Comments on: Question of the Day – Food Stamps http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/ A personal finance blog dedicated to discussing such topics as budgeting, asset allocation, 401K, IRA, cash flow, insurance, financial planning, portfolio management, and other areas in personal finance. Fri, 25 May 2012 14:47:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Virginia Owens http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-442957 Virginia Owens Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:13:01 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-442957 I have been in the grocery business 22 plus years. Obviously I see what goes into the food stamp voucher. There has to be some reform. Typically you can tell who appriates the public assistance by what they buy. They buy the things that will get them the most for their money. Everyday young people come in and get our deli made subs with the most expensive meat line we have. Can' they make their own sandwich? Our bakery items are not off limits either. Our cakes range from 15.00 and up. Cake mixes are a little more than a dollar a box. I get a little tired watching the abuse of the system when I work every day and help them support a life style of food items that I would hesitate to get because of the cost. Then if someting is not in that guideline I get an attitude. My mother just lost her husband of 61 years. Because she owns a home and a car I can gaurantee you she would not qualify for the food stamp program. She lives on social security of 1200.00 a month and still she would not qualify. I don't want you to think that I don't believe in helping people who really need the help, I certainly do. But I have a bit of a problem seeing a $200.00 wedding cake being purchased on an EBT card. I have also witnessed amounts left on the card of over #1000.00. How??? is that possible. What is wrong with this equation? I'm tired of supporting people that won't try to help themselves. PS MOst of the young people I spoke of earlier have enough gold jewlery on to choke a cow. I have been in the grocery business 22 plus years. Obviously I see what goes into the food stamp voucher. There has to be some reform. Typically you can tell who appriates the public assistance by what they buy. They buy the things that will get them the most for their money. Everyday young people come in and get our deli made subs with the most expensive meat line we have. Can’ they make their own sandwich? Our bakery items are not off limits either. Our cakes range from 15.00 and up. Cake mixes are a little more than a dollar a box. I get a little tired watching the abuse of the system when I work every day and help them support a life style of food items that I would hesitate to get because of the cost. Then if someting is not in that guideline I get an attitude. My mother just lost her husband of 61 years. Because she owns a home and a car I can gaurantee you she would not qualify for the food stamp program. She lives on social security of 1200.00 a month and still she would not qualify. I don’t want you to think that I don’t believe in helping people who really need the help, I certainly do. But I have a bit of a problem seeing a $200.00 wedding cake being purchased on an EBT card. I have also witnessed amounts left on the card of over #1000.00. How??? is that possible. What is wrong with this equation? I’m tired of supporting people that won’t try to help themselves. PS MOst of the young people I spoke of earlier have enough gold jewlery on to choke a cow.

]]> By: Julia http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-442900 Julia Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:34:11 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-442900 Foodstamp abuse is like anything else, the bad apples spoil the whole bunch. No, not everyone abuses the system, but there are plenty that do. For instance, I did a guys taxes that made over 100 grand for that year, and the following yr. he was self employeed and made about the same amount, but most of it was cash. He gets 900 foodstamps, medicaid for himself, wife, and 3 kids, wic for the 3 kids, and both drive nice vehicles, both have blackberry phones, and satellite, wireless internet, the whole 9 yards. My husband works and we struggle to make ends meet, and these people live a great life, go on vacations, buy new clothes, never do without. She has her electric bill paid by 2 different places, and they give her a check, made out to her, so, she takes one of the checks and makes her car payment, and the other she pays her electric bill with. Do you think this is right??? Foodstamp abuse is like anything else, the bad apples spoil the whole bunch. No, not everyone abuses the system, but there are plenty that do. For instance, I did a guys taxes that made over 100 grand for that year, and the following yr. he was self employeed and made about the same amount, but most of it was cash. He gets 900 foodstamps, medicaid for himself, wife, and 3 kids, wic for the 3 kids, and both drive nice vehicles, both have blackberry phones, and satellite, wireless internet, the whole 9 yards. My husband works and we struggle to make ends meet, and these people live a great life, go on vacations, buy new clothes, never do without. She has her electric bill paid by 2 different places, and they give her a check, made out to her, so, she takes one of the checks and makes her car payment, and the other she pays her electric bill with. Do you think this is right???

