In the ever-dramatic world of social media and headlines, the latest buzz involves some enthusiasts of the SNAP benefits program threatening to take a free-for-all tour through their local Walmarts if those benefits get trimmed. It’s quite the spectacle, with some citizens publicly declaring their intentions to “shop” as if they were in an after-Christmas sale, except with a mindset that seems to forget about the small detail of paying. Apparently, the mention of reducing SNAP benefits has caused some major alarm, and the solution—to some—seems mysteriously similar to an impromptu shopping spree sans monetary transactions.

The timing of these declarations is as intriguing as the declarations themselves. One might wonder how, in a country experiencing a drop in unemployment rates, some folks find themselves so dependent on government assistance that the mere thought of benefits cutbacks stirs up visions of retail lawlessness. Certainly, looting would require a certain level of energy and determination. It’s hard work, as some might say. So it leaves one to ponder, if there’s enough energy to plan a riot route through the grocery aisles, is it too far-fetched to suggest applying some of that effort toward a good old-fashioned job search?

Now, imagine the scene: a parade of determined individuals, marching through Walmart with all the stealth of an overly enthusiastic marching band—brightly declaring their plans online beforehand perhaps wasn’t the most strategic move. But perhaps the irony was lost somewhere between keyboard courage and the reality of encountering store security. While the internet is abuzz with these grand plans, we’re left to raise our eyebrows and poke holes in the logic that’s as flimsy as a plastic grocery bag with a broken handle.

Here’s the humorous twist: these word warriors argue it is all in the name of survival. A noble cause, one would think, just strangely misguided in approach. With so many public proclamations of lawlessness, it would stand to reason that such vigor might be better aimed at entrepreneurial ventures—or maybe just traditional employment—that doesn’t involve a bail bond. After all, in the great marketplace of ideas, a job application may indeed pay dividends faster than the five-finger discount ever could.

The spectacle, while quite sensational, shines a light on a deeper issue—the curious balance of reliance and self-reliance. It’s a paradox as perplexing as the perceived solution of looting being better than earning. Beneath it all is the classic wishful thinking: that someone, namely the government or certain politicians, should wave a magical card and make resources limitless. Until then, some folks might need to swap out shopping carts for shopping lists and maybe consider applying for the job with that cash register instead of ignoring it.