Food stamps have gone way beyond their original purpose

Reader comment on: Photo of the Day

Submitted by Andrew Terhune (United States), Aug 22, 2012 17:47

I live in a large, formerly industrial city in the Northeast. I shop in the city, and often find that I'm the only person in line paying with his own money.

What galls me though is not that food stamps are helping the truly needy, but that they seem to be helping the very-much-less-than-needy. The people I see using them shop at Whole Foods, known more for high-end comestibles rather than bargains. The products being purchased are food, but hardly food that you'd expect someone so down-and-out that she (it's almost always "she") as to need government assistance to be able to afford. Nor are these people ill clothed or unkempt. Their clothes are often fashionable, not at all worn out, and these recipients of government largess always have jewelry. They appear, to all intents and purposes, to be living the American dream, only better because the rest of us are paying for it.

I don't think anyone begrudges helping the truly needy, but we're way beyond that. I've lived in parts of the world where our "needy" food stamp recipients would be considered rich.

Note: Comments are moderated by the editor and are subject to editing.

Other reader comments on this item

Comment on this item