I get food stamps, and in many instances my family does not buy the expensive meats and other items. Even if we did it is the business of my family, not of the people who stand in the line behind me. I've been given dirty looks by cashiers, and I've gotten good at just looking over their shoulders. I don't expect anyone's pity. I do expect to be treated the same as anyone else shopping at the grocery store.

I don't walk around with a chip on my shoulder picking arguments with passers-by. I say 'hi' and 'hello'. I go about my business. I chit-chat with friends and strangers I come across. I bring this up because I was recently emailed by someone who said people on food stamps are mean-spirited people and she does not associate with any of them.

I can guarantee that the persons who are purchasing steaks with their food stamps are complaining at the end of the month that they don't have money left for food. Are people saying they would literally take the food out of the hands of those who use government aid? Shall we be limited to eating cat food?

I can also guarantee that nobody on food stamps is proud of the fact that they are. It's not a big self esteem booster. Some people can do something about their situations, some like me at least for the time being don't have a choice.

I worked hard and I put money into the 'system' just as well as everyone else. This brings me to my next point that I have brought up in other articles. Is there a 'look' that I am supposed to have because I use food stamps? Anyone...not just the poor have access to second hand shops. One can buy nice clothing for cheap that was originally sold for a high price when it was new. I won't show up at your local grocery store dressed in a potato sack because you're not comfortable with the clothes I wear. I am not proud for needing assistance. It is the most degrading thing that I had to do. It's not something to be proud of, but something in my own personal life situation that was necessary to do.

For example, I found a pair of Tommy Hillfiger Jeans at Goodwill. On the 50% off day I paid $2.50. Now, when I wear them in the store some other day I'm sure I am getting strange looks from people when they see me wear a seemingly nice pair of jeans and I pull out a food stamp card. It DOES NOT mean I went and purchased them brand new. Too many people in society are jumping to conclusions without knowing the facts.

Why should I have to further degrade myself to please people

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