New Poverty Puppet on Sesame Street

[cornflake]

How can so many people be agreeing this is good? Making a child feel it is a norm to not have food in the US?

Thinking it is the norm to be hungry, is not okay. There are tons of places where people can get free and discounted food to get them most of their needs. Aside from that, if you are hungry or your child.. there is family members and churches you can ask. For me I would pick up 2nd, 3rd and 4th job if needed. I would sell had made blankets/or something on Ebay.

I understand it is hard to get a job right now paying 35K a yr, but it is not hard to get a job paying 7$ an hour. Picking up a fast food job, or a cashier at a grocery store, or a waitress at a rest, if that is what you need to feed your family.
But by allowing them to be hungry, you are making a choice to not feed them. If someone cannot provide the extra to make sure their families are not hungry, they should not be caring for them. They should be in foster care, or with a family member, until the parents realize it is not okay to be hungry.

.. okay before you go ahead and flame me and yes I am certain it is coming..
Let me add.. I was hungry as a kid, (1 of 4) There were days that we had bread sandwiches cause there was not even butter to go inbetween, and my mom was a SAHM.... Looking back, I would have not made the same choices.. I would have gotten a job,.. mcds, 7-11, somewhere walking dist. .. and made sure there was cheese between the bread, and chicken noodle soup in a bowl next to it. I would have moved into a smaller home, without a swimming pool, and never had spent a cent on cigeretts.. ... this should not be the norm or okay.

It may not be the 'norm' but it's certainly common and why shouldn't children be aware of that?

The muppets don't exist to teach kids about the 'norm' they exist to teach kids that it's ok to .... have an imaginary friend, like something more than most people do, be a different size than most people, etc., etc., etc. They've had specials about parents being deployed while in the military - that's not the norm, why should children know about it?

And sure, every one of the TENS OF MILLIONS of people with food insecurity in this country is just lazy. Would never happen to you, of course, because it's totally a choice to tell your kids there isn't food for dinner; they can split the last piece of stale bread and then get up early to be first in line for school breakfast. People want to do that. It's their choice.

 

[cornflake]

Someone asked about scouts not collecting for things. We have food drives - drop offs at the post office and firehouses mostly and sometimes outside the market, to encourage people to add a thing or two to their order and drop it in as they leave - but I've never seen scouts. I've actually never seen scouts period. I thought, when I was a kid, that it was a thing from a bygone era that only existed in books and Leave it to Beaver land because they may be around here someplace but it's certainly not visible, and I've still never run into or known of one, heh.

 

[PollyannaMom]

How can so many people be agreeing this is good? Making a child feel it is a norm to not have food in the US?

Thinking it is the norm to be hungry, is not okay. There are tons of places where people can get free and discounted food to get them most of their needs. Aside from that, if you are hungry or your child.. there is family members and churches you can ask. For me I would pick up 2nd, 3rd and 4th job if needed. I would sell had made blankets/or something on Ebay.

I understand it is hard to get a job right now paying 35K a yr, but it is not hard to get a job paying 7$ an hour. Picking up a fast food job, or a cashier at a grocery store, or a waitress at a rest, if that is what you need to feed your family.
But by allowing them to be hungry, you are making a choice to not feed them. If someone cannot provide the extra to make sure their families are not hungry, they should not be caring for them. They should be in foster care, or with a family member, until the parents realize it is not okay to be hungry.

.. okay before you go ahead and flame me and yes I am certain it is coming..
Let me add.. I was hungry as a kid, (1 of 4) There were days that we had bread sandwiches cause there was not even butter to go inbetween, and my mom was a SAHM.... Looking back, I would have not made the same choices.. I would have gotten a job,.. mcds, 7-11, somewhere walking dist. .. and made sure there was cheese between the bread, and chicken noodle soup in a bowl next to it. I would have moved into a smaller home, without a swimming pool, and never had spent a cent on cigeretts.. ... this should not be the norm or okay.

I don't think they are trying to teach kids that hunger is OK, just that it exists and people can help.

Even if someone could find a $7.00 and hour job to feed their kids, I don't think that $7.00 would also pay for daycare to watch them while she was at that job.

And I certainly think a child would be more traumatized by being "given away" (in their mind) than by sandwiches without middles.

I'm very glad you were able to get out of a position were your mom wasn't able to give you enough, but I don't think that sweeping under the rug the fact that other people are still in that situation will really fix it.

 

[C.Ann]

I think it's extremely sad that there are still people who refuse to acknowledge that this is a real - and growing problem - and also insist that there are so many easy, quick fixes for people who are dealing with food insecurity for legitimate reasons..

As long as people continue to stick their heads in the sand (for lack of a better phrase) other people will continue to go hungry..

 

[EclecticWAHM]

I think it's extremely sad that there are still people who refuse to acknowledge that this is a real - and growing problem - and also insist that there are so many easy, quick fixes for people who are dealing with food insecurity for legitimate reasons..

