[Mouton]

If they ever tried to get most of the fraud out of these programs, we might actually be able to afford them.

[hsmomx3]

I have heard this fraud is really easy to do if you go into those little stores owned by the foreigners.

I know if you go into a regular grocery store, there is no way something will get by because if you do make a purchase for an item not covered by food stamps, the register tells you how much you owe for that product.

[wiggen]

Very true. I think shes looking at programs that are pulling illegals over. Its another way to help them find alternative places to live.

[susannah59]

I would also be in favor of severely limiting what can be bought with food stamps. I was in a supermarket deli the other day, looking for lunch, and noticed the individually packaged slices of cheesecake were marked "food stamp eligible."

Now, I like cheesecake myself every now and then, but it should be a treat, a luxury item; it is not a necessity!!

In fact, I'd be in favor of abandoning food stamps altogether and going back to giving people "commodities." Let the government purchase basic food items from farmers and give those out.

I had relatives, years ago, who were "on welfare" and that was what they got. Dried beans and peas, rice, corn meal, canned tuna, peanut butter, cheese, powdered milk, and the like.

It would almost certainly decrease fraud and abuse; I doubt many people would be able to trade their dried beans for booze or drugs! People who really need the help still get food, just food they have to make some effort to prepare for themselves.

There would be an outcry, though; how would the recipients buy their chips and sodas??