I was in line in a Dollar General in Carrabelle, and ahead
of me was a big fella, long hair, sunburned skin and lined before his time. A
rough looking character with big arms and strong hands. He had some food items
and was trying to get his credit card to work. The cashier finally offered to
help him, and the line got longer by 2. She swiped it again, asked him
something, fiddled with something, and the sale when through. As she was
finishing up he turned to me and showed me the card: an EBT card. Food stamps.
He said, paraphrased, “I was an oysterman and always made a living. Then the
bay quit producing oysters and the government stepped in to help. I never
wanted welfare, but I have to feed my family. All I want is honest work.”That
last word was said with a quiet sob, and he had tears in his eyes.
I said something like hang in there friend. We have all been
through bad times one way or another and we understand. Not the right thing to
say probably, but that’s what came out. I wanted to give him a hug but didn’t.
Until Franklin county gets some economic development, and
until and if, a really big if, the oyster industry comes back, this man and
many others are going to be needing all of our help. I willingly pay taxes to
support people like him and his family.
The oystermen and fishermen didn’t cause the problem. Greedy
people in Georgia and Alabama did. Hogged the water the bay needs to stay
alive.
The next time you see or hear someone going off on “welfare”
remember the oysterman. And the millions like him. Pay your share and shut your
mouth and just be glad you have work. Or income or something.
And if you ever got some help from the treacherous and evil
government, thank whoever you thank that they were there for you.
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