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I agree with a WIC-like voucher that would allow the disabled and temporarily down on their luck a way to get real food and just the basics. No able-bodied individual should have them for more than 3-4 months.
The voucher should be limited to a few choices of food items but pay for no soft drinks, no cakes, no candy, cookies, ice cream. Limit them to rice, beans, corn, a few fresh vegetables, some fruit, milk and eggs.
Food stamps shouldn't become a way of life for so many which they obviously have. There is proof that they have become a way of life. When people can live 15, 17, 20 and more years on them, they are no longer about a safety net to provide temporary assistance but a way of life.
When the food stamp allotment for the month is gone, it's gone, whether it was spent on Krispy Kremes or Quaker Whole Oats that you have to cook for a month. The food stamp allotments are based on COL (among other things).
True.
I'll use my mother as an example. She buys enough food with hers and my sisters food stamps to feed a family of 4, and they only have three. That still leaves her several hundred dollars over.
Now my mom eats junk food, and she eats healthy also. But she also eats in good proportions, and at set times during the day.
I myself used food stamps when in college back in 2003.
I know that food stamps, for most families, are way to much for the actual "need". And you know what happens if you don't spend the money? It simply pools up so you have more money next month. So my mom will go and buy my sister extra food, or have a T-Bone party.
In all actuality, the amount of money we spend on food stamps is miniscule at best when compared to other government spending. I think it may add up to .5% of the federal budget, or less.
Its an idealistic way to attack spending that most people don't see any direct effect from. Its just a GOP way of keeping the base happy, and ignoring the real spending that causes budget problems, mainly defense.
I think the OP should run for congress ... would be a shoe in, since Washington DC is filled with people with bad ideas that make no sense, and have zero chance of success.
The reality is that "self sufficiency" through gardening requires skills that the overwhelming majority lack ... requires the land and tools that those who would most need it have no access to (minimum of 1000 sq ft to produce enough vegetables and fruit for a family of 4 ... for an experienced grower who understands all the methods of maximizing production, like rotational planting, seasonal planting, canning and processing).
This is what is so disturbing about the current state of affairs we see today ... back in the great depression, the vast majority lived in rural environments with at least some, if not all of the skills to produce food for themselves ... and for those that could not, they could assist others for a share, be that carpentry work, or providing some other service in exchange.
Today, the vast majority live in urban environments, totally incapable of "self sufficiency" .... and when masses become hungry ... all hell will surely break loose.
Go ahead and eliminate welfare and food stamps in this failing economy at great peril and risk to anyone who has anything of value in their possession.
I think the OP should run for congress ... would be a shoe in, since Washington DC is filled with people with bad ideas that make no sense, and have zero chance of success.
The reality is that "self sufficiency" through gardening requires skills that the overwhelming majority lack ... requires the land and tools that those who would most need it have no access to (minimum of 1000 sq ft to produce enough vegetables and fruit for a family of 4 ... for an experienced grower who understands all the methods of maximizing production, like rotational planting, seasonal planting, canning and processing).
This is what is so disturbing about the current state of affairs we see today ... back in the great depression, the vast majority lived in rural environments with at least some, if not all of the skills to produce food for themselves ... and for those that could not, they could assist others for a share, be that carpentry work, or providing some other service in exchange.
Today, the vast majority live in urban environments, totally incapable of "self sufficiency" .... and when masses become hungry ... all hell will surely break loose.
Go ahead and eliminate welfare and food stamps in this failing economy at great peril and risk to anyone who has anything of value in their possession.
Great idea
For probably the first time on CD, I agree with you!
what an idiotic response. seriously? b/c moving almost across the country is so cheap and easy
let's see, most apartments require first month rent, last month, and a security deposit. That's typically the rent x three. if rent was $800/month, you'd need $2400 right up front. then add in the costs of moving from NY to these states, which could easily cost over $1,000 depending on how much you bring. even if you bring nothing but the clothes on your back, it will cost you nearly as much to furnish the new place.
now add in about 6 months of savings to cover rent and other necessities until you can find a job. based on a rent of $800/month, that's $4,600 just for the rent alone. figure $100/month for food and $200/month on average for utilities (since these are places that experience cold winters), and that's over $6K right there that you need to have up front before a move.
do you REALLY think people who qualify for food stamps have $6-7 grand just lying around in savings? seriously? I did a major move from MA-IL, it was not cheap! and that was back in '07 when I was able to find a job in less than 4 weeks. such a move these days would likely cost me quadruple what I saved up
and of course, you have people like NYChistorygal who has already stated that she lives w/ parents. these people likely don't pay rent or pay a reduced rate. you're suggesting they give up this secure housing and move to a new state? then add in the number of people on food stamps who are employed (they exist). do they quit their job and stop what little income they have to move to Nebraska? what, all so they can go off food stamps, pick up a hoe, and start a garden?
did you even think about the logistics of such a move before speaking?
My turn to get an arse chewing.
