I do agree with you, I feel blessed just to have some extra food money. I don't feel I am entitled to gourmet groceries.

My point is if you have the money for what I call extras : cigarettes and beer- than you should prioritize and spend your money for healthy things your family needs ie milk etc. We struggle paycheck to paycheck and get no assistance so yes it is irritating to me to see people spend money on cigarettes, liquor, and the National Enquirer and get their milk paid for while I'm rationing mine at home. One pack of cigarettes could buy a gallon of milk and people usually smoke multiple packs a week if not a day. These people in my opinion are abusing the system and should get their priorities straight.

you don't know their finances unless you are them. They qualify for the food stamps by income limit, and thats all that matters. They could be blowing off their phone bill in order to buy the smokes or beer they are addicted to. The point is, you shouldn't judge, or maybe you should just keep your opinions to yourself.

Either way, its not abusing the system to spend the rest of your income on things you want, a long as you are still within the income guidelines for being eligible for food stamps. different people live differently, just because they arn't you, does not mean they are wrong or have their priorites mixed up.

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stay at home mom to my crazy toddler with sensory issues

As a tax payer, I can not agree with this. That's all I'm gonna say.

ITA. I watched a lady buy her groceries with WIC with her Dolce Gabana bag on her shoulder and then go out to get in her fancy SUV. It makes me soo mad! Oh, did I mention that she had her nails done also?

Another one that makes me mad is the whole health insurance issue. People choose not to take health insurance at work (not all because I know some employers don't offer it), then complain becuase they don't have insurance and put their kids on the state insurance, then apply for WIC (not based on bring home pay, but gross pay) and they are bringing home more money in their paycheck than we are! Health insurance is not an option in our family. We pay for that no matter what it costs!!

I'm a tax payer to, and I don't agree with the foods that WIC offer, but you don't see me judging people who use WIC, or the WIC users who buy the hormone filled cheapest store brand milk and fat laden store brand peanut butter. You pay taxes, and thats it, once that money is out of your hands, you have no right to tell anyone what they can do with it. If they want to ruin their budget by buying smokes and beer, or $8 organic peanut butter, thats none of your bussiness. You'd be surprised how many people who eat only organic are judging you for filling your cart with store brand food and ramen.

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stay at home mom to my crazy toddler with sensory issues

Me either, sorry. There is no other way to describe such an instance (i.e. buying cigarettes and beer/alcohol with cash they could be using on groceries) than abusing the system. If you have the amount it takes to be a regular smoker (at least $20 a week) and a regular, nightly drinker (at least another $20 a week), then you don't need government assistance. That's $40 a week that's being spent that could be one person's whole grocery budget for a week. Sure, let's give those people money to buy food for their families, because they HAD to get other things with their cash. Sounds fair to me. ha.
If someone who truly needs this help, gets it (which some people don't even get when they desperately need it because they "make too much money") that is what makes my heart smile. When I see someone use their foodstamp card on food (good, bad, or whatever food) and then turn around and whip out a hundred dollar bill for their case of beer and carton of cigarettes, it sends my blood a boiling. Reason: I am paying taxes so those people can afford a habit? Sorry.
Edited to add, it's not being judgemental.....most people like to see their hard earned money go to good things....and when that doesn't happen, it pisses most people off.

the point is, you are judging that they have the amount, you arn't them so how would you know? as i said, they could be horribly in debt and be blowing off bills in order to pay for their addictions.

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stay at home mom to my crazy toddler with sensory issues

I like the way you think. What she said!

true, they could. more reason why we shouldn't be the ones to help them, give my tax money to someone who falls on hard times, spouse dies, loss of job, etc....not someone who can't pay regular bills because of their needs....that's all i'm saying....sadly, we can't choose who are the ones in "need" and who aren't...you know?? Too bad there's not a vote on that...