So what does everyone think about the new Food Stamp reforms starting June1? In Obama's stimulus there are some new rules going into effect for Food Stamps. My oldest DD is a Food Stamp Worker and they have been going over the new rules. Starting June 1, you don't have to show any of your assests. Right now you can only have $2000 in the bank, a vehicle worth a certain amount, your primary residence and if you own rental property it has to be up for sale, those are the main ones I remember. After June1, 2009 if you have no income or are low income you will automatically qualify for Food Stamps, no matter how much you have in the bank, no matter how many vehicles you own, no matter how much property you have. They will not even be asking for proof of that after June1. Also, the benefits are being increased until October 1. Also they used to require that if you were single (no kids) you had to work at least 20 hours a week to get Food Stamps, no more, you don't have to work at all.

I think this is going to cost the tax payers more money in the long run. I also think that people are going to use the system more, that maybe you might be unemployed but have alot of savings to live on for awhile, but will be applying for food stamps just because you can. What does everyone else think?

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Do you have a link from a source other than Fox news that spells this out? I would be interested in reading about it before commenting or getting my knickers in a knot about something that may not even be the way the reform is intended. Nothing personal, just like to read before I comment.

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RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

No, sorry I don't have a link. My DD works for DHS and this is the new training they are receiving, the information is somewhere in the stimulus package.

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When the hyper inflation hits, are they going to increase food stamp benefits again? Because honestly, it's coming.. You can't throw around the kind of money that Obama is and expect the value of the dollar to remain the same. It just doesn't happen.

The increase in benefits is ridiculous. I know on another thread it was mentioned that you could only be on welfare for 2 years, but either that's wrong or there's a way to get around it. We have tenants in one of our rentals that have been receiving benefits for a lot longer than that. At one point, the dh got a job and started to make money so dhs was going to lower their benefits.. not discontinue, but lower the amount they got. So he quit his job. Now they're getting a raise without having worked for it. And their rent is being paid for by DETCOG. Which is a non profit here.

I see a massive influx of recipients coming, and I'm sure that taxpayers will foot the bill once Obama realizes that he doesn't have enough money to cover it.

So many comments, and not a single link so that we'll all know what's really happening.

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Reading is Fundamental.

Sometimes...I don't think a link is necessary. Fletchersmom seems to have first hand knowledge of the particular situation involving her tenants. I actually feel that there are times when personal knowledge is better than an article. I don't have much faith in our newpapers, for the most part...they tend to tell it the way they want, not necessarilly tell the entire truth. I know that people can do the exact same thing when offering information, but I still like to hear about others personal experience. I don't think its alway about reading something a writer/newspaper has to say...

Great point, Tammy. Just as there are those here who will take any link but a Fox link... well, that proves the point. Pieces paraded out as *news* written by *people* may not be 'just the facts, Ma'am."

The trouble with personal accounts is that we don't know each otehr and nobody has vetted us as sources. For all you know, in that other thread when I said I had never had my nails done, I was lying.

I wasn't. But nobody on the internet double-checked sources to make sure.

This deals with the "categorical eligibility rules" dealing with SNAP (new food stamp program name).

Some links of interest..

categorical eligibility rules for food stamps in stimulus bill - Google Search

DC Set to Expand Food Stamp Program « Poverty & Policy

http://www.frac.org/pdf/heat_and_eat09.pdf

well, why don't you provide a link to contradict what was posted? You are just as capable to post links as anyone else....

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Good point!

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Sometimes the elevator often the shaft

i know in kentucky... you can only get a welfare check for 5 yrs over your lifetime. use to you could have lots of kids and space them out and get a welfare check for each kid. Now once you used your 5 yrs you cant get any more welfare money. They track it on the mom's SS number. Now that doesnt include SSI or food stamps, just a welfare check. That has cut down on people just living on welfare and not trying to find a job. I think each state differs.

steph

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Maybe instead of a food stamp program they should made "bundle" packages. Maybe 4 or 5 different nutritionallly sound food packages that recipiants can choose from each month.(Instead of chips! lol) Canned or fresh veggies and fruit, peanut butter, tuna, bread, milk, etc... I bet it could be done and cost the taxpayers less than just giving a dollar amount on a food stamp card.

