I have a standard, flip trac phone ($20) and only use it for things like Doctors appointments, contacting my sons school, and my work to reach me (about 60 minutes a month). We did not opt for the “Obama phone” LifeLine phone.

Believe it or not there are more than a FEW of us out here that are not taking anything we can get and trying for more. If you would stop thinking so narrowly you could get a broader picture of what is really going on.

The fit can get out there and fight with the rest of us.

Does this economic catastrophe make America a once had or a has been?

We eat a lot of ground beef in stews and chili. Chicken is a treat and steak is like gold. Crock pot cooking in the fall and winter is cost effective as you can eat on it for several days. I pack may lunch at work daily with mostly leftovers. Pasta is great and tastes better the second or third day. A bag of rice and dried fruit and nuts go along way.

I drive a used car. I live modestly and within my means. Once and awhile I will splurge and treat my self. I have no children because realistically I can’t afford them and would have to be dependent on others to help give them what they need. One day i hope at least one heir.

I clip coupons and buy occasional bogo items if in the budge. I shop at the costs plus ten percent grocery store. Thrift and bargain centers get almost all of my clothing and shoe business.

Not saying I don’t have money. I do because I live within my means. My parents taught me well.

If you don’t have internet access — how did you view…and how did you reply… to this article??

It takes a computer — and internet access — to do so… Either that, or an “Obama-phone” smart phone provided “free” at someone else’s expense.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not feel I am “entitled” to it, but for years I said I would rather see my tax money go to help those in need that were doing what they could to get by (or were disabled and had no choice). I still get annoyed when I see it going to a “baby-momma” that has 9 kids with 9 fathers who does not work (or has any desire too); feels they are entitled too $$$; and just sit around collecting welfare and child support checks in their free housing to support thier habits and put fuel in thier pimped rides and new buy $200 shoes (get mad if you want, I have SEEN IT).

Don’t just label someone based upon the fact that they need help if you do not know thier situation. Yes, there are people out there that abuse the system, but it is not accross the board. If you could talk the fuel companies into dropping gas down to less than $2.00 a gallon again, or bring food items like milk back to $1.50 a gallon I would probably not even need to apply for help! When prices go up but your pay stays the same; sometimes you need to swallow your pride and ask for help to take care of your family!

And NO, we do not have cable; satellite; a big screen tv; internet; go out to drinking or the clubs; buy lobster and steak; or drive a nicer car(s); or live outside our means. We stretch what we can to get by, and ingorant people that instantly label us as second hand citizens simply for recieving food stamps are just foolish.

Next thing you know you will see people bashing applicants for Toys For Tots!

David for free basic food
(and boiled peanuts, of course)

If you want to eat — and feed your children — you can find a way.

Give up the cell phones, cable/Satellite TV, internet, cigarettes, alcohol, and other non-essential luxuries — and you can eat…