enough. THis doesnt go far enough. U wanna buy porterhouse stakes? you want to be buy a cake witth all the trimmings?? work for it. work at walmart. i dont want to tell MY kids that theyre future will be payi ng 4 LOOSERS 2 eat Sara Lee. I WANT THEM 2 BE WORKING 4 A LIVEING LIKE THIS YOUNG LADY, AT WALMART OR ANY OTHER BUISINESS IN TOWN!!!!!!!!]
Seriously? You seriously will submit nonsense like this and expect people to give a damn about your opinion? Honestly, learn grammar and spelling, because you failed. Some of these replies are nicely written and some are rambles of why they vote a certain way. A Republican (BUSH) signed off on allowing companies to go overseas and force thousands of Americans to end up without a job. Republicans now are trying to do away with federal aid for college, stating it is a waste of money. If you do not agree with me, go read it and watch their debates. Do not come at anyone with “THIS IS WHY I VOTED REPUBLICAN” when you used federal grants to get through college. This is why I vote for a person not a party. You have the blind leading the blind with party voting. But hey, at least I can see the truth standing in front of me. Political Science is a course they teach you in college, one not given in High Schools. Understand that you support guys like Herman Cain and George W. Bush. And look at what it has gotten you… LAUGHED AT BY EVEN THE LOWEST OF LOW PEOPLE IN AMERICA AND ACROSS THE WORLD! Enjoy!
I worked in a convience store in New Jersey where hoagies are made. People would come in the store and buy 4-5 hoagies, chips and soda and spend $40 on lunch. Then request to use the “cash side” of their EBT card and buy cigarettes. The same people would do this on a regular basis. At my house we would buy a jar of peanut butter and loaf of bread and make sandwiches for lunch for a week.
You would think that people in need would see how far they could make their money go. I’m not saying they have to eat peanut butter all the time, but aren’t they teaching any kind of economics at school these days? We were taught how to budget and then plan meals to fill the budget. My mother also taught me this.
Isn’t the “cash side” of these cards goes meant to pay rent, utility bills and clothing needs? Not cigarettes!!
To all the “unfortunate” souls who commented on this article saying that they are on welfare because they truly need to be: Why are you wasting your time on the Internet, not only reading these articles, but taking the time out to comment on them..GO LOOK FOR A JOB. Or at least do something to make yourself valuable so you can stop feeling sorry for yourself and relying on me to buy your food.
MV: Go fuck yourself.
I guess I should live in a box under the nearest overpass because I’m receiving FS and am such a “lowly” person. Your ignorance and hatred shows where you’ll be going when you die…
I am not sure if you’re even reading your comments, but I thought I would weigh in.
I am recently laid off, and living on Unemployment benefits. I am 35 years old, rent an apartment, own a car, work my ass off when employed, and have a 15 year old son. I do not get child support, his dad has disappeared roughly 12 years ago.
I went to my local DSHS office (Dept. of Social and Health Services) to apply for food assistance. I pull in to park, driving my modest vehicle that I bought and paid for with my hard earned cash, while parking next to expensive vehicles like Cadillacs, Lexus, etc. I sigh, go in and pull my number.
I am sitting in the office waiting for my number to be called, watching the women around me. These are women with a herd of children, running wild and crazy (why aren’t they in school?), talking on their expensive cell phones. They’re dressed to the nines, when their children are in rags; ripped, stained, ill sized clothing.
My number gets called, I meet with my case worker. I get approved.
For 16.00/month food stamps.
SIXTEEN DOLLARS A MONTH. I have been working since I was 15, two jobs at times. I have paid into my taxes rightfully. I STOPPED having children when I realized “daddy” wasn’t going to be around for the one I had. I went to school to better myself. I am at a hardspot in life, thanks to the economy, and I feel like I am being penalized for it.
There needs to be a drastic reform to our welfare system, not just in Maine.
Social reform doesn’t happen by judging people and being mean to them.
I find your level of judgment for these people scary and inappropriate. You are so quick to judge them not giving a second thought to how they were brought up, their lack of education, or the reasons why they don’t have jobs. Some people are lucky, they have good parents, a healthy home environment, are taught responsibility and have decency and respect for others. Other people aren’t so lucky.