I dunno, I just wish that there was no need for any of these huge programs....that we could roll back to a day and age when people/families were motivated to take of their own and when families picked up the slack during tough times. Instead we have whole families being taken care of and not teaching their own the right lessons.

Sorry that I'm not on topic....the whole thing just frustrates the living daylights out of me.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

A posted link would indeed help us all to better comment on the op thread thanks so much. So far I am very happy with Obama and his administration... Peace. catherine

This is done to some extent w/ "commodity" distribution--and it's on a first come, first served basis.
Nothing makes better mac and cheese than "government cheese" Oh and the peanut butter makes freaking awesome cookies!

I just wonder what kind of logistics nightmare it would be to distribute these sorts of parcels on a large scale---although, I wouldn't be opposed to some sort of bundles of staples.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Well let's see...they all make it to the office that they have to fill out the paper work at for the food stamps so I bet they could make it to one central distribution location for their "bundle". Think of the new jobs this would create-a central distribution plant, trucking, the local distribution center, etc...NEW JOBS! Yippee! Grocery stores would not have to mess with the food stamp cards anymore either. If they need the food that much then they shouldn't complain about a healthy food bundle. Heck I hate grocery shopping - I'll take a bundle each month! The recipiant would have to bring in their "card" and it would be swiped just like at a grocery store. I must say it's sounding better the more I think about it! And if it's "embarrasing" to have to go to the location maybe that would be an incentive to improve their situation.

Recovery

So, I just went through the prequalification process for my state. We as a family would possibly qualify for these programs.

Medicaid
WIC
Child Development Care
Family Independance Program ( I have no idea what this is) Ok I looked it up. Apparently they would give us cash too.
Food Assistance

I had no idea we were that poor. lol

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Melissa

Thanks, Nightowlrn. I appreciate that link. I will read it and see but off the top of my head I do see a raise in food stamps an average of 80 dollars per family of four.

I know that my food budget has taken a hit bigger than 80 dollars per month. With inflation, 80 dollars is a drop in the bucket.

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

I disagree. Eighty dollars is a big deal to me.

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Melissa

Me, too. Maybe you read my post wrong. I am saying that an 80 dollar increase is a drop in the bucket compared to what I have been spending on food. I know my budget has gone up more than that amount for food in the last year. That is what I meant to say. And that the proposed increase is only 80 dollars which is not near what I spend on food more than previous. Make sense, now? I hope so. It is late and I am tired.

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

$80 is a big deal to me too. With the right sales, it can go a LONG way

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I with you! I know if my situation took a dump, my parents would try to take care of me. They wouldn't want me on welfare or food stamps. We are a family who take care of their own. It's not always fun but it has taught us responsibility. I am not a fan of these programs either. I do realize that on some scale, they need to exist but I am not a fan and don't support adding more $$$ into them

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

That is what I was trying to say, Sexsmurf. I can make 80 dollars go a very long way.

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Melissa

Ah, gotcha

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

The change is part of assembly bill 433. THis is info from CA. CA expects 37,000 more families to now be eligible for food stamps.

http://www.cfpa.net/2008LegislativePage/AB433FAQ.pdf

Why is it important to remove the asset test barrier for applicants?
Experts agree that asset development and retention are key anti-poverty strategies. Families should not
have to exhaust all of their assets and resources before getting help; yet, the Food Stamp Program
currently only allows families to have only $2000 in assets. This $2000 dollar limit was set in 1977, over
30 years ago. AB 433 would provide a much needed update to this asset requirement, enabling
struggling families retain savings as a way to cushion against financial uncertainties and climb out of
poverty.

