For the life of me I cannot understand why some people think the way they do...it is frustrating BEYOND comprehension.
Ok, the poor and working poor are given assistance to buy food for their families. Since we don't want these people (growing up I WAS one of these people) to be embarrassed about their current position in life someone decided it would be nice for the recipients to have an EBT card*. That way, the transaction would appear like every other shopper in line at the checkout. (During a lay-off I once worked at a Wal-Mart as a Customer Service Manager, and I saw a lot of stuff that made my blood boil.)
Of course now days the very same people seem to drive nice newer vehicles, wear nice (new) brand-name clothing, and also have cell phones, with what have to be awesome text plans. (volunteer at a Food Bank once in awhile you'll see). Why? Because as taxpayers we are subsidizing their lifestyle to keep up with the Jones' by taking the food bill out of the equation.
That is just one part of it...at the first of the month, you'll notice people with some pretty full grocery carts at the store. These carts are most likely being pushed by someone with an EBT card in their wallet. You might notice lobster, Prime Rib, Choice Steak Cuts, and other pricey items. But the majority of the food in that cart will be Processed foods, packed with additives and preservatives. Easy to fix meals, loaded with carbs, and not much nutritional value.
I bring up the processed foods because of the close association these food types have with adult and childhood obesity. Also, studies (I heard of this a few years ago on a TV news story) have shown that people that are on assistance tend to be fatter not only as a result of the diet, but the way the body adjusts to compensate for the feasting at the first of the month and then famine toward the end of the month.
I bring up the expensive items, because a lot of people that are not on assistance cannot afford such luxuries...and it just doesn't seem right that tax payers should have to pay for a luxurious meal for another person, that doesn't deserve it.
If we as a nation are to provide the poor with assistance then the government needs to step in and give them standards by which to live by not unlike the WIC program. With WIC the person is only allowed certain milk, certain cheese, certain peanut butter, and etc.
To allow a person to make unhealthy and extravagant choices with our tax dollars is just plain wrong. And just when you thought it couldn't get worse....EBT cards will be able for use at Fast Food places...yep that's right, you and I will be paying for more unhealthy choices.
EBT AT FAST FOOD If the person that is receiving the hand out doesn't like being told what to buy with the government's money then that person can better themselves and their situation and become like most of the rest of us and support ourselves.
*I am sure another reason for the EBT Card was to discourage fraudulent use of the coupons, and the selling of those coupons for pennies on the dollars to thieves.
Previous Topic
Index
