Things that make you shake your head!

[rachdd]

Actually, the OP did say the woman said who the party was for! I posted it below in case you missed it!

Secondly, I am not judging without the full facts. Like I said in my original post-I talked to this woman in the candy aisle for several mins! She told me all about the big party she was throwing for her FREINDS! Not her children and not because someone was sick. She said she just felt like having a party!

ALSO, lets get something straight, NO judgement was meant here but maybe I am judging the system that lets people do it and if people need government assistance and are truly not trying to cheat the system then by all means we should help them everyway possible. But the government needs to regulate it. If you need assistance fine but there will be rules so we are not "wasting" the assistance! If I went to the food stamp office and told them I wanted to throw a party next month but I didn't have the extra funds do you think they would help me out???

What I stated was an opinion, my opinion that you should not be able to buy $174 worth of candy on foodstamps to have a party. If someone truly needed foodstamps then buying $174 worth of candy to have a party would be the furthest thing from their mind.

I like how you concern yourself with war but I am judging the lady who bought $174 worth of candy on foodstamps. AND, isn't it a little judgemental of you to assume that I am paying for my trip to WDW?? I am not saying that I am not paying but that is passed judgement as well, we all do it in some form I guess mine just hit a nerve!

 

[luvsJack]

Every time I see someone buying something they probably shouldn't with food stamps. . . . OH WAIT! I have never seen that. I don't pay attention to what other people buy and I certainly don't pay attention to how they pay!

So, when I READ about what other people buy with food stamps, I just say "Thank you, Lord. You have blessed me with an income that does not allow me to qualify for food stamps". You know, "there but for the grace of God go I".

Does me a lot more good than getting all bent out of shape over something I can do nothing about anyway.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hey I can TOP this story. We know a family....have known them for years. Our oldest son plays varsity soccer with this boy now. Last year after Thanksgiving.... they had a fire in the basement of their home...

Oh my! Our home burnt down shortly after Thanksgiving when I was in 5th grade *well only parts had fire damage ~ the rest was smoke damage. I thought it was great! New clothes for school ~ we did receive lots of help right when it happened but this is why homes are insured to cover you when this happens *oh and this was our only home - we moved into grandma and grandpa's basement *not our 2nd, 3rd or 4th home on the coast What a shame - I can't believe the family you mentioned above.

 

[jpeka65844]

I've got a story! And it's Disney related! I used to work in a low SES school where we "adopt" families and buy them gifts for Christmas. One family with 6 children asked for assistance in buying holiday gifts. No problem! Clothes, toys, you name it!

So come President's Day Weekend (February), this family of 6 (8 including Mom and Dad) take off for Disneyworld and stay for a week at the Wilderness Lodge. Now, I've stayed at the WL and know how much it costs.

No, it wasn't a "wish" trip and maybe someone else footed the bill, who knows?

I know there are a lot of people who say "don't judge, lest not ye be judged" But I think sometimes people should think about how their actions are viewed in the eyes of others. It tends to lend perspective and can cause someone to re-evaluate their behavior.

 

[rachdd]

i know there are a lot of people who say "don't judge, lest not ye be judged" but i think sometimes people should think about how their actions are viewed in the eyes of others. It tends to lend perspective and can cause someone to re-evaluate their behavior.

sooo true!! Great words of wisdom!!!

 

[disneychic2]

So sad. What are they teaching their children in the process? There will always be people who abuse the system. I'm sure we all have at least one story in this vein. Doesn't make it any easier to swallow! That rich family takes the cake, though!

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

Do you think that people that get food stamps are only those who don't work? And the person that only gets $16, do you not think there is a reason for that, like they are making too much money to qualify for more, or have less children?

Do you think if she just lets the food stamps lay there that she will continue to qualify for them? Of course she could never have just been a careful shopper..she's darned if she buys expensive stuff and spends it all, and darned if she buys cheap stuff and has stamps left over.

All judging or not judging (as the case may be) set aside,
there are some real misconceptions about SNAP.

Families either qualify of they don't.
Qualification is based on income, family size, and property owned.
A person who only gets $16 gets only $16 because of their age and family size, it has nothing to do with how much money he makes.
That's usually a senior citizen who lives alone.

With food stamps you are either above the qualification line or below it.
How much you get is determined by how many people are in the family, the ages of the children.

You don't get more because you spend more, and you can't qualify for more food stamps if you have less money coming in than someone else who has a family of the same size.

 

[DMRick]

She said that afterwards..she did not say the lady said that in the original conversation. So either she assumed, or talked to her again.

Actually, the OP did say the woman said who the party was for! I posted it below in case you missed it!

 

[jodifla]

Every time I see someone buying something they probably shouldn't with food stamps. . . . OH WAIT! I have never seen that. I don't pay attention to what other people buy and I certainly don't pay attention to how they pay!

