Should food stamps be used for sweetened drinks?

Justkeepswimmin

As an aside, only about 12% of the federal spending goes to safety net programs.

And if you're worried about poor people spending that $1 on a bottle of soda, take note that each JASSM missile costs $1.327 million.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JASSM

Just because my health insurance (and copays) are 30% of my monthly budget does that mean that I shouldn't worry about spending $2.00 per protein bar????

You should worry about whatever you like to worry about.

And health insurance being 30% of your monthly budget? I would say that my point of view is that we should be more concerned with bringing health insurance costs down rather than worry that someone uses their food stamps to buy soda.

When I review my monthly budget I look at what is necessary and discretionary and how to spend discretionary money. If I was spending other peoples money (ie from the government) I would only buy what is necessary. I don't "just" look at how to bring one expense down - I look at the whole picture. As a wife I can manage that - why can't our government manage to handle both food stamps AND health insurance costs? And if they can't - perhaps they should not be the ones governing....

Because the government has control of fiat currency and government spending is completely different than household spending.

Is this some excuse for why the government can't competently worry about both of these problems?

For starters I don't see how how food stamps are a problem that need to be handled. So a small portion of the federal budget is spent on making sure poor people don't starve, and a few of them end up living the luxurious life of having access to coca cola. I'm OK with that.

As for health care costs, the main driver of those are our (the general US population) reliance on costly specialists, overuse of unneeded advanced technologies, and costly surgical or medical procedures. And many doctors have incentives to utilize more expensive medical services than needed (unneeded CT/MRI scan, etc) since they try to bill the insurance companies as much as they can, and who pass the costs to the consumer.

Of course government can come in and regulate the system but there are big lobbying groups that unsurprisingly don't want things to change. Including the fact that doctors in the US make MUCH more than most other countries. The American Medical Association is the second largest spending lobby in the US.

Snarky answer: I have awesome health insurance and a huge HSA account. Obviously those whose health insurance costs are a huge percent of their monthly income are lazy and not trying very hard and should get a (better) job. Of course I don't really mean this. I don't believe in the "I got mine, screw you" approach.

Food stamp abuse or any abuse of public money should be addressed at some point - maybe not first - but all leakly holes should be tidied up. As for lobbyists not wanting government to say who should be allowed to have what kind of healthcare covered, that is terrifying and dangerous territory - hmmm should we talk about the recent discoveries in the VA healthcare system? Government run health care does NOT work. Because it doesn't work you end up with people trying to HIDE that fact to save their *kitten*. In your snarky answer: I've already used up our ENTIRE HSA FAMILY account for the damn year. I never get to roll over til the next year because we're always emptying it every damn. Year. I don't think it's the governments job to make this better. In fact every time they try to "fix" it my premiums seem to go up.

Justkeepswimmin

That's like comparing the pro leagues to the HS jr. Varsity. Of course more money is going to go into something that is much larger, but currently we are giving these handouts with nothing in return. We are negatively reinforcing lazy behavior.

I have no idea what you're getting at, and honestly, I'm not sure it matters at this point.

Nope. I think it's bedtime, Mr. Mister.

Don't worry I understand exactly what she's getting at. The building of a welfare state necessitating the benevolent "government" to step in further to "save" the masses from the situation they helped create. Nudge. Push. Shove.

jenilla1

The majority of recipients of food stamps are children, disabled and the elderly. Almost half of the adults on food stamps are members of "the working poor" which means they have jobs - they aren't just sitting on their butts eating govt. subsidized bon-bons. Food stamp expenditures are a drop in the bucket compared to all the ways we spend money in (and out of) this country. It's simply a distraction from the real issues. Scapegoating...Haters gonna hate.

Justkeepswimmin

The majority of recipients of food stamps are children, disabled and the elderly. Almost half of the adults on food stamps are members of "the working poor" which means they have jobs - they aren't just sitting on their butts eating govt. subsidized bon-bons. Food stamp expenditures are a drop in the bucket compared to all the ways we spend money in (and out of) this country. It's simply a distraction from the real issues. Scapegoating...Haters gonna hate.

