A Broken System

Today I saw something that really upset me and it has to do with individuals receiving government aid, whether it is in the form of food stamps or cash to help pay for necessities or a combination of both and it’s not that I don’t believe this system helps people and the need of the system, it is the abuse!  What I saw really irritated me because it shows how broken the State of Michigan’s Welfare system is.  I work in retail and so we do see a lot of welfare recipients’ come in and out of the store and I can say that just from meeting many of these individuals that shop regularly there is a need in order to make ends meet. 

Today though I had a couple in that was buying groceries which was not a big deal at all, but at the end of their order they also had Beer and cigarettes.  I figured that the customers probably had cash to pay for these items so no big deal, but then what I saw completely amazed me.  After the food order was completed they cashed out with their EBT Food card, which is an electronic type debit card and then had the cashier ring up the alcohol and smokes and they used their EBT Card again, evidently they are also recipients’ of cash as well.  I was completely shocked that they were able to purchase those types of items on welfare money!  This is money that is funded by tax payers.  People like me, who work hard for what they do, and do not have to rely on the welfare system to support their family.  I feel that I am fortunate enough to be able to do this.  However I also feel that if individuals are receiving this welfare aid then there should be rules in place to prohibit the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products. 

While we are on the topic of welfare aid, something else that really bugs me about the system is that in the food category, under the EBT Food Card program there really are not many restrictions in place as far as the items that are purchased.  For example if a couple wanted to come in and purchase lobsters, crab legs, and rib eye steaks, they are able to do so and I see a lot of customers doing this.  This is wrong, I don’t even buy those items on a regular basis and I don’t feel that recipients’ of welfare aid should be allowed to either.  Why should they be allowed to eat better food than me and I am not a recipient of welfare?  I don’t think they should be able to.  On this same note I am also seeing a trend at local restaurants and pizzeria’s and that is they are allowing customers to user their EBT Food/Cash card to purchase takeout meals only.  It’s obvious these establishments have found a loop hole in our system and are exploiting it and its wrong. 

Michigan Law Makers it’s time to re-evaluate our welfare system and work on reforming the system to stop abuse like this!  With everything being electronic these days, I have to believe that there are ways that the products that are being purchased can be monitored.  If the credit card companies can monitor your purchases, why can’t the state do the same with these welfare cards?