Starving on $280/month

[aukxsona]

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[zooracer]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

All of you have an opinion about how much money the poor folks on assistance is getting. I happen to agree. It's too much. I know from experience you can't waltz in and ask for less.

As for my "illegal" cheating, how is it cheating anyone but myself. I am saving money for the tax payers in two ways. I don't ask for entitlements I am guaranteed, but don't need. The food they would have thrown out is used by another family in need. I don't know exactly how "illegal" it really is since they never sold their stamps, they just gave me food they didn't need and were going to toss. I said probably is because the federal government finds a way to make everything illegal. NOT because it is with out a doubt.

THIS is why I HATE asking for help. People that have tons of opinions , but not a single brain cell devoted to thinking the whole problem through first. I have a question, if it were illegal to save seeds, reuse your washing machine, or use cloth diapers...would you think it a crime? Just because something might be illegal doesn't mean that it makes common sense. I know this might not make it through to you well educated (brainwashed) masses, but it is the truth.

So you jump all over a woman that probably is getting to much in food stamps, then you jump all over me for NOT getting those insane amounts of monthly entitlements. THEN you say I am bad for doing illegal things like taking FREE FOOD when my cupboards are bare. Food that would be in a trash can rotting right now instead of feeding my children. Food bought with your tax dollars, so you would rather your tax dollars tossed in the trash or fed to a dog. Why berate the woman for having too much food stamps if your going to complain about people giving away their excess to those less fortunate instead of throwing it to the dogs?

you dont truly believe what you just posted do you?
If you did, you would have stopped posting on here long ago...right?

So, which is it...dsl or dial up?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

they just gave me food they didn't need and were going to toss.

I honestly don't know how the food stamp program works so please educate me. It was my understanding that they don't actually give you food. They give you some type of credit with which to buy food. If that's the case, why would this family have hundreds of dollars of food they didn't need? Why not just buy the amount of food they needed, whether that used up all their credit or not?

[zooracer]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

"Are you on dial up or dsl for your computer?
Do you have picture of you with your family to share?
Do you own your house and land or rent?"

Africa has dial up and DSL
Many Africans also have photos...I do not.
I own a house.
I grew up homeless, with out a phone or photos.

I'm assuming from your response that you have DSL...
How much does this cost you in Arkansas?

[aukxsona]

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[aukxsona]

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[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

So you think I should open my family up to the dangers I posted on here for aid! Ridiculous.

As for extra's it stays on the card for 3 months. Trust me I asked about taking only 300 a month in food stamps, it is not an option. Also, it is not exactly illegal. It is illegal to buy or sell food stamps, the laws says nothing about the food once it is procured with food stamps. Also, the law only covers the buying and selling of, not the donation of.

But you don't see anything wrong with you and your family benefiting from this other family opening themselves up to the dangers you've posted. Don't you think it is kind of hypercritical of you to oppose the system but still draw benefit from it at someone else's expense?

As for the legality, that makes sense. I only said what you were doing was illegal because you said so.

So unused credit expires in 3 months, after which it probably gets put back into the system. So by spending money they don't need, this family is taking money that could be used to help others in need. Doesn't sound proper to me.

[LuxLiving]

zooracer, I don't know whether aukxsona has dial up or DSL. I do know from reading some of her other posts that she is using that computer to try and increase the level of income for her family.

Aukxsona, not everyone here berated the woman for taking the aid. I do believe she could POSSIBLY make better shopping selections for herself and her child. I don't know for sure, as I don't live in her part of the country, nor do we know exactly what she's buying. I do believe the story as written was a touchstone for those who dislike abuse in the system. Not necessarily those who use it or don't.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by LuxLiving

Aukxsona, not everyone here berated the woman for taking the aid.

Absolutely. I think people should get whatever aid they are entitled to and truly need. The point of the thread was why she was having trouble feeding herself and her child on the amount of aid she was receiving when lots of people, including you, Aukxsona, get by on much less.

[LuxLiving]

A way I think you could relate to, Aukxsona, is the food desert she may be living in. I'm thinking about where you live that you might be in one as well. How many grocery store shopping options do you have where you live? Without driving long distances to get to them?


And you may be getting by on less, but if your health is suffering then we'd certainly like to help you as I mentioned before by trying to help you adjust your budget. You may have it cut to the bone and nothing we'd offer could help. But, we're willing to try.

[aukxsona]

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[aukxsona]

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[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

Do I feel bad for benefiting at their expense, no for one reason. I think it is a crime to waste food. They bought too much. It was going in the trash.

If they inadvertently bought more than they needed, sharing it is fine. I agree it shouldn't go to waste. But you said they've given you over $200 worth of food this week. Sorry, but you don't just accidentally buy over $200 worth of excess food. That had to be done with intent.

The mindset that they have to spend every penny they are given is wrong. I don't know how to change it or force people to only spend what they need to spend, but surely there must be some way to encourage that.

[LuxLiving]

And that grocery that is 12 miles away - do you feel that the prices are reasonable? Are there any alternative places to shop that give you another option?

We have only three places left in our small suburban town, a large chain (high prices/good loss leaders), a hometown kind of grocery (low overall prices everyday) and 3)a Super-Center Walmart.

Many places have no transportation system in place and only the corner store that people can walk to. Prices in these types of situations are often much higher than those on the high-end side of town w/the parking lot full of Lexuses & Hummers.

We don't know what kind of buying situation that woman in the article was in.

Aukxsona, I personally don't know how you are doing it and I applaud you for trying so hard to stay off of assistance. And, I do understand about not wanting government to 'invade my space' to come into my home. So, I'm wondering if that is what is exactly what would happen in your state? Or is it just a fear? Not that you are wrong to fear it, but is it one that has some basis in fact?

Did you guys get your car running yet?

[aukxsona]

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[aukxsona]

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[aukxsona]

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[cptacek]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

How am I cheating, I am getting less than i am ENTITLED too? Also would you rather I go use 800 dollars a month in food stamps I don't need? Or let me put it another way, would rather the food they were going to give my family go to their dogs which is where it was going to go?

If a person says they are poor, no matter what they do it is wrong. So you would have me go ask for the benefits, even though I don't need the 800 dollars and I can't ask for less so you can berate me. You will berate me for not asking. You will berate me for saying the TRUTH which is malnutrition set in and that's why I accepted it claiming that is not possible. You would probably berate me for NOT taking the help too if something were to happen to my children.

As for people not being poor, may be you think that but real poverty does exist in America. Poverty like in Hati.

I'm glad you got the food this month...that must be helping a lot. Bless them for sharing. I hope that they will continue to share with you.

[jeffrey]

A friendly reminder to all...disagreement is fine and even encouraged, but the posts should always be civil.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

LOL, no way poverty in the US compares to poverty in 3rd world countries. That's poor. And try living there after war it's even worse.

$280/month is to feed 1 woman and 1 four month old child.

Auksona if you want help ask. What about Angel Food Ministries? Or Share programs? Or what about food banks? Those can help your family without invading your home.