Food stamps rant

[bteague2]

The guy in front of me at Kroger this morning (2am) used his food stamps to buy his groceries. That sucks I don't know his situation, whatever. Then I get back to my truck and see the guy loading his damn groceries into a brand new Ford Expedition. If you can afford a brand new car or any freaking car for that matter you should not be on food stamps.

Food stamps shouldn't even exist on a government scale, that should be a function of the local church/non profit/whatever group.

[ShaunM]

Maybe he could have been using someone elses vehicle to get there since he might not have a lot of money.

[Guest FroggyOne2]

Maybe he could have been using someone elses vehicle to get there since he might not have a lot of money.

Your funny!

[Guest bkelm18]

Well, like you said, you don't know his situation, so that might not have been his vehicle.

[Guest Archimedes]

I've seen peeps come off of street corners with their cardboard signs and get into a brand-new Benz or the like.

~archi

[Guest m&pc9]

The thing that tics me off is, I have a buggie full of store brands and cheap meats. The person in front will have name brands and t-bones and ribeye steaks and will pay with food stamps.

[Guest deut20:16]

Maybe he bought them off the local pill head. Thats the thing that pisses me off, kids at home hungry dad and mom sell the card for .50 to the dollar to get high. But if guy got one over on the system good for him he just joined the 75% we pay taxes to keep up.

[Guest jackdog]

It is truly sad that there are those that abuse the system, and there are a lot of them. This has going on for years. I remember back in the 80's I was at great lakes naval base. They had caught something lie 37 people who were receiving welfare from Ill,Wisc and Ind. The final outcome was they were going to be required to pay it back at 5.00 per month. This is why any form of charity needs to come from churches or charitable organizations. These folks can keep tabs on it far better than the government. I know there are people that get into a bind and need help, I just think there are a hell of a lot more people that abuse the system.

[frontier737]

In this nation there are 2 types of people, generally speaking. Takers and providers.

If you're a provider you work and pay taxes. If you don't work (either because you can't or won't) and you are public assistance you take. It appears we are on the road to socialism so get used to seeing more takers.

Just a thought.

[Guest jackdog]

You may or may not enjoy this.

No Welfare Abuse Here, Part 1

By Matthew VanLandingham (12/10/03)

One of my left-leaning friends, to her dismay, has finally started to feel the righteous indignation so familiar to hard-working taxpayers, and so alien to the liberal, redistribution-of-wealth contingent.

“I'm all for peace and love and helping my neighbor, and stuff. But this is ridiculous,â€Â she said last week.

The object of my friend's ire is a female acquaintance, whom I will call Janine. Janine is a single mother of three children, struggling to survive while working 40 hours a week at a mere seven dollars per hour. She is a proud woman who boasts of her self-reliance and ability to support her family without the aid of Welfare or child support.

Of course, Janine does occasionally require a little assistance. For example, the state-affiliated Family Independence Agency (FIA), which administers the government food stamp program and Medicaid, provides Janine with $300 worth of groceries every month, an amount which she has a hard time spending unless she buys expensive cuts of meat. She purchases considerably more than she can use in a month, so she freezes the excess until a time of less abundance.

“It's not like this woman is buying hamburger and stew meat,â€Â my friend exclaimed. “She buys steaks and roasts. She spent $45 on three pounds of ribs! I can't afford to eat like that and I *earn* my money.â€Â

The FIA also provides Janine and her three children with medical insurance, to the tune of another $300 per month. This coverage, of course, includes both Dental and Vision, for it would be unseemly to make our single mothers pay for their own children's glasses.

“I don't even have the option of Vision or Dental in my company insurance plan, and she gets it for free!â€Â my friend said. “Not only that, but she doesn't even have to pay for her utilities.â€Â

It seems that the FIA also provides emergency relief for its clients who are faced with non-payment shutoff notices on their phone, gas and electric services. In the winter, when heating costs are high, clever Janine stops paying her bills until the utility issues her a shutoff warning. Then she ambles down to the FIA office and has them pay it for her. Of course, it is not just that simple: The lines are horrendous.

“She actually complained about how inconvenient it was to stand in line for three hours behind all the other people scamming free utilities,â€Â my friend growled. “ It's unbelievable.â€Â

Proud, self-reliant Janine rents a modest, three-bedroom house which she affords through the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly known as Section 8. Section 8 is administered by a local Public Housing Agency branch, which, according to the HUD website, “executes a Housing Assistance Payment contract with the property owner. This contract authorizes the PHA to make subsidy payments on behalf of the family. If the family moves out of the unit, the contract with the owner ends and the family can move with continued assistance to another unit.â€Â

Janine's take depends on her monthly income, but at her current level of employment, Janine receives a $400 per month subsidy. However, during a recent 9-month-long period of unemployment, her effective rent payment was a very affordable “zero,â€Â as provided by Title 24, Chapter 9, Part 982, Section 8 of the United States Administrative Code.

