Food Stamps

[YISave]

Maat55: I'm with you and against all of these programs. Our government was only supposed to protect us from foreign enemies and to secure our borders. There're not doing either of these very well.

The government needs to stand back and stay out of our lives and allow us to make our own decisions even if they are the wrong ones. Our government wants to take us from cradle to grave. It's all about votes and power. The majority of them don't care about anyone except their fat pockets and their contributors.

[Debt Vigilante]

I actually had it today where the woman in front of me paid for $162 and some change for food on food stamps, and then on her way out she stopped at the service desk and bought what looked to be about $25-$30 in lottery tickets. Funny thing is, she could probably win the lottery but still get away with using food stamps because our government has so little accountability.

UN-FRIGGIN-BELIEVABLE

[bjl584]

I work part time for a retailer that sells food and accepts food stamps. I don't understand why the system is set up such that people aren't able to buy luxury items. All transactions are computer controlled and could be allowed or not allowed with some basic computer programming. An example would be something like, sirloin steaks are allowed, but if someone wanted New York strip, then their foodstamp card wouldn't pick up the tab for that, and the individual would have to pay for this item out of pocket. Basically, the foodstamp card would cover items that qualify for the program and the individual would have to pay for non qualifying items on their own.

[GREENBACK]

This is a great example of why we should be very careful about introducing large federal programs like this. Once the cat is out of the bag it's damn near impossible to put back. They now want to do it(actually are currently doing it) exponentially. Does history teach us anything?

[maat55]

This is a great example of why we should be very careful about introducing large federal programs like this. Once the cat is out of the bag it's damn near impossible to put back. They now want to do it(actually are currently doing it) exponentially. Does history teach us anything?

IMO, food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and education are individual and state issues.

Basic national infrastructure, defense, judicial and maintaining Constitutional liberties are the only need for a federal government.

IMO, federal programs are intruding on liberties and dumbing down personal finance.

[GREENBACK]

IMO, food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and education are individual and state issues.

Basic national infrastructure, defense, judicial and maintaining Constitutional liberties are the only need for a federal government.

IMO, federal programs are intruding on liberties and dumbing down personal finance.

As a Libertarian(for the most part)I couldn't agree more.

[maat55]

As a Libertarian(for the most part)I couldn't agree more.

I actually consider myself mostly Libertarian. But I support Israel and most drug laws.

[ActYourWage]

...But I support Israel...

God Bless you my friend.

[nick__45]

Just because this woman is on FS does that mean her kids cant have ANY snacks? A 30 cent bag of chips wont make or break the ecomony IMO...

Take that 30 cents times by 30 millions each week at the minimum. Then add that to the 95 cents soda they must have or the $1.50 candy bar we can't live without or that $25 per lb of cook lobster that she is entitle to as a human being and you know where we come from. Many of the tax paying, child rearing, cooperative labor slave don't get to get our kids all of that stuffs. And since we in a nuclear family setting, we are not entitle to welfare when we do need the help.

[nick__45]

I actually had it today where the woman in front of me paid for $162 and some change for food on food stamps, and then on her way out she stopped at the service desk and bought what looked to be about $25-$30 in lottery tickets. Funny thing is, she could probably win the lottery but still get away with using food stamps because our government has so little accountability.

UN-FRIGGIN-BELIEVABLE

They do win lottery sometimes, more often than we would think. This is where they get the money to get a fresh ride while living in subsidized housing and take nice vacations too. Even seen welfare people on vacation? They make a mess of everything and feel this is their time to get back at the man.

[cicy33]

I haven't read to many posts by people here that actually do or have accepted food stamps in the past or present. I am one of the past people. I made many dumb mistakes in my life that led to really bad choices that did not allow me to be completely self sufficient. However, I wanted to note a couple of things to some on here.

