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Stamps gasoline Obama. No, yes? that kind of arbitrary sentencing?
The gas would have to be taken away, because people can't seem to play well with others with it. We wouldn't have to worry about food stamps because people can't play well with others (Darfur/and selling the land to corporate farms).
I was thinking more along the lines of commit a crime, then arbitrary sentencing.
Well, I've just applied for food stamps and I have a lot of food allergies, no red meat or pork, wheat, dairy, sugar, glutin, foods with natural fungus like grapes or mushrooms, no citrus...the list goes on and on.
So you will see me in line with "quality products". GET OVER IT.
The nutritionist idea is a good one, very few people today know how to actually shop and prepair meals, budget etc. We were raised on convience and fast food ideas and I was born in 1950. My mother was all into gawd awful swansons TV dinners and going to one of the very first McD's in the USA. She like me, hated to cook, so we were taught bad food choices. When she did cook it was a lot of canned foods - gag.
Why am I now on food stamps, for the last two years I've gotten UI and it's now run out, I'm out of savings, will loose my home soon and I've lived very frugally all my life and worked hard.
I won't even comment on the issues on the rez's that someone made - that's a whole thread in it's self. If you want some hints watch the movie Skins directed by Chris Eyre and staring Graham Green and Eric Schweig.
So yes there are abuses of the system, but for everyone you witness, there are hundreds more who really need the assistance. You wanna see abuse? Take a look at all those who sold sub-prime mortgages, walked away with the big bucks and watch our country tank. So those few who are not shopping the way you think they should is peanuts compaired to some of the big time system abuse.
The perception of those on food stamps is really offensive people, WE are poor, some of us used to not be, some of us never learned how to cook or budget food menu's - it doesn't make us bad people - we are just poor and I hope none of you has to go through it.
I think it is funny that you assume they ever paid into it. I don't have any great statistics to back up the following statements, but I do have some personal experience.
I have been a teacher for years. I have watched 14 year old girls go on welfare once they get pregnant and drop out. Their mothers, who are approximately only 15 years older than their daughters, are also on welfare. So, those girls have never paid into the system.
Truth is, if the only people who ever went on welfare were those that have fallen temporarily on hard times then this discussion wouldn't need to exist. It is those that choose to stay on welfare for their entire lives, because at the end of the day it pays better than minimum wage. Also, young parents can't afford child care on a minimum wage salary.
Like I said, I don't have any great studies or stats to offer. However, in my little microcosm that is a Title One school, I have seen what welfare has done to families. Truth is, I believe it has hurt as many as it has helped. It encourages complacency and laziness. There is nothing about it that attempts to help people become their greatest selves.
So, yeah, I do think there should be limits on what you can buy. And maybe, if you choose to go and get that minimum wage job, instead of losing all your benefits you just lose some. Perhaps you could even get rewarded with soda.
Great point.
Why work when you can get paid the same amount sitting on your butt doing nothing.
All I know is that I recently stood behind 3 people that had 3 shopping carts overloaded with more food than I could ever afford to buy - thick steaks, beer, wine, etc....It's hockey playoff season & they all had the official NHL jerseys that cost a couple hundred bucks each, not to mention all the jewelry.......I watched the woman whip out her Gov't card ( no - it wasn't a credit card ) & no money at all..I only had a couple items,only had 15 bucks to my name & was wearing my old Carhart work shirt & holey jeans, because I just got done WORKING - YEAH, WORKING !!!.......When I got to the front of the store, they were all loading the stuff into a nice new shiny Escalade with giant wheels & tires that probably cost more than my whole beat up 1993 pickup truck with bald tires & no air.....Somethings really wrong with this picture & THIS COUNTRY.....
this happens because relatives and friends of those particular food stamp recipients are selling drugs.
at least in my local area. I used to run the streets and hang out with those guys so I know how they roll.
locally they get reduced rent, reduced utilities, can get a home with all the extras for about 10 bucks a month.
a dope dealer moves in with that person and can pay all that off one sale.
and the rest of the money goes to luxury items.
It's not just YOUR money. I worked for twenty-five years putting money into the system and then through no fault of my own, have been unemployed since last July. I started in on unemployment and food stamps. I recently had to break down and ask for further assistance. For those of us who do not wish to play the system have to do "job search" in order to keep our cash assistance. There is also a second step. I just recently completed over two weeks at One Work Source that assists further in the job search. If at the end of the two weeks a job hasn't been found they make you go and "work" somewhere to equal the assistance. While also giving enough time to actively search for work. So don't knock everyone during this time of hardship. Just because some people are stupid doesn't make you the smartest cookie on the planet.
Thank you.
Absolutely. My wife and I eat very healthy on food stamps. She has a medical condition and I am just one of the many unfortunate that would like to support us once again. We also enjoy our snacks. It's bad enough that stupid people ruin so many things for others, they haven't ruined us being able to snack.
