1 in 7 on food stamps in Obama's Amerika

[ed1066]

Just the way the Democrats like it...

blogs.wsj.com/economics/2011/05/03/about-1-in-7-americans-receive-food-stamps/

Growth in the food stamp program appeared to reach a plateau in February — with 14.3% of the population relying on the safety net program.

The number of food stamp recipients was essentially flat in February, the most recent month available, with 44.2 million Americans receiving benefits, according a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The food stamp program ballooned during the recession as workers lost their jobs or saw their hours and income reduced. The rise in recipients has begun to flatten in recent months, which may mean that as the economy is improving fewer Americans are seeking to join the program. Enrollment in the program is still high though, with 11.6% more people tapping benefits in February than the same month a year earlier.

Food stamp numbers aren’t seasonally adjusted though, meaning a variety of factors could influence the monthly tallies and the program could grow again in coming months.

Mississippi and Oregon were among the states with the largest share of the population utilizing food stamps in February: At least one in five residents in each state were receiving benefits.

Wyoming had the lowest rate of recipients with just 6.6% of the state’s residents using food stamps.

[chiver78]

May 4, 2011 17:09:22 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

Babe, this was a long time in coming. Or do you think the wholesale export of our jobs and looting of our pensions, dishonesty in underwriting loans and general financial crookedness had nothing to do with this?

but you don't really expect ed to ever admit it, do you?

[deziloooooo]

Not surprised at all..with official unemployment at about 8.9 %, last figures I saw, and the unofficial , when you consider those doing part time who are looking for full time and those who have given up looking at 16 % or higher, and also so many new jobs coming in at lower wages then in the past and still there are families who have to be fed, so not surprised at all.

[hello fromWarsaw]

Thanks for the Great Recession, Pubs...the nerve....

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Our local unemployment rates are well over 15% ~ I wouldn't be surprised if MORE than 1 in 7 around here qualify for SNAP benefits.

[burnsattornincan]

Sorry ed but I might look a little like mkitty here;

Or do you think the wholesale export of our jobs
Due to liberal policies like high taxes and powerful unions

dishonesty in underwriting loans and general financial crookedness
This is the product of the CRA, a policy created by democrats and maintained by democrats even when strong warnings were given just before the meltdown in 2008.

[deziloooooo]

May 4, 2011 23:47:36 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

Sorry ed but I might look a little like mkitty here;

Or do you think the wholesale export of our jobs
Due to liberal policies like high taxes and powerful unions

dishonesty in underwriting loans and general financial crookedness
This is the product of the CRA, a policy created by democrats and maintained by democrats even when strong warnings were given just before the meltdown in 2008.

Sorry there burns but unions are representing about 12 % of our work force and many of those jobs are not ones that will end up offshore, especially with gas approaching what it is, to expensive to commute.

Education, government workers, law enforcement jobs, fire ..very heavily represented by unions, so why not come up with another reason, that one just doesn't wash, transportation workers , rail..also heavy unionized , so not much left my friend.

While blame can go around , also financial climate, other country's moving ahead, are reasons, but at least those who are out of work or have had to take such lower paying jobs and can't make it anymore, what ever social programs that are there , and there are some, and with out them I haven't a clue as to what these millions and millions would be doing, they are being promoted and supported and being kept by Democrats as best they can, definitely not the Republicans. social programs for them the pubs, the work of the devil, to be shunned.

Possible because of those social programs the ship will sink, but at least as we go down, the people will sink better with Democrats in control.
The pubs solution would also have most sink too, but to shut them up and not hear their moans, their solution is to weigh them down with rocks, they will sink faster.

[straydog]

May 4, 2011 20:59:02 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

Never have I seen an economy like this. It makes the Reagan Recession of my youth look like a walk in the park. And every group of American is now disposable and if you say, "What are you doing to our jobs?" They just say, "Get a better education." Of course, we all have unlimited funds and time for this. No wonder student loan defaults are out of control too.

Well, from what my elders tell me, nothing was worse than the Great Depression. I was in my late teens during the Reagan inherited Carter Recession, and in South Jersey, jobs were few and far between, but the economy was better in North Jersey, so I moved up there and found work.

The business I went to work for was a family business. The father, an immigrant from Europe, started it a few months before the Great Depression hit. I'm not sure if he is still living - but I do know that one of the sons is still running it.

I personally do not think that finding a scarce job (but if you can get one, great), or going to college is the answer. I think that the answer is finding out what needs are in your area (or any area for that matter), seeing how many others are filling that need - and how much they are charging, and then filling that need.

People are always going to need services, and there is always going to be someone out there who can find a service that is not being provided, or can find one that is - but can go in and do it for a lower price - not necessarily faster - but less expensively and just as efficient.

