You gave me a dirty look today for using my SNAP card, but I'm not mad at you. Indeed, I forgive you

[ColesCountyDem]

Last edited Tue Oct 8, 2013, 08:22 PM - Edit history (1)

As I enter my 15th month of unemployment, my savings are gone, my 401(k) (or what remained of it, after Wall Street crashed in 2008-2009) is gone and every luxury item I once owned, except for my 3 year-old computer and 7 year-old television have been sold. The only real estate I still own is a single burial plot, deeded to me by my mother shortly before her death from cancer. I haven't owned a car in years, and couldn't pay insurance on it or put gas in it if I did. I don't list these details of my life to elicit sympathy, but simply state them as the economic facts of my life, at present.

Today is the 8th day of the month or, as I call it, 'Mini Christmas'. It is the day that the State of Illinois places $200 in SNAP benefits on the debit card given to me for the purchase of food. It is the one day every month that I know something good, economically speaking, will happen, and it makes me happy. Thanks to 2 immigrant grandmothers, two well-educated parents and my own knowledge of nutrition and arithmetic, I know that this month I will not go hungry. I can forgo a trip to the Ministerial Alliance's food bank, even though I am 'entitled' to do so, leaving what I could claim as 'my share' for someone else who cannot meet their family's nutritional needs. That makes me happy, too.

You were behind me in line at Sav-a-Lot today, and my cart was loaded to the brim. There were 'family-sized' packages of ground beef and pork sausage, marked-down 'manager's special' packages of arm roast, ham chunks and round steak and a ten-pound bag of chicken leg quarters. I also had a 25-pound bag of potatoes, two 2-pound packages of beans, one white Navy and one pinto. I had a 10-pound bag of store-brand flour, a 5-pound bag of corn meal, a box of salt, a box of baking soda and four packages of yeast. Rounding that out, I had several store-brand bags of frozen vegetables (peas, corn, broccoli and Brussel sprouts) and ten large cans of store-brand fruit (packed in juice, not syrup) and three gallons of milk with the latest expiration dates I could find.

The cashier rang up my purchase, took my numerous coupons, and I swiped my SNAP card and entered my pin number on the keypad. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the look of utter contempt on your face, and the daggers shooting from your eyes as you struggled not to say something snarky to either me or the cashier.

I don't hate you. I'm not even angry with you. I know that you simply don't understand, very likely because you've never been in my situation. Not only do I forgive you, but I thanked God that you've never been standing in my shoes.

Would that surprise you, if you knew?

Peace.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. kick

[narnian60]

2. Tears here.

You have a great attitude.

[derby378]

3. After that snooty customer, I was probably next in line...

...SNAP card in hand, trying to maximize my food purchases for the month. Did you know that cold cuts of honey ham can be stuffed into inexpensive hot dog buns with a little American cheese and honey mustard to make a poor man's mini-submarine sandwich? I can think of a million people in North Korea who would gladly chop their right pinkie finger off to enjoy such a simple meal.

I'd rather not have to rely on a SNAP card, but until I gain employment again, it's there for me. And the taxpayers are footing the bill for it, just as I helped foot the bill for those who needed SNAP assistance of their own. So I hope that snooty customer stays comfortable for the rest of his life, because it can be a long way down for some folks.

[daleanime]

16. But thats the really sad part.....

is the snooty customer knows, in the back of his mind and the bottom of his heart, how close he is to being in your circumstance.

[calimary]

39. Um... I wouldn't give them that much credit. Especially since they're notoriously myopic on these

things. And SIMPLISTIC AS HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To them it's somebody else's problem and it's never their own. And it's somebody else's problem because that vague unnamed "somebody else" is always some vague unnamed "lazy moocher." The opposition is dealing in snake oil, strawmen, and cardboard cut-outs.

That's why I think we should at least be spreading around the following idea - even if nothing comes of it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023808946

[Unknown Beatle]

53. Reminds me of this...

It only takes him ten seconds to declare he's a "moran".

[Hydra]

4. I think the same think when I buy things for my disabled parent

And I get the dagger look either from other shoppers or from the cashiers.

You're lucky you aren't in my position or my parent's. I don't qualify, they do, and it means I don't have to tell them that I can't buy her enough food the way I used to have to.

Also, SNAP helps farmers and the economy, so go glare at Ayn Rand. That food doesn't raise itself.

