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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFood Stamps (SNAP) ...just the facts
edit to change inappropriate wording
"Food Stamps" are an issue I have strong opinions about... but these are some of the facts
"The Law 1939: Legislation creating a federal government program designed to solve two economic problems by providing food for needy families and creating a market for surplus agricultural products"
"The food-stamp program is not yet a factor of large importance in the removal of price-depressing surpluses. If plans for its continued extension are earned out, however, it may eventually become an influential instrument for the accomplishment of that objective in the case of agricultural products to which the plan can be effectively applied. Reporting, August 8, on the favorable showing already made in Rochester and other cities, Secretary of Agriculture Wallace said: If further studies continue to show encouraging results, the food-stamp plan may develop into an extremely effective national program through which to move surpluses of those agricultural products for which there is an elastic demand...
"...In 1961, the Congress enacted a pilot program designed to help both poor people and farmers the Food Stamp Program. The program was actually a revival of an idea that had been tried during the Great Depression. In both the 30s and the early 60s, farmers were producing more food than the nation could consume or export, and there was a large group of people who were going to bed hungry.
...and I would add small businesses benefit from the food stamp program
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/30/us/politics/30food.html?_r=1
...untold number of restaurants, fast food industries and corporations have been lobbying Congress of late to have their business be able to accept food stamps....
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=2226
...not only does the program help keep people from hunger and hardship, it also...
"...protects the economy as a whole by helping maintain overall demand for food during slow economic periods. In fact, SNAP benefits
are one of the fastest, most effective forms of economic stimulus because they get money into the economy quickly. Moody's Analytics estimates that in a weak economy, every $1 increase in SNAP benefits generates $1.72 in economic activity. Similarly, the Congressional Budget Office rated an increase in SNAP benefits as
this interactive map is from 2009 and decipher as you will but I think the visuals helps forms skewed opinions
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/28/us/20091128-foodstamps.html
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer773/aer773b.pdf
BumRushDaShow
(128,856 posts)tammywammy
(26,582 posts)rhiannon55
(2,671 posts)K&R!!!!
banned from Kos
(4,017 posts)It is very safe.
Which makes it more despicable that the asshole Newt Gingrich is using it politically.
BumRushDaShow
(128,856 posts)and it will be interesting to see what happens with what has always been the GOP hidden "pork" (pun intended) legislation, particularly if Newt starts attacking it.