]]> By: KG http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-434026 KG Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:25:47 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-434026 Also though this dates back to April /08 , we are still feeling the crunch today. Alot of people getting "assistance" are the working poor or people on disability or social security(SSI,max payment is 674.00) Try living below the poverty line and see if you can make it. Be a little old lady who lives on some small pension and can't afford nutritious food for example. Or someone out of a job.....? Do your homework and read for God sake. Poll: Food costs a major worry for consumers Updated 4/25/2008 9:55 AM | Elinor Mantin shops for groceries at Lorenzo's Supermarket in North Miami, Fla. AREAS OF CONCERN Some 73% of Americans cite food when asked to specify what they've noticed getting more expensive. Specific food items and the percentage of people expressing concern about their rising price: Milk: 19% Eggs: 4% Produce: 7% Dairy products1: 2% Meat: 5% Cereal: 1% Bread: 4% Coffee: 1% 1 - other than milk. Source: USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,016 American adults April 18-20. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points. By Sue Kirchhoff, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — Rising food prices are a significant worry for Americans, with 73% of consumers in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll citing higher grocery bills as a concern, and nearly half saying food inflation has caused a hardship for their households. According to the April 18-20 poll of 1,016 adults, food prices rank just below record-high gasoline prices in consumer angst. Eighty percent of those polled also noted energy prices as a concern. "I'll drive farther, even though gas is higher, if there's a bigger price savings at another store," says Anna Thomas of Austin, Ind. She and her husband can handle rising food prices with planning, though it's a pinch. "It's hard on us, but it's harder for families with kids," Thomas says. RATIONING: Sam's Club limiting amount of rice you can buy Consumer food inflation has been running at a 5.3% annual rate in the past three months, the Labor Department says. The largest price increases are white bread, up 16.3% in the past 12 months; milk, which has risen 13.3%; eggs, up 34.8%; and bananas, which are 17% higher. Prices are being influenced by several factors, including rising U.S. exports, growing demand in nations such as China and India, poor crops in some important producing countries such as Australia, and the emergence of the biofuels industry. Economists predict a third of the U.S. corn crop will be diverted to government-subsidized ethanol production. Corn, wheat, soybeans and other grain prices have surged to records this year, though prices have moderated in recent days on expectation of increased planting. While the higher prices have hurt Americans, who devote about 10% of take-home pay for food, they have been devastating for consumers in nations such as Haiti, Pakistan, Egypt and India, who spend a larger share of their budget to maintain a basic diet. The United Nations World Food Program said Tuesday that high food prices threaten to plunge more than 100 million people into hunger. It's not just consumers feeling the heat. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which oversees futures markets, held a hearing Tuesday to address concerns from farmers and the food industry that increased involvement of Wall Street investors in grain markets has increased price volatility and uncertainty. CFTC officials in opening statements generally didn't call for new trading restrictions. According to the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, 46% of respondents say higher food prices have caused a hardship, including 10% who said they've created a severe hardship. By comparison, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll last month showed high gasoline prices causing hardship for 63%. "The higher food prices, while noticeable, aren't a hardship for me," says Rick Pabst of Fullerton, Calif. "There're a lot of people who live at the margin. … It's the staples prices going up (for them) that worries me. We're all interconnected." Also though this dates back to April /08 , we are still feeling the crunch today. Alot of people getting “assistance” are the working poor or people on disability or social security(SSI,max payment is 674.00) Try living below the poverty line and see if you can make it. Be a little old lady who lives on some small pension and can’t afford nutritious food for example. Or someone out of a job…..? Do your homework and read for God sake.

Poll: Food costs a major worry for consumers
Updated 4/25/2008 9:55 AM |
Elinor Mantin shops for groceries at Lorenzo’s Supermarket in North Miami, Fla.

AREAS OF CONCERN

Some 73% of Americans cite food when asked to specify what they’ve noticed getting more expensive. Specific food items and the percentage of people expressing concern about their rising price:

Milk: 19% Eggs: 4%

Produce: 7% Dairy products1: 2%

Meat: 5% Cereal: 1%

Bread: 4% Coffee: 1%

1 – other than milk. Source: USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,016 American adults April 18-20. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points.

By Sue Kirchhoff, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Rising food prices are a significant worry for Americans, with 73% of consumers in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll citing higher grocery bills as a concern, and nearly half saying food inflation has caused a hardship for their households.
According to the April 18-20 poll of 1,016 adults, food prices rank just below record-high gasoline prices in consumer angst. Eighty percent of those polled also noted energy prices as a concern.

