TANF payments are small and finite. I think people believe "welfare" to be a thousand or more dollars a month and and an endless loop. You can collect cash assistance for a max of 5 years in most places and you're required to seek employment if you are unemployed. I just looked this up and for a family of 3 making $900 a month, they'd get about $130 in assistance per month. Yeah, those lazy bums are really living it up on that welfare, aren't they?

Wall Street doesn't seem to notice (or care).

Keep in mind, it just came out that under the Bush Administration, the FED loaned $8,000,000,000,000 to banks in addition to the $800,000,000,000 of Taxpayer funds with TARP.

OWS is spot on.

Bravo. I hate giving handouts to those that feel they are entitled. This is exactly the type of situation that food stamps and welfare are for. Someone who hates receiving the assistance so much that they can't wait to get out, but appreciates that they are getting the help they so desperately need.

Unfortunately, it's families like this that make up the vast majority of those who are using food stamps. The people who are supposedly having babies to get bigger checks are are only a fraction yet I keep hearing about these people "lazy welfare mammas." Nice to see the spirit of compasion and understanding ... especially during this time of the year.

Wow I really hope you are being sarcastic but it would not surprise me if you are genuine as sadly there are plenty of dumb as dirt twits crawling around out there.

The families out there "making" $900 a month deserve help, just like these families willing to take whatever job they can to help themselves. I am talking about those that never even bother looking for a job. Just TANF is not the only benefit. There is housing, food, heating, medical, daycare and even programs to pay for college classes that they will never use! I am just tired of supporting people who will not even try!

You are really misinformed.

Don't have a whole lot more to say about that one.

Yeah, tellitlikeitis -- punish those hungry children. If they wanted to eat regularly, they should have chosen their parents better.

Vivian, maybe you are one coasting by with job while others desperately want one. Working too hard? Try making $600 feed 7 people for a month.

@Telli... The idea of creating a class of people who have babies just to get more welfare is noit very bright. It might surprise you to learn that, especially since welfare reform under Clinton, the modal (think average) person collecting welfare is a white single mother with 2.2 children and who was just divorced. She stays on welfare for less than 18 months. There is really no way to put together enough government checks to come up with anything except abject poverty. The GOP-driven 1996 act provided for:

As the Bible says, "The poor are always with us." but there is no provision for a welfare mother who is just having babies to get bigger checks. Any one with a calculator can see that babies cost more than welfare provides for them. The 2- and 5-year limits are killers for anyone who wants to try it. This is just one of those stupid rants that people make so they can hate someone else.

Now --- let's all you right wingnuts all get together and really cut out the largest single group of people who qualify for food stamps --- the US military! I am sure you want to see food taken out of the mouths of military dependents just so you can keep spouting your hateful jingoism. Yeah, let's go after all those military people just sitting in base housing and collecting welfare. You could spearhead that group.

I have no problem with my tax dollars going toward food stamps. I just wish that those who are using food stamps to "stabilize" their families would also use birth control to stablilize the size of their families -- at least until they're off the dole.

Obama and the progressive democrats obviously plan to have EVERYBODY buying their groceries from the soon-to-be-taken-over-by-the democrats-for-our-own-good "Walmart Collective" with "Government Assistance" ATM-cards-for-all signed by President Foodstamps himself ADDED BONUS just swipe the card at ANY voting booth and it will register the cardholder democrat and vote party line pretty sad that engineering students in SC cannot get jobs at Boeing since Obama shut down the already built $ billion dollar factory so the students instead of jobs get food stamps STUDENTS SHOULD BE VERY ANGRY WITH OBAMA'S PRO FOODSTAMPS ANTI-JOBS POLICIES

Welfare is like unemployment, keep giving it and they wont look for work. Here in my state you get a tanf account for 1000 and a food account depending on how many kids you have, the more you have the higher it goes. I've seen both accounts roughly at around 1500 to 2000 a month. I've seen them use it at our casinos to gamble on, and guess what its legal. These people make it hard for the ones that really need it. Now you give them free housing, medical, food and tanf. What makes you think their gonna look for a job?

Sorry, Shark; Viv has the same 1st amendment right that you do, and I'm "nauseatingly sick" of libs thinking that they have exclusive possession of it.

VIvian? you are completely ignorant of anything other than what fox news tells you. Why bother reading anything other than their stuff? I feel as though you are jealous and are lashing out because you can't be a pregnant momma doing nothing. What do you do for a living? How are you so secure financially to feel you'll never need this type of help? Some of us didn't get inheritances and what not that some choose to blow and some to save. Furthermore, corporate welfare is a far larger sucker of money for nothing more than high levels of greed. A few dollars in food stamps as compared to millions to billions of dollars in tax refunds such as to GE? Kicking the average person when they're down is not a christian thing to do and why capitalism can't equal christian based. I realize the rich people involved try donating to churches and back in the day when churches were the fronts for kingdoms that was fine... they aren't these days. Churches are non-taxed in the US... they need to start taxing them appropriately. 50% or more of donations to churches should be taken by the government.

Let's not forget that the fictional cadillac-driving "Welfare Queen" was invented by the same President who stood in front of the World and made up a completely fictional story about liberating prisoners at Auschwitz: Ronald Reagan. The Fictional President.

If you prefer foodstamps to jobs VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

janierock-

I recently had to be on food stamps for 1 month. LITERALLY. My husband lost his job in march, right when my son had emergency surgery for an intussusepted bowel. We used our savings until the end of may, when I finally went in and applied because he couldnt find anything. Ended up getting 400 bucks a month for a family of 6. In order to get this, I had to complete 30 hrs a week of work search, and one orientation where a lady said "I have to do this once a year, I know what you are going to say, can I leave?" I took it seriously, had 6 applications submitted the first day, two job offers in the first week, and then my husband finally found a job with his brother right when I was on my way to do my drug test for walmart for 9$ an hour. <---- THANK GOD! I get grossed out walking into that place, but I was gonna do it for my family. The day after I reported his job, I recieved a letter stating that they were closing my file. I recieved food stamps for 3 weeks.

POINT: The only reason I had to do that work search was because there were 2 adults in the house. If there was only one adult, and a child under 5, you dont even have to look. I used to be friends with this chick who could be my twin- born a week apart, both had our kids at the same time. Difference: She has no kids with the same man. All four of her kids are by different fathers. She has never had a relationship last beyond the first missed period. Her parents pay for the trailer she lives in, the gas that heats it, the electricity that lights it, the lot rent it sits on, her car insurance, christmas presents and birthdays for her kids. DFS covers the rest, after she gets her 800$ a month in child support (if she gets it, only two of the dads ever really tried). She gets 900$ a month for food, and used to call me and ask if I would trade money for food. I wouldnt, and this is one of the reasons I stopped being her friend. That, and the very obvious fact that she was trying to make my hubby one of her "baby daddies". OH! And guess who is running around in designer jeans, shoes, shirts, and hats while her parents buy her kids their school clothes? Surely not me, the one who gets one new pair of shoes a year, and still has the same jeans I wore 10 years ago. Kinda see where there are "LAZY BUMS LIVING IT UP ON WELFARE". Especially the ones who, while on welfare, get busted for methamphetamine, and dont lose anything. Not even more than a day in jail. Cuz mommy and daddy helped her beat that too. Still has money and food in her house, thats for sure. Still smoking pot, too, Im sure.

Here's the thing - I didnt see good people, just down on their luck needing a little bit of help.

What I see are people who suck at money management, and blow their money the minute it lands in their hands.

$690 is way more than enough for a family of 7 for one month.

beans, rice, veggies...this stretches meals WAY OUT. there is simply no excuse for not budgeting that money properly, so that they only spend X amount each week, ensuring they dont get to the end of the month with nothing in the fridge and no money.

clearly, they havent gotten that part of their act together.

neither have the rest of the welfare folks hanging out at walmart the first day of the month.

SPEAKING OF WALMART, glad they are cashing in courtesty of the govt...makes you wonder what portion of their business is supported by welfare recipients - which by default makes them supported by the govt.

There is only one true way to solve these problems, but it is a hard road and one most Americans refuse to accept.

First you MUST balance the budget. It must be done. We need to come up with $1.6T in cuts or taxes to balance the budget. If we go purely for taxes those that are rich will not bother to reach the upper echelon because their gains would be offset by tax increases. If you tax everyone more survival would become nearly impossible.

I'm sure there is a little room for raising taxes but surely not $1.6T dollars worth.

Maybe, just maybe we could handle half of that..

That means we would have to cut at least $800B a year (not in ten years, not in 2 years, this year) and forever we must keep the budget at least balanced if not running at a surplus to pay down the debt.

Right now the idea is to foster inflation on such a level as to make our past debts smaller relative to the inflated dollar. Imagine 100% inflation. Relatively speaking our $15T in debt would equate to $1.5T in debt but even then we would need to have a balanced budget so that our $1.6T yearly deficit wouldn't ballon to $16T after inflation. So first and formost we must balance the budget.

The other idea is to default on our debt. If we do that our debt problems disappear but we can no longer borrow money. That forces us to..Balance the budget since we cannot borrow more money that what we have.

The other idea is to default on our debt AND go back to the gold standard, therefoe elessoning the impact of the default since our new currency would be back in gold. A dollar would be tied to a specific amount of gold. In modern dollars this would be around $400B dollars. That sounds horrifying but remember the new dollar would be worth much more as other countries would know that for every dollar they get from the USA would be exchanged for gold upon demand. This would cause the government to attempt to keep all the currency in this country or rather a balanced trade defict, this keeps jobs at home and would encourage trade taxes that would prevent one from wanting to by a good from china. Of course there is a problem there because our plastic $1.20 sand pales would cost much more but they would probably be made her at home. Poorer people would have a much harder time purchasing goods in the short term until the productivity of the USA equates to the production we import.

Any of these solutions require the same basic foundation, a balanced budget.

I would argue that is not nearly as hard as we make it out to be.

Simply, Tell the dems they are responsible for $800B in proposed cuts/taxes tell the republicans they are as well.

When finshed with the first round, those that overlap, say $10 in a single cuts are proposed by both parties, simply that cut goes through and as a result of perfect agreement $5 is reallocated back to each party. This continues until the budget is balanced.

Then we either inflate our currency to astronomical levels or we go to the gold standard and default.

Yes the cuts will INCREASE unemployment in the short term and force us to issue more benefits for the unemployed/food stamps which would be offset with the DEFLATIONARY effects of the gold standard.

Eitherway, the solution will be either orchestrated by us or forced on us.

Its time to stop playing around and get down to work and make the tough choices.

Hate to disappoint you Missouri boy, but I am a 40+ year old white southern female US Army veteran who calls my own Momma "Momma". I don't give a crap what color you are if you have a bunch of babies you can't afford. My momma is a social worker and has been for 35 years. I know some of these welfare momma's myself. I go to school with some of them, they are White, Black and Hispanic (I currently attend a community college to better myself). I see them stand in line every semester to get their checks from the government for going to school. I also see their carts at the grocery store full of stuff I can't afford. I am the woman in line who pisses them off with my hand full of coupons. By planning meals and using coupons and left overs wisely, I feed my family of 4 for around $300 a month. I only buy stuff when it is on sale. I don't begrudge anybody who falls on hard-times and needs help, but come on, when is enough, enough?

oh Vivian, up to your old tricks. You really get people pissed off, you know? I assume it amuses you, which is kinda pathological.

Yeah,

For $900 bucks a month my family of 7 would eat like kings. Have this lady go shopping with my wife and learn how to save money. I'm not saying that her shopping habits got her into the mess, but if she can't afford to feed her family of 3 on $900 a month, she is a lousy shopper. My wife can feed our family of 7 (6 eaters cause one is a baby) on $350/month.

In my opinion, if you gave this lady $500/month one month, she would spend it all and be left with scraps at the end. If you upped it to $900/month she has scraps at the end. If you gave her $1400/month, she would probably have scraps at the end of the month.

I agree that they currently have an income problem and deserve help. But if they don't fix their spending problem, they are going to be in a world of hurt when they don't qualify for food stamps. I don't think they are bad people, but it appears they make poor choices.

This is the same problem that our government has. A spending problem. If we increase the amount of taxes and really reduce spending, then we will be able to make it as a nation. Until that time, we will continue to decline until we default on our debt.

"If you prefer foodstamps to jobs VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 2012"

What a stupid comment! Do you have any idea (of course you don't) how many jobs were lost during the Bush administration?

Jessica - "690 is way more than enough for a family of 7 for a month"....Really? Let's see, $690 divided by 30 days =$23 per day, Divide $23 by 3 meals a day and that's $7.66 per meal...now divide that by 7 and you have $1.09 per person per meal...oh yeah, that's WAY more than enough money, they must be eating steak and lobster every meal with a whole dollar to blow each on food! Try thinking just a bit before you engage your mouth (or pen, computer, etc) and you won't come off looking quite so silly.

Enough with blaming Fox News for folks like Vivian. MSNBC is no better in their left leaning. If Vivian wants to spew hate that is a choice she makes. Stop with the uneducated belief that a news network creates people like her. Sadly, not many people on food stamps are like the ones in this article. I see blatant abuse of the system everyday. Where I live they get free food from the local farmer's market and some complain because it's not food they like. I hope the people who want off of support from the govt. are able to do that in their future.

LOL yeah Vivian you're in a ton of danger from those darn Mexicans crossing the border. You better watch out or they might just sneak up on you and mow your lawn or clean your house when you're not looking!!!!!!!!!

Excuse me, but I have a white, male, middle class neighbor who has been on disability since he was 49 (he's 65 now, so he must be on Soc Sec now), for a "back" problem. Yet he could lie on the ground, twist around, etc. to repair lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc. He spends hours going 'round and 'round on his lawn mower. He does all the snowblowing, and he has a second house, a cottage, up north. He was gettin $1,200/month.

The white suburban welfare queen. And he isn't the only one. All the comments about welfare moms are misguided. At least the moms really need it. For those that say they don't, PLEASE PLEASE hire them for DECENT jobs, not $8.00/hr temp jobs.

I would, however, suggest people skip the meat. I used to live on spaghetti and milk and I've always been healthy and energetic. Rice dishes are excellent, too. Meat once or twice a week is more than sufficient.

Most all states in the US have a cap on how long a person can collect welfare, and I know where I live any kids born after reform was signed were not eligible to be included in the family household to collect, that was part of welfare reform years ago which limited how long a family could receive benefits. Don't know where people think that being on welfare is a get rich off the taxpayer's scheme, some states even make it mandatory for people to work at least 30 hours a week before they will even be eligible to receive any type of cash assistance, but they still can get food assistance even if they don't have a job. As for medical, most of the state medical programs only cover children up to 18 now, they might still be covering kids a little later if they are in college, but last I heard the cutoff was 18. If people would just think and do their homework before they started replying on sites like this, they might know a thing or two about how welfare actually works. So, a few rotten eggs that like the idea of laying around and collecting money for a living from welfare ruins it for everyone and categorizes them into the stereotypical lazy welfare momma category that likes to party. Hate to say this, but rotten eggs come from all walks of life. How about people that work in state or federal government embezzling money from government funds? What is the difference? I'm sure you've had to read about several embezzlement schemes in the news. If not, maybe you should start reading your local newspapers instead of relying on silly misguided stories.

