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What do you think about Food Stamps?
Posted by globalgirl • 3/29/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: Economy, food, food shortage, food stamps, poverty, troubled economy, unemployment
Drudgereport has a developing story about the increase of food stamp usage in the US.
What do you think about this? Have you ever used food stamps? Would you ever use food stamps? Do you think food stamps are an effective tool to boost the US economy?
What would you do if there was a food shortage?
If you don't live in the US, what similar programs are in place in your country to address such issues?
Links:
www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/business-case.htm
www.urban.org/welfare/hunger.cfm
www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/56FoodStampReceipt.cfm
User Comments
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I experienced food stamps in the former USSR in early 90s. I don't know if it helps boost economy but without them some people would've died of hunger.
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Thanks for sharing. You must have quite a story. I hope you are blogging about it.
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It is not about food stamps. It is about a shrinking middle class. Food stamps are inevitable if you have an extremely divided country along rich and poor lines in the United States.
www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,143633,00.html-
Yes, I agree, and this is troubling as more and more people are using food stamps in the US. We don't need more food stamps distribution - short term solution to fighting the economic troubles we are facing. The US needs more job opportunities and an overhaul of our financial system.
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Since when did it become more economical for Mexico to import it’s chili peppers from China?
www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-11-21-pepper-war_x.htm?csp=34
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I just read an article about this this morning. To me, there is no shame in using them, as some people would imply. However it is does reinforce the dismal outlook of the US economy, while making a very bold statement as to the overall [economic] divide in the country.
I had also just watched a program outlining the decline of particularly minorities ability to live even remotely comfortably. Too many families are falling below the poverty level, and since 2002 the percentage of people stating that certain cost of living expenses such as housing, food, energy and employment [wages] were reasonable has declined seriously.
From numbers as high as 75% in 2002 has declined to numbers hovering around 30% at the end of 2007, when the census was completed.
Those are scary numbers.
Back to food stamps, it states that somewhere around 28 million people are estimated to be using, or approved for food stamps this year, the economy reports are also showing that energy assistance programs have been tapped out almost completely, with a grim future for next year stating that they will not have enough funds to help everyone who needs help.
Combine that with increasing unemployment, a decreasing GDP, and now over 40 million people who lack health insurance - and it's safe to say we have a problem.-
Thanks for those stats Anok. There is no shame in food stamps. It is a means to eat when there is no other option.
If I had it my way, we'd all go back to eating fresh fruit and veggies off the land.
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The original poster did not link to the drudge report:
www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/us/31foodstamps.html?ei=5065&en=0e6e07da47bbb747...-
Thank you for this link.
The Independent also has a story (April 1, 2008) about the use of food stamps called USA 2008: The Great Depression
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/usa-2008-the-great-depression-803...
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I don't think about food stamps.-
Be thankful for your provision.
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I live in America. I'll try to address your question and topic with a few personal observations.
My wife and I have supplemented our food supply by accepting cheese from government give-aways, back in the eighties. We didn't have much money to work with, and that really helped.
One of my daughters is currently using food stamps. She's had trouble finding work, and needs to eat: even if she doesn't have an income. (I'd help her more than I am, but I've been laid off for over 2 years - and between the regional economy, my skill set, and medical issues, this household has been running out of month at the end of our money more often than I like.)
I'm not ashamed of either fact. One of my responsibilities is to see to it that my family is fed. Food stamps and cheese giveaways have been some of the ways in which the culture we live in makes it possible for someone in my position to do that.
And, soon after the layoff, some people who live around here gave my family very-greatly-appreciated help. (Thanks! You know who you are.)-
I also live in the US and the current economic troubles that hit the mortgage industry are now hitting many other sectors of the economy. Food stamps help to provide food to people who would otherwise go without. Indeed, your daughter should not be ashamed. I hope she is able to secure a job soon so she doesn't have to rely upon them to eat. Regarding your situation, I hope your health improves and doors of financial opportunity open for you.
Thanks for sharing.
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the government robs people in so many ways it is not funny. So I say if you qualify accept. It might be the only good the political powers do for you.
I do find it amazing though that foodstamps you can get and usually pretty easy. Medical, nah they want you to eat but not see a dr.-
Yes, I agree HippyChikky, the rich rob the poor again and again.