“I’ll drive farther, even though gas is higher, if there’s a bigger price savings at another store,” says Anna Thomas of Austin, Ind. She and her husband can handle rising food prices with planning, though it’s a pinch. “It’s hard on us, but it’s harder for families with kids,” Thomas says.

RATIONING: Sam’s Club limiting amount of rice you can buy

Consumer food inflation has been running at a 5.3% annual rate in the past three months, the Labor Department says. The largest price increases are white bread, up 16.3% in the past 12 months; milk, which has risen 13.3%; eggs, up 34.8%; and bananas, which are 17% higher.

Prices are being influenced by several factors, including rising U.S. exports, growing demand in nations such as China and India, poor crops in some important producing countries such as Australia, and the emergence of the biofuels industry. Economists predict a third of the U.S. corn crop will be diverted to government-subsidized ethanol production.

Corn, wheat, soybeans and other grain prices have surged to records this year, though prices have moderated in recent days on expectation of increased planting. While the higher prices have hurt Americans, who devote about 10% of take-home pay for food, they have been devastating for consumers in nations such as Haiti, Pakistan, Egypt and India, who spend a larger share of their budget to maintain a basic diet. The United Nations World Food Program said Tuesday that high food prices threaten to plunge more than 100 million people into hunger.

It’s not just consumers feeling the heat. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which oversees futures markets, held a hearing Tuesday to address concerns from farmers and the food industry that increased involvement of Wall Street investors in grain markets has increased price volatility and uncertainty. CFTC officials in opening statements generally didn’t call for new trading restrictions.

According to the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, 46% of respondents say higher food prices have caused a hardship, including 10% who said they’ve created a severe hardship. By comparison, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll last month showed high gasoline prices causing hardship for 63%.

“The higher food prices, while noticeable, aren’t a hardship for me,” says Rick Pabst of Fullerton, Calif. “There’re a lot of people who live at the margin. … It’s the staples prices going up (for them) that worries me. We’re all interconnected.”

]]> By: KG http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-434025 KG Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:17:54 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-434025 No nuthin's can make assumptions but the fact is many who do get assistance from the government are the working poor or on disability and live well below the poverty line...SSI (Max payment is 674.00) You might be eating candy bars and fritos too if that is all you could afford.Something else that is relevant for people who actually do the homework and read and educate themselves: This is dated back to April 2008 but the rising cost of food is a concern for many Americans: Go to Walmart and a gallon of milk cost at least 3.50 Poll: Food costs a major worry for consumers Updated 4/25/2008 9:55 AM Elinor Mantin shops for groceries at Lorenzo's Supermarket in North Miami, Fla. AREAS OF CONCERN Some 73% of Americans cite food when asked to specify what they've noticed getting more expensive. Specific food items and the percentage of people expressing concern about their rising price: Milk: 19% Eggs: 4% Produce: 7% Dairy products1: 2% Meat: 5% Cereal: 1% Bread: 4% Coffee: 1% 1 - other than milk. Source: USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,016 American adults April 18-20. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points. By Sue Kirchhoff, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — Rising food prices are a significant worry for Americans, with 73% of consumers in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll citing higher grocery bills as a concern, and nearly half saying food inflation has caused a hardship for their households. According to the April 18-20 poll of 1,016 adults, food prices rank just below record-high gasoline prices in consumer angst. Eighty percent of those polled also noted energy prices as a concern. "I'll drive farther, even though gas is higher, if there's a bigger price savings at another store," says Anna Thomas of Austin, Ind. She and her husband can handle rising food prices with planning, though it's a pinch. "It's hard on us, but it's harder for families with kids," Thomas says. RATIONING: Sam's Club limiting amount of rice you can buy Consumer food inflation has been running at a 5.3% annual rate in the past three months, the Labor Department says. The largest price increases are white bread, up 16.3% in the past 12 months; milk, which has risen 13.3%; eggs, up 34.8%; and bananas, which are 17% higher. Prices are being influenced by several factors, including rising U.S. exports, growing demand in nations such as China and India, poor crops in some important producing countries such as Australia, and the emergence of the biofuels industry. Economists predict a third of the U.S. corn crop will be diverted to government-subsidized ethanol production. Corn, wheat, soybeans and other grain prices have surged to records this year, though prices have moderated in recent days on expectation of increased planting. While the higher prices have hurt Americans, who devote about 10% of take-home pay for food, they have been devastating for consumers in nations such as Haiti, Pakistan, Egypt and India, who spend a larger share of their budget to maintain a basic diet. The United Nations World Food Program said Tuesday that high food prices threaten to plunge more than 100 million people into hunger. It's not just consumers feeling the heat. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which oversees futures markets, held a hearing Tuesday to address concerns from farmers and the food industry that increased involvement of Wall Street investors in grain markets has increased price volatility and uncertainty. CFTC officials in opening statements generally didn't call for new trading restrictions. According to the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, 46% of respondents say higher food prices have caused a hardship, including 10% who said they've created a severe hardship. By comparison, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll last month showed high gasoline prices causing hardship for 63%. "The higher food prices, while noticeable, aren't a hardship for me," says Rick Pabst of Fullerton, Calif. "There're a lot of people who live at the margin. … It's the staples prices going up (for them) that worries me. We're all interconnected." No nuthin’s can make assumptions but the fact is many who do get assistance from the government are the working poor or on disability and live well below the poverty line…SSI (Max payment is 674.00) You might be eating candy bars and fritos too if that is all you could afford.Something else that is relevant for people who actually do the homework and read and educate themselves: This is dated back to April 2008 but the rising cost of food is a concern for many Americans: Go to Walmart and a gallon of milk cost at least 3.50
Poll: Food costs a major worry for consumers
Updated 4/25/2008 9:55 AM

