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EDITOR:
Regarding the letter to the editor dated Nov. 21 on food stamp abuse. Dear Mr. Schumann (Placerville), I am a food stamp recipient, I am sorry I did not respond to your letter sooner, I have been busy on the French Riviera working on my tan and living high on the hog.
I tried to divide all my lobster and fish between my hundreds of hungry friends, but I just don’t have that ability.
Instead, I thought I might give them some vitamin pills to ensure their health, but alas, I cannot buy vitamins with food stamps.
I’ve earned college degrees, worked hard at my jobs and volunteered for my community and after being downsized and losing most of my retirement in the stock market crash; I have finally achieved my dream of receiving food stamps. I am so proud I slap myself upside the head everyday.
If you do have a job opening available which you could offer me, allowing me to get off food stamps, I would be delighted to accept.
I cannot transfer any food stamps to you, they are in my name and I would be removed from the program if I tried. However, if you would like to walk a mile somewhere, I can offer you a pair of my shoes.
My best wishes to you, honestly.
P.S. I would sincerely like to thank the wonderful people at Health & Human Services who have been helping in this trying and difficult time for me.
ELIZABETH LONG
Coloma
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
oh brotherDecember 10, 2012 - 7:44 pm
And you cannot buy alcohol or cigarettes either. Or draw money off the card. Also if you get pregnant while on food stamps and financial assistance you DO NOT GET MONEY FOR THE NEW CHILD. So all the rude remarks need to stop. When lobster is $5 for a tail at Safeway, why can't a recipient buy that without people getting all p.....ed off? I wish some people could walk in other's shoes. I do not receive assistance but had to 30 years ago and I wasn't some lazy, shiftless druggie or drunk. So all of you knock it off and quit judging. Same thing as a bad cop, one bad apple shouldn't cause us to judge the whole lot. Same with everything else in life.
EvelynDecember 10, 2012 - 8:26 pm
Very well said, Elizabeth.
M. SchumannDecember 12, 2012 - 12:31 am
Please forgive me for offending you, I didn’t say all recipients that received food stamps abused the system but there are plenty that do. The system is great for the ones like yourself that needs the subsistence but there are many that don’t need the help that take advantage of it and unashamedly at that. It is hard to take when you stand in a grocery line and watch someone buy goodies that are not on sale that a normal budget couldn’t afford and then reach in their pocket and have a hand full of cash to buy there booze and cigarettes you get a little pisssssssed.
cookie65December 12, 2012 - 6:50 am
Elections have consequences. You would have more of what you need if it didn't cost astronomical amounts of money to the bureaucracies that provided the services you depend on. California spends most of its money on salaries, pensions and healthcare for government workers. Leaving crumbs for those in need. The sad fact is your hope of finding employment won't be realized since the country just re-elected an individual who not only does not know what a job is but actually has the opposite in mind. Nancy Pelosis said his welfare president title is a badge of honor. Elections have consequences.
Mother of now adultsDecember 12, 2012 - 8:01 am
Well said Elizabeth! Twenty some odd years ago I was raising a 2 and 3 year old, working 20 hours a week and taking 17 units at a community college. I was recieving various government assistance including food stamps. Yes, there were times I purchased 'extravagances' such as birthday cakes or extra food, Yes, I could sustain myself on ramen noodles so my kid could have a special cake for her birthday, or a bbq for friends for a special occasion. There are some that abuse the system, but until you walk a mile how can you possibly relate. There is one judge I answer to and He and I are ok. As an afterthought, my kids are healthy, well adjusted adults now and everytime I even see ramen noodles I gag but it was worth it. Have a nice day.
arnold langeDecember 12, 2012 - 9:46 am
the real question is: why is mr shuman focusing on other peoples transactions at the market? if he learned to keep his face out of other folks wallets he might not be so bitter.