Will AB 433 enable people with very high assets to receive food stamps?
AB 433 does remove the asset test, but only for people whose incomes are low enough to qualify for
food stamps. The data shows that people eligible for food stamps have few resources. Food stamps will
continue to be provided to people that are in the most need, as income or lack thereof is the primary
determinate of need.
How will AB 433 streamline the application process and save time?
AB 433 will allow county workers to save time and paperwork by eliminating the asset test step in the
application process. They will not have to verify the amount of funds in various bank accounts or the
value of other assets. The Food Stamp Program can then quickly provide food assistance to the lowincome
people that need help

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All the cool babies are wearing cloth!

I'm for the changes as they've been listed here - but then I'd qualify for food stamps under the new rules. Hubby's been doing contract work for over 3 1/2 years now since he lost his last perminent job. We live in the middle of where all the banks and insurance companies are headquartered so trust me - there's no work. Sometimes he earns $24 an hour, and sometimes he earns $12 an hour and sometimes he doesn't work for months. He's currently been without work since July. We ran out of unemployment a long time ago, I'm disabled but I don't collect from the government. If we didn't live in a house owned by my parents and have family support we would be in a dire situation. But despite being genuinely poor we don't qualify now for food stamps because a. I own more then 1 used vehicle - completely paid off and for that matter given to me by relatives. b. I have more then $2000 in a bank account because I got a small car accident settlement check. That money is our emergency fund. We will have medicaid on April 1st, our first health insurance in over 3 1/2 years. Of course hubby broke his foot LAST month - but they said they'd pick up some of those bills.

The only reason I haven't had to sell off all of our cars but 1, and use up all of the car accident settlement (which is honestly supposed to be for more medical treatment for me) - is we have family support financially. If these changes go in it will mean we can get groceries without having to ask my mom to buy them. I'm not alone either a lot of my friends and family who are either working poor or trying really hard to work poor will benefit from this also. Yes people will abuse it, they abuse the current system too. But lots of us genuinely need it.

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I took the test and it said we didn't qualify for help maybe I did something wrong on the test. we have a 2002 Town and County LX van ( mine ) that I still owe 3,000 on and hubby has a 2002 Crown Vic that is paid for. Is that the reason it said we didn't because of the value of the cars ?.I can tell you hubby makes 30,000 + a year so I know we are NOT rich by any means .

I wanted to chime in on a few things I read here.

What happens if the boxes of food isn't something your family eats ?.Then what does the family do ?. I know there's things my kids would rather starve than eat. Plus I have a huge problem with the government detailing what is a "Normal" breakfast-lunch-dinner.Yes it's nice to be able to eat fruit 3-4 times daily, but has anyone really priced the fruits in the last year ?.

I see a HUGE problem with this. Grocery stores rely on food stamp buyers as well. What happens to the stores that are located in the "poorer" sections on towns that their main buyers are people on food stamps. By taking away those customers they will either (A) Have to close or (B) Charge higher prices to the cash customers.You may have lived in the same home for 30 years and your neighborhood has taken a hit causing "most" of your neighbors to now having to reply of food stamps to get by, however, you are still on the good side of the market are you going to be willing to pick up the slack of those higher prices or do what most people would do shop else where causing that store to fold under from lack of business. Plus, just because a person was able to hitch a ride to a interview doesn't mean they can make it weekly or even monthly.What does the elderly do ? what does the mother that has no car do ? what if there's not any public transportation ?
If they don't have cars or family members willing to give them rides how do they get to the site to pick their food up ?.You might could say well they get to a store once they get their foodstsamps, thats true, but in many cases they have to get rides when that person is able to take them. what happens if no one is around to take them when the food is being passed out at these "
central distribution locations " ? do they go with out for a month ?.