Elinor Mantin shops for groceries at Lorenzo’s Supermarket in North Miami, Fla.

AREAS OF CONCERN

Some 73% of Americans cite food when asked to specify what they’ve noticed getting more expensive. Specific food items and the percentage of people expressing concern about their rising price:

Milk: 19% Eggs: 4%

Produce: 7% Dairy products1: 2%

Meat: 5% Cereal: 1%

Bread: 4% Coffee: 1%

1 – other than milk. Source: USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,016 American adults April 18-20. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points.

By Sue Kirchhoff, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Rising food prices are a significant worry for Americans, with 73% of consumers in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll citing higher grocery bills as a concern, and nearly half saying food inflation has caused a hardship for their households.
According to the April 18-20 poll of 1,016 adults, food prices rank just below record-high gasoline prices in consumer angst. Eighty percent of those polled also noted energy prices as a concern.

“I’ll drive farther, even though gas is higher, if there’s a bigger price savings at another store,” says Anna Thomas of Austin, Ind. She and her husband can handle rising food prices with planning, though it’s a pinch. “It’s hard on us, but it’s harder for families with kids,” Thomas says.

RATIONING: Sam’s Club limiting amount of rice you can buy

Consumer food inflation has been running at a 5.3% annual rate in the past three months, the Labor Department says. The largest price increases are white bread, up 16.3% in the past 12 months; milk, which has risen 13.3%; eggs, up 34.8%; and bananas, which are 17% higher.

Prices are being influenced by several factors, including rising U.S. exports, growing demand in nations such as China and India, poor crops in some important producing countries such as Australia, and the emergence of the biofuels industry. Economists predict a third of the U.S. corn crop will be diverted to government-subsidized ethanol production.

Corn, wheat, soybeans and other grain prices have surged to records this year, though prices have moderated in recent days on expectation of increased planting. While the higher prices have hurt Americans, who devote about 10% of take-home pay for food, they have been devastating for consumers in nations such as Haiti, Pakistan, Egypt and India, who spend a larger share of their budget to maintain a basic diet. The United Nations World Food Program said Tuesday that high food prices threaten to plunge more than 100 million people into hunger.

It’s not just consumers feeling the heat. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which oversees futures markets, held a hearing Tuesday to address concerns from farmers and the food industry that increased involvement of Wall Street investors in grain markets has increased price volatility and uncertainty. CFTC officials in opening statements generally didn’t call for new trading restrictions.

According to the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, 46% of respondents say higher food prices have caused a hardship, including 10% who said they’ve created a severe hardship. By comparison, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll last month showed high gasoline prices causing hardship for 63%.

