Posted on 06/18/2013 10:00:42 PM PDT by Olog-hai
The mayors of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and 15 other cities are reviving a push against letting food stamps be used to buy soda and other sugary drinks.
In a letter sent to congressional leaders on Tuesday, the mayors say it’s “time to test and evaluate approaches limiting” the use of the subsidies for sugar-laden beverages, in the interest of fighting obesity and related diseases.
“We need to find ways to strengthen the program and promote good nutrition while limiting the use of these resources for items with no nutritional value, like sugary drinks, that are actually harming the health of participants,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose office released the letter, said in a statement. “Why should we continue supporting unhealthy purchases in the false name of nutrition assistance?”
The other cities whose mayors signed the letter are Baltimore; Boston; Louisville, Ky.; Madison, Wis.; Minneapolis; Newark, N.J.; Oakland, Calif.; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Providence, R.I.; Salt Lake City; San Francisco; St. Louis; and Seattle. …
(Excerpt) Read more at bigstory.ap.org ...
Who are da foo stams lobbyists, United Americans For Foo Stams? Who was da King of Foo Stams, remember? Bob Dole. Why, was Kansas a big recipient of foo stams?
I’ll give you a hint: farmers, junk food producers and distributors.
Sorry, but when it is GIVEN to you, economy should be a top concern. When you spend your OWN money you can buy what you want.
I think you’d find that those who find themselves on temporary assistance don’t abuse it like those who have been on the dole for generations.
Good point! When I was a kid there was a time when our family received welfare. We lined up to get powdered eggs, peanut butter, and a few other foods. It got us thru. Why won’t that work today?
A local (RGV, TX) report recently told about Lone Star(food stamps) users having balances of thousands of dollars. One user reportedly had a balance of over $7000, after purchasing groceries. A grocery store cashier provided the story to a local reporter. It was picked up and reported on Fox News.
I don't disagree. But to get that changed you'll have to do something about the food industry lobbyists who block any changes in policy.
I do not agree with those who spout off saying ban all prepared food. Many of these people do not have the skills to cook from scratch (I certainly wouldn't) and nationwide training is not feasible. That would be a multi-billion-dollar program in itself. Also, a fraction of recipients do have genuine medical or disability limitations that make this unrealistic.
Walk into a big city welfare office and propose that to the "clients". If you come out without needing an ambulance you will understand why.
A local (RGV, TX) report recently told about Lone Star(food stamps) users having balances of thousands of dollars.
I stated on a thread last night that my state starts sending letters when the balance is over $1,000 for two months -- the recipient has to come in for an interview and explain why they don't need the money.
Everyone should know how to cook a little. it isn’t that hard. If you can afford to eat out or buy prepared food for every meal that is your choice. My wife prefers to make most of our meals, although we could afford to eat out if we chose.
But if you are getting your food from your fellow citizens, it isn’t unfair to require that you learn to make macaroni and government cheese.
So these welfare recipients we are generous enough to provide for, should be feared? Yet, we should have compassion for them?
We should use that same thought to argue for providing more for our military and veterans. After all, they are combat trained.
Also, I don’t know why I should be concerned with providing cooking classes to those that don’t know how to cook. When they get hungry enough, they’ll learn to cook or perish. Even the most inept should be able to lick peanut butter off a spoon.
Those with disability limitations and the elderly already have an alternative in my area. It’s called Meals On Wheels.
I actually have several thousand dollars worth of dehydrated shelf-stable foods stored away for emergencies but am almost entirely dependent on someone else to prepare them LOL. Guess I will be out working on the generators or something while they are lighting up the stoves. I have at least five or six types of stoves and oven as well, many different fuels including solar, but am almost entirely ignorant on the actual cooking.
it isn’t unfair to require that you learn to make macaroni and government cheese.
I agree it isn't unfair or unreasonable -- it is the practicalities that are the obstacle -- not the least of which is: "Those mean Republicans -- sending us back to beans and rice and the Great Depression while they dine like aristocrats at the wharf."
We have it here also — good program — but I think it’s only one meal a day and not usually on weekends (although sometimes they give a sack lunch ahead of time). I don’t believe younger, disabled people are eligible around here, could be wrong.
I really think that 99 cent tv dinners should not be prohibited on the SNAP program just because they are readymade. That is probably cheaper to the taxpayer than providing all the raw ingredients.
I'm sure you're correct but if any of those 47% on food stamps still would consider voting Republican they surely won't be anymore. I think a middle of the road approach is better here -- some readymade foods but not luxury items or excess snack stuff.
Yes, that is absolutely correct. And those who are on it temporarily will most likely come off it at some point. With pride.
Yes, that is absolutely correct. And those who are on it temporarily will most likely come off it at some point. With pride.
P.S. Sad that those get lumped into the same category by a lot of Freepers.
Steve86, you seem to want to keep padding the nest to keep them there. I prefer to remove padding to get them out of the nest. I want food stamps gone. Skip the money train and go directly to providing basic foods.
You can’t cook so you found your own solution by sharing with friends that can cook. That’s the kind of self help that should be promoted.
That 47% isn’t going to ever vote Republican nor conservative as long as they continue to live in the world provided for them by the government. No matter how much they are given. I think the only way to change that is to make them join the world of the working taxpayer.
Actually, the majority of SNAP recipients already are "working taxpayers". For example, a family of four can have a gross income of something like $36,000 and still qualify for food stamps. And assets aren't counted at all in most states now. In my state there was a case last year of a multi-millionaire (asset-wise) collecting food stamps.
If they were lining up for a box of food instead of getting a taxpayer funded credit card, aka Lone Star card, then most of this abuse would end.
People think it is an exaggeration or stereotype, but it happens all the time that expensive gourmet items are bought with food stamps. Most poor working slobs only dream of it while they count their hard earned pennies.
whatever you say comrade.
They may be working, but do they pay income tax or get it all back plus EITC?
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