Free Crabs - A Reminder of What's wrong with our Nation

Maryland blue crabs are extremely expensive and have almost no nutritional value.

Hence, we're taken aback by the advertisement placed in the Maryland Gazette by the steamed crab distributor showing a crab holding an Independence Card in it's claw.

Further research shows that almost all high-end seafood distributors accept welfare cards, not just in Maryland but around the nation.

We wonder how many Marylander's are unaware that each and every day welfare cards can and are legally used to purchase bushels of live crabs?

We wonder how many Marylanders are unaware that in some jurisdictions in Maryland a majority of live crab purchases are made using welfare cards?

We suspect that even many liberal Marylanders would be outraged if they knew what was really going on in this state and across the nation.

Self-proclaimed "advocates for the poor" paint pictures of starving children and mean Republicans whenever it's suggested that we audit and revisit our social welfare system.

Yet there's a never-ending stream of reports detailing how food stamps and cash assistance is being abused; in strip clubs and casinos, for the purchase of lobsters and crabs, tobacco and alcohol.

Our nation is drowning in debt. There's a lot of talk about getting corporations and the wealthy to pay more taxes, and to cut defense spending. We agree with these proposals.

But let's not pretend that there's not room to streamline and reduce other discretionary spending as well.

It's no secret that the Democrat Party has for years provided favors for the dependent poor in exchange for their votes on election day. Yet in this time of financial strife one must wonder if the Democrats haven't crossed the line a bit too frequently when it comes to doling out favors.

In many regards, America's working poor and lower middle-class have a lower standard of living than America's long-term dependent poor. That has got to change if we are to survive and prosper as a nation.





Editor - bethesite.com