Governor Jan Brewer Tough on Food Stamp Fraud

By: Pamela D. Hart


For years-- literally, I’ve asked why we haven’t clamped down on fraud, waste, abuse and just plain THEFT of our welfare and food stamp programs, until it became quite apparent that the Federal Government didn’t WANT to do anything about it, so I stopped beating my head against a wall. Not asking, however, never stopped my anger or frustration, though.

I have to say that Governor Jan Brewer has impressed me yet again and given me some hope. First with her immigration bill, which proves she is at least trying to help her state of Arizona and its residents, something the Feds should be doing but have neglected for decades, and now with her new program to stop fraud within the food stamp program.

By stepping up to the plate and tackling fraud and abuse in the food stamp program, Governor Brewer is once again in the news and the topic of something controversial. The new fraud prevention unit, which was launched July 1st, was assembled to ensure that people who receive food stamps aren’t using them illegally. The Trafficking Detection Unit (TDU) will investigate people to make sure they aren’t purchasing items other than food or trying to convert their benefits into cash, a common fraudulent practice. Arizona saved 9.5 million dollars between 2008-2009 by denying people who weren’t “eligible” for the benefits. Imagine what our federal budget could “save” if it would implement such a program! Maybe Governor Brewer could give them a few lessons on how to use one’s “back-bone”!

I’m sure once this goes viral, Jan Brewer will be called a racist—again, and it will be said she hates poor people. But this has nothing to do with skin color, ethnicity, sex, religion, or creed and everything to do with CHARACTER. If you are cheating the system you are a dirt bag and should be thrown off, and have to pay back what you STOLE! But I’m sure that won’t happen, unless our politicians grow back bones or at the very least find the ones they left at the door when they checked in.

But for starters I’d be happy if all 50 states hopped on this bandwagon and tackled this problem which is a dis-ease that has infected our system for decades. Maybe once the feds see that the states aren’t afraid to implement something and that the people are willing to back their governors, they will finally step up and do the right thing!

I can dream, can’t I?

Comments

  1. Hmm...I wonder how the dirtbag that owns the liquor store got approved to accept food stamps?

    Were they prosecuted too because there was obviously fraud involved there also.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tao: It's not that the store owner needs approval, it's a glitch in the system. That's part of the problem. The "food stamps" which are more like debit cards now have no security measures. They can virtually purchase anything--even alcohol! That's why we need to clamp down on the fraud/abuse of those receiving them AND put some type of security measures on the friggin' cards.

    And yes, prosecute the store owners once there are security measure in place. I'm all for that.

    ReplyDelete
  3. too bad we have to wait till systems go broke to enact these policies but I do say it's about time.
    I have an idea for illegal immigration also. When it comes time for tax filing there should be a box to check if you are for or against illegal immigration, and if you check the box that you are for it then you get to have an additional 10-15% deducted from your taxes to cover the 113 billion it cost the country to provide services to them.
    Let's make the pro-tax liberals put their money where their mouth is.
    And if that doesn't bring in enough revenue then the following year every registered democrat should just get that automatically deducted.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pam, Excellent post. Thank you for putting it up at RN USA.

    As I have been on vacation I have been out of the loop so to speak. And for a brief period of time I must admit the ignorance of events has been blissful! If only for a brief period of time of my choosing.

    I see TAO remains dutiful to his usual Leviathan government love affair! Should I have anticipated anything less?

    Great to have your reasoned voice back at work on RN USA.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Les...You really are annoying, like a record that is scratched and keeps repeating.

    There is fraud in food stamps, but the prosecution should be directed at both the recipient of food stamps and the beneficiary.

    Only certain retail establishments should be allowed to accept welfare debit cards as payment. Liquor stores don't make that list.

    Its that simple. In case you do not realize it but food stamps and section 8 housing are big business for some companies and the fraud and waste that occurs is just as big a fault of the welfare recipient as it is the beneficiary, which is the company that accepts the payment.

    Now, grow up and attempt to have an educated discussion rather than immaturely throwing out words you just learned...

    ReplyDelete
  6. TAO - You grow up. You are as annoying as a burr under the saddle is to a horse.

    ReplyDelete

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