As long as people continue to stick their heads in the sand (for lack of a better phrase) other people will continue to go hungry..

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Someone asked about scouts not collecting for things. We have food drives - drop offs at the post office and firehouses mostly and sometimes outside the market, to encourage people to add a thing or two to their order and drop it in as they leave - but I've never seen scouts. I've actually never seen scouts period. I thought, when I was a kid, that it was a thing from a bygone era that only existed in books and Leave it to Beaver land because they may be around here someplace but it's certainly not visible, and I've still never run into or known of one, heh.

I am seriously flummoxed that you've never been hit up for cookies or popcorn...we are all over around here.



Soooo....cornflake my friend, where do you live, town and state will do...I has cookie selling to do.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Could we maybe leave fund-raising for scout troops out of a conversation about the serious problem of hunger in this country?

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Could we maybe leave fund-raising for scout troops out of a conversation about the serious problem of hunger in this country?

Lighten up Francis.

It's not even a serious fund raising effort, unless, of course cornflake wants it to be. **PM me cornflake **

I'd also like to point out that rather than chatting it up on a message board, my scouts, their families AND myself and MY girls have probably collected, distributed and boxed up and sent more food to more people than you have. Including COOKIES for the troops over seas. How many houses have YOU trudged thru the snow to to get an order of cookies to send to our military overseas or for the food bank downtown? We've logged thousands.

 

[sparklynails23]

It may not be the 'norm' but it's certainly common and why shouldn't children be aware of that?

The muppets don't exist to teach kids about the 'norm' they exist to teach kids that it's ok to .... have an imaginary friend, like something more than most people do, be a different size than most people, etc., etc., etc. They've had specials about parents being deployed while in the military - that's not the norm, why should children know about it?

And sure, every one of the TENS OF MILLIONS of people with food insecurity in this country is just lazy. Would never happen to you, of course, because it's totally a choice to tell your kids there isn't food for dinner; they can split the last piece of stale bread and then get up early to be first in line for school breakfast. People want to do that. It's their choice.

The scouts here go door to door dropping off bags to fill for a food drive and pick them up on another day. Much of the food left in the bags is expired. The mailman does the same thing.

I know no one who is hungry, not one family. The people with their access cards at the grocery store get nicer steaks and more expensive food than I do. Heck, when their kids are always getting free meals elsewhere and bringing home the backpack full of snacks every weekend, they can afford filet.

Recently, I saw a lady buying gallons and gallons of milk. I asked if she had a pre-school, and she said that she had WIC and could get all of that for free. There's no way that was all for her own family.

There are plenty of programs out there. If you want to give your own money or your own canned goods, fine. Not one more dime of taxpayer money needs to go toward feeding people.

 

[PeterPan09]

Let 'em eat cake, huh?

 

[luvmy3]

Let 'em eat cake, huh?

Cake, I thought she said steak?

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Let 'em eat cake, huh?

I thought she said steak too...

Anyhoo...

As well as cookie donations we have food drives for the local food banks and have helped with the obtaining of, boxing up and driving donations not only for local areas but for Katrina, Irene, Floyd, the victims of the tornados last year, the victims of the sunamis, if there is a disaster, Scouts are helping. Girl AND Boy scouts. They are about service. Service to their communities and beyond. It's more than cookie sales and camping.

We also help in packing events for Operation Shoebox and other organizations that pack up and ship items to our military overseas. Including Holiday cards and decorations for them.

 

[PeterPan09]

Cake, I thought she said steak?

Ever read European history? I didn't think I'd have to explain the reference.

Sometimes the things that get said on this board make me really sad, that's all.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Ever read European history? I didn't think I'd have to explain the reference.

Sometimes the things that get said on this board make me really sad, that's all.

I got the reference I didn't get the comparision tho. It's kinda more like let them eat cake and since they get it for free let them get tons of it and give it away or sell it cheaper to their friends and family.

 

[PeterPan09]

I got the reference I didn't get the comparision tho. It's kinda more like let them eat cake and since they get it for free let them get tons of it and give it away or sell it cheaper to their friends and family.

I get a little tired of the "welfare queen" myth. I've been hearing it for 20 years.

Yes, on the first of the month when the checks come people buy a TON of stuff-I've been behind them in Walmart too. And no, I don't always think they buy the "right" things-but then I'm not the food police. I don't think that being poor means that you have to eat nothing but bread and water.

I'm not living in some fantasy world where it could never happen to me. I've seen WAY too many people in the last 4 years who thought it could never happen to them and then, oops, guess what? It DID, and they had to live with the fact that they had become the people they used to stick up their noses over, call lazy and stupid and scream about taking "their" money.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

One person above just said they saw a woman buying multiple gallons of milk because she was "on WIC". Milk only lasts so long, right? Doesn't sound so mythical to me.

