by Just Lynne
61573048
Wouldn't it be good if Food stamp purchase were limited to basics. Bread, milk, certain cereals, and so many pounds of meat per month, so many pounds of vegetables, fruits, and nothing from the frozen section. Food stamps wouldn't be so attractive. Editor's Note: That's so true, MK. It's astounding how much food they get with food stamps, most of it just junk. And nobody checks to see what they bought, or even if they spend it at OTB or buying lottery tickets. Neither of which I can afford!
Editor's Note: It sure is, Eric, and it's hard to quench those feelings of rage that come over you when you have to look at the truth of who is paying for whom.
Editor's Note: The only way that works out here in our McDonald's is if you bring a male friend and he IS WILLING to pay for it. Heehee. Good one, though, Mickey!
Editor's Note: Thanks, Gramma, I fear I have lost my pity for these people.
Editor's Note: Yeah, Cameron, that's what hurts - I haven't had a big thick steak in years!
Editor's Note: Wegmans and Tops both sell thuringer in their deli section, Gary, I know because I love it too even though it's bad for you.
Editor's Note: Oh it does give me the warm fuzzies, Marilyn, I say we should give her even more so that she can afford to have her groceries delivered right to her door!
I'm sitting in ther parking lot at Tops at Upper Falls and Clinton so I could hop on the WiFi from MickeyD's because...I was working...when this guy brings two grocery carts out to his car. He does unload them he just stands there, which I thought was odd, so I was casually watching him. Another guy pulls up and he loads the the groceries into his trunk, and the guy hands him some cash out the window and they both leave. About three days later I go into the same Tops and end up in line behind the same guy. I know because he has a crazy haircut and a braid in his beard. Anyhow, he buys another cart of grocery and sure enough pays for it with hias food stamps card. We leave. He loads the groceries into someone elses car and gets cash out the window. Nice rackett. When do we put a stop to it? Editor's Note: Wow, Jim, now that would upset me even more than the woman I was behind in line. I don't think we do ever put a stop to it because it's a moneymaker for someone or someones, also it buys votes for certain politicians who really don't care what we think about all the crooked goings on.
Editor's Note: Now there's a great idea! But because it makes sense it will never happen.
Editor's Note: I hear you, Mark, I had a stint of unemployment too, and had to follow all those rules and still was treated like I was deliberately out of work and on the dole.
Editor's Note: The question is, would they show it? My bet would be no, they wouldn't. They don't want to get the taxpayers all riled up - it might turn out to be that, instead of going after Medicare and SS, we would want to abolish welfare.
Editor's Note: Sadly, it's not a new thing, it's been going on for years. And it looks like it will go on for years to come as nobody "in charge" ever even mentions it when they talk about our budgets. Thanks, Roger.
I remember one saturday I had worked a good portion of my shift on a beautiful wedding cake that was the top of the line in intricate detail as well as price.
When the bride to be came to pick it up,... she paid for it with food stamps! After my initial shock, I thought well now that she's getting married the food stamps will surely go away.
NOPE,.... she came in every morning with her two children and gave each one a dollar food stamp to buy a 10 cent cake donut at which we would give her the change in cash then she promptly would walk over to the check stand and buy a pack of cigarettes!
I guess I'm dating myself here as food stamps in the bill form have been gone for quite some time but that was my eye opener.
Lazy people will always find a way to get around the system at mine and your expense and I for one have been fed up with it for a LONG time!! Editor's Note: Me too, Chris, it's a wonder to me we don't all rise up and demand putting a stop to it. Lots of those people on food stamps know how to game the system, they laugh at those of us who get up and go to work everyday because they know very well that we are supporting them and buying their cigarettes and donuts. It makes me especially mad because I am about to fall into the doughnut hole with Medicare and that will cost me another couple thousand plus while none of them have to worry about such things.
Editor's Note: Yeah, I forgot about all that, my heart bleeds for their "poverty".
A little late here but great column! And yes, it pizzes me off too!
Also this ties right in with Bob L's column today re. high property taxes here in NY.
This abuse of our hard earned dollars has GOT to stop.
Tony Editor's Note: I wish the abuse of our dollars would stop, so do we all I guess, but I don't see any end to it. I wish we had more say in what goes on.
# 1. 5/11/11 5:12 PM by mk
I remember some one complaining they "hated WIC" Because they didn't give anything good. All you could get was carrots, beans, juice, milk and cheese. ( I think)
# 2. 5/11/11 5:17 PM by Eric - Rochester, NY
It's like walking into Bill Grey's and paying for yourself and the people ahead of you, isn't it?
# 3. 5/11/11 5:50 PM by Mickey Sanders
Have you not heard of the Obama Value Meal at McDonald's? You order whatever you want and the guy behind you pays for it.
# 4. 5/11/11 8:17 PM by Gramma
I SOOOOO agree!
# 5. 5/11/11 10:56 PM by Cameron L. De Vries - Shanghai, China
All the while, we try to maintain a discipline of avoiding the "luxury" items and keep our grocery purchases within a budget.
# 6. 5/12/11 9:02 AM by Gary - Williamson
You know a deli that still sells thuringer?? I love that stuff, even if I do have to pay for it myself.
# 7. 5/12/11 9:12 AM by Marilyn
and doesn't it just give you the warm fuzzy's that you are also paying for her casino and booze. It sure makes me happy..... lol
# 8. 5/12/11 3:49 PM by Jim Mattison
True story.
# 9. 5/12/11 7:59 PM by The Last Mohican
All the more reason I think people who don't work shouldn't vote. Then, they have no say in the continuance of these welfare programs and politicians don't cast policy based on them.
# 10. 5/12/11 8:30 PM by Mark - Greece
Max 2 years with full benefits. 5% reduction every year after. As I said, people who paid into unemployment for a lifetime are limited to a 93 week max. What 'right' does someone have for 5 or 25 years' of sitting on their duffs and gaming the system? They don't even have to try to find a job! In my stint at unemployment, I had to keep a record complete with company names, phone numbers and contact persons of where I applied, and mail it in monthly to keep bennies coming.
# 11. 5/12/11 9:04 PM by mk
To Jim.... Get out your camera phone and turn in the video into the local news station (s).
# 12. 5/13/11 11:18 AM by Roger That
My wife could have written this comment in 1995, when the same exact thing happened to her.
# 13. 5/13/11 1:23 PM by Chris - Utah
I used to work in retail as a cake decorator for a large grocery chain in our area.
# 14. 5/13/11 6:43 PM by Mark - Greece
Keep in mind that if you qualify for food stamps, you're also more than likely getting rent subsidy, heating paid for, and free medical for the entire family. And the kids are eligible for free breakfast AND lunch at the school. 52 weeks a year! What does the average family spend for these things yearly? Poor? Must be a new Funk and Wagnalls definition.
# 15. 5/16/11 7:26 PM by Tony P
Hey Lynne-