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Are you equally concerned where the rest of your tax dollars are going? What foods people purchase with government FS is really at the bottom of my list of concerns regarding what uncle sam spends my hard earned money on.
I'm concerned with plenty. As I said about 3 times, this is not about the specific dollar amount. I've seen welfare abuse, and I have a major problem with it.
Food stamps (actually debit cards now), if they are allowed to continue to exist, should only be allowed for the purchase of unprepared food and not for pre-made food. For example, already cooked chickens that you can buy at the grocery store should not be allowed, but uncooked chicken should be. The same for other prepared food. The reason for this is that those pre-cooked pre-made foods are more expensive and this policy would help the poor learn to prepare their own food and reduce their expenses for when they get off of food stamps (hopefully they will get off of them sometime).
See below:
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Originally Posted by residinghere2007
I agree with this as well. I do feel that some pre-made food choices are okay and are healthy. Rotisserie chicken is one of them. You can get them cheaper than a raw chicken or the same price at stores in my area.
In my area, too. We often do this for dinner when everyone gets home tired.
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Originally Posted by jodipper
They have meals on wheels, churches, and other charities.
Their family also has to step up. It worked for centuries before the age of entitlement
See below!
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Originally Posted by 2mares
yep. And kids went hungry. Families were split up and children farmed out. The elderly and disabled were wandering the streets and put in mental institutions. Let go back to that. Much better than giving a couple hundred dollars a month to feed them. That extra taxa money could go toward corporate bailouts, presidential haircuts, and fuel for airforce 1 for date night.
What she said! People that think everything was just great "back then" don't know what was really going on. FWIW, to receive Meals on Wheels, at least when my mom was getting them, you had to be "homebound", in other words unable to leave the house w/o assistance, and leaving the house only briefly for doctor's appts, and the like. There is also a charge for MOW; it's not free although many RWs think it is. Charities are being stretched thin with the recession.
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Originally Posted by kinkytoes
A very thoughtful and interesting post! Nice.
Personally, I think necessary toiletries and healthy food only. Maxi pads, soap, toothpaste, and whole grains and eggs. You don't have to eat meat to get complete protein. But I'm ok with including chicken, beef and seafood. I also agree they should be able to buy organic food...as long as the total amount is the same.
If they want cigarettes or sugary drinks...too bad. The only drink allowed should be water.
Bread and water; that's what I say. That seems to be what many on this thread want to "allow" people on food stamps to buy.
I'm concerned with plenty. As I said about 3 times, this is not about the specific dollar amount. I've seen welfare abuse, and I have a major problem with it.
I applaud your passion and that you actually care about such issues. I once worked in an assistance program so I have seen abuse as well, but IMO your focus is misdirected. Instead of being so concerned with what FS receipients are eating (there are restrictions) the problem lies with the governments inability or apathy towards regulating their own programs and preventing fraud and abuse.
Seems like you're the one being extreme. No brand names? Where do you draw the line at "expensive"?
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Originally Posted by jodipper
They have meals on wheels, churches, and other charities.
Meals on Wheels serves one meal a day. Churches might have one day a week when they serve one meal a day, or one day a week when they open up a food pantry. "Other charities" is vague, and if you're elderly, ill or disabled, you may not have access to any of those services.
I do hope you're not elderly, ill and alone someday. Karma is a beetch.
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Their family also has to step up.
And if there is no family? Or family members are living hand-to-mouth themselves?
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Originally Posted by 2mares
What about the food our elected officials eat. Your tax dollars essentially pay for that too.
I bet they eat brand name foods!
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Originally Posted by nimchimpsky
It's only been recently that the disabled have been able to live a semi-dignified life. Before disabled people were put away in institutions or hid away in basements.
And it's been proven that the community care model is more efficient, less expensive, and more beneficial to the people receiving services.
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Originally Posted by kinkytoes
But I'm ok with including chicken, beef and seafood. I also agree they should be able to buy organic food...as long as the total amount is the same.
That's mighty generous of you. And you won't complain when someone buys organic food with the EBT card, knowing they could be getting conventional food at sometimes half the price, right?
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Originally Posted by Emeraldmaiden
Mmmm ... Brussels sprouts! But I like them roasted with olive oil and garlic. Guess I'd be out of luck on your plan, eh?
No olive oil for you! Too exotic for the likes of you food stamp users. Just cheap soybean oil. And powdered garlic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2mares
The problem lies with the governments inability or apathy towards regulating their own programs and preventing fraud and abuse.
I applaud your passion and that you actually care about such issues. I once worked in an assistance program so I have seen abuse as well, but IMO your focus is misdirected. Instead of being so concerned with what FS receipients are eating (there are restrictions) the problem lies with the governments inability or apathy towards regulating their own programs and preventing fraud and abuse.
That is my issue. My focus is on cases which indicate obvious fraud. If you're not defrauding the system, I don't give a damn what you eat. But if you're blowing money on brand name soda and chips, you don't need food stamps and you are abusing the system.
But if you're blowing money on brand name soda and chips, you don't need food stamps and you are abusing the system.
Even if the brand name is on sale and the store brand is more expensive?
Ooops ...
See what happens when you make uneducated blanket ASSumptions?
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And you won't complain when someone buys organic food with the EBT card, knowing they could be getting conventional food at sometimes half the price, right?