So, when I READ about what other people buy with food stamps, I just say "Thank you, Lord. You have blessed me with an income that does not allow me to qualify for food stamps". You know, "there but for the grace of God go I".

Does me a lot more good than getting all bent out of shape over something I can do nothing about anyway.

Boy, amen to this!

 

[DMRick]

I"m not sure why you quoted me. The below is just what I was saying, or what I meant to say, if I wasn't clear.

I certainly understand the amount is based on income, family size property owned.

Here is the info for NYS if anyone is interested:

http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/programs/food-stamps/

I do agree with you, that there are a lot of misconceptions. People don't have to have nothing to get them. Some (in NYS anyway) can still keep their retirement income, college funds.

Here is some info on what can and can't be bought and some info about why certain foods can be bought with food stamps:

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/eligible.htm

All judging or not judging (as the case may be) set aside,
there are some real misconceptions about SNAP.

Families either qualify of they don't.
Qualification is based on income, family size, and property owned.
A person who only gets $16 gets only $16 because of their age and family size, it has nothing to do with how much money he makes.
That's usually a senior citizen who lives alone.

With food stamps you are either above the qualification line or below it.
How much you get is determined by how many people are in the family, the ages of the children.

You don't get more because you spend more, and you can't qualify for more food stamps if you have less money coming in than someone else who has a family of the same size.

 

[DMRick]

Every time I see someone buying something they probably shouldn't with food stamps. . . . OH WAIT! I have never seen that. I don't pay attention to what other people buy and I certainly don't pay attention to how they pay!

So, when I READ about what other people buy with food stamps, I just say "Thank you, Lord. You have blessed me with an income that does not allow me to qualify for food stamps". You know, "there but for the grace of God go I".

Does me a lot more good than getting all bent out of shape over something I can do nothing about anyway.

I totally agree. Thanks for such wise words.

No, it wasn't a "wish" trip and maybe someone else footed the bill, who knows?

I know there are a lot of people who say "don't judge, lest not ye be judged" But I think sometimes people should think about how their actions are viewed in the eyes of others. It tends to lend perspective and can cause someone to re-evaluate their behavior.

That's right, maybe someone else did purchase the trip. Certainly we see that a lot right here on the Dis.

I didn't think I had to think about how my actions could have been viewed when my dad had cancer. You are right. I should have snuck in to buy the junk food in the middle of the night, and made a second trip to purchase my own food. Then no one could have viewed that as if I was cheating by using the food stamps. Maybe then someone else would re-evaluate their behavior, and not bought unhealthy food with their food stamps.

 

[2bearsmom]

When will the government come out with the food stamp food truck? Deliver "x" amount of food to you each month. I'm all for anyone receiving government help, when it's truly needed. But it shouldn't be something one strives for in life.

I have a real problem the way certain people abuse the system; a young woman pregnant with her 8th child, her mom goes to the welfare office stating her daughter can not afford all her children. They suggest putting them into foster care, and what better foster care than the grandma! So she's/they are getting $1,500 a month per kid, free medical care, free dental care, free cell phone with "x" amount of minutes per month and all other bells and whistles that go along with it. I'm so glad my dh is working his *** off to not only support our family but their's too. The government doesn't care, they are getting their money back, every time someone gets their cash out with their card and heads to the casino, money back to the government.

 

[Colleen27]

I've got a story! And it's Disney related! I used to work in a low SES school where we "adopt" families and buy them gifts for Christmas. One family with 6 children asked for assistance in buying holiday gifts. No problem! Clothes, toys, you name it!

So come President's Day Weekend (February), this family of 6 (8 including Mom and Dad) take off for Disneyworld and stay for a week at the Wilderness Lodge. Now, I've stayed at the WL and know how much it costs.

No, it wasn't a "wish" trip and maybe someone else footed the bill, who knows?

I know there are a lot of people who say "don't judge, lest not ye be judged" But I think sometimes people should think about how their actions are viewed in the eyes of others. It tends to lend perspective and can cause someone to re-evaluate their behavior.

So you're saying that even if someone else was footing the bill for what would likely be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for a family too poor to even provide Christmas on their own, they should turn it down out of consideration for how it looks to the judgmental busybodies of the world? Unbelievable.

 

[connie1042]

I work at a store. We are NOT allowed to say anything negative to people with food stamps. They send their kids in with the stamps all the time and they buy pop and candy. No big deal, but we just have to be altra nice. then they go to the cash machine and get cash and buy cigarettes.. Yes folks we pay for that too!

 

[Colleen27]

They can use WIC as a beginning. Does anyone here think that there is no federal employee who is a dietitian? Really, he/she could come up with a list of acceptable food substitutions.
Heck, they could use Eat This, Not That as a guideline.