This would be perfect if we lived in a perfect world or families still live together and worked together. But that was then and this is now. Because the corporate world became greedy and moved plants to other counties jobs are just not like they use to be. Then if you add in that the government now pay farmers to NOT farm their lands the families have split up and moved on since there's no need to 'work" as a whole.

To "us " we have the knowledge of how to make that 80.00 stretch and thru the wonderful world of coupons , ebay and sites such as this we learned over the years to do this. But to the average family out there that doesn't that 80.00 is needed to cover the rising cost of food. I know for me personally I don't use coupons any longer. Wal-mart has limited coupons to 2 alike and there has not been a store here that doubles in 10 years. I have found for me it's pays to go out of state because there's no taxes charged, but I have to be able to afford to buy more to cover the gas cost. To people that can't run across state lines to avoid the taxes that 80.00 means their budget can stretch a little longer.

While y'all do have a good point to be made it's just workable for the most part. There's so many things that can go wrong or just not feasible for the average family. I too wish there was a better system so families didn't have to receive food stamps or assistance, but this is the way it is and it doesn't look as if its going to get any better. sadly.

Yeah, sunsetbeach, sometimes I do live in a fantasy land. You are right on that. However, I do think that there is something on the "values" side that we have lost that could still be improved indepdendent of the valid issues you raise.

As for the bundled food, my FIL used to get those (before he passed). What does a single 75+ year old single guy do with 5lbs of cheese and gallon cans of pork & beans? In his case, he tried to give it away to his kids.....I wouldn't accept it....it wasn't meant for me. But DH sometimes did, to be nice/respectful I guess, so I donated it to the food bank. Not really the best implementation of a program and not really how it was meant to end up.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I hope things get better for you and, as for the idiots in the world that act as though people in your situation are taking advantage of the system, I hope karma kicks them in the butt one day.

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Reading is Fundamental.

There will always be people who abuse every system but for the most part the programs are used by people who need the help and that is why the program exists in the first place. It is always irritating when people who have never used the program or believe they won't ever need the program tell how the program should work. Karma is a b----h.

With the economy the way it is, food and shelter should be the first thing we need to ensure all Americans have - not try and take it away by crying everyone is cheating this system and maybe we need incentives to get them off the program. Brother. I would think that if this is a Christian nation, we would want our fellow man to be able to eat, their children to have healthcare and everyone have a safe, warm place to lay their heads at night without making them feel like criminals. Let them and God worry about if they cheated the system. I think there is a bible verse that says something about whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me.

We have such bigger fish to fry in getting this country on track than whether someone is on food stamps and drives a nice car or has a cell phone.

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RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

It never ceases to amaze me that there is a sector of our society that refuses to see that simply because some of us don't want the GOVERNMENT involved in assisting people financially that we don't want people to receive assistance.

usnamom, you keep mentioning that we are a Christian nation. Last I heard, the ACLU, Thomas Jefferson, and a few others really wanted to keep "Christian" and "Nation" separate.

As a Christian, there are a number of things I do to help people in financial need. I won't run through the list here because I certainly don't do it for public credit, and it's supposed to be done in secret, but suffice it to say that it's something I take very seriously and my husband and I have 'targeted' a couple of families that we know are in need and have found ways to secretly ensure that some of those needs are met. Heck, not just needs, but a want or two. And we're doing it in secret, not taking the tax deduction we could because we're not filtering it through our church or anything of the sort. As a Christian... it's not only my duty, but it's where my heart is.

It's terribly insulting for you to continue to assert that we want those in need to be thrown in the ditch. Nothing could be FURTHER from the truth. We just do not believe that the GOVERNMENT has the right to play Robin Hood in what is supposed to be a free market economy. And certainly, as a liberal, I would think you would recoil at the thought of our government doing nice things for people under the banner of "WE ARE A CHRISTIAN NATION!"

