In Mexico, they give bags of rice, flour, beans and milk to the truly indigent. They do not give them credit cards to buy lobster, filet mignon, caviar, frozen pizzas, sodas and junk food — as in the USA.
It is disparaging to see the EBT recipient in line ahead of you purchasing higher quality meats and luxury items (such as junk food) that you cannot afford because of the taxes taken out of your check — in part to pay for that EBT card.
Of course, as one commenter pointed out, sodas are easily sold or traded at discount for alcohol, cigarettes, and lotto tickets (a poor man’s tax... selling the impossible dream.)
Perhaps the US should adopt the Mexico model on food assistance.
Mexican Immigration requires proof of financial ability to take care of yourself and proof on a clean criminal record.
Their voter registration requires photo ID and fingerprints.
These are two other good ideas that should perhaps be discussed.
I have always thought that the lottery is a tax on the poor.
I once saw one older man, who didn’t look very well, buy $200 in scratch tickets (!!!), then buy a case of beer.
He had his afternoon all set.
How sad.
The U.S. did things better in the 50’s. There were a couple of grandparents across the street from us, raising their three grandkids. They grew their own veggies, raised chickens and rabbits (we lived in a county “island”) for eggs, and for eating. Their welfare assistance consisted of an occasional box of things like flour, corn meal, cheese, stuff like that. They picked grapes with the kids during summer vacations to outfit the kids for school, dawn ‘till dusk, and the Grandfather cut all our lawns for a few dollars, too. They were the most respected family in our block.
“It is disparaging to see the EBT recipient in line ahead of you purchasing higher quality meats and luxury items (such as junk food) that you cannot afford because of the taxes taken out of your check”
I’m puzzled how they can afford all that high-end indulgence when the average SNAP allotment is about $125 per person per month.