@CouponQueen wrote:
I know the subject of food stamps/EBT/SNAP on these boards is also a hot topic..
But I was recently behind a couple (eh late 50's maybe) in a grocery store where they announced the EBT was down and asked each person before ringing up if they were paying with that..as obviously it could not be processed. The couple in front of me did...she said to ring it up and lets see how much it was. It came to $101 and change. He paid it with cash, then asked the cashier if he could bring his card back when the system was up and swap out..At first she said yes, but then thought better of her answer and called over the Supervisor, who checked and said no...He then became irate, sent the woman out to the car and was headed to see the Manager. I do not know the outcome..
The thing that got me was that every fruit/veggie was organic..every piece of meat was organic..every bottle of juice they purchased Organic..Impossible not to see since my items were on the belt right behind theirs. all equaling a lot of extra money..and anybody can slap a sign on a product and say organic and really and honestly how regulated is it? I hear the explanation..yes that Coach purse was a gift, he needs the iphone for jobs and communication...that heavy gold necklace was a gift or from before they lost their jobs..but you know to me and the rest of the customers it was like just rubbing it in our faces..I have seen people use the EBT card and try and not let people see..I have seen them walking around adding up their purchases with a calculator as they shopped and got behind them in line..totally shopping effectively and in budget..and probably the helping hand vs lifestyle..
Unfortunately we see/hear about the abuses not the ones using them proper and for a helping hand..
very tough call sometimes as it does irk the common tax payer who busts their butt working and budgets and does without the organics in their life..just to stand and watch somebody get those organic on the tax payer who is doing without..
I know 'many' think that is great..they are looking out for their health..no not great really in my book as those food dollars could of been stretched A LOT more if utilized a bit more effectively!
I am not going to begrude Little Johnny a bag of candy..several bags YES..several bags of chips Yes..
I have told this before being behind somebody in Walmart who had purchased a cart load of chips, snacks. soda and beer..all for a Super Bowl Sunday party...they used their EBT card and paid for the booze. Now we hear how benefits are always cut etc..so that family purcashed $125 worth of snack items..so what was their children going to eat in its place?? So yeah, I have issue with that too..
A very well thought out and spot on post @CouponQueen
The rules set for the entitlement programs in this nation waste millions and millions (and more) of dollars each year. Because it is, for some reason, politically incorrect, to assme that, let alone require, that people take care of their basic necessities before they ask for help. We certainly don't want to deny anyone their lotto tickets, iphones, extravagant foods like organics or lobster and steaks on the taxpayers dime, as we would be insensitive and judgmental. Darn right. If I'm paying for what you can't or won't, I certainly don't expect you to have better than I do.
Before any government handouts go out, there needs to be much stricter guidlines about what is purchased with our money. Food stamps (EBT) don't allow toothpaste, toilet paper, soap or shampoo, but do allow soda, candy, chips, frozen pizza, lobster, steak etc. That just is one mixed up mess.
WIC now covers so many foods that it once didn't. And instead of having to get the house brands of cereal, juice, etc, the top dollar national brands qualify. Why are we paying for $5 a box cereal on a federal program, when there is $2.50 store brand of the same thing available? Why do we pay for Jiff, when the house brand is a fraction of the cost?
Blogs & Forums
Forums
Blogs
