BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES?

Well, the summer is almost over and that means the kids are about to go back to school. But I have to ask: Are VIDEO GAMES and other electronic gadgets considered back-to-school supplies?

The reason I bring this up is because, recently, the state of New York started a new program giving low-income parents on welfare $200 for each school-aged kid they have, in order to buy back-to-school clothing and other supplies.

Well, the money was distributed last Tuesday, and almost immediately, the New York Department of Human Services was flooded with calls from Wal-Mart employees saying they thought welfare fraud was going on. Why?

Because as soon as the money became available, there was a run on VIDEO GAMES, TVs and other high-end appliances at the store.

For what it's worth, state officials say that the rumors of widespread welfare fraud are overblown and they expect the program to continue.