Does anyone here even know how easy it is for illegals or other foreigners to come here and get refugee assistance all while being here illegally? Our government spends more money handing out free housing, medical care for anchor babies and families, refugee relocation programs, food assistance and cash payments to refugee assistance programs and programs for illegals than they do taking care of our own natural born citizens.

Again, maybe its best to actually know what is really going on before making premature assumptions.

There sure is a lot of stereotyping and assumptions on this news site.

Actually, Kelly, I feed a family of 6 for around 700$ a month. Usually less. One of them is a big eater. You know how I do it? Every two weeks I spend roughly 350$ on food. I go to bulk places (sams club) and then a grocery store to get the rest. This also includes household things like diapers, shampoo, soap, cleaners, and whatnot. I also tend to get a roast and a thing of steaks once or twice a month, and those vary in price from 9 to 25 bucks. I make home cooked meals that would feed an extra one or two people if needed, so we have leftovers for lunch the next day (todays lunch is Nachos! YEAH!). I manage to do well with it, and I buy expensive meats. Always the better of them all. I also hit caselot sales alot. Coupons. We eat like kings, my kids have snacks everyday, and the hubby has a 3 gallon cooler for his lunch box. It is usually full. So. Please think a little for yourself. Apparently you need a lesson in cheap eating.

I understand the need to help those who truly need the help, and support that. On the other hand, you will always have people who take advantage of the system (the "lazy welfare mommas" stated above). The question is, what can we do about it?

All I see here is a group of people complaining about these, so-called, "lazy mommas" . . . but what is your solution? What can we do about it?

Do we no longer provide additional funds based on children? So if you have more children, they just starve? That idea doesn't seem to fit the right-wing, pro-life stance.

Do we sterilize the population and require a breeding license? Thus, you must show that you are capable of providing for a child before having one. I doubt a "smaller government" supporter would like the government telling them whether they can have children.

Do we limit this monetary help to a set time-frame, and just stop funding these families once they reach the limit? Again, this includes the children they have.

So what do we do?

Everyone loves to complain about the "lazy mommas", yet no one has a reasonable solution. What are you willing to sacrifice to fix it? Are you morally "ok" with the ramifications that will result?

Could one of you folks do me the courtesy of explaining how "getting more welfare money for each child" works?

Seriously. Somebody walk me through it using real numbers. Food, rent, etc. Show me how there is some sort of profit from this mythological situation.

I'll start you off so you can use real numbers: Chicago's South Side neighborhoods near 95th St. zip code 60619. 25 year old woman 3 children. Explain how a 4th child will bring this woman a profit.

ending the War on Drugs would remove 1.9 trillion over 9 years alone.

another way that walmart scoops up tax payer money. first they hire people, give them less than 3/4 time, so they do not have to provide health care insurance, the people go on the state health insurance plans, sucking those dollars dry.

now they rake in food stamp money.

WalMart is the biggest subsidy company in the USA!

HDWilliams

Do you have any idea, of course you don't, who the hell was running Congress when the jobs were lost? Quit blaming Bush for everything when the democrats said in 2006 that if we elected them they would fix everything that Bush screwed up. They have failed! And now we hear that the democrats are going to ignore the white working class during the campaigns for next year because they feel they can win without them. How's that for supporting true middle class Americans? I guess now it is not only republicans who are the "enemy" it is just about any white working class citizen. This is really getting sick!

Ever since the Federal government became the Big Government that social engineered the market place, the American people have become poorer and more reliant on Big Government for survival. As a result of Big Government interrence in the market place, the cost of medicine, housing, and unemployment have skyrocketed. In desperation the American people have pervertedly turned to Big Government for more solutions. But the solutions will cost more than a pound of flesh. By surrendering ever more power over their lives to Big Government, the American people have become slaves.

While the Food Stamp Program may appears to be a benevalent act from Big Government, the reality is that Big Government has achieved its goal of controlling people by determining who shall eat and who shall starve.

In the immediate future when socialized medicine becomes part of Big Government, many Americans will be under the thumb of the Big Government Officials who determine who shall live and who shall die.

In executing social engineering programs, Big Government has always been keen on qualification and rationing of resources. After the housing bust and the resulting financial meltdown, Big Government Officials decided several generations of taxpayers shall be mortgaged to save the WallSt FatCats' corporations rather than allow their bankruptcy. In effect, Big Government decided certain groups of Americans shall be slaves while the privileged FatCats shall live free.

In the Brave New World where our Big Government is the Big Brother, the masses have learnt to be subordinate, obedient, and passive in order to eat and breath. When government propaganda fail to brainwash certain individuals, those who protest Big Government's oppressive and demeaning social engineering policies are crushed by paramilitary troops armed with machine guns, armor vehicles, and helicopter gunships.

For the vast majority of Americans, the notion of Freedom, Liberty, and the US Constitution are nothing but long forgotten relics of the past.

I spent a few months on food stamps during the Reagen years and have known many people over the years who have had to depend on them from time to time and no one I have ever known wants to depend on them. They are a pain to get and a pain to continue getting.
Its not like you fill out a form, get it stamped and your good to go. As far as I remember the process, a case worker scrutinized you every month, asked you about your job seeking activities and generally regarded you with disdain. It was unpleasant. I can not imagine anyone finding this process preferable to working if jobs are to be had.

Ok MarineDoc. There is a table of allowable income based on the number of people in the home. There is also a rent allowance, utility allowance, and they take into consideration car loans. For every kid that comes into the picture, there is an allowable income increase, and the rate of money for food goes up. This is the website that starts it all, they raise or lower the amount of benefits dependant of other things.

http://dfsweb.state.wy.us/economic-assistance/snap/index.html

wowed by the force - Your neighbor wasn't living high on the hog off welfare, she was living off of her parents. The majority of people on welfare right now are not trying to live off of or abuse the system. Some of them may have not had good money management skills but neither do a lot of CONSUMERS who have jobs and aren't on welfare. Our schools and parents do not teach good old fashion budgeting skills (start w/ the knowledge that it's not what you make, it's what you save) and too many people buy stuff they want but don't need. Fortunately they still have jobs or they'd be on welfare too. Yes there are some abusers but there are plenty of oober rich people who are abusing the other end of the system evading taxes. Something is wrong when 500 of the richest people in this country have more cumulative wealth than one half of the rest of the population (that's 149,000,000 people) cumulatively. You want to balance the budget? Start w/ the taxes corporations and the oober rich aren't paying.

To end the war on drugs, you have to close the borders and quit allowing the drugs to be brought in here. Again, read the newspapers and the stories about drugs being brought into the country. Just a few weeks ago, I read where a 17 year old girl from a foreign country was caught bringing in a lot of cocaine with a street value of quite a large sum. Every day here in my state, we hear of more foreigners being arrested for dealing, even selling drugs out of foreign run gas stations. So, who is supplying all the drugs for the welfare momma's?

Tellitlikeitis--I do not believe a word you are saying. If you are a US veteran, then you too get money for your tuition from the government. If you aren't, then you aren't a veteran or you did not choose to participate in the program to get tuition assistance, and you are a dope.

Even if you are a dope, you, too, can get "money from the government" to go to school if you want. It's called a Pell Grant. There is no class of individual--Black, White, or Hispanic--that gets Pell Grant money because they have more babies than usual. You do not have clue one what you are discussing when you start talking about people getting money to go to school and suggesting that this has to do with being on welfare or the number of children someone has.

The average person on welfare has the same number of children as the average person not on welfare. If you knew what you were talking about, you'd know that. And, if you were really a veteran of the armed services, then you would know that the families of people who are in the armed services ARE ON WELFARE. They qualify for food stamps--and they are told to use them because it is one way that the given state "gives back" to the military for bringing a lot of business their way.

If you are in a military area, you might see women whose husbands are in the military, earning a low wage, but who have housing assistance from the military and can, in fact, use food stamps to supplement what they get. Good for them! I believe that families who have a parent serving should in fact be able to spend that money any freaking way they want.

Military families use coupons--there is no way that they would be annoyed with you. People on welfare use coupons when they can get them--if they are annoyed with you it is probably more your attitude towards "welfare mommas" that you are conveying pretty obviously that is annoying them--well, or your inability to hand the coupons over effectively and your nastiness to everyone in general. I use coupons and price-matching continuously, and I have had few people get annoyed with me (and when I do, they are not the "welfare mommas" at Walmart, but the young white men) because I do not shop during rush times, and I am organized enough not to hang the line up for long.

Yes, one can feed one's family of four on about $300 a month. If one has the means to shop multiple sales, can afford to get a newspaper that has coupons (one can't use food stamps for newspapers, you know), eats a lot of beans and rice and is at home frequently enough (and since you are in school, it is likely that you are not working) to be able to make time-consuming meals like beans. I am quite certain that you have zero idea why beans and rice are a problem--probably because you are of European American extraction. Let me fill you in, since you are a person who cannot see beyond the bounds of your own prejudices.

Beans and rice (and Ramen and other cheaply packed vegetables in cans) have carbohydrates. People who are not of European extraction cannot metabolize carbohydrates like Europeans can. A European can survive for quite some time on a diet of beans and rice and oatmeal and canned vegetables with the high doses of salt--a person of non-European descent will try this, get obese, develop diabetes, and will be told to eat "fresh vegetables and lean meat." The children will get obese, and they will be threatened with having the children removed.

Yes, I think that it would be a good idea if someone came up with a "poverty" diet based on common foodstuffs. One can do it, but it isn't something that most people are trained to do. Further, many people cannot do it for long because of the adverse health effects. Still, criticizing others who have not been trained in how to make poverty foods is annoying--you know how to do it. That they don't do it is not "bad planning"--it is a measure of the fact that it's kind of hard to find a "poverty diet" online anywhere other than Donna Friedman.

Oh, yes, and if you are a veteran--you are getting your health care for free or reduced prices--so that also has a lot to do with your budgeting (not that I actually believe that you are a veteran).

Many people who go into social services and many people who write things like you are, in fact, prejudiced. It might not be evident in the word "momma," but it's evident in the idea that you think you know who is on assistance and who is not simply by glancing at them in a shopping line. Quite a few people who dislike black people and Hispanic people similarly dislike white people who will go on assistance because said white people are "acting like coloreds." White people, you see, are supposed to be independent, stay off assistance, and "live within their means by being clever and thrifty." Yes, you are prejudiced (just note solely on color).

Oh, and for the ditz who said something about controlling the size of one's family--one cannot get either birth control or abortions via federal money, and one often cannot get it via state money, because the right doesn't want to have their tender religious sensibilities damaged. Yes, poor people would like to have access to birth control and (if that isn't available) abortions--it isn't as if this is a matter of personal choice since both cost a lot of money.

It really annoys me when people who are prejudiced and are only seeing what they want to see then come into threads like this and post as though they know something that the rest of us do not. Tellitlikeitis--you know what you "see" because you are only "seeing" what you want. People who are prejudiced do not see a full reality--they see the things that reinforce their own prejudices because people only see what they want to.

If you want to understand the world better, try reading things written by people who are objective third parties and really don't give a flip what people do one way or the other--and so report things more objectively. I do happen to think that women who have children (which is virtually all women over 20) should be able to get birth control, help in understanding how to feed their families well on a lower budget, better guidance in what majors to pursue, and so forth--but I don't think that people are magically going to do said things by themselves if they don't happen to come from families where this information was easily available for them to learn.

If you have a mother who is a social worker, you had a mother with a college degree. Right there, you have privileges that most of the women you are discussing did not have. If you really were in the military, then you have health care that they do not have. You have many more privileges I could outline that make your life a lot easier, Tellitlikeitis--let's see if you can understand it like it really is. You are a child of privilege. Have a great day.

The one family has 5 kids. Maybe they didn't have them while on food stamps but that's one heck of a potential liability. I highly doubt this family has ever lived that far above paycheck to paycheck so having more than a few kids was probably unwise.

Wow "tellitlikeitis." You HATE "habitually lazy" people? Shame on you.

STOP ASSUMING THE PEOPLE NEEDING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE ARE "HABITUALLY LAZY" AND STOP ASSUMING THEY ARE ON DRUGS!!!

There is absolutely NO evidence for ANY of that, in fact studies show that the OPPOSITE is true! Do not listen to Republicans who use this as a talking point against liberal values, they are making things up or speaking about things they know nothing about while supporting tax cuts for the rich

JH-479998

I had a house accross the street from my house that was occupied by welfare recipients. Those people would always throw a big drunken party on the 2nd of the month. I always figured it was because they received their checks the day before. But seeing most of these comments I guess I should just STFU because I must be wrong.

I don't care what you call me, I know for a fact that there are plenty of people sucking off the system and the system needs to be fixed.

Let's see there is 1 house across from you that has a party and that convinces you there are plenty of people sucking off the system? I get you never heard the many reports that showed welfare fraud tops out at 3%. Not that it matters you soulless anti-American, anti-Christian, I've-got-mine-so-screw-you jack jerk off.

Collapse away I'm just sickened by how many posters on here have turned into such stingy, self-centered, ignorant finger pointers.

beanathome -- Yah, I am pretty sure you won that debate.. TKO!

Jessica, do you still live with mommy and daddy? In what universe can you make 690 bucks stretch to pay for 6 kids, housing, electricity, car, water, insurance, and food? Rent most places is $550 for a 2 bed 1 bath apartment, that leaves 140 for everything else....To say something like that makes me think you did not finish High School. That statement confirms my belief that Republicans, Conservatives, and Teabaggers only appeal to the ignorant, uneducated and misinformed masses of this country. How very Christian of all of you.....you can teach a man to fish but if their aren't any fish left he's still gonna starve.......logic, the enemy of conservatives and evangelicals.

The people who criticize single mothers with several dependents are probably the same ones who don't want federal funding for contraceptives or even discussions on birth control. So let's use some common sense and make birth control an available option. The religious right should not impose their beliefs on others; they are, of course, free to make choices for themselves.

I get $200.00 a month for food stamps. I never run out because I shop frugally and eat when I am hungry.

wowed by the force

No, no no. You aren't going to get off by lazily posting a link. I gave you the starting point.

Answer the question. Show me profit. Here's your chance to make a point. Go for it.

help in understanding how to feed their families well on a lower budget, better guidance in what majors to pursue, and so forth--but I don't think that people are magically going to do said things by themselves if they don't happen to come from families where this information was easily available for them to learn.

Good luck with that. We use to call it SCHOOL where one picked up this sort of training before Republican meddling turned School into "check this box here, and check this box there, ok, good, you graduate". Back in the dark ages I was required to take a high school course called Bachelor Living. The course taught you how to survive on your own, how to eat and live within means, how to sew up a hole in your clothes, etc. Today that class would be shut down for being discriminatory since only boys took it. You will instead be taught that you do no need to know how to sew a patch on since everything in life is disposable. Including people. Don't agree, just look at some of these posts and all of the people who have no sense of civility. No empathy for others. Only an interest in their own greed and self-fulfilment. Republicans call that "individual responsibility" or "individualism". A little review of history will show that "individualism" directly related to the hell hole this country found itself in during the 1930's. It is a failed ideology but on that the "conservatives" just cannot seem to let go of. They would rather muddle though life blaming anyone with a problem, for having the problem, rather than looking for a way to help someone having a problem move past it.

Did anyone notice if the billion dollar bill for infrastructure in Afghanistan passed the Senate today?

