How do you feel about

ricksang

People on wlefare/EBT/SNAPS? I was reading something on the bump yesterday and I was surprised by the answers. I won't judge your opinion FYI, unless you say something totally outlandish.

thanks B!

MarriedInAFever

I support it because I'm a dirty FDR loving Democrat. I would like to see more regulations and limitations in place, but I support the system overall.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

I think it's unfair to lump all those people in the same judgey category - because some of them really need the help and appreciate it, and don't abuse it, and once they're on their feet - they get off of the help.  But then of course you have the low life sponges who coast through life and abuse the system because they don't want to work and earn things for themselves, but instead have them handed to them.

betrothed123

I fell pretty hard, but then I got up and brushed my knees off   Sorry I couldn't help myself.

I understand using public assistance as a temporary measure, and if you have no other option, but I do feel it should be temporary and an absolute last resort.

RYoung1485

I think that it was in theory a good idea, HOWEVER, I believe that there should be mandatory drug testing and birth control. 

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:30e59a2f-ff46-493f-94e2-e43fb1c0ad10">Re: How do you fell about</a>:
[QUOTE]I support it because I'm a dirty FDR loving Democrat. I would like to see more regulations and limitations in place, but I support the system overall.
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]
What do you mean by regulations and limitations? Like what types?

calindi

There was a girl who wanted to pay for her wedding cake with EBT.  That I'll judge.

In general, I think the point of those systems is good, and there are certainly people who are helped by short term assistance that then are able to become functional members of society again.  But it's always the extreme cases of people who abuse the system that are a drain on society and very frustrating.

I have a colleague who is living with her boyfriend, who is the father of her baby.  He's not on the lease or any of the bills and they won't get married because she gets a lot of tax deductions for being a "single mother".  I sort of resent that - those deductions are for people who legitimately need the help because they don't have a second income.

So basically - people who legitimately need it when they fall on rough times, that's what it was meant for and is good.  People who abuse the system are the reason it doesn't work and is a drain on society.  I do believe there are fewer people who abuse the system, but it's the ones who do that get the most attention.

Also, some of the policies make no sense - unemployment assistance is cut by exactly how much you earn through any part time work.  That gives people absolutely no incentive to take work that won't earn more than what they'll get for sitting on their butt.  My argument is that they should cut it by half of what you earn - that way, people working at least part time will subtract the burden on the state, but it is a benefit to people to work rather than sit on their butt.

paprika28

I see this in the grocery store all the time. If they're legitimately using the help, I'm all for it. But when I see a dude with 6 kids, his wife is ku again, and he pays for his 'normal' food with ebt/fs/etc and then $100 worth of junk food with cash... and then loads it all in to his escalade while he's talking on his iphone the whole time... I have a big issue with that.

I'm a single mom who doesn't get any help from the state or from baby daddy, and half the time, I struggle to buy her food/diapers/formula/every stinking thing she could possibly want or need. I'd love to be rolling around in a pimp car, with all sorts of cash in my wallet. The truth is, I have a twenty in my pocket, and I'm buying formula with it on the way home.

SarahPLiz

I fell that it is a good resource for people in need, but is often abused. Most people I know who have had to use some sort of government food subsidy are extremely embarrassed about it and got off of it as soon as they could, or they waited way to long to even apply. I do know of people, however, who see no reason why they should try to support themselves, and that makes me very angry. 

I see people at the grocery store buying junk food with their benefits and it makes me even more angry, but I don't actually know those people, so I try not to judge. 

I do wonder if, along with the monetary benefits, there should be mandatory financial and nutritional counseling. Cooking classes could help people learn how to use those benefits to actually provide nutritious, economical meals for their families. I know that's a pipe dream. 

mrscarter052011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:2d2b1a4e-cf04-49e9-ae9c-ccb42b429c78">Re: How do you fell about</a>:
[QUOTE]I see this in the grocery store all the time. If they're legitimately using the help, I'm all for it. But when I see a dude with 6 kids, his wife is ku again, and he pays for his 'normal' food with ebt/fs/etc and then $100 worth of junk food with cash... and then loads it all in to his escalade while he's talking on his iphone the whole time... I have a big issue with that. I'm a single mom who doesn't get any help from the state or from baby daddy, and half the time, I struggle to buy her food/diapers/formula/every stinking thing she could possibly want or need. I'd love to be rolling around in a pimp car, with all sorts of cash in my wallet. The truth is, I have a twenty in my pocket, and I'm buying formula with it on the way home.
Posted by paprika28[/QUOTE]

this exactly.

