Congressman Claims Widespread Fraud Because He Saw ‘Physically Fit’ Couple Use Food Stamps

[alp227]

At a town hall in Welch, OK on Thursday, Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) called for the outright elimination of aid programs for low-income Americans, claiming that he has witnessed food stamp fraud firsthand. Mullin said he would like to “do away with a lot of these programs” because they allow people to slack off.

“The food programs are designed to take care of people who can’t work, not won’t work. And we all know those people that won’t work, right?” he asked the audience. “They’re abusing the program, and we’ve got to get them off of it.”

Mullin knows for a fact that food stamps are abused, because he saw them being used by people who did not fit his idea of what poor people are supposed to look like:

So I’m in Crystal City and I’m buying my groceries…and I noticed everybody was giving that card. They had these huge baskets, and I realized it was the first of the month. But then I’m looking over, and there’s a couple beside me. This guy was built like a brick house. I mean he had muscles all over him. He was in a little tank top and pair of shorts and really nice Nike shoes. And she was standing there, and she was all in shape and she looked like she had just come from a fitness program. She was in the spandex, and you know, they were both physically fit. And they go up in front of me and they pay with that card. Fraud. Absolute 100% all it is is fraud…it’s all over the place. And there you go, to the fact that we shouldn’t be supporting those who won’t work. They’re spending their money someplace.

Watch it:

full: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/08/09/2442191/congressman-claims-widespread-fraud-because-he-saw-a-physically-fit-couple-use-food-stamps-to-buy-groceries/

Wow. Is this Markwayne guy stupid or something? He doesn't understand economics with that "they're spending their money someplace" comment, since spending money = more demand = thus more work to be done producing products.

And how is his first name pronounced? "Mark-Wayne" or "Mar-Kwain?" If the latter, then he's lucky his name is Anglicized otherwise his resumes would be more likely to be thrown in the trash.

Speaking of brick houses, here's the song by the Commodores:

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. lol. what an idiot

[Just Saying]

2. Well that proves it!

[olddots]

3. This is why beings from other planets pass us by

[LeftofObama]

4. What exactly should a couple using food stamps look like?

[Incitatus]

10. like this

And they should only get gruel

[SomethingFishy]

5. Well I have seen politicians abuse campaign donations

maybe we should stop letting people donate to campaigns.

I have seen lobbyists abuse the system, maybe we should get rid of them.

I have seen people speeding. Maybe we should get rid of all the cars.

I have seen sports figures take performance enhancing drugs, maybe we should get rid of all sports.

I also believe that anyone who has a job that consists of nothing but shooting off your mouth should make minimum wage.

Unlike the "built like a brick house" guy who probably actually works for a living for 10 bucks an hour.

I think Rep Mullins should.. go fuck himself.

[Arkansas Granny]

13. *this*

[VanillaRhapsody]

6. Holy Throw Out The Baby With The Bathwater Batman!

So even if we accept his premise....he accepts that there are people that cannot work that need to be fed....but because he saw a couple physically fit people use food stamps....we should just get rid of the whole program and starve those that "fit" his definition of needy...

[DirkGently]

7. Can't be fat -- that would mean people getting too much food. Can't be thin -- gym membership?

[Jacoby365]

8. Maybe Mullin should do something productive

Like trying to pass legislation to raise the minimum wage so some of these working poor people can get off food stamps.

[Incitatus]

9. He forgot to mention the beef tenderloin and crab legs.

Seriously though, it's scary that arguments like that make sense to some voters. I suppose some of them could just be full of shit and know it, but they hate the poor getting help and that's the best they can come up with.

[arely staircase]

11. chances are they DO work

Raise the Minimum Wage!

[mythology]

12. How does somebody this stupid

remember to not walk in front of moving traffic or remember to feed himself?

I mean, it's hard to be that dumb. There are plenty of ways to work out that don't cost much money. Doing a pushup costs $0. Running is pretty much as expensive as a pair of shoes (and the resultant knee surgeries, but maybe I'm just bitter since I've never been a runner and I've already had 3 knee surgeries and I'm staring at a 4th).

[jasond54231]

14. Mullin obviously has too much time on his hands

What, physically fit people can't be poor? My older cousin is a really buff, energetic guy, and even he had to use food stamps every now and then due to being laid off from his job on several occasions.

And doesn't this anecdote contradict Mullin's preconceived belief that only people in poor health and shape use food stamps?

[lunasun]

15. Rec just for the 70's flashback!! OK - I never hear anything good outta that place....sad