Fortunately, although Janine's housing voucher subsidy was greatly reduced upon her return to the workforce, by virtue of her employment she is now eligible for subsidized child care. The County Child Care Coordination (4C) Program currently pays her child care provider $150 per week (or $600 per month) to babysit her three children part time. The oldest child is thirteen years old. Janine has been on public assistance since he was born.

There is more good news. Because reliable transportation is crucial for Janine's continued employment, the FIA provides her with a $500 per year allowance for car repairs. This allowance, I am certain, is vital for the continued maintenance required to keep Janine's 2000 Dodge Stratus in tip-top shape, especially now that the warranty is almost up.

“She makes a car payment. I think that's her only expense,â€Â my friend said.

Of course, Janine does not intend to remain on the public dole forever. She is attempting to better herself through education. She attends the local community college on a low-income full tuition grant from the state, which also covers the cost of her textbooks. She takes four classes per year at a cost of about $1100. Unfortunately, she seems not to value the opportunity provided her since she has routinely failed classes and been forced to repeat them. No matter. Don't cost nothin'! And unlike in corporate tuition reimbursement plans, when Janine fails a class she is not required to pay for it. In fact, when she resells her textbooks at semester's end she gets to pocket the cash.

It is perhaps this twice yearly windfall that has allowed Janine to afford the four television sets in her home, each equipped with either a DVD player or VCR, and each equipped with either a Nintendo64 or Playstation2 video game system. These, along with her digital cable subscription, likely provided Janine with all the entertainment she could possibly require during her nine-month stint of unemployment, as well as during the late nights she spent not doing homework for classes she did not pay for.

Were Janine a composite created to illustrate the potential hazards inherent in irresponsible and poorly managed government assistance programs, her story would still be chilling. Because she is, in fact, an actual person, and certainly not unique in her skill at squeezing the system for all she can get, her story should be a call to arms. One may, if one chooses, calculate the monthly assistance Janine receives from a variety of taxpayer-funded sources and compare her income to one's own. I have. So has my formerly liberal friend.

“You know what?â€Â she said to me, putting down the calculator. “I think a bunch of us should stop by her house and ask if we can borrow her car. Or hang out in her Section 8 house. I think we deserve visitation rights for those three kids we pay to raise.â€Â

At least there is no Welfare abuse going on. Well done, Janine.

(Printer friendly version) Email: Matthew VanLandingham

[Guest pjblurton]

When I turned 16 (20 years ago), I got a job at the neighborhood Kroger, sacking groceries. Within 4 short months, I was promoted to the esteemed position of checker. It was while working this position I would see my lines back up with professional welfare moms (no dads - ever) all with 2 grocery carts. One full of t-bones, ribeyes, tenderloins etc. and the other full of beer and cigarettes. Food stamps would pay for the first cart, cash for the second.

The the bagger would then take the groceries out to a shiny new Cadillac. No tip.

GRRRRR.

Its good to see now the government has wised up and gives these folks a debit card so they don't have to go through the embarassment and humiliation of tearing out those paper food stamps.

The gub-ment has created a generation of people who have a feeling of intitlement and obligation to live of the government teet.

[Guest Hyaloid]

I'm all for helping folks too. But, I think what you draw from the system, you should be required to pay back. Seems like a simple enough concept to me, we don't even have to charge interest.

You want a 'hand up instead of a hand out" from the .gov? Sure, here you go...get back on your feet. We'll help you for 6 or 12 months. After that, you pay us back at with a reasonable repayment plan.

*sigh*

I don't think we'll ever see it like that though.

[Guest mustangdave]

Food stamps shouldn't even exist on a government scale, that should be a function of the local church/non profit/whatever group.

Care to guess when all this crap started? Used to be churches AND charity organizations did this kinda stuff....then the GUB'Ment got involved...said it could do a better job...

[Guest c_o_jones]

I think there should be a stigma to being on assistance, as it's a safety net, not a lifestyle.

I would issue huge, silly-looking cards that would be at least 6" x 8".

Nothing but Cokes, chips, and snack cakes being bought by the folks in front of you are a dead giveaway at checkout.

You can usually predict by the nothing but garbage they buy if they are going to whip out the American flag card...

It only took us a mere 60 years to go from the land of opportunity to the land of entitlement...

[Guest GLOCKGUY]

I was on food stamps once when I first broke my back. I lost my job and yes I had to get on food stamps because I could not find a job, not that I wouldn't work but no one would hire me. And yes I had a brand new dodge durango that I was putting those groceries in. I bought the car before I got hurt and drove it until I lost it. So you cant judge a person because of what their driving. And yes I agree about having to pay back some of welfare you get when you needed it. Now that I'm back on my feet and my wife is working I wish their was a way to pay back some of the help I got.