Because of my disability, I can no longer work a conventional job, so I HAVE to start a business. And I will admit, I am luckier than most. I am staying with family, and my expenses are low. But if the business I end up starting fails, then my nest egg goes down the drain with it, life is a gamble.

The government is still giving small business loans, all one has to do is find a need, come up with an excellent business plan, and then apply. From 3/22/11, small business financing and capital videos:

"Access to Capital for Small Companies"

www.c-spanvideo.org/program/SmallCo
"Small Business Growth and the Economy"

www.c-spanvideo.org/program/BusinessGr
"Access to Capital for Small Businesses"

www.c-spanvideo.org/program/AccesstoC
"Venture Capital and Start Up Companies"

www.c-spanvideo.org/program/GeithnerRem
"Small Business Creation"

www.c-spanvideo.org/program/BusinessCr

[straydog]

May 5, 2011 5:42:29 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

There is a lot to be said for your idea. Unfortunately though, most small businesses take several years to become profitable and one must live in the meantime. For those who already have jobs and whose hours are being cut or who see the writing on the wall, it's not a bad idea. I already write to make extra money, but when larger businesses are folding, it's hard to see the chances for small businesses.

As you say, many small businesses were started successfully in the Depression. I also know families who acquired a couple of houses then, operated them as boarding houses and still have them in their families. But the larger picture was starvation and ruin.

A little charity in the heart and some humility and respect for the sufferings of others cannot hurt. I remember this as the legacy of my Depression-era neighbors and friends too, many of whom I was honored to listen to and hear their stories during the 1960s and 70s when I was a child.

Well I sincerely hope that you do well with your writing.

As far as charity goes, for now, I donate whatever I can to Goodwill or Salvation Army. But, as far as giving money or physically volunteering, that I can't do at this time.

But, hopefully, if I do become successful, then I can do much more in the way of charitable giving.

[burnsattornincan]

Sorry there burns but unions are representing about 12 % of our work force and many of those jobs are not ones that will end up offshore, especially with gas approaching what it is, to expensive to commute.

Not 100% sure what you're getting at here but how about doing a little research and find out how many of the manufacturing companies that relocated offshore were unionized. Then get back to me. /Dalton

[Mkitty is pro kitty]

Sorry ed but I might look a little like mkitty here;

Lets see: no facts, I know how to use the quote function, none of that special zing, and you used a semicolon when you should have used a colon (take some initiative once in a while and hit that shift key).
Nope, not me at all.

Due to liberal policies like high taxes and powerful unions

Take a deep breath and say "greed." Those Bush tax cuts aren't really doing a thing about that high unemployment now, are they? Plus, with tax breaks, the ultra-wealthy pay a lower percentage, etc. That old horse should have been glue a long time ago.

how about doing a little research

See what I mean by you having no initiative? It's typical, amongst your ilk, so don't feel too bad. Note I said "too bad," but you should still feel some guilt. You conservatives have feelings such as guilt and compassion, right?

[ugonow]

Obama is being a bit foolish. Instead of foodstamps,he should be insisting the economy is fine...all the fundamentals are strong,there is no recession, the only recession is in Americans minds,etc....... it worked fine before........

[burnsattornincan]

You conservatives have feelings such as guilt and compassion, right?

Apparently to some degree more than your "ilk" as statistics on private donations would indicate. Liberals seem more interested in the "vehicle" for charity that being the infrastructure to dole it out and not so much the end result. In fact they don't give a shit whether the recipients live or die as long as they continue to profit from the (taxpayer funded) act of giving.

[ed1066]

May 4, 2011 23:47:36 GMT -5 burnsattornincan said:

Sorry ed but I might look a little like mkitty here;

Or do you think the wholesale export of our jobs
Due to liberal policies like high taxes and powerful unions

dishonesty in underwriting loans and general financial crookedness
This is the product of the CRA, a policy created by democrats and maintained by democrats even when strong warnings were given just before the meltdown in 2008.

Nothing like mkitty at all...your post made sense and was not rude or immature.

[ed1066]

Those Bush tax cuts aren't really doing a thing about that high unemployment now, are they?

Ask your man Obama, they're his tax cuts now, or did you miss the press release?

[Shirina]

Obama is being a bit foolish. Instead of foodstamps,he should be insisting the economy is fine...all the fundamentals are strong,there is no recession, the only recession is in Americans minds,etc..

No, Obama has to wait until around Christmas before he can do that. I say Christmas because that's when Obama can point to a mall parking lot and gauge the health of the economy based on how many cars are in it.

That worked in 2008!

Ask your man Obama, they're his tax cuts now, or did you miss the press release?

Yes, he should've ignored the Republicans.

Of course, if the tax cuts were actually working, they would still be Bush's tax cuts and not Obama's. It's sort of like how Iraq and Afghanistan became Obama's wars while US troops were still being killed, but when Osama was killed, it went back to being Bush's war.

That's how the game is played, right? See, I'm catching on.