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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 9, 1992                   TAG: 9202100188
SECTION: HORIZON                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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UNQUALIFIED FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE?

I SAW SOMETHING recently that really reaffirmed my faith in the government.

I was standing in line in a local grocery store, and a couple in front of me paid for their food with food stamps. This would not bother me ordinarily, except that they were wearing more gold and jewelry than I have ever seen on any one person.

When time came to pay for non-food-stamp items, the man pulled a roll of money out of his pocket that would have choked a horse! I'm just curious if they are living in public housing also.

I and my wife work three jobs between us and can hardly make ends meet. What do we need to be able to qualify for public assistance? Sure seems like a better life to me! PERRY LACY ROANOKE

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