Food Stamps

[maat55]

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

Compassion is not creating dependency and weakening the human spirit to one that accepts unwarranted charity.

You are free to give all the twinkies out you wish, but you do not have my permission to give them out with my money. I do not agree with your form of charity, I see it as a detriment to human nature and society. Ever wonder why the park rangers demand that you not feed the animals?

Cookie cutter federal government programs have no idea who the truly needy are, charity should be a local issue.

[briandownie]

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

Oh.... You mean the Government of the people for the people???

Last time I looked the Government is run by people. Do you elect people that have no compassion for their constituents?

I'm not saying the system is perfect but I also don't think "we" should turn our backs on people less fortunate than ourselves.


Brian

[nick__45]

Compassion is not creating dependency and weakening the human spirit to one that accepts unwarranted charity.

You are free to give all the twinkies out you wish, but you do not have my permission to give them out with my money. I do not agree with your form of charity, I see it as a detriment to human nature and society. Ever wonder why the park rangers demand that you not feed the animals?

Cookie cutter federal government programs have no idea who the truly needy are, charity should be a local issue.

Tell them maat55. I agree with you. I rather have programs to teach people to work and give them jobs to support themselves instead of creating parasitic under-society that spend it all. We all remember the kids with fresh shoes and clothes even though they live in a trailer. I have a second job, making a few extra dollars on Saturday at a farmer market and I see the decline of human society when state government demand that food stamp people could shop there with their EBT card. And check this out: Their EBT tokens worth twice as much as our hard earned money. For example, if you and I saved 15 dollars and budget it to help the local market, we get 15 dollars worth of vegetable and whatever you need. But the EBT people get 30 dollars for the 15 stamp credit (I refuse to call it dollars as it was earned or backed by hard work) they have. Then they by things already made. The worst part is that they use the large value token to buy small items such as cake and candy and demand cash chain in return. Then they take the real money to buy liquor and smoke or crack. And you see them and realize they know how to work the system. It is a family business for them as they have 3-5 generations practicing this. So while you and I work hard and make our kids work hard to be self sufficient, these people just get grandfathered in these handout programs. In most states, you can't get EBT if you're married. They get first cut in line because they can show hardship by giving their mom's EBT account number, which include profile of them as minor in the program. And they move right in front of people who actually need it.

[snafu]

Fact is we are seeing more and more abuse of the food stamp program and it is more blatant and 'in our face.' I've been working in many of the 'People's Republic of __________ and the 1st thing we notice is that there is no welfare type programs, none, nada! If you don't work, you don't eat unless your family is willing to support you. Chinese save at least 20% of their income for rainy day/retirement, Americans save about 5%.

The data says a huge percentage of homeless are mentally ill, they are not the group seeking benefits. Wouldn't it be better to intervene before the 2nd and 3rd generation apply for benefit? What % of those drawing benefits are those with medical issues that prevent them for working?

Can someone explain why illegals who are not educated and have minimal English language skills find/get/hold jobs and have enough money to send home/out of country to family. They aren't getting any benefits! N. Americans with access to education and a plethora of programs to help them are 2nd & 3rd and more generation of public assistance.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I think that since the "food stamps" program went to debit cards instead of paper coupons representing a food cash value, there is much less abuse of the kind that nick_45 was describing.

Now, food stamps cannot be stolen from the mailbox on delivery day--there is no mail delivery; the card just gets electronically linked to a new alottment of cash at the due time, or cancelled at the due time.

Now, when a a card is reported stolen, the values left on it can be canceled so that no thief may use it.

Now, a dishonest person cannot get double stamps simply by making a report that his/her food stamps were stolen--just cancel the stolen ones and re-issue any amount that the computer says was left on the card for the month.

Now, you cannot buy a pack of gum and get cash back with which to turn around and buy things not meant to be covered. Your change on a small purchase remains on the card.

And yes, a married couple can get the food stamps EBT. Food stamps can be gotten for a family according to income and number of persons, not according to whether anyone is married or not.

Nick_45, what did you mean by this? We all remember the kids with fresh shoes and clothes even though they live in a trailer. Do you mean that some children who live in trailors are well cared for? That some children who live in trailers have more than their visible means of support suggest they should have? I'm not following the import of that statement.

[SnoopyCool]

I just want to share what my friend experienced the other day:

I saw a lady yesterday at BJ's purchse $ 258.63 worth of candy on her wonderful government provided EBT card. She proudly told the door greeter that she was taking this candy to her vending machines at her hair cutting business for resale. She will net approximately $1,000.00 on product us tax payers purchased for her.

Friend then told her "You're welcome, you thief".

So, I'm curious. How would you guys have handled this? I'm not sure what I would have done, but I know I would have been upset. I doubt I would have called her a thief, but Friend is that way.

[maat55]

I just want to share what my friend experienced the other day:



Friend then told her "You're welcome, you thief".

So, I'm curious. How would you guys have handled this? I'm not sure what I would have done, but I know I would have been upset. I doubt I would have called her a thief, but Friend is that way.

I would have likely just walked away and had high blood pressure for a few days. I am seriously considering running for office some day, just so I can vent.

[briandownie]

I would have likely just walked away and had high blood pressure for a few days. I am seriously considering running for office some day, just so I can vent.

Don't run for office just to vent, run to make a change. No program is without it's flaws and it takes people to make change so that any given program can be improved upon (but not necessarily eliminated).