I'd be interested in knowing what kinds of food are purchased with food stamps. If anyone knows stats, I'd be interested.
Here is an interesting blog about
foodstampchallenge.typepad.com/
From May 15-21, 2007, U.S. Members of Congress will live on a food stamp budget. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average food stamp benefit is approximately $3 a day. Spouses and staff of Members of Congress are invited to join the challenge, as well as advocates and local and state officials. Those participating will record their experiences in this Congressional Food Stamp Challenge blog. -
The reason for the distinction in processing for food stamps and medical assistance is that states have much greater leeway in the administration of medical programs.
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a friend of mine always had government cheese when we were growing up....I loved that stuff.-
It's not at all bad: I can't recommend a steady diet of it, though.
Goat's milk cheese: now there's cheese! And, a topic for another thread, perhaps. -
I never heard of government cheese. I hope it did not taste like Velveeta.
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Oh yeah, a cheese thread. I love goat cheese. Have you ever had goat cheese pizza? Yum.
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I have some single mom friends who would have starved without them. One of these had cancer and couldn't get off the couch after her treatments much less work. She still had to feed her children,and her family lived out of state. -
I think they're essential for some people, and I'm glad we have a program for this. Personally, I think if our government ran a tighter ship, there would be enough money to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves. Too many people who should pay taxes don't, courtesy of the underground economy. Too much fraud occurs, especially with Medicare. South Florida just got tapped for lots of fraud--one clinic alone overbilled or fraudulently billed more than $2,100,000 in claims. That's a drop in the bucket. We've had legislators earmark funding for bridges to nowhere and a legislator store almost $100,000 in marked money in his freezer.
We have government agencies at the federal level like the US Dept. of Education, a relative newcomer that gobbles up incredible amounts of funding that could be better used to educate children. (In my opinion). Some states have dropout ratios that are completely unacceptable; I have the idea if some creative came up with a way to offer health insurance through schools, like colleges do, that might give parents an incentive to try to keep their children in school. The economic underclass often perpetuates the poverty cycle, and education isn't a priority. I could go on and on.
I wish I could say I think the hope of my country exists in our leaders. I don't. I think it exists in our people. Only when we hold government accountable for the money we willingly give by paying taxes and when we hold politicians accountable for their actions rather than becoming enamored of their promises will we see real change. We thought that change would come in November with changes in congress. It didn't.
best, Kay
Had to look for this so racing the clock, but here's a lift from a column I wrote about waste:
"National statistics show that nearly half of Medicaid’s recipients are children and almost a third are elderly or disabled. Florida’s Medicaid program is among the largest in the country, serving more than two million people each month. Recent reports show as much as $2 billion a year may be lost in Florida’s $16 billion Medicaid program to fraud and abuse. Last year, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated 1,013 complaints and returned approximately $70 million in defrauded funds to the state."
Source: Florida Attorney General -
Wow! I wasn't going to comment. Shame thing. I personally hate food stamps. When you can't afford to provide for your family plenty of people make sure that you know you're scum. That's why I avoided this topic I kept seeing it pop up. My fiance works and I stay at home with the kids. I'm not lazy my kids speak English and Spanish and that's not from Dora. We live in public housing and I hate it. We get food stamps and I hate that. If I go to work the rent in which we already pay $407 goes up food stamps go down and then we would have to pay child care for 3 kids. In the end we would be in the same position we are now in. We are applying for Habitat for Humanity when we have a place for our family that is drug free then I will be going back to work especially since rent can't be jacked up and I won't have to worry about roaches or termites. All you guys commenting thank you for not being nasty about it. It really hurts your preception of self to have to get food stamps.-
"When you can't afford to provide for your family plenty of people make sure that you know you're scum."
It's disgusting. As if people LIKE living like that. Dole offices are the most depressing places I've ever been. -
Wow, ShiRley, I appreciate your honesty. Many people are suffering financially right now due to a myriad of reasons. In order to get out of the cycle you are in, is it feasible for you to go back to school so you can "reinvent" yourself? Is your partner willing to do so? Develop your skills now so you can secure a job that will get you out of public housing, off food stamps and, perhaps, even provide child care. More and more companies are providing such child care for its employees.
