There are some myths about the welfare and food stamp programs that just won't go away, no matter how many actual facts and figures are published telling the truth.

Myth #1: Most people who receive food stamps eat better than the rest of us do.

I don't think so. Yes, there are stories about people paying for t-bone steaks with food stamps while the poor working-slob, standing next to them in line at the check-out counter buys cheap, grease-laden hamburger to feed his family.

This myth just keeps making the rounds. I've heard or read several eyewitness account of pricey food bought by a food stamp recipient. One was a letter to the editor which appeared in the "Nashville Tennessean" almost 15 years ago. It was from just such a working person, railing that he had to feed his family beans while the family across the street ate steak purchased with government scrip.

I didn't believe the letter then -- and I don't believe it now. Oh, I'm sure a "real" person wrote the letter, the "Tennessean" is too honorable a paper to fake such a letter, but I think the situation was blown out of proportion.

I'm sure that every once in a while someone on food stamps has gone "hog wild" at the grocery store and bought things they normally don't indulge in, such as t-bone steaks. But then, don't all of us do that once in a while -- indulge ourselves on occasion? Are those on the government dole supposed to be immune to intense advertising campaigns and the sins of impulse buying?

Does receiving government hand-outs automatically confer saint-hood on someone? If that's the case, pass that free food money right along this way -- I've always wanted to be a saint!

The truth of the matter is, the food stamps the average family of four receives is usually not adequate to buy groceries for a full month even when they purchase cheap food. It stretches even less when they indulge in a pricey roast or a couple of steaks.

Most families receiving food stamps are well acquainted with meatless suppers and days with little food. Hunger is a well-know companion in their lives.

Myth #2: Most recipients of food stamps use the money to buy drugs or alcohol.

Is this true? Do most recipients buy drugs or booze with our hard-earned tax dollars? The answer is no, they don't. I'm not going to sit here and play the fool and tell you that it's never happened -- that some poor sick soul hasn't taken he stamps meant to put food in his babies' mouth and bought drugs instead.

We both know this has happened. Drug use and abuse has invaded all levels of our society. But is it more prevalent at one end of society than another? I really don't think so.

Yes, there are unscrupulous store clerks or owners who would accept food stamps as payment for alcohol or cigarettes, but most do obey the law and only accept cash for these items.

As far as drug dealers are concerned, well we all know they have no scruples and would even sell to their own mothers, much less refuse to take food stamps for their product.

Myth#3: Most people who are on welfare are African-American.

Not on your life! The statistics show that most people who receive Aid for Dependent Families or food stamps are of European descent.

Now it can be argued that when you look at the percentages of white or black Americans on the dole, the statistics show more blacks than whites receive government aid. But, and this is a big sticking point, look who has control of the economy in this country. It is white America who controls most of the jobs and the marketplace.

Remember Affirmative Action? It's exactly because the marketplace is in the hands of one racial group that it was enacted. And intentional or not, those people in control of the marketplace often hie others of a similar racial background. It's a basic fact of human nature.

So, it is understandable that a racial minority would have limited access to jobs and consequently need more help feeding their families. Duh! Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out!

Myth#4: Once a family goes on the dole, they never get off it, and, even their children and future grandchildren will live off taxpayers sweat.

Hmmm. I'm not so sure there isn't some truth to this. I think it is human nature to accept and think as natural the way one has been reared. And I do think its true that once someone lands on the government dole they have a hard time getting off it. There is something debilitating about accepting charity on a regular basis instead of earning one's own way.

It somehow manages to sap or break one's spirit to be beholden to another. Although man is essentially a social creature and needs to have others around him to be happy, he is also inherently independent when it comes to providing for his own needs.

We must find a humane way to break this cycle id generational welfare acceptance without making anyone suffer. The Welfare Reform Act has made some progress, but so far as I can tell, all it's really managed to do is jerk the rug from under a few people without giving them any place to land.

Before we take the food out of babies' mouths, don't you think we should have trained the parents in ways to put the food on the table first?

We must also remember that not everyone who receives AFDC or food stamps does so because they do not work, some receive our assistance because they cannot work for one reason or another.

---

If you would like to drop the author a note about the article please email to deborah@ipa.net

Back to Main Page