Missouri may be banning steak and seafood from Food Stamp Program

[Luvchefmic]

All 3 of our kids have worked at our local Walmart as cashiers. Most people would have no clue who is paying with assistance except for the shoppers who insist they have more funds available than exist, or they redeem multiple forms of assisted payment : EBT, WIC, local charity checks, local farmers market checks are some. When you scream at my 16 or 17 year old that your children are going to starve without everything you have put on the belt, my child isn't even allowed to react. They have to hold any response in and release it at the end of the shift or in the break room. Yes, our children have witnessed a side of society that they hope to avoid in the future. And yes, these types of outbursts occur regularly. Eye opening and a life lesson that no text book can provide.

PERFECT opportunity for a parent to teach a child how to think of things, count blessings whatever you do, explain the importance of either higher education or vocational training, the importance of being able to support yourself and save for a rainy day. Also a perfect teaching moment to show an example of no preconceived thoughts of how someone got into that position in life and how it could happen to anyone. Of course you know all that already...right ?

As far as yelling and screaming at your child, well obviously that is very bad behavior BUT you work with the public it's bound to happen eventually. Even Mickey Mouse's bag checkers get yelled at, cursed, and spit on.

 

[Gracie09]

PERFECT opportunity for a parent to teach a child how to think of things, count blessings whatever you do, explain the importance of either higher education or vocational training, the importance of being able to support yourself and save for a rainy day. Also a perfect teaching moment to show an example of no preconceived thoughts of how someone got into that position in life and how it could happen to anyone. Of course you know all that already...right ?

As far as yelling and screaming at your child, well obviously that is very bad behavior BUT you work with the public it's bound to happen eventually. Even Mickey Mouse's bag checkers get yelled at, cursed, and spit on.

Yup. When I worked at the GAP I was yelled at by customers who didn't like the return policy, the sales, the weather etc. Entitlement and bad attitudes are not reserved for one socio-economic class.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I'm not sure what you are implying here but just because you don't believe that these stories are real doesn't mean they aren't.
I have witnessed abuse of the food stamp program. And when I say witnessed I mean I watched a woman I worked with sell her food stamps to another woman every month for cash. She did work part time, so maybe she really didn't need the food stamps for food but then she shouldn't have applied for them.
Granted this was before the EBT cards, when it was actual stamps but I'm not naive enough to think that this doesn't go on in other ways now, and something really should be done about it.
Sure the majority of food stamp recipients don't abuse the system, but the ones that do, ruin for everyone, including the honest recipients and the tax-payers. We should all be up in arms over any abuse instead of not believing the stories we hear because we choose not to believe it really happens.

So, more than ten years, and perhaps as much as 20 years, after the elimination of "stamps" the "welfare Cadillac" still resonates.

 

[scoutie]

We pay so much lip service to poverty and hunger (Why are so many kids hungry in one of the wealthiest countries?!) and then when society tries to do something about it, people act like this.

A friend of mine who used food stamps and wic for her foster kids has heard rude and derogatory remarks while checking out with them. She has also been yelled at in the parking lot by people who think her car is too nice for someone on "welfare". She no longer shops with her kids because she doesn't want them to hear what is said to her and she doesn't feel safe after the parking lot incident.

. As others have mentioned, the majority (99%!) use the food program for what it is intended for. I'd rather bemoan corporations and government officials eating expensive dinners and staying at expensive hotels with my tax dollars.

 

[Uncle Remus]

We pay so much lip service to poverty and hunger (Why are so many kids hungry in one of the wealthiest countries?!) and then when society tries to do something about it, people act like this. . As others have mentioned, the majority (99%!) use the food program for what it is intended for. I'd rather bemoan corporations and government officials eating expensive dinners and staying at expensive hotels with my tax dollars.

Amen!

 

[undertheradar]

PERFECT opportunity for a parent to teach a child how to think of things, count blessings whatever you do, explain the importance of either higher education or vocational training, the importance of being able to support yourself and save for a rainy day. Also a perfect teaching moment to show an example of no preconceived thoughts of how someone got into that position in life and how it could happen to anyone. Of course you know all that already...right ?

As far as yelling and screaming at your child, well obviously that is very bad behavior BUT you work with the public it's bound to happen eventually. Even Mickey Mouse's bag checkers get yelled at, cursed, and spit on.