Anysunrise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:b30b601d-e074-4665-a1ab-7cdd698ae0d4">Re: How do you fell about</a>:
[QUOTE] Also, some of the policies make no sense - unemployment assistance is cut by exactly how much you earn through any part time work.  That gives people absolutely no incentive to take work that won't earn more than what they'll get for sitting on their butt.  My argument is that they should cut it by half of what you earn - that way, people working at least part time will subtract the burden on the state, but it is a benefit to people to work rather than sit on their butt.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

/nod

AllAboutTheBenjamin

When my parents had me, they were on WIC.  My dad was a struggling new, young farmer and my mom didn't work.  My dad HATED the assistance but my mom really appreciated being able to buy healthy food for us, and for me.  And they've definitely come a long way since then.  When the programs are used the way they're supposed to be, they're a good thing. 

kd.joseph

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:c9f527e6-57b0-4f31-b437-d29691fd8a93">Re: How do you feel about</a>:
[QUOTE]Okay but how are you going to get these people to come to nutirtion classes if they have to work nights or have children to watch? As a future RD, I like the idea but you still have the money and time situation to consider.
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]

Rick when you are on the WIC program you are required to bring your children in to be weighed, and make sure they are in their weight/height ratio for their age group. If you dont show up, you dont get your coupons. And they had classes also.

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:46a4b5f0-ea33-43f6-84d7-3a36ccdac15f">Re: How do you fell about</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How do you fell about : Limitations on the length of time spend on welfare. Stricter regulations on the reasons for welfare. I<strong> would like to see a better exit strategy in place to get people back on their feets and elimate people being born into welfare and using it as a permanent means of supporting themselves. I would like to see better job assistance and education programs in place to get them out of the system. I would like to see more documentation of welfare recipients activiely applying for jobs, etc.
</strong>Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]
We have that here. It's helpful. I forget the name of the program.

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:8c10c05e-5e4a-41d5-bbd4-c06773bbe30e">Re: How do you feel about</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How do you feel about : Rick when you are on the WIC program you are required to bring your children in to be weighed, and make sure they are in their weight/height ratio for their age group. If you dont show up, you dont get your coupons. And they had classes also.
Posted by kd.joseph[/QUOTE]

Yes but that's during the day, isn't it?

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:c85544ea-beff-4e7a-af08-794e62eed9c3">Re: How do you feel about</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree, Ricks. There are other ways you can make healthy food accessible though. Louisville has a farmer's market two blocks away from the projects that accepts food stamps.
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that would be nice if all farmer's markets did that.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:aaf123db-8e77-4416-8640-daa7ff320460">Re: How do you feel about</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How do you feel about : Yes you can buy that stuff here too. You can't buy premade/cooked foods that aren't frozen, like those whole chickens (I want one!) or birthday cakes.
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]


You can here in South Dakota.  My sister received EBT, daycare assistance and housing assistance for a few years due to a deadbeat dad and being in school.

The only "food" you can't buy is alcohol.  You can even buy Slim-Fast with it. (which I think is great)

SarahPLiz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:ae8422da-544e-411f-a1a8-fdb8eeb545a7">Re: How do you feel about</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How do you feel about : Yeah, that would be nice if all farmer's markets did that.
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]

<div>About half of the ones in Austin do it. I just don't think that a lot of people with benefits know that, or understand the benefits of getting fresh local produce. </div>

MarriedInAFever

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:ae8422da-544e-411f-a1a8-fdb8eeb545a7">Re: How do you feel about</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How do you feel about : Yeah, that would be nice if all farmer's markets did that.
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]

Yeah. It would. The local government put that into place. It really eliminate the fast food desert phenomena. (Which I'm sure you're familiar with)

kd.joseph

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:ad8c13f3-826a-41fe-82d9-082f0fd209f5">Re: How do you feel about</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How do you feel about : Yes but that's during the day, isn't it?
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]

Yes and thats kind of what sucks about the system. They really dont consider there are people that do work. And may not be able to get off work. I was lucky I had a job where I could schedule things.

ohwhynot

I feel very lucky and humbled that, so far, I haven't needed to use them.  I don't judge the people who do use the programs (or at least I try not to); I wouldn't want their lives.  I also call huge bullshiit on so many of the "welfare queens" stories that are bandied about so easily. 