“The higher food prices, while noticeable, aren’t a hardship for me,” says Rick Pabst of Fullerton, Calif. “There’re a lot of people who live at the margin. … It’s the staples prices going up (for them) that worries me. We’re all interconnected.”

]]> By: anon http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-434000 anon Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:08:18 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-434000 How about the fact that people on food stamps cannot afford high quality or expensive food. They had a food stamp challenge in Colorado I think it was, if I remember correctly. A social worker took the challenge... She couldn't even exist on it. If you are on federal assiatance , you are going to buy the cheap stuff because that is all you can afford. GROCERIES are high. How about a gallon of milk ? At least 3.50 even at Walmart unless on sale. Sure you can buy cheap hot dogs or other low quality and non nutritional food. A box of cereal at least 2.50... So perhaps those candy bars and chips were her "Lunch." By the way most people don't always eat healthy nutritional food but like to go out and eat at the junk food places and like their candy bars and donuts with their coffee or the candy bar at the vending machine when they don't have time for a lunch break.. It is something akin to those in glass houses should perhaps not throw stones? How about the fact that people on food stamps cannot afford high quality or expensive food. They had a food stamp challenge in Colorado I think it was, if I remember correctly. A social worker took the challenge… She couldn’t even exist on it. If you are on federal assiatance , you are going to buy the cheap stuff because that is all you can afford. GROCERIES are high. How about a gallon of milk ? At least 3.50 even at Walmart unless on sale. Sure you can buy cheap hot dogs or other low quality and non nutritional food. A box of cereal at least 2.50… So perhaps those candy bars and chips were her “Lunch.” By the way most people don’t always eat healthy nutritional food but like to go out and eat at the junk food places and like their candy bars and donuts with their coffee or the candy bar at the vending machine when they don’t have time for a lunch break.. It is something akin to those in glass houses should perhaps not throw stones?

]]> By: Libralilly http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-385860 Libralilly Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:10:53 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-385860 Q: Unless your parents were rich, how did you pay for college (besides student loans)? A: Financial Aid...aka,GOVERNMENT MONEY. She and her husbands hard earned dollars were being taxed to put you through college, and now you're complaining that she is buying soda with your hard earned tax dollars? Wow, I'm normally not big on cursing, but you're a piece of shit. Remember, if it wasn't for her and her Frito buying friends, you would be in the same position, buying chips and soda with your Texan star card for you and your fat wife. Q: Unless your parents were rich, how did you pay for college (besides student loans)?

A: Financial Aid…aka,GOVERNMENT MONEY. She and her husbands hard earned dollars were being taxed to put you through college, and now you’re complaining that she is buying soda with your hard earned tax dollars? Wow, I’m normally not big on cursing, but you’re a piece of shit.

Remember, if it wasn’t for her and her Frito buying friends, you would be in the same position, buying chips and soda with your Texan star card for you and your fat wife.

]]> By: Donna http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-385440 Donna Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:43:15 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-385440 About the food stamp thing. I worked for 45 years and struggled to make a living and was one of those taxpayers. then I had to retire at 62 because I have digenerative disc disease and can no longer work. which I wanted to work until I was a least 65 but I just couldn't because of the severe pain. I am not complaining just letting you know. Therefore I am in a situation that I had to apply for some kind of assistance and yes food stamps. I just received my card and have not used it yet. I kind of felt guilty at first but I think I paid enough taxes in my lifetime to receive some help. Someday JLP you might be in that situation. About the food stamp thing. I worked for 45 years and struggled to make a living and was one of those taxpayers. then I had to retire at 62 because I have digenerative disc disease and can no longer work. which I wanted to work until I was a least 65 but I just couldn’t because of the severe pain. I am not complaining just letting you know. Therefore I am in a situation that I had to apply for some kind of assistance and yes food stamps. I just received my card and have not used it yet. I kind of felt guilty at first but I think I paid enough taxes in my lifetime to receive some help.
Someday JLP you might be in that situation.