Part of the defence bill. Seems relevant.

I am a lawyer. I am on food stamps. The economy tanked, I didn't get enough business to keep the office open, so I work from my home. I still can't support my family, so my parents (now 80) pay my mortgage and other expenses. I get $367 per month for my wife and I. She has serious medical issues, so must be gluten-free. No bread in her life, because a loaf of gluten-free bread is $5. A box of gluten-free pancake mix is $5 (makes 12 pancakes). Not fun at all. I served my country for many years, lived barely above the poverty level, was glad I received housing on base, so didn't have to pay rent, utilities, etc. My kids ate decent meals by shopping only at the commisary on post. Now, Walmart has the lowest prices for most food, so I shop mostly at walmart, but have to go to another store for the gluten-free products. Happily, rice and meat are gluten-free. lots of soups, beans, etc, thicken their liquids with wheat, so have gluten, so we don't do much in the way of beans. We live for the day when we don't have to rely on my parents or on food stamps. We don't get medical assistance for my wife, either. Now, guess what. I am a republican, and a Christian, and I will state that I do not believe welfare should be a function of government. Churches need to take care of their people, and most do, through charitable donations, which some of you would like to tax. You want to really hurt charities? start taxing churches. Herbert Hoover felt that giving people free money would not be the solution to the depression, and for all the money FDR gave away in new entitlements, it took a world war to end the depression.

Jon,

What happens when your parents money runs out and the churches can't give you anything?

And not to sound crass, but if you don't believe the government should provide this sort of service why are you accepting the food stamps?

Had to shop at walley world didn't they! At least they didn't get pepper sprayed! Haven't shopped at a walley world store in years. Don't like that store!

Shawn,

Very clever way to promote your affiliate site.

For everyone else, Shawn makes money when you use that coupon site of his. Basically, that is his job. Don't think that his "coupon help" comes from the kindness of his heart . . . he makes a profit.

Here's to that Vivian,or whatever and all the others on here downgrading these people, who have no choice but Food Stamps.Shame on you!You think you're immune from being in these peoples places?Well Geniuses think again.

No matter how much the Propaganda Machine Churns out that the Recession is over and the Economy is slowly coming back,IT ISN'T.IT'S JUST A PACK OF LIES TO KEEP PEOPLE'S SANITY IN CHECK,AND DON'T THINK IT ISN'T.

You madam and the rest of you, are in just as much trouble as the rest of us.Your problem is you don't know it yet.Your comfortable down grading people and living in your comfortable little cocoon for now.

Things are bad all over the world and not just in this country.If things don't start turning around in Europe, which by the way I highly doubt, this country is going to go down to the level of a depression or recession of the likes that it's never seen before.Guess what?You're all going to be wishing you had food stamps to go on.It'll be so bad that they won't bee handing them out anymore, cause this country won't be able to afford the,m.It's going to be everybody for themselves.So tell me people what the Hell are you going to do then,make fun of the people on food stamps?

You won't be making fun of and down grading anyone, because you're all going to be in the exact same spot.

THINK!IT DOESN'T PAY TO FLAP YOUR GUMS IN THE WIND AND DOWNGRADE AND MAKE FUN OF ANYBODY.Because YOU could be next!

How very sad that this is what we have come too. And yet, our own government sees this and continues to send butt loads of money to other countries. I have always been a support your own before trying to solve the worlds problems. We have so many more people on assistance now and I understand other countries are suffering too, but we have our own to worry about. I am also on assistance, I work, not sitting at home eating bon bons and watching Jerry Springer. Thank God it is there. The way things are going, who knows how long we will be able to help Americans. Sad world.

Very clever way to promote your affiliate site.

For everyone else, Shawn makes money when you use that coupon site of his. Basically, that is his job. Don't think that his "coupon help" comes from the kindness of his heart . . . he makes a profit.

Actually, I've "made" about $300 in 5 months time at the couponing site, and have given it ALL back to readers in terms of prizes. There are some that do that as their job, but that's not the case with me. It is NOT my job...I'm a 20 year software developer and make a healthy living doing that.

Lord I hate when people make broad suppositions like that...but I can understand that in this negative society in which we currently live, that people couldn't fathom that someone would be wanting and willing to help people.

BINGO MONKEYSNANA09!

tellitlikeitis

It is the habitually LAZY I hate.

And how, pray tell, do you tell the difference?

Tellitlikeitis-2738056,

Second vote for your post#1.

Jessica-1170252 - clearly, they havent gotten that part of their act together. neither have the rest of the welfare folks hanging out at walmart the first day of the month.

Oh, sure, bash an easy target (Walmart), as the only place that will price match everyone else (when you have to stretch every penny).

It true about the beans, rice, etc. but not about stretching a meal, that is the meal. (rinse the rice, beans, throw in a pot together and let cook). The vegetables and fruits are those that you make a deal with the managers to buy just before they are going to throw them out (still good just too ripe to sell, not spoiled.).

After returning from Vietnam, I ended up living in my car, working nights at a Service Station (Chevron), going to College in the day, and sleeping in between classes, we were the one's that basically invented the "Ramen Diet" by cooking the Ramen in our cigarette lighter powered coffee pots (you can do the same thing with a cup full of rice and beans just for a longer amount of time.).

And I was not the only Veteran doing this, as too many US Military Veterans are too proud to take away from the needy by accepting Public Assistance of any kind. Most US Military Veterans would rather live on the streets on a piece of cardboard and eating out of dumpsters than accept Public Assistance. This is why the homeless rate is the highest amoung US Military Veterans. This is why for my Business, that I started after the numerous deployments destroyed my US Civilians Careers (2nd Career Teaching, 3rd Career Retail), at two locations (States) I hire mostly US Military Veterans (Discipline, Work Ethic, Personal Responsibility, etc.), some literally pulled off the streets by myself and my current Business Managers (since I am deployed again). At both of my business locations, I specifically looked for locations when setting up my business that had a nearby empty apartment building (that I could buy later). So now my employees live at our apartment buildings near work (do not have the unnecessary transportation expenses (vehicle, fuel, insurance), this is not a new idea, I saw this while living at Europe for over 20 years, they pay the utilites, with no "rent" (living there is part of their employee benefits (along with completely paid medical dental vision (I have a phobia against being around sick people) daycare, etc., they must maintain their living quarters (almost US Military "On Base" Housing standards)).

My critizisms are (not including the other "minor" ones):

That after the defeat of California Proposition 187 "Non US Citizens cannot receive US Citizen Funded Public Assistance of any kind", this set a Nationwide Legal Precedent for US Taxpayer Funded Illegal Aliens Advocacy Group La Raza to assist Illegal Aliens to receive US Taxpayer Funded Public Assistance Nationwide. So the US Taxpayer Money for Public Assistance (Food Stamps, Public Housing, Translators, etc.) plus like what 2004 California spent that one year on Illegal Aliens for Education $7.7 Billion*, Health Care $1.4 Billion*, $1.4 Billion Imprisionment of violent crimes (murder, rape, armed robbery, etc.) Illegal Aliens*, as over $10 Billion plus the US Taxpayer paid Public Assistance (used by Illegal Aliens to decrease their expenses by bringing all their family with them, to have more money to send "home" (as loyal citizens of another nation), so when they return "home" they can live like kings and queens at their country (majority have no intent to ever become US Citizens as "Immigrants", as cost of living at US too high especially US Taxes (that they do not pay, by not filling out employer paperwork (Income Tax Withhold, deductions for Social Security, etc. and will Work for Cash Only (as advised by La Raza, M.E.Ch.A, etc; as Employer Paperwork is use by ICE to obtain Search Warrants.), This is Felony Criminal Tax Evasion as done by the over 23 Million Illegal Aliens at the US, as to why in 2004 only $17 Million of "Revenue" (Taxes) was collected from Illegal Aliens that received over $10 Billion (Education, Health Care, Imprisonment*) of US Citizen's Money. Of course for Bankrupt Illegal Alien Harbor State of California these numbers changed as more Illegal Aliens fled to California as other States created and started to enforce Laws against Illegal Aliens, 2010 California spent over $20 Billion of US Citizens money on Illegal Aliens while their Budget (2004) of $85 Billion decreased (less Revenue , due to more Illegal Aliens committing Felony Criminal Tax Evasion) to about $79 Billion*. Now multiply (and ratios) that by 49 States (about $338.3 Billion). This is money that MUST be used for those US Citizens (like mentioned in this article) and NOT the Illegal Aliens (loyal citizens of another Nation).

*References (more than listed here):

Illegal aliens cost California billions

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/dec/06/20041206-102115-6766r/

Illegal Immigration Costs California Over Ten Billion Annually

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/immigrationnaturalizatio/a/caillegals.htm

$2.2 trillion illegal alien taxpayer sticker shock

http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=41045

Expensive Aliens: How Much Do Illegal Immigrants Really Cost?

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/illegal-immigrants-cost-us-100-billion-year-group/story?id=10699317

$32,000 Per Illegal Alien?

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/11/32000_per_illegal_alien.html

All this money could be spent on the needy (deserving) US Citizens mentioned in the Article (increasing numbers due to the Fact that the US is currently in a Depression, not a Recession as the US Laws that made Illegal the Causes of Previous Depressions (1907 and 1929-1939 Great Depression) were removed resulting in the current Depression of $60 Trillion to $100 Trillion "Global Economic Crisis" consisting of the "Mortgage Crisis"*, "Wall Street Crisis"*, "Financial Crisis"*, "Banking Crisis"*, "Credit Crisis"*, etc..

*Same as the 1929-1939 Great Depression: "Mortgage Crisis" (current Foreclosures) termed as "Lost the Farm", "Wall Street Crisis" except back then they jumped of the tall buildings or ate a bullet, "Financial Crisis" the Failures of the US, German, Italian, Japanese, etc. Governments Worldwide as the Global Great Depression (aka 1929-1939 Great Depression), "Banking Crisis" the closures of Banks (already happened at US, with FDIC) also the "Runs on the Banks" (Bank Customers rushing to withdraw what was left of their Savings, Retirements, etc.) how many during this Depression lost their Savings and Retirements (due to current Electronic Banking before any could withdraw their Savings or Retirement Accounts the money was already gone), "Credit Crisis" everyone holding on to money they would otherwise risk in business investments resulting in the Businesses not getting Credit (additional business "capital" and therefore not hiring, also the uncertainy created by US Polictians (increases of taxes, cost per employee, costs for employee benefits, etc. and the concept of "Tax the Rich", and "Rich Pay Their Fair Share" chasing the "Rich" US and Foreign Business Investors out of the US (35% Taxes, plus Local, City, State Taxes Equals 50% or more) to invest in Nations with Taxes of 6-9%. (Bogus "Tax Incentives", "Tax Credits" , etc. that can be null and void at any time (Government cannot afford, is the common excuse, Businesses then left in debt (Bankruptcy, Closure, Liquidation) as an example of the Uncertainty created by US Politicians (no Real World Business experience, just a bunch of Idealistic Academic nonsense principles); as "Tax Incentitives", "Tax Credits", "Tax Breaks", etc. are like telling as Starving person that you will give them food at the end of the year, not now. The "Tax The Rich", "Rich Pay Their Fair Share" was the same Failure as what the British did that forced the "Rich" British and Foreign Investors out of England, even the Beatles fled the British "Tax the Rich", "Rich Pay Their Fair Share" Taxes. With the British Government (Idealist Academic no Real Business experience) taking over the British Icon Businesses and Bankrupting them, then selling them to other Nations (more of the British Citizens on the Dole (Unemployment); example: British Icon Business, Jaguar, sold to Tata Motors of India.

This is the same thing that happened at the US, when Candidate Obama, 2008, announced his "Tax the Rich", "Rich Pay Their Fair Share" during the Presidential Campaign and Presidential Debates. This even chased the Richest Person in the World out of the US, causing those Businesses he invested in at the US to lose potential Credit. The first victum of this was CompUSA (Bankruptcy Closure and Liquidation); then followed by: Sears Holdings (Bankruptcy Reorganization), K Mart (Bankruptcy Reorganization), Circuit City (Bankruptcy Closure and Liquidation), Hawaii's Aloha Airlines (Bankruptcy Closure and Liquidation), etc. (long list of those US Businesses invested in by the Richest Person In The World, And that was Just Him, not the rest of the "Rich" US and Foreign Business Investors chased out of the US).

Resulting in the US Military Defense Industrial Complex previously created to get the US out of the 1929-1939 Great Depression by President FDR after the New Deal To The American People (Government spending money did not have to create jobs) failed; now keeping the US out of a Great Depression, with only 1/2 of 1% of US Citizens currently Serving in the US Military causing repeated Deployments of the few and Involuntary Recalls to Active Duty, since 92% of US Citizens never Served in the US Military (Less numbers to be Called to US Military Service). And to solve this problem, as a Verbal Contract that did not happen yet, Candidate Obama's institution of the Selective Service (aka Draft) and or Mandatory Compulsory US Military Service into the US Military Ground Combat Forces (since his April 2009 US Military Defense Budget Cuts of the USAF and USN) addtionally stated by Candidate Obama to reinforce (justify this), "US Military Service is a Civic Duty" and "US Citizenship is not an Entitlement" (as to why many of the US Military that suffered numerous Deployments and involuntary Recalls to Active Duty, voted for Candidate Obama).

With all that said ask yourselves why the US Politicians (All Political Parties) ARE NOT DOING SH!T TO FIX THE PROBLEMS (their Motives and the difference between what they say and what they really do/are doing). Just do the Research, is all I ask.

You will believe your own Research more than anything I spoon feed to you. Just get out the airplane vomit bag and put it near yourself while you are doing the research, and start to find out the motives (especially their ulterior motives).

Also Wikipedia and Factcheck do not count. As Wikipedia's Disclaimer, "WIKIPEDIA MAKES NO GUARANTEE OF VALIDITY", "Wikipedia cannot guarantee the validity of the information found here."

and Factcheck if you follow the money (who pays for their expensive internet site).

Wikipedia:General disclaimer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:General_disclaimer

And people made fun of the Soviet bread lines.

Now we have capitalist bread lines.

Neither communism nor capitalism works.

Need blend of socialism plus free market.

.

The people who criticize single mothers with several dependents are probably the same ones who don't want federal funding for contraceptives or even discussions on birth control. So let's use some common sense and make birth control an available option. The religious right should not impose their beliefs on others; they are, of course, free to make choices for themselves.

Wisconsin: You are right that we don't want federal funding for contraceptives or discussions on birth control. Why should we have to pay for other people's birth control? To us, it's a form of welfare. You can't afford your own birth control and so you want others to pay for it? There is a very simple way to not have children. You all know what it is. Unlike food, its not a necessity for survival. That fact that someone would even equate this on the same terms, shows their lack of commonsense. This is definetly one govt. waste that we can do without.

Beanathome, so many things you said to me were WAY off the mark! I am most certainly a veteran and used ALL my Montgomery GI bill on my first degree. I enlisted in 1983 and after 4 years got out and went in the reserves where I served another 7 which took me through Desert Shield/Storm. You can talk all the trash you want about me and that is fine since I gladly defended your right to do so; however, I returned to school and I do not qualify for a Pell Grant due to income. It isn't all that much. You might want to look that up before you go claiming anybody can get one.

