Food Bank Comment Prompts Resignation Call (More Bushie Compassion)

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- A senior Agriculture Department official's comment that people who eat at food banks are "taking the easy way out" was taken out of context, an agency spokeswoman said Wednesday, after several members of Congress called for his resignation.

Eric Bost, the department's undersecretary for food and nutrition programs, was quoted in a June 6 story in The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch about the growing use of food banks as saying he was skeptical of claims that food needs among the poor were increasing.

"There's a bump, but how much of that is due to people taking the easy way out? I don't know," he said.

Bost told the newspaper that food-stamp enrollment is up because of government outreach to eligible people. He also said that since many food pantries don't require documentation of income, not everyone receiving provisions is truly in need.

more............

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-official-food-banks,0,6132072.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[MikeG]

1. If only they'd pass that damn capital gains tax cut!!

There would be no poor. Right?

[eaprez]

2. Such Crap

"Food stamp enrollment is up because of government outreach?" OMG - how self serving. Couldn't possible be because of job losses, bankruptcy, etc......its all because of the benevolent Republicans. Just Kill me Now!!!!!!

[KittyWampus]

3. My Dad Helped Set Up The Food Bank Here

the people I saw were definately not taking the "easy way out".

They were trying to keep their heads above water in a town that has mostly homes for millionaires but no affordable housing.

And precious little year round work.

[stickdog]

4. C. Montgomery Burns couldn't have said it better himself.

"Let them eat shit."

[Lindacooks]

5. Typical repuke excuse

'it was taken out of context', they whine.

Yeah, right. Some statements don't need 'context'; they're evil and appalling all by themselves.

[area51]

6. Eric Bost is a disgusting POS.

He needs to find out how hard it is to get a job and survive in this Bush Depression economy.

[MO_Dem]

7. Taking the easy way out? Maybe so!

I would guess that going to a food bank would be easier than starving to death, or seeing your kids starving to death. Confounded compassionate conservatism!

[drthais]

8. don't GET me started!

....as a citizen who works every Tuesday
when our local Food Pantry is open
let ME tell you

our clientele has TRIPLED in the past 6 months
DUE TO THE ECONOMY
and these people must qualify
and the requirements are not only very strict
but the GOVERNMENT has UPPED THE ANTE lately
and now the requirements are even MORE strict

we never turn someone away
but give them food on an emergency basis
they can only receive food once per month
so I load em up
as best I can

these creeps

this asshole whould work a food pantry
just once in his life
before he opens his big fat mouth

this truly pisses me off

[Rex]

9. This is part of the foundation in RW values.

"Poor people are lazy and therefore try to avoid working for a living."

Everyone knows this is the view of most RW trogs. Why they (GOP) pretend it's not a hallmark value is a mystery to me.

[shanti]

10. oh, good grief

people don't go to food banks because they want to, it's a necessity! this jerk is out of touch and needs to go! this whole administration needs to be thrown out on their asses!

as you can tell, this burns me up.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Are there no prisons?

Are there no poorhouses?

[Sugarbleus]

12. Well said by all....don't know that I can add anything

more to your sentiments. In my opinion, food, like healthcare, is the next thing to become an almost unattainable commodity.

We don't even eat three meals a day. We aren't starving but, ya know, with all the food stuffs in this world you'd think EVERYONE could have more than they even need crammed into their cupboards. Anyone check out the prices of everyday food items lately???? Let alone if you don't have money or a job...geeez

Who in hell WANTS to stand in line at a food bank?! Or ask a charity to bring you a bag of groceries (as we've had to do in times past) It's humiliating. The absolute GALL of the RW attitude. The worst thing is, this attitude is GROWING!!!! I'm hearing such hateful, selfish, language about the poor and needy coming from the mouths of conservatives.....more than any time in my life!

Bless you who works in the food pantries...............

[TexasBushwhacker]

13. He should talk to my friend in Utah

She has cancer and is on such high doses of painkillers that she cannot drive or work. Her husband works fulltime, but makes less than $10 an hour. They would move to the city, except their families can help care for her when she's bedridden. They also have a 6 year old son. They found the cancer when he was less than a year old. The 20 POUND tumor was unlike any cancer anyone has ever seen before, but they think it's some kind of ovarian cancer because it grew so big, probably because of the elevated hormones during her pregnancy. She is 26, currently in remission and hopes she will live to see her son graduate from high school.

She lives in a small town, so jobs pay less than they do in bigger cities, but the cost of living is less too. Since it's a small town, the food bank isn't very big and she can only go 3 times a year. Because she gets a small disability check (less than $200 a month) HER FAMILY IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD STAMPS.

[Journeyman]

14. There should be a law to require the CONTEXT. . .

of these inflammatory comments be made public whenever some Politico claims this blanket excuse.

"Oh, my comment was taken out of context, so everyone should just excuse and forget that faux pas."

No, damnit. Tell us what possible context makes that idiotic comment any less stupid.

Edit for typo.

[GingerSnaps]

15. Is that how Freepers brains work?

Eating someone else's garbage would be taking the easy way out as well.

Jack Ass freeper!

[SoCalDem]

16. Insensitivity in a republican adminsitration?? Say it ain't so !

These people would have us believe that people will leave their McMansions, with the well stocked pantries and fridges, to show up at a food pantry for some generic macaroni and cheese, and storebrand tuna..

What a bunch of visionaries.:(

[radfringe]

17. sounds like

they are trying to take "...the easy way out..." by claiming the statement was "...taken out of context..."

[struggle4progress]

18. The plan? The poor should join the military and go abroad to fight. eom