ETA: I've returned to do something I sort of said I wouldn't do. I'm going to reveal a way we've helped, but my husband did this, not me, and I so appreciate him that I'm going to brag on him. We know a family in which the dad faced some immigration problems and has had to return to his home country, leaving the wife and kids here until it can be sorted out. Dad was the sole provider. Mom has taken odd jobs but they are really in need. DH heard their teenaged son wanted to play a sport in high school that required about $250 worth of gear. There was no way the kid was going to get to participate - no way on earth. DH got him exactly what he needed and just left it on their porch for the kid to find and didn't even tell me he had done it for several days. I tear up just thinking about my husband's generous heart, and I smiled every time I drove by where that kid was practicing. That, IMHO, is what being a Christian nation is all about.

Whoa, why would I recoil at the thought that of our government doing nice things for people under the banner of "We are a Christian Nation"? I was not hostile nor did I mean to be insulting. I simply stated that it should be a priority of our nation to want to have everyone in our nation to have the basics. Food and shelter and the ability to go to the doctor if they are ill. From the posts that I have read, there seems to be some posters that want people to have to show more cause to be able to recieve food stamps. There are posters who believe that they can look into the life of someone on foodstamps and decide whether they should recieve them in their eyes. What I am saying is that as a nation, I think, and remember, this is my opinion, we should be more concerned with making sure that every person has food and shelter and health care and kept their dignity.

I do not usually insinuate anything. I usually just say it. I didn't say you were doing or thinking anything.

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RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

Whoops - I need to apologize to you, usnamom. I just looked back and see that it was kvmj who kept accusing people with my POV of wanting to throw poor people in the ditch, not you.

And I know you do have a point about the 'not assuming' thing when it comes to individuals. The family I referenced in my above post... that son also has a cell phone. What I know is that someone bought him a Tracfone on the sly, and secretly adds minute to it every so often. All the kid knows is that somebody wanted him to be able to call his mom for a ride after practice and made sure he had what he needed. If someone saw him standing there talking on it and assumed the family was blowing their money on a $69/month plan for him... they'd be way off base.

We can't mix religion and government. I know it goes on, but the constitution says it shouldn't.

It means an ethical/responsible decision on the part of those who receive government programs ( and shouldln't ) and an ethical/responsible decision on the part of the government to ensure rules are being followed. Assist those who meet the requirements, limit their timeframe, and be done with those who don't.

Of course, too many don't have ethics on both sides. Overall, we ARE a give me, give me more society. The government needs to step back and pull back. This nation rose by being independent and now we are dependent.

It scares the crap out of me every time the government makes a "feel good" move. Just like the bail out. They acted too fast and too foolishly. But, gee, it felt good at the time.

The madness needs to stop now. We, as a nation cannot keep throwing money at a problem. Why is their fix always money? Possibly it needs to be financial classes as in how to manage your income and your outgo. How to know if you can afford a house or a car, tools that give people the ability to succeed on their own, not MONEY.

I say, quit spending! Live within our means and see what happens. That would make me feel good.

dl

No problem....I couldn't figure out where I had posted that would give you that idea I thought you wanted to throw people in the ditch, but apology not needed but accepted.

Yeah, it makes me so angry when I hear or read about people saying "She paid with food stamps and then went out to her nice car and then I later saw her talking on her cell phone while getting her nails done." It is none of my concern. It is my taxes but it is also her taxes and how do I know the car is not being borrowed or the cell phone is the only phone they have. Sometimes I think some posters want people who are on welfare or whatever to grovel for the food stamps or to lose their dignity just to be able to eat. I don't understand it. You know what they say about the word assume......

Thanks for the apology. Takes a big person. as they say in SC...preciatecha!

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

You write very eloquently and convey your thoughts well. I do private things too, most of which people have no idea it's me.

However, I still don't get the kid needing a cell phone thing (not just you, everyone who thinks a kid should have one). There is no reason the mom (or the DAD) can't be there at the end of practice to pick the kid up. Unless it messes with her life to be inconvenienced to sit there a few minutes. Responsilbility starts with us being able to plan and follow through. She knows she needs to pick him up after practice, just go do it.

