Perhaps it should have been qualified as to the scope of food selection provided to the so-called “needy”. There clearly needs to be a prohibition on hi-dollar food items on the taxpayer dime. Such as no alcohol!!
I have yet to meet anyone using Link food benefits that was allowed to buy alcoholic beverages with it. Sounds like a strawman to me.
Alcohol is already prohibited.
There are quite a few food stamp use prohibitions existing, i.e., alcohol, tobacco products, ‘to go’ foods (Mackie D’s), etc. Lobster, yes, bot if they buy 1 lb lobster @ $13/lb, that’s 4 lbs of ground beef @ $3/lb they won’t get, which of course would go farther.
On the other hand, I’ve heard some recipients trade their food benefit for cash to buy alcohol/cigarettes/Mackie D’s). There will always be those who work their way around the system, unfortunately, so all the good intentions can be for naught.