It sounds like you are in a lot of need right now. I hope all the doors open for you and your family. -
Shirley, a lot of people are in the same boat as you. And you're right, there is a stigma, a shame attached to social programs. Thats not how it should be, not at all.
It's one of those "Can't win fer losin' " scenarios. It's maddening!
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my mates buy booze with 'em. ace.
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Foodstamps are a scam tho. Let's see. The working class produce all wealth in society. Politicians and bureaucrats produce nothing. When some working people are unemployed, other working people are taxed to minimally support said unemployed working people. But the State pockets most of the taxes and makes unemployed feel lousy for so-called "handouts" and make us jump thru hoops, and simultaneously viciously attack tax resistors and dissidents.
Classic. -
One thing I find disturbing is the number of working people receiving food stamps. No, I'm not disturbed by the fact that working people are getting them, but by the fact that they NEED them and can qualify for them under standards that aren't especially forgiving. Something is fundamentally wrong when a person working full time can't--and can't reasonably be expected to--feed his family without government assistance.
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I'm glad I'm not the only who sees that as a problem. Or social issue, or whatever.
It says a lot, though, doesn't it? -
I guess I'm not sure what you mean. If you have a job you should not need assistance buying food? If that is the case, I think there are too many factors to consider to make that kind of a general statement. What kind of job, where are they located (cost of living), how big is the family, what other factors (bills, medical, etc.) could be causing the situation.
Also, from what I have seen of the Food Stamp program (my sisters were both on food stamps while I was growing up), it is full of con-artists, thief's and Government red-tape that I wonder if the money could not be spent in some better way. -
If land was use-based land values wouldn't be so prohibitive and would stop the collection of rent. Take away taxes and market regulations and more people could become self-employed -- scraping wage slavery. Scrap central banking and state "bank charters" and credit would become cheap and abundant -- scraping usury.
So yeah, scrap the State. -
That's exactly what I'm saying, AmmoBob. If you're working full time, you should be receiving adequate wages to feed yoru family. If you're not, something is wrong with the economic balance. It should not be possible to work full time and be unable (on paper, not simply due to poor money management or misprioritizing) to support yourself.
The other factors you mention really aren't relevant since food stamp eligibility is based on the federal poverty level and on specific uniform deductions. Medical bills, for instance, are not taken into consideration unless they are for an elderly or disabled person and exceed a certain amount per month.
Thus, "the situation" of foodstamp eligibility for a person who is employed full-time can be caused by only one thing: earnings at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. -
[oops]
[edit: moved my comment below, where I had intended it. But didn't account for Tiffany being so quick to post. Sorry.] -
Mark, if we blame the poor, we can't be expected to contribute anything...that makes it a very appealing approach for people who would rather keep everything for themselves.
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Well, yeah.
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Its not a matter of contributing. Its a matter of stopping the stealin'. Like I said above, stop all that criminal capitalist activity and there is no poverty in the first place. Having been on the dole before, it isn't much of a laugh. And it encourages a culture of dependency. We need to stop the state privileges that let the wealthy hog everything for themselves, not "re-distribute" a few crumbs back to the people they've disinherited.
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I'm glad we live in a country that can assist its citizen's with food and essentials the way we do, but I think its disgusting that we have such a divide between classes. We have people working for companies who's CEO's run the company into the ground but get a $500 million parting bonus, but then the workers can't even buy food with cash.-
Who makes the wealth? Workers. Who gets the wealth? Parasites.
"I do not consider just a state of society in which there exists a class which does not work, in which exist human beings who, without having acquired any right to leisure by previous work, are excused from taking part in the labour encumbent on the human species." -- John Stuart Mill
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I don't know the details of the program's administration, but as Tiffany points out above, some people work full-time and cannot afford to eat. There are a lot of other people who are poor through no particular fault of their own. If they need help, they need help. Of course, we could try to create conditions where poverty becomes less widespread. Or we could blame the poor.
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"we could try to create conditions where poverty becomes less widespread."
Right. Let's address the points I made above! )
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Cha! Edible stamps!
How innovative.
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