I am not trying to be mean, and in essence, I realize I am hijacking, my point is, there are all kinds of excuses to have a cell phone that veil how unresponsible we have become. A pracitice is a practice. I have a friend who got her son a cell at age 12. She got it so he could call her, so she said, when he got home from school. I didn't remind her that they have a phone at home. She had talked herself into believing the kid should have a cell phone and that was how she saw it.

dl

dedd, here's the situation with the phone....

The sport was golf. The mom is babysitting for two families in her home, and there is a 45 minute window in which the parents of her little charges might show up to get the kids. Anywhere between 5:00 - 5:45. The son would finish practice anywhere in that same window of time, as well. The mom needed to be at home to send her babysitting kids off with their parents and therefore didn't have the freedom to just go wait on the son. One time the son got done early - at 4:45 - and the weather was yucky and he stood out there for a very long time before Mom was able to leave the house to come get him because she was waiting for the parents of the babysitting kids to show up. Also... they have a car that seats five, and on days when she has four babysitting kids, she can't leave to go get her child until at least one of the families had gotten their kids because her car won't hold everybody.

So... now that she and the son can stay in touch, things run much more smoothly for her.

Their situation isn't their fault. The husband's lawyer mis-filed his paperwork (but properly filed the wife's papers, which is why she is still here). The mom doesn't ask for any of these things - people just care about them and want to make this already difficult time a little less difficult for them.

usnamom, while obviously (based on my last couple of posts) agree with you that we shouldn't jump to conclusions, this is what it boils down to for me... and as usual, I'll use an example to illustrate my point...

I have a friend whom I love dearly. She's a lot of fun and is an honest person and a moral person and there are 1,000 things about her that I really appreciate. That's the positive.

Here's the negative....

She comes from a family background in which out of necessity, she received the benefits of government programs as a child. She was one of many children in her household - some siblings, some the children of relatives who weren't good parents so her family took them in. There were a couple of divorces between her parents and periods of no support from exes and... bottom line, they relied on government assistance for some things, so that's the culture in which this friend of mine was raised.

Now she is an adult - a SAHM with several kids. Her husband is a high school teacher, so they have Cadillac insurance benefits and he'll retire with a tidy pension so they don't need to save for retirement. They qualify for free lunches at school. I know that for my three kids, those school lunches cost about $165/month. I know how much my husband brings home each month, take-home. I know what we pay out of pocket that they *don't* pay out of pocket (in the way of benefits, etc.). Because her husband's job is what it is, I know how much they make (since he works for the public, the amount of his salary is published) and they have more coming in each month than we do in the way of take-home since my DH's employer doesn't fully cover our insurance benefits and we have no pension plan.

This friend is very open about their money. She is free with information about their car payment amounts and such. She's just very chatty about those things.

They spend around $100/month on cell phones. They eat out frequently. I have absolutely no doubt that they could afford to buy their kids lunches at school.

But her mindset is "It's free and we qualify - why would I NOT sign up for free lunches for my kids and save $165 a month? I'd be stupid NOT to!"

It would never in a million years occur to me to sign up for free lunches if I had enough disposable income to afford $100 worth of cell phones and some of the other things they choose to spend money on. Right now, we have Tracfones and I pay $25ish/month for them. We would probably qualify for at least reduced lunches because the guidelines in our state are pretty generous.... but in my mind, because it was ingrained in me, those programs are for people who NEED them... and we don't NEED them. I figure if I have the money to feed my family I need to spend the money on feeding my family FIRST, and then with any extra, we can buy 'wants'. A cell plan to the tune of $100/month is a "want", not a baseline need.

