Something really bugged the shit out of me tonight

                So I work at a grocery store and tonight I was ringing up a customer shortly before closing. She was a woman with a thick accent from some former Soviet Union country. She used  WIC checks to pay for part of her order. For those that don't know, WIC checks are like a form of government assistance. Fine, I  completely understand that sometimes people can't make ends meet, especially these days. So after that she hands me her club card which is attached to a her key chain to pay for the rest of her order. I notice that her car key is a Lexus.  When I saw that  I could feel pings of judgement begin to run through my mind. I then tried telling myself that for all I new it was some old beater of a Lexus and I shouldn't judge people. As I was locking up the store I notice her loading her groceries into a large Lexus SUV that couldn't have been more than a couple years old. This woman could afford to buy, insure, and fuel a $50,000 vehicle but can't afford to buy a gallon of fucking milk and eggs. Yeah right. Shit like this is exactly what makes everyone think that anyone that ever needs financial help from the government is just some lazy mooch scamming the system. In my mind this all was made worse by the fact this woman was clearly not born in the US. Again reinforcing another stereotype that immigrants are here just to sponge our tax dollars. There are distinct moments when you feel like you can see exactly what is wrong in this country. I feel I had one of those moments tonight.

You should come to Britain some time...we got a lot of shit like that. 
 
Lesson: no matter where you are in the world, people will be scamming the system.

I don't know, but I never get upset over things like that. I try to worry about my own life and stay out of others'. 

Immigrants get out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shit kinda sucks, but WIC throws a pretty wide net.

In Soviet Russia groceries purchase you!

The problem with stereotypes is, they're easier to spot. There's always some bastard doing something they shouldn't, but if it fits a stereotype then it hits a few more nerves when you see it.

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In Soviet Russia groceries purchase you!

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In Soviet Russia groceries purchase you!

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yep, it sucks. 

Yeah, it's fucking annoying, that's for sure.  I know a few cases where people spend all their time and energy figuring out how to stay on welfare rather than getting a job that pays better.  Thing is, they're spending just as much effort to keep being lazy as they would if they were actually being productive.

" @scubasteve2010: I take it you never thought that perhaps she was some immigrant worker that was in your country cleaning toilets as a maid for $3 an hour? Or that perhaps she was out doing errands for her boss, in her bosses car, when she stopped to pick up some milk and eggs for herself. Because if she didn't stop then, then she would have to spend three extra hours on a bus after a long ass days work just to get them when she gets off work?  It's not right to jump to conclusions about people by the way they look or the things they have. You have no idea why she had that car, or how she was in possession of it. Think of that before you make conclusions about hating someone and getting ready to persecute them because of the way they look or because of something they are holding. "

" I don't know, but I never get upset over things like that. I try to worry about my own life and stay out of others'.  "

"Is not Lexus, is Nexus.  Is better than Lexus."
 
Well, I know that some people do find ways to circumvent the system, but by and large, it's difficult to get on government assistance programs unless you can prove that you are currently living at the poverty level.   The way you presented your topic leads me to believe that you are fully aware that you are being judgmental and you are conflicted by it.  I know it's hard to understand, but you don't know for certain if that is her car and even if it was, when she bought it.  She could have been well off but due to economic circumstances, lost her annual income.  The government isn't going to make her sell her car, which she might need for whatever job she has just so she isn't too affluent.  These programs exist to help people get over the rough spots in life, not to turn someone into a complete destitute pauper before they kick in.  Social service agencies will look at her income, her bank account and any stocks & bonds she may have.  If she has too much, she will not be eligible for certain assistance.  They'll also look at how many dependents she has, and adjust eligibility accordingly.  There is also a face-to-face interview with a case worker.  The question I have for you is have you ever known anyone who needed government assistance?  If so, ask them how rigorous (and invasive) the process is.  It's not like filling out a university financial aid form. 

Let's not jump to conclusions... she probably stole the Lexus.

