One thing that should not be cut from the Stimulus Plan: Food Stamps Increase

[Modbert]

Tough choices for America's hungry - CNN.com

With the national economy in meltdown, more Americans than ever are relying on the federal aid program to keep from going hungry. In October, more than one in 10 people -- about 31 million -- were using the food stamp program to get by, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More recent numbers are not available, but advocates for the poor say the number of those in need of aid probably has increased since then.

Advocates for the poor, as well as those on federal assistance, hope President Obama's economic stimulus plan will increase food stamp payments. The average family on food stamps would receive $79 more per month if the stimulus bill passes in the U.S. Senate this week, according to The New York Times.

I hope we can all agree on that.

It's a disgrace we call ourselves the "richest nation on earth" while 31 million of our citizens or every 1/10 cannot even afford to feed their family or themselves anymore.

 

[Annie]

Tough choices for America's hungry - CNN.com

With the national economy in meltdown, more Americans than ever are relying on the federal aid program to keep from going hungry. In October, more than one in 10 people -- about 31 million -- were using the food stamp program to get by, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More recent numbers are not available, but advocates for the poor say the number of those in need of aid probably has increased since then.

Advocates for the poor, as well as those on federal assistance, hope President Obama's economic stimulus plan will increase food stamp payments. The average family on food stamps would receive $79 more per month if the stimulus bill passes in the U.S. Senate this week, according to The New York Times.

I hope we can all agree on that.

It's a disgrace we call ourselves the "richest nation on earth" while 31 million of our citizens or every 1/10 cannot even afford to feed their family or themselves anymore.

I do agree with that. I think there should be 'strings' beyond alcohol and cigarettes, for instance needs to be nutrition rich food, not junk. Also should allow use for paper products, at least toilet paper and paper towels.

 

[Againsheila]

Tough choices for America's hungry - CNN.com

With the national economy in meltdown, more Americans than ever are relying on the federal aid program to keep from going hungry. In October, more than one in 10 people -- about 31 million -- were using the food stamp program to get by, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More recent numbers are not available, but advocates for the poor say the number of those in need of aid probably has increased since then.

Advocates for the poor, as well as those on federal assistance, hope President Obama's economic stimulus plan will increase food stamp payments. The average family on food stamps would receive $79 more per month if the stimulus bill passes in the U.S. Senate this week, according to The New York Times.

I hope we can all agree on that.
It's a disgrace we call ourselves the "richest nation on earth" while 31 million of our citizens or every 1/10 cannot even afford to feed their family or themselves anymore.

I agree. Our politicians have give themselves more than a $4,000 income in salary and have the nerve to call it a cost of living increase and comparing it to social securities, col.

When my father in law got his, it was taken away from him in food stamps.

We have working people who are collecting food stamps, Worse, we have working people who need them and can't get them. Even some of our military are collecting food stamps. That's shameful. What we need is to raise that pay so that they don't need to collect food stamps.

Working people should not have to collect food stamps to feed their families.

 

[WillowTree]

agreed, so someone tell me once again why it is we are funding abortions overseas?

 

[Modbert]

I do agree with that. I think there should be 'strings' beyond alcohol and cigarettes, for instance needs to be nutrition rich food, not junk. Also should allow use for paper products, at least toilet paper and paper towels.

That's one of the things Obama is trying to do. Since one of the biggest problems is how obviously nutrition rich food costs more then junk food. To be honest, with the amount these people have to live on a day; it's enough for one burger king meal.

 

[Truthmatters]

Food Stamps are the Best return on your stimulis dollar.

They return like 1.76 in stimulis for every 1 spent.

Unemployement extensions also return at a great rate.


Tax Cuts produce next to NOTHING in return.

 

[Luissa]

Food Stamps are the Best return on your stimulis dollar.

They return like 1.76 in stimulis for every 1 spent.

Unemployement extensions also return at a great rate.


Tax Cuts produce next to NOTHING in return.

I heard the same thing about food stamps. If you think about it, it makes sense.