Also about the comment that I receive free or discounted medical benefits, I do not. Since I am currently employed I pay for my own health insurance. I believe that the VA is for soldiers who have a service connected disability or injury or have no other coverage and I will not take His/Her appointment time when I do not need it and they do.

I find it extremely funny that you call me a child of privilege. I guess I am since MY parents taught me to work hard for what I wanted. My parents got married when my Daddy was 19 and my Momma 17. He worked in the Mill; (textiles) and my Momma worked at the dry cleaners. My Daddy also worked as an on-call dock hand (trucking) until he got a full time job as a truck driver. My Momma was attending school at night during this time and got a 2 year degree, she was hoping for a 4 year one because she wanted to be a school teacher, but me and my sister came along and so did a job with social services. I guess you need to know that this was in the 60's-70's and we all know how much easier things were then. (dripping with sarcasm).

Since my parents paid their way through college, I guess they expected my sister and I to do the same instead of them getting a second mortgage or whatever. Since I come from a long line of veterans, I figured I could serve my country and get some money for college at the same time. Worked out pretty well I guess, since that gave me an associate degree in criminal justice.

My first husband; who I married while in the military, and I got divorced and I was a single mother for awhile. He didn't pay child support for nearly 6 years. I even applied for food stamps and medicaid in 1987 when I got out of the army. I was going to school full time, working part-time and had my oldest daughter to raise. I received assistance for 5 months. I also got all my medical care at the health department, which; by the way still give free condoms and spermicide to anybody who goes in and asks for it. The one in my community does not perform abortions, but they do provide free birth control of your choice up to and including sterilizations if you want.

As for knowing which ones are on assistance, it is hard not to when they talk about it so openly at school. They are the ones who I said were of different races, not that I could tell by a person's race in the grocery line if they were using a food stamp card or not.

As for military families getting food stamps, I have no problem with that at all! They should get everything THEY are entitled to get since they are working and serving our country. Anybody who is working or going to school to better themselves and their family should get anything THEY need. You seem to think I have a problem with EVERYBODY on assistance and I don't. You seem to think because of something I said I think only minorities are on assistance. When I call them "welfare mommas" that is EXACTLY what I mean. I am not talking about the unemployed or underemployed and I am definitely NOT talking about military families or the disabled. If you work at all, it should bother you that your tax dollars are supporting people who simply DON'T want to. If you have 1 child or 15 children and can afford them GREAT!!! If you have a bunch of children and fall on hard times and need help, FINE. I am ONLY talking about those women who can't afford the first child and have more anyway.

I don't mind helping anybody. I give whatever I can, whenever I can. I would give you my last dollar if I thought you needed it more than me. If you think I am a liar, there is nothing I can do about it. You can believe what you want to.

Beanathome, so many things you said to me were WAY off the mark! I am most certainly a veteran and used ALL my Montgomery GI bill on my first degree. I enlisted in 1983 and after 4 years got out and went in the reserves where I served another 7 which took me through Desert Shield/Storm. You can talk all the trash you want about me and that is fine since I gladly defended your right to do so; however, I returned to school and I do not qualify for a Pell Grant due to income. It isn't all that much. You might want to look that up before you go claiming anybody can get one.

Also about the comment that I receive free or discounted medical benefits, I do not. Since I am currently employed I pay for my own health insurance. I believe that the VA is for soldiers who have a service connected disability or injury or have no other coverage and I will not take His/Her appointment time when I do not need it and they do.

I find it extremely funny that you call me a child of privilege. I guess I am since MY parents taught me to work hard for what I wanted. My parents got married when my Daddy was 19 and my Momma 17. He worked in the Mill; (textiles) and my Momma worked at the dry cleaners. My Daddy also worked as an on-call dock hand (trucking) until he got a full time job as a truck driver. My Momma was attending school at night during this time and got a 2 year degree, she was hoping for a 4 year one because she wanted to be a school teacher, but me and my sister came along and so did a job with social services. I guess you need to know that this was in the 60's-70's and we all know how much easier things were then. (dripping with sarcasm).

Since my parents paid their way through college, I guess they expected my sister and I to do the same instead of them getting a second mortgage or whatever. Since I come from a long line of veterans, I figured I could serve my country and get some money for college at the same time. Worked out pretty well I guess, since that gave me an associate degree in criminal justice.

My first husband; who I married while in the military, and I got divorced and I was a single mother for awhile. He didn't pay child support for nearly 6 years. I even applied for food stamps and medicaid in 1987 when I got out of the army. I was going to school full time, working part-time and had my oldest daughter to raise. I received assistance for 5 months. I also got all my medical care at the health department, which; by the way still give free condoms and spermicide to anybody who goes in and asks for it. The one in my community does not perform abortions, but they do provide free birth control of your choice up to and including sterilizations if you want.

As for knowing which ones are on assistance, it is hard not to when they talk about it so openly at school. They are the ones who I said were of different races, not that I could tell by a person's race in the grocery line if they were using a food stamp card or not.

As for military families getting food stamps, I have no problem with that at all! They should get everything THEY are entitled to get since they are working and serving our country. Anybody who is working or going to school to better themselves and their family should get anything THEY need. You seem to think I have a problem with EVERYBODY on assistance and I don't. You seem to think because of something I said I think only minorities are on assistance. When I call them "welfare mommas" that is EXACTLY what I mean. I am not talking about the unemployed or underemployed and I am definitely NOT talking about military families or the disabled. If you work at all, it should bother you that your tax dollars are supporting people who simply DON'T want to. If you have 1 child or 15 children and can afford them GREAT!!! If you have a bunch of children and fall on hard times and need help, FINE. I am ONLY talking about those women who can't afford the first child and have more anyway.

I don't mind helping anybody. I give whatever I can, whenever I can. I would give you my last dollar if I thought you needed it more than me. If you think I am a liar, there is nothing I can do about it. You can believe what you want to.

For the first time since 1996, the federal government has begun paying states bonuses to increase their welfare caseloads.

Indeed, the new welfare system created by the stimulus bills is actually worse than the old AFDC program because it rewards the states more heavily to increase their caseloads.

To simplify China is running our economy..

$691.00 dollars a month for a blended family of six is an interesting sum. Senior citizens who have liabilities of 75% and more have been cut back and pay medicare cost; and, they did receive $27.00 a month and were cut back to $18.00 a month. The state receives a grant of aprox. $135.00 to handle the case. Good news the children and parents are not starving.

What about the seniors and disabled widows/widowers? They are hurting and worked hard paying into social security, medicare, federal taxes, state staxes, property taxes. My past husband and I paid 50% of our income to taxes and raised our children. Where has the money gone to?

The Welfare Payments that bother me are the multi-million dollar bonuses handed out to banking, insurance and real estate executives after the federal government contributed a Trillion Dollars to bail out their businesses from poorly made business decisions. Money for milk and bread? I'm okay with that.

Seniors have not received a cola and will in January but most of the increase is going to pay medicare. Energy cost have increased and products have been downsized. The true cost increase has not been reflected in the statistics.

I am disappointed with our elected officials and the officials who have the power to be stewards of the Republic and citizens of the United States.

Oh how nice it would be to have $700 a month in FREE FOOD. Damn shame that someone like me has to live on $500 a month in food with a family of 4 and whats worse? I had to EARN THAT $500!

This is just an absolute mess this nation is in. People don't want to work, they dont want the stress of being self employed yet they don't mind taking a handout.

At what point does assistance turn into dependancy? There are 300 million people in this country (not including illegals), currently there are almost 40 million getting food stamps! The Obama administration is well on it's way to creating a welfare nation of people dependant on the government.

I spent $100 today at the grocery store, in 4 days when that food is gone if I havent made more money I will not have food. It's quite the motivator let me tell you... Some more people should try it!

add to post#1.76.

Another criticism that I have that concerns all US Citizens:

Is why what long time advocate of Health Care Reform, Senator Kennedy (RIP) , was not instituted in the US. As similar if not identical to President FDR's Universal Health Care For All US Citizens.

This is NOT the "Single Payer" (to the Insurance Corporations), nor confused with other previous failed attempts. What President FDR did was to put more spending money into the pockets of US Citizens and not the Insurance Corporations, and the US Citizens during the Great Depression not having to make the decision of getting Medical Treatments or Food, Rent, etc. for themselves and their children.

As US Citizens would have be paying $50 per month by instituting what President FDR did during the Great Depression at the US by getting the major Cause of Medical Treatment Costs out of the Medical Profession, the Insurance Corporations. This can be seen in President Obama's interview, September 20, 2009, Face The Nation, President Obama stated that the Insurance Companies that manage Medicare are padding their Costs to make Profits of $17 Billion to $18 Billion each year paid for by US Citizens (he said "Uncle Sam"), this is called Felony Criminal Fraud (Against the Citizens of the US and US Government). These same Insurance Corporations got involved with the other Public Health Care, including the US Military TriCare that was previously free to US Military Personnel and US Military Dependents and now charging deductibles, etc..

Decreases cost 80% (last part of video) by Doctor David Ores, New York.1:45

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5247963n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

Again all I ask is that you do the Research. Do not start the name calling or posting non factual emotive opinion Political sound bites, or I will shoot your arguements down so that you crash and burn.

Like why President Obama received $1 Billion USDs of Unlimited Corporate Campaign Contributions from the Insurance Industry, Medical Device Industry, and Pharmaceuticals Industry immediately after his Health Care Reform Act became US Law, costing the US Citizens $1.7 Trillion to $2.1 Trillion USDs (Future Inflation, as segments are implemented as US Law). As not Budgeted for, as to why the current "Budget Crisis", those US Politicians that knew this refused to work on the US Budget. As the Restaurant example here (he mentions one reason of the many reasons why Businesses are not hiring; but did not mention the over 35% US Taxes):

BET founder to Congress: Sacrifice politics for America

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7382567n&tag=mncol;lst;3

American companies are finding new overseas tax havens to legally protect some of their profits from the U.S. tax rate of 35 percent, among the highest in the world. Lesley Stahl reports.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7360932n&tag=mncol;lst;3

It is the same kinds of (greedy) people of the Insurance Corporations, that want to get involved in the US Military Retirements. As these (greedy) people are those that previously destroyed (stole) the US Civilians 401K's; so now that they got away with that (stole as much as they could from the Civilians), they want to do the same to the US Military Retirement by changing the US Military Retirements to 401Ks (that they are familiar with stealing from).

USE WHAT WORKS (worked as Historical Precedents) and STOP repeating the same (identical, Historical) mistakes and expecting a different Result. And Reinventing the Wheel costs Lives (Generations) and tons of money.

annge68 - Where has the money gone to?

The US Politicians regardless of Political Party stole all the US Citizen's Contributory Funds Money of Social Security etc. (automatically involuntarily removed from paychecks) and used the money for anything else including their automatic payraises. This US Citizen's Contributory Funds Money was replaced with worthless paper IOUs.

So whenever you hear the US Politicians regardless of Political Party include Social Security into the category of "Entitlements" they are the one's that do not want to payback the money that they stole out of the US Citizen's Contributory Funds.

b-895713

Her parents AND the government are paying for her. She was on assistance before her parents started paying her rent, only moved out of her FREE apartment because she was being stalked by some idiot she took home from the bar. Turns out, he was the father to one of her kids. The people who abuse the system have a tendancy to abuse everyone around them in the same way. I get that we have oober rich people evading taxes, but we also have oober poor that are doing the same thing. Those ones cant afford to pay the taxes on their homes because they CANT get help from the government. Its make the government happy and starve, or eat and piss off uncle sam. Sorry, the whole system is set up to keep giving and giving to those who wont help themselves, while at the same time refusing to help those that are trying to help themselves. A huge chunk of our deficit comes from the fact that so many people are getting money for nothing, and using it for everything but their kids. Selling their food stamps for drugs and clothes. When my husband died and the SS survivor benefits I was getting was barely covering rent and utilities, let alone the 150 dollars I had for food for a month (Ill break it down if I need to), I went in and asked for help JUST with a little food OR daycare for my babies so I could go to work, I was told that the only thing I could get was medicaid for my kids (they were on SS, they were guaranteed that unless I got insurance). I WANTED to work. I was told that not only would I be forced to pay the whole daycare bill, I would lose MY S.S. benfit, as well. We were only getting 900$ a month. Take 300$ away from that, and I would have been screwed. So, I started volunteering at headstart all day, everyday, because they would feed all three of us two meals a day. That made it possible to only buy the bare necessities. I couldnt even afford a phone. The lady at head start was nice enough to add a line onto her cell phone so I could have SOMETHING. If it wasnt for that program, I never would have made it. They made it possible for me to make some money being a substitute every once in awhile. One lady was paying me cash to clean her house every other day. I had to do odd jobs like that for over a year. Then, I was able to finally get set up enough to go to school and get a real job. I had to single handedly get myself on track, with the help of some very cool and helpful people who didnt have to help, but chose to. When you have someone show up at your house on your first Thanksgiving with out your husband to give you a basket of food because she knew that we wouldnt have a "Traditional" one (we were having mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, and deviled eggs) without a turkey that you cant afford, you know that you are not doing well, and it is embarrassing. When you are at that place where you need things, and your "Government" doesnt care, you have a tendancy to hate it and all the other "users". The food box places were always out of food, so I was lucky to get some veggies and noodles and rice when I went. I was living WELL below poverty, but because I knew who their father was, and I was getting a small amount of money to care for two babies, I was unable to get anything to help get me on my feet. While at the same time, I saw mothers who would drop their filthy, untaken care of kids at school driving brand new cars, and having brand new clothes on THEM, not the kids, talking about having to go to DFS to renew their food stamps. BRAND NEW CARS! I was driving a '91 cavalier that had 200,000 miles on it, fixing it myself, and trying to make something of myself. And couldnt get any help at all. I had to climb out of that hole by myself. The one and only time I got food stamps was for one month this last may, two months after my husband lost his job. We didnt take the 4000$ out of the bank and stash it to get the "Free food", we used it to pay bills and buy food for two months. We tried to do it ourselves, without help. When we got it, it was gone less than a month later when I reported him as having a job. He didnt even get a check before they cut us off. We didnt even get much, 400$ to feed six people. And the lady was shocked to find out that we used our savings to live on for two months until I HAD to apply. No other options. What does that say? It says that if you work hard, no one cares. If you want to have a handout for life, they will go to the ends of the earth to help you do nothing but live for free.

Sorry so long, I hate systemites.

Ok, MarineDoc, please explain how that DIDNT give you an answer. There is a table of amount of PEOPLE, and how much you make and still recieve assistance. I can make roughly 3500 a month, and still get some help. Probably not a whole lot, but these are through the newly revised "Rules", as way of putting it. For every extra kid you get extra money for food, your rental allowance goes up, the utility allowance goes up (IF, and that is a BIG if, you even pay rent or utilities) government housing gives you check to pay utilities, even if you dont pay anything for them. Its a utility allowance. If you are a single mother, you still get your child support, they go after the father for you. You also get free medical, some cases allow you a phone, and then you also have the free POWER money (that can be different for every family, but its FREE MONEY. Money that should go to your kids, but usually ends up going for drugs and clothes). So. Take the free government housing. Then take the free food. Add on the utility payment, and the POWER payment. Oh yeah, if you get income tax for working any amount that year, they dont take any allowances off, so they end up with thousands of dollars, and free government everything. Ill average it for you real fast. Family of 5- $3599.00 a month, and you are within income guidlines. So, you are making all of $1000 less than what I am making RIGHT NOW. I have one extra person to feed. Anyway, lets continue.

