Freeloading on the Taxpayer's Dime

15 December 2003 | Andy Obermann

[AndyObermann]

Freeloading on the Taxpayer’s Dime By: Andy Obermann 14 December 2003

The other day I was at the grocery store doing some shopping. I patiently waited in line to purchase a few miscellaneous items. In front of me, a woman, no older than forty, was buying two sodas, two packs of gum, and a personal size bag of potato chips—trivial purchases, a snack perhaps. She proceeded to pull out what appeared to be a credit or debit card to pay for the goods. An unnecessary step for such a menial purchase, I thought. Much to my surprise, however, she was paying for these goods with her Food Stamp benefit card. It struck me as odd, very odd, but nothing was said of it and she moved on.

In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson passed the first national Food Stamp Act. In it, he outlined a plan to provide adequate nourishment for all American citizens as part of his “Great Society”. In 1976, President Jimmy Carter approved a revision of the law eliminating purchase requirements and simplifying eligibility standards. Thanks to these reductions the present day Food Stamp Program touted a massive 6.5 million recipients and a payout of more than half a billion dollars, approximately $566,569,725, to be exact.

Now, I don’t know or really want to understand what Carter was thinking, but I’d be willing to bet that soda and gum weren’t the types of food good ole’ LBJ had in mind. Aside from the fact that the Constitution affords government no power to enact such a program, one would think that at the very least, the way these monies are spent would be monitored. It’s likely that a significant portion of that half a billion could be used elsewhere if the reckless spending habits of recipients were scrutinized a bit more closely.

Normally, I’m against government intrusion in the lives of everyday people, but for this I’ll definitely make an exception. Why isn’t there some sort of provision in Welfare programs as to how these precious government funds can be spent? Is it really that intrusive to say, “Ok, since you’re getting taxpayer money from the government, we’re going to determine what you’re allowed to buy with it and monitor those purchases?”

An honest proposal would be to restrict Food Stamp purchases to the four basic food groups; grains, meats/poultry, dairy, fruits/vegetables. If this were violated, privileges would be revoked and stores in breech would be reprimanded. What’s wrong with that? Superfluous purchases such as chips and soda don’t provide adequate nourishment anyway, so why not?

A lot of you aren’t going to like this, but I’ll go one further, once a citizen has been on the program for an extended period of time, they should start losing some of the privileges that taxpayers receive. I don’t think that those who are on these programs indefinitely should be allowed to partake in voting. Maybe this would provide a little motivation to stop mooching off the hard-earned profits of others. Think about it, why should they have any say over how tax dollars are spent, when they foot none of the bill? Why should they be able to choose the leaders who shape America’s economic policies, when their earnings will not be used to fund these policies?

Now before all of you start berating me for being insensitive, let me qualify this theory. I’m not talking about citizens receiving disability and unemployment or families that legitimately go on these programs out of need. I’m referring to the chronic abusers—those who have been on these programs for years and years that have not attempted, and do not desire to get off. I’m talking about those who give our social Welfare programs a black eye: the freeloaders.

Look, if a family is in need, if the primary bread-winner has lost his or her job, or something terribly unexpected occurs, these programs can be of great assistance. There is no shame in needing or receiving help when one falls on tough times. That is why these programs were created; they are warranted for these urgent situations. They aren’t, however, meant as a long-term solution.

The government needs to take a serious look at the abuses these sorts of programs incur, and soon. If politicians don’t, perhaps the American taxpayer should look for leaders who will.

[FITZ]

Where I live, a lot of hispanic families get food stamps. Not illegals, but actual citizens. I was behind one such family in the checkout line last weekend. What do you suppose was in their cart?

I see the same thing ---- tons of hispanic families --- most who don't speak a word of English filling several carts of all kinds of food --- but usually they have plenty of cokes, cookies, candies, store decorated cakes and the rest. They not only have a food stamp card but plenty of WIC coupons too ---- plus those kids are getting free meals in Head Start and public school. They're usually obese with lots of obese children. Interestingly enough it's the hispanic families who speak English who don't use the food stamps.

[flashbunny]

"So, stepehen, is your internet service free as well? Do you own your own computer???"

Do you have a need to know? Or does your taxpayers status give the right to know, to invade my privacy?

No, just wondering, because it put holes in your story how you are so down and out and need government assistance if you can still afford internet service and still have a computer.

