HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?

Atrios links to a NYT article about the increased numbers of people using food stamps and selected comments from this jerk:

Like many new beneficiaries here, Mr. Dawson argues that people often abuse the program and is quick to say he is different. While some people “choose not to get married, just so they can apply for benefits,” he is a married, churchgoing man who works and owns his home. While “some people put piles of steaks in their carts,” he will not use the government’s money for luxuries like coffee or soda. “To me, that’s just morally wrong,” he said.

I recall that in the 60s and early 70s, college kids could get food stamps even though they weren't poor but the law has been changed so you no longer see kids walking out with filet mignon. Today, I don't pay much attention to what other people are buying at the grocery store but I don't recall ever seeing people on food stamps buying a bunch of steaks.

Dawson isn't a old coot, either:

“It’s embarrassing,” said Mr. Dawson, 29, a taciturn man with a wispy goatee who is so uneasy about the monthly benefit of $300 that he has not told his parents. “I always thought it was people trying to milk the system. But we just felt like we really needed the help right now.”