Lets start with the basic "single" mother of, say, 4. She is allowed to make a total of $3599 in a month to be within guidelines to apply. Lets say that she has two babies at home, two at school. She doesnt work because of this. Due to the fact that she has no employment, she applied at a government housing complex, and got into a place for $15.00. She applied for help because of this, and being basically destitute, she gets almost $800 a month in food. Then, she also gets free medical for her kids, and if she is working with child support, she gets it too, with a small copay. If there was no father on the birth certificate, she is working with them. So, there is however much a month she is saving by that. Then, because she has no way to pay for the electric, it is covered by her apartment complex. She will also be eligable to get a POWER check to help cover her other things (her $15.00 rent, hygenics, whatever else). This can be a substantial amount of money, depending on the circumstances. I have heard of people getting 5 or $600 to cover these expenses, while not having that many expenses. Lets say she gets $350. Then, her kids get free breakfast and lunch at school, so that expense is absorbed by the government as well. So- $1150, with no work. Then, since she is not using all $800, she is swapping food for cash. So, She is able to use that money for whatever else. Since she has already applied for all of this, then when she uses that money to buy a car in someone elses name, (like the boyfriend that is a providing member of the family, but is kept out of all paperwork), it doesnt get reported. Its not an asset. Lets not forget about the odd jobs she is doing for people around town, cash under the table. Even just tips would be a decent amount. So, he isnt on the birth certificates for his kids, but he pays for some of their upkeep, and he claims them on his tax forms as "nephews and nieces", and gets the tax credits, and ends up making bank because DFS doesnt check the kids numbers. Add all of this up, you are making a hell of alot of money, free, right?

And please dont tell me people dont do this, because I see it every year at tax time. I also see ladies going to DFS to do their yearly apt., and then going out and jumping into a brand new car with a man driving it. Come on, there are many ways to be a greedy welfare recip.

Why do you people always have to collapse comments just because you dont agree?

beanathome, spin it anyway you would like, you don't know what you are talking about when it comes to military and military benefits. tellitlikeitis is completely correct. I would like to add that, so far, that president y'all like so much has done nothing but limit or remove benefits from the service men and women who have obviously done more for this country than you have. I personally enjoy it when some civilian tells me all about the benefits I recieve as a veteran *sarcasm*.

Only jackasses think most people enjoy using food stamps when waiting in line amongst other shoppers. FREE FOOD? Are you guys serious?

These are the same people who abuse our social safety net system previously. Isn't amazing they can come up with all these cases because they themselves are such angels.... lol. The faster we can get these people back on their feet, the faster they will contribute to our economy.

Kelly-968584, yes, "$690 is way more than enough for a family of 7 for a month". "... you have $1.09 per person per meal." if meals are prepared from scratch, especially. If the family is relying on prepared meals, then, of course, it won't stretch that far. Many people don't even know HOW to cook but they can learn. Go to your local library for basic cooking help books, budget cookbooks, and online for videos on how to cook (fill in the blank here) and forums like Yahoo for how to cook thrifty meals, etc.

Beans are cheap and just require overnight soaking before cooking. That would help the fellow who has a wife who needs gluten free foods and says that soups don't come gluten free. Of course not! Make your own from scratch. Invest in a crock pot at a thrift store to make wonderful chicken, etc. soup. Chili cooks great in the crock pot, too.

There are a lot of online frugal living web sites. Clipping coupons and shopping store brands helps, too.

I have a single female friend who gets $197 in food support (food stamps). She claims to be frugal but struggles to feed herself with $197! As a single person, I spend less than $150 cash for food, eat VERY well on that amount and have 3 meals a day, and even eat steak occasionally, bought on sale, of course. I ALWAYS buy things only if they are on sale, except for bread, milk and eggs. And I rarely eat out, except for Subways $5 footlongs about twice a month. I get two meals out of those.

People can make all sorts of excuses for not having their food support money last a month. If they educate themselves, they can live frugally WITHOUT sacrificing their nutritional needs or cut into other expenses. It may mean adjusting their lifestyle, i.e. cooking from scratch at home, but if they make cooking a family affair, they not only will eat well but will be teaching cooking skills to their children and creating a new family activity to do together.

There's no real mystery to eating well on food support. It just takes some education, which is free from a library or on the Net.

Interesting, love it or leave it, that you says that $690 is way more than enough to feed a family of 7for a month and then say that you spends a little less than $150 for food.

Hmmmmm - If this family spend $125 per person per month that is 125*7 = $875. Spending less that you do, this family of 7 would need $875 to feed it members.

huskergal, don't go confusing the right-wing trolls with little details like facts, math, and reality, you will make their self-righteous head explode

Then you will like my fact. My wife feeds our family of 7 (one is an infant so really it is probably six) on $350/month.

Also, you can't just multiply the number by seven. The math just doesn't work out like that.

Love it expresses his/her opinion and gives points, that if a person is frugal and tries, they can make the $690 last the whole month. If that makes a person a troll, then I guess I'm a troll, you're a troll, everybody is a troll.

In my opinion a troll is someone that makes a comment that "the lefties all do this" or the righties do that", or "all teabaggers are racist", or "fleabaggers need to get a job." But that is my opinion.

I realize that you can not just multiply by 7. There are variables.That's why I backed it down $25/month. Love it expressed his opinion and did it condescendingly, in my opinion. It was this condescension that triggered my reply.

Yes, being frugal does save money and helps to stretch the buck even more. I also agree with you that there is no reason to ever be insulting.

Some months I spend less than what the food stamp reciprient does on food...Some months I spend a little more...That is my choice since I make and spend my own money at my choice....But, If I was dependent upon someone else buying my food, I should and could spend a lot less..and eat very well and eat healthy food with a minimum of effort.... It is not quite honest to not make that effort... And, then to complain about it is just ridiculous.

re-read after removing "us" and "for"

lol

California and New York, neither state requires a Welfare recipient to look for work while collecting a check.

Zip, Nadda, no ID required to apply for benefits either, not allowed to ask to see ID, so many illegal aliens are now collecting off the backs of taxpayers.

Just for the record, the GAO (government accounting office) did several studies on the fraud committed in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamp program). The GAO said in a study done in 1999 that 7.01% of applicants were given food stamps in error or by fraud. That has been reduced to 3.53% in a 2009 study. In a study done in 2003, the GAO pointed out 66.67% of the overpayments were a result of the errors committed by the government caseworkers and NOT the recipients. Thus the math dictates that only 1.17% of those who receive food stamp assistance in 2009 commit fraud. I have attached the results of the findings for those who insist that many people are lazy and undeserving of the benefits the program offers. Of course those people will most likely deny the FACTS presented, as usual. Shame on them!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supplemental_Nutrition_Assistance_Program#Fraud_and_abuse

This is newsvine. Facts are irrelevant.

Pragmatic,

I often think you are correct, and that is a FACT!

And thats why California is broke.......

yet, these facts are on the internet, which they are on to make these ridiculous comments.

And ironically, these are the same folks who lump everyone receiving helps as lazy.

I'd love to know how much junk food was bought with those food stamps.

van-1120261

yet, these facts are on the internet, which they are on to make these ridiculous comments.

And ironically, these are the same folks who lump everyone receiving helps as lazy.

You have a point, the recession has left many hard working families short on money and in need of help. My problem is with the lazy mooches who were on welfare years before the recession began, some have been on welfare for generations. These leeches do nothing but sit around and suck up entitlement funds making it more difficult for hard working Americans to get assistance when they need it.

Just for the record, the GAO (government accounting office) did several studies on the fraud committed in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamp program). The GAO said in a study done in 1999 that 7.01% of applicants were given food stamps in error or by fraud. That has been reduced to 3.53% in a 2009 study. In a study done in 2003, the GAO pointed out 66.67% of the overpayments were a result of the errors committed by the government caseworkers and NOT the recipients. Thus the math dictates that only 1.17% of those who receive food stamp assistance in 2009 commit fraud. I have attached the results of the findings for those who insist that many people are lazy and undeserving of the benefits the program offers. Of course those people will most likely deny the FACTS presented, as usual. Shame on them!

We're not necessarily talking about fraud you nitwit. The problem is the rules are far too lax in the first place. Can you honestly tell me that 99% of welfare/food stamp recipiants are in absolute need of those handouts?

Kilobyte, did you even bother to read the article or watch the video? Wow....

Can you honestly tell me that 99% of welfare/food stamp recipiants are in absolute need of those handouts?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can you honestly prove that they AREN't in need? Times are tough. Toughest in 80 years.

Kilobyte,

fraud you nitwit

What a nice statement to make. Can you debate without acting like a nitwit!

Not picking on food stamp recipients, but I honestly do think that few families know how to cook these days and make a dollar stretch. I was a shopper for a restaurant for a few years and so for certain items it was cheaper to buy through a local grocer. So I notice what people buy a lot more than most people do because of the job I had.

I watched a man lumbering towards me the other day that was at least 200 lbs over weight. He could barely walk which is really sad. In his basket was literally a pile of candy bars. I see this sort of stuff all the time. Just go to the produce section and stand around watching and notice most shoppers avoid that section for the most part. I use to be a good friend of a produce manager that told me how much produce was thrown away. Fresh veggies even if expensive, can make large batches of soup which goes a long way to fill up tummies. BTW, if people knew how to bake today they can make their own white bread for a fraction of the price and it is much better. Bread is filling as well.

I am serious. I do not see the average buyer doing themselves any favors with what they are buying which is mostly pre-packaged stuff.

A few comments-

First stop shopping at Walmart. They have the most expensive food in town. The store across from the Walmart near me beats Walmart hands down with food prices.

I know that are a lot of people barely making ends meet. I have great empathy for them and I give to the local food bank.

I guess I'm a bit speechless that a family can't eat for 700.00 a month. How many people could afford that every month for food even with a job? For some people that's a mortgage. I'd suggest that family needs someone to set up some menus for them and explain to them how to buy in bulk. When I read that I see a lot of boxed and prepared foods. You could buy 4 turkeys, 2 hams and 4 pot roasts for less than 200.00 if you bought the sales and keep a family in meat for a month.

I guess I just don't get this. Nearly 700 a month and they run out of money for food? How does that happen?

I totally agree with mj1451595. The money spent on soda alone could make a great dinner for a family of 5.

food stamps DO NOT pay for soda, prepared foods, cigarettes or other things that most people assume it does. maybe check your facts before you rant. also, many people receiving assistance are retirees who lost money in the stock market or due to illnesses or someone raiding their pension funds and cannot live on social security alone.

I agree with mj1451595. I have a family of 6 (non food stamps and they are 4 adults, one with disabilites and one retired and can't afford to live on their own) and I am lucky if I spend 400 to feed us. I just can't afford it, give me 700 and I would have left over!!! I shop mostly at discounted grocery stores, here in Pennsylvania we have Aldi's and it is a cheap but good store to get groceries. They definately need some menus made up and taught how to coupon shop.

I agree with mj1451595. I have a family of 6 (non food stamps and they are 4 adults, one with disabilites and one retired and can't afford to live on their own) and I am lucky if I spend 400 to feed us. I just can't afford it, give me 700 and I would have left over!!! I shop mostly at discounted grocery stores, here in Pennsylvania we have Aldi's and it is a cheap but good store to get groceries. They definately need some menus made up and taught how to coupon shop.

mj...I can only assume that you do not do the grocery shopping. Vegetables and fruit will kill you. Not to mention milk, bread, cereal and other staples. Try feeding 7 people on $690/month! Try going to the grocery store and you are going to be surprised.

I feed a family of five for $300/week and I cook everyday. You need to use the pricing of today and remember there is more to a menu than just meat.

snapuser, I can tell you from witnessing it that you CAN purchase garbage like cigarettes, pre-packaged food, beer, etc. with food stamps. All you need is a retail site like a gas station with an ingenico backup credit machine to run the card. All the retail associate has to do is punch in the amount and run the card and the amount is deducted from the allotted funds. You just have to find the guys that are willing to do it, which I see way too many that do here in NY. It just goes along with the guys you see that have unemployment debit cards that work jobs off the books and keep the card for beer/cigarette money. Once the funds are withdrawn from the ATM there is no telling what they are used for. No accountability whatsoever. It would be better if they had a system set up to track exactly what is purchased and actually deny the purchase of garbage.

I just have myself to feed but I don't eat GARBAGE ...ie junk food, GMOs, meat etc and I spend about $100 a week just for BARE NECESSITIES( of course I only eat fresh organic food... bread, milk, eggs, butter, cream, a few veggies, fruits, cereal, coffee, cheese, juice, sour cream, cream cheese, pasta, rice, beans, iced tea, fresh seafood and a few frozen items like organic waffles, veggie burgers, eggplant parm, etc. I can buy VERY little for $100... barely 3 or 4 bags of food. I'd rather spend my money on safe, nutritious quality food and eat LESS. I try to always buy in quantity when the things I need are on sale, especially taking advantage of BOGO deals. I also try to buy as much as I can at stores like Big Lots ( which carries LOTS of organic foods for half or less than retail ). Even on $400 for one person ( and that doesn't include $ for any personal care or household items... food only ) I'm still going hungry alot and eating only 2 meals a day most of the time. I just try to buy the healthiest food I can get and it's expensive.

I feed a family of five for $300/week and I cook everyday.

Then you are paying FAR too much for your groceries...my posting above was deleted because...who knows why, but if you learn to shop strategically and coupon seriously, you could easily pull that down by at LEAST 50%.

We had spaghetti with turkey meat in the Ragu last night...totally free. We had ham in the crockpot tonight, with potatoes and green beans, and it was about $5 out of pocket.

The problem isn't the cost of the food in so much as it's that we've all been taught to shop WRONG all our lives and we need to relearn how to shop vertically instead of horizontally.

PatinNY347 Your point is interesting, but the people saying you can't buy XYZ with food stamps are still right -- you cannot LEGALLY buy cigarettes, etc. with food stamps. If you are upset with people using their food stamps illegally, then work on closing those loopholes in your state. In my state, my card only works on food -- I can't withdraw money with it -- and it automatically eliminates any ineligible purchases (cigarettes [if I smoked], hot food, toilet paper, etc.) when swiped.

@KiloByte1339

My problem is with the lazy mooches who were on welfare years before the recession began, some have been on welfare for generations. These leeches do nothing but sit around and suck up entitlement funds making it more difficult for hard working Americans to get assistance when they need it.

and the biggest 'lazy mooches' being, of course, red states, who receive the largest amounts of federal dollars both overall and in terms of social programs.

Those who think it's easy to feed a family of 7 should remember that not everyone has access to discount groceries. Smaller towns often only have 2 or 3 stores. The town I live in has only a Wal-mart, Kroger, and Brookshire, in order of overall prices. My husband and I spend $150/week on average for food and household and hygiene goods. (I'm sorry I am unable to say how much of that is only food, but I'm guessing in the neighborhood of $100/week. We never buy prepared foods. I'm not working at the moment, so I prepare all of our foods from scratch. This story is not about families that have lived on welfare for generations (an evil I have voiced resentment about for years.) This story is about the rising number of working families that have been reduced to accepting charity as a stop gap until they get back on their feet. To my way of thinking, these families are exactly the type of families the system should be helping.

