[–] 3330481? 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
Most people on food stamps use the benefit as a supplement, rather than relying on the program for all their food purchases, according to Ed Bolen, senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank. That means people can still stock up on soda on their own dime, he said.
ITT: People failing to understand the fungible nature of money and looking to demonize the poor. FFS, people.
[–] Sephrone 3 points 0 points 3 points (+3|-3) ago
I'm not surprised by the comments here, but it still saddens me greatly to see everyone so biasedly agree that this decision is a good idea.
Firstly, I get where everyone is coming from; it does seem pretty poor when someone on the dole appears to be 'wasting' taxpayers money, but I think you will find that
a) this is a small percent (we call them bogans)
b) regardless of your opinion, it is as wrong to revoke someone's freedoms/rights to these things just because you feel they 'don't deserve it'.
Look, I am very much a liberal at heart and I also firmly believe that those who do should be rewarded, but this elitist attitude towards a small group will not help in the long run and is really just a distraction.
[–] cpoakes [S] 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago (edited ago)
No one said anything about revoking anyones right to buy junk food, simply the right to buy it with food stamps. You can't buy alcohol or cigarettes either; prioritize malt liquor, Marlboros, or M&Ms - pick your poison and pay precious cash.
[–] Taka 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
When this was proposed in Florida a while back, I had a thought.
What about those crackers that have cracker on one side and pretzels on the other?
Crackers are considered normal food.
Pretzels are considered junk food.
Can you buy them with food stamps?
[–] green_man 3 points 0 points 3 points (+3|-3) ago
Fuck food stamps, this program shouldn't exist. At the very most hand them bags of whatever a dietitian comes up with that has the best cost to nutrition ratio based on their TDEE. Better yet, give them rations of Soylent or something similar based on their TDEE. Don't like it? Get a fucking job.
[–] erietemperance 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
This is the only rational answer,
We live in a wealthy society, nobody here should go hungry. So we should feed them. We shouldn't just hand out free money, we should feed the hungry.
Put together a weekly pack of food that = ~ 10,000 calories then have people deliver the packages as part of community service. Or better yet, for as long as you receive the food, you are required to deliver the food (after you are off the program).
Right now 1 in 6 people in the US receive SNAP funds, if instead of a debit card full of free money, you got a box of powdered milk, generic hot dogs, and some canned peas every week, I would bet that "magically" a few million people would all of a sudden not need the food anymore.
It would save billions a year.
I personally know / have known at least 30 people who had a "Bridge Card" (Michigan SNAP) and not one of them needed it. Not one. None of them were wealthy, and most of them were slightly down on their luck, but they all could afford some rice, beans, water, pasta, canned food, etc. Not one of them would have starved to death if it weren't for SNAP. And I would bet my nuts that none of them would have taken the powdered milk / hot dog box if it were offered.
A safety net should be exactly that, a safety net, or something there to save you when you are going to die. Not something that everyone just "gets".
If you haven't been to a soup kitchen, or a food pantry, then you are not remotely close enough to death to require a "safety net"
[–] Humbaba 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago (edited ago)
Wow. Looking at these comments just fucking wow. You people deserve whatever you get. If your leaders sell you down the river for their own personal gain I won't shed one tear, since you would do the exact same thing if you were in their shoes. You all honestly deserve to go to hell.
[–] Subtenko 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Soda is cheaper than water last I checked. candy isnt food
[–] cpoakes [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Only if you are above drinking tap water.
[–] Subtenko ago
Its been said that drinking tap water without boiling could pose some concerns. Soda isnt really good for u anyway,