Fodder for the foodstamp fire

[ruger2506]

May 13, 2011 17:25:09 GMT -5 april47 said:

Uumm... Do we seem to be a little judgemental on this board?

Why not. I don't know any of those elderly people. I do know a lot elderly family and friends who are doing really well in old age and have more than enough disposable income.

Apparently they did teach some people to plan for retirement 50-60 years ago. Or at least someone 50-60 years ago listened.

Dad was sitting around the table in the break room a month before his retirement having a conversation with a couple guys about retirement. There was another fellow sitting next to him with the same retirement date. The guy's question to my dad, "What's a 401k?" My dad just got up and walked away.

[cme1201]

May 13, 2011 11:11:08 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

It's still pretty cheap, I think - you can get a bagful of Burger King hamburgers for $5. French fries cost more, and so does soda

That's true. I like me a Big Mac once and awhile, but I find the idea of pissing away money on fast food a lot more painful than I do the grocery store.

The grocery store still hurts though. I'd really like to see where you can get boxed cake mix for a $1 or less. On sale it was $2.89 last time I went to the store!

Yes I know I can use coupons, so don't remind me. I was referring to what the unit price was for cake mix last time I looked.

Just went grocry shopping today (painful, $306.60) which is 3 weeks of food for 5 people, or 20 bucks a day. Got cupcake mix (easier to make and not as messy as the cakes can be) for .94 and butter creame frosting for 1.00 the cake mix was 1.29

[chiver78]

May 13, 2011 17:39:42 GMT -5 cme1201 said:

Got cupcake mix (easier to make and not as messy as the cakes can be) for .94 and butter creame frosting for 1.00 the cake mix was 1.29

why would "cupcake mix" be priced any different from "cake mix"??

[ruger2506]

Along these same lines I would like to point out that I find it nuts that eating healthy is so much more expensive than eating junk food. We buy a lot vegetables and it's insane what you pay for that stuff. Thankfully we have farmer friends that I can get whole pigs and cows from for a great price. Whole pig ($2.50/pound processed). Beef (about $3/pound processed).

[Sum Dum Gai]

Uumm... Do we seem to be a little judgemental on this board?

People should be a little judgmental when other people want to live off the sweat of our labor.

If you're making your own money, paying for your own lifestyle, and not holding your hand out, then do whatever the hell you want. If you want part of my check, that I sacrifice time with my family for, you bet your ass I'm going to want to know why you aren't capable of providing for your damn self.

[Firebird]

If you're making your own money, paying for your own lifestyle, and not holding your hand out, then do whatever the hell you want. If you want part of my check, that I sacrifice time with my family for, you bet your ass I'm going to want to know why you aren't capable of providing for your damn self.

And there are legitimate answers to that question. I'm quite happy to provide some tax dollars for people who aren't able-bodied, for example.

It's the RAMPANT, GROWING segment of the population that is totally capable of providing for themselves but chooses not to that burns me up.

[ruger2506]

I'll tell you guys this. I would proudly shake the hand of the man/woman who used to have a white collar job who now works at McDonalds of Home Depot (due to loss of good job) trying to put food on the table for their family yet still has to ask for social assistance. At least they are attempting to keep living.

The ex-SIL was complaining a while back and contemplating quitting her job because they scheduled her more than 20 hours per pay period and that meant her social welfare would be reduce. Now that's a POS.

I don't fault anyone for asking for help when what they are doing isn't enough. I do fault them for not trying 110%.

[Firebird]

I don't fault anyone for asking for help when what they are doing isn't enough. I do fault them for not trying 110%.

Amen, brother. Assistance should be a hand UP not a hand OUT.

[bobbysgirl]

May 13, 2011 11:01:49 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

I've been surprised at how many fast food chains are now able to accept EBT cards around here. I cannot say I blame them for it, they are a business cashing in on new customers, they don't give a shit about my health, but have you seen how much fast food costs lately?

They don't care about your health. They have no reason to because it's our responsibility to care. They have, however, stepped up to provide healthy choices. These are good for people who don't have access to a stove or a regular kitchen.

There are so many variables. A handful of idiots can ruin a good thing for the masses. We are at a time that this program is needed and I don't mind feeding people that need it. Kind of like the whole class suffers for one students bad behavior. Which is a coward's way of disciplining.

