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Discussion: Thoughts on Food Stamps
Member Since: 6/15/2012
Posts: 1,415
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The food stamp program, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a program that provides financial assistance for purchasing food to low- and no-income people living in the U.S. Food stamps can be used to purchase any prepackaged edible foods, regardless of nutritional value (e.g. soft drinks and confections). Hot foods (such as those found in a supermarket deli) are ineligible, as well as items in fast food restaurants and similar retail settings.
As an employee of a grocery store, I have seen many uses of food stamps that have made me very concerned about their effectiveness. I have developed a mild dissent towards many food stamp users, because from what I've seen, many people abuse the system and contribute to the nation's problem of obesity. Now I know that not everyone abuses food stamps or fills up their cart with fatty, salty snacks, but the amount of people who do is rather overwhelming and very disappointing.
For instance, many of the female customers who use food stamps at the grocery store I work at frequently have luxury purses and designer clothes (Michael Kors seems to be a very popular brand among female food stamp users). I'm not jealous of them by any means, but it is discouraging to know that a portion of MY paycheck is used to give money to some people who really don't even need food stamps, or those who lie to the government about their assets.
Am I the only one who feels this way? I want to know what others think about the widespread use of food stamps.
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Member Since: 3/22/2012
Posts: 25,520
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I totally agree with you. Plenty of people just rely on food stamps when they can perfectly make a living without them. While as people who really need them don't "qualify". It's pure BS.
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 20,576
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Most of those luxury items are fake, you do know that right?
Yes they need to be more regulated, but that will make the bureaucracy even bigger. But what you mentioned is a big problem, people of lower income purchase those types of foods because they may not be knowledgeable that they are unhealthy, the government can't just say you can't eat this because that is their body and those are their choices. If anything people need to be more educated in food, and that can help the obesity problem that has hit those people.
Also food stamps have a set limit, unhealthy foods are cheaper thus they will buy it.
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Member Since: 5/14/2012
Posts: 12,274
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I hate when people abuse them, especially when these same people know they don't need them at all.
But at the same time, its very helpful to the people who do need them, so I'm in a love/hate relationship when it comes to this topic.
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Member Since: 5/3/2012
Posts: 42,099
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I really can't stand to see some of the mothers that sell their children's Food Stamps 
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Member Since: 11/17/2011
Posts: 52,363
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dont let their clothes fool you...they could've used their food stamps to buy the knockoff
I knew ppl who used to do that and this corner store took it anyway
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Member Since: 6/15/2012
Posts: 1,415
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Quote:
Originally posted by CoolestPerson12
Most of those luxury items are fake, you do know that right?
Yes they need to be more regulated, but that will make the bureaucracy even bigger. But what you mentioned is a big problem, people of lower income purchase those types of foods because they may not be knowledgeable that they are unhealthy, the government can't just say you can't eat this because that is their body and those are their choices. If anything people need to be more educated in food, and that can help the obesity problem that has hit those people.
Also food stamps have a set limit, unhealthy foods are cheaper thus they will buy it.
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This is the way I feel about food choices:
Food stamps are a privilege, not a right. NO ONE on food stamps legally buys them; they are given to them by the government.
Thus, they should not have the privilege of being able to go into the grocery store and pick out whatever they like. It's like they're being rewarded for being poor.
Instead, the government should limit what food stamps are able to buy to only foods from the food pyramid (excluding the top part). That would solve A LOT of obesity problems that food stamps cause.
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Member Since: 11/17/2011
Posts: 52,363
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Quote:
Originally posted by liberalmusiclover
I really can't stand to see some of the mothers that sell their children's Food Stamps |
this too
Then they want to go and say their kids are starving...just no...use that money to cook
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Member Since: 3/22/2012
Posts: 25,520
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Quote:
Originally posted by liberalmusiclover
I really can't stand to see some of the mothers that sell their children's Food Stamps |
This! My moms friend has a daughter who doesn't qualify for food stamps because her income isn't low. She went to the office and walked out qualifying for food stamps because her friend works there. She was getting $400 in food stamps. It recently got reduced to $300 and she had a meltdown. It's pathetic how messed up the system is.
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 20,576
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Quote:
Originally posted by Smartypants
This is the way I feel about food choices:
Food stamps are a privilege, not a right. NO ONE on food stamps legally buys them; they are given to them by the government.
Thus, they should not have the same privilege of being able to go into the grocery store and pick out whatever they like. It's like they're being rewarded for being poor.
Instead, the government should limit what food stamps are able to buy to only foods from the food pyramid (excluding the top part). That would solve A LOT of obesity problems that food stamps cause. |
I agree with your sentiment. But do you really think people in stores will actually follow this? I highly doubt it, especially if its during a busy time or even around the holidays.
