What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

[Nullifidian]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

Negative images stick more than positive images. People who mooch are the ones that are seen while people who use the system how they're supposed to, no matter how much bigger this group is, are not heard of. It's like seeing an image of pretty girls and one ugly fat sow and all you'll remember is the sow, or when your horoscope (lol whoever reads that shit) says that you'll get bad luck and all you notice is bad luck despite all the good things happening to you (cognitive bias).
Don't be so quick to judge, and certainly don't make hard claims about this kind of stuff without proper evidence to back it up (for example: statistics on welfare abuse).

[mellonxcollie]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

Just wondering what percentage of people in this thread work jobs and support themselves 100%? How many do or have had to rely on government assistance? How many rely on their parents, student loans? This is a question I am asking in earnest. I live in Detroit and see many people struggle daily, myself and Ipatch included, and I'm not sure that many of you actually have experience with any of this first-hand.

I do not believe that people who use government aid should totally be deprived of any and all luxury items. Do you believe that people who use foodstamps should not be allowed to have cable TV? What about internet? Cell phone? Video games? New clothes? Pets? I find it interesting that you specifically mentioned alcohol and cigarettes, despite these just being luxury items like many others.

[Nullifidian]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

I've worked jobs in the past but I'm solely relying on student loan (part gift after graduation and part ongoing loan) to get through my study and pay for my food and my apartment right now.

[dragonmegaXX]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

If some people are content living so poorly that they waste the little money handed to them each month, then let them. The majority of people who receive government support actually want to better themselves (I know this thread isn't about them. Just putting it into perspective). The minority just seems like a lot because a small percentage of 314 million people is still a lot of people. Besides, programs like welfare for the poor barely make a dent compared to everything else the government spends taxpayer money on.

Also, the system-abusers might get enough money to support their drug/alcohol/tobacco habits, but beyond that they're hardly living the life of luxury. There's a reason that people aren't leaving employment in droves to go on welfare, other than joking about doing so.

dragonmegaxx: The fact that they're making more money than you goes to show how outdated current minimum-wage rates are, assuming that's what you're paid. It's been needing an increase.

1. I dont make minimum wage, I was exaggerating a bit.

2. This is a terrible idea and deserves a thread of it's own.

[ELRayford]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

The fact that they are spending money is a good thing regardless of what they purchase. There are taxes on said items. Specifically Alch/Tobacco is taxed much more than other products. Honestly, It is none of your business what people purchase with their money. There is nothing that will be gained from crying about it on the internets.

Do not be butthurt because the system is broken. Go out and do something about it. Talk to the correct government officials and let them know how you feel. They are only in power because of the voters. Pick up the phone and call your local reps. A reform is needed, that is for damn sure, It will not happen by QQ'ing on FFR Forums.

Take the amount of energy and time you have spent in this thread and talk to your local of age voters/representatives/etc. You will be amazed at the time they will give back to you. Even if it is a simple email to their offices. More than likely you will reach some who actually gives a fuck.

[Nullifidian]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

The fact that they are spending money is a good thing regardless of what they purchase. There are taxes on said items. Specifically Alch/Tobacco is taxed much more than other products. Honestly, It is none of your business what people purchase with their money. There is nothing that will be gained from crying about it on the internets.

Do not be butthurt because the system is broken. Go out and do something about it. Talk to the correct government officials and let them know how you feel. They are only in power because of the voters. Pick up the phone and call your local reps. A reform is needed, that is for damn sure, It will not happen by QQ'ing on FFR Forums.

Take the amount of energy and time you have spent in this thread and talk to your local of age voters/representatives/etc. You will be amazed at the time they will give back to you. Even if it is a simple email to their offices. More than likely you will reach some who actually gives a fuck.

This p much, but make sure you're educated on the matter if you're trying to address it. Going to a representative and saying "Well, I see people buying beer n stuff with stamps n i dun like dat" won't get you any serious response from people who know their stuff.

[ELRayford]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5439538_ge...fications.html

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1269

http://rsc.scalise.house.gov/solutions/food-welfare.htm

http://www.heritage.org/research/rep...-stamp-program

Some things to consider.