[LiberalLoner]

5. In tears. Hope for better times for you.

[RebelOne]

6. Sorry that this happened. People can be cruel.

I may have to apply for SNAP soon, as I am finding it is hard to live on my monthly social security check. But I guess I will have to wait until after the government shutdown, since I doubt any new applications are being taken.

[SalviaBlue]

7. This gratefully employed taxpayer

is happy to help.

Peace to you, ColesCountyDem.

[SheilaT]

8. Had I been behind you in that line,

I not only would not have noticed your using the SNAP card -- it would have looked exactly like any other debit card to me -- but I probably would have engaged you in a discussion about what you'd be cooking. More than once I've gotten good recipes from just such a conversation.

Clearly you cook from scratch, and it looks like good healthy meals. I'd only notice that you don't have any fresh fruit or vegetables, but then I don't buy as much of those as I ought to. Frozen veggies are very good.

Oh, if you like cooked carrots, they do keep quite a while in the frig. Not that you seem to need any advice from me.

[handmade34]

19. just want to add...

Last edited Tue Oct 8, 2013, 05:53 PM - Edit history (1)

mostly, frozen veggies have as much, or more, nutritional value than fresh, as most veggies sit on the shelf for awhile and most frozen veggies are flash frozen **frozen is excellent choice**

[SheilaT]

21. That's true. Plus, it's easier to control portions

by just fixing however much of the frozen veggie you want, meal by meal. I've noticed that these days I either can't find certain fresh veggies, or when I do, they're already packaged, so I have to buy the amount they want me to buy, not the amount I need. As someone who lives alone, it can be a problem.

Canned tomatoes are a better choice than the "fresh" ones in the supermarket. Of course, if you have some tomato plants in your back yard, that's a different story.

[CrispyQ]

27. I didn't know that!

Thank you! I will be checking out the frozen veggies.

[DebJ]

91. and the frozen ones aren't soaked in salt............. n/t

[LeftofObama]

9. I was on snap a long time ago.

I got so fed up with the dirty looks and contempt on people's faces that I started doing my grocery shopping in the wee hours of the morning so I wouldn't have to deal with it. People can be assholes! It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is.

[Divernan]

10. Ironic thing is that none of the "one percent" ever sets foot in a Sav-a-Lot or other grocery store

Or even the top 10 percent. Because they have housekeepers or cooks or other servants who handle their grocery shopping and personal assistants to make their restaurant reservations (and they do eat out a lot - your $200 Snap card would translate into 2 lunches (w/good wine & tips) at a trendy restaurant.

So people looking with disapproval or contempt at anyone using a SNAP card or some form of food stamps are not that well off that a job loss or major medical problem which exhausts the lifetime limits on their health insurance would not leave them being grateful for a SNAP card themselves.

Hope things improve for you soon.

[Bunnahabhain]

18. You could not be more wrong

People in the top 10% have housekeeprs and/or cooks and/or other servants to go grocery shopping? You're seriously ill informed.

[Divernan]

71. I interacted with the wealthy in my community when I worked on the census.

They have gardeners and maids and live-in housekeepers. The younger trophy wives with the requisite child to secure their status have live-in nannies. They lived in gated estates or communities, or McMansions at the end of long, winding driveways. Any strange car (not belonging to a resident, their neighbor, servant or delivery person) spotted on the streets is immediately reported to the local police & it's driver promptly detained for questioning. We census workers were careful to check in with the local police to register our credentials and avoid hassles. Theoretically, somewhere in this country, there may be a few oddball penny pinchers who hoard their millions under their beds or live in a trailer down by the river and know their way around their local grocery store. But we came across none. FYI, ordering takeout does not count as doing your own grocery shopping.

When a maid answered the door and told you that madam was not availalbe, it was never because madam was down at the local grocery store.

[lunasun]

77. and the cops come in a flash,,,,,you are correct ....no save a lot grocery shoppers ever

[Bunnahabhain]

98. You said the top 10%

As a member of that bracket, and I will not say exactly where, I can tell you not only do we grocery shop we cut coupons and cook our own dinners, scrub our own toilets, etc. You're in a fantasy world if you think anyone but the top .5% are so rich they have people grocery shop for them. Making 300-350k a year does not buy you full time domestic help let alone the "servants" you mentioned earlier.

