One thing not mentioned in the discussion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program budget is fraud. There is nothing in the popular press about it, but it happens and it may be extensive.
Judicial Watch received documents showing the U.S. Department of Agriculture encourages the Mexican government to help their nationals, even stating: You need not divulge information regarding your immigration status in seeking this benefit for your children.
The Center for Immigration Studies reports that Saleem Rasheed, a former NFL football player, was guilty of false claims for food stamp benefits amounting to $5,551. In May of this year, a Camden County (New Jersey) grocery store manager was charged with stealing more than $1 million in SNAP benefits.
The U.S. House passed a bill to reduce SNAP spending by 5 percent. If fraud could be eliminated, might there be enough savings so benefits would not have to be reduced for legitimate recipients?
I expressed these concerns to Congressman Mike Michaud; his email reply totally ignored my concerns, mentioning that benefits go to “approximately 46 million Americans” — which is my point: Benefits should go to Americans and not to illegal aliens and others who scam the system.
What is particularly vexing is that I contribute to food banks here in Bridgton and know the volunteers who operate them screen recipients and get the absolute most value from every dollar they receive in donations.
I hear a lot of talk about food justice; how about justice for average, law-abiding American taxpayers?
Bob Casimiro, Bridgton
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