Think of food stamps as sort of a "funded mandate".

FLAprogressive

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Wed Feb-23-11 05:20 PM
Original message

Think of food stamps as sort of a "funded mandate".

You're using the government's (i.e. the taxpayers) money, not your own, so the government has a right to dictate to you how you spend it.

It's pretty simple to me. You have the freedom to spend your own money on whatever you want.

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Demeter

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Wed Feb-23-11 05:25 PM
Response to Original message

1. Better Yet, Think of Food Samps As Another Bailout of JP Morgan Chase

because that's exactly what it is. Chase provides the cards and tracks the spending of benefits for the government, which "privatized" it.

That's why you don't hear the rallying cry to cut food stamps to the undeserving poor any more...

http://seekingalpha.com/article/247234-jp-morgan-profits-from-food-stamp-processing-business

http://dailybail.com/home/jp-morgans-food-stamp-monopoly-the-more-americans-that-fall.html

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AlabamaLibrul

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Wed Feb-23-11 05:26 PM
Response to Original message

2. I prefer to think of that as denying benefits to the poor, considering there is no cheap good food

Edited on Wed Feb-23-11 05:26 PM by AlabamaLibrul

in the ghetto. I think the more people we can get on the record on this, the better though.

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Newest Reality

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Wed Feb-23-11 05:27 PM
Response to Original message

3. And they do dictate that.

I get to spend it on food and not on what is not food. Also, can't purchase any form of prepared foods from the deli and even energy drinks are not covered.

As an single adult, you might get $200 a month. That's about $6.60 per day or $2.20 per meal if you eat three meals a day.

How much more restrictive does the term "food" have to be? Some-food stamps? You also have to be really piss-poor broke to get the full allotment of EBT.

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Jmaxfie1

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Wed Feb-23-11 05:51 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. I'm all for raising food stamp allotments, but still think they need to cut out junk food.

I think cutting out junk food from food stamps should be linked to an increase in the amount you get.

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Newest Reality

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Wed Feb-23-11 06:31 PM
Response to Reply #5

13. So what's on your list of junk?

I find a lot of processed foods that some people consider "food" are full of junk, from salts to fats to sugars to chemicals.

I know you don't mean you would restrict them to organics, but keep in mind that healthier food, (fresh produce and meats) are among the most expensive items in the store. Believe me, you don't have enough to buy large quantities of snacks and cakes and have to spread it out thin with the best you can get.

Another question: Does that mean that families with kids should not be able to get some snack cakes or cookies or chips to add to the kid's lunch or dessert?

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Jmaxfie1

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Wed Feb-23-11 06:55 PM
Response to Reply #13

16. I'd define junk food very narrowly.

But yes, soda, snack cakes, ice cream, candy, etc. They could still buy any of this, they would just have to use money out of their general welfare check or if they work out of their left over money. Frozen pizzas and meals are highly fatting, but i would not classify them as junk food, because they have some form of nutrition. I know this would cost more so I'm all for raising the food stamp allotment. If they refuse to raise the allotment, then no deal.

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elocs

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Wed Feb-23-11 06:31 PM
Response to Reply #3

12. Here in Wisconsin you can buy energy drinks if the container has a nutritional label,

then it is considered to be food. Here you can also buy lots of packaged sandwiches at convenience stores, but nothing that is cooked. I had a problem this past week with my goddaughter who I am watching over misusing her Quest card to buy energy drinks and sandwiches. Last Friday she got $160 and I took her grocery shopping and she spent $40. Yesterday she had $58 left.

Myself, I am a single adult and I do get $200 a month, and yes, I am piss-poor broke but it lets me eat to my content. Food prices here are not high and I cook mostly from scratch as well as being a good shopper.

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killbotfactory

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Wed Feb-23-11 05:27 PM
Response to Original message

4. Why not just feed them dog chow?

I mean, we could reformulate it to be healthy for humans. We wouldn't want to do anything heartless or cruel to those who need help.

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librechik

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Wed Feb-23-11 05:53 PM
Response to Original message

6. food stamps are a bailout for the food and dairy industry.

When they originally started, a lot of the program involved surplus food and cheese.

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rucky

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Wed Feb-23-11 05:54 PM
Response to Original message

7. This should be its own thread.

:eyes:

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Name removed

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Wed Feb-23-11 05:55 PM
Response to Original message

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

elocs

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Wed Feb-23-11 06:34 PM
Response to Reply #8

14. I have been unemployed for 4 months now and I get food stamps.

No unemployment either.

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JDPriestly

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Wed Feb-23-11 06:06 PM
Response to Original message

9. I assume you are talking about the plan in Iowa to restrict the

use of food stamps for "healthy" food. Two problems with that. 1. People disagree about what is healthy. I think that most breakfast cereals (especially those with sugar) are unhealthy. Others might disagree with me.

2. The dollar value of food stamps can buy a lot of junk food, but doesn't really buy enough healthy food to provide variety in the diet and satisfy hunger. A cheap package of chips with lots of salt may make a person feel more satisfied than a dish of kale salad, for example.

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Commie Pinko Dirtbag

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Wed Feb-23-11 06:07 PM
Response to Original message

10. So, you think the Republican plan in Iowa is a sound one? -nt

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demmiblue

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Wed Feb-23-11 06:17 PM
Response to Original message

11. FLAprogressive, I challenge you!

Go to the nearest big city and drive all of the streets:

-Make note of grocery stores.

-Make note of convenience stores.

-Make note of safety concerns (most of which you may never see).

-Make note of roads that are impassable due to weather/disregard (trust me, it ain't pretty)

-Make note of public transportation in relation to food stores.

*Basically, make note of all the barriers to procuring healthy food.

Please bring your notes back to DU.

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Fire1

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Wed Feb-23-11 06:43 PM
Response to Reply #11

15. Ditto. n/t

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