My friend, because she was ingrained differently, has absolutely no qualms or shame in having extras in her life while getting free lunches. She *could* pay for all of their *needs* but doesn't see a *need* to because she was raised to believe that the most responsible way to do things is to make sure that if there are programs you qualify for that you sign up for them on time, that you make sure you get every benefit for your child that that child is entitled to, etc.

Based on the values that were instilled in her, she is being extremely responsible towards her children.

What I also know is that if those programs were not available to her that she would make it just fine. She'd just forgo the cell phone plan. They have enough money to feed lunch to their kids every day if they need to. They do it all summer.

The only difference between she and I is *mindset*. I think when our faceless government *gives* to people, we set in motion generation after generation of people who don't *need* help but *accept* it because they see it as something they are simply entitled to, like they see stoplights and the free use of city parks. It''s not an integrity thing for them because they weren't raised to think they were *supposed* to pay for their kids lunch. She was worried for a time about her husband getting an advanced degree because that little increase in pay he would receive would disqualify them for free lunches.

I'm crazy about this friend in every way except this issue. I have no doubt that if she had to go to her church or to a food bank to get food for her kids that she *wouldn't* do that, because she'd feel like she was taking "charity". She'd give up her phone before she'd take charity. But the faceless, all-giving government is *different* to her. She doesn't feel *personal* responsibility towards the tabs that the *government* will pick up.

And this is a mindset that scares me.... and that I think the framers of our nation never intended. And I think that the more that the government does for people, the less they see the *need* to do for themselves. We start generations of families down paths of dependence in unnecessary ways when we establish these programs.

That's why I prefer that the private sector address these needs.

I hear you. But no matter if it is private or government sponsored you will have people who will "get over". I guess I can't worry about those people out of fear that there will be that one person who needs it but can't get it because of the idiots who misuse it.

Greed is an awful thing. By putting the program into the private sector instead of at a government level, there will always be those at the private level who will take advantage. Look at all the skimming scandals in the charities and churches and the true amount that is used for charitable purposes and what is used for administration costs out of the donations.

I don't think there is an easy answer. No matter how the program is administered you will have people talking on their cell phone, walking into the nail salon after picking up their food stamp card. I really just hate that people judge people without knowing their story. KWIM?

There are so many programs that are misused....student grants and loans, I guess that the program that feeds people is one that I just think is the last one we should worry about. JMO

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

Speaking of cell phones... there is a program called Safelink that uses government funds to give people free prepaid cell phones. It gives them more minutes per month than I buy for my frugal self.

And don't forget that book that is on that late night infomercial about all the things you can get for free from the government. See, if that is true...let's cut that crap out but make sure that Americans can eat and be warm and have a place to sleep at night along with having an education.

__________________
GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

Food Stamps ..........


Ohio.com - Ohio food stamp rules called 'offensive'

I'm just "old school". While growing up I heard stories of my moms childhood as tenant farmers. I always remember the one winter she said they all pretty much lived on corn mush and rotten apples. Sometimes they were lucky enough to have molasses to put on the mush. No food stamps, no health care, etc... yet they managed to survive. Her parents both lived into their 90's and she will be 85 next month. What has happened between then and now? Entitlements! Also, how did all of us survive without cell phones, mp3s, cars at 16, etc...? We always made sure we had that dime in the pocket in case of an emergency to use a pay phone! We didn't have cars while in high school. We walked to and from school. Probably a mile or so. I had a dizzy spell in high school and I remember trying to walk home. I must have looked like I was under the influence. Walk a bit, stop and get my bearings, etc... What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I think there are just too many handouts.

I've seen this too. For me, it ranks right up there with our government PAYING for advertising about the free cable converter coupons.....nobody NEEDS a tv/cable and nobody NEEDS a cell phone!

dl

Exactly! It seems like a lot of peoples "needs" today are yesterdays "wants". What does that mean for the next generations "needs"?

Cj I didn't mean you, it was a statement in general. I didn't mean for you to take it as YOU lived in a fantasy world.sorry for the misunderstanding.