Hate to burst your bubble Shawn but you are not a "smart" shopper...you're a CHEAP shopper. A SMART shopper gets the most QUALITY and NUTRITION. for their money...not just the most food. There is no way in HELL you can be feeding your family healthy food for what you claim. BTW MEAT is not healthy and if you're not eating organic or food from the farmer's market you're not doing much else than poisoning your family with GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, growth hormones and antibiotics. That is anything BUT "smart" shopping or HEALTHY shopping. And the money you THINK you're saving by buying cheap, low quality, unsafe food... you'll pay more than TENFOLD in food related health costs later...or maybe even your life. Think about THAT.

REAL FOOD = HEALTH and your HEALTH is PRICELESS.

This story is about the rising number of working families that have been reduced to accepting charity as a stop gap until they get back on their feet. To my way of thinking, these families are exactly the type of families the system should be helping.

that is correct texas lady, that is exactly who the programs are meant to help, and yes there are those who abuse the system, they should be properly punished for those abuses.

HA HA...they both work in the health-care industry??!!! Every hospital in the Pacific NW is begging for help right now.

What a joke.

Snap user: Yes, you can buy tons of soda on food stamps. You can also buy fountain drinks in loaf and jug if you dont put the straw in before you pay for it. I know my facts.

zaruski

@KiloByte1339

and the biggest 'lazy mooches' being, of course, red states, who receive the largest amounts of federal dollars both overall and in terms of social programs.

More lies from the idiots on the left. Have a look at this slideshow. 12 of the largest welfare states are blue, only 3 are red. You don't have a clue.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/31910310/The_Biggest_US_Welfare_States?slide=16

BTW MEAT is not healthy and if you're not eating organic or food from the farmer's market you're not doing much else than poisoning your family with GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, growth hormones and antibiotics.

We eat whole grains, fiber one cereal (though I honestly prefer my "processed junk" - always have and always will), skim milk, and the like. Do we eat "all organic" no way - but neither has anyone else that I know that have all lived long and fruitful lives.

There's no reason to be a hater simply because of your food choices. It reminds me of the interview with the 100+ year old woman that said she had wine and bacon every day of her life and was perfectly healthy, and the haters that ripped into her for her choices...serious! We're perfectly fine healthwise, and perfectly happy with our purchasing power because of serious couponing. If you're happy with where you are and what you're able to attain, then I say to you "God speed" and enjoy.

The funny part is, you could all but eliminate your cleaning supplies, bathroom products, paper products and the like, but the last person I tried to help like that went on a tirade about how they made their own toothpaste because it was healthier, and didn't use store bought cleaning products because they were killing the world.

Moderation is the key, not extremism...have a burger and a shake once and a while, you'll feel better about it and might be happier in the long run.

KiloByte,

Your correct we are NOT discussing 'fraud' per se. However, in discussing the government's Food Stamp Program, the question of who is receiving food stamp assistance illegally, via fraud, ALWAYS comes up in various posts, especially by the politically conservative posters. If you check some of the posts discussing this article you will discover I am accurate in this assessment. Many of these posts state, as fact, that the percent of persons receiving food stamps is rather large and by extension that a large percent of the people receiving assistance are lazy and etc. My post takes the FACTS from the GAO and dispells this falsehood. Now, I realize you may doubt the figures but they are presented in the citation in my post #2.3. Rather than call anyone, including me, a name (nitwit), I would simply ask that you take the time to see if I am posting accurately and honestly. Thanks for your consideration. Have a GREAT day!

marelen you seem sincere but deluded or frighteningly misguided. Your post is filled with biased assumptions and littered with propaganda that is very telling of where you receive your information. Do a little research and stop hiding behind your comic book beliefs. I am sorry for your situation but not for your ignorance. There is no excuse for that in the age of free information.

So tell me, are you aware that you are delusional?

I guess you have been around since the nation's foundings to know what was taught and what was not taught.

I have no problem with God, but I do have a problem with people who claim that their way is the only way to a God, who loves everyone equally, whether Christian, Buddhist, Jew, Moslem or Atheist, whether a widow, a grandchild or a homosexual.

Please do not blame this administration for the complete mess that it inherited from the previous administration. This did not happen overnight and any fix will not happen overnight either.

I will pray that God give you the willingness to look at all points of view without judgement.

marelen, you are spot on! Don't listen to charles, for he has spent the last 3 years drinking too much kool aid.

Compare our situation now with the 1930's. It was way worse then, and they even had God in schools. Kind of blows a hole in your "theory".

who is paying for your internet? those of you who are getting assistance and are able to post at this site? i would think it was more important to eat than play on your computer or cell phone.

You're receiving a SOCIAL handout and you're complaining about socialism and that this is the liberal's plan? You are exactly the type of person I feel should not be receiving this assistance, and that I HATE helping because you have some ridiculous entitlement stigma that makes you think that even though the government is helping you, they and the liberals are all out to get you. If you hate socialism and the liberals so much, then GET OUT OF OUR QUAZI-SOCIALIST SYSTEM. I'm more than happy to let you be part of the corporate republican green train that got this country in the trouble it's in today. They don't care about you as long as they are making money. At least socialism has the idea that it's the robin hood theory of taking from those that have a billion times as much as you, and giving a small portion of that to you.

NEWS FLASH: God is not real. He is as real as puff the magic dragon or any other character you can come up with in any kids story on any bookshelf in any book store, library, or school. The fact that you think god has some control over your situation, is the very reason you are in your situation. You think "God will save us", when really the only person that can save you, is YOU. We WILL end up like an islamic state if we start believing in god like those crazies do. God is a fictional character from a fictional book called the Bible. Anyone who follows it is a sheep incapable of thinking for themselves. I feel sorry for those that are incapable of understanding that God is not the answer to anything.

While you people were spending your time reading the bible, and praying in church to your fake deity, I was busting my A** reading technical books and teaching myself to write computer programs. I didn't wait for god to give me a path, I took the reins understanding that nobody else can control my life. Because of it, I make more money than anyone I know, have a better job than anyone I know, have a bank account that doesn't hit zero before payday, and have enough money to contribute to people like YOU who are unappreciative of the social system when they are using it to survive. Homeless people on the street are more appreciative than you when I give them a handout. Maybe you need to lose your house to understand that.

Marelen, kinda funny how all the people who want to bring 'God' back into everything are the same ones that want to cut what little benefits you get.

Actually Marelen B, it's the work of the GOP POTUS GWB. Remember how Clinton created a surplus, then GWB came in with the "Trickle Down" economics that looks great on paper except in reality. Ignorant people tends to ignore the facts by watch propagranda created by the Fox conglomerate about how U.S. is turning into a socialist country by Obama. And how OWS is a bunch of mob while gun trotting Tea Party were an assembling. Fox and it's lackey seems to misinterpret truth from frictions. People with simple mind would believe in those type of gimmick, only people who seek the truth would actually understand the harmful effects partisan will have on U.S. as a whole. As I've read or watched it on T.V. "GOP's view is, if it's yours it's negotiable, but what's mine is not open to discussion."

@Left-Leaning-Lisa: Bravo!! I-heart-you for that comment.. couldn't have said it better myself!!

I have NEVER wanted to accept we still have rednecks to your degree wandering amongst us!

And exactly what do the Zionists have to do with your welfare?

Stop supporting all the theocracies and we have another 25 billion to feed those who breed more than work.

marelen b: Socialism? No, capitalism is the system that is creating this nightmare of the hungry. In unchecked capitalism, we reward the rich who cut jobs and send them overseas where they can pay slave/starvation wages overseas, and no wages here. That is what happens when the only thing that matters is NOT profit, but rather CONSTANTLY INCREASING profits. You are right that God has exited our culture; He has been supplanted by worship of profit. People do not matter any more, we are all 'human capital'....like a paper towel you use and throw away. It isn't going to get any better as long as banks and the like control Congress, so get used to it, and be thankful (as the rich think you should be ) that you are still breathing and have a roof over your head one more day...the rich don't think you deserve anything at all; you are less than human. Only profit matters, and you increase your profits by depriving others of their share, and the poor deserve their fate, blah blah blah.

Maybe Marelen needs his/her welfare taken away so as to not encourage or enable him/her to continue accepting taxpayer dollars. That way, whether or not Marelen starves will be based on his/her ability to "work hard" doing whatever job they can find.

Makes me laugh, though. In one breath, he/she admits having to utilize public assistance, but then rails against welfare as a "liberal" tool to enslave people. Boy, Marelen, it's just TOO BAD that we didn't simply go the conservative route and dissolve all public welfare altogether, hmm?

Actually, I believe Marelen is a troll bent on appearing as a welfare recipient as a means to further their misguided ideology of "I've got mine, so f--k them!" Ahh, good chuckle for the afternoon.....

Coupons Marelen, I save hundreds of dollars a month with coupons. email me and I would be glad to help you do that.

Left-Leaning-Lisa: right on! This woman talks trash on socialism but cries that under Obama she did get more but not as much as she wanted!!! LoL wow... and how does one pay for TV/Internet if you are collecting only assistance... must live in a house inherited or a dump under section 8... oh in times like that I wish we didn't have a system and the weak like you just died off. You should be ashamed of your comments shear stupidity! We need to boycott Fox since they definitly don't report news just fear crap that scare the ignorant and lazy (as in too lazy to read around and determine for yourself).

I guess to enable a more godly decision we should rape and molest kids? I mean in the christian bible god doesn't list in the ten commandments so that stuff is a go? Perhaps that's the problem, priests haven't been dutifully molesting children and god is pissed about that.

Wow! Reading some of these posts is eye opening to the power of the right-wing, think tank propaganda machine. It's funny how if the right winger has money, all the people on welfare are bums. If it's a right winger needing the assistance, it's Obama's fault. Most of them should feel quite happy living off of crackers as they parrot the FOX talking points. You righties need do a little more research about why we are really in this economical mess and quit just eating the propaganda your being feed by the corporatist talking heads. Marlene, Obama has not been the one SO FAR that is responsible for sending the jobs away, and it has nothing to do with a socialistic agenda. It has everything to do with greed. Corporations can outsource your jobs to third world countries and pay the labor pennies on the dollar compared to hiring an American in the US. It has nothing to do with God and everything to do with greed.

Marleen,

Trust in God but tie your horse.

What is all this bull@!$%# about Obama being anti-Israel. Who gives a @!$%# about Israel? I live in America. I'm not Jewish. I DON'T CARE. The Israeli's need to quit poking the bear. Netanyahu is a idiot who wants to ethnically cleanse the palestinians. It's the Elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about. Why do evangelical Christians and Right wingers care about this....you people hate Jews...even though Jesus was a Jew. That's the problem with Americans, Republicans and Christians, half of them barely finished or didn't finish high school, the rest of them are all following the ignorant mob mentality.

Israel can twist, we got our own problems, we don't need them dragging us into theirs. Israel is like that drunk friend in the bar that gets you into a fight with 4 or 5 people, you have to take his back but you really don't want to because you know he probably started it.

BTW Canada and the UK are socialist countries with fairly regulated markets and they seem to make it work without exploding the universe so you're argument that Socialism is bad is invalid.

Moral teachings in the bible are about 2000 years out of date.....I'm sure they were very pertinent back before indoor plumbing. You don't need a God or a book to tell you killing and stealing is wrong. It only takes a few bad relationships to tell you adultery is wrong but it only takes one "I do" to realize monogamy should be synonymous with life sentence. Life sucks at times, then you die. No need for imaginary bearded father figures in the sky.

The god in the bible is a vengeful god. Of course the god in the bible has been "interpreted" and probably bears little resemblence to the original stories writting out. And thats what they are stories with morals. They seek to teach people to do the right thing, and maybe thats what we need more of. People doing the right thing. We certainly can't look to our government to do the right thing(I'm looking at you right wingers and left wingers). Stop running this country based on the political interests of big companies, PACs, and Super Pacs. DO WHATS RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE.

Jesus is the way to G-d.

Marelen, it is because of social programs that you are getting any help. And notice the word socialism comes from the word "social." To complain about a social program that you are benefiting from is biting the hand that is feeding you. It makes no sense.

Taking God out of schools is a different issue. Since we have freedom of religious choice those beliefs should be taught in the home and church/synagogue. Public school are not in the business of teaching or preaching religion so if parents want religious education for their children they should send them to a church school.

You don't seem to realize that Republican would like to do away with welfare and assistance programs. They're the ones who are cheering when Newt G. says, " Take a bath. Get a job." And you can thank social programs that started with Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat, for the economic assistance that you are receiving. You need to read a bit more history instead of listening to people who aren't looking after your best interests. And that means that Fox news and some preachers are more interested in getting rich or gaining political clout than in caring for you or the rest of their audience/flock.

The rantings of the right where religion is concerned borders on comical if it wasn't such heresy. If you have studied religion at all you will know that God put us on the planet and gave us life for one reason, to honor Him. God is not interested in how well you are doing personally, just in how well you are honoring him and his name. God isn't interested in "individualists" who, by their very nature, are tuned into themselves and not into God. Modern Christianity, especially in the US, has sold out to the individual. Pastors, who are paid by the congregation to tell the congregation what they want to hear, just feed into this sick mentality of Self over others. But you cannot tell these folks anything as the first rule of individualism is to A) be self-rightous. Insist on YOUR rights. If one truly studies religion rooted in the Hebrew Bible you will find that only God has rights, you have none.

@Amused

Remember you have no rights when you end up drinking fracken water. Oh and the only comedy here is you and your belief in a book authored by men who want to control others.

By the way folks the Religious rights obsession with Israel is due to their notion that Israel must take over their "biblical" borders thus allowing the return of their "Jesus". That's why they fund fundamentalist jewish building on the West bank. So because of these religious buffoons the Arabs hate us and we are under terrorist attack.

Gimmee that old time religion.........not!

You're really not saving that much at wal-mart!

Hey, Marlene -- maybe you should be following Herman Cain, who said something to the effect that if you're poor and don't have any money -- it's your own fault! Get a job, get some money, and then you won't require any government assistance.

That's your party talking. . . . .

Marlene, Don't you listen to any of these people. I also saw that study, a fact that most liberals just didn't hear about or chose to ignore. As for social programs, other than what was given out by the govt., most charities were started because of christians doing their part to help others in need. The fact that most liberals feel the need to claim it as their own doing, shows what kind of people they really are. Simply, a bunch of thieves. Oh yes, they blame christians everywhere for their faults, but when its a drug addict or a thief( clearly not christian) they say that he/she couldn't help themselves, and that supposedly absolves them of all their "sin"? As if we were going to fall for that! If that is their idea of being self- righteous, let them behave the way they do. The govt. that's in power is the one they put there. If the country is worse off now than it was 3 years ago, then it is their fault and only theirs.

The true God, the triune God of the Bible, states that we are to LOVE our enemies

yeah, that's why we have to spend trillions to kill the unbelievers.

@unhappy

Perhaps you should change to confused.

What study? The faux news study? Oh and by the way it was not a liberal crowd that boo'd the gay soldier fighting in Afghanistan or applauded that if folks could not afford health care they should just die. Facts are it has been liberal organizations that have stood up for the people. Some of these have been religious in nature, but you can be assured they got their pound of flesh by doing so.