I WWJWD? That image speaks volumes, perhaps following the teachings would be in order?

Yes, the teaching moments are presented almost daily. I always wonder what thoughts go through a person's head when yelling at the teen working the cash register. As if yelling at that person is somehow going to better the situation.

 

[smadath]

A friend of mine who used food stamps and wic for her foster kids has heard rude and derogatory remarks while checking out with them. She has also been yelled at in the parking lot by people who think her car is too nice for someone on "welfare". She no longer shops with her kids because she doesn't want them to hear what is said to her and she doesn't feel safe after the parking lot incident.

They follow her out to her car?! What's wrong with people?! Even if you feel the need to be totally ignorant and judge someone on a vehicle they've probably had for years, you don't do it in front of their kids. Not that it matters in this case, because they're foster kids. People can be total jerks.

 

[mnrose]

PERFECT opportunity for a parent to teach a child how to think of things, count blessings whatever you do, explain the importance of either higher education or vocational training, the importance of being able to support yourself and save for a rainy day. Also a perfect teaching moment to show an example of no preconceived thoughts of how someone got into that position in life and how it could happen to anyone. Of course you know all that already...right ?

As far as yelling and screaming at your child, well obviously that is very bad behavior BUT you work with the public it's bound to happen eventually. Even Mickey Mouse's bag checkers get yelled at, cursed, and spit on.

And, some of the RUDEST people I've seen in stores are buying things with their own money. Rudeness knows no economic boundaries. It's part and parcel of accepting any customer facing job. You have to learn to deal with rude people.

 

[Gracie09]

They follow her out to her car?! What's wrong with people?! Even if you feel the need to be totally ignorant and judge someone on a vehicle they've probably had for years, you don't do it in front of their kids. Not that it matters in this case, because they're foster kids. People can be total jerks.

Although I appreciate the agreement that the people were jerks, I don't understand the bolding. Kids are kids. When we fostered, we call all our kids our kids. We didn't differentiate. My friend doesn't either.
The original people were behind her in line and she was still loading her car when they came out. I don't think they followed her as much as wanted one last potshot.

 

[smadath]

Although I appreciate the agreement that the people were jerks, I don't understand the bolding. Kids are kids.

Oh, absolutely. I just meant that the people yelling were likely doing so because they assumed she was a "deadbeat." I'm not sure many people realize that you get SNAP and other benefits for taking care of foster children. So, no, they have no business harassing her either way, but to do so because of incorrect assumptions is ridiculous.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I WWJWD? That image speaks volumes, perhaps following the teachings would be in order?

Yes, the teaching moments are presented almost daily. I always wonder what thoughts go through a person's head when yelling at the teen working the cash register. As if yelling at that person is somehow going to better the situation.

I am happy with the way I live my life. Yes my faith is important to me. Thank you.

 

[Laura66]

We pay so much lip service to poverty and hunger (Why are so many kids hungry in one of the wealthiest countries?!) and then when society tries to do something about it, people act like this. . As others have mentioned, the majority (99%!) use the food program for what it is intended for. I'd rather bemoan corporations and government officials eating expensive dinners and staying at expensive hotels with my tax dollars.

AMEN!!!

 

[Laura66]

And, some of the RUDEST people I've seen in stores are buying things with their own money. Rudeness knows no economic boundaries. It's part and parcel of accepting any customer facing job. You have to learn to deal with rude people.

I agree! Yet when it's the poor or people using these programs - this behavior is used as an excuse to further "stereotype" public assistance users.

 

[LBIJim]

>>

In Michigan they are a distinctive blue/orange View attachment 87124 . And some people are nosy and look for them. I was embarrassed more than once by people staring, lol. I made DH stand and block peoples view sometimes. Which is pretty funny because there we were employed, helping kids, being good people..and I'm all AHHHHH don't look at me!!!!

Wow, that Michigan card practically DOES have a radioactive orange glow!!

Yes, it looks like a card, but the way you pay also shows up on the screen. Also, if you buy any non-food items such as toilet paper or shampoo, it's not covered, so once you pay for qualified food items, another amount shows up and that needs to be paid with another form of payment. Yes, it's noticeable. I don't go looking for it, but my face would flush each time I had to use EBT while dh was unemployed.

