The idiocy of people arguing over food stamps in a country that wastes 31% of available food [View all]

[nadine_mn]

Whenever I hear anyone complain about food stamps/EBT/SNAP benefits I get a blinding hot rage - whether it is who is eligible, what food should be ok (was it WI that proposed legislation to make ketchup ineligible and only certain kinds of potatoes) or any other asinine arguments.


FUCK. THAT. SHIT.

It's FOOD.... we are talking about something as basic as FOOD. And it's not like there is a limited supply of food in this country. There are those who would rather throw out perfectly good food (day old bread from bakeries, "imperfect" food, excess food from restaurants) than see a homeless person eat it. Spare me the arguments about how someone could sue if they got sick from eating free food. You will always have asshats that will try to exploit the system or try to sue for some ridiculous reason. We need nutrition programs in schools such as free lunch and breakfast and summer programs. Because kids go hungry everyday in this country. And fresh fruit and vegetables are expensive - so if SNAP gives people an opportunity to eat better, we should support it. Currently the amount of $ a person or family gets in benefits is embarrassing small in one of the "richest countries in the world". An eligible single adult's maximum benefit is $194 = just over $6 a day. Ooooh they are living high on the hog with that. But an extra $200 a month can make a huge difference for the working poor and the non-working poor. Gas, rent, utilities, Rx, car repairs, child care, clothing etc.

And honestly the whole "my taxes shouldn't be used for people who refuse to work and sit on their ass and collect food stamps" or "if I can't afford steak, why should people who are on food stamps get to eat it".

Shut up. Of course there is anecdotal evidence of "I know one guy who sold his food stamps for drugs" - good lord, one guy vs thousands of adults and children who aren't getting proper nutrition or wonder where their next meal is coming from.

The amount of your tax dollars spent on welfare is just a pittance compared to where the rest of your tax dollars go. And just like you cannot pick and choose which road projects or military spending your tax dollars go to, you shouldn't waste your time micromanaging what food a person on SNAP eats.

Because SNAP is for FOOD - not basic toiletries, feminine hygiene products, pet food, cleaning supplies etc. No one is getting rich from food stamp fraud. Yes, again there a minute number of people who exploit the system in some way - there always will be no matter what protections you put out there - this is true about everything.

We should increase eligibility and amount of benefits to more people not less. Again we are talking about FOOD. No one in this country should ever have to worry about their next meal - no one.

We need solutions to food waste and increased minimum wage - but we also need to fight against the stigma of receiving help for something as basic as FOOD.