Food Stamp Fraud

Food stamp fraud made Instapundit today, via a link to Twitchy. It's old news. Food stamp fraud has been around for as long as there have been food stamps, now EBT cards. What is not news is that the bureaucracy that issues benefits seems powerless to stop food stamp fraud.

When food stamps actually came in a coupon book, they were selling regularly on the street for half price; $50.00 cash would get you $100.00 in stamps. Nowadays they come on the EBT card, and there are ways around that too. Just recently, Milady was at the grocers when she was approached by another shopper, who offered to buy the food in our buggy using her EBT card, then settle up for cash outside the store. Milady refused and reported the woman to the manager. I don't know if the police were actually called, but stopping it is easy. Easy as pie.

Once arrested for fraud, all benefits should end. Immediately. Forever. Due process shouldn't come into it at all. Due process is not required to issue benefits and should not be required to cancel them. Just do it. All benefits. Food stamps, AFDC, housing, everything. Make the loss of benefits immediate and permanent for all members of the household. Oh, and if you move in with Momma, her benefits end too. Your live-in boyfriend is drawing unemployment? That's gone too.

There is simply no reason that the American taxpayer should have to put up with fraud. The culture is such that fraud is seen as normal, smart, and beneficial. That sort of culture has no place in our society.