RichardDecember 12, 2012 - 9:50 am
"Well done' Elizabeth.....Cookie, “California spends most of its money on salaries, pensions and healthcare for government workers.” You do know Cookie that you can do something about those big salaries, pensions and healthcare cost for government workers right here in El Dorado County and it would take a lot less effort than you put into your postings. If you don’t think its fair that the EID manger, EID attorney, the county CAO, assistant CAO, and Transportation manages are getting almost a million in increases, new salaries and benefits, file a complaint with the Grand Jury, its not that difficult. But, they are your republican buddies giving out all those big salaries and benefits, maybe you should wait until the liberal democrats take over so that your complaint will be consistent with you arguments and comments.
cookie65December 12, 2012 - 12:47 pm
Richard, the 600 billion in debt that California is facing was not caused by repubs. The overwhelming unsustainable public sector healthcare and pensions was not caused by repubs. The ranking of least business friendly state in the nation was not caused by repubs. The most taxed and regulated state in the nation was not caused by repubs. Not to worry though, the repubs do have some responsibility in it. They have been all to happy to enjoy thier free ride and do nothing to stop the left.
Ken SteersDecember 12, 2012 - 2:07 pm
Elizabeth, My company is hiring. Look us up, Freight Solution Providers. Apply on line and mention my name. Try to have a merry Christmas
DB SmithDecember 12, 2012 - 2:30 pm
Ken, I'm dying here man. Please keep us informed on Elizabeth's job search progress. I hope she is serious about wanting to work. On a more serious note...I think it's fantastic that you would and can offer this to someone in need. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
RichardDecember 12, 2012 - 3:04 pm
California Gun Store Refuses To Sell Guns To Anyone Who Voted For Obama...
cookie65December 12, 2012 - 4:20 pm
Richard, they are not the first. Gun stores in other states have done the same. Ever see the sign "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone"? Why should a gun store provide defense to the people who voted for what is coming? They will need to defend themselves against other obama voters. We are one minor food shortage away from total anarchy. My pantry is full and my means of protecting it is dry.
cookie65December 12, 2012 - 4:24 pm
Ken, I would like to be wrong by my instinct is your offer will go vacant. Paying people not to work gets you a lot of people not working. My late father used to tell me the problem with most Americans is they never had any wrinkles in their belly. That was his polite way of saying we have the most obese poor on the in the history of the world.
fatty fatty 2 x 4December 12, 2012 - 4:34 pm
cookie65 - the magnitude of your ignorance about the real cause of much obesity is matched by the shallowness of your analysis.
RichardDecember 12, 2012 - 4:37 pm
There’s going to be many, many disasters in California confusion is going to happen and it’s going to be awful, the earthquakes are shaking, the ring of fire is shaking, there are going to be earthquakes like we’ve never seen before, there’s going to be storms like we’ve never seen before. All these disasters are coming to California thanks to President Obama’s leadership.
DB SmithDecember 12, 2012 - 4:51 pm
richard, sprinkles, moocher or is it dick today? You really need a change up in therapist and or medication.
Sly GirlDecember 13, 2012 - 12:56 am
Thank you, Cookie, for your voice of sound logic, reasoning, and truth. You are always 100% on track with intelligence.
NancyDecember 13, 2012 - 2:48 am
Richard, isn't that what a some liberals said about George Bush and Karina? ;) If this fiscal cliff issue is not resolved soon there will be a whole lot more people on food stamps.
Paddy O'furnitureDecember 13, 2012 - 11:18 am
@ Arnold Lange, Let's make a deal; I'll keep my face out of other folk's wallets, and you tell your liberal politicians to keep their hands out of mine. The reason why this is such an issue for those of us who pay taxes is that we have a vested interest in what's in a benefits recipient's wallet; because it was forcibly taken out of mine first! However, let's try and keep our focus on the real problem creators here; Liberal/socialist politicians (whom Californians keep returning to like an abused spouse). These are the ones we need to set straight. They are the main problem we have...
arnold langeDecember 13, 2012 - 12:07 pm
there are 6 or 7 commenters on this website that are ignored by me. and yes padio pinhead, you are on the list.
DB SmithDecember 13, 2012 - 12:25 pm
Way to go Paddy O, when guys like lange start saying they are going to ignore you then that's a clear indicator they have nothing ~ as usual.
M. SchumannDecember 13, 2012 - 1:44 pm
Why it is that democrats are democrats? Most of the upper intellects had everything handed to them including school, they didn’t have to hold down a job; Mom and Pop took care of the problem. So if you don’t know how to fend for yourself until after you have been raised with everything given to you then it seems that you would be more of a giver; which in most cases you are. Now the ones that you have given to have the same thoughts that you did while growing up. The only problem there Mom and Dads didn’t give to them but there “Uncle Sam “is. Why would they want anything more than that?
