Recently I went to my local grocery store and as I was checking out, I saw something that disturbed me. There was a young man in front of me that was paying with an EBT card and was an obvious drug user, as he was displaying his lack of teeth and the sores coving his body. Not only was it the fact he was a substance abuser and paying with food stamps, but the items he was purchasing also troubled me. In his cart he only had junk food that was up to the rim and there was nothing in his buggy that could make a decent meal. Many people look at food stamps to be a wonderful program. However, I believe the food stamp program needs to be reformed, showing it has high cost, fraud and is unlimited.
Food stamps, also known as Supplemental Nutrition …show more content…
For example, The Daily Caller reports a story of Adam Sylvain, a Georgia Mason University Student. Sylvain has stated that his roommate told him he applied for food stamps and ended up getting $200 a month (Montogomery). This extra money he was receiving caused him to save over $5,000 in cash each summer. Sylvain also reported that he knew of other college students who were doing the same things. Another problem with fraud is that many people lie. The amount of food stamps a household receives each month depends on the size of the family and income. Some people lie about their income and size of their family to obtain more food stamps. SNAP fraud also happens when SNAP benefits are exchanged for cash. In 2012 close to 1,400 stores were shut down for fraud and nearly 700 stores were indorsed for other violations such as the sale of unqualified items (Payton). Jerome Corsi wrote an example how outrageous people can be when it comes to food stamp fraud by stating in his article:
“In Louisiana, October 14th 2013, police were called to two Walmart stores when there was a temporary power outage in the EBT system, removing spending limits on the food stamp cards. When the word got around that there was no limit, people started rioting in the Walmart’s, stripping the shelves and trashing the place. Wal-Mart discovered shoppers with as little as cents on their food-stamp cards were attempting to steal as much as $700 …show more content…
The items that can be bought with an EBT card is problematic also.
The biggest problem I have with food stamps is what can be purchased with them. According to Food and Nutrition Service, soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, ice cream, sea food and cakes are food items and therefore can be purchased (Payton). I do not have a problem that an EBT card can buy bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products. However, I do have a problem that junk food can be bought with food stamps. I believe the only food that should be purchased with SNAP benefits is items to make a meal.
In conclusion, SNAP benefits are doing more harm to America than good. The food stamps program is too costly, filled of fraud and overall unfair. It robs people’s chances to improve. There is no doubt that food stamps need to be reformed. The altering of SNAP benefits is just one step closer to making America great
Food stamps, also known as Supplemental Nutrition …show more content…
For example, The Daily Caller reports a story of Adam Sylvain, a Georgia Mason University Student. Sylvain has stated that his roommate told him he applied for food stamps and ended up getting $200 a month (Montogomery). This extra money he was receiving caused him to save over $5,000 in cash each summer. Sylvain also reported that he knew of other college students who were doing the same things. Another problem with fraud is that many people lie. The amount of food stamps a household receives each month depends on the size of the family and income. Some people lie about their income and size of their family to obtain more food stamps. SNAP fraud also happens when SNAP benefits are exchanged for cash. In 2012 close to 1,400 stores were shut down for fraud and nearly 700 stores were indorsed for other violations such as the sale of unqualified items (Payton). Jerome Corsi wrote an example how outrageous people can be when it comes to food stamp fraud by stating in his article:
“In Louisiana, October 14th 2013, police were called to two Walmart stores when there was a temporary power outage in the EBT system, removing spending limits on the food stamp cards. When the word got around that there was no limit, people started rioting in the Walmart’s, stripping the shelves and trashing the place. Wal-Mart discovered shoppers with as little as cents on their food-stamp cards were attempting to steal as much as $700 …show more content…
The items that can be bought with an EBT card is problematic also.
The biggest problem I have with food stamps is what can be purchased with them. According to Food and Nutrition Service, soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, ice cream, sea food and cakes are food items and therefore can be purchased (Payton). I do not have a problem that an EBT card can buy bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products. However, I do have a problem that junk food can be bought with food stamps. I believe the only food that should be purchased with SNAP benefits is items to make a meal.
In conclusion, SNAP benefits are doing more harm to America than good. The food stamps program is too costly, filled of fraud and overall unfair. It robs people’s chances to improve. There is no doubt that food stamps need to be reformed. The altering of SNAP benefits is just one step closer to making America great