 

[auditor0007]

Tough choices for America's hungry - CNN.com

With the national economy in meltdown, more Americans than ever are relying on the federal aid program to keep from going hungry. In October, more than one in 10 people -- about 31 million -- were using the food stamp program to get by, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More recent numbers are not available, but advocates for the poor say the number of those in need of aid probably has increased since then.

Advocates for the poor, as well as those on federal assistance, hope President Obama's economic stimulus plan will increase food stamp payments. The average family on food stamps would receive $79 more per month if the stimulus bill passes in the U.S. Senate this week, according to The New York Times.

I hope we can all agree on that.

It's a disgrace we call ourselves the "richest nation on earth" while 31 million of our citizens or every 1/10 cannot even afford to feed their family or themselves anymore.

Overall I agree with this. However, it still bothers me when I see someone using food stamps who is driving a brand new Cadillac. We all know what I'm talking about. No, not everyone on food stamps drives a nice brand new car, but you know what I'm talking about.

 

[alan1]

Tough choices for America's hungry - CNN.com

With the national economy in meltdown, more Americans than ever are relying on the federal aid program to keep from going hungry. In October, more than one in 10 people -- about 31 million -- were using the food stamp program to get by, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More recent numbers are not available, but advocates for the poor say the number of those in need of aid probably has increased since then.

Advocates for the poor, as well as those on federal assistance, hope President Obama's economic stimulus plan will increase food stamp payments. The average family on food stamps would receive $79 more per month if the stimulus bill passes in the U.S. Senate this week, according to The New York Times.

I hope we can all agree on that.

It's a disgrace we call ourselves the "richest nation on earth" while 31 million of our citizens or every 1/10 cannot even afford to feed their family or themselves anymore.

Overall I agree with this. However, it still bothers me when I see someone using food stamps who is driving a brand new Cadillac. We all know what I'm talking about. No, not everyone on food stamps drives a nice brand new car, but you know what I'm talking about.

Lets not forget about the lady at the grocery store using her EBT card as she yaks on her cell phone about how expensive her cable bill is.

 

[toomuchtime_]

Food Stamps are the Best return on your stimulis dollar.

They return like 1.76 in stimulis for every 1 spent.

Unemployement extensions also return at a great rate.


Tax Cuts produce next to NOTHING in return.

So a dollar of food stamp money spent on groceries produces a large stimulus but a dollar of tax cut money spent on groceries produces no stimulus effect? A dollar unemployment money likewise produces a large stimulus effect but a dollar of tax cut money spent on the same thing produces no stimulus effect?

That's an amazing discovery.

 

[Modbert]

So a dollar of food stamp money spent on groceries produces a large stimulus but a dollar of tax cut money spent on groceries produces no stimulus effect? A dollar unemployment money likewise produces a large stimulus effect but a dollar of tax cut money spent on the same thing produces no stimulus effect?

That's an amazing discovery.

Just a question, many of these people don't pay taxes because they don't even make enough to qualify or pay little taxes. How is a tax cut going to help them? Let's be honest, tax cuts only generally help the rich, plain and simple.

Trickle down economics don't work; Reagan, Bush 41, and Bush 43 all proved it. It should be called Piss on Economics, because it does exactly that. Piss on the middle and lower class.

 

[Dis]

I do agree with that. I think there should be 'strings' beyond alcohol and cigarettes, for instance needs to be nutrition rich food, not junk. Also should allow use for paper products, at least toilet paper and paper towels.

That's one of the things Obama is trying to do. Since one of the biggest problems is how obviously nutrition rich food costs more then junk food. To be honest, with the amount these people have to live on a day; it's enough for one burger king meal.

Not true at all.. For example:

Boxed oatmeal in cutsey flavorrs runs about $3-$4 a box, but a large container of Quaker Oats runs less than $2.00. The box makes 8 small individual servings - the large container far more than that; at least double for about half the cost.

A frozen chicken dinner can run up to $6.00 for a single serving, yet you can buy a whole chicken for $3.00 if you're willing to cut it up.