I agree, we ( general we ) have lost a lot of the values we had as children and the values our parents, their parents and so on had. Times where a lot simpler back then also. Farmers where every we looked around here. You had butcher farms, fruit farms , veggie farmers every few acres. Now the government pay these families to NOT farm their lands. People are selling off land that been in their families for a 100 years or more because of this and big building companies are buzzing in on this like wild fire so they can build mini cities and over priced homes. People pulled their share. Families ate from the land and it was pretty unheard of to see people dinning out. Kids did what they could to raise "spending money " Hell I use to pick beans for .25 an hr and use to cut yards for 3.00 to get skating money or spending money to buy drinks or candy. My mom didn't have money to give to us so we earned it the old fashion way by working. This is unheard of now days. Kids are NOT raised in the same fashion and they are for the most part handed what they want. I have a weekly if not a daily fight with my 12 yo over a cell phone. She wants a cell phone I see no need in her getting it. BIG BATTLE between us. I'm going to always win it till she old enough to get her a job to pay for one. She also has been offered chore money for extra chores, will she do them not on your life ! she says her regular chores are enough. I say you remember this when you want to go see a movie or want something extra. You will work for the money or do with out. She thinks I'm the meanest mom in the world of course. I say I'm doing what needs to be done to teach her the value of the dollar. As far as I know there's no money tree growing outside my door and when you want something extra earn it ! or do with out.

as far as the phones paid for by the government I have never heard of this. It is something I would like to look into for my mom tho. She has a prepaid cell phone because the senior center she lives in requires she has a phone. She can't afford a land line it cost just for a basic line 59.00 a month. her cell cost I believe 25.00 ? for 200 mins ( I'm really not for sure on the amount or mins). So it might be something worth looking into even if they can help her pay just a little bit it would help. She has worked and paid her dues for 45 years so I don't feel shes getting anything for "free".others may not agree, but such is life.

The food box your FIL got is just what I'm meaning. He didn't need nor could he use some of the items offered. Al tho you found a good way to reuse the items most people wouldn't and it would be tossed out.It's a shame the place didn't offer him something he could use or let him give it back to give to someone else that could.

grannyshirl
That's the craziest thing I have ever read. You mean she had 80,000 in the bank and gets food stamps UNFREAKIN REAL !. Sorry but that is abusing the system. she's taking from others that really need the help. she's taking because it's "there". She should be totally ashamed of herself and the state of Ohio should do just what they are doing. this is so unreal to me. WOW.

People have a sense of entitlement, in my opinion, because of the whole trend in the 80s to blame other people for the condition of things. It's my Father's fault I made poor decisions about men, my Mother's fault that I don't know how to do anything, the government's fault I have no job, the Church's fault I can't make money, the devil, the govt, my Mom, my Dad, my brother picking on me, I even knew of a person who applied for SSI because their personal beliefs clash with society to the point where they cannot get a job.

Basic needs are one thing and caring for children, or the mentally ill or the physically ill or a giving someone some help when they lose a job or have an unforeseen event is another thing but just giving and giving with no requirements and no need to be self reliant is just plain wrong.

I still agree with "give a man a fish he eats for one day. Teach a man to fish and he eats forever."
The money would be better spent on employment training, psychological counseling, budget training, alcohol and drug and parenting classes. People should be forced to do SOMETHING to get the money or food stamps.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

So true. Good post!

sunsetbeach :

" She has worked and paid her dues for 45 years so I don't feel shes getting anything for "free".others may not agree, but such is life."


I don't understand how someone who worked 45 years, as you mentioned, doesn't have the money to take care of themselves. If she didn't save, that is her situation, not the taxpayer's.

Your statement above is exactly what a lot of us are talking about, a sense of entitlement - you use the phrase "paid her dues" and "but such is life".

Paying your dues doesn't mean the government now takes care of all your wants.......

dl