Food Stamps

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by Salty, Dec 3, 2016.

  1. 777 Well-Known Member
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    Yeah ^, I think the rules on this differ by state - here I am, Jerome:

    http://lowincomerelief.com/did-you-know-your-ebt-card-could-do-this/

    I know in California it is supposed to be restricted to the homeless, elderly and disabled but if a restaurant accepts any EBT card at all, any of them can be used there regardless. I see it in use about every time I go to a fast food place and a grocery store. I think the whole SNAP program is rife with fraud, been offered cards for fifty cents on the dollar outside a store one too many times.
     
  2. Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    and we are not allowed to ask for ID to confirm identity
     
  3. annsni Well-Known Member
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    But I can get a 2 liter soda for 69 cents.
     
  4. Use of Time Well-Known Member
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    It's interesting to see those with utter disdain for those on food stamps. It's almost like they want the program to be punitive.
     
  5. Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    Would you say that the restrictions on what one can purchase with the WIC program are a form of punishment?

    I think WIC is a fine program, and wish that SNAP would be administered in a similar manner.
     
  6. InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Another way to look at it is--if we're going to have this government program, best thing to do is to load it up with regulations and rules so it's as unwieldly and hard to administer as possible. Add layers of bureaucrats too.

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  7. Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    So you think an 80 billion dollar per year program isn't already loaded with layers of bureaucracy already?

    I don't recall anyone crying that WIC is overburdened with regulations and layers of bureaucracy, even though it has strict rules about what can be purchased with the vouchers.
     
  8. Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    and why is it called WIC? (women, Infant Children) I'm sure that there are single fathers who should be eligible fathers.
    Should be called PIC! You know the govt wants to be PC
     
  9. InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    No, I'm saying Salty's idea for specific restrictions on food stamp purchases is a bad idea.

    Funny how some conservatives are in favor of block grants to the states, allowing the states to spend federal money as they see fit, free of federal regulations, yet are in favor of regulations detailing how individuals may spend their federal benefits.

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  10. Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Actully, my opinion is that the Federal govt should get completely out of the Food Stamp business.
    It should be up to the State/Commonwealth if they want to participate - and any regulations they see fit.
     
  11. InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    I agree to an extent. The problem is that some states might opt out of the program altogether. Why not give food stamp block grants to the states and let them administer the program as they see fit?

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  12. annsni Well-Known Member
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    Well, a man cannot get WIC because women only get it if they are pregnant, postpartum for 6 months and/or nursing. An INFANT or CHILD can get WIC, however. It is available for children up to age 5.
     
  13. annsni Well-Known Member
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    For those who don't know, WIC restrictions are set up so that you get a coupon for a particular size and type of an item and the store will make sure that you can get that. So let's say it says milk -one gallon of whole or 2% - you cannot buy a gallon of skim or a half gallon of whole. It is the same with formula, diapers, baby food, etc. The restrictions are WAY tighter than food stamps.

    Additionally, did you know that you can buy seeds on food stamps? So you can buy seeds to grow a garden with your SNAP benefit. :)
     
  14. Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    Lol, well I never knew that you could buy seeds with food stamps. There's my "something new" for the day.
     
  15. annsni Well-Known Member
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    Doesn't it make a lot of sense? I'd be HAPPY to have someone buy seeds to start a garden on food stamp money! I think that's great!
     
  16. Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    Oh yeah, as far as bang for your buck goes, it would be hard to compete.

    Unless you could buy livestock. Some chicks, piglets, or maybe a calf.
     
  17. annsni Well-Known Member
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    I've also heard of some farmer's markets who not only take food stamps but double the money so you can get even more. :)
     
  18. Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Food stamps cannot be used to buy live animals.!
     
  19. Jerome Well-Known Member
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    They can be used for live fish.!
     
  20. Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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