Food Stamp usage up...

The news just keeps getting better and better about the economy, doesn't it...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080609/us_nm/food_usa_stamps_dc

Hey, Mark, Scooby, Card, Kroman and seems like several others believe this economy to be in great shape, GREAT shape. I think Card basically said if you were anything but a factory worker with no marketable skills you were fine. Oh well, this thread is for you guys, I will refrain from posting anymore ... I am sure you guys think this increase is just lazy filthy unappreciative slackers looking for an additional handout from your hard earned tax dollars.

blah, blah, blah...

No where did I see any specific breakdown of where the numbers come from. I'll put up a franklin that the numbers will increase with the recent flooding in the midwest. What's Barry's proposal to stop globablization specifically in the manufacturing sector? The left must think we can implement some governmental program and within a certain time frame unemployment will zero itself out, everyone will own a home that they can afford and the country will live happily ever after.

Bman wrote:Hey, Mark, Scooby, Card, Kroman and seems like several others believe this economy to be in great shape, GREAT shape. I think Card basically said if you were anything but a factory worker with no marketable skills you were fine. Oh well, this thread is for you guys, I will refrain from posting anymore ... I am sure you guys think this increase is just lazy filthy unappreciative slackers looking for an additional handout from your hard earned tax dollars.

Don't refrain from posting anymore. Your words of wisdom are an inspiration to us all. This is just another thing that Obama will improve by waving his magic wand.

LTRT wrote:blah, blah, blah...

No where did I see any specific breakdown of where the numbers come from. I'll put up a franklin that the numbers will increase with the recent flooding in the midwest. What's Barry's proposal to stop globablization specifically in the manufacturing sector? The left must think we can implement some governmental program and within a certain time frame unemployment will zero itself out, everyone will own a home that they can afford and the country will live happily ever after.

You can take that Franklin, wrap it around your thumb and shove it up your... ('cause that's the best thing to do with it in your case)

And it's funny that it seems you think NOT helping these people will produce the desired economic effect. As if they'll just wake up one day, shower/shave, go to the "job market" and select a nice job from the shelf, carry it to the checkout, pay for it, then take it home and put it together...

I just finished a 6 months of Food Stamp support. I think it's a great program for economic stimulus and a great place to put tax dollars. It's one of the most useful temporary solutions for real relief in hard times. I can't remember the statistics exactly, but I think 40% of people who would qualify (non-disaster related) actually APPLY and RECEIVE benefits. My wife and I were able to feed our family. Losing a job is a blow to the ego but not being able to feed the family would have been devastating. I'm glad to have a job and even more thankful that I have it since the gloom and doom reports of last Friday.

Has anyone else noticed more headless chickens running around since last Friday's stock market close?

meta4 wrote:

LTRT wrote:blah, blah, blah...

No where did I see any specific breakdown of where the numbers come from. I'll put up a franklin that the numbers will increase with the recent flooding in the midwest. What's Barry's proposal to stop globablization specifically in the manufacturing sector? The left must think we can implement some governmental program and within a certain time frame unemployment will zero itself out, everyone will own a home that they can afford and the country will live happily ever after.

You can take that Franklin, wrap it around your thumb and shove it up your... ('cause that's the best thing to do with it in your case)

And it's funny that it seems you think NOT helping these people will produce the desired economic effect. As if they'll just wake up one day, shower/shave, go to the "job market" and select a nice job from the shelf, carry it to the checkout, pay for it, then take it home and put it together...

I just finished a 6 months of Food Stamp support. I think it's a great program for economic stimulus and a great place to put tax dollars. It's one of the most useful temporary solutions for real relief in hard times. I can't remember the statistics exactly, but I think 40% of people who would qualify (non-disaster related) actually APPLY and RECEIVE benefits. My wife and I were able to feed our family. Losing a job is a blow to the ego but not being able to feed the family would have been devastating. I'm glad to have a job and even more thankful that I have it since the gloom and doom reports of last Friday.

Has anyone else noticed more headless chickens running around since last Friday's stock market close?

Glad it helped you through. That is exactly what the program is meant for.

Sad to say too many abuse it. And now with doing away with face to face to apply, etc... the person in most need will have a very difficult time applying.

meta4 wrote:And it's funny that it seems you think NOT helping these people will produce the desired economic effect. As if they'll just wake up one day, shower/shave, go to the "job market" and select a nice job from the shelf, carry it to the checkout, pay for it, then take it home and put it together...

Meta, take a chill...

That's where you're totally wrong, nowhere did I state, but it appears you made the assumption, that the welfare/food stamp program is a wrong thing. I was on it in the mid 80's. It IS a good program for temporary downturns in one's own life. The abuse of it, well that's for another topic. You mention "helping these people", to what extreme, at who's expense, for how long, etc.

moondrop wrote:Glad it helped you through. That is exactly what the program is meant for.

