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The poor are treated like criminals everywhere, even at the grocery store
Washington Post ^ | 4-1-15 | Jeanine Grant Lister

Posted on 04/02/2015 5:37:09 PM PDT by dynachrome

Anger toward those living below the poverty line seems to only be increasing. Maine and Missouri have proposed bills limiting residents’ food choices if they use SNAP. Missouri House Bill 813 would bar the state’s 930,000 food stamp recipients from using their benefits to buy cookies, chips, soda, energy drinks, steak and seafood. (The legislature also implemented mandatory drug testing for TANF applicants in 2011.) If the bill becomes law, a Missourian can’t buy a can of tuna with an EBT card. Tortilla chips to go with salsa? Nope. Flank steak — tough, stringy and the only cut of beef I can afford — is off-limits, too. Who are these people, and what makes them think that what we eat is their business? And given that the average food stamp allotment in my state in 2013 came out to just $1.41 per person per meal, I wonder if they understand that recipients couldn’t buy lobster if they wanted to.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; US: Maine; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: blackkk; ebt; foodstamps; jeaninegrantlister; maine; missouri; snap; tanf; washingtoncompost; washingtonpost
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To: HiTech RedNeck

“And in what context.

Rednecks are often not rich in money, but they will give you the shirt off their backs.”

Yes, let’s talk context. I know many “rednecks” ( your word). I come from one of the more historically impoverished parts of rural Indiana. Most of them are wonderful people. Some of them are real dirtbags. Many - more than we should care to admit, frankly - would cut your throat in front of your kids over a matter of twenty dollars.

I’ve also had occasion to spend time in the most downtrodden black housing projects in the City of Indianapolis. They welcomed me into their pitiful, 20x20 “home” and fed me from their meager pantry. We’d talk and laugh and pray together. It was the most enriching experience of my life, and washed away any preconcieved notions I had about the supposed “luxury” of urban poverty. Were there dangerous people there? Oh, I’m sure - just like back home, poor people can be desperate people, and desperate people too often become dangerous people. It doesn’t mean we should leave them without human compassion and the dignity of a real meal.


81 posted on 04/02/2015 6:51:33 PM PDT by HoosierDammit ("I wonder how I came to be the know-it-all I am, and how the world ever got used to me." Clint Black)
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To: ctdonath2
Good post.

I agree......

82 posted on 04/02/2015 6:51:34 PM PDT by Osage Orange (I have strong feelings about gun control. If there's a gun around, I want to be controlling it.)
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To: dfwgator

World median income is about $2/day.
If you’re living on more than $2/day, you’re better off than half the people on the planet.


83 posted on 04/02/2015 6:52:03 PM PDT by ctdonath2 (Si vis pacem, para bellum.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

The US single-person poverty line (below which the gov’t will ensure you don’t live below, so long as you comply with bureaucracy) is $11,770.
An annual income of $11,770 puts you within the economic top 15%.


84 posted on 04/02/2015 6:55:24 PM PDT by ctdonath2 (Si vis pacem, para bellum.)
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To: goldstategop

Dictating what people can buy? Are you kidding? They can buy anything they want with their own money. With my money not so much.


85 posted on 04/02/2015 6:56:35 PM PDT by all the best
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To: HoosierDammit

I’ve also been invited into a poor urban home to assist them ... and while I repaired the oddly damaged couch, the kids asked me to also repair the window they had just destroyed for the he11 of it.

I’m all for human compassion and the dignity of real food.
I’m also for recognizing some people wantonly bring their sad state upon themselves, and need live with the consequences thereof - rather than compelling others to perpetually fix & backfill their want.


86 posted on 04/02/2015 7:00:23 PM PDT by ctdonath2 (Si vis pacem, para bellum.)
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To: ctdonath2

Amen to your post.
The problem that I see is that they do not show appreciation. They think they are owed. Someone is working to pay for a strangers food so at least show some appreciation.
This dirtball goes on a rant, which is a turnoff. She could have started with a “thank you” to the taxpayer for the food that she is now receiving, with some bullet points in areas that need improvement.
Instead , she displays the entitlement attitude so prevalent in this segment of society.


87 posted on 04/02/2015 7:01:49 PM PDT by kaila
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To: kaila

On these programs, in what geographical area?

Both discriminators.


88 posted on 04/02/2015 7:02:52 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
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To: Old Yeller

I visit a local meat market that is also a mini grocery and outlet for their smoked/cured jerky products. The jerky averages $16.00/pound. MY normal purchase is simply the raw dog food.

On occasion I pick up a few pieces of jerky to munch on during the commute home.

All too often, I see people ordering nothing but 2 pounds of a variety of jerky and checking out with...an EBT card.

EBT should be just like WIC: If you’re in need, don’t expect to eat better than I or buy junk food....

OH...and IMHO...STOP GIVING CASH TO THE BEGGARS (dolts).


89 posted on 04/02/2015 7:03:48 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus-)
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To: HoosierDammit

So, hiw many weekday hours do these folks contribute to the support of society and the govts? How many should they? They certainly must have some abilities to contribute through govt coersion, just like the rest of us.


90 posted on 04/02/2015 7:05:13 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: HiTech RedNeck

California, and the NW.
Something tells me that you are on the receiving end , too.


91 posted on 04/02/2015 7:05:45 PM PDT by kaila
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To: all the best

Once the govt gives them your money, its not your money. Its theft. Take it up with the govt.


92 posted on 04/02/2015 7:06:42 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: goldstategop

“Sure, there are are a small number of people whose abuse government benefits.”

There is an enormous percentage of recipients abusing government handouts. Every drunk and crackhead in this country is on disability, not to mention the generation after generation of minorities on welfare. Californians needent lecture the taxpayers in flyover country about being compassionate towards the less fortunate. We have the richest “poor” people on the face of the planet


93 posted on 04/02/2015 7:07:12 PM PDT by Figment
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To: kaila

I benefited briefly for a while and now I am more than paying it back in taxes just like I more than paid it in taxes beforehand... and what’s it to you, you have nothing better to do than to slime everyone you can, you have just proved it!


94 posted on 04/02/2015 7:07:15 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
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To: kaila

Something tells me you don’t know how quickly the Lord can yank grace away from your life to teach you a lesson too...


95 posted on 04/02/2015 7:09:02 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
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To: goldstategop

We no longer have extended families like we did in the 19th Century.

We as in who? You? The government is to blame for your family breakdown, be it your blood family or extended


96 posted on 04/02/2015 7:11:41 PM PDT by Figment
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To: HiTech RedNeck

To be non racis shouldnt one shoulder those dark colored corn chips, not doritos?


97 posted on 04/02/2015 7:13:02 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: dynachrome

Eliminate welfare!

Everyone make your own way in this world or quit taking up space on this planet!


98 posted on 04/02/2015 7:13:45 PM PDT by dalereed
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To: HiTech RedNeck
I don't mind people who benefit from it briefly, but at least show some gratitude for the GIFT that you are receiving. Someone had to work long hours without pay so that you, and other welfare recipients receive this gift. Pay that could have gone into their own bank accounts, instead of to a complete stranger who then complains about not being able to purchase flank steak.
99 posted on 04/02/2015 7:14:07 PM PDT by kaila
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To: kaila

Gift? I pay for it in my taxes... and those taxes will be there for YOU should God suddenly say ENOUGH to your pride...

I do despise how Caesar has edged out the church charity of old. Believe me I asked my church. They helped all they could.... A little. Caesar has the biz right now, whether we like it or not. It will take a lot of GRACE to change that picture.


100 posted on 04/02/2015 7:16:00 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
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