As I see the people on social media who are angry because the government is changing the rules so that people on food stamps/EBT can’t use it to buy luxuries like soda and junk food, I am reminded of an argument that I got into with my ex-wife’s sister about 13 years ago. What started the argument was me being upset with this picture:
She said that she, who is on handouts, should be able to experience going out to eat like families anytime they want. She went on to tell me that I should stop complaining about EBT and be happy that I was getting paid to go to school and that I didn’t have to deal with struggles like some families do.
I hate this. The recipient class in this society sees the successful life that I have and thinks that I didn’t have struggles. This entire generation today (puts on old man hat) thinks that nothing happened before they were born, and they are the first ones who ever had to struggle or work for anything.
I was homeless- twice. Once, about a year after I was discharged from the Navy. The second time was just after my divorce. I didn’t receive, ask for, or want free handouts from anyone. Instead, I worked my ass off. Was I getting paid while I was in school? Sure was, but that was through student loans (which I paid back) and my pension (which I earned and contributed to while I was working).
Instead of sitting around on handouts and doing nothing, I worked hard. At times, I had three jobs AND went to school. I still have more than one job. Was it difficult? It sure was. I eventually earned several college degrees and got myself out of poverty.
What was my reward for all of that? Now I get to pay nearly half of what I earn and I am forced to watch as others post videos of themselves using my tax dollars to buy soda, steak, and lobster.
When I am watching those videos, a part of me is excited, thinking of how much fun it will be to watch them starve when it all comes crashing down. Then reality hits, and I think of how far I will fall as well.
26 Comments
Mike C · August 9, 2025 at 4:58 am
Steak and lobster are probably still allowed EBT purchases. However the mindsets of the recipients probably will lean more towards the kind of food that is common prison fare than quality protein.
Joe Blow · August 9, 2025 at 5:34 am
I’m with you on that stuff brother – self employed the last 3 years.
The problem I see coming, is the same as always – we don’t make the rules. Politicians need votes in order to stay in office, and they’re the ones who make the rules. I know you understand how this works, but… that’s the point, this _IS_ how it works. They will promise the monkey’s free banana’s, because they need the monkey’s vote in order to stay in office. And there’s more monkeys than ever before, so they will keep pandering to them to get the votes!
That’s something our founding fathers actually understood! That’s why you had to be a land-owner in order to vote – skin in the game. The liberals of today (the free-banana eating monkeys), have inverted that to be a mysoginistic racist statement because only white males owned property at the time, which perfectly suits their agenda of buying votes by giving free banana’s to everyone who isn’t a white male. The system is working exactly as its supposed to. That’s why it all has to come down.
Welfare queens deciding you and me should continue to support them, will continue, because the monkey’s vote counts every bit as much as yours and mine.
Michael · August 9, 2025 at 6:14 am
“When I am watching those videos, a part of me is excited, thinking of how much fun it will be to watch them starve when it all comes crashing down. Then reality hits, and I think of how far I will fall as well.”
That’s why I read you daily.
You THINK beyond the knee jerk response. And you’re not afraid to verbalize that concern.
When the system crashes (not IF but WHEN) all will suffer.
In the working through troubles theme I see above what will most of the rapidly aging folks posting here (myself included) going to do when the powers that BE decide our voting block isn’t that important and the “politically deadly” THIRD RAIL of social security cuts isn’t that important?
There seems to be more support for more free money for “poor folks” and less support for “entitled Boomers” (Their words not mine) and democracy aka mob rule can change rules pretty fast.
Tied into the posting, when the system staggers and mob rule aka democracy is applied, we should expect that our “Earned benefits” like our pensions, SS benefits and all that at risk.
Eat the Rich is a common distraction for the mob used by the powers that BE (all millionaires BTW even AOC it seems).
“Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
This is known as “bad luck.”
― Robert Heinlein
Bad luck or gov.com mismanagement, same thing.
A social storm is nearby friends.
Divemedic · August 9, 2025 at 6:46 am
It isn’t just earned benefits. I expect that 401k and other retirement accounts will be at least partially confiscated as the nation’s money problems worsen.
The excuse will be that older people are hoarding.
Michael · August 9, 2025 at 9:37 am
I agree Divemedic, indeed I must not have been clear on that point in my earlier posting.
Forced “CONversion” (spelling intentional) into “SAFE and FAIR use of Resources” (hording implied but not stated directly) INTO Stablecoin or Treasury Bills so the Gov.com can get nearly Free Money at rates OF THIR CHOOSING to run the “free Banana’s Project”.
EXPECT Cash to be limited and made to be “shady-criminal” as to python strangle folks into an ALL Electronic Slave-“Money” system.