A package of pre-formed hamburger patties again runs about $8 for 8 of them; you can buy ground beed in bulk for about $2 a pound and make them yourself.

It depends on what you buy, and how lazy you are.

However, all forms of junk food (anything taxable) should NOT be covered by food stamps. You'd be surprised at how far those food stamps will go when you're not allowed to buy frozen pizza, a bag of chips, and a 12pk of Pepsi...

 

[Modbert]

Not true at all.. For example:

Boxed oatmeal in cutsey flavorrs runs about $3-$4 a box, but a large container of Quaker Oats runs less than $2.00. The box makes 8 small individual servings - the large container far more than that; at least double for about half the cost.

A frozen chicken dinner can run up to $6.00 for a single serving, yet you can buy a whole chicken for $3.00 if you're willing to cut it up.

A package of pre-formed hamburger patties again runs about $8 for 8 of them; you can buy ground beed in bulk for about $2 a pound and make them yourself.

It depends on what you buy, and how lazy you are.

However, all forms of junk food (anything taxable) should NOT be covered by food stamps. You'd be surprised at how far those food stamps will go when you're not allowed to buy frozen pizza, a bag of chips, and a 12pk of Pepsi...

Oh yes, all those single mothers who work two jobs to barely support themselves and their children have all the time in the world to cut a whole chicken and make hamburger patties.

Come on Dis, think about it.

That's another problem that Obama is trying to address. Sure, buying food like you say is a great idea; if you have the time. However, many of these poor people don't even have time to sleep a couple hours a night; never mind take the time to make such meals.

 

[Annie]

So a dollar of food stamp money spent on groceries produces a large stimulus but a dollar of tax cut money spent on groceries produces no stimulus effect? A dollar unemployment money likewise produces a large stimulus effect but a dollar of tax cut money spent on the same thing produces no stimulus effect?

That's an amazing discovery.

Just a question, many of these people don't pay taxes because they don't even make enough to qualify or pay little taxes. How is a tax cut going to help them? Let's be honest, tax cuts only generally help the rich, plain and simple.

Trickle down economics don't work; Reagan, Bush 41, and Bush 43 all proved it. It should be called Piss on Economics, because it does exactly that. Piss on the middle and lower class.

Robert, I agree with the presumption that in these extraordinary times, food stamps should be available for those with little or no incomes, to supplement unemployment-(should be means tested, there's lots of rich, laid off people right now). However, seems you really would like to implement socialism instead of capitalism, that I don't agree with.

Speaking of BAD ideas:

Kausfiles : Hello? GOPs? Your favorite wedge issue is coming back.

Well yeah, it failed and really screwed up lives for generations, this time though, we'll get it right.

Hello? GOPs? Your favorite wedge issue is coming back.
Shouldn't Republicans be making more of a fuss about the provision in the stimulus bill--both House and Senate versions, apparently--that spends $2-3 billion to the states for "temporary welfare payments"? I initially thought Charles Hurt of the N.Y. Post was being alarmist when he suggested the provision would "drastically undo two decades of welfare reforms." The essence of the 1996 reform was ending the individual legal entitlement to AFDC (cash aid to single mothers, basically) and replacing it with state-run programs that, in theory, require recipients to enter the work force. The stimulus bill doesn't rip up that basic deal, as I understand it. But it is part of a larger liberal campaign** to use the recession to weaken work requirements and let millions of non-working single mothers back on the welfare rolls. Specifically, it would apparently reward states that expand their welfare caseloads--even if the increase is only the product of loosened work requirements rather than a worsening local economy....

It's things like this that make me think it really is the 'use a crisis to get our plans done.' Paraphrasing Emanuel's, "Let no crisis go to waste."

 

[xsited1]

Tough choices for America's hungry - CNN.com

With the national economy in meltdown, more Americans than ever are relying on the federal aid program to keep from going hungry. In October, more than one in 10 people -- about 31 million -- were using the food stamp program to get by, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More recent numbers are not available, but advocates for the poor say the number of those in need of aid probably has increased since then.

