Maybe the living in mansions is a stretch. The driving in Cadillacs while collecting food stamps, there’s plenty of that in any upstate NY city. I see it daily. Let’s not forget keeping the windows open all winter because the thermostat’s set to 90.
I was standing in the grocery line, frozen dinners and discounted (sell-by date expiring) meat in hand. In front of me, checking out, was an Hispanic woman with three pudgy kids. Included in her purchase were steaks, ice cream, soda pop, chips, cookies and fresh salmon.
She handed the EBT card to the cashier. The bill totaled over $80. The cashier informed her that the card was $4 over the available credit.
She handed 3 Monster energy drinks back to the cashier.
All during this time, she was texting on her new i-phone.
I saw this woman out in the parking lot, loading her groceries and kids into a newer SUV.
I jumped into my 1992 pickup, my cell with a cracked screen in my pocket, and returned home to microwave and enjoy my TV dinner, still clinging to my dignity and pride. But apparently, that is not worth much these days.