Opus 2011-364, Tax Dollars at Work: EBT

Have you seen the signs, “EBT accepted here”?  They are showing up in the most unlikely places.  On my way to work there is a liquor store that proudly announces it will accept EBT.  I have passed fast food joints that say they will take it.

EBT stands for Electronic Benefit Transfer.  It is the new face of welfare.  It is a debit card that is given out instead of cumbersome checks.  It can be used two ways.  First, by replacing what used to called “food stamps.”  Second, it can be used for cash withdrawals under several different programs.  The money is deposited into individual accounts electronically.  It is a way of redistributing wealth without embarrassing those who are taking my tax money to buy their steak. 

For purposes of today’s point, I am going to pass on the topic of our government’s version of the Roman bread and circuses.  Let’s accept for today that we are going to make sure that no one goes hungry in America. 

That leaves open another big question.  Why are people allowed to use welfare subsidies to buy things at liquor stores, convenience stores and fast food outlets?  The first two charge much higher prices and are not good stewardship of my money.  That is what they are spending, my money.  They did not work.  They did not earn.  They did not produce.  The last purchase point is a recreational food source.  Why are the “poor” allowed to waste my resources in ways that I do not do myself.  Sure, I eat out.  Yes, I go to fast food places.  But not on other people’s money.

We need some serious adjustments on this.  With modern computer systems it would be very easy to limit where people shop with my money and what they buy.  It would be no problem to eliminate steak and pleasure foods and still allow them to get the nutrition they need.  Of course if we did that they might not vote for the same politicians.  O, wait, they aren’t citizens so they can’t vote, right?  You dreamer you.

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