[JNelson6563]

11. Hugs and encouragement!

Many of us here with you in varying degrees! While I do have a job it doesn't pay terribly well but it's just enough to stay afloat.

I am a baker in a grocery store. It's union and the local owners are nice people so it's not all bad. I fell into this position just over two months ago from a situation that was much worse.

Still, having had not enough to keep up, much less catch up, for over a year it's a tough road to just getting current with my monthly expenses. Also had major car repair put off for a year but managed to keep insurance current. Got the repair last week which left me about $12 'til next pay day but I am no longer scared to drive to work.

I am proud that our company gives every kind of out-date to Food Rescue. Some grocery stores would rather burn it than give it to the hungry, assholes. Even better for me is that I get to take what I need before Food Rescue gets there. My two college aged kids showed up on my door recently and at least we have enough to eat while they look for work and get situated.

I'm grateful for the free eats from work. Federal shut-down or not, here in MI (the newly fascist state) you practically have to be starving, naked in the streets to get any kind of assistance. It's like no matter how little you make, it's too much, try a local pantry you loser.

The funny thing is though, this asshole who gave you dirty looks, if someone asked them for a bit of money to buy food with they'd probably say "go ask the government, they've got a program for that."

Many of us are together in this struggle, please know you are far from alone!

Julie

[Myrina]

12. Been where you are, may be there again at some point ...

... and I applaud your perspective.

At this point in my life, I am lucky to have enough change left over that I can buy extra to donate to food banks and other charities that helped me when I was a 23 year old single mom recovering from a pretty severe car accident, unable to find a job that paid more than minimum wage.

We all come full circle. The Universe knows that. Many of us know that. Sadly, the 1% does not seem to "get it" (yet).

[DinahMoeHum]

13. Shit, man, it's not like you were buying lobster or caviar. . .

. . .as the 1% too often accuse welfare or SNAP recipients of doing.

As the song goes: ". . .there but for fortune go you or I. . ."

Hope things get better for you soon.

[mshasta]

14. i know how you feel

it sounds like a lots of food but..no does not last..looks like your are buying to make food from scratch ...are you making your own bread...you made it with only $200
two gallons of milk in my household last one week only.!
those potatoes will be gone in less than two weeks...

sad.

[freshwest]

15. I was in back of an EBT customer last week. I smiled, complimented her on her choices.

She had been all closed off, maybe fearing a rebuke from the ignoratti, which fortunately we don't have many, but you never know. Every poor person is a human being, too. What they buy is none of my business.

Having enough to pay otherwise is NOT a sign of moral virtue. To hell with the fools who think otherwise, they're eligible, too, for a disaster not of their own making, but are still our kindred.

I never forgot the sentiments of a book my brother sent me as a child from the PX when he was overseas in the late 1950s. It was A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. Some quotes I will never forget, like this paragraph, in which The Ghost of Christmas Present throws the miser's earlier quote how the poor should die, to 'decrease the surplus population' in his face:

“Man,” said the Ghost, “if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is.

Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die?

It may be, that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man’s child.

Oh God! to hear the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust!”

I also made a charge on my credit card last weekend. The clerk apologized about having to add 'taxes to go the government.' I could not let that one pass, and most people just parrot it to get along with the rightwing meme.

I told him I was brought up by family who lived through the Great Depression and they told me to be 'proud to be able to have a job to pay taxes.' It does speak to a certain position in life. I am grateful to help those who I will never meet that way. For goodness sake, it's the very LEAST that a person can do.

Enjoy your mini-Christmas, CCD. I know how that feels, and please enjoy it knowing that many of us are glad to see you being fed.

[Luminous Animal]

54. Do you comment on the choices people make who aren't using an EBT card?

[leftstreet]

57. +1

[AngryOldDem]

93. +2

[datasuspect]

100. if a complete stranger complimented me on my food choices in the checkout line

i would probably ask, 'how is anything i do any of your fucking business?'

[LanternWaste]

103. Odd the numerous ways we look for simply to be offended

Odd the numerous ways we look for simply to be offended. Now of course, receiving a compliment is indeed, a nefarious and horrendous way to talk to anyone... let alone a stranger-- by which we all know never to speak to anyone, as community is simply another bumper-sticker.