Yes, some people will try to cheat the system, but why take these things as personal attacks? Think critically about the root of the problem, don’t just be mean and poke fun at the people who are the result of another, larger problem.
Read about Jane Addams.
To PISSED OFF at Judgemental Children,
Did you read that article? How do you know that your tax paying money goes for her education? I have been in school for 13 years and I have paid every dime of my education.
As a person on assistance and a tax payer you should know how important it is to make sure that you are using the assistance wisely.
I am glad that you are okay with people using my or our (you indicate that you are a tax payer) hard earned tax money to buy their kids lobster and expensive birthday cakes. Although, I am not sure that last time I have seen any of the children in my life eat lobster. Seems like you would get rid of some of the privileges such has as the internet service you are paying for to post your very judgmental article while your taxpayers are paying for food. Sorry, If I had a choice to eat or pay for internet. I would choose to eat. My last resort would be assistance from my fellow tax payers. I have worked since I was 14 years old and I have lived on noodles and corn, when necessary.
This article said nothing about the people who NEED the assistance. It talking about the people who abuse the system, and there are many.
I know someone that a little over a year ago got married. About 4 months ago she got a dissolution so that she could get food stamps, and the state would pay for her to go back to school, and they are. Oh excuse me, I mean so that the responsible tax payers can pay for her to go to school and get food stamps. This person is a very healthily and is able to work. She still live with her husband or should I say ex-husband. She was report; however, nothing was ever done about it.
This is very concerning to me. I have worked full time since I graduated high school and have attended school. It has been 13 years but I am almost done with school. Working full time, going to school, and trying to find the funds to pay for school is not easy. Maybe I should have had a few kids, and let all you hard working tax payers support me.
Remember, when you get any type of assistant, food stamps, WIC, anything that you think you are getting from the government, please think again. That is coming from your neighbors. All those stimulus checks you got that you think came from Obama’s checkbook…think again. It came from your neighbor.
Medicaid, Food Stamps, Welfare, WIC are ASSISTANCE programs not programs that you should life on for your entire life. I have seen many people do this including my own blood. I don’t have a problem with getting ASSISTANCE during a time of need but pick yourself up and get back on your feet. If I am going to invest in you, you need to invest in yourself.
wow! I think it’s easy to see from the massive list of comments you hit a nerve! but you are so right on. I’m sorry but America needs to get it’s head straight about needs vs. wants. steak and birthday cake are definitely luxuries people and when my personal bank account is on the low side, I’m not buying it at the store! we are sticking to beans and rice! welfare/ebt is an amazing program that needs some serious reform. no one should go hungry. but I’m sorry, if you are living on someone else’s cash, then you should be doing it responsibly. Our nation as a whole is in the stinking financial mess it is because of issues just like this…
Back in the mid 80`s, i was doing construction work in Atlanta. I was working 40 to 50 hrs a week & after taking out money for rent and utilities, I would generally have only 50 to 80 $ to buy groceries, and put gas in the truck. I usually had to eat cheap. While at the grocery store one evening, a rather large woman was at the checkout in front of me, with 2 buggies full of nothing but meat. Her total came to over 400$ & when she pulled out her food stamps to pay for it, i could have strangled her. I knew what she was doing, she was going to turn that rolling butcher shop into cash, so she could buy her liquor, and cigarettes, and whatever else she wanted. I`ve seen posts on here stating that there are restrictions, that they can`t buy certain items. BULLCRAP!!! These lifetimers know how to get whatever they want out of the system. Yes, there is a need for the system, yes there are plenty of people who would like to work, but cant, who do work, but don`t make enough, who truly need the assistance and don`t abuse the system. To those people I offer my sympathy and support, but you shouldn`t take the young ladies views and judgements as a personal attack, she was speaking of the lady that i described, and many more just like her. If you`re on assistance, or ever have been & feel as though others are looking down on you, then understand that it`s not completely their fault, it`s the people that openly abuse the system, that mock those of us that have to “foot the bill”, who go on youtube and gleefully talk about how much they can make, and how stupid the rest of us are for supporting them. There`s much more of that going on than most people realize.
