Duncan, there is one statement that you made which I missed the first time, about how people who do not need school lunches can still sign up for them. I don't believe this is true. First, at least in San Francisco, there are several pages of forms that must be completed in detail to qualify, and this information must be substantiated, and is checked for truthfulness. They are federal forms, I believe, so I would assume that they are fairly standard all over the country. Secondly, getting a free school lunch is a stigma, to the child and its parents. It is very embarrassing to be needy, and not to be able to feed your own children, and people feel deep shame about this for the most part. I believe a few "welfare queens" have given a bad name to millions of the truly poor and hungry.
Anyway, much fraud is committed by white collar criminals, who are in no way needy!! I think if we are going to have this discussion, we should keep it in balance. |
