HI, my name is Beth Collins. I have some things I want to say, some things that I feel strongly about and I think there might be others who feel the same way. I hope to have multiple podcasts on different subjects and I hope that you will join me. Here is my very first podcast and I hope you get something out of it. If nothing else, maybe just the satisfaction of knowing that someone else feels the same way that you do.

I have a lot to say about the way they have changed the Food Stamp system. I do think there was, and still are, quite a few people that should not be on Food Stamps, but trying to weed those people out is causing a hardship for some that need them. I have a friend who is disabled, that works, but is not getting 20 hours a week at work right now because they have cut back her hours. She is only allowed to make so much on her disability anyway, but having her hours cut at work and then having her Food Stamps taken away from her altogether has caused a hardship for her. She could get a second job but the one she has works around her doctors appointments and such. Also, she is in a lot of pain, so a second job would probably be too hard on her. Also, I want to address the policy where you can no longer put sweets and "sugary drinks" as they call them, on your EBT card. I know all the states aren't doing it yet, but they probably will, they have the authority to. I am 64 years old and I think if I want to buy sweets and sugary drinks I ought to be able to. Also, what about all the holidays that children expect to get candy: Christmas, Halloween, Easter? What if their parents can't afford to pay cash for those items? Would you want to tell your children that the Easter Bunny brought them carrots instead of candy in their basket because the government says its bad for them? I love my country and I believe in our system, I just believe it is broken right now and needs to be fixed. These are some of the things I will be addressing, amongst others, in my podcasts.

I hope you enjoy my podcasts and thanks for listening!