Sad to say too many abuse it. And now with doing away with face to face to apply, etc... the person in most need will have a very difficult time applying.

Why do you think they will have a very difficult time in applying? I think it will be easier for them. How many people abuse it? How do you abuse it? Please tell me because either these people are smarter than me or they figured out a great way to "cheat" the system. Perhaps drug dealers have started a symbiotic "hot dogs and burritos for meth" program.

It's a freaking debit card, you can ONLY buy FOOD with it. It's not welfare. It's not just a pile of cash. You have to qualify for the benefits, which have nothing to do with Age, Race, Sex, etc. It's based on your family INCOME, not just employment status. The family of 5 who's gross income is less than $2615 ($31380 annually) can qualify for some money to buy FOOD.

Maybe mommy and daddy can get nasty with the banana's and whipped cream... would this be abuse?

I seriously doubt moondrop will reply with more than a 2 or 3 sentence response to these questions. Anyone who wants to respond may do so...

LTRT wrote:

meta4 wrote:And it's funny that it seems you think NOT helping these people will produce the desired economic effect. As if they'll just wake up one day, shower/shave, go to the "job market" and select a nice job from the shelf, carry it to the checkout, pay for it, then take it home and put it together...

Meta, take a chill...

That's where you're totally wrong, nowhere did I state, but it appears you made the assumption, that the welfare program is a wrong thing. I was on it in the mid 80's. It IS a good program for temporary downturns in one's own life. The abuse of it, well that's for another topic. You mention "helping these people", to what extreme, at who's expense, for how long, etc.

Dude, please don't patronize me, I'm chilled. I can't read your mind, so make a point with your posts already!

Topic is "foodstamp increases" ... If these "socialist" programs are abused, or abusive (to the taxpayer or the state) then propose a better SOLUTION. Food stamps help combat the problem of malnutrition and starvation.

I made no assumptions about your post. Unless you meant where I said "It seems"... and then my words speak for themselves. If you'd have put that Franklin up, you'd have lost. The flooding has been happening since Saturday and you can't get Food stamps or Welfare that quickly. It took my wife and I almost a month, so it's not some kind of emergency money faucet.

However, I guess this gives the recipient enough time to figure out how to screw the system.

Someone didn't get their nap today...

First.. Meta.. you are the example of how the food stamp program DOES work.. and that's never been any of our beef's with the program.. most of us who don't like food stamps don't like the habitual offenders.. the people who are on stamps, making no effort to get a job, but are more than happy to bring in another baby or 3 while on stamps so they can get more and buy more Funions.

Also, I've yet to see a single person running around "with their head cut off" after the market closed last week. At least not anyone who follows the market regularly and understands that oil is just going to keep going up until we do something about the dollar, and even then, it'll go up.

Besides.. anyone who didn't expect food stamp usage to go up when gas doubles needs a refresher in economics. Gas is effecting everyone, and yes Bman.. the people who are on stamps now are the ones who don't have specialized degrees for the most part. I don't know if Meta does or not, but I know he also found a job.

And I've never said the economy is booming.. it's slowing, no one will deny that. But it's not the apocalypse that you and BO are making it out to be.

Yes, the topic is about "food stamp increase" and since we all like to make assumptions while we post, I simply made one. HERE'S THE POINT--------->Unemployment is up in the manufacturing sector due to globalization, thus increased food stamp rolls due to alot of those affected not willing to do anything but.

I will use the example of Tokheim Corp here in the Fort. I quit in 2000 before their 1st bankruptcy, I kept in touch with a bunch of folks thereafter. In 2002 after their 2nd bankruptcy, (which ultimately led to its closing), none of those I closely worked with had left or even begun their search. As of today, I know there are some of them who are "welcoming me to Walmart". For over 2 years, I plead with a majority of them to search and their reply was, "Nobody pays this kind of money", duh it was a UAW union shop.

So if I'm permitted to make this assumption, what's Barry's proposal to stop globablization specifically in the manufacturing sector?

Raise the tariffs on imports... see his opposition to NAFTA... that'll solve globalization!

Of course.. if you live in Canada, BO is telling you that he's just saying this to get elected... so who knows what he's really going to do.

Well, as I read your responses, there are several assumptions it seems, seemingly so.

The economy appears to many to be apocalyptic except for people with specialized degrees. Unemployment, Welfare, and Food stamps are being utilized more. Some are concerned because they are afraid poor people don't deserve this help and just do it to abuse the system. NO chickens have been spotted running around with their heads cut off. Some people who used to work at Tokheim are still unemployed, or working at Wal-Mart.

My cheerios have gotten soggy waiting for someone to post something that doesn't involve trying to extract Obama's plan from his economic campaign manager, Bman.

meta4 wrote:Well, as I read your responses, there are several assumptions it seems, seemingly so.