Wasted money (the soda portion not the FOOD portion) is wasted money even if on a smaller scale than other crazy govt waste like $582 million dollars of wasted Solyndra money etc.

Kalici

There isn't any money to go out to nice places or buy nice things. So let's make sure that you can't even enjoy a glass of coca cola. We wouldn't want the poors getting ideas above their station. Everything should definitely be miserable.

Madame_Goldbricker

The majority of recipients of food stamps are children, disabled and the elderly. Almost half of the adults on food stamps are members of "the working poor" which means they have jobs - they aren't just sitting on their butts eating govt. subsidized bon-bons. Food stamp expenditures are a drop in the bucket compared to all the ways we spend money in (and out of) this country. It's simply a distraction from the real issues. Scapegoating...Haters gonna hate.

Wasted money (the soda portion not the FOOD portion) is wasted money even if on a smaller scale than other crazy govt waste like $582 million dollars of wasted Solyndra money etc.

So what you are saying is children, disabled individuals, and the elderly shouldn't be allowed to drink soda?

TadaGanIarracht

This is going to come off as rude, but most people use SNAP because they bit off more than they can chew. More times than not it's having more kids than they can afford. I'm not saying we should punish the children for their parents's carelessness, but I don't see how handouts are a solution.

RodaRose

We are willing to give handouts to huge corporations but not to the parents of children.

TadaGanIarracht

We are willing to give handouts to huge corporations but not to the parents of children.

Some corporations failure would be the demise of our civilization as we know it.

Justkeepswimmin

The majority of recipients of food stamps are children, disabled and the elderly. Almost half of the adults on food stamps are members of "the working poor" which means they have jobs - they aren't just sitting on their butts eating govt. subsidized bon-bons. Food stamp expenditures are a drop in the bucket compared to all the ways we spend money in (and out of) this country. It's simply a distraction from the real issues. Scapegoating...Haters gonna hate.

Wasted money (the soda portion not the FOOD portion) is wasted money even if on a smaller scale than other crazy govt waste like $582 million dollars of wasted Solyndra money etc.

So what you are saying is children, disabled individuals, and the elderly shouldn't be allowed to drink soda?

No what I am saying is I shouldn't have to pay for subsidizing it.

Justkeepswimmin

We are willing to give handouts to huge corporations but not to the parents of children.

Some corporations failure would be the demise of our civilization as we know it.

Excellent point .

On that note I need sleep -

TadaGanIarracht

Oh Joanne. Mission accomplished.

I had a Human Resources Manager who told me on the sly about the labeled groupings of the most undesirable employees in any organization.

At the top of the list were the 'types' who "start fires and then walk away."

Maybe what we're really doing is writing a research paper for her.

Kalici

We are willing to give handouts to huge corporations but not to the parents of children.

Some corporations failure would be the demise of our civilization as we know it.

A lot of the people who work on the bottom tier of those corporations require benefits to feed themselves and their families because they do not make a living wage.

SezxyStef

wow...American's sure do get vocal about this stuff...such strong opinions...:huh:

At least Food stamps are for grocery stores based on my understanding...here in Canada we don't have them...the people on welfare get cash deposited to their bank account and they spend it how they see fit...

Sometimes it's on food and shelter...other times it's on tats, smokes and booze...

George_Baileys_Ghost

No, I think they should be used to pay those brave souls who endure the stress living among the rest of us, and who take it upon themselves to save us from ourselves by telling us how to live. Say it with me comrades. No individuality! No personal choice! No freedom!

TadaGanIarracht

wow...American's sure do get vocal about this stuff...such strong opinions...:huh:

At least Food stamps are for grocery stores based on my understanding...here in Canada we don't have them...the people on welfare get cash deposited to their bank account and they spend it how they see fit...

Sometimes it's on food and shelter...other times it's on tats, smokes and booze...

We're an opinionated bunch, problem is no one is ever willing to compromise. It's their way or "you're an idiot".

TadaGanIarracht

No, I think they should be used to pay those brave souls who endure the stress living among the rest of us, and who take it upon themselves to save us from ourselves by telling us how to live. Say it with me comrades. No individuality! No personal choice! No freedom!