My first instinct is simply to compliment you on your civility and grace to others, however, I would soon realize the depth of my sins...

...much as I imagine many others first instinct would be to rationalize the irrational.

[datasuspect]

104. i'm a strong proponent of minding one's own business

strangers are just that: strangers.

got no time for that shit.

[FirstLight]

17. you have more grace than me...

I remember back in the early 90s before there were the EBT cards and you used actual booklets of 'stamps' and they were never put together in a normal way. The booklets would be odd numbers like $37 & $9, with all types of bills in one booklet, so you'd be having to flip through to look for the ones, fives, etc. That would give everyone plenty of time to roll their eyes, sigh loudly, and make a general arse of themselves and make you wish you were invisible...

hope you get back on your feet soon, I am still trudging uphill too...

[munster69]

20. This is why I am in favor of a guaranteed minimum income

It could be done and is long overdue. Everybody should be guaranteed a minimum income to cover the basic necessities of life.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/66677/switzerland-will-vote-to-give-all-adults-a-guaranteed-2-800-monthly-income

[daleanime]

26. Amen....

[Joel thakkar]

36. Very Nice Idea...but how will you fund it?

Assuming giving only $500 per month to every citizen of USA would have around $1.8 trillion per year budget impact...and add inflation every year...how will you fund it?

[kmlisle]

84. Thats about the sum of corporate welfare and the military budget each year

Its not how we would fund it but what are our priorities. The Swiss are working on this and I think it is 2800 per month. If you took the money spent to subsidize the oil companies and big ag plus the military budget we would have a big chunk of change to spend.
Here is the swiss income initiative - it guarantees a minimum wage of 2800 per month but pays the difference between what you are making and that amount for every working adult. This would make it more realistic for the US as only the bottom of the wage scale would need it. It has not been voted on yet but will be. Apparently people can petition the government to vote on a law.
link here: http://rt.com/news/swiss-adult-minimum-wage-794/

[quakerboy]

92. Fairly simply.

1) Universal health care. We spend in the range of 3 trillion on health care in the US each year. And we spend more than twice as much per person as other countries.

Logically then, if we each put in the exact same amount we do now, but changed the system, we would end up with an extra 1.5+ trillion to budget with. That solves your question all on its own

2) Im guessing a program like that would have a similar multiplier to what we get on food stamp benefits. Which means it would increase our economy and our tax base incredibly, helping to self fund.

3) 1.4 trillion spent on military overreach. I bet we could cut that by 1/3 without doing harm to anything except a few Contractor profit margins.

4) Returning tax rates to what they used to be, where the extreme wealth is expected to pay its fair share.

[jeff47]

101. Just to add to those above

In addition to the comments above, you have to remember that a minimum income would replace several other forms of "welfare". So part of the funding source would be replacing SNAP, WIC and TANF with minimum income.

[noiretextatique]

106. we always manage to have funding for war

perhaps we need to cut military spending.

[calimary]

41. Welcome to DU, munster69!

Glad you're here! Totally agree! We need a minimum LIVABLE WAGE!!! Across-the-board!!!

[Common Sense Party]

22. How would that person know it's a SNAP card vs. any other debit card?

The person could have just been a jerk or having a bad day, and it might not have had anything at all to do with your card.

[Nye Bevan]

24. +1. There are about a million different kinds of credit card and debit card out there,

all with their own designs. I have no idea what a SNAP card even looks like, and even if I saw the word SNAP I would not have known what it meant. And I don't generally spend my time in line peering at people's credit or debit cards anyway.

Perhaps the person had a bad headache, or was trying to hold in a fart.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

28. It's pretty distinctive...

And in some stores, you press one option to pay with a debit card and another to pay with your Link card. It wouldn't be difficult for the next person in line to see.



Edit: I agree that I have better things to do than see how people are paying for their groceries, but it takes all kinds.

[Enrique]

38. yes and some stores use a different machine

for EBT cards vs. regular debit or credit cards.

[calimary]

42. Or maybe he/she WAS a fart?

[JonLP24]

47. In my state

the card has a recognizable design that other cards likely don't have and also says Quest in bold letters.

[JI7]

66. Maybe they use to have a SNAP card themselves

for some reason there are people who recieve or use to recieve govt help but have problems with others getting it and think it was different when they got it . even if they don't know anything about the others.