[JohnRedWolf87]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

Just wondering what percentage of people in this thread work jobs and support themselves 100%? How many do or have had to rely on government assistance? How many rely on their parents, student loans? This is a question I am asking in earnest. I live in Detroit and see many people struggle daily, myself and Ipatch included, and I'm not sure that many of you actually have experience with any of this first-hand.

I do not believe that people who use government aid should totally be deprived of any and all luxury items. Do you believe that people who use foodstamps should not be allowed to have cable TV? What about internet? Cell phone? Video games? New clothes? Pets? I find it interesting that you specifically mentioned alcohol and cigarettes, despite these just being luxury items like many others.

My dad's helping to pay for gas and groceries until I find a job.
I apply for at least one job a day, if there aren't more.

[Pseudo Enigma]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

Since this is just a CC I'll just keep it light

-my mom has always been on welfare and hasn't had a job
-she has plantar fasciitis or some shit that makes her not be able to work.
-she can still work at a desk
-been trying to get disability for a while
-meanwhile wasted probably 5 years of her life complaining about this shit
-no post secondary education
-no job
-no experience

My mom is pretty much scum in my eyes, not gonna lie. She's probably a good example of a person who needs to be kicked off of the system and pushed face first into the harsh reality of unemployment. I know I have been living a kind life due to tax payers' money here in Canada (which seems pretty damn similar in some ways to how USA's welfare works) but I have always had this thought that if my mom was just forced into shit she would've been able to provide for her family better.

Instead she sits and whines about how she hasn't been able to get a job, isn't successful and how she was meant to do awesome things or something. I don't even know anymore what her current fad is when it comes to griping about her unemployed state. All I know is that I live(d) a sad life under her care, and it's a wonder how I am even still here.

tl;dr the system is actually spoon feeding people in my view, and it's actually damaging to the people who are on it.

[mellonxcollie]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

but I have always had this thought that if my mom was just forced into shit she would've been able to provide for her family better.

Or, she might have been unable to find a job and unable to provide for her children. If she had even tried to get a job, with no skills, no experience and a disability that would've been very difficult. Would you have rather starved? Because being "pushed face first into the harsh reality of unemployment" potentially means no food, no shelter, certainly no internet connection and FFR. Without government aid or a job, providing for children? Do you honestly think that this would be a good idea?

There is this mentality that if someone simply works hard, then they can do whatever they want. This is simply not true. I got into university because I was born into a white middle class family in Canada and going to university was what was expected of me, so I maintained my grades with minimal effort and got in. I got my first part-time job (after several months of spraying out resumes) simply because my mum was a friend of the manager. Sometimes the amount of effort put in doesn't make a difference; sometimes people are simply dealt a bad hand in life and they need help.

[Pseudo Enigma]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

Honestly I would've rather been pushed into a certain fate instead of this "middle-zone" where nothing happens and you expect your parent to get a job. I know exactly what I am supposed to feel in terms of empathy towards this situation, but I really don't think she should've been coddled for so long. Either that or the government could've helped her get a job instead of actually just allowing her to procrastinate for years on getting into school or into a job.

p.s. nothing feels worse than being the kid who saps off the govt while everyone's parents are complaining about taxes and whatnot. Productive lives etc.

edit: and forget about it when people ask what my parents do. Both of them are leeches. Can't even say "oh my father builds computers for a living" when he just builds fat.

[Reincarnate]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

I am afraid to read past the first post of this thread because I am almost positive most of the responses in here are going to be batshit retarded

[alloyus]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

You can buy lobster meat (uncooked) with food stamps, can be anywhere from $30-40 a pound. Not saying this happens all the time, or how often the same people are getting it because I have no idea, but it's just a little odd seeing such a luxurious item being put up for grabs with food stamps.

[A2P]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

>clicks on thread
>reads first post

>

[Reincarnate]

Re: What are your thoughts on EBT/Food stamps.

Fun to read but also very true, in my experience:

http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-things...ut-being-poor/

http://www.cracked.com/blog/4-things...t-poor-people/