1. I did not have my willpower, desire to succeed, or anything else killed. I actually went to college, got a degree and was able to get a good job.
2. Yes, sometimes I did not buy the "good for you" food. generally I did but everyone has a moment!
3. Yes, there are some who abuse the system, there are also people who abuse EVERY system or whatever out there. this is just an area that gets picked on.
4. Sirloin steak is bad for my other half so he is recommended new york strip because it is less fatty. however, these I do agree should be the lesser items purchased.
5. People need to stop worrying about what the lady in front of them is buying. you can't do anything about it. obsessing over it will drive you crazy and I will admit that once a year I went what people on here would consider bad. I bought for a birthday party. My child still deserves a bday party even if we are broke. My point on this one is that you don't know all the circumstances behind everything.
6. one area that I find appalling with the food stamp program is that if the recipient uses coupons, they are charged sales tax in cash for the coupon savings. crazy.
7. I do agree the amount they give in some cases is ridiculous. for myself and one child it was 150 per month. not excessive in my opinion. I do know people however, that get like 500 and 600 for families with several children. that is alot to me! I could make that last several months.
8. so bottom line, while I do agree that there should be some limitations on buying nothing but crap it is really hard to do that on a computer. food is listed simply as a food item. it isn't listed by category.

These are just my observations from being one of the people that needed the assistance. I was fortunate and was able to get off and find a job that paid the bills. However, I do understand sometimes why people stay on when making a minimal paycheck will cut off all assistance including medical care for the children. The system needs an overhaul badly. I just think that seeing a person one time doing something, not the same person over and over,(and that is not what I am reading here) is not a valid reading on what they always do. Try to understand how it would feel to actually be in the situation. It is not fun to go into that office and fill out paperwork and talk to a caseworker and provide whatever they want whenever they want. I don't think I will ever be in that situation again but who knows.

[briandownie]

IMO, the federal government should not be in the business of personal needs. If you have ever noticed, charities feed the poor around the world with basic sustinence. It would be rediculous to see a charity give out the things you can buy here on food stamps.

Government assistance should be very basic. Slop for food, community housing with shared baths, and donated clothing. It should be just enough to sustain life, which would encourage the recipient to want and do more for themselves. I would bet the farm that those who truly need help, would get plenty from their own community.

I'm shocked to say the least. Where is your compassion? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt because it may be that you aren't looking at the whole picture.

No disrespect to people on food stamps but I feel I should point out that many people on social assistance need help because of health issues. In many cases they have mental health issues and really can't help themselves. Mental health issues are often hidden disabilities because you can't see them. Just because you can't see the problem doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

I sincerely hope that you never have to walk in their shoes!

I know that some people abuse the system but please don't paint everyone with the same brush.

One last thought. Is it not true that people who are down on their luck still have a right to dignity, self respect and respect from others!?

Brian

[snafu]

The mayor of New York has taken on this issue. Apparently he was involved in the decision to ban using food stamps to buy cigarettes and liquor. He feels this is a health issue; he's lobbying to ban soda and sugary drink purchases on the food stamp program due to the incredible increase in number of type 2 diabetes patients. He talked about the children who are clinically obese as a secondary concern.

[cptacek]

I'm shocked to say the least. Where is your compassion? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt because it may be that you aren't looking at the whole picture.

No disrespect to people on food stamps but I feel I should point out that many people on social assistance need help because of health issues. In many cases they have mental health issues and really can't help themselves. Mental health issues are often hidden disabilities because you can't see them. Just because you can't see the problem doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

I sincerely hope that you never have to walk in their shoes!

I know that some people abuse the system but please don't paint everyone with the same brush.

One last thought. Is it not true that people who are down on their luck still have a right to dignity, self respect and respect from others!?

Brian

Why do you think the federal government should be compassionate? HOW do you think the federal government CAN be compassionate?

[disneysteve]

The mayor of New York has taken on this issue. Apparently he was involved in the decision to ban using food stamps to buy cigarettes and liquor. He feels this is a health issue; he's lobbying to ban soda and sugary drink purchases on the food stamp program

I totally support this. Why should taxpayer money pay for smoking, drinking and eating junk food? Honestly, I'm not sure why anybody would disagree with this.