Now that you mention it, I guess it is noticeable at certain (most ?) stores. One local market has the total displayed on a screen atop a pole about a foot above the register, for any type of payment. I do remember someone's screen saying something like "EBT total $74.50, cash due $22.15." And both it and the cashier's monitor is visible to the people in the next line as well.

Sadly, I guess some people do make it their business to watch how the people in front of or next to them are paying.

My company, a chain of convenience stores, has a touch pad screen where you swipe any type of card. The amount that's due is only visible to the person who's using it and standing directly in front of it. And it's next to impossible to see the cashier's monitor. (Some older models have actual buttons to push instead of a touch pad. Many of these have those rubber "guards" surrounding the buttons. I hate those because my fat fingers can't fit in to input my PIN.)

 

[SMD]

I agree! Yet when it's the poor or people using these programs - this behavior is used as an excuse to further "stereotype" public assistance users.

I think you're missing the point. Taxpayers and people who spend lots of money at retailers are entitled to be rude. Their patronage pays the workers' salaries. And their tax dollars support welfare. Those who take from the hand that feeds them have no room to complain.

 

[bcla]

Wow, that Michigan card practically DOES have a radioactive orange glow!!

Now that you mention it, I guess it is noticeable at certain (most ?) stores. One local market has the total displayed on a screen atop a pole about a foot above the register, for any type of payment. I do remember someone's screen saying something like "EBT total $74.50, cash due $22.15." And both it and the cashier's monitor is visible to the people in the next line as well.

Sadly, I guess some people do make it their business to watch how the people in front of or next to them are paying.

My company, a chain of convenience stores, has a touch pad screen where you swipe any type of card. The amount that's due is only visible to the person who's using it and standing directly in front of it. And it's next to impossible to see the cashier's monitor. (Some older models have actual buttons to push instead of a touch pad. Many of these have those rubber "guards" surrounding the buttons. I hate those because my fat fingers can't fit in to input my PIN.)

California's is pretty distinctive. Mostly a picture of the coast, but the hologram is of the Golden Gate Bridge.

I was on unemployment for a while. California's EDD used to issue real checks, but after a while they forced a switch to debit cards with the Visa logo. The cards were issued by Bank of America and had a photo of Yosemite's El Capitan on the front. However, they basically had nothing on the front except the account number, expiration date, cardholder name, and DEBIT over the Visa logo. For the most part I'd just go to an ATM to withdraw, although I'd used it a few times to make purchases. I did cash it out a few times - I had to know how much was in the account and the teller had to find where the old-fashioned imprinter was. They even used a carbon-copy form. I believe I still have 50 cents left in the account although the card has expired. However, collecting unemployment benefits isn't quite as stigmatized as EBT.

Now California's CalWorks (welfare to work) debit card had some controversy. The thing that was changed was limiting where it could be used. There was some outroar when some politician found out that they could be used at pretty much any ATM. This included ones at casinos. Granted, there was some good eating to be had at some casinos; you could get a really good meal at one for $10 with lots of healthy options like lean meat, fruit, and salads. They had transactions in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and even Florida, which angered a lot of people.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/04/local/la-me-welfare-20101004
http://abclocal.go.com/story?section=news/state&id=8096068

However, whether or not restrictions happen with these programs won't be dependent on the successes, but on the way in which they're used that looks bad to the public and the politicians who write the laws.

 

[luvsJack]

Couldn't find a picture of our's but it has a big magnolia on the front or it did.

 

[Gracie09]

NJ

 

[Mkrop]

Why cant we be worried about ebt/welfare fraud and abuse AND corporate fraud and abuse, why does it have to be either or. I would like the govt to crack down on both.

 

[Kbee]

So, more than ten years, and perhaps as much as 20 years, after the elimination of "stamps" the "welfare Cadillac" still resonates.

Not with me, I was just citing an example of a true story of abuse, and that I'm not naive enough to think that is still doesn't go on today and it effects everyone. I'm real sick of those holier than thous who have a problem with people (who know for a fact abuse happens) would like to see something done about that abuse. You may think its evil to want that but you know what I think its just as evil to bury your head in the sand because you don't like the truth of it.
In regards to this thread, I don't think people should be banned from buying steaks and seafood, but I have no problem with regulations in general to make it very hard to abuse the system. Sorry some have such an issue with that.