[flpoljunkie]

23. House Republicans ought to be made to read your compelling and eloquent post

Perhaps they might have an inkling of what so many people in our country must endure because of their cruelty and ignorance.

[Snake Plissken]

96. I'm sure reading that would make House Republicans reflect on their position and think

... of better ways they could take that $200/month away from the OP to fund another tax break for billionares.

[DeSwiss]

25. There's a lot of ignorance out there.

- Passed down from generation to generation. What is more, while many don't understand this, forgiveness is the only way to end it.

K&R

[CrispyQ]

29. I'll bet the same customer doesn't have any problem with the grocery store asking if she would like

to "round up" her purchase so they can contribute that amount to some charity. WTF is with that? Corporations asking customers to give them our money so they can contribute & get the tax write off? If they even give the money in the first place. Who knows?

I'm so sick of people's mean spirited-ness toward fellow citizens, but never taking issue with the corporate vampires.

I'm sorry for your hardship. May your fortune change.

[Flatulo]

37. Man, that would take some balls.

Skimming from customer donations? Jesus, I would hope not. If word got out that any food chain was doing that, that would be the end of them.

I always round up or give a buck to whatever charity they're supporting.

[CrispyQ]

73. I never round up. Why give the corporations the tax write off?

Let's forget that we don't know if they actually send all the money to the charity, why give them the write off & the publicity?

I contribute to my local food pantry, rather than giving money to a corporation, whose only consideration is the bottom line.


File this post under, "No matter how cynical I get, I can't keep up." ~Lily Tomlin

[whopis01]

75. I agree with you on the publicity - but there is no write-off benefit for the stores

If you give the store an extra dollar and they write it off, they are not paying any less taxes than they would have been if you had not given them the dollar in the first place.

In fact, you can keep track of that and write it off on your own taxes.

Being a middle-man for donations does not garner you any tax benefit.

[CrispyQ]

95. Thank you for clarifying. --nt

[Southside]

30. Not to make light of your situation

I was afraid you were going to say the $200 on the debit card was unfunded and you could not buy the food. I am thankful that you were able to buy your groceries and you should walk with your head high for getting it done everyday. No one can rightfully look down on you.

I pray you get a job and can always meet your needs. Wish more could be done. $200 is a very very tight ramen pride budget.

In my gut I keep thinking everyone who depends on social services is worse off because of the shutdown. I pray that is not the case, I only see stories of the misery here on democratic underground, businesses failing, families of veterans unsupported and things like that.


Stay up my friend.

[Cracklin Charlie]

31. I don't hate you, either, ColesCountyDem.

What I hate, is when rich men go on teevee, and blame poor people for everything that goes wrong.

Makes me think those rich guys are tryin' to steal my money. There's a certain pattern to these things.


ps...you can shop anytime you want at my grocery store.

[War Horse]

32. Thank you for this very moving post

Us on the "Left" may disagree on a lot of things, but this pretty much sums up what we're all about.

[RVN VET]

33. It hurts to be looked at scornfully by heartless ignorance.

Chin up; keep a stiffer upper etc. The thoughtless ignorant curs among us will either be enlightened painfully when their own fortune falls, or else they'll be called to answer for their meanness by a grim Saint Pete. I'd love to bear witness to either event!

[calimary]

43. I know what you mean RVN VET. But I myself want to see their comeuppance here and in this life!

Preferably sooner than later! Don't want to wait til the hereafter and hope that takes care of it. Remember, these assholes will also likely tell you they're more Christian than you, quote that line in the Bible (one NEVER uttered by Our Savior, btw) about how if you don't work you don't eat, AND they'll also tell you they're forgiven already (which to me is the same as saying - "hey, pal, I can do whatever the fuck I feel like doing. Jesus has already forgiven me! I'm home free!!!!! And I don't HAVE TO be nice to you, either! I'm forgiven, after all!). george w schmuck did that. Like that's some magic Golden Ticket or get-out-of-Hell-free card from some cosmic Monopoly game board.

[RVN VET]

58. Oh, I'd feel justice had been done if the heartless putzes (putzim?) get called out before they die.

Scrooge, of course, got called out for being a heartless miser -- and he changed. But Scrooge is the exception. Most heartless people remain heartless even if brought low by fate -- they just exchange their smugness for bitterness.