]]> By: Holly http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-384195 Holly Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:33:25 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-384195 I am really offended by this. Do not judge those you do not know their circumstances. First you were standing in line next to an "older lady" how do you know if she has not worked her entire like paying taxes for others to recieve these benefits and befell hard times. If she has or has not worked in her life quite frankly it is none of your business. Perhaps she has a disability. You do not know what people go through in their lives. You sound spoiled and judgemental to me. People go through things, people suffer at times, maybe she was buying some snacks for her grandkids... you do not know, therefore do not judge. You want to come online and rant, where was your nerve standing next to her to say anything? You wouldnt confront her then, don't come online ranting and whining. There are people on foodstamps who have full-time jobs, there are people who lost their jobs and are looking for work, there are college students, single mothers and fathers and yes there are those who take advantage of the system. People come in all different kinds. You do not know someones situation. I have been a government employee for years and years. I do not mind the little money that has been taken from my check each week to help those in need. I do not mind standing in the freezing cold ringing a bell for the salvation army to help the needy. Why, because what if I fell on hard times? I do not mind the money that comes out of my checks which helps my elderly grandmother survive. Why don't you look at the whole picture before you judge. OMG she bought some chocolate and some popcorn, lets persecute her, judge her and think she is a bad person. Do you think usage is not monitored? Do a little research, get some knowledge on the system. There are home visits, office visits, phone interviews, checks with utilities, landlords, wage inquiries through WorkOne. Scammers are caught and prosecuted. I work in this system, I know about this system. Grow up and stop whining. I am really offended by this. Do not judge those you do not know their circumstances.
First you were standing in line next to an “older lady” how do you know if she has not worked her entire like paying taxes for others to recieve these benefits and befell hard times. If she has or has not worked in her life quite frankly it is none of your business. Perhaps she has a disability. You do not know what people go through in their lives. You sound spoiled and judgemental to me. People go through things, people suffer at times, maybe she was buying some snacks for her grandkids… you do not know, therefore do not judge. You want to come online and rant, where was your nerve standing next to her to say anything? You wouldnt confront her then, don’t come online ranting and whining.
There are people on foodstamps who have full-time jobs, there are people who lost their jobs and are looking for work, there are college students, single mothers and fathers and yes there are those who take advantage of the system. People come in all different kinds. You do not know someones situation.
I have been a government employee for years and years. I do not mind the little money that has been taken from my check each week to help those in need. I do not mind standing in the freezing cold ringing a bell for the salvation army to help the needy. Why, because what if I fell on hard times? I do not mind the money that comes out of my checks which helps my elderly grandmother survive.
Why don’t you look at the whole picture before you judge.
OMG she bought some chocolate and some popcorn, lets persecute her, judge her and think she is a bad person.
Do you think usage is not monitored? Do a little research, get some knowledge on the system. There are home visits, office visits, phone interviews, checks with utilities, landlords, wage inquiries through WorkOne. Scammers are caught and prosecuted. I work in this system, I know about this system.
Grow up and stop whining.