I think some people abuse the system, but not all. One can not make assumptions just because they buy steak or something with food stamps. I get food stamps, I also coupon. I am able to buy steaks, healthy fruits, & veggies, and special stuff too.
Until my husband who is working 2 jobs gets out of school we do what we can. I am also helping others with my food stamps because I save so much by couponing.
I agree with this and it was very well written. I recently got a raise of more than two dollars an hour at my job and was so excited to get that first new paycheck. Little did I know, the welfare queens apparently needed it more than me because ironically, my check was exactly the same amount it was before. I bust my ass 5+ days a week and get screwed out of my own hard earned money, only to come home and find that U.S. Cellular sends me a letter saying I could get my cell phone bill reduced to $20 a month if I have SSI, EBT, TANF or disability. Nope, I have a J-O-B so I have to pay full price. And this Cintax wireless “Lifeline” they advertise on TV, tell me why the “Lifeline” needs to be a FREE CAMERA PHONE. Cameras don’t make calls to 9-1-1…
Thank you!
I enjoyed your post. I will admit right away that I do participate in WIC in the state where I live. But I do not in any way try and take advantage of the system, and it really bothers me when I see people who do. The world we live in has gotten greedier and greedier, and this can even be seen in things like even couponing…do you REALLY need 100 toothbrushes? And if you DO get 500 packages of JELLO, WHY is it sitting in your garage? DONATE IT!!!!! But that is the greed coming out again…
I say all that to say that there are people who are out there that do not “work the system” and genuinely need the assistance so my message to those who DO abuse it is: STOP BEING GREEDY AND DON’T RUIN IT FOR THE REST OF US!
Sorry that the author is so ignorant. Yes there is some welfare fraud, but in general, is she aware that a person who went on disability after only working a few years can make as little as $450 a month, and that qualifies them for food stamps.
My son who has worked several years, even though he was born with a congenital heart defect, finally had to go on disability. He makes a whopping $650 a month and will for the rest of his life. He has food stamps too. Now, does this mean he is not entitled to have a mobile phone, or ever eat lobster again? Because it is sad that he can’t work and has to spend years having surgery to keep alive. I guess now he’s not allowed to have any little treat or joy in life.
Please try to observe what you don’t see. Should the children whose parents are on welfare, not have toys or a slip and slide?
You have no idea why these people are on welfare. My son looks healthy on the outside, but can only stay awake a few hours each day. I’m sure when he shops, the arrogant, biased cashiers think the same way the author of this post does.
I as well, see some hope here , Not for people Judging others with what THEY think is right (judgemental)Unless you have walked in there shoes, you have No right to judge (I believe that is the lords job, not yours!) i have read some Very intelligent defenses here and am just as proud of people who defend ther right to free speech. Politically correct or not. God bless America… Not a word about Corporate Welfare, there is the REAL problem.. Somehow its politally correct to attack the poor instead they ignoring the Rich Corporations Welfare.. talk about talking out both sides of your ass…
Great article and I will be passing this on. This young lady needs to run for office. I would vote for her.
Your article shows some ignorance on your part of what underserved peoples go through. The fact that you are white gives you privilege from the get-go. You need to learn more about underserved populations and the history of how things got to be the way they are before you pass judgement on people.
Also to the person who said charity should come from churches….um hello? Separation of church and state? How about all the non-religious people who want to give to charity?
Huh, that’s very interesting. When I worked at Walmart the saddest thing I saw was my paycheck every week. I actually had income low enough that I would have qualified for food stamps. Instead of judging try looking at the disparities between the upper 1% and the rest of us in 99%. Don’t be distracted by the mythic welfare mother in her mink coat driving her caddy. Today I don’t have to work at Walmart or other companies that take advantage of there works but I will never forget what that felt like. I will never blame the poor or expect them to eat the cheapest foods or not have things. Maybe choices people make do help keep them poor; however, the choices that the financial geniuses made contributed to a stagnant job market and the collapse of the housing market.