Advocates for the poor, as well as those on federal assistance, hope President Obama's economic stimulus plan will increase food stamp payments. The average family on food stamps would receive $79 more per month if the stimulus bill passes in the U.S. Senate this week, according to The New York Times.

I hope we can all agree on that.

It's a disgrace we call ourselves the "richest nation on earth" while 31 million of our citizens or every 1/10 cannot even afford to feed their family or themselves anymore.

Agree on what? Increasing the amount an average family living on food stamps would receive? Why should it increase?

 

[Modbert]

Robert, I agree with the presumption that in these extraordinary times, food stamps should be available for those with little or no incomes, to supplement unemployment-(should be means tested, there's lots of rich, laid off people right now). However, seems you really would like to implement socialism instead of capitalism, that I don't agree with.

It's things like this that make me think it really is the 'use a crisis to get our plans done.' Paraphrasing Emanuel's, "Let no crisis go to waste."

I don't want to see socialism implemented; however socialism is already implemented into American society to a degree. That is exactly what taxes are for; to help provide programs for the poor and needy along with improving things like schools and roads.

Among several other things. I'm not saying socialism is the solution here, however these temporary welfare rises and food stamps will stimulate the economy; especially the local ones. More money to those who can't afford food means more food will be bought which is good for all businesses involved. It's a win-win solution. The poor can be better fed, the businesses get money, and that creates jobs.

 

[xsited1]

So a dollar of food stamp money spent on groceries produces a large stimulus but a dollar of tax cut money spent on groceries produces no stimulus effect? A dollar unemployment money likewise produces a large stimulus effect but a dollar of tax cut money spent on the same thing produces no stimulus effect?

That's an amazing discovery.

Just a question, many of these people don't pay taxes because they don't even make enough to qualify or pay little taxes. How is a tax cut going to help them? Let's be honest, tax cuts only generally help the rich, plain and simple.

Trickle down economics don't work; Reagan, Bush 41, and Bush 43 all proved it. It should be called Piss on Economics, because it does exactly that. Piss on the middle and lower class.

You are trying to derail your own thread. The data says otherwise. Now let's get back to the 'food stamp as a stimulus' debate.

 

[Dis]

Not true at all.. For example:

Boxed oatmeal in cutsey flavorrs runs about $3-$4 a box, but a large container of Quaker Oats runs less than $2.00. The box makes 8 small individual servings - the large container far more than that; at least double for about half the cost.

A frozen chicken dinner can run up to $6.00 for a single serving, yet you can buy a whole chicken for $3.00 if you're willing to cut it up.

A package of pre-formed hamburger patties again runs about $8 for 8 of them; you can buy ground beed in bulk for about $2 a pound and make them yourself.

It depends on what you buy, and how lazy you are.

However, all forms of junk food (anything taxable) should NOT be covered by food stamps. You'd be surprised at how far those food stamps will go when you're not allowed to buy frozen pizza, a bag of chips, and a 12pk of Pepsi...

Oh yes, all those single mothers who work two jobs to barely support themselves and their children have all the time in the world to cut a whole chicken and make hamburger patties.

Come on Dis, think about it.

That's another problem that Obama is trying to address. Sure, buying food like you say is a great idea; if you have the time. However, many of these poor people don't even have time to sleep a couple hours a night; never mind take the time to make such meals.

I'm telling you people do what they have to do. All of those things I mentioned can be done once a week, and put into individual containers. What the hell do you think people did 40-50 years ago?

If you're that poor, you cut corners, and get the best bang for your buck that you can. If you have kids, you get the kids involved in it. If you're working, you obviously have a babysitter; get that person involved.

 

[Modbert]

Agree on what? Increasing the amount an average family living on food stamps would receive? Why should it increase?

Because the COV (Cost of Living) has increased greatly in the past few years? Obvious answer is obvious?

 

[Modbert]

You are trying to derail your own thread. The data says otherwise. Now let's get back to the 'food stamp as a stimulus' debate.

Not so, I have answered your post and every post addressed to myself or the topic. That's all.