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unhappycamper

(60,364 posts)
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 11:36 AM Jan 2014

Here's the Latest GOP Assault On Food Stamps: Requiring a Photo ID to Buy Food

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/01/david-vitter-food-stamps-photo-id?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Motherjones%2Fmojoblog+%28MotherJones.com+|+MoJoBlog%29



Here's the Latest GOP Assault On Food Stamps: Requiring a Photo ID to Buy Food
—By Erika Eichelberger
| Thu Jan. 16, 2014 6:41 AM GMT

On Wednesday, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) introduced a bill that would force recipients of food stamps to show a valid photo ID to buy food. Anti-hunger advocates say that because many poor people cannot afford to purchase government IDs, the requirement would make it harder for low-income Americans to eat.

Vitter says the bill is designed to cut down on fraud. "Using a photo ID is standard in many day-to-day transactions, he said upon introducing the bill. "My bill will restore some accountability to the program so it's not ruined for people who use it appropriately."

But it's not that simple. Vitter's bill would also prevent many Americans from using the nutrition aid they're eligible for. "Many poor people do not have photo ID's, and it costs money they do not have to get them," Deborah Weinstein, executive director of the advocacy organization Coalition on Human Needs, told the Times-Picayune on Wednesday. "Senator Vitter's proposal will be especially tough on elderly and poor people who do not have the documents needed to get their photo ID, and who will struggle even to get to the necessary offices. They will wind up going without food."

This is just the latest assault in the long-running GOP war on the food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Last year, Vitter drafted an amendment to the Senate farm bill—the five-year legislation that funds nutrition and agriculture programs—that would ban those convicted of certain violent crimes from ever getting food stamps. The amendment, which the Senate approved, would have "strongly racially discriminatory effects," according to the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
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Here's the Latest GOP Assault On Food Stamps: Requiring a Photo ID to Buy Food (Original Post) unhappycamper Jan 2014 OP
back before the cards Niceguy1 Jan 2014 #1
I think middle-aged men purchasing diapers should show a photo ID. Wilms Jan 2014 #2
What...the...hell...is...wrong...with...these...assholes? kdmorris Jan 2014 #3

Niceguy1

(2,467 posts)
1. back before the cards
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 11:39 AM
Jan 2014

Youngster to be able to buy the stamps on the street at a nice discount and use them for food. Not sure how the fraud is now. Seems to me that the best way is to block the Cardenas in casinos, clubs, etc.

 

Wilms

(26,795 posts)
2. I think middle-aged men purchasing diapers should show a photo ID.
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 11:39 AM
Jan 2014

Actually, I don't. But it's one thing for a guy like Vitter to do what he does with consenting adults, and quite another when he spews the equivalent of a loaded diaper.

kdmorris

(5,649 posts)
3. What...the...hell...is...wrong...with...these...assholes?
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 02:19 PM
Jan 2014

I cannot think of anything else to say. You get a card to buy food with now instead of paper food stamps. Isn't that identification enough?

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