Originally Posted by 450slcguy

Just like you I drive through several times a month. Unlike you, I don't pass judgement and make unsubstantiated claims based on drive-by observations.

I live in the #5 wealthiest county in the country, (and we have low income/welfare households too) and most of the convenience stores and mom and pop stores advertise they accept food stamps. Every town and city in the US has the "working poor" and the numbers are growing fast. In this economy it doesn't take long to go from getting by paying the bills to not having enough money to feed the family. While you may think most people using food stamps are lazy no good bums, and some are, the truth is many are hard working tax paying Americans that are having a hard time feeding their families.

I have never been in a position of facing that reality, but the truth is it could happen to the majority of Americans. I'm grateful for what I have and am aware of those that are not as fortunate. What I don't understand are those that enjoy a good standard of living but feel the need to denigrate the poor. I for one am proud we live in a country that doesn't let the poor go hungry and wander the streets for handouts. If it costs me a few extra dollars to maintain a civil society, then it's worth every penny to do it.