[Hekate]

34. KnR. Hugs and prayers for you and all in your shoes.

Just a thought, and I understand if you reject it out of hand: but is there any way you would consider sending this out as a Letter to the Editor of your local or regional newspaper? Occasionally they permit pseudonyms (or used to) if you are reluctant to give out your real name. Your story is one that resonates with legions of people, and needs to be told so that "those with ears can hear and those with eyes can see" the reality.

Now, if you'll forgive me, I seem to have something in my eye.

[Titonwan]

108. You are a human being

I accept the terminal cynicism promoted by Lily Tomlin but in adversity comes character. We're gonna have a butt load of 'characters' if this avalanche of corporate greed continues. They own everything but that doesn't quell their insane need for more.
"I drink your milkshake!"
(h/t There Will Be Blood)
There are good people out here.

[progree]

35. I wouldn't know what an EBT card looks like - so many cards being used all the time

So to educate myself, I Googled
[what does an EBT card look like]
and at the top are Images
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+does+an+ebt+card+look+like&safe=off&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=mF9UUpiLNIfwrQGIlYCwDg&ved=0CCsQsAQ

Anyway a few are pretty blatant, but most look like any credit card or debit card, except that most (but not all) have EBT written in small letters (though smaller would be better) given that there are a wide variety of credit card / debit card appearances, e.g. school affiliation or favorite cause or whatever.

Anyway, they ought to make them look like a regular credit / debit card.

Isn't most everything on a prepaid or similar card these days? Some companies pay that way, Social Security is supposedly going to go exclusively to cards soon. Every freeking refund for something is in the form of a prepaid card.

On top of that, I'm swiping or showing my Walgreens Balance Rewards Card or my CVS whatever card or Target's red card or whatever store loyalty card for the store I'm in.

If they are going to get upset at me using my Social Security card (when the time comes, which is shortly), well I've been paying SS taxes and other taxes for most of a lifetime. Bring it on!

I hope your situation gets a lot better soon. Take care!

[Brigid]

40. Dear snooty, ignorant person in the grocery line:

Shopping at Save-A-Lot, I doubt you are wealthy.You do know, don't you, that you are probably just one economic or medical disaster from needing SNAP assistance yourself?

God bless you, Coles County Dem. You are more forgiving than I am. I hope your situation improves soon.

[flamingdem]

44. I like the way you write

if that is yours, and hope you write more! Thanks.

[sulphurdunn]

45. Half the people have

2 digit IQs, have difficulty reasoning abstractly or solving complex problems. That is why the are so easy to manipulate with emotional appeals to prejudice, fear and greed. The ascendant power of conservatism has been in the genius of motivating such people to vote in large numbers and to hate the "other" in the checkout line and not the CEO in the bank. The former is concrete to them. The latter as insubstantial as their anthropomorphic god.

[PatrynXX]

46. ought to force them to watch

Fiddler on the Roof.

[99 Percent Sure]

48. Your experiences make us sound like twins separated at birth.... n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

49. I hope you put this in your local paper.

Very well written.

[Bonx]

50. I'm glad you forgive me

But I had no idea what kind of card you were using. I just had too much Activia & the time to process your full cart was killing me

[hrmjustin]

51. You are a kind person.

[davidthegnome]

52. You are a very kind person.

At this point in my life, I don't have that sort of kindness myself, though I think of myself as usually being kind.

I simply have no tolerance left for the intolerant. The cruel, the ignorant, the judgmental and self-righteous... it is largely through their actions, their votes, their twisted philosophies, that those in need must suffer even more than the need they have. They must suffer the cruelty and judgment of people who have precious little capacity for empathy, for compassion.

I used to see such people as (like the one you described in your post, with the look of contempt) simply ignorant. Now I see them instead as hateful, lacking in depth, and ultimately amazingly stupid.

Frankly, I hurt too much as it is. I have no desire to have such people in my life, or to in any way respect, like, or understand me. I would prefer if they simply did humanity a favor by crawling into caves where they belong. My life has endless rooms, and very large ones, for the compassionate, the kind, the empathetic, those in need, those who love and care. My life has no room, not a single damned one, for arrogant, self righteous idiots.

I'm sorry you had to have that directed at you. There is absolutely nothing shameful or wrong about accepting help when it is needed. If these bastards had their way, everyone in need would simply starve to death.