Edited February 19, 2009 by GLOCKGUY

[Machman]

When I turned 16 (20 years ago), I got a job at the neighborhood Kroger, sacking groceries. Within 4 short months, I was promoted to the esteemed position of checker. It was while working this position I would see my lines back up with professional welfare moms (no dads - ever) all with 2 grocery carts. One full of t-bones, ribeyes, tenderloins etc. and the other full of beer and cigarettes. Food stamps would pay for the first cart, cash for the second.

The the bagger would then take the groceries out to a shiny new Cadillac. No tip.

GRRRRR.

Its good to see now the government has wised up and gives these folks a debit card so they don't have to go through the embarassment and humiliation of tearing out those paper food stamps.

The gub-ment has created a generation of people who have a feeling of intitlement and obligation to live of the government teet.

You forgot the part of the show where they need to have the cashier remove about 20 items from their order because they went over the amount they have on their card...

[musicman]

Hey Guys and Gals,

I don't really want to step into this welfare debate, but I've been refreshed to hear that so many folks believe it is the church's responsibility to help these folks. I agree. Unfortunately, we don't have as many folks going to church and doing the helping any more.

I'd like to provide all of you in the Middle Tennessee area to an awesome ministry. It's called "Mattew's House" and it's held at Trinity Church of the Nazarene at 1253 Vultee Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37217. We are entering out 5th year of service this month, and Matthew's House is held the third Saturday of every month. Our first event on Feb 21st, 2004 brought 18 people needing help. Our last Saturday in January brought over 140 people. We have representatives from the Metro Housing Authority, people to help with job placement, and students from both Vanderbilt and Meharry, as well the Shadetree Clinic that all come to provide free assistance to anyone who needs help. Our church provides clothing for men, women, and children, as well as a hot meal that day. We are there for encouragement and support. We do not preach or try to cram any message down anyone's throat. We simply love through support.

We desperately need clothes of all types (except undergarments, unless they are new and sealed) especially men's clothing as we have recently started offering help to the men of Project Return, an organization that helps men returning from prison re-adjust to working and living outside of jail. They come every Wednesday afternoon and we are having a hard time keeping up with all of their needs.

We (and me especially) would love any support you can give. I would be happy to pick up clothing donations, and am willing to drive within a 30 minute radius of Smyrna to do so. We just ask that the clothes be in good condition and clean.

I invite you to come this Saturday from 11am to 3pm to see what it's all about. I'll be there and would love to see you. (I've grown a short beard since my goofy pic on the left!)

If you'd like more information, please PM me for my cell number. Take care!

*Edit* Just wanted to add our "mission statement" for Matthew's House:

Matthew 25:35-40 (New International Version)

35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Edited February 19, 2009 by musicman

[BryanP]

It's quite possible that this guy bought an Expedition when he had a job, and now he's been laid off and is receiving assistance.

Now, when I see someone use their food stamps to pay for groceries, then whip out cash to pay for their beer and cigarettes, that annoys me. If you need my money badly enough then you can damn well do without those little luxuries.

[strickj]

....or maybe he was buying food for someone unable to go to the store for themselves.

In this nation there are 2 types of people, generally speaking. Takers and providers.

If you're a provider you work and pay taxes. If you don't work (either because you can't or won't) and you are public assistance you take. It appears we are on the road to socialism so get used to seeing more takers.

Just a thought.

Yup,I think you're right.We're surely a week away from that

[bteague2]

It's quite possible that this guy bought an Expedition when he had a job, and now he's been laid off and is receiving assistance.

Then sell it. If you have to have a car get an old honda that get's good gas mileage or.... ride the bus. Nobody has a right to own a car. That is a reward.

[Guest mustangdave]

Then sell it. If you have to have a car get an old honda that get's good gas mileage or.... ride the bus. Nobody has a right to own a car. That is a reward.

:drama:but we live in an ENTITLEMENT Society....

[BryanP]

Then sell it. If you have to have a car get an old honda that get's good gas mileage or.... ride the bus. Nobody has a right to own a car. That is a reward.

My car is paid for. If something happens and I go on food stamps I should sell it?

[Guest GLOCKGUY]

Then sell it. If you have to have a car get an old honda that get's good gas mileage or.... ride the bus. Nobody has a right to own a car. That is a reward.

Hey have you tried to sell a car these days? I tried to sell my dodge durango and didn't have any luck am I suppose to not drive it because I didn't want to make people mad because I needed help from the government. And do you think every town has a bus they can ride? Look I know theirs people out there that take advantage of the government but not everybody that needs a little help does.

[bteague2]

You can keep your cars, but how are you going to put gas in them if you can't afford food?

[Guest GLOCKGUY]

You can keep your cars, but how are you going to put gas in them if you can't afford food?

Thats what the food stamp card is for. When people loss their jobs they usually get unemployment that what you use for gas and stuff like that but you try to feed 3 kids and pay your house payment and put gas in your car with $275.00 a week. Thats why when people are down on their luck the can get some help to get back on their feet. If it wasn't for the food stamps their would of been no way my wife could of went out and found a job when I was laying on my back for 2 months. Your still young so you really don't no what its like yet but you will in due time.