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:29d28015-a1da-4130-b1f2-8b503a93eb49">Re: How do you feel about</a>:
[QUOTE]I feel very lucky and humbled that, so far, I haven't needed to use them.  I don't judge the people who do use the programs (or at least I try not to<strong>); I wouldn't want their lives.  I also call huge bullshiit on so many of the "welfare queens" stories that are bandied about so easily. 
</strong>Posted by ohwhynot[/QUOTE]

Stats would agree with you!

dmiller9274

I think the concept of all government programs are started with good intentions, but I feel that so many people today are getting to a place where they feel entitled to certain things.  One program that pisses me off to no end is the safe link program.  A cell phone is NOT a necessity or something that people should feel entitled to. I do think that a lot of people abuse the system because it's easier.  I don't think any of these programs should be offered for "free" anymore.

In my perfect world, the cities would use some of these abandoned small business locations, and turn them into child care facilities.  Certify some of the welfare recipients as child care providers (now they have a job) and offer free child care to other welfare recipients. Those recipients that now have child care should be mandated to work a minimum of 32 hrs/week in order to receive their monthly benefits.  They could mow grass, plant flowers, shovel snow for the elderly.  Clean up community areas such as parks, nature trails things like that.  Help out city road crews and do repairs to streets, anything that will get them out of the house and working. I think they could use some of the folks that are out of work to also teach some classes.  I know there have to be some people out there looking for work that could teach basic computer skills, MS office packages, things like that.  Who couldn't benefit from a little additional knowledge that is being offered for free.  I realize that not all recipients have children, or don't have jobs.  The folks that are already working, just not making enough to pay the bills, I have no problem with them using the system.  I just hate that I have to go to work every day and feel like if I have to work for my money so should everyone.

I know that not all areas have as big of a problem with welfare abuse as others, but I live in a state that has been hit pretty hard by the economy and we do have a lot of abusers sucking up state money.  

paprika28

dang, I go to lunch and I miss all this.

dmiller, i'm voting you for president. I love those ideas.

dmiller9274

 thanks

marissa_claire

It's funny this came up because I saw a guy buying energy drinks with food stamps this morning.  That I will judge.  If I ever had to be on food stamps, I would be buying rice and canned veggies or something, but energy drinks are expensive so I wonder where he's getting money for real food.

Similarly, I read an article this morning saying the government wants to make it so you can't buy soda with food stamps, and I think they should take they a step further and ban a lot of unhealthy foods and keep it to necessities.  If you are on food stamps, it legitimately should mean that you have no other means of feeding yourself and that you need it for necessities, in which case I think they should cut it down to be that you can only buy nutritious foods with food stamps.

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fell?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6d40c16b-7265-48ad-b1bc-75ec0850bc78Post:0e582bac-33a1-416d-9bcc-1cf2da106184">Re: How do you feel about</a>:
[QUOTE]It's funny this came up because I saw a guy buying energy drinks with food stamps this morning.  That I will judge.  If I ever had to be on food stamps, I would be buying rice and canned veggies or something, but energy drinks are expensive so I wonder where he's getting money for real food. Similarly, I read an article this morning saying the government wants to make it so you can't buy soda with food stamps, and I think they should take they a step further and ban a lot of unhealthy foods and keep it to necessities.  If you are on food stamps, it legitimately should mean that you have no other means of feeding yourself and that you need it for necessities, in which case I think they should cut it down to be that you can only buy nutritious foods with food stamps.
Posted by marissa_claire[/QUOTE]

You do realize how much nutritious foods are and that most recipients get a determined amount each month, right?

ricksang

I agree OWN. You are poor, no cookies for you, only rice!

dmiller9274

I agree with you OWN, and if they have children, I don't think it's right to tell a child they can't have a treat because they're poor.

ohwhynot

A lot of food pantries apparently use the food pyramid model for giving away food.  Food is assigned "points" based on its position on the food pyramid, with sweets & fats & junk having the highest number of points and whole grains, fruits, and vegetables having the lowest.  Food bank clients can spend so many points per visit - they have incentive to use their points to maximize the amount of food they get, so they tend to get more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, but if they want to "splurge" points on junk some weeks, they can. 

The food pantry where we volunteer doesn't use this system, but it seems like it might be a workable approach for food stamps in general. 

kd.joseph

I vote Dmiller for president, and OWN for VP!