The rest of your diatribe, huh?

Since my comment was collapsed, I'm going to restate it:

Actually, krazymop, in the 30's there weren't mass school shootings, hight teen suicide rates, super high drug use, high use of psychotropic drugs, and a general nasty attitude. The suicides during the 30's were people who placed their trust in money instead of God.

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD.

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes to the Father but by me". John chapter 14 verse 6.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John chapter 3 verse 16.

God does love everyone, but He is a righteous God, and cannot tolerate sin in any way. That's His character, that's the way it is, whether a person likes it or not, whether a person agrees with it or not. People's attitudes and beliefs will not change a thing. But unbelief will land them in everlasting torment. That's just the way it is.

Mohammed was ONE man who started Islam. He went to a cave and had drugged visions. The koran is totally worldly-you can see in an instant that it was made with man's feelings, wants, needs, lusts (27 virgins, or is it 200, 500, can't remember offhand.), revenge.

The true God, the triune God of the Bible, states that we are to LOVE our enemies. You can't make that stuff up. It's not human nature. Same thing with one husband and wife. It's not human nature. etc. etc. The Ten Commandments, that's not reflective of human nature. If there were no laws, the first of them BEING the Ten Commandments, we would all be murdering, thieving, lusting people. Don't anyone deny it. "Know thyself" (that's Shakespeare, or somebody) The Bible states-"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?" Jeremiah chapter 17 verse 10.

Finally, "The fool hath said in his heart "There is no God" Psalm chapter 14 verse 1.

P. S. I'm a fast typist, so if you want to collapse my comments, I will just keep retyping them. In that way, even more people will be able to read it, and hopefully hear the truth.

To those who state that Christians hate Jews-I'd have to classify those comments as libel. Speak for yourself.

Marlene...blaming your god or whatever creature you worship for the greediness of those with power and money does nothing but make you and others look like pathetic victims. The God of the Bible allowed this to happen because people like you refuse to accept responsibility for your false/misleading beliefs by following what it actually says in the Bible...rather than some kool-aid you have been fed from those more deluded than yourself with an evil agenda. Start reading the Bible you claim to love and your victim mentality will change.

P.P.S. I'd be interested to know which side collapsed my comments. Feel free to let me know, so I can read your comments to see which side is actually for free speech, and which side actually wants to repress free speech.

Alright, what the heck. Here's my 2 cents...

Marelen, I've already posted in response to your blatant trolling expedition. Congrats on getting people riled up over your BS. Now grow up.

As far as God is concerned, I love the way many people are adamant in following a rigid, literal translation of the Bible. First of all, all the wrathful crap that God supposedly did occurred in the Old Testament, otherwise known as the Torah, which is the Jewish testament. Then came along Jesus (pbuh) and basically taught everyone that the God of the OT was NOT the way it was meant to be. Jesus preached NOTHING BUT love and tolerance. The God of the OT is vengeful, angry, jealous and full of other negative human traits. Jesus taught us that this was wrong, and that God loves ALL of us, regardless of our "sins". Of course, getting a "Christian" to READ the Bible and understand it for its intrinsic teachings is almost impossible.

Lou"sevens"- Yup, there were drugs in the 30's. Hell, even pot wasn't illegal until 1937. And people used them!! Likely, just as much as they use them today, but the stigmas have changed since then. Human nature has not changed in eons, so your premise that life was better then is moot.

Furthermore, you stated that Mohammed (pbuh) went to a cave and had drugged visions. LOL, what the hell do you think happened when Jesus had his little discussion with the burning bush out in the desert?? No drugs there, right? Hmmm. And besides, do you know where Jesus went during the 17 years (approx) that he was "missing" from the Bible?? Did you EVER wonder why there is such a gap in his life missing from the most socially important book of all time? This was the man born of the "immaculate conception", the Son of God......and we just shrug our shoulders and totally dismiss any of the reasons why 17 years worth of his life are missing?? LOL. Well, if you must know (because I can't seem to trust you to go look this stuff up!), he went to the East (India) where he is named in Hindu texts as the Hebrew Issa from the West. He went there to study Eastern philosophy before returning to the "Holy Land" to teach people the truth of God. Go read up on Hindu texts, it's a real eye opener.....

But I digress......

And LouSevens, please remember that God loves and accepts all people, regardless of "sin". In fact, there really is NO Satan, no Hell, no sin (as we know it). These are simply fabrications by people to explain the unexplainable, as well as control others through fear and discipline. Sin is just a manifestation of evil thoughts by human frailty towards others. We all are subject to the caliber of our hearts after we die. There is no judgement but what we judge ourselves. What we call "sin" here on Earth, is what the heavens call "learning by making mistakes". We are here to learn how to love one another. Period. Any atonement in the afterlife is due to our re-living of our experiences as they are felt by others. What we do to others, we do to ourselves eventually. Even Hitler gets to go to heaven eventually, though he has a lot of personal reflection to complete first.

God is not wrathful or vengeful. He does not hate anyone, even the nonbelievers. And if you happen to be athiest, please understand that God is NOT an old man with a long beard sitting on a cloud. No, God is much more than just that. In fact, God is all around you, within and without everything that you can sense. YOU are a piece of God, whether you know it or not. Even Jesus reminded us that the "kingdom of God is within you". Everything that exists IS God, and God is pure love.

Indulge yourselves in the reading of others' near-death experiences. Many people have crossed the veil, only to return and share their journey. Read what they have to say. It will change your entire outlook on life and religion.

End of Argument, unless you want to admit you are Hypocrites.

Send me all your "In God We Trust" and do not keep any for yourselves.

lou, I'm not collapsing your comments, certainly not the hilariously contradictory and hypocritical comment by marlene.

I'm not a believer, and if their actually some supernatural "God" it is certainly far beyond the petty ,vicious and malicious creature that the old testament claims is "God". (who certainly seems to be amazingly preoccupied with those that worship those non-existant dieties other than itself, can't even be mature about it and just laugh and say "you are making a bunch of noise at nothing")

The fact is a lot of atheists on this site( boredwithsameO, Indy, Danwill) , claim to know what the bible says, but are only using bits and pieces of the bible in order to promote their agenda. Where in the bible does it say that christians are told to look the other way when dealing with sin? If you quote the bible saying that God is a god of love and kindness and that he allows you to sin and never be punished, then what you are doing is worshipping a false God of your own making. The bible never said that and I challenge anyone to find me a verse that says it does.

I think atheists are using the homosexual agenda in order to persuade anyone from following God and vice versa. When they can't win the argument, that's when they resort to party affiliation. It's really pathetic that their are so many of you democrats out there who do nothing except complain about how much money someone else has compared to you. That what the bible refers to as jealousy and covetousness. If they knew the bible well enough, they would have learned it as something not to do in the 10 commandments.

Marlene is pointing out a study done by people. Whether you want to believe it or not, there is a correlation between atheism and lack of morals compounded by lower test scores, etc.

Marlene is pointing out a study done by people. Whether you want to believe it or not, there is a correlation between atheism and lack of morals compounded by lower test scores, etc.

Oh yes, please show me this completely imaginary "study" done by nameless "people"

do that and I will show you ten studies that show that religious fundamentalists are more poorly educated, are more prone to violence and are far less knowledgable about the real world as well as ready to drag the US back into the dark ages

Unhappy, do you study at the Bachmann school of ridiculousness?

Agenda? look in the mirror for your fear/hate agenda. I find it rather obnoxious how you practice the opposite of what you preach.

Its difficult to have a sane discussion with someone who believes in mythology.

Enjoy your fracken polluted water, And don't complain that the polluters are drinking evion.

Look in the mirror again, you are the reason this country flounders.

it's really quite simple unhappy, you are another "pick and choose" for whatever fits your hate-filled agenda.

i'm quite happy to let you live in your fantasy world as long as you don't try to legislate your hate-filled agenda into my life, which is exactly what the religious right is trying to do

don't believe me about dreagging us back into the dark ages? look up the "new apostolic reformation" of which both Perry and Palin are members, haven't found a connection for Bachmann,even though she fits. the leadership has decried the "age of enlightment" had a "horrible mistake that has taken us away from god" (reduced the power of the church in politics) that happens to be the same enlightenment that led our founding fathers to create this country. they also have an agenda to take control of all aspects of American life, entertainment, finance, government, etc. (seven mountains is their term for the various aspects of American life they want to control), this along with "demon purging" (how does any sane, rational person actually believe in demons in this day and age?LOL) all this "to prepare America for the coming 'end-times' in order to slaughter all the heathens 'in the name of god'".

yet despite their idiotic claims that "'darwinism'(sic, there is no such thing, nobody 'worships' darwin)causes immorality", are ardent, true believers in the utterly darwinian concepts of the most extreme, dog-eat-dog, survival-of-the-fittest capitalism in it's worst and most blatant forms "the rich deserve to rule just for being rich, and the poor need to work harder for less

this is what the conservative, political right wants for America

"Marlene is pointing out a study done by people. Whether you want to believe it or not, there is a correlation between atheism and lack of morals compounded by lower test scores, etc."

Funny that - A recent study shows that atheists know more about religion than the faithful do.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0928/In-US-atheists-know-religion-better-than-believers.-Is-that-bad

Um, as an atheist, I can say with 100% certainty that I raised my now 20 year old daughter in a secular home and she is probably one of the more well adjusted individuals I know. She is independent, self-reliant, has self respect, is a loyal friend, has a kind heart and a great sense of humor. She works part-time, is in college, volunteers at the local food bank, hasn't been knocked up or arrested, doesn't drink, smoke and has had only two boyfriends, both of whom she dated after high school.

Morals and values aren't mutually exclusive to religion - to think otherwise is naive at best and pretty damned ignorant at worst.

no vfeinstein, unhappy assures us that "people" have done a "study" that absolutely proves that your daughter is doing drugs, stealing, and is in prostitution because she wasn't raised as a conservative christian.

in fact unhappy will assure everyone that any religion or any interpretation of his religion other than his own version of it will always lead to a life of crime and immorality. after "people" did a "study".

I can imagine how these "people" did their "study":

part 1, go to conservative christian school and ask question ; "have you killed anyone?" answer "no"

"proof" that "christians are moral"

part 2, go to prison, ask who is an atheist, thaen ask question ; "have you done anything wrong in your life?" answer"yes"

"proof" that all atheists are immoral

of course, someone like unhappy won't even be capable of seeing what is wrong with the methodology that I just produced.

danwill,

LOL - Well, I have news for unhappy ... although I am an atheist, I do have conversations with various deities, namely, Jesus H. Christ (JHC knows I recognize him as a historical figure and he doesn't take issue with me not believing he's the son of God - JHC just likes to talk to the rational amongst those living on earth). So, I asked JHC what he thought of unhappy and those like him. His response was, and I quote, "I love unhappy but, I still think unhappy - and those who are unfortunate to have unhappy's mindset - are colossal a@@holes."

And all this time I thought God's sense of humor stopped with the platypus ...

vfeinstein

If only I could vote that one up 20 times :)

One lives to be of service, danwill :D

I love how "hungry" families all tend to be obese.

I love how ignorant, heartless posters don't understand that cheap food = tons of carbohydrates.

That's usually because the cheap food is crappy, unhealthy, and is overly processed. You can feed a family off of the dollar menu at a fast food restaurant a lot cheaper than you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

I was wondering that also you would think that if times were that tight missed meals would make for a leaner individual.

Funny, the people pictured at the top of this story don't look fat....

This is actually a direct result of poverty in many cases. Healthy food is more expensive, but government subsidies make sure that corn syrup is cheap. So sweet, calorie-laden junk food is more affordable than healthier options, and when you are actually hungry, the goal is just to get as many calories into your system as possible. Once you've become accustomed to the sugar rush, it's hard to break through the sugar-withdrawal symptoms, and even when someone can, it often is only a reprieve of a few weeks, until money gets too tight at the end of the next month.

What would be helpful would be for Washington, assuming they're going to subsidize agriculture, to subsidize those crops that it is most important we keep affordable for American citizens, rather than those that simply have developed the most powerful lobbies due to the economic and technological constraints of previous eras. Grain, particularly corn, was once the be all and end all of American agriculture. This begat political machinery that is currently plowing under the health of our children, for whom high-fructose corn syrup and other largely non-nutitive sweetners are a significant dietary component.

We need to stop the grain subsidies and direct those funds toward healthier crops, if we keep the subsidies at all.

It's been shown that cheaper mass-produced foods can be the cause of this

Many of the cheapest foods available are also the most unhealthy. Yes, some reasonably healthy staples like rice and beans are affordable, but highly processed pre-made foods are cheap, too, and easy for even kids to cook if both parents are working.

For families who can't go to the store every week, fresh fruits and vegetables may be difficult to buy. If you only have a few dollars to spend, you don't want to throw anything away because it spoils.

They tend to be "obese" because the most filling and cheapest foods tend to be the most fattening: You know, macaroni and cheese; fast food burgers and fries; sodas; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...Somehow, I doubt that people in a situation so unfortunate as to need food stamps are getting "obese" from eating organic bananas and free range organic chicken.

I wish you well and hope you never need any sort of public assistance in order to eat.

If you new anything about nutritional value versus cost you would understand the the more nutritional the food the more expensive it is, which equals more overweight people. When you are trying to stretch your money you buy in bulk, and it is usually high carbohydrate foods.

i pick my own blueberries,my wife makes apple pie from our trees,i eat more fish than a baby whale.all pretty cheap,if you own no land and have no money then why breed as if your offspring will be well off.

That doesn't mean they have to buy it with their food-stamps. They can buy good food, they choose to buy the junk. The farmers market even takes their wic and food stamps card. We tend to make excuses for just about everything.

Also, when you don't get the minimum calories you need, as in the last few days of the month, the body kicks into starvation mode and switches the metabolism so that as many calories as possible are preserved and not burned. So you starve for a week, then fill up on macaroni and rice.

That's pretty much what happens when you sit around all day eating unhealthy food. You get obese, then in turn, you drive up health care costs by the ensuing medical issues. Endless cycles.

High-carb high-calorie, high-everything foods such as exist at the bottom of the food chain (think fast food if you want the worst example) are also virtually devoid of real nutrition, which is one reason you can chow down a McMeal of 2,000 calories (the average amount an adult needs to stay healthy every day) and still feel hungry a few hours later. You are eating filler, not food.

But hey, let's make jerky comments about fat people rather than understand the very real plight of our nation. History will judge our nation not by how high we soared or how great we treated the greatest among us, but by how low we dipped, and by how poorly we treated our least vulnerable members.

As it stands now, the US' record for the 21st century is abysmal, and will rank us with the worst, most decadent regimes. I find it instructive to remember that Saddam Hussein kept power for so long because he made sure his people had a decent meal ever day.

Of course, I think Nixon did something similar in the 1970's which is why we have all this nutritionless crap food around today. Because as long as people's buttons are getting pushed right they don't care how bad the food is.

But, woe to us if the house of cards ever falls. Enough hungry people in one place is a guaranteed violent revolution. This supposedly glowing story of Wal-Mart success is actually a blaring warning signal that we're about to run out of road.

That is because they can only afford to eat high calorie processed foods. The fresh stuff if expensive...have you been shopping the last year+ 2.99 a pound for apples, 1.69 a pound for onions, 3.50 a gallon for milk, 4.99 a pound for 75% ground beef. Get a clue before you spout off such stupid crap.

