I've personally witnessed a family decked out in the latest fashions, expensive sneakers and handbags with iPhones in hand, as they push around two shopping carts full of indulgent items including crab legs and prime-cut steaks.
Now, while their financial situation isn't truly known, it's very hard not to feel resentment towards the government and this family when the groceries are paid for with food stamps, or here in Texas, the Lone Star Card. I can't help but think, "There's my tax dollars, hard at work" Then, to make matters worse, in the parking lot, this family loads their pricey groceries into an expensive luxury vehicle. There are also reports of food stamp recipients trading, or selling their food stamps for cash. The system is severely flawed. Instances like this create a public stigma in regard to welfare programs, and take precious tax dollars away from other areas where it could actually be put to good use. .
In contrast to the example of flagrant misuse, picture a mother of three who is recently divorced. She married fresh out of high school and has been a devoted housewife and mother since. Without any vocational skill or higher education, she suddenly finds herself in a precarious predicament. Bravely, she enrolls in school, finds a job that pays minimum wage, and receives state mandated child support. Still, struggling to keep the lights on in their run-down two-bedroom apartment, she applies for welfare and is denied. Why? If anyone needs help it's this family. But our system is so corrupt that while one family is indulging their appetites with crab and steak, a mother puts her children to bed and worries if they'll even have dinner the next night, or a roof over their heads. This is heartbreaking and infuriating.
The S.N.A.P. program is being misused in another way. Now, restaurants want in on the money to be made from welfare recipients. An article from earlier this year in U.
