To the Editor:
    Mr. Lurey recently lambasted an unnamed Congressman for stating that there is “no more shame” for people being on food stamps. I’ll take it one step further. For many, there seems to be a sense of pride in being on food stamps. Most working people that I know are sick and tired of going to the grocery store, clipping coupons, buying store brands and living on a budget only to see others in the store that have no concern about buying name brands or buying items that are not on sale.
    Have you ever seen someone on food stamps use coupons? Add to it that many on food stamps are also walking around the store talking into their fancy Bluetooth headset and using their iPhone, and it’s enough to make one sick. Really? You can afford an iPhone, but I (as a taxpayer) have got to buy your groceries!
    You can afford beer, cigarettes, lottery tickets, X-box games, Redbox movie rentals and spinning wheels on your car, but you want me to buy your groceries! And perhaps I’m imagining this, but did that person just give me a little grin to let me know how much they are enjoying the groceries the taxpayers are buying?
    Many people on food stamps could afford to feed themselves if their priorities were in better order. Take pride in being self-reliant instead of taking pride in gaming the system!
Aubie Knight
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the June 14, 2012 edition