[Cha]

55. What a kind generous inspiring soul, CCD..

Hope you find a Job And this National/Global nightmare goes away Soon!

[EC]

56. Wow, your Save-A-Lot takes coupons?.... n/t

[Skittles]

59. I'm too busy reading the gossip mags to care how people are paying for their purchases

[JanMichael]

64. And I am too busy

listening to my wife comment on People magazine articles Glad to see that's common. We can't BUY the People (because it's "trashy&quot but, we can read them cover to cover in the line, then google the celebrities when we get home.

Yeah

[Skittles]

68. it's a quandary

I like reading trash but I don't like buying trash because I don't want to encourage such trash

[Butterbean]

78. I'm too busy herding my kids like cats. n/t

[seveneyes]

60. Bless you

It's possible that look came from a militant vegan, but either way you handled it well.

[NastyRiffraff]

61. You're a (much) better person than I am

I've been in that situation also although thankfully not for long. I hope things get a lot better for you very soon. Hugs and best wishes to you.

[ColesCountyDem]

62. I'm absolutely overwhelmed by your kind responses! YOU remind ME of why I am a liberal!

I need to say first that I wish that I could respond to each and every one of you and say "Thank you, and bless you!", but I simply haven't had the time this afternoon and won't this evening, either. My aunt isn't feeling well, so I'm going to spend the night at her house, and a friend ran me home to get my dog, feed my cats and grab a fresh change of clothes for tomorrow morning.

In my life, I've been both 'up' and 'down' financially, but this is by far the most 'down' I've been. I'm an optimist, and I fully expect to be 'up' again. Until I'm up again, however, I'm grateful to the far-seeing people who understood that hunger is an evil, and introduced legislation to ameliorate it, and who understood that poverty is also an evil, especially in the richest nation in recorded history, and sought ways to ease the most cruel and soul-crushing aspects of it.

You all here at DU remind me of why I am a liberal, as were my parents and grandparents before me. My church reminds me that I can oppose our political enemies, but I must NEVER hate them, because hate poisons MY soul, not their's.

Once again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

[grantcart]

63. No, thank you. You uplift us all.

[Skittles]

69. someone is always here for you , CCD

yes INDEED

[DonRedwood]

65. I would happily pay a little more taxes to hear more stories like yours

Giant Kudos to you for knowing how to cook in such a smart way. For many they don't have those kitchen skills that can help one survive lean times. (milk gravy, anyone?)

Tomorrow I'll start a food drive at work in your honor.

Peace and good will to you.

[joanbarnes]

67. Daughter remembers being in line behind someone short of money to pay for groceries...

It was a lifetime eye-opening moment for her. We are blessed enough to never have had this circumstance.

[CrispyQ]

74. A touching post.

To you & the beautiful daughter you raised.

[HipChick]

87. I paid for someone's groceries before..

just gave them the extra $20 they needed..it could happen to any of us...

[Skittles]

90. I gave a gal with two kids 5 bucks because she was short of money at the register

when I was getting into my car, one of her kids ran over to my car and said, "Thank you for helping my mom."

[gopiscrap]

72. Welcome to DU

[noamnety]

76. I try not to read too much into other people's expressions.

I have one of those "resting cranky" faces. I have to be careful because I teach, and sometimes the students think I'm staring in disapproval at their work when sometimes I'm just deep in thought. And I've been the person behind someone else in line sizing up their purchases and trying to figure out if they are using a snap card, and looking all squinty eyed. On their end it might look like I'm all pissed off about what they are buying, I suppose. But really what's going on in my brain is trying to remember if I have a coupon for one of their items, if I want to part with it, if I can find it quick enough to get it in the cashier's hands in before they pay. Sometimes I successfully pull that off, other times I'm too slow, and then I look especially pissed off because I'm annoyed at myself.

[emsimon33]

79. K&R

[NYC_SKP]

80. Great post.

Remember, you earned and you deserve that food. It's the top earners who literally steal from the rest of us that deserve the scorn you got from the person in line.

Take care, thank you for representing all of us so well!

[texanwitch]

81. This country is suppose to help those in need, food stamps is the best program ever.

Years ago I needed food stamps, didn't bother me.

I paid taxes before and after food stamps.

I am so glad you are getting the help you need.

I do remember how nice it was to know I had a basic supply of food on hand.