Whether she's buying it to sell off or giving it away, it's still not what the program was meant for, is it?

 

[luvmy3]

Ever read European history? I didn't think I'd have to explain the reference.

Sometimes the things that get said on this board make me really sad, that's all.

I got your reference.

I get a little tired of the "welfare queen" myth. I've been hearing it for 20 years.

Yes, on the first of the month when the checks come people buy a TON of stuff-I've been behind them in Walmart too. And no, I don't always think they buy the "right" things-but then I'm not the food police. I don't think that being poor means that you have to eat nothing but bread and water.

I'm not living in some fantasy world where it could never happen to me. I've seen WAY too many people in the last 4 years who thought it could never happen to them and then, oops, guess what? It DID, and they had to live with the fact that they had become the people they used to stick up their noses over, call lazy and stupid and scream about taking "their" money.

So you've been hearing it for 20 years and don't think its as big a problem as people say it is? I can tell you that I personally knew and still know some "welfare queens". So, yes they have left a very bad taste in my mouth when it comes to forking over more and more tax dollars. As much as I would like to believe that those programs are there helping those who need it, I'm not living in a fantasy world thinking there aren't many out there abusing that system. Your need for it doesn't excuse your abuse of it.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Oh, and when I worked in Atlantic City, when the checks came in people would stop by and cash the check and play the slots for hours. Just, again, what the money was for.

 

[luvsJack]

The scouts here go door to door dropping off bags to fill for a food drive and pick them up on another day. Much of the food left in the bags is expired. The mailman does the same thing.

I know no one who is hungry, not one family. The people with their access cards at the grocery store get nicer steaks and more expensive food than I do. Heck, when their kids are always getting free meals elsewhere and bringing home the backpack full of snacks every weekend, they can afford filet.

Recently, I saw a lady buying gallons and gallons of milk. I asked if she had a pre-school, and she said that she had WIC and could get all of that for free. There's no way that was all for her own family.

There are plenty of programs out there. If you want to give your own money or your own canned goods, fine. Not one more dime of taxpayer money needs to go toward feeding people.

So because YOU don't know any hungry families, they don't exist? Really? So because I don't know ONE family that is taking advantage of the system, that means they don't exist, right?

If the lady on WIC has a baby that drinks milk from a bottle or even keeps a sippy cup full, they will go through a lot of milk. I used to buy several gallons and keep it in the freezer (to keep from having to drive back to the store).

As for the kids getting free lunch/breakfast at school, do you seriously resent a hungry child being fed? Cold much?

There are many hungry people out there, just because you don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. Our college does a food drive every year in October. Our students collect cases and cases of canned and boxed items for the Salvation Army and even then the lady that collects it says you would be shocked at how fast it goes.

In dd's school there are several children that are being raised by poor grandparents. These kids come to school without clean clothes because there may be no running water or with shoes that don't fit and YES they are hungry. I don't have a clue where the parents are and IMHO, it doesn't matter. But the grandparent and one child gets very little in foodstamps and the grandparent only receives SS (which is a very small check). The foodstamps run out before the end of the month. So when they can, food banks (and food collected at the school) supplements for them, but sometimes the food bank doesn't have enough either. Its a problem and it DOES exist--you just have to open your eyes.

 

[PeterPan09]

I got your reference.




So you've been hearing it for 20 years and don't think its as big a problem as people say it is? I can tell you that I personally knew and still know some "welfare queens". So, yes they have left a very bad taste in my mouth when it comes to forking over more and more tax dollars. As much as I would like to believe that those programs are there helping those who need it, I'm not living in a fantasy world thinking there aren't many out there abusing that system. Your need for it doesn't excuse your abuse of it.

In 1976 Ronald Reagan used the story of ONE woman who was cheated the system and started the entire "welfare queen" narrative. Let's note also that his example was arrested for what she did-so the system worked. She was found guilty of fraud and perjury.

From that original speech, the script was born and it has been used ever since despite the fact that the hard data completely refutes it. Moreover, since 1996, there is a law called the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act. There are lifetime limits on how long you can receive benefits, increased enforcement of child support and you must begin working after 2 years. As for "they just don't want to work" well, since the majority of folks receiving welfare are children..unless you want to reintroduce child labor, then yeah, they don't want to work. Another large portion are disabled, many from wounds they received fighting wars to protect people's freedom to call them lazy.

Direct assistance benefits account for about 4% of our federal budget, $50 billion. However, waste and fraud in military spending costs us an estimated $170 billion, and "gifts" to corporations are about another $170 billion and capital gains and tax loopholes cost us about $130 a year. And those figures are from before the year 2000, those costs have gone WAY up since the 2 wars and the additional tax cuts.

There are larger issues for taxpayers to be angry about than the single welfare recipient you see in Walmart buying too much milk.