"I sometimes wish that people would put a little more emphasis upon the observance of the law than they do upon its enforcement." ~Calvin Coolidge

Saturday, May 17, 2008

My latest rant

I have been so busy lately that I didn’t realize how long its been since I posted.

Now to my latest rant. I was with Aza at Wal-Mart a few nights ago and wow did I find something to post about.

We had to get a few things for her family as well as a few things for me. Of course it’s Friday and every low income dirt bag on welfare is there to get their government cheese. Let me make it clear that when I say “low income”, I mean low income by choice, not by circumstance.

Note to those unfamiliar with “EBT” and “WIC“: An EBT or Electronic Benefit Transfer card is an electronic system that allows state governments to provide benefits to authorized recipients via a plastic debit card. Common benefits provided via EBT are typically sorted into two general categories: Food Stamp and Cash benefits. Food stamp benefits are federally authorized benefits that can be used only to purchase food. Cash benefits include State General Assistance, TANF (Temporary Aid for Needy Families) benefits and refugee benefits.

EBT should not be confused with WIC also know as “Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children“. WIC is a federal assistance program for the healthcare and nutrition of low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants and children under the age of five. The eligibility requirement is a family income below 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. If a person who participates in other benefit programs, or has family members who participate in the Food Stamp Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, they automatically meet the eligibility requirements.

So, this young couple was in front of us with 2 carts absolutely loaded with high dollar food items and EBT card in hand. I saw a newborn baby in the cart as well as a toddler which was probably 4. I watched as they unloaded 2 carts worth of brand name everything, tons of junk food, the best cuts of meat, T-bone steaks, chicken, and yes London Broil. I looked at Aza, shook my head and just had to laugh. The young couple was decked out, she had a designer outfit on that included a very large diamond ring with matching earrings. She also had several tattoos all over which as I am finding out are not cheap. I looked at her man, he had a throw back jersey on with a very expensive pair of shorts and was also wearing Air Jordan tennis shoes that I know cost over $100.00 dollars. Meanwhile I have to budget my $25.00 dollar sneakers. He had a long silver necklace around his neck that hung down to his waist with tattoos all over his body too. He also was flashing some high dollar jewelry which included an upper and lower gold plated grill cover for the chicklets in his mouth. Once again all I could do was shake my head in disbelief.

So while we had to put back several things that we would love to have had because we just couldn’t afford it, we waited for Slim Shady and Cher to unload their items that the taxes coming out of our paychecks were paying for. It took forever because they had so much stuff. I noticed that they unloaded at least 8, yes 8 or more cans of the very expensive Simalac. Meanwhile the woman behind us paying hard earned cash was buying Wal-Mart brand baby formula. We just had to wait simple as that, so we did in utter disgust.

We both work so hard to just survive, to pay our mortgages, food bills, vet bills, gasoline and whatever other little emergency may pop up, while these people unload $500.00 dollars worth of groceries and then take them to their government housing apartment where they pay no rent. I finally had enough and told Aza I needed to leave before I got myself in trouble for voicing my opinion. Aza agreed since I was in uniform.

Aza called me about an hour later completely exhausted. “It’s getting to a point where I just can’t stand going there or to the grocery store anymore” she said. Understandably so! She was very upset, especially when she was loading our groceries into her car and saw them drive off in their brand new car.

What the hell is our government thinking!!!! This makes me mad as hell! These programs were meant as a hand up, not a hand out! We struggle to get by with the bare essentials in life while these “people” sit back and live well off of our hard labor. So not only are we expected to pay for our own families, ever rising gas and grocery bills we’re also expected to pay for theirs too!

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not ripping on families in legitimate need here. God knows I deal with and pray for enough poverty stricken, hard working men and women daily who don‘t use these programs because they‘re too proud. I’m all for legitimate disability benefits, the WIC program and welfare on a temporary basis, which is what it was meant to be. But these programs are being horribly abused and they are being given to the lazy not the needy!

So in summary, “Work harder, millions abusing welfare are depending on you!”

I’m Out And We’ll Talk Later!

8 comments:

Evil Transport Lady said...

Oh yes I've also have noticed that. All the bling, yet on welfare. Makes me sick, and I have to go to Walmart today to get my kid clothes for her new job. Ironic isn't it;)

Anonymous said...

Hey buddy! I have been neglecting you lately. Sorry. Story reminds me of when I was young working at a local grocery store. Lady came in and bought over $500.00 in grocries and paid with Food Stamps. She then gave me a .25 tip for loading her stuff in a new Lincoln Towncar in the rain. At the time my grandmother live off of $326.00 a month in total income. I was pissed.

Anonymous said...

I've tired of that as well. This is why I go here now:

http://www.stillstacy.com/?p=1242

And to think there are politicians who want universal healthcare. They can't manage these social programs, and they want to be in charge of our health as well? Ugh.

Berserk said...

I'm not sure I like the idea of micromanaged health care by the lowest bidder. Not that I like getting bent over by insurance companies under our current system, either...

I feel your pain, Kojak. That is disgusting.

Mrs. "Smith" said...

You inspired a rant of my own. Thanks.;)

Demon Deacon Dispatcher said...

That IS really sickening. When I think about how hard my mother struggled to get by when I was growing up and those who could use the help, it disgusts me to see people abusing the system. I've seen similar situations and I feel your pain dude!

Old NFO said...

Simply pathetic... and it's OUR $$ the assholes are spending! ARGHH!!!!

Front Porch Society said...

I completely understand where you are coming from. A few years back, I was once a temporary EBT user due to job downsizing and my losing my fulltime position. For those 4 short months, I felt terrible for having to be on welfare!! I had always hated people mooching off the government because the only ones I had ever known literally did just that - mooch. But 4 months later into shamefully having to be on welfare to survive, I landed my current LE job.
I believe the majority of people on welfare do NOT need it and/or abuse the system. There are a lot of lazy people out there who would rather rely on the government to provide for them rather than them getting off their lazy butts to actually work.
I can empathize with the few who need it temporarily. For temporary it should be!
But that couple you saw in the grocery store piss me off!! It is people like that that make me want to show them what real life is all about!
OH, here via What A Life.