I am on SSDI as stated numerous times before and I grew up in Nebraska but moved away 30 yrs ago. Now that I am disabled living in Indianapolis, IN for last 13 yrs was not affordable on SSDI and we moved to Kentucky and still not affordable.
So we moved back to Nebraska. I had some backpay left from SSDI and rented a small truck and sold most everything else to get gas money. It cost us about 500.00 to drive 1000 miles. Packed our lunch and slept in vehicle. Here in Southwest Nebraska housing is 350 to 450/mo for 2/1 house and 225 to 400 for apt. Most will work with you on deposits.
Unemployment is 4.2% and the paper is full of jobs in this town of 8000. They are not all low paying but you could support one person on a fast food job. My wife works in a nursing home, had never worked in one before and got hired in as a cook. She has full bennys which cost her 116/every two weeks plus disability and 401K and now makes 10.00/hr after 2 yrs starting at 8.00/hr.
We live pretty good with no assistance at all and that is cause it is CHEAP to live here. Winters are cold and summer is hot, big deal. We bought a small 2/1 house with owner financing and payments of 500/mo but will be paid off in 5 yrs out of a 7 1/2 yr loan. There are not many people here on welfare but some are on food stamps mostly cause of ill health and elderly.
It is always interesting to me to hear people griping about 'entitlement programs' for the poor and those in need when the government gives oil companies such obscene amounts of money, corporate farmers subsidies,etc. You will hear how these gifts to corporations are necessary for the economy and all of that other drivel. Truth be told, when the masses can be conditioned by these corporations to attack each other like chickens packed too tightly into a coop, and as long as the masses look for ways to attack each other instead of those who really should be attacked, the corporate elite will be smiling and counting their obscenely large stacks of cash.
I always hear about all of those that abuse the system- it is such an urban legend type thing- I have seen those waiting in line at the food pantries, talked with them, heard their situations, almost all of them i have tlaked with are out of work after working for decades and being laid off, many are just like you, only have had bad luck. This whole attitude that those in need are somehow lazy and just need to be forced to take care of themselves is something that is held by those who are small minded and who are lucky enough to still have their jobs, and their tune would change instantly if by some chance they lost their job, then their house, and were forced to apply for help just getting food on the table.
Americans love to think of themselves as so compassionate,donating to the cause of the day when the celebrities on the TV tell them to. They will be generous towards the current disaster victims across the globe, but the attitudes of some towards their fellow citizens in need is very callous and I think is just based in fear-fear that they might be next, or fear or denial that maybe our country isnt the first rate economic juggernaut it used to be- these callous attitudes will only grow and spread among the masses as our economy tanks deeper, and our technology industry slips. This will be due to our lack of commitment to really properly funding education so we can compete with other countries that are willing to do what it takes to ensure future generations will have the education and skills needed to compete worldwide.
So why can't we save our tax money and just have these people get support from families, charities, and churches?
Great idea!
How much are you going to contribute? How many of "these people" will you support while you take the time to mentor them and teach them to become self-reliant?
The problem with you liberals is that you want no limits, no restrictions - just have everything continue to be the free-for-all as far as government handouts.
Jobs are leaving the country (thank Mr. Clinton for that when he signed NAFTA) and impoverished are pouring over the border with their extremely high birth rates.
More and more people live off food stamps, it's already over 20% where I live, more children being born into welfare programs than are not, but what happens when the whole thing comes crashing down?
Then what becomes of all the so-called poor who have become accustomed to having everything their hearts desire when our economy and socialism crash?
It would be a whole lot better to cut back now, get these people having fewer kids, import fewer impoverished from other countries, and get our so-called poor working.
At some point we must cut massive government spending and get even the welfare class to do it's fair share of belt tightening. If not, it's going to be a disaster.
i'd be okay with this concept if food banks or pantries actually had nutritious food, not soda, fruit cups, white bread etc. I went to a city run food bank and this is what i got.
I've been on food stamps to help me out while I go through school. I don't think people understand how hard it can be to get through school on your own and support yourself. I'd rather relieve some stress and use this "assistance" to help me balance school and work. if i had to work more, i would not have time for my studies. and with my tuition increasing 15% each year, i just want to get it done. when i am older and pay more into the tax system i will be more than happy to have my tax dollars go toward something like this as opposed to subsidizing big oil companies. i do agree that they should be more strict on the system, like have people be ineligible because of drug use.
It's too hard to earn $133 a month to feed YOURSELF?
Do any of you know how the food stamp program started? JFK was campaigning in Appalachia and to his amazement, discovered that there are people in America starving. He made a campaign promise on the spot to change that once elected.
Thus, there WAS a time when there wasn't a Food Stamp Program and it didn't make Americans more self sufficient nor more productive. It just made them hungry.
Since most of the recipients of the food program are children, yours is a cruel proposal. Nevertheless, with the same breathe I'm sure you are against cutting billions of subsidies from oil companies.
"Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?" -- Scrooge
And how's all that worked out in good ole Appalachia?
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