No privacy, no ability to buy an “unapproved Item” and such.
Might want to read todays Britian posting at Western Rifle Shooters for expanded details “Coming to a town near you”.
Himself · August 9, 2025 at 9:55 am
Oh, it’ll happen. They’ll get voracious for cash and everything will be means tested. And if the left is in power that means you’ll get the shaft on retirement.
Social security is part of my retirement plan. It’s that way because it was promised us when the shitcanned retirement plans and instituted the 401k.
SS is now set to go insolvent (which I’d argue it mostly is) one year after I turn 70. I have no intention of wanting that long. I’ll get it when I can get it, and work part time.
There are a lot of gen-Xers that are going to get it, stiff and dry, when they try to retire.
TRX · August 10, 2025 at 7:04 am
You might recall Obama briefly running confiscation of 401ks and pension plans (very briefly) up the flagpole, circa 2010-ish. And Biden mentioned it during his term.
The media duly reported favorably, and then went radio-silent.
It’s an immunization thing – keep hitting people with a bad idea, and after enough exposure they’ll start seeing it as inevitable.
Same thing with Hillary’s “national healthcare” thing back in 1992.
Anonymous · August 12, 2025 at 11:18 pm
They won’t go with “hoarding.”
They will not demonize those who have saved. They will instead say how it is not fair that the “Fortunate Few” can enjoy wealth without working while those who had failed pensions, busted 401k’s and bankrupt Social Security have to eat cat food.
At that point, any one who objects will then be demonized.
And the people who will be the force behind this will be teachers, police, fire, and other semi-gov’t employees who found out the the politicians screwed THEIR pensions and want blood.
WDS · August 9, 2025 at 8:45 am
Being able to dine out on EBT? I always looked at dining out as a treat because either my folks worked their asses off, or in the present case, I have. Seems the parasitic class deems everything out of reach because of their situation needs to be a “right” they are entitled to.
Another example:
Once per week at the city hall in my little SC town there is a food giveaway program. Recipients line up in their cars (they don’t even have to get out) and are given a large grocery bag, or bags of what I assume are staples, cans of soup etc. Every one of the cars in line are brand spanking new. I suppose I could roll up in my 22 year old truck and score a bag too but something is stopping me. Instead, I park 50 yards away and go in the grocery store, get what I need and head to the truck. Meanwhile, the line at city hall hasn’t gotten any smaller and there’s an Escalade in line with a Range Rover right behind it.
Henry · August 9, 2025 at 8:55 am
I recall my parents telling me that back in their day going on “relief” was something that people did only in the most dire circumstances. It was a matter of shame to have to accept relief and rely on the generosity of others. As a result, this earlier form of government welfare was universally understood to be a temporary handout, the result of involuntary tax contributions from others. It was something to be grateful for. Sadly, Democrats and RINOs turned welfare and its various components like EBT cards into an entitlement, something that is viewed as a right and we now have multiple generations depending on it and having no intention of ever getting off that gravy train.
Honk Honk · August 9, 2025 at 9:05 am
I was allowed to use EBT for several months after the second stroke.
Stocked up on canned nuts, coffee, water.
You can tell EBT user at the grocery by the overflowing cart.
J J · August 9, 2025 at 10:00 am
Way back in the eighties food stamp recipients could not buy soda, candy and restaurant foods with their stamps. So, this is just restoring the program back to its original form of providing nutritious and healthy food to the recipients.
Himself · August 9, 2025 at 10:08 am
That unearned esteem and ‘dignity’ is what got us that sense of entitlement. You are asking others to pay for your food. You don’t deserve Pizza Hut. You want that, get a job. Wash a few cars, you can buy a Pizza. Hell, I saw a large black woman buying a birthday cake on ebt.
I’m all for this. EBT should be able to be used for staples only. Meat, bread, rice, flour, veggies, beans. End of story. The way that it’s handled now is why we have so many obese ‘poor’. No doubt, we pay on the other end when their health fails.
When my son was in middle school, he went with me to the grocery. As we were shopping I showed him how he could eat OK on $20/week. Beans, rice, eggs, pasta, veggies. You could still do it, but not as well these days.
I remember weeks, back in the day, where I had a modest amount of food, and enough gas in my tank to get me to work – and only work, until payday. Couldn’t go out to see my friends, or even my dad. Just had to sit in my rented room and watch TV or read.
All that stuff is going to be cut and means tested as the gubermint runs out of cash.
There are truly needy, and we should help them. But I watch every time I shop. More often than not, they are using EBT for food and whatnot, then pull out the cash for the beer, cigarettes, and whatnot.
