Letter to the Editor: Against EBT Users Buying 'Wants, Not Needs'

Andrea, I believe you have stood up for something that so many other people believe in but have not had the courage to do so. I am one of them.

The Food Stamp program originated to help THE NEEDY provide food for their families so they would not starve.  It was for food, not whatever they desire.

I believe the whole program should be restructured to ONLY provide the STAPLE foods for cooking (and a cookbook for those who need it) and only through major grocery stores.

The boundaries of use for the card are endless and there are no limits or controls.  I just saw a woman buy $25 worth of candy with her EBT card at the Dollar Store…because she is allowed to!

Michelle Obama wants people to start eating healthy. 

School food programs are being redesigned to provide nutritious foods without any unnecessary fats and sugars.  So why is the GOVERNMENT allowing these ‘needy’ people to purchase anything other than nutritious food with this money.

Also, ATM machines should NOT be part of the EBT system either, as recipients withdraw cash for the NON FOOD items that they cannot buy legally with their EBT cards. What is the difference?  They are buying wants, not needs…I can’t even afford some of the products that these people buy with their cash. 

As a taxpayer, I have to spend my earnings carefully on the NECESSITIES of life. 

I would prefer that people accepting my tax money would be grateful for the opportunity to buy food as it was designed.

It is time for the government to step in and stop the insanity and save the hard working citizens of this country from their tax money being wasted.  It’s time for our legislators to make major changes.