I've been down and out too, for longer than you have. But instead of going on the government dole I sacrificed and sold everything I had that wasn't vital, got rid of phone, cable, and other luxuries, and started over. I guess sacrifice is a four letter word these days.

Happy web browsing. Be sure to enjoy the food the money that they are taking from me and my family is paying for.

[massadvj]

I don't necessarily disagree, but I'd like to point out a simple fact in order to put things in perspective. The federal government spends about $20 billion or so on the food stamp program. The same government spends about $200 billion, or ten times as much, on Medicare.

The average wealth of the food stamp beneficiary is well below the national mean, even accounting for fraud. The average wealth of the Medicare beneficiary is well above the national mean.

So, while it may be right to criticize social welfare such as food stamps, it seems ludicrous not to also criticize the real deadbeats in our society -- the millions of seniors who suck from the public teat while living in luxurious digs in places like Myrtle Beach, Sun City and Tampa Bay. Some 60 percent of the federal budget goes toward benefits to seniors, who are the richest demographic group in the US. Contrast this with about 17 percent of the budget that goes to the poor.

The biggest welfare chiselers are senior citizens and their AARP lobbyists. In a few short years, I will be one of them, and it makes me sick to think that my bills will be paid by the generations that come after me. But that's what our democracy has wrought: welfare for the old and rich.

[Stephen Ritter]

Thank you!

[Stephen Ritter]

Thank you!

[Stephen Ritter]

Thanks for what you've said. Ability to work is the key, isn't it? Thank God, I'll have that ability once again no later than March.

However, I am living independently. I have my own home on two acres of land in the countryside (bought and paid for in the years in which I worked). I could sell, and live off of the money from the proceeds. However, if I did that, I would lose all "benefits", and rightfully so. Our resoruces would then last a mathematical limit of 2 1/2 years. At the end of that time, we would be homeless .. read that public housing, foodstamps, public healthcare, and so on. It would be the end of our independence.

And so, we live in our home, and make ends meet with whatever resources are available to us. That has been the way of my life, and shall continue to be so.

[SauronOfMordor]

High priced items like steak, filet mignon and salmon. Most bought very expensive processed frozen dinners. Many times I had arguments that cigarettes and beer could not be bought with the tax payer food stamps.

High-priced foods are a natural for food-stamp recipients. They can be most easily sold for cash to buy whatever.

The card itself can even be "rented" to others for cash

[Stephen Ritter]

"You've clouded the situation somewhat in my mind by taking your wife out of the discussion. Either she's got a legitimate disability, in which case see above, or she's got a bogus disability"

I took my wife out of the discussion because I wish to protect her privacy. However, she is not an alcoholic or a drug addict. Her condition has been diagnosed by a recognized medical authority, and she received a decision of "disabled" by the state disability determination board, after a period of only two months from her application. More than that I will not say, except to remember with fondness her hard work for twenty years as an RN, and note her desire to return to that work as soon as possible.

"It would be easy enough to program cash registers with foods that are Food Stamp eligible or ineligible."

Instead of that, designate grocery stores that recipients can shop in. In our area, there's a Kroger's, Save-a-lot, Aldi's, and Eagle's. By shooping at Save-a-lot or Aldi's, we pay only a thrid of what we would pay at Kroger's or Eagle's for the same items. In my state, this restriction would save millions of dollars.

[Stephen Ritter]

"The card itself can even be "rented" to others for cash"

Then the perpetrator should be arrested and charged with his or her fraud.

[Stephen Ritter]

"No, just wondering, because it put holes in your story how you are so down and out and need government assistance if you can still afford internet service and still have a computer."

Actually, it isn't any of your business, and so I refuse to asnwer it.

"I've been down and out too, for longer than you have. But instead of going on the government dole I sacrificed and sold everything I had that wasn't vital, got rid of phone, cable, and other luxuries, and started over. I guess sacrifice is a four letter word these days."

So did I. How and why I have computer or internet isn't yoour business, but the phone and other luxuries went, including my prize AR15a2. And sacrifice IS a four-letter word, these days. It's called "Iraq", and thank God for the young men and women who serve there.

"Happy web browsing. Be sure to enjoy the food the money that they are taking from me and my family is paying for."

Thank you. I will. When you were down and out, I'm sure you took as much from me.