Bear Claw · August 9, 2025 at 12:20 pm
Karma is a bitch. At least for maybe a couple three years. Wrongly I get great entertainment out of the Amish fatigue.
https://bustednuckles.net/the-way-it-should-have-been-since-the-start/
@HomeInSC · August 9, 2025 at 7:38 pm
It’s a situation that leaves many conflicted. Good people don’t like to see others suffer. I think many will agree with me that even though it is “socialism”, a temporary safety net is not all bad. When we see people turn handouts into a life plan it creates nothing but anger. When we see millions of people coming here to take advantage of us it creates fury(in a clear thinking citizen).
It is time for us to stop being stupid. Anyone on assistance should submit to chemical birth control. Nothing but staples. No luxury items, no restaurants.
I didn’t live in CA for over 20 years, working long hours and spending 4-1/2 each day commuting, to support useless freeloaders. We lived very well in a beautiful state but I am so happy to be out of there.
Divemedic · August 10, 2025 at 10:33 am
How about, instead of money or EBT cards, we go back to handing out “government cheese?”
@HomeInSC · August 10, 2025 at 5:04 pm
I’m not against the idea of a box of staples and a basic cookbook🤣
Tsgt Joe · August 9, 2025 at 7:53 pm
I worked in the foster care system in Michigan. It surprised me how many of the young moms did not know how to cook. If it didn’t come prepared they didn’t eat it. Many of the folks on EBT wouldn’t know what to do with a bag of flour or a block of cheese. Before I retired we started focussing in on kids who didnt go home, who stayed in the system till they aged out. Cooking classes and a set of pots and pans were available as well as trying to teach some life skills. For many it was a waste of time. They didnt understand attendence at work or school and the excuse for everything was ‘scrimination.
JimmyPx · August 9, 2025 at 10:00 pm
90 years ago they called it “calling on the town” and once a week you could go somewhere downtown and they would give you a bag of staples like meat, cheese, bread, milk for the week.
Somehow EBT has turned into corporate welfare for the grocery stores and gimme gimme for the entitlement class.
Look at this short video when this women realizes she can’t use her EBT card on jumk food like she always has:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WUHCmls2KHk
Old Cranky Guy · August 10, 2025 at 6:48 am
Like the old saying, “there is a reason the cheese in the mousetrap is free”, the EBT program also destroys people’s health indirectly by letting them buy and live on the most unhealthy crap imaginable. Another “I’m from the government and I’m here to help” scenario.
Instead of giving away money to buy food, we need to GIVE AWAY HEALTHY FOOD. Sure, some will sell it for money to buy other things, but at least we can insist that if we are going to feed them, it will be with vegetables and lean meats and not carbs and soda. And stop the grift of the banks that administer EBT from getting their skim and grift.
Dan D. · August 10, 2025 at 7:11 am
“I was homeless- twice.” I written this to you and your readers before: I don’t agree with everything you say on your blog but I keep coming back because your opinions are important for me to consider against my own. Because you state them from a place of experience.
Dan D.
Divemedic · August 10, 2025 at 2:16 pm
Ronald Reagan once said that a person who only agrees with you 80% of the time is still a friend and an ally.
Lon Monroe · August 10, 2025 at 9:06 am
Look up what President Johnson said about passing the ‘Great Society’ bill back in the day: it will tell you everything you need to know about where we are today. How times have changed. I have a ‘theory’ (among others that I have made up over the years of watching the on-going shit show): ‘When you’re given everything, you appreciate nothing’. I see it with kids. I see it with adults. I see it everywhere now days. There’s part of me that hopes, just hopes I can last long enough to what the system (both here and worldwide) collapse. Believe me when I say that for our part (myself and local others in my small community) we will ‘suffer’ but not to the degree of others out there in the big wide world. Just my .02 worth…..
Chutes Magoo · August 10, 2025 at 6:12 pm
When you start to see trillion dollar notes you’ll really be in the shit! Your health, ultimately, is priceless and far more important than monetary status…stay healthy friend!
Angus McThag · August 10, 2025 at 10:56 pm
Another thing I’ve found from bootstrapping myself a couple times is the utter disdain from people who did the bootstraps differently than I did.
I’ve always found it odd.
The worst have been people a bit older than be who don’t recognize that stuff they did to bootstrap just isn’t available any more. They made working under the table like that illegal and they actually enforce it in a lot of places I’ve lived.
But I managed and kudos to anyone else who had to and dug their way out.
How I Became Homeless, Then Not – Area Ocho · August 10, 2025 at 7:39 pm
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