Not true. ^ My wife and I eat plenty healthy. Here in upstate NY there are no stickers on food or drinks in association with EBT. Anything you can eat or drink is EBT eligible. Anything you cannot eat or drink is not. Simple. Some convenient stores that have deli's take EBT. (only cold prepared food) I'm sure people will be happy () to know that I buy ice cream as well as other snacks and desserts with my (our) food stamps. And eat healthy.
What would you have her buy... Hot Pockets... PB and J... Spam... TV dinners... and all the other unhealthy foods. How rude.
So what else is new.
I agree. We use our cash assistance on hygiene products and our diabetic dog. I would much rather be working.
That would have to be highly regulated and limited. Hard to keep greedy people from hoarding and then trying to sell. Food costs should
be much lower than they are though.
[MOD CUT]
I was very uneducated about the welfare system until the recession hit home. I never complained about it the way some do on here. Only the usual rants about those who scam the system. I am however exhausted at those who keep insisting on demonizing those of us who have fallen on hard times through no fault of our own. That's one of the main problems with our society. Uneducated people who act otherwise.
You are a better person than I.
If I get downsized again from this job, I am going into the street business.
This is my third job after being laid off twice. And it sucks to be unemployed for a long time having to get work where you can find it until you get something steady.
Education and trade training helps, but in this economy there are a lot more people competing for positions.
Well, I've just applied for food stamps and I have a lot of food allergies, no red meat or pork, wheat, dairy, sugar, glutin, foods with natural fungus like grapes or mushrooms, no citrus...the list goes on and on.
So you will see me in line with "quality products". GET OVER IT.
The nutritionist idea is a good one, very few people today know how to actually shop and prepair meals, budget etc. We were raised on convience and fast food ideas and I was born in 1950. My mother was all into gawd awful swansons TV dinners and going to one of the very first McD's in the USA. She like me, hated to cook, so we were taught bad food choices. When she did cook it was a lot of canned foods - gag.
Why am I now on food stamps, for the last two years I've gotten UI and it's now run out, I'm out of savings, will loose my home soon and I've lived very frugally all my life and worked hard.
I won't even comment on the issues on the rez's that someone made - that's a whole thread in it's self. If you want some hints watch the movie Skins directed by Chris Eyre and staring Graham Green and Eric Schweig.
So yes there are abuses of the system, but for everyone you witness, there are hundreds more who really need the assistance. You wanna see abuse? Take a look at all those who sold sub-prime mortgages, walked away with the big bucks and watch our country tank. So those few who are not shopping the way you think they should is peanuts compaired to some of the big time system abuse.
The perception of those on food stamps is really offensive people, WE are poor, some of us used to not be, some of us never learned how to cook or budget food menu's - it doesn't make us bad people - we are just poor and I hope none of you has to go through it.
Food Stamp fraud is still rampant. Hang out at any grocery store in a low income area and you'll be approached by people trading their food stamps for cash. The going rate is usuall 1/2 the value (ie $100 in food stamps equals $50 cash).
I don't think you can do that anymore. They no longer get "food stamps". Now, it's a card similar to a debit card with your photo on it and you need a PIN to use it. Each month, your "food stamp" money is added to it.
I don't think you can do that anymore. They no longer get "food stamps". Now, it's a card similar to a debit card with your photo on it and you need a PIN to use it. Each month, your "food stamp" money is added to it.
No photo here in Florida.
My room mate has asked, once or twice, for me to pick up some things on her card. Gallon of milk, couple potatoes, whatever. But I refuse to commit her PIN to long term memory.
Maybe the gov. should require recipients to meet with a nutritionist and economist.
There IS a USDA program that is designed to provide nutrition and food education, as well as household budgeting help, to those on a limited income (food stamp recipients as well as those participating in Section-8, WIC, etc.), however it is not mandatory. You can read about it here: Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) if you care to know more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2mares
And perhaps a behavior specilist to help change the eating habits of children of foodstamp recipients.
While I agree that most children (and parents!) need MUCH more education about nutrition and physical activity, I don't think that children who receive food stamp benefits should somehow be held to a higher standard than other children when it comes to what they are consuming. The two groups have almost identical nutrition habits, so if behavior specialists are needed, they are needed regardless of income (or lack thereof).
I was at the grocery store yesterday and overheard a couple ahead of me bickering about the groceries.
The guy had separated the soda from the rest of the food items. The gal asked why. He said there are some things that you just shouldn't pay for with food stamps, soda is one of them. It's like cheating the government. He then said something completely stupid, racist, and the girlfriend snapped back at him and said she was hardly that person just because she buys soda with her food stamps. If the government says it is acceptable, she's buying it.
Made me think, I'm all for people eating well, but really? Do any of you feel people on food stamps shouldn't buy what they enjoy? Are Twinkies and frozen hot wings the equivalent of taking advantage of the government?
Better stop of outsourcing and begin to create more jobs instead of food stamps.
Last edited by BaronOB; 05-12-2010 at 03:26 PM..
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) to know that I buy ice cream as well as other snacks and desserts with my (our) food stamps. And eat healthy.
