Several weeks ago I attempted to highlight the potential for runaway spending with a nationalized health care program.  I used the analogy of a grocery store and allowing all customers to simply get whatever food they wanted (free of charge). 

To highlight the runaway spending that already exists in our food stamp program, a team of Republican Reporters provided first hand accounts of people using their Illinois Links cards to access free food.   The stories of inappropriate spending were outrageous. 

And the stories keep coming in..........

A reader was recently standing in line, just behind a woman who was dressed in a security guard uniform.  The guard was purchasing the following items: 

    1. One large deli sandwich
    2. One large bag of chips
    3. One large Soda
    4. Prepackaged potato casserole (made in the deli).

The total came to $12.95
It was pretty clear that the woman way buying her lunch.  When it came time to pay, she handed over her Links card (you knew that was coming).  The clerk said, "you owe a balance of $3.50".  The customer said, "How can that be?  I'm using my Links card."

The clerk said, "It appears the casserole is not allowed."  
"Then I need to talk to the manager." responded the Link holder.  

To cut to the chase, the Deli had placed a sticker on the casserole showing it as a heated item.  Links cards will pay for any pre-made item, as long as its not pre-heated.  A replacement sticker allowed the link customer to avoid paying anything.  

Great!  We are now using a state program to fund $13 lunches for recipients.  My wife commented to me that she's never purchased the pre-made deli casseroles because of their high cost.  But, we get to pay our taxes so that others can enjoy that luxury - free of charge. 

President Obama is considering a soda tax to help fund the health care plan.    How ironic.  The government will now tax the soda, to fund the health care needs for the security guard, who will likely develop diabetes by consuming too much soda.......which was paid for by the government.  

Here's an idea........Instead of providing the soda, that will eventually cause the health issues, that we'll later treat, why don't we completely review the Links program to severely restrict the types of unhealthy food these people are accessing?   

The Links program is sitting there.......ready to be reformed.  It wouldn't take a national bill to be passed.  And the change could be implemented overnight.  

"Creating responsible citizens".......if only we had the courage.