I did do a lot of home cooking.

I take a friend to the store every month on the 9th which is tomorrow for his grocery shopping.

[JDPriestly]

82. I know what you are going through. A work injury put us in a terrible situation.

For years, I made a cup of tea and then reused the bag until there was no taste left at all. Things can be really tough if you aren't born rich and happen to lose your job through no fault of your own. SNAP is a vitally important program for America. It doesn't just help the people who get to eat thanks to the program. It helps farmers and those who work in grocery stores.

It's a great program.

[catrose]

83. What I told hurricane survivors,

most of whom were in tears at the thought of having to accept food stamps and other help, was, "You earned it. You paid taxes. Now it's your turn to collect."
Far from people thinking they were entitled to help, I mostly dealt with folks who were too proud to accept it and people who were crying because I and others were giving our days to helping them. I just figured that next time, it could be me standing in the client line.
I wonder where all the greedy undeserving bastards are. Top 1%, I guess. I happily pay taxes to go for other people's food stamps. And if you can eat well/nutritionally on $200/month, kudos to you.

[No Vested Interest]

85. Some people have the "look of contempt" just because

they don't like that swiping coupons takes a few seconds longer.
Others don't like to be behind a huge order.
It's possible, just possible, that the person's perverse look wasn't in regard to the SNAP card.

Congratulations on your wise selections of groceries to get you through the month while having a nutritious diet.
And, double congratulations for your charitable thoughts towards the next person in line.

[pitbullgirl1965]

86. I hate SNAP!!!

because they make people jump through hoops to get it, it should be available to more people, (the poverty guidelines are criminally inaccurate.) and the minimum needs to be raised, to at least $300 per person.

This taxpayer wants her tax dollars to fund safety nets, not military jets.

[appal_jack]

88. k&r for the empathy that this might engender

I am lucky to be employed right now, and my family is doing ok. But there were times in the past when I was sick and my previous employer had to lay off most of its staff. Back then, I needed the unemployment and Medi-Cal benefits I received.

I never will begrudge another human being accepting public assistance during a time of need. Best of luck to you, ColesCountyDem.

-app

[juajen]

89. That will never be me. You will never get attitude from me.

I have never passed a homeless person that I didn't share what I had. I hope you know that many of us have been hungry and broke, and most of us remember it very well.

Good luck to you, and don't let the bastards wear you down. I hope you see rainbows through the rain, smiles through the tears and a blessed life waiting either now or later, and know, please, that there are people who care and do everything they can to help.

[classykaren]

94. On a popular cruise web site

There is a woman planing (already paid for around the World cruise.] She was complaing she had to pay tips to staff and was wondering how to take them off her bill. Can you imagine at least 15,000 for a cruise they charge more if you are single for a single supplement. And she was complaining about a 10 dollar tip per day divided up among wait staff cleaning personal etc. This is really how the one percent thinks.

[a kennedy]

97. ditto to tears, I'm so sorry.

[RockaFowler]

99. My prayers and thoughts are with you

My husband was on unemployment for almost 2 1/2 years. I know exactly how you feel. And I wasn't able to get anything else to help us because I made too much money. It's really hard to lose 1/2 your earnings and try to survive on that. I'm so glad that you have SNAP. The Unemployment checks were all that helped us survive for months before I gto promoted and my hubby finally got a job. Good luck to you

[ColesCountyDem]

102. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! n/t

[IrishAyes]

105. Took me way to long to get to this thread

But I can understand the huge # of recs. Very well written, but more importantly, very well felt.

I really hope and pray things get better for you and all the country very soon. Meanwhile from your grocery list, I can see you're making the most of your present situation. God forbid you should ever have to give up meat entirely, but do remember that beans and whole grain rice do make a nearly complete protein. Heck, I've been in your shoes before myself - maybe even the person who dagger-eyed you has too! - and I know how hard it can be. You sound like an exemplary person. Best of luck to you.

[dawn frenzy adams]

107. No one should know that you receive Food Stamps

When you elect millionaires to run your government, this is what happens. If we had elected officials who were sensitive to the poor, instead of constantly campaigning to embarrass them, those EBT cards would be distributed by a bank or credit union- in the form of a debit card. If the consumer needs toilet paper and soap, they should permit the cardholder to purchase such items. No snoodie clerk or customer should know anything about it.