]]> By: Nina http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-377305 Nina Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:53:54 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-377305 For the first time in my young adult life, I have slipped and fallen through the cracks, and am now on food stamps. I never thought I would need them, well I do. I have always worked since i was 16 and am now 24, but now I have a six month old son and no father, wasn't by choice , he was abusive...so i had to be on my own. He wasn't like that until half-way through my pregnancy all of a sudden he became satan. I couldn't let my son go through that so I needed some help. I have been on the assistance program for about six months they also offer the free daycare and what not. So I got kinda stuck in a rut. Now I will be going back to work and will be getting a scholarship to take courses online at night so I can also be with my son, to finish my college education, and will be getting a better paying job , and than def. come off this program, the whole point is so that the government (taxpayers dollars) helps you until you get your self together (which means not at a slow pace or you can't take five years) and work just like the rest and pay taxes like the rest. I guess a big majority of people get on the program and get lazy and just want to be taken care of forever, I guess there is only a small portion who really want to go up in life, that would be me...I understand that maybe buying candy and junk food shouldn't be allowed, but sometimes with me being a woman I need a piece of chocolate, but mostly I do just buy fish, fruits, meats, and vegetables and sherbert ice cream (sometimes), so much better for you, but i'm human and sometimes I do want that sweet stuff. I'm a really healthy eater though. Plus if you have a child you do want to show them independance not that you have to live off others hard work, only should be your own so you set good values for your children, so in one year I will be off food stamps because I will have finished my degree and 2 years I will no longer need help with childcare....So my answer is that the program should be more strict, into making sure those living off all others should be checked on more and have tight quarters to stick with bettering themselves. It's the system itself that allows it to go on, maybe not an actual worker but how the system works. They should re-evaluate the whole program and make it more healthy and strict. We as a whole should come up with ideas and send it off to restructure the whole system, sometimes that maybe what it needs, any ideas anyone???? For the first time in my young adult life, I have slipped and fallen through the cracks, and am now on food stamps. I never thought I would need them, well I do. I have always worked since i was 16 and am now 24, but now I have a six month old son and no father, wasn’t by choice , he was abusive…so i had to be on my own. He wasn’t like that until half-way through my pregnancy all of a sudden he became satan. I couldn’t let my son go through that so I needed some help. I have been on the assistance program for about six months they also offer the free daycare and what not. So I got kinda stuck in a rut. Now I will be going back to work and will be getting a scholarship to take courses online at night so I can also be with my son, to finish my college education, and will be getting a better paying job , and than def. come off this program, the whole point is so that the government (taxpayers dollars) helps you until you get your self together (which means not at a slow pace or you can’t take five years) and work just like the rest and pay taxes like the rest. I guess a big majority of people get on the program and get lazy and just want to be taken care of forever, I guess there is only a small portion who really want to go up in life, that would be me…I understand that maybe buying candy and junk food shouldn’t be allowed, but sometimes with me being a woman I need a piece of chocolate, but mostly I do just buy fish, fruits, meats, and vegetables and sherbert ice cream (sometimes), so much better for you, but i’m human and sometimes I do want that sweet stuff. I’m a really healthy eater though. Plus if you have a child you do want to show them independance not that you have to live off others hard work, only should be your own so you set good values for your children, so in one year I will be off food stamps because I will have finished my degree and 2 years I will no longer need help with childcare….So my answer is that the program should be more strict, into making sure those living off all others should be checked on more and have tight quarters to stick with bettering themselves. It’s the system itself that allows it to go on, maybe not an actual worker but how the system works. They should re-evaluate the whole program and make it more healthy and strict. We as a whole should come up with ideas and send it off to restructure the whole system, sometimes that maybe what it needs, any ideas anyone????

]]> By: Steve King http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/08/19/question-of-the-day-food-stamps/comment-page-2/#comment-376920 Steve King Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:09:15 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/?p=2765#comment-376920 I have read where fella was behind older lady. ok, Judging with such limited information. WOW.Hope I am never his neighbor.He probily would gripe if I cut my grass east to west instead of north to south. LOL. I was raised in large family. My Dad was too proud to accept charity of anykind. All us Siblings are living with nutrition related issues/disabilities. Our help system is not perfect, there may be abuse. But for the children and/or eldry to eat. It is the best way at present. If this fella knows a better way, instead of complaining. why does he not suggest something, or better yet get job at the food stamp office. When I hear about the under privledged getting ahead in this Country. It makes me proud. That my taxes helped them come up in this world.Abuse will not go away. Perphaps this person has diabetes (needs candy). While waiting on the day her food stamps come in, she went without for a week or so. It happens. She needed to build her strenght just to shop. A candy bar on our taxes is a lot cheaper than an ambulance ride to a hospital, i bet he did not think of that. I bet he never ever experienced true poorness. needing to make a phone call for help, when one does not even have .50 cents. I am a good capatilist i love America. Right to make as much money as desired.But I will never forget my roots. America is not perfect, But it is the best going. I have read where fella was behind older lady.
ok, Judging with such limited information. WOW.Hope I am never his neighbor.He probily would gripe if I cut my grass east to west instead of north to south. LOL. I was raised in large family. My Dad was too proud to accept charity of anykind. All us Siblings are living with nutrition related issues/disabilities. Our help system is not perfect, there may be abuse. But for the children and/or eldry to eat. It is the best way at present. If this fella knows a better way, instead of complaining. why does he not suggest something, or better yet get job at the food stamp office. When I hear about the under privledged getting ahead in this Country. It makes me proud. That my taxes helped them come up in this world.Abuse will not go away. Perphaps this person has diabetes (needs candy). While waiting on the day her food stamps come in, she went without for a week or so. It happens. She needed to build her strenght just to shop. A candy bar on our taxes is a lot cheaper than an ambulance ride to a hospital, i bet he did not think of that. I bet he never ever experienced true poorness. needing to make a phone call for help, when one does not even have .50 cents. I am a good capatilist i love America. Right to make as much money as desired.But I will never forget my roots. America is not perfect, But it is the best going.

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