[Jennikins]

**Just end it. It's unconstitutional. It's absurd. It's full of fraud.**

I agree. We were in a grocery store lineup last year when they still used the 'food stamps' and not the card. Right in front of us were two hispanic women arguing with the cashier. Finally, the cashier started stamping something and we saw that they were food stamps. We were behind them, and on the way out, we saw them putting their groceries into a brand new Ford Eddie Bauer Expedition SUV. I'm fed up with feeding people who don't need it. They are milking the system, and we have to pay for them.

[Jennikins]

**How's your health, Andy?**

Sarcasm will get you nowhere. We are not talking about people who really need it. Don't be such a crybaby. The world owes you nothing.

[Danielle]

I just read all the comments on this thread and saw that no one stated the true facts. Those being that since 1996 were major changes in the Food Stamp program. One of those being that single people can only get them for three months in any three year period of time, that the amount is based on income, including assets with your car being counted, with set limitations. That those that are married or with children are also held to stringent standards. There is a mandatory employment and training requirement, and other rules, It is not like people just go and decide to get on food stamps and never pay for their own food again. There are many more requirements, but no one is listing them here. The program was set up to help people get back on track, not give them hand outs to live off when they are capable f making it on their own.

Please note that not until October of 2002 were more immigrants allowed food stamps and they are encouraged to apply. www.lawhelp.org/.../itopicID/467/iProblemCodeID/1731200/ iChannelID/76/isubtopicid/1/iproblemcodeid/1731200

[At _War_With_Liberals]

AFTER YOU AND YOUR WIFE WORKED FOR 30 YEARS, YOU HAD NO SAVINGS TO GET BY ON?

I use my own money to get by.

[flashbunny]

I didn't take jack diddly squat from you. And your 'its none of your business' speaks volumes about you. You still have a pc and internet service yet you wish the government to take money from my family and others so you can 'afford' food.

I smell a DU disruptor....throwing in references to his AR15 and a 'shout out' to the troops in iraq out of the blue...this stinks to high heaven, especially your attitude that the people who are working owe you something.

[flashbunny]

OMG - I just saw your tag line for the constitution party. That is a freaking pathetic joke. If you believe in what the constitution party does there is no way you'd have your attitude that people 'owed' you food stamps.

I call shenanigans.

[Bob J]

While there are abuses of the system, it is not the governments role to dictate to anyone what they can and cannot consume.

Unreal. The purpose of the food stamps system is to provide assistance to people who for some reason cannot feed themselves.

Would you approve of more money being taken out of your paycheck so people can buy cigarettes and booze?

[freedox]

"The average wealth of the food stamp beneficiary is well below the national mean, even accounting for fraud. The average wealth of the Medicare beneficiary is well above the national mean.......Some 60 percent of the federal budget goes toward benefits to seniors, who are the richest demographic group in the US. Contrast this with about 17 percent of the budget that goes to the poor."

You're comparing apples to oranges. Food stamps are only made available to the poor, so of course the average income of food stamp beneficiaries is going to be below the national average.

As for seniors being the richest demographic group in the U.S., these people have 40+ years of work behind them.......along with 40+ years of retirement savings. That "wealth" that they have accumulated is what they have to live on for the rest of their days. Would you prefer that they didn't have retirement savings, in which case we would be having to support all of their needs?

[FITZ]

Anyhow I think your situation is different than the vast majority of recipients of government assistance. There are some cases that make the exception --- I know of a family who were farmers, a large Protestant family --- good moral hard-working people --- the father was killed in a tractor accident, his widow with young children sold off most of the farm, had to resort to food stamps even though she still had a large garden and canned a lot of food --- there were young children and day care would have been expensive --- more than she would have brought in by working. It's not like the majority you see around here were the women and girls intentionally have many children without fathers just so they can live a life of mooching off the taxpayers.

[Gabz]

The purpose of the food stamps system is to provide assistance to people who for some reason cannot feed themselves.

Exactly. I remember the embarrassment of a friend of my mother back in the 70s. Her husband had been laid off from his job and took a job in Canada. They had 5 kids that had to be fed, even though the dad, the breadwinner, was only getting paid once a month. The mom applied for foodstamps so that the kids could be fed. Luckily for them it only lasted 6 months and the dad was able to get a job back close to home.

Would you approve of more money being taken out of your paycheck so people can buy cigarettes and booze?

I am both a smoker and a beer drinker, as is my husband - those items have always been among the first to go when money gets tight in our household.