When we were a young couple, my husband I were very poor. We had two small children. We had no one to help us and because my husband had a job and we were married we did not qualify for any assistance. We did not even qualify for unearned income credit on our taxes. We had to make monthly payments on a washing machine and had no dryer at all. We had no phone and only one vehicle. We often had to borrow a few dollars from the in-laws just to purchase gas for him to go to work or oil for the furnace to keep our children from freezing. meanwhile some of our friends were living together , unmarried and getting welfare. They were eating steaks while my little family was sharing a can of beans and a little bread, So I for one agree that the system is totally out of whack. Over the years I have met many people who refuse to get married because they will lose their benefits. It makes me sick.
The author has probably never been on Food Stamps before , what makes me sick is how you can judge people like that. This is the worst recession in our history. You don’t know what happens behind the scenes, what people go through, the EBT card is for people on unemployment too. You’re a cashier, you see people for a few minutes and all you have is judgement to heap on people. Shame on you. People read shit like this and they believe it like it’s the gospel truth. What she needs to do is thank the Good Lord that she’s not unemployed and instead of judging people to pray for them.
As a hard working, tax paying American I think it’s kind of hysterical reading the angry comments from the people ON Welfare berating you for saying they aren’t ‘entitled’ to steak and cake. While YES, there are some situations that may be extreme, you are referring to the people who take advantage of these programs, not the ones who follow the rules. That being said, since when is anyone entitled to steak and birthday cake? Guess what? If I mismanage my funds or an unexpected expense comes up, I don’t get steak or presents for friends/kids until I have the money for it. I only have what I’ve earned and until I get paid again, or I don’t know, sell some jewelry I don’t need or *gasp* take a second part-time job. When I can’t afford something, I don’t think that people should just give it to me because hey, why can’t I have steak or I like to wear pretty things too. It SUCKS, but that’s called life. Not to mention, so many Americans are not only entitled, they are straight up lazy. The idea of taking a menial job at a fast food restaurant or mowing yards, pet-sitting, taking a second job at Wal-Mart are beneath them. Even people with disabilities can find work. I know plenty of them. Great article and good for you for voicing your opinion on an often controversial topic so that it can be talked about and hopefully will inspire others to talk to their Congressmen and get out and VOTE on reforms for these programs!
This issue is that the state doesn’t allow temp help. Either you get it or your don’t. No getting it as a back up incase you are unable to cover all of your bills in hopes that you will not need the help….
Ever think that maybe those people that have an iPhone and are paying for their food with food stamps may be on a family members plan? Or that maybe they aren’t with their spouse but that their spouse is still nice enough to buy them an iPhone and put them on their plan so they can keep in contact with his children? Think before you judge! You don’t know these people or their situations. It’s pretty simple minded in my opinion of you to judge them without knowing the full extent of their situation. Just sayin’! Maybe you should think before you make judgement on others. I personally know someone who gets food stamps and has an iPhone. She isn’t with her husband because of marital issues, he feels bad because of what he has done to her so he bought her the said iPhone for her birthday and put her on his plan. No, she doesn’t work but that’s because she has no education, no one reliable enough to watch her children and her spouse that he is separated from works two jobs so he can’t watch the children so she can work. Just think before you make judgements against others when you know nothing about how they live or their situations!
I think this is absolutely true and liberals need to get a grip!!!
I’ll never forget witnessing a woman in a seafood shop.
I’d saved all summer to get a couple-dozen crabs.
She had 2 bushels and a big pile of lobster. She paid with her food-stamp card then cursed the owner for a good 1/2 hour because he wouldn’t steam them for her. It is ILLEGAL! She can buy the food, but if he steams it it’s considered “prepared” and no different than restaurant carry-out.
She accused him of “racism” because he wouldn’t break the law!
