Where did the "poor folks buying crab legs with food stamps" thing come from?

[hfojvt]

73. you seem to miss the point of the story

the point being twofold
1. some people getting these benefits are NOT really poor
or
2. some people getting these benefits whiz them away on junk food or luxury items because they ain't got a lick of sense and what the hell, it's free money anyway.

This story, I believe, came from a Republican Congressman in Texas who said his constituents told it to him.

I don't doubt that many people have perhaps seen some waste and abuse with food stamps - I know I have more than once.

But no system will ever be perfect, is how I respond to that, and this system, with some flaws, is still helping many people who need help. It just so happens that at our last Kiwanis meeting they were talking about backpack buddies. http://www.foodshuttle.org/program/backpack-buddies

Our community spends $75,000 a year on that program and I bet it is not perfect either, but most people are happy to help the cause of feeding hungry children. Even children who are already getting food stamps AND free or reduced price lunches at school.