" Let's not jump to conclusions... she probably stole the Lexus. "

" @scubasteve2010: I take it you never thought that perhaps she was some immigrant worker that was in your country cleaning toilets as a maid for $3 an hour? Or that perhaps she was out doing errands for her boss, in her bosses car, when she stopped to pick up some milk and eggs for herself. Because if she didn't stop then, then she would have to spend three extra hours on a bus after a long ass days work just to get them when she gets off work?  It's not right to jump to conclusions about people by the way they look or the things they have. You have no idea why she had that car, or how she was in possession of it. Think of that before you make conclusions about hating someone and getting ready to persecute them because of the way they look or because of something they are holding. "

Damn. I'm a hard working American and I don't know the first thing about scamming the government. These immigrants need to write a book on this.

Yeah There are a lot of people mooching when they dont need to but i wouldnt make any judgments based on seeing someone for 5 minutes and taking everything out of context. crusader had a great point.

" @immike said:

" I don't know, but I never get upset over things like that. I try to worry about my own life and stay out of others'.  "

But what they are doing Directly affects you, you pay taxes yes? That is your money they are spending, you not only have the right, but should Want to stop BS like this. But I guess we could all just be pacifist and do nothing.   (I am not taking a knock at you, I understand your feelings on it, I don't wanna deal with it either) "

She's probably a hooker who is linked to a high up member of the Russian Mob. Might be cause I've just watched every episode of Sopranos over the last few weeks that I'm thinking this...

whether it was her suv or not, some people certainly do abuse aid programs like that. sucks.

Could it also be possible that shes super nice, and purchases groceries for her poor neighbor? Delivers them to a fixed income neighbor or family member? Or as was said earlier perhaps it wasn't her car..she just has access to it. Was she hot? Maybe it was her boyfriends car. 
 
Basically you don't know enough about her and her situation to get all judgmental. If you think theres some form of abuse going on, you could copy down her license number and report her to whatever agency issues the cards. If you feel really passionate about it, get a job as an investigator with the agency..have a personal impact.  
 
Finally...don't let her accent cloud your judgement. Maybe she was born elsewhere and immigrated to the USA or maybe she was a mail order bride. Maybe a million other things, but one of those might just be that she wanted to participate in the 'American dream', moved here, got her citizenship and can't find a job...just like lots of other people right now.

I understand completely, I work at a grocery store myself and I deal with WIC members on an almost daily basis, and I do see the occasional mooch come in and abuse the system. You just have to put it behind you, as scummy as those people can be. Seeing a woman use an EBT card and then pull out an iPhone with a bluetooth headset can be disheartening, but whatever, they're the scumbag, not you. 

Damn, nerve of some people.

YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD THAT FUCKING SEX GYPSY TO GO BACK TO WHATEVER HELL SHE CAME FROM!!!!

"YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD THAT FUCKING SEX GYPSY TO GO BACK TO WHATEVER HELL SHE CAME FROM!!!! "

People have already said what I was thinking - you don't know enough about her.
 
I was thinking, maybe that was her one good thing in life? Like, she saved up for who knows how long and got something she really wanted?  It may not be the case, but it may.
 
Just thoughts.

" Could it also be possible that shes super nice, and purchases groceries for her poor neighbor? Delivers them to a fixed income neighbor or family member? Or as was said earlier perhaps it wasn't her car..she just has access to it. Was she hot? Maybe it was her boyfriends car.  Basically you don't know enough about her and her situation to get all judgmental. If you think theres some form of abuse going on, you could copy down her license number and report her to whatever agency issues the cards. If you feel really passionate about it, get a job as an investigator with the agency..have a personal impact.   Finally...don't let her accent cloud your judgement. Maybe she was born elsewhere and immigrated to the USA or maybe she was a mail order bride. Maybe a million other things, but one of those might just be that she wanted to participate in the 'American dream', moved here, got her citizenship and can't find a job...just like lots of other people right now.   

