There I go, making trouble yet again with my opinion...

I posted this comment on Facebook last night...

"We stock up on baby food when it's on sale...I got to the checkout at Stater Bros. - Checker looked at me, back at all the jars, points and says "Is this WIC?" I had to hold my tongue and politely say "Nope, I pay for my own baby food" I was offended but yet had to laugh when I got out to the car...doesn't he know, some of us actually pay for our own children??"

Then I got lots of responses back...most of them nailing me for being insensitive or trying to tell me that WIC wasn't welfare....

So I posted this in response:

Before anyone gets too upended over my comment...I am fully aware of what WIC is - I have family members who work for WIC and I am completely aware of how the program works and how it is funded. I just get frustrated because I know of many people who use WIC who are abusing the system (and for every person I am aware of there are hundreds more that I DON'T know). To prove my point....check out Craig's list and Enfamil formula....those little cans that are being sold for about $6 a can - those are from WIC...someone who got them FOR FREE from our tax dollars is selling them for a profit....disgusting.

I've said this before and I'll say it again, WIC, like welfare, is a wonderful program that is in place to help families who fall on hard times and need some help - and to make sure that children get the nutrition they need if their parents are struggling. There was another comment on this post that was apparently deleted by the author that made some comments about not being able to breastfeed and that WIC was there to help with formula.....WIC is there to help breastfeeding moms too, but that's not the entire point. WIC is not there to cover for you just because you've discovered that you either can't breastfeed or just don't want to pay for formula now. Both of my children had to be formula fed, and with the first we had just assumed I would nurse - and when that didn't work out it was quite the blow to our financial plans that we had to buy formula. I know first hand how expensive formula is, and if you've seen our kids, they don't just drink a few ounces at a time!!! But that was our lot, and we adjusted and now plan on that added expense when we have children.

I'm not knocking anyone who's on WIC for the right reasons....so I don't want anyone to think that I'm making light of something like getting help when you need it. We all pay into WIC and welfare, and when we need the help, that's what it is there for. The problem is that more times than not, the people who do get it don't really need it, they are just taking advantage of a loophole in the system that allows them to collect. This kind of stuff is a very touchy subject for me - when my parents got divorced back in the early 90s and my mom was left with nothing but her car and us kids, she applied for welfare and was denied - because the car was worth too much....but it was paid off and my mom couldn't afford to get rid of it. We spent YEARS struggling, not having enough money for food and other necessities. My mom ended up working for Social Services after that and most of the people that pulled up to collect their welfare checks drive nicer cars than we ever did. There is a lot of abuse, and sadly those who really do need the temporary help can't always get it, but so many find loopholes and are able to abuse the system...which leaves the rest of us paying for their free ride.... See More

The reason I made the comment to the checker afterwards was because I am VERY proud to say that my husband and I work hard, and we take care of our own children. We sacrifice many of the luxuries that other people have to put food on the table. I don't get my nails done, or have salon days...we don't drive new cars or have iPhones or expensive cell phones. We don't take vacations or buy expensive clothes...all so we can take care of our kids first....there are too many people using our government resources that just do it because they don't want to sacrifice....they drive expensive cars and have expensive electronics, they wear name brand clothes and lots of other luxuries that we don't have. THOSE are the people who frustrate me the most..

But life isn't fair is it....

WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

This is directly from the WIC website....yes, it is money granted to the Federal Government - but it is not just available to anyone who wants it....you have to meet income guidelines to be a participant, or have a child who has special nutritional needs.

WIC is an amazing program with lots of great nutritional guidance for parents. Sadly a lot of the people who receive WIC just show up and want their check, and even get upset when they have to sit and talk to one of their dieticians about food suggestions. That is PRIME information, don't these people realize that they are getting a one-on-one consultation with a professional, for free!?!?!? I would have LOVED to have had something like that with our first kid to get ideas on how to prepare healthy meals!!!

Oh, and WIC only has a certain number of spots every month for participation...so those abusing the system are taking up the spots for the mother who really DO need the help...There is a limited amount available from Congress every month, so not everyone who is eligible can participate.

I have very strong opinions about certain things, as do most of you. I try not to force my opinion on others, and to encourage free thinking and different points of view - that is what is so wonderful about our Country, that most of us can live together and be friends, but still have varying opinions about everything from religion to politics.

I did not intend to offend anyone...but if after reading my reply you still feel that I am insensitive and/or just wrong, we'll just have to cut our losses and agree to disagree.