Foodstamps buying steaks at Wal-mart.?

Question

Have you ever stood in line behind that person who has two carts full of groceries. You know the one with the rib-eye steaks, the fresh vegetables the good cereals. Not the malt o meal in the economy bag the good stuff. The fresh seafood. While you stand there after a hard days work struggling to keep your mind from reeling totalling up the groceries that you are about ready to pay for. The Malt o Meal cereals in the big bags, the top ramon, the hot dog's, the chuck steak because you can't afford to pay your mortgage and buy a decent cut of steak and any other essentials. As you stand there you watch them pay for all of these lovely things with food stamps. In the meantime they pull out there cash to pay for the essentials beer and cigarettes. Anyway do you think we might need welfare reform. Does that scenario make you angry or does the fact that I am a "con" pointing out the obvious tick you off? Oh by the way you can't even afford to buy the good beer.

Carroll- I love your comments. You are so insightful I can tell that by your brilliant use of the English Vocabulary. Honey there is a button on yahoo called spell check. Anyway my mom's dead, so I can't tell her to do that but anyway. Go get your government cheese as I continue to work to pay my taxes to support you so you can continue to berate me and those like me. May God continue to bless you.

Julia-
Very nicely put. I know that there are some situations where people need help and they should get it. I believe in giving my dollars to the homeless and those in need but believe that every able man or woman should work.

Nice soloution Pearl. It's nice for people to think about ways to make positive changes. Nice use of the noodle!!! :)

Answer 1

I think they (or "we" since we are our government) should apply the same type of rules they use for the WIC program, where only certain foods are allowed. The foods are healthy- milk, eggs, cheese, juice, beans, etc.
Why can't food stamps work the same way? Obviously the guidelines are already in place. Here's a PDF file on what's typically allowed.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/outreach/engfdlst06.pdf

Answer 2

People really need to get over themselves! Half the posts on here are really ignorant. Not everyone on foodstamps are lazy unemployed slums! A lot of these people work and have families. I am a full time college student, I have a part time job, and I get good stamps. I work 30+ hours a week and can barely afford to pay my rent as well as my car, so yes I get foodstamps. At first I was embarrassed to get them because of judgmental people like you on this site, but now I really don't care. I will proudly buy a nice steak, or snack cakes or a bag of candy once in a while. WHAT BUSINESS IS IT OF YOURS?! Absolutely none!! People who let what other people do affect their lives are pathetic and need to worry about themselves. I'm not gonna stop buying good quality food just because if your ignorant opinions. People need to learn to keep their mouth shut and mind their own business because you don't know people's situations. And honestly I feel really sad for all the people on this post!!!!!!!

Answer 3

At times I have been upset by the things you mention. It can be quite frustrating like the time when I went to try to rent an apartment, I didn't qualify because I made to much money (what a joke) so I had to settle on a one room studio apt, while they lived in a nice 2 story town house. Or I had to wait to go to the doctor when I was a sick as a dog and couldn't afford the ER copay, Or the times I went without food a day or so before payday.

But here is the difference Today I own several homes A new car went to a 5 star resort and had the time of my life, and have a lot of things that people use to measure success. But you know what? They are still in that 2 story town house stuck there forever. You see the real difference between us. I had time and ability and chose to use it. Maybe you need to try to remember, for them that is all there is...They have no means to ever accomplish the things you or I could and that is why they need compassion. Also if they didn't have a months worth of food you can be sure they were starving a week later, that is why they receive this, they do not know better. But for those that are just lazy? well I have no compassion for them what so ever. Cut em off....

Answer 4

Well, you only get so many food stamps, or monetary allowance for food per month, so if that person is buying all that stuff, then they probably will be out of food before the month is over with no more stamps to buy more with. Without getting into how I feel about the welfare system (against it), I think people who use food stamps should be allowed to spend them however they like, even this foolishly. The welfare reform that we need is that too many people are on it in the first place for too long.
Also, you never know what the person's situation is. I remember many years ago there was a column in Dear Abby about a woman who was using her food stamps to buy a beautiful cake, and people around her were outraged. It turned out that she had a terminally ill little girl, and the cake was for the last birthday the girl would ever have. I know this isn't always the case, but it gives me pause when I think about how people spend their food stamps. Also, even if I am buying less expensive things than they, I am grateful and proud that at least I am self-supporting and can do things like buy myself and my family food without taking a handout from the government.

Answer 5

You nor I know why those people are paying with food stamps. It could be for numerous reasons, justified or not. The point being that these people in some way or another convinced the government they needed help, and they got it. Just because they are paying with food stamps doesn't mean they shouldn't be entitled to good things. How they use their crutch is their business, not yours or mine.

As for welfare reform? I think many people need more help than they're getting. I think there are more people in need of more help from welfare than there are of those abusing it.

Answer 6

Wasn't aware of that scenario. Always believed that welfare should not be a steady source of income, but a way of helping someone get on their feet and find a way to provide for their family. Was unaware that it could happen at Wal Mart because our great city council, the same city council that put our city billions of dollars in debt by approving a grossly underfunded pension and benefits package for city employees, has decided to stop Wal Mart from building such stores in the city.

Answer 7

Yest it bothers me if food stamp customers are buying things I can't afford. But there has been some progress with welfare and the time limits have helped. The entitlement mentality is not a good thing for our country. We can't look to goverment to take care of everthing for us like a wet nurse. People need to get out and work.

Answer 8

I am torn on this one. It frustrated me in my youth because I worked as a cashier and you are constantly ringing up or voiding off items. I felt like these people shouldn't be entitled to have the ribeyes if I can't. As I got older I occassionally felt frustrated. After my second company lay-off and having to deal with unemployment, I totally empathized. As far as those who just choose not to work, NO MERCY!

Answer 9

I completely agree with you. I try not to shop at Wal Mart for this reason. (Things are a little bit more expensive at Meijer, so they can't get quite as much with OUR money).

It is QUITE frusterating.

Answer 10

And when you finally get enough money to buy the things you want, they tax you more so your right back at the start.