" I understand completely, I work at a grocery store myself and I deal with WIC members on an almost daily basis, and I do see the occasional mooch come in and abuse the system. You just have to put it behind you, as scummy as those people can be. Seeing a woman use an EBT card and then pull out an iPhone with a bluetooth headset can be disheartening, but whatever, they're the scumbag, not you.  "

i know what u mean. it is shameful thing that they need to fix. u should also kind of think maybe someone bought it for her, like husband, boyfriend.

"                 So I work at a grocery store and tonight I was ringing up a customer shortly before closing. She was a woman with a thick accent from some former Soviet Union country. She used  WIC checks to pay for part of her order. For those that don't know, WIC checks are like a form of government assistance. Fine, I  completely understand that sometimes people can't make ends meet, especially these days. So after that she hands me her club card which is attached to a her key chain to pay for the rest of her order. I notice that her car key is a Lexus.  When I saw that  I could feel pings of judgement begin to run through my mind. I then tried telling myself that for all I new it was some old beater of a Lexus and I shouldn't judge people. As I was locking up the store I notice her loading her groceries into a large Lexus SUV that couldn't have been more than a couple years old. This woman could afford to buy, insure, and fuel a $50,000 vehicle but can't afford to buy a gallon of fucking milk and eggs. Yeah right. Shit like this is exactly what makes everyone think that anyone that ever needs financial help from the government is just some lazy mooch scamming the system. In my mind this all was made worse by the fact this woman was clearly not born in the US. Again reinforcing another stereotype that immigrants are here just to sponge our tax dollars. There are distinct moments when you feel like you can see exactly what is wrong in this country. I feel I had one of those moments tonight. "

Don't judge people without knowing their circumstances. My mom has a expensive car, but a while ago my parents were about to get divorced and my mom had almost no money for anything so we needed assistance. She still had her nice car, but that was about all. Luckily my parents worked it out, but you don't know anything about the persons life, so keep your judgments.

You have no idea of her situation, or even if that car is owned and paid for by her. 

" I don't know, but I never get upset over things like that. I try to worry about my own life and stay out of others'.  "

YEAH! cause poor people arent allowed to have nice things...

People will always find a way to abuse something...

"                 So I work at a grocery store and tonight I was ringing up a customer shortly before closing. She was a woman with a thick accent from some former Soviet Union country. She used  WIC checks to pay for part of her order. For those that don't know, WIC checks are like a form of government assistance. Fine, I  completely understand that sometimes people can't make ends meet, especially these days. So after that she hands me her club card which is attached to a her key chain to pay for the rest of her order. I notice that her car key is a Lexus.  When I saw that  I could feel pings of judgement begin to run through my mind. I then tried telling myself that for all I new it was some old beater of a Lexus and I shouldn't judge people. As I was locking up the store I notice her loading her groceries into a large Lexus SUV that couldn't have been more than a couple years old. This woman could afford to buy, insure, and fuel a $50,000 vehicle but can't afford to buy a gallon of fucking milk and eggs. Yeah right. Shit like this is exactly what makes everyone think that anyone that ever needs financial help from the government is just some lazy mooch scamming the system. In my mind this all was made worse by the fact this woman was clearly not born in the US. Again reinforcing another stereotype that immigrants are here just to sponge our tax dollars. There are distinct moments when you feel like you can see exactly what is wrong in this country. I feel I had one of those moments tonight. "

" @skrutop:  WATCH IT, im ok with sh** But the f word is a little much, just do fraking or freaking or something like that , or i will have you flagged. "

" @skrutop:  WATCH IT, im ok with sh** But the f word is a little much, just do fraking or freaking or something like that , or i will have you flagged. "

I feel for you man, I too work in a grocery store. Recently WIC has added bread and fucking fruit up to $6 on there WIC order.This old ass lady came in buying Cherries on here WIC, a bag of that stuff costs almost $7, a fantastic way for the company to loose money, thanks WIC.

"In Soviet Russia groceries purchase you!"

Don't use this bro.
 

How about 18 year old maroccan drug dealers driving around in brand new mercedes's etc.
Not to judge or w/e, but often immigrants really abuse a countrys social system as they have no bond with it. As a person born in your own country it just feels wrong to do so ( atleast i'd feel wrong doing so )