Missouri may be banning steak and seafood from Food Stamp Program

[Mizzoufan]

I think it funny, people who preach that tax payers should have the say what's bought with our tax payer money. Do you not realize that people on food stamps pay taxes as well? So many people have BAD misconception about people on foodstamps. Sure there are a few that are bad apples.Many are hard working people that know how to make good choices with the little money foodstamos give them.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

You really got to wonder how big if an issue this really is. My guess is: not much.

 

[Gracie09]

You really got to wonder how big if an issue this really is. My guess is: not much.

yup. Like the whole drug testing of welfare recipients. More money was spent testing them then was recovered in benefit denials because something like 2.5% of the welfare population tested positive. so 97.5% were fine.

 

[rwdavis2]

We have too many laws as it is. A recipient receives xx amount of money a month for food, if they choose to spend it unwisely that's on them.

I tend to agree. But what if the family blows their money on expensive food half way through month (probably somewhat rare) then what to do? If one supports giving them more money then there needs to be restrictions on what they buy. If one supports telling them "no more" then let them buy what they want.

 

[TLSnell1981]

No more regulations.

 

[DopeyDame]

This might be one of the most ridiculous, least thought-out welfare reform proposals I've ever heard.

 

[MIGrandma]

I wish the food stamp program was run like the WIC program - certain expensive items not allowed and a list of items that are allowed. Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for a welfare person's New Year's Eve lobster dinner, for example. And I wish they would put a cap on the program, like 2-3 years and then cut people off if they are able bodied to work and just don't. This doesn't include disabled people.

I've seen people use their food stamps for expensive items and then run out of stamps before the end of the month, so then they just go to the local food pantries - which taxpayers pay for also. And I've seen an individual given a ridiculously high food stamp allotment and they could never use it all every month so they took friends/relatives shopping and "filled their freezer" for them. Things like that just aren't right and should be curtailed.

Currently Michigan's roads are in dire need of repair, and they want to raise the sales tax from 6% to 7% in order to pay for the repairs. From the polls most people are against that, as am I. I think they should get the deadbeats off welfare and pay for the road repairs with all of THAT money.

 

[Gracie09]

I wish the food stamp program was run like the WIC program - certain expensive items not allowed and a list of items that are allowed. Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for a welfare person's New Year's Eve lobster dinner, for example. And I wish they would put a cap on the program, like 2-3 years and then cut people off if they are able bodied to work and just don't. This doesn't include disabled people.

Currently Michigan's roads are in dire need of repair, and they want to raise the sales tax from 6% to 7% in order to pay for the repairs. From the polls most people are against that, as am I. I think they should get the deadbeats off welfare and pay for the road repairs with all of THAT money.

Most people on food stamps work or are children too young to work.

 

[Happy Snowman]

I'd rather see them ban chips and junk food.

 

[LBIJim]

The dude who introduced this legislation is just another one of those who get off by telling people what not to do. Are you sure this story isn't from Indiana?

EBT recipients, buy lobster and steak all you want. Even if--NO, especially if it pisses off the holier-than-thou crowd. But if you run out of benefits before the end of the month, that's on you.

 

[1001 Ghosts]

In all walks of life, a certain small percentage of the population abuses every facet of society and civilization. Reading the article posted, it sounds like a network with an agenda found isolated examples of something and as it wont to do, made it seem as if the problem is bigger than it probably is.

 

[piccolopat]

EBT cards should be photo IDs that can only be used in certified stores (like the WIC program) and no cash withdrawals should be allowed. If someone loses their card, they should get a new one with the remaining balance transferred over and the old card invalidated immediately (just like if someone loses their ATM card). Eligibility should have to be checked regularly to make sure someone is still eligible. I'm all for limiting what kinds of food can be purchased with taxpayer dollars (whole foods, yes, processed foods, no) because this also serves to improve health and minimize the subsidies in our health care system. I don't think prohibiting steak or lobster is necessary. If someone chooses to eat vegetarian all month so that they can have steak or lobster once in a blue moon, I don't have a problem with that. The problem is with people like Jason Greenslate. We shouldn't provide foodstamps or other government subsidies to people that won't support themselves and would rather have a lifestyle that others have to pay for. This kind of fraud (or the rules that allow this kind of abuse) needs to be addressed.

 

[Miskey]

Go into a convenience store after school and watch how many kids will come in and buy chips, candy bars and redbulls with their EBT card. No way should that be allowed.

At our local dollar stores, many of the premade Easter Baskets had "EBT eligible" stickers on them. Food stamps should not pay for Sweet tarts and a bunch of crappy toys.

I disagree with many that have already posted saying there are only a few abusers of the system. I think there are only a few that respect and appreciate the system and use it as it is intended.

 

[Laura66]

I hate when people rant about what food can be bought!
Do they realize that fresh fruit and other healthy items are expensive! Starchy, processed foods are cheaper are easy to stretch.
Also - getting to stores is oftentimes a hardship for many living in poor neighborhoods relying on public transportation.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Listen I just want people to be healthy and happy - and guess what not everyone on the program has to eat bread and water. Food for all!

 

[Laura66]

I quoted a pp incorrectly!

 

[Happy Snowman]

Go into a convenience store after school and watch how many kids will come in and buy chips, candy bars and redbulls with their EBT card. No way should that be allowed.

At our local dollar stores, many of the premade Easter Baskets had "EBT eligible" stickers on them. Food stamps should not pay for Sweet tarts and a bunch of crappy toys.

I disagree with many that have already posted saying there are only a few abusers of the system. I think there are only a few that respect and appreciate the system and use it as it is intended.

I don't have a problem with a once/year Easter basket purchase. I have to agree, abuse of the system is more widespread then people admit and it's unfortunate for those that do use the system as intended that they have to be penalized. Having done a lot of volunteer work with people on public assistance, the general mentality is to get as much as they can for doing as little as possible.

I hate when people rant about what food can be bought!
Do they realize that fresh fruit and other healthy items are expensive! Starchy, processed foods are cheaper are easy to stretch.
Also - getting to stores is oftentimes a hardship for many living in poor neighborhoods relying on public transportation.

Of course we realize that good food is expensive. We shop too.

 

[Gracie09]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/bethhof...why-it-is-critical-to-continue-their-support/

Its about 18 months old, but gives a nice summary of who is using food stamps.

 

[Laura66]

I love how we are so judgemental of people abusing the food stamp program - but check out the budget board and the theme park boards.
Members are all to happy to share tips on how to abuse the fast pass system, get away with sneaking more people than allowed in rooms, passing off your child as younger to avoid paying the more expensive ticket prices, find any loopholes to take advantage of . . .
I could go on but that's all I can think of at the moment.
Yet when we talk about less affluent people taking advantage of loopholes, cheating the system or eating unhealthy foods it's more distasteful or less acceptable.

 

[Laura66]

I don't have a problem with a once/year Easter basket purchase. I have to agree, abuse of the system is more widespread then people admit and it's unfortunate for those that do use the system as intended that they have to be penalized. Having done a lot of volunteer work with people on public assistance, the general mentality is to get as much as they can for doing as little as possible.



Of course we realize that good food is expensive. We shop too.