James E.December 13, 2012 - 1:57 pm
Mr. Schumann, your comment is illogical. As example, Why is it that Republicans are Republicans? Most of the upper intellects (Mitt Romney and George W.) had everything handed to them including school, they didn't have to hold down a job; Mom and Pop took care of the problem. So, you see, there may be a reason Democrats are Democrats and Republicans are Republicans, but it's not because either had well-do-parents. Please try again.
M. SchumannDecember 13, 2012 - 2:26 pm
Republicans have a habit of being conservative, most that I know haven’t had it all handed to them, many had to work their way through school, but again I am from an old school German family; you didn’t get anything unless you worked for it.
DB SmithDecember 13, 2012 - 2:36 pm
Besides the politics I really do hope that Moon Beam Brown makes it through his bout with prostate cancer. If he doesn't then Gruesome Newsom the former SF Mayor will be in the seat. Newsom is so far off from what this state needs right now. Far off things like... condoning a grant @ UC Berkeley for undocumented students (what about legal students?), in violation of state law he directed SF county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples (what about obeying our state laws?), he implemented SF policy to allow unlicensed/undocumented illegal drivers to avoid automatic impound of their vehicles when stopped by police (what about our rights when we are stopped and we have our license?), he left SF with a $522 million deficit when he got elected to the Lieutenant Governor position (where is some sign of fiscal accountability with that?), he promotes and believes in sanctuary cities for illegals (what about the legal citizens that have to deal with the consequences of that in their neighborhoods?) he strongly vocal against Prop 8 that the California voters approved of. He had a sexual affair with the wife of his former deputy chief of staff and campaign manager. As SF Mayor, he illegally harbored undocumented juvenile criminals that committed heinous crimes. He has a drug and alcohol problem and it has been suggested that he is gay or bi-sexual. He is distantly related to that gal that said: "We have to pass the bill to see what is in it" Do we want someone of this caliber and background to be our Governor? As I said, I wish Jerry well and I don't agree with him. No matter what political affiliation you are please do not consider Newsom for Cal Gov in 2014.
James E.December 13, 2012 - 3:58 pm
Mr. Schumann, I am also from an old school German family. I worked my way through college, and I had nothing handed to me. I worked for everything I have. Yet, I'm a liberal Democrat. Go figure.
EvelynDecember 13, 2012 - 4:03 pm
I'm about half German, which must explain my fence-sitting "Decline to state" status. And . . . while we're being unreasonably nice to one another I say: "A pox on both your parties!" (Happy/Merry Christmas/Holidays)
M. SchumannDecember 13, 2012 - 4:14 pm
Then why is our nation going bankrupt if we all feel that we should work for what we get? when the biggest portion of our deficit is entitlements.
DeeDecember 13, 2012 - 4:27 pm
Mr.Schumann and Longhofer, Heinlein explains it best-"Political tags – such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative and so forth – are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.” ....Republicans tend to want as little government (control) as possible. Democrats want to control everything.
James E.December 13, 2012 - 4:38 pm
Mr. Schumann, I'm not so sure that entitlements are the biggest cause of our deficit. Add up two wars we didn't pay for, plus corporate welfare, and the Bush tax cuts and then get back to me. I know Cookie has stated that our entire $16 trillion debt has been caused by $16 trillion in entitlements, but that doesn't seem logical does it given the wars, corporate welfare, and ten years of tax cuts.
Paddy O'furnitureDecember 13, 2012 - 4:52 pm
Yes, James E. Longhofer, Obama should end HIS wars (he owns Iraq and Afghanistan now since he lied about ending them "immediately after I take office")and stop bombing others (Libya, Pakistan). I wonder when he will start bombing Syria and Iran. Bombs are pricey-even when Socialists drop them.
c. leaDecember 13, 2012 - 5:04 pm
Arnold, you are smart not to feed the ranters. If you don't feed, they won't have anyone to attack for their sustenance. Have you noticed, many are making fun of them with humor. I would wager that most, if not all of these right wing-dings barely got through high school, if at all...seriously. And, do not believe for a minute that any one of them have gay friends. Maybe distant family members! And cookie65 is a MAN???