Uh, what?

Madame_Goldbricker

I'm sorry but frankly I find some of this thread completely awful. I actually work for a homeless charity in the UK. The majority of our service users are; individuals & families fleeing domestic violence, young care leavers, individuals who have lost their homes through separation, family break down, mental health issues, substance misuse, disabilities. The first thing we generally do is set up their benefits to ensure they're able to access the funds available to survive.

The majority of claimants are the most vulnerable in society. I honestly can't see how further stigmatisation through dictating what is classed as 'appropriate' for them to choose to spend that money on is beneficial.

One_Last_Time

My opinion, what business is it of yours what people spend their benefits on as long as they're not breaking laws?

Because money is taken out of my check every week to support them and they are wasting it on soda and junk. If you NEED it, fine. Use it to nourish yourself not to treat yourself.

TadaGanIarracht

I'm sorry but frankly I find some of this thread completely awful. I actually work for a homeless charity in the UK. The majority of our service users are; individuals & families fleeing domestic violence, young care leavers, individuals who have lost their homes through separation, family break down, mental health issues, substance misuse, disabilities. The first thing we generally do is set up their benefits to ensure they're able to access the funds available to survive.

The majority of claimants are the most vulnerable in society. I honestly can't see how further stigmatisation through dictating what is classed as 'appropriate' for them to choose to spend that money on is beneficial.

My only argument is if they don't spend it wisely, they aren't doing what they can to improve their situation, then they don't deserve it. But our qualifications are pretty minimal.

TadaGanIarracht

Am I the only who sees Ariel?

Unknown

This content has been removed.

TadaGanIarracht

it does irk me that i see people pay for a shopping cart full of chips, fatty steaks, instant potatoes, snack boxes, cjocolate, fruit juices, and other assorted unhealthy items. THen they pay with their EBT card and get cash back for cigs and booze.

I get irked because I am paying for them to stay obese and live an unhealthy lifestyle along with their recreational habits (cigs and booze)

It is insulting to those of us that have to earn our own.

What bugs me is when they come in with four kids, and do the same thing you just described.

CharleePear

I come from a country where they don't have food stamps you get a certain amount of money each week and you have to regulate what you spend it on. Personally I prefer that. As a person who hasn't been able to work of 8 years because of serious health issues, I can't think of a more controlling and manipulative thing than to be told what I a can and cannot buy. I would go insane! It's not just keeping the body nourished, it's about keeping yourself sane. To know you have a choice. Do you know what it's like to live without a choice?
You can go on and on about how it's your taxes etc...but at the end of the day your taxes also pay for some really not awesome things too. Have you thought about that?

ETA: What difference is it that people are buying junk for their families with their own money? How dare people judge others cos they are using stamps. Do you know what that cart filled with junk is for? Maybe it is for a party? A once off? You don't know, maybe they do eat like that a lot. It sucks that there are parents that feed their kids that way but the issue is not about the stamps, its about education, ignorance and attitude.

SezxyStef

My opinion, what business is it of yours what people spend their benefits on as long as they're not breaking laws?

Because money is taken out of my check every week to support them and they are wasting it on soda and junk. If you NEED it, fine. Use it to nourish yourself not to treat yourself.

consider the alternative...what is worse...buying a bottle of orange soda for a treat for the kids on a Friday night or spending all your tax money on smokes, booze and tattoos?

I would rather see a bottle of soda in that shopping cart...

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CharleePear

I'm sorry but frankly I find some of this thread completely awful. I actually work for a homeless charity in the UK. The majority of our service users are; individuals & families fleeing domestic violence, young care leavers, individuals who have lost their homes through separation, family break down, mental health issues, substance misuse, disabilities. The first thing we generally do is set up their benefits to ensure they're able to access the funds available to survive.

The majority of claimants are the most vulnerable in society. I honestly can't see how further stigmatisation through dictating what is classed as 'appropriate' for them to choose to spend that money on is beneficial.

Exactly! Like it makes people with less money "lesser" citizens or something. Do people realise how humiliating it is to have to pull a card out (we do have cards when you run out of money).