This column was inspired by my personal experience in various food establishments where I observed people using their EBT cards (food stamps). Some people will side with my comments and others will condemn me, but that’s life.

First let me say that it is fine to help people through hard economic times, but I firmly believe that charity starts at home. At one point many years ago my wife and I were both unemployed after I retired. My retirement only covered the rent and the electric bill. I will never forget that Whitney Energy in Lincoln filled our oil tank with the promise that we would pay when we could. We didn’t freeze to death that winter and we paid that bill with gratitude.

My personal observation of the welfare system is that it is broken, as are many other large government-run programs because they are susceptible to fraud and abuse. If we are to provide necessities to those who cannot afford them, then those who receive EBT cards should be able to purchase only healthy food items instead of what the government allows them to purchase in stores, especially convenience stores.

It’s not that I want to hurt that type of store but it is absolutely astounding that those with EBT cards can purchase potato chips, Red Bull energy drinks, sodas and other nonessential products. I do realize that doesn’t happen with all those who have EBT cards but I see enough of it that it’s time to control where our tax dollars go. Besides, if someone has so little income that they need an EBT card, how can they afford a newer car or purchase $30 or $40 dollars of lottery scratch tickets a day?

So, to those who wantonly abuse the welfare system, this Twenty-third Psalm, Welfare Recipient’s version is for you:

Society is my shepherd: I shall not work.

It alloweth me to lie down on a feather bed;

It leadeth me beside the still factories.

It destroyeth my ambition.

It leadeth me in the paths of a goldbrick for politics’ sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of inflation and deficit spending,

I will fear no evil,

For the welfare agencies are with me.

Their generosity and their staff they comfort me.

They prepareth the requisitions that filleth my table.

By mortgaging the earnings of my grandchildren

My head is filled with mirth

That my cup runneth over without effort.

Surely, the taxpayers shall care for me

All the days of my life,

And I shall dwell in the house of a parasite forever.

Again, I have no problem with those that truly need assistance to survive. Having said that, what does upset me is when I see someone with multiple tattoos and so many body piercings (they’re expensive, no?) that it appears they fell face-first into a fishing tackle box coming in and buying nothing but junk food and especially Red Bull with an EBT card, then I know America is going to Hell in a hand basket.

Lane Hiltunen, of Windham, hopes that the half of Americans who read newspapers are the half who vote.