I want to sincerely thank the taxpayers for giving my two kids and me a hand up when we desperately needed it. My ex bailed on us before my kids were born, I had a very difficult pregnancy and the twins spent time in the NICU due to prematurity. I am very grateful for the help (I frankly think the kids would have died otherwise) and am glad to say I’m finally back on my feet and “repaying” at least part of what we took. Having said that, there are people who see welfare as a way of life and feel they are entitled, they continually scam the system and have no qualms about it. A woman up the street quit her job (training paid for by taxpayers) because it was “gross” and immediately went back on welfare, is going to school half-heartedly on the tax payers’ dime, and sees nothing wrong with using her food stamps to feed her kids garbage while she and her string of boy toys eat pretty well. She uses the TANF money for a tablet, a computer, a nice TV, plus her three kids all have TVs and DVD players and gaming systems in their rooms, they have a nice vehicle, she has money for beer and cigarettes and so on. Granted, it’s all theft in my case as well because it came from the taxpayers, but she doesn’t lose any sleep over how she can better herself and some day repay the money. I intend to work my butt off and pay taxes until my debt to the taxpayers is repaid. It was never my intention to steal from others, we were just in a very bad spot for a time. Having been there, I try very hard not to judge welfare recipients until I know the facts, but there is definitely a ton of abuse and changes need to be made.
Someone here said: It was never my intention to steal from others, we were just in a very bad spot for a time.
If you needed it, used it to get the hand up, and got off, then it isn’t stealing. It is those that can physically work and choose not to. It is for those that don’t marry or get “divorced” so they can have benefits. It is for those that do these things knowing they are cheating the system.
Lara – if you read one of the author’s other posts, she blames her poor writing skills on the education she received at her local high school, which was too busy indoctrinating her with leftist beliefs to actually teach her any writing skills.
I agree with Cindy. This author is young and ignorant and is generalizing that all recipients of aid take advantage of the system. Of course there are always people who do wrong – some watch pirated movies on the Internet, some don’t tell a store clerk that they were undercharged for a sweater, some people think they are better than others and would never ever do anything like this. I am from Boston and have the means but have always tried to help those less fortunate. I am lucky enough to have a family that could support me if I need assistance. Try to not be too judgmental and stop generalizing. It doesn’t suit a well educated person.
You make some very good points, but I want to mention one thing about the TANF. In my state, Virginia, people who receive legitimate child support that is collected by the state (sometimes necessary to actually get the father to pay, whether you are poor or merely divorced) receive this money on debit cards. These debit cards are also used for a variety of other purposes, including TANF. I would hate for a cashier to think that I was spending food money on wasteful things, but I will often buy my children unnecessary items using the money on this state debit card. While there is a huge problem with welfare abuse in this country, cashiers shouldn’t be so quick to jump to conclusions about their customers, especially very young cashiers with little to no life experience. Until you’ve walked in the shoes of the people you are complaining about, keep your trap shut.
With every program, there is abuse. But remember: do not judge least you be judged. You don’t know what the circumstances of others are and only by the grace of God, is it not you in those shoes.
My daughter is 20 years old, struggling to find a job, lives at home. I get a lot of crap from people saying I should kick her butt to the curb. I say “Why? So she can go on the state, and then all of you will be taking care of her?” She is trying to find a job, looking everyday. And her father and I understand how hard it is out there. We DO NOT want our daughter living off the State, EVER. So we are still providing for her. Health Ins. Food. Roof over her head. Any other NECESSITIES. If more families took care of their own instead of throwing them out on the curb to let the state take care of them, maybe things wouldn’t be so bad. We are heading into very tough times, coming out of very tough times. It’s a no win. And the 2 party system has let us down TERRIBLY. I have absolutely no faith in any State politician nor the fat cats in Washington. They’re a bunch of nit wits who never learned how to compromise, they all have to be right and win their own cause no matter what. And in the process, NO ONE WINS, EVER. We are going backwards, and as such, we need to TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. If we need to DO WITHOUT the cable TV, the Cell Phone, the internet, to be able to provide for our family, young or old, than that’s what we need to do. Quit throwing our youngsters to the wolves and hope that the State will take care of them. As long as my daughter cannot find a job, I will support her so YOU DON’T HAVE TO. Everyone should consider doing the same.
Before someone jumps on me about disability, one of my best friends is a 40 year old man, who came from a small town and had to get scholarships and school loans to go to college and has had from birth, a heart defect that has required 4 open heart surgeries, two stents and two different defibrillators implanted in his chest and yet he works FULL TIME as legal counsel for a corporation. He feels like hell a lot of the time, but refuses to get on public assistance just because he can. He would rather pay his own way.