[bobbysgirl]

May 13, 2011 17:12:37 GMT -5 Firebird said:

It is if the government is the one paying for the food. Don't want Uncle Sam telling you to stop putting soda in your toddler's bottle, get a god damn job and buy the crap yourself.

At least it's not bourbon ;D

I get your argument, but the other side of it would be something like; why exactly do we have so many elderly people that have worked for four decades and apparently never saved a dime?

Why does a conversation always head toward retired folk? My generation worked like dogs to provide for their families. I think too many of them worked too hard to give their spoiled children the latest this and that and pay for every sport known to man. And God knows jeans from K Mart were not good enough. The result is the attitudes you see here.

This always appauled me (us). So maybe that's why some of the elderly didn't know how to care for themselves, they were too busy being duped by the cries of the 'I want' from their kids.

[april47]

When I say judgemental I just mean that EVERYONE who is on assistance is not necessarily a money grabbing, lazy bum or a dishonest bag of garbage trying to get your tax money without trying to work. There are many people out there who I am GLAD get some of my tax money. I think the regulations and consequences should be vastly improved where it is more likely that only the deserving get help. I resent my tax money going overseas more. especially since some of my tax money appears to be helping countries that harbor terrorists.

[NastyWoman]

May 13, 2011 8:58:15 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

Having once been on food stamps, I refuse to sit in judgement. I have better things to do with my time.

Karma for you GG. I have never in my life needed any government help. But for that I ma only grateful. Yes I have always worked hard, but I have also been lucky as have many of us. I refuse to sit in judgement over the use of food stamps --- even though my tax money is paying for that as well.

[Sum Dum Gai]

I think too many of them worked too hard to give their spoiled children the latest this and that and pay for every sport known to man. And God knows jeans from K Mart were not good enough. The result is the attitudes you see here.

I see, it's not that they didn't know they should be saving and need a hand out now, it's that they were too busy spending every penny on their kids and need a hand out now. How exactly is that any better?

[happyscooter]

In response to #38 ( I think). If I reported EBT fraud when I suspected it, I would be on the phone 12 hours a day. What about people who don't speak English? You know they are illegal, how do they get their forms filled out? In my area, residents who live in government housing are supposed to be kicked out if convicted of a felony. Do you know how many get by with that without so much as a written warning? Or a neighbor who was a government worker out on WC going on 20 some years? SAHM, tax free money/more than she brought home after taxes, working under the table, etc...

[TheOtherMe]

"My perspective is this. Food stamps, WIC, etc. are funded by taxes. I am a taxpayer. When you use food stamps, etc., you are spending my money. Since you're spending my money, I am entitled to render judgment about what you are doing with my money. Don't like my judgmental attitude? Quit spending my money!"

I agree with this statement. I am the representative payee for a woman who gets Section 8 housing and food stamps. I see her receipts. I know what she buys. I also know she smokes like a fiend. I know she is on Medicaid and we, the taxpayers, are paying for everything she does.

I also know there are people who use food stamps and WIC the way it was intended. Same for the free breakfast and lunch at schools. There are a lot of people really hurting in this country.

Some people do it the right way, but others do not. Pretty much the same as life.

[Firebird]

Karma for you GG. I have never in my life needed any government help. But for that I ma only grateful. Yes I have always worked hard, but I have also been lucky as have many of us. I refuse to sit in judgement over the use of food stamps --- even though my tax money is paying for that as well.

Agreed, but from what I've seen - this is the exception, not the rule.

[herekittykitty]

May 13, 2011 17:56:49 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

Uumm... Do we seem to be a little judgemental on this board?

People should be a little judgmental when other people want to live off the sweat of our labor.

If you're making your own money, paying for your own lifestyle, and not holding your hand out, then do whatever the hell you want. If you want part of my check, that I sacrifice time with my family for, you bet your ass I'm going to want to know why you aren't capable of providing for your damn self.

Oooo...karma for that one!

[Miss Tequila]

May 13, 2011 17:00:38 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

Its none of the govt's business what type of food anyone buys.

It is if the government is the one paying for the food. Don't want Uncle Sam telling you to stop putting soda in your toddler's bottle, get a god damn job and buy the crap yourself.