What’s for dinner?

Posted by
Staff Writer
in Weekly Editorial
Wednesday, March 7. 2012
Comments (4)
Take a gander at the receipt on the right. Notice anything unusual? Cold-water lobster, porterhouse steak, and a 24-pack of soda for good measure. Sounds like a great dinner, right? Have you noticed the circled area yet?

That’s right. Food stamps bought this $141.78 meal. Your tax dollars helped give several people a great meal; one fit for a king you might say.

But hold on, this story has a silver lining. Though it was not illegal for the purchaser to use food stamps to buy lobster and steak, it was illegal for the purchaser to buy these products and then sell them at a discounted rate to someone else. Louis Wayne Cuff, 33, of Menominee, MI, used food stamps to purchase items and then sold the items to other individuals at 50 cents on the dollar. The Michigan Department of Human Services caught up with Cuff and he was later charged with food stamp trafficking, a felony that could land Cuff five years in prison and a $10,000.00 fine. Employees of the store assisted in leading authorities to Cuff and good for them for reporting this con artist.

There are some 46.2 million Americans on food stamps and I feel confident that many are deserving recipients and many are not. The feds spent approximately $78 billion on the SNAP program (food stamps) in 2011. Above is just one example of how the program has and is being abused. Let’s hope more people will take a stand, like the employees of this store, and report abuse of this program. If you believe someone is committing food stamp fraud, consider reporting the violation to the Georgia Department of Human Services at 1-800-869-1150.

-Jamie Gardner
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#1 colleen on 03/08/12 at 06:06 PM [Reply]
In my own opinion,I believe when ur able to recieve these benifits,what they buy is their choice and they should not be in the highlights because they bought it. Not every one who has benifits are taking advantage of the goverment. Some people don't have families they can lean on to get where they need to be in life. Maybe thats the only thing that they would have nice in thier life. They recieve thier benifits for a reason. I know alot of these people do not want to be on welfair. They don't recieve money, only a card for food.
#2 Kathryn Flanagan on 03/10/12 at 09:33 AM [Reply]
To Colleen: Thanks for expressing your opinion and I am proud we do have freedom of speech still; but when our tax dollars are used to buy these items that are not necessities, then it is my business!! I have seen the time (that) I could have used benefits, so I am not saying anything about the need for available benefits. I get a little upset when I see people in the checkouts using their card, but are wearing name-brand clothing; the hair colored/ styled; long nails manicured---that is the part I do no like about the government assistance!!

And a note to Colleen, I appreciate your input, but it would be helpful if you studied the English language and correct spelling rules.
#3 anon on 03/14/12 at 09:09 AM [Reply]
I agree, more could have been purchased with the amount of $ spent. Can't remember the last time or if ever I had lobster. Use your GIFT more wisely next time!!
#4 Anonymous on 03/14/12 at 06:45 PM [Reply]
uh lets see now you say 46.2 millon American.s on stamps. the feds spent 78 billion on food stamp program.MAYBE WE SHOULD START CHECKING SOME OF THE FED.S RECEIPTS . after all they're on public assistance too wake up people we're chasing the wrong hog. I maybe wrong but where is the remainder of the 78 billion or better yet who.s pocket is it in?
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