an alternative view of food stamps. Can you dig it???

[greenbriar]

My hubbys brother his pregnant wife and two kids lived with us for a while because they got evicted when she was 8 months pg and they had a 2 year old and a 7 year old.

They could not afford diapers and such. We bought things they needed like that and they bought food for us and when the baby was born, I used the card to buy food and formula for when they got home.

I drive a 2005 Jeep

wrong? Maybe

Should they be able to buy diapers and laundry soap ect...I think so

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. I agree about diapers. I'd say cloth

but then some folks can't wash them.

[politicat]

4. Depends on where you are, too...

Out here in the west, where water is at a premium and landfill space is cheap, disposable diapers are considered more ecologically friendly (as long as they're the ones that decompose and some do). Water may be renewable in that it evaporates and comes back down, but it's hard to come by, too (we only get 11-14 inches of rain/snow a year). Nothing really decomposes out here because it's so dry, but once the water runs downhill, we never get it back, unlike some places.

I don't mind people using switch buying to maximize their food stamp dollars.

[Horse with no Name]

2. Color me liberal but I think

There should be vouchers each month to buy diapers, toilet paper, soap and personal hygiene items.
Do I think what you did was wrong? Not in a million years.

[cynatnite]

19. Exactly!

My daughter is on fixed income and raising two kids by herself. The price of diapers and other necessities can get expensive with two little ones. Trying to keep rent paid and other utilities is tough enough as it is.

Food stamps can buy candy bars, chips and other crap people don't need, but she struggles for diapers, tampons, shampoo and so on.

[MissWaverly]

3. considering the fact the Pentagon spend 1000 for a toaster

no, I don't think it's unfair, you are able to get reimbursed for what you normally
can't afford to do as a freebie, the fact that you drive a 2005 jeep means nothing since
you have to pay for it, I am tired of people at the top getting jillions while the little
people go hungry, if you have worked something out fine. I am reading the book on
bush by Bartlett, he says that one reason that the Medicare drug bill costs so much is that it is reimbursing companies for contracted expenses for their workers, I thought it was only
for those not covered, so in the end our taxes will go to pay benefits by Verizon, Ford
etc.

[greenbriar]

5. I mention the jeep because if someone had followed me

after using the food card, they would suspect me like the lexus lady...

[MissWaverly]

9. well that's probably true

might be a good idea to take one of them with you considering the power of the self
righteous now.

[greenbriar]

10. They were in the hospital admiring their new baby

and mom had to have a c=section they were at the hospital 5 days.

[MissWaverly]

11. you are very supportive, congrats to you

but I am amazed at the hate today that passes for patriotism. Good luck to all of you,
one thing I learned is that helping each other out makes the burden bearable.

[Catherine Vincent]

6. What's all this talk of food stamps tonight?

:shrug:

[greenbriar]

7. someone is dredging up the reaganesque fable

about foodstamp users cheating the govt...

[MercutioATC]

13. Let's be fair...it was ONE post. ONE story.

...and it might well have happened. The poster didn't attack the food stamp program or social programs in general, just what they observed.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. If you really believe that poster,

I got some ocean front property in Kansas you might be interested in. :eyes:

[greenbriar]

15. hehe

good one

[MercutioATC]

17. Why wouldn't I? Are you saying that NOBODY abuses social programs?

The poster didn't paint with a broad brush. They clearly stated that they were upset with this ONE woman...not the program.

What's the problem with that?

[Divernan]

12. Low poster from Georgia claimed he saw Lexus driver use food stamps

It was suspiciously like the old urban legend circulated based on Regan's description of "Welfare Queens" driving Caddies but using food stamps.

[Horse with no Name]

16. Wait

woman in store--->couldn't use food stamp machine---->nice clerk helped her while customers waiting in line cheered at the goodness of the clerk---->food stamp went through---->nice clerk asked food stamp customer to sack her own groceries----->customer was belligerent, didn't want sack no stinking groceries---->customer behind happened to follow her out to parking lot where she got in Lexus with private school stickers.
Customers all threw tomatoes at Lexus and free groceries as they drove away (okay that is artistic license).

Devil is in the details.:evilgrin:

[sandnsea]

8. Parents without soap and diapers are "bad parents"

I've known people who have had to do the whole family services thing because they couldn't afford soap and toilet paper. Don't give people enough assistance to live on, and then condemn them because of it. It's crazy.

Not all family helps the way you did either. It's nice that you did.

[Ksec]

18. Your story is a typical American story

It seems like everyone is hurting. Cut, cut , cut and cut some more.

Downsize, outsource, relocate, lay off, cut backs,and cut some more. People are not important anymore, its profit who is King here. You are collateral damage in the race to the cheapest Labor source.

[LeftCoast]

20. Locking

We'd appreciate it if people kept thread conversations in the thread where they started.