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I don't find these programs to be unconstitutional, but I would prefer that the federal government not be involved in it at all and the states themselves determine the benefit levels that will be provided.

I have no problem with some people getting some assistance. But I would firmly support the eligible food stuffs being very restricted in scope.

"I would prefer that the federal government not be involved in it at all and the states themselves determine the benefit levels that will be provided."

I've got no problems with that.

"But I would firmly support the eligible food stuffs being very restricted in scope."

Once again, make that a decision for the individual states.

In my own case, I decided that 30 years of being a taxpayer entitled to get the occasional "treat". A good 95% of what we purchase are solid, nutritious foodstuffs. We made the decision to be good stewards of the taxpayer's money.

Being a conservative, I realize that the dominant view of the Food Stamp program among conservatives is of Welfare Wilma and her ten kids buying out the candy, cookie, and ice cream aisles in the local grocery. But I've also come to know other people, since the disaster of disability hit me. Most of these people are grateful for hand up, and have attitudes toward food purchases like mine. (They would also be grateful if the Feds would stop the wholesale desertion of America by industry ... jobs DO help, you know.)

Also, I've given speeches to welfare recipients on the local level, and encouraged them to purchase and eat wisely. I'm still a conservative, after all.

Man, do I find myself in unusual territory this morning!

Where I live, roughly 20% of the people are getting some form of assistance. The Welfare office is the busiest place in town, and along the bus routes of the city.

On any given day, the parking lot of the building housing the office is packed with cars, and many a time, people are in line outside waiting to get in there.

Alas, within this bulky of a system, there is fraud and corruption. I know (and have known) people who are on the programs who shouldn't be on it, and those who truly need it. But I also think that there should be a way to limit the items in question that can be purchsed, such as soda drinks, chips, candy, cookies, etc.

Secondly, many of the people who are buying the high dollar items with their taxpayer-given cards, are turning around and bartering they for illegal narcotics. This happened to my mom at the local store. I had to explain to her why we would not have used the crack-"lady"'s card and give her $$$. She was in shock! (And I knew about this from a previous article on FR!)

I think lastly that the goobermint people don't want to try and fix the system, because they get a kickback for getting all their friends on it when they shouldn't.