Uggg! Is THIS what we are becoming?

While shopping on Mass Ave in downtown Indy recently with my very fashionable neice, she showed me some Ugg brand boots. The boots are nice with a very comfortable lining. She smiled as she said she would love to have a pair but the price of the boots took the smile away fast.

Now being knowledgable about such things, I noticed these boots on the feet of two young girls at the checkout line of Walmart while I was purchasing items for work. They both appeared very fashionable as they had the boots, very nice jackets, scarves, and jewelry. These two girls who were probably in their early 20's were in a deep conversation with each other as they were placing their items on the checkout conveyer belt. It looked as if they were buying for a party as they had two carts full of groceries. Most of the items were party foods (or "junk" foods as is the common expression). The check out clerk was working hard as the items overflowed the conveyer belt. Instead of assisting, the two young ladies were now very busy texting on their phones and continuing their conversation. A little annoyed, the clerk had to announce the total a couple times before the young girls noticed she was done. After taking the time to finish her text, one of the girls dug through her leather purse and found her Hoosier Credit Card (the "food stamp" card). These are the cards they now use to help those who are needy have a convenient and rather private way of paying for their items. The clerk announced she was $15 short so her friend finished her text and then produced her Hoosier Credit Card. They finished their checkout, continued their conversation as they walked toward the exit. I just had a couple things so I was done quickly and I walked toward the same exit. I couldn't help but notice those two pair of Ugg boots as they young ladies got into their Cadillac Escalade that was parked in the handicapped spot. They were contining their conversation as the young lady driving took down the apparent "embarrassing" handicap sign from their rear-view mirror. The girls didn't appear to be handicapped at all. They started their SUV and you could hear the heavy bass blasting from the apparent over-sized speakers. I trudged through the snow to the back of the parking lot where my car was.

Contrast this scenario with the the next stop I had. I had to go to a Big Lots for some items again for work. With the Walmart experience still in mind, I notice the elderly lady in front of me puchasing can foods. She was in a coat that looked rather old and torn. She walked very gingerly as she slowly put her items in front of the clerk. She was immediately ready for checkout and she placed her bank debit card for the clerk to swipe. She purchased her items and left (on foot) across the parking lot.

There is something wrong about these two scenarios. I do not know any of the people in these two circumstances personally...only what I observed. On the surface it appears we need to really re-evaluate how we evaluate government need. When we give food stamps to people in Ugg boots and driving Escalades something is wrong. The new America is apparently a"Get What You Can Get" society. I am missing something here? If you don't know how to "work the system" you are out of luck! UGGGG!