At 52, I've been around the block and heard the excuses. If the gov't can come up with the boondoggle, then they can figure it out. Let them have a contest. Pay the person who comes up with the solution a couple of million dollars. This would be a cheap fix. It would save lives and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in health care costs.

I just don't buy it. I'm sure there are plenty of federally employied dieticians, but we still have a federal school lunch program that consists primarily of pizza, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets, canned fruit packed in heavy syrup, and oversalted canned vegetables that is often too inflexible to be adapted for special dietary needs. I see no reason to think a federally-designed inclusive food stamp diet would be any better.

 

[2bearsmom]

connie1042 , I don't understand, who says and why do you have to be ultra nice?

 

[brunette8706]

Actually, the OP did say the woman said who the party was for! I posted it below in case you missed it!



ALSO, lets get something straight, NO judgement was meant here but maybe I am judging the system that lets people do it and if people need government assistance and are truly not trying to cheat the system then by all means we should help them everyway possible. But the government needs to regulate it. If you need assistance fine but there will be rules so we are not "wasting" the assistance! If I went to the food stamp office and told them I wanted to throw a party next month but I didn't have the extra funds do you think they would help me out???

What I stated was an opinion, my opinion that you should not be able to buy $174 worth of candy on foodstamps to have a party. If someone truly needed foodstamps then buying $174 worth of candy to have a party would be the furthest thing from their mind.

I like how you concern yourself with war but I am judging the lady who bought $174 worth of candy on foodstamps. AND, isn't it a little judgemental of you to assume that I am paying for my trip to WDW?? I am not saying that I am not paying but that is passed judgement as well, we all do it in some form I guess mine just hit a nerve!

*
Agreed! Hey, if you want to go and $1000.00 worth of candy, go for it! Just DO NOT DO IT ON THE TAX PAYERS DIME!! How bout taking some responsibility for ones' self!? How bout getting a job? How bout stop having children if you can't afford them!? What about the 2 children at hand???

 

[JaymeC]

I work at a store. We are NOT allowed to say anything negative to people with food stamps. They send their kids in with the stamps all the time and they buy pop and candy. No big deal, but we just have to be altra nice. then they go to the cash machine and get cash and buy cigarettes.. Yes folks we pay for that too!

I'm actually much more bothered by the kids using the food stamp card than by the parents buying inappropriate items. For two reasons, as many have pointed out we have no idea the back story with the parents. And secondly, I think it's teaching these kids that this is how you're SUPPOSED to get food. I haven't read the book that was suggested earlier, but I'm sure it's quite true that when you're brought up living off of foodstamps... why wouldn't you continue? It's just how life is supposed to be and there's no reason to strive for much more.

In that sense I consider my husband and myself lucky right now. We're having a rough time, but we have no inclination to remain in this situation and I know we'll eventually come out the other side. I honestly think that most in poverty can't say that. They don't have the knowledge to truly understand it's possible honestly.

Oh and Colleen, at our elementary school ALL the kindergarten students get free breakfast and a couple of the moms are surprised I don't let my kids eat it, but it's always junk like french toast sticks. Those things are fine sometimes, but I prefer to send my kids to school after having some fruit and a yogurt or eggs or something that's a bit healthier. And don't get me started on the lunch menu *shudder*

 

[hffmnheidi]

I work full-time and am getting food stamps because I don't make enough to support myself and pay rent/bills/food out of my income. And I work a heck of a lot harder than some others because I work with 2 year olds. Try having 16 of them for 8 or more hours a day, every day of the week.

I look at getting food stamps as getting my tax dollars back. And yes, my Disney trips have been paid for by my parents because we went as a family.

And yeah, I might buy a bag or two of candy or a cake or cookies with my benefits because I am taking it to work(work in a daycare) to share with someone else's kids because their parents can't afford to or won't contribute anything for holiday parties or birthday celebrations. I refuse to let someone else make me feel bad for trying to do the right thing to make another child's day.

But I think buying 170 some dollars worth of candy is a bit extreme for any kind of party.

 

[DMRick]

Wow, talk about assumptions. You assume she does not have a job. You assume she had the children after she started on food stamps. You assume she couldn't afford the two children when she did have them.
You assume you know just why she is buying candy with her foodstamps based on a few minute conversation, where it was not mentioned in the OP until some of us suggested why she might be buying the candy, that it was for adults only.
You assume she doesn't know how to shop and has leftover foodstamps, which enable her to buy a bunch of candy. And of course the OP felt it was her duty to look up at the register to see just what the candy cost, so she could tell that the gal was cheating (even though it's not against any rules of food stamps to buy candy).

However, the OP also said

I didn't see any real food but, I wasn't looking that hard.

So she doesn't really know if the entire bill was candy. She could have had some steaks there too.

*

How bout taking some responsibility for ones' self!? How bout getting a job? How bout stop having children if you can't afford them!? What about the 2 children at hand???