Yeah, I Know, Everybody on Food Stamps is Scamming...

Today on the radio I heard a local talk show host talking away from the Conservative/Republican talking points about Obama being the Food Stamp president.


Going further, like desperate for attention radio talk show hosts always do, he went on to say that if people are on Food Stamps it's because they have no pride. That he would never live on them because he'd go "flip burgers" and work 3 jobs ....Yeah, you've heard this all before and so have I.

The funny thing is, apart from this sort of chest-pounding, attention-seeking, false-bravado diatribe, is the fact that this lie is continually perpetrated on broadcast media. The lie is that nearly everybody on Food Stamps is a scammer, hiding money, driving a BMW and cheating the system. That in truth, very few people need such help.


This is the big lie that is told every day in America and it splits us all into groups; easily controllable groups.

Now, if you've ever had to buy food with Food Stamps you know the tinge of embarrassment that seizes you every time you go to check out. You know that secret mental plea, " please let there be no problems" because if there happens to be a computer glitch you'll have to declare out loud  "yes, this is food assistance" so that the cashier can get things straightened out on her end. To think that the majority of people needing help are happy to go through such pride-stealing endeavors is just illogical.

No, the truth is that there are very few people scamming Food Stamps; workers ensure that you provide income and plenty other documentation of your situation. The truth is that this many people really need help, as a supplement to their own income or to help them due to a job loss.

The truth is that THIS MANY AMERICANS ARE REALLY LIVING IN POVERTY!  

Now, that you won't hear most talk show hosts go on and on about. That is too scary. That is too raw and real and big a problem for them to tackle. You, my impoverished friend, you and I know the truth and I think it's about time we stop being so quiet about it!