Brian

[maat55]

Don't run for office just to vent, run to make a change. No program is without it's flaws and it takes people to make change so that any given program can be improved upon (but not necessarily eliminated).

Brian

I'm likely too conservative for the general public. But I would stir up the fringe. It is not that I am against programs, it is that I am against the federal government running them.

I think the states and people should solve all the issues not enumerated under the Constitution.

[cjscully]

Sometimes a building can become so decayed that the best way to improve it is to tear it down and build a new one. Our welfare system is like that. It is so broken it can't be fixed. It needs to be leveled.

I'm against all forms of government sponsored welfare. There are people who need help/charity. I don't deny that. I just don't feel it's the government's job. We need less government, not more.

[cicy33]

I just want to share what my friend experienced the other day:



Friend then told her "You're welcome, you thief".

So, I'm curious. How would you guys have handled this? I'm not sure what I would have done, but I know I would have been upset. I doubt I would have called her a thief, but Friend is that way.

It is people like this who give the majority a bad name. I am thinking the "friend" should consider other friends.

Originally Posted by snafu View Post
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

You cannot buy cigs and liquor on food stamps here. they aren't considered food. The other, well, I don't think the government should be able to tell me what I can and cannot eat or drink. I am not a slave. and this is coming from someone who gave up soda over a year ago. That would be like them telling me, you cannot have hamburgers cuz you get food stamps, as we think that is bad for you. There is a limit to what control should be set.

[maat55]

It is people like this who give the majority a bad name. I am thinking the "friend" should consider other friends.

Originally Posted by snafu View Post
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

You cannot buy cigs and liquor on food stamps here. they aren't considered food. The other, well, I don't think the government should be able to tell me what I can and cannot eat or drink. I am not a slave. and this is coming from someone who gave up soda over a year ago. That would be like them telling me, you cannot have hamburgers cuz you get food stamps, as we think that is bad for you. There is a limit to what control should be set.

I was in line behind a recipient and was shocked at what they can and will buy with food stamps. The basket was filled with luxuries.

It's more than just what they are buying, it is that they become ammaculated to government assistance, like the animals on the scenic routes which the park rangers tell you not to feed. The system is doing more harm than good.

Each state should implement its own system, then we would see a good solution evolve.

[SnoopyCool]

It is people like this who give the majority a bad name. I am thinking the "friend" should consider other friends.

My friend wasn't friends with the lady who held the EBT card.

You cannot buy cigs and liquor on food stamps here. they aren't considered food. The other, well, I don't think the government should be able to tell me what I can and cannot eat or drink. I am not a slave.

While I agree with you that there should be a limit to what control is exercised by the gov't, I am of the opinion that if the government is buying your food, then the government should be able to say what you can and cannot buy. There should most definitely be limits as to what can be purchased on the taxpayers dime.

[nick__45]

I think food stamp should be made out of metal trinkets so people around users know they are recipients. They should have the right to swipe the card just like I do with my CC. I earn my right to swiping and they DON'T. Most of the time, smoke and liquors get purchased with EBT cards because the restriction is either weak or the software is poorly written that it doesn't enforce it. Most stores also have a bypass button to let the sale goes through because they know they will get paid when it is EBT as no-one checks it. Everything is automated and easily abuse.

A best system is to let them use a CC that has low interest rate and about 5000 dollars limit. They have to pay it back in order to have money to spend. If they go through $5k and don't pay, that'll be the only $5k they can abuse the system. If such system is enforced, I wouldn't mind a $20k limit as long as their is a pit-bull organization that will collect such debt. Just keep the interest is either very low or at zero and call it a work-to-pay program. While at it, destroy the Quick Cash/Title Loan industry over night.

[cicy33]

I think food stamp should be made out of metal trinkets so people around users know they are recipients. They should have the right to swipe the card just like I do with my CC. I earn my right to swiping and they DON'T. Most of the time, smoke and liquors get purchased with EBT cards because the restriction is either weak or the software is poorly written that it doesn't enforce it. Most stores also have a bypass button to let the sale goes through because they know they will get paid when it is EBT as no-one checks it. Everything is automated and easily abuse.

A best system is to let them use a CC that has low interest rate and about 5000 dollars limit. They have to pay it back in order to have money to spend. If they go through $5k and don't pay, that'll be the only $5k they can abuse the system. If such system is enforced, I wouldn't mind a $20k limit as long as their is a pit-bull organization that will collect such debt. Just keep the interest is either very low or at zero and call it a work-to-pay program. While at it, destroy the Quick Cash/Title Loan industry over night.

I am going to assume you are a rich jerk and never had a problem in your life. exactly why don't they have the right to swipe as you put it? They are not criminals. These are people who are facing real problems. I am going to totally agree that the system is flawed but not everyone abuses the system. As a matter of fact I would say the majority don't. We just notice the ones that do. kinda like we notice when people are really rude or do something that is considered wrong. we don't really notice what the lady that bought a wide variety of items because nothing about it triggered our attention. we do however, notice when she buys a lottery ticket. cuz that is considered wrong. How about the thousands of people who lost their jobs? was that wrong? that was obviously their fault in your eyes. forgive me but I get really tired of everyone generalizing that everyone that gets foodstamps must be abusing the system. I don't get them anymore but I still hate that. I don't generalize that all people that can pay their bills without a care in the world are mean and rude. I just assume there are all types of people. Maybe that is how it should be.