The economy appears to many to be apocalyptic except for people with specialized degrees. Unemployment, Welfare, and Food stamps are being utilized more. Some are concerned because they are afraid poor people don't deserve this help and just do it to abuse the system. NO chickens have been spotted running around with their heads cut off. Some people who used to work at Tokheim are still unemployed, or working at Wal-Mart.

My cheerios have gotten soggy waiting for someone to post something that doesn't involve trying to extract Obama's plan from his economic campaign manager, Bman.

Was that a dig at me? I am not the heartless bastard some on this board are.

Bman wrote:

meta4 wrote:Well, as I read your responses, there are several assumptions it seems, seemingly so.

The economy appears to many to be apocalyptic except for people with specialized degrees. Unemployment, Welfare, and Food stamps are being utilized more. Some are concerned because they are afraid poor people don't deserve this help and just do it to abuse the system. NO chickens have been spotted running around with their heads cut off. Some people who used to work at Tokheim are still unemployed, or working at Wal-Mart.

My cheerios have gotten soggy waiting for someone to post something that doesn't involve trying to extract Obama's plan from his economic campaign manager, Bman.

Was that a dig at me? I am not the heartless bastard some on this board are.

Heck no man. You seem to field a larger portion of the inquiries about the Obama economic plan is all. I think you paint the economy picture more accurately for the majority of Americans. I generally think you see economic issues for the majority without blinders. But the kool-aid... well... you drink it because it's free I suppose.

Bman wrote:

meta4 wrote:Well, as I read your responses, there are several assumptions it seems, seemingly so.

The economy appears to many to be apocalyptic except for people with specialized degrees. Unemployment, Welfare, and Food stamps are being utilized more. Some are concerned because they are afraid poor people don't deserve this help and just do it to abuse the system. NO chickens have been spotted running around with their heads cut off. Some people who used to work at Tokheim are still unemployed, or working at Wal-Mart.

My cheerios have gotten soggy waiting for someone to post something that doesn't involve trying to extract Obama's plan from his economic campaign manager, Bman.

Was that a dig at me? I am not the heartless bastard some on this board are.

Hmmm, a post from the 'First Day New Job' thread...

Bman wrote:Hey now, I have never called you a heartless bastard ... heartless yes but bastard, never.

So, if I'm not one of them, any guesses who the heartless bastards are?

Under the Bush (W) administration, food stamp enrollment has nearly doubled from ~17M to ~28M, that's an increase of nearly 65% since 2000.

Markwes wrote:So, if I'm not one of them, any guesses who the heartless bastards are?

Dude, either you're really concerned about becoming a heartless bastard, or you're campaigning for the title!

You know who'd be really fun to have in this thread right now? GimmeMoore!

meta4 wrote:Under the Bush (W) administration, food stamp enrollment has nearly doubled from ~17M to ~28M, that's an increase of nearly 65% since 2000.

Don't supposed that would have anything to do with the Farm Bill of 2002 that expanded the scope and simplicity of the program either.....

meta4 wrote:

Bman wrote:

meta4 wrote:Well, as I read your responses, there are several assumptions it seems, seemingly so.

The economy appears to many to be apocalyptic except for people with specialized degrees. Unemployment, Welfare, and Food stamps are being utilized more. Some are concerned because they are afraid poor people don't deserve this help and just do it to abuse the system. NO chickens have been spotted running around with their heads cut off. Some people who used to work at Tokheim are still unemployed, or working at Wal-Mart.

My cheerios have gotten soggy waiting for someone to post something that doesn't involve trying to extract Obama's plan from his economic campaign manager, Bman.

Was that a dig at me? I am not the heartless bastard some on this board are.

Heck no man. You seem to field a larger portion of the inquiries about the Obama economic plan is all. I think you paint the economy picture more accurately for the majority of Americans. I generally think you see economic issues for the majority without blinders. But the kool-aid... well... you drink it because it's free I suppose.

I'd actually say Pez "fields" more of the questions on Obama.. at least in terms of answering them.. Bman just repeats "change, change, change" and McSame.

cardinal5150 wrote:I'd actually say Pez "fields" more of the questions on Obama.. at least in terms of answering them.. Bman just repeats "change, change, change" and McSame.

Dang, well congrats Card "you really got me"!

I guess I've been misinterpreting comments about Obama for a while now... Apparently they're just "Pez bait". Yeah, I get it now. Pez cherry picks the stuff that bounces off Bman.

They just have contrasting styles. Pez looks at the issues and tries to decide who would be the best candidate for those issues. Bman looks at the candidate and tries to find issues that would make that candidate look good/bad.

meta4 wrote:Under the Bush (W) administration, food stamp enrollment has nearly doubled from ~17M to ~28M, that's an increase of nearly 65% since 2000.

Wonder what the numbers are in relation to all the corporate layoffs.