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Member Since: 11/11/2010
Posts: 11,240
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We get 81 dollars a month we use them the right way but I know people who don't. These crackheads use to sell them to my grandmother and they would use the money to buy crack. My mom did the same when she was on drugs as well my life is awful.
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Member Since: 6/15/2012
Posts: 1,415
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Quote:
Originally posted by CoolestPerson12
I agree with your sentiment. But do you really think people in stores will actually follow this? I highly doubt it, especially if its during a busy time or even around the holidays.
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Well, the computers used at registers can restrict the food stamps from covering the cost of anything that isn't an eligible item. For instance, if a customer was to purchase napkins and Cheetos, the food stamps would only be allowed to cover the cost of the Cheetos, forcing the customer to pay out of pocket for the napkins.
So this can work. All it takes is for the government to say yes.
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Member Since: 8/17/2009
Posts: 6,121
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i only wish i can get food stamps , i aint knockin anybody who gets it either. i do however hate the fact that there are some people who really need it more , but it's not the ppl who receives it fault that other people don't qualify for it
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Member Since: 6/15/2012
Posts: 1,415
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Quote:
Originally posted by princedonte
We get 81 dollars a month we use them the right way but I know people who don't. These crackheads use to sell them to my grandmother and they would use the money to buy crack. My mom did the same when she was on drugs as well my life is awful.
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The government has realized this, and that's why they transitioned to a credit-like card. Now, all one has to do is swipe a card and enter the pin associated with it.
But this still doesn't stop people from selling them; they can easily just give the card to someone else.
What would really cut down on abuse is putting a picture of the user of the food stamp card on the card itself, and requiring the use of ID when using the card. This, way, someone could not use a food stamp card without being the original owner of it.
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Member Since: 11/17/2011
Posts: 52,363
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Quote:
Originally posted by princedonte
We get 81 dollars a month we use them the right way but I know people who don't. These crackheads use to sell them to my grandmother and they would use the money to buy crack. My mom did the same when she was on drugs as well my life is awful.
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your posts
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Member Since: 7/9/2010
Posts: 28,061
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If you want food, go work for it I say. Or at the very most, they should make foodstamps only last 1 year... If by the end of that year you can't get it together and get a job that supports your needs, tough luck. Foodstamps create dependency.
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Member Since: 5/3/2012
Posts: 42,099
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Quote:
Originally posted by JonnyϟLightning
If you want food, go work for it I say. Or at the very most, they should make foodstamps only last 1 year... If by the end of that year you can't get it together and get a job that supports your needs, tough luck. Foodstamps create dependency.
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Some people have a harder time finding jobs, and it really depends on the economy of your city/county/state and your work experience and education. Some people need assistance. It's just that people that abuse it make everyone who do need assistance look bad in the eye of the public.
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Member Since: 5/18/2011
Posts: 17,136
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It's more than possible to put restrictions on them. They already have a restriction on hot items. When I used to work at a grocery store it used to make me so mad to see some of the **** they bought... Hot dogs, chips, little hugs drinks, ramen noodles, balogne, cookies, candies, and those 99 cent Banquet frozen dinners. I wish I did qualify for then to be able to afford the expensive ass fish, fruits, and vegetables that make up the majority of my diet
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Member Since: 6/15/2012
Posts: 1,415
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Quote:
Originally posted by JonnyϟLightning
If you want food, go work for it I say. Or at the very most, they should make foodstamps only last 1 year... If by the end of that year you can't get it together and get a job that supports your needs, tough luck. Foodstamps create dependency.
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It's not the food stamps themselves that I don't like, but it's the dependency that arises. People get lazy when they realize they're getting handed free food for doing nothing, even though they might be perfectly capable of getting a job somewhere. But the 1 year limit would give people just enough time to find a job and become independent of the government.
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Member Since: 9/18/2011
Posts: 18,295
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It cuts both ways for me tbh.
I am a proponent of SNAP,WIC,and the like BUT as has been mentioned before, The SNAP program can be abused.
For example, I will NEVER for the life of me get why someone would do their big shopping at 'Upscale' stores like Harris Teeter and Whole Foods buying $4 Heads of lettuce and Porterhouse steaks on taxpayer dime.
And then there's people who go buy the most unhealthy foods with the damn benefits.When you look at it, it defeats the purpose of being a NUTRITION program.
BUT on the other hand for people like me who find it terribly HARD obtaining a job,I think it might benefit me a bit having some kind of food stamps and it's quite sad if you ask me.
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