When I have our Debit card, I buy whatever I want, brand names, not generic, don't even check prices too closely. I don't recall ever looking at the total amount on the receipt.
Therein lies the problem with government, and possibly some of many businesses. Just think of all the items, of one kind or another, that were taken from businesses today. Pens, pencils, scratch pads, tools, no one will miss them.
I remember years ago, here in town, a company that made many products for Sears. Ever Friday, Harry Calhoun, from the paint department, would leave work with a wheelbarrow. It would have his dirty coveralls, his shoes, covered with paint, his lunch bucket, coat and other items. An easy way to take it all home to get cleaned and ready for Monday. Guards checked it each week, and never found anything that he was taking out of the plant that was not his.
Harry put in thirty years at the plant. They had a nice retirement dinner for him at the OCF Clubhouse, many of his fellow employees were in attendance, and a number of the management staff. They presented him with a nice Rolex watch, and some other gifts from the paint department and his friends.
After the dinner, many shook his hand and wished him well, a lot of pats on the back, and jokes about his future.
Bobby Colburn, the head of security and one of the plant guards approached Harry, and asked, "Harry, I've know you for over thirty years, and, every Friday, you would take all of your dirty clothes and shoes out in a wheelbarrow, and we have searched and never found anything that you might be stealing. Tell me Harry, please, what was the deal, what were you taking?"
"Wheelbarrows," came the reply.