I am currently on assistance as a single mother of two children and just had my fourth surgery today. I hate being on state aid and as soon as I can I plan on being back to work. I also believe that people should not spend what they receive on unnecessary items. It is abuse of the system. When I started recieving aid here in Maine I sold my car so that I didn’t have an extra bill every month and I just couldn’t afford the price of gas. My cash benefits go completely to rent. But my rent is more than I receive so i have had to sell other Items such as jewlery to make up the difference. And as far as the small amount of food stamps I receive I clip coupons and scan the flyers to find the best prices so I can feed my children healthy food all month long. Even With Christmas coming this month I am not abusing what I get as My children have been told they may get one small item each under the tree if santa has something for them but he might not. They were not happy about it but they understood.
I have witnessed other people buying cartloads of gifts this holiday season with their ebt cards and it upsets me as well because those are the people who make it harder for those of us who truly need TEMPORARY assistance to be understood and not looked down upon when we go into a store to buy items to feed our families during hard times.
I think a lot of the people on here who are spewing hatred against this girl for having an opinion…and you all know that saying… need to read the entire article, take a breath, and realize she is not speaking of your family. The only reason why some of you would get so agitated is because you too are cheating the system. She specifically states she is not against welfare, as someone said before some people have disabilities etc. However, she points out, what I have seen working for a grocery store as well, that many people abuse the system. Do you people who support other people doing this even realize what it does for people who actually need welfare? This girl is not who should be making you angry. She is simply pointing out the facts. Ever heard of a first impression? A person can say and do a hundred things in 2 minutes.
Hell it takes most criminals that long to rob a person at gun point…are we all so soft that we wouldn’t judge that person too? They are both stealing. Another thing… why is everyone so tied up about who anyone wants to vote for, you people know NOTHING from watching CNN, NBC, FOX and reading the Onion or The Huffington post and neither do I. Let’s just stick with what we experience and see first hand OURSELVES which believe me, they do not show you through any media outlet. I can tell just by reading the comments on here how little people know… they don’t give away welfare? They absolutely do in FL. I asked a fellow cashier why this place(didn’t bother to ask exactly what it was) was so crowded, she then precedes to pull out some sort of card and says “They are giving away food stamps, you just have fill out this form….go get one!” I have also seen an old lady get into one of the nicest model Mercedes after paying with an EBT card. I don’t buy anything I can’t afford and I get along just fine, I am also HANDICAPPED, and was unable to receive ANY financial help (just needed a small loan) when I really, really needed it (I am nearly entirely deaf, it took me 4 years and postponing college to save up enough money for hearing aids) Do you know what I had to eat ALL the time? Dollar menu at McDonald’s and Ramen noodles every. f*cking. day. if I can do this, ANYONE can. Stop feeling so sorry for yourselves and get welfare only when you TRULY need it!
hey just so you guys know i get food because im on disablity and im only 41 so you dont know some of the people you see using them arent scamming the system and there not just going to be on it temporary going to be on it awhile
Dear R (person below) – spell steaks right before telling people they can’t buy them. Thanks!
On another note- what’s really sad is the ones who use the system correctly and get put on the back burner due to bad apples. Well thought out article.
Great Article! I hope some of those losers at the Hall of Flags protest today have a chance to read this.
Stop complaining and GO WORK! That’s what I did all day, all week and all year! So, I will reward myself with a steak tonight because I, myself earned it. NO ONE else earned my money but me. Therefore, no one else is ‘entitled’ to MY money.
That doesn’t surprise me one bit. It seems to me that no one wants to work for anything anymore and it really has to do with the NON-PARENTING that is going on in the world today. Parents become parents so they can be on welfare, food stamps, TANF, or to just simply, “milk the system”. There should be stipulations on these programs, just as WIC puts on their program. Allow milk, bread, potatoes, and chicken ONLY. That’s all anyone needs to be able to live. Humans today, don’t understand that we should only EAT TO LIVE, not LIVE TO EAT. If our system put these stipulations on these programs it may cut down on obesity, and LAZY AMERICANS. WORK FOR LIFE!
Well done Kiddo! Will be sharing on Facebook!
I somewhat agree with this, I mean, there are Somalians where I live, and they are basically given everything they want on a silver platter. Not once have I ever