Exercise is free right??? C'mon libs you cannot seriously believe some of the things you are saying right????

It IS a remarkable feature of America.

In most countries, the poor are starving. They are not just skinny, but malnourished. They are shorter, have brittle bones, and virtually no fat OR muscle.

In these countries, the cheapest food available is usually bulk grains and raw vegetables. Meat is rare for the poor, and usually consists of what you can catch on your own.

In America, we have very little starvation. The very poor can usually survive on government assistance, food pantries, or other tricks (we found the "free food" dropoff location, where grocery stores drop off excess food that is about to expire). But the cheapest food in America tends to be high-calorie -- either high in fat or sugar.

Our poor, lower classes tend to be more overweight than the middle and upper classes because they literally can't afford healthy food.

It is a strange place we live in where the poor are fat, but IS the trend in America.

Go to www.aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu and learn how to grow you own veggies. Then go to www.gurneys.com and order you some seeds. I grew up on a farm in Texas and hated it, but I'm going back to my roots, and will plant in jan/feb for next yr. It's hard work, but it will give you something you can do with your children. Then get a canner, and can all those veggies.

I would like to buy the $10.00 book for the boy.

In America we have 200 Pound third graders. lmao who's starving?

yea...so what if the farmers market takes food stamps....they are often the more expensive option. Walmart will often carry the same items for less, which unfortunately is still more expensive than the cheaper, sugar, carb laden alternative.

for those suggesting folks grow their own - if they live in an apartment, there is nowhere to plant. Secondly, we have an annual harvest, not a monthly harvest. Third, how to they grow all they need, then be able to afford the canning supplies to put it up in storage for the year? To be self-sufficient like that you need land, a larger home, canning supplies, etc. I am temporarily in need and receiving assistance, but I do know folks receiving long-term assistance, and unless a good job comes along, they won't be getting out from under for a while.

for those suggesting folks grow their own - if they live in an apartment, there is nowhere to plant. Secondly, we have an annual harvest, not a monthly harvest. Third, how to they grow all they need, then be able to afford the canning supplies to put it up in storage for the year? To be self-sufficient like that you need land, a larger home, canning supplies, etc. I am temporarily in need and receiving assistance, but I do know folks receiving long-term assistance, and unless a good job comes along, they won't be getting out from under for a while.

Nikki: the 200 pound third grader who was removed from his parents' care in Chicago is not in the same neighborhood with these folks not scrapping by enough to put food on the table. Use a little common sense...you think these folks are making their hunger up? Open your eyes for heaven's sake...

The fattest country in the world is the United States, nobody is starving here.

Massive expansions in federal food aid to the poor may be making many of them obese. That is the conclusion of some researchers.

• The nation now spends $18 billion annually on food stamps, $8 billion on school breakfasts and lunches, and $5 billion on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
• Despite a striking increase in obesity among the poor, government food programs still operate under their nearly half-century assumption that the poor need more food.
• While 65 percent of Americans, by some estimates, are deemed to be overweight, and nearly half of those obese, rates for the poor are estimated at 5 to 10 percentage points higher.
• Food stamps provide 20 million people a month up to $465 for a family of four, and the way the program is set up it encourages poor families to spend it on food or lose it.

In addition to the above programs, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families is a welfare program that adds another $12 billion in taxpayer money to payouts to poor families.

PS, my eyes are open....

Anyone who shops at Wal Mart (Hillary MART) can plainly see the poorer you are, ie stamps, now da card, the fatter you are. You'll see steaks mixed with the diet pops and chips. I've been watchin this for year. This is not to say the rest of us are not generally to fat also.

However, there is more than poor diet and lack of exercise. The Government will not tell ya about the GM modified crops we eat now, nor the growth hormone laden chicken and beef we eat, or even teh arsenic placed in the chicken food to kill intestinal parasites.

Just think, not to sound perverse. but I'm a 60 year ole man. When I was in HS girls walkin past with Cs would be breakin da boys necks as they followed them. Now girls got DDs in middle school. IS that natural? Seriously, think about it and ask your parents or grandparents about it. This says nothin about the explosion of breast and colon cancer. We are being poisoned!

You lost me at "The Government will not tell ya...". And I really cannot comment on the bra cup sizes of middle school aged girls (and really neither should you...). But let's say that they are larger...it's likely due to obesity, which is a matter of input and output, not some nefarious conspiracy to modify foods.

Yes perhaps we are being poisoned, by the quantity more so than the quality of the food. When I was in the south we called this disease "biscuit toxicity".

OK Doc, when has the government said or even told us that GM foods is the majority of grains we eat now? A few years ago it was a big fight. Within the last five years the few farmers not growin GM foods are being sued by Monsanto and others for contaminating their seed. Plants are now being DNA modified to be immune from the strongest pesticides and some even to kill bugs that eat them. Good for ou digestive system. NO?

I raise feeder cattle and DO NOT use growth hormones nor market them to benefit from the fact that they are hormone free. But I can tell you that I have beautiful calfs which do take an additional 4 months to get to market range of 400 lbs being hormone free, which cost money. You don't think cattle and chicken growth hormones do not effect human growth? The last I heard they are still outlawed in the EU. So how is fast is female development in the EU now? I haven't lived there for 20 years so I don't know.

Then you add the fact that ALMOST every product you put in your moputh has High Frutose Corn Syrup in it. Look at the labels. This has been in the last 10 to 15 years.

So DOC, yes, the gov isn't tellin us the entire story. YA, part of it is we eat to much and do to little. But a big part is the food itself. Just my humble opinion.

As for commentin on young girls breast size, ya, I think it is important since it appears to me that the girls today are maturing about 3 to 4 years earlier than they did in my day. And that is when the diet was much more healthier and practically no one in a 30 kid class was more than just a bit cunky, none were fat or obese.

So, do any of you older people 50+ think girls are developin faster and breast and colon cancers seem much more prevelant today than in the good ole days? I firmly believe something is at work here.

So what if some that you see are obese? Are you going to begrudge them the right to eat? It's their choices. Most people I see on food stamps are not obese. They are in fact very small, or a little chunky. Please don't judge people. Who's to say they weren't food stamp free and obese, and then got into the situation they are in?

Plus the food out there that is cheap is disgusting and loaded with so many additives. We are still behind on finding out what things do to our bodies.

But yes, as someone stated exercise can be 'free'. Park further away from the store, extra walking. Walk after meals, clean your house daily, etc... extra exercise that is free. Sorry, I'm rambling. I just pray that I continue to be fortunate in being able to buy my own food, and provide for myself. For those who rely on the government for assistance, and really need the help, I hope you can someday find a job that pays enough for you to make it on your own.

I live on a bike trail. NOBODY is ever on it. People are obese today because of the food they eat and lack of exercise. Many of the kids do not even take gym. BTW, stopped the other day at the convenience store to get gas, and saw about a dozen high schoolers eating JUNK throughout the store. So they were just standing around inhaling packaged junk. First, it is very expensive, and second very bad for them. This is their choice.

STOP making excuses for poor choices in life.

I make my own pasta, soup, bread, etc. Pasta is cheap to make and very, very easy. You don't even need a machine but can hand cut it easily. If you have a pot and water you are set to go and all that is needed is a simple sauce/meat. IT IS CHEAP.

Making soup is equally cheap even with fresh veggies. Look for veggies on sale each week and that is the soup you make. Soup is easy to make. Even if you can't afford cookbooks, you can go to the library and find some good recipes. Lots of free recipes on-line. Make a roux and add whatever veggie/meat you want and cut with water/broth. Soup goes a long ways and very nutritious.

Bread is easy to make. Flour, water, salt, sugar, and a rising agent. I mean really this is very basic stuff. Perhaps it is time to bring back home economics so that families could once again have quality meals instead of eating prepared packaged foods.

I agree theboys...Actually. Saying that good wholesome food is a lot more expensive just is not true. It is very easy to buy and cook fresh, nutritious food. Buying boxed, fattening sugar filled stuff, in reality, costs much more.

Mac,

There's so much wrong with your screed, I hardly know where to begin

. First why are you waiting for the government to tell you something? Second, do you follow all government communiques? Perhaps you missed one?

You mention high fructose corn syrup. You know what I call that? Sugar. Eating too much of it will make you fat...whether it's derived from corn or cane. The composition of high fructose corn syrup is pretty much the same as honey. The problem is that it's in alot of things that people consume too much of. So, it's not that it's "high fructose" it's that it's high abundance.

Unless you are part of an IRB approved study to assess the size of young teenage girls breast, I suggest you keep your eyes off of them. That's bordering on old man pervert stuff, you should know better. And speaking of studies, please cite the study that says that cup sizes are significantly larger because of (whatever bogeyman you are yapping about). Kids are fatter, because they eat too much and move too little. Some of those C and D cups are probably on the boys.

Your unscientific call for opinion has no validity.

When you understand what "GMO" actually means we can have a conversation. Remember just because YOU don't understand something, doesn't mean others are also as ignorant.

Yes, you raise feeder cattle, does this qualify you to discuss effects of growth hormones on the human population? Curious.

Mac-101,

Agreed. Most people like to bury their heads in the sand. That Monsanto (genetic engineering) is now common (and most US Citizens refuse to do the basic research). Many Vegetarians would be cringing if they actually knew.

Many would also be cringing if they knew about how sludge (human waste) at the US is reprocessed as fertilizer (Undercover Boss Episode) for those "Healthy Fruits and Vegetables". Many also do not know that most of the US Fruits and Vegetables no longer are grown at the US, and come from Mexico, South and Central Americas (low sanitation standards).

With the solution as successfully used by the Europeans being the Irradiation of Food (note: Sun Dried Fruits and Vegetables is Solar Irradiation. Microwave Ovens are Irradiation. At lower levels than used at Europe). That less taste of irradiated food was debunked by the French Cordon Bleu that originally opposed irradiation for that reason (blind taste tests, almost laughing most of the time they would pick the irradiated foods as the not irradiated food (as more taste, since the irradiated food could be harvested closer to being ripe, instead of days to weeks before being ripe like the non irradiated food had to be to prevent spoilage or becoming over ripe before being sold.).

As far as growth hormones, they are now attributing that to girls as young as 9 years old having periods. So, the answer to your question (bottom of your post#4.29) is yes, they are as premature puberty. I can honestly also compare the US children to the children here at Afghanistan (from the aspect of being trained as a Physcian's Assistant (like most of us are, never know how far you will be from the nearest medical treatment for years and also for our Humanitarian Assistance Mission Capabilities (Medical Treatments of the locals to gain and keep their trust (with their and their families lives) as US Military Asymmetric Mountain Warfare). Before anyone says it, this is why ever since our involvement with the Middle East since the 1980s, we have always had US Military Women (then known as "Amazons" now known as "Lionesses" as Combatants) with us to provide Medical Treatments also as trained Physician's Assistants to Islamic Women (Big f**king surprise and rude awakening to the US Military Conventional Warfare Forces).

As far as Europe, they are starting to have the same problems, as the young refuse to follow their elders Life Styles (eating only small portions and not the entire Big Mac with Supersized Fries, I used to laugh at the older Europeans before when they would cut a Big Mac in half and only eat half (minus the top bun) and save the rest for later).

What I believe is causing the Obesity Epidemic at the US (based on previous training in Epidemiology by USARIID), is a lack of restraint of many eating the Whole thing (large portions) at one time as no self restraint (discipline).

The US Military has to deal with this problem with the many volunteer recruits being obese, this is the opposite of what occurred after the start of World War II when the US Military had to fatten up most new recruits as the US was finally recovering from the Great Depression (US War Department Documents defined this WWII program in detail. Current US Military Documents describe the Obesity Programs to decrease the Obesity of the new US Military Volunteers.).

As an observation from the Vietnam Era, it was the exception to be Obese. Years later obesity was no longer the exception as more started staying that this was a genetic or inherited situation, with obesity becoming accepted by US Society (most European Nations with Citizen Funded Socialized Medicine did not/do not buy off on that).

Most of us that have been to the US Military Schools that pushed us to near physical exhaustion (collapse), know just how much food it takes to stay alive without long term effects. And that amount of food is way below what the average US Citizen eats. Just look at the portion sizes in an MRE (Meals Rejected by Everyone, processed food in bags), this also negates the arguement about processed food as the reason for obesity. Back in my day we used to stretch out two boxes of C Rations for a week or more during those harsh US Military Schools (as everything you had you were carrying on your back, more physical exertion each day than most US Civilians).

As far as the Corn situation, that is a problem and a benefit. Problem with the High Fructose Corn Syrup added to everything instead of actual Cane Sugar (example: Brazil, not as many Obese, using actual Sugarcane Sugar). The benefit of Corn to the US, is as Corn sold to other Nations (as well as Wheat). The US needs to implement the Brazil Solution as Alternative Energy, as Sugarcane to Ethanol, NOT Corn to Ethanol (reasons stated by the US Department of Energy), this will also make it possible to stop replacing more expensive Sugarcane sugar with cheap high fructose corn syrup by increasing sugarcane sugar production. 2009, after President Obama chopped the sugarcane subsidizes and these subsidises were given to Illinois Corn (Lobby) many of the US Sugarcane Industry shut down, like at Hawaii; the result being a US Sugar shortage (even increasing the costs of chocolates, Hersey Chocolates moving closer to source of Raw Materials, more US Jobs lost), then more sugar imported from South and Central Americas (loss of US Jobs), and the sugar prices increasing (use of more high fructose corn syrup). Before the name calling starts, just go look up what happened as documented (Historically, and Congressional Record).

Being over 55, I can say that more is heard about now than in the past, for both cancer and obesity. Today most people have the Internet and cell phones and information is transferred much quicker. They had just as many problems back then. In the past most people died much younger than today. My father in particular was only 47 when he died and he was neither obese nor had cancer.

I am sure glad you are not my DOC. You appear to have a very closed mine. On these forms anyone can voice an opinion. In this case the discussion was overweight children. I, as one who earns money by puttin weight on cattle made an observation that I did not believe it was healthy to use hormones on animals for human consumption, even though it would be more profitable for me to do so. But I am not educated in human dietary science and am not qualified to voice an opinion. I assume arsenic is good for you too. LOL!

As for observing young girls mature sooner and sooner. That is a simple observation. It follows with the obesity problem. A very limited search brought me to 9 Aug 2010 Journal of Pediatrics which stated that the typical girl was around 10 to 11. Now it is 7. So I, as a cattle breeder could see the 3 year difference and you do not? What kind of Doc are you? I didn't research it yet, but it sure seems that a lot of women are having more breast cancer each year. Also Colon cancer seems to be on the rise for both genders. I can't ask others if they don't see it also?

As for weight gain, I am an exteremely active person who each year eats less and less to remain in shape. My elders use to eat full plates who were my age 30 years ago and were not fat, let alone obese. So I believe we have a food supply problem. I'm glad you believe so much in your GM food. I strongly suspect it in combination with growth hormones is a factor to overweight in humans.

As for High Frutose Corn Syrup, the first thing I picked up at my desk is my Centrum Silver. A stupid vitamin. Guess what, it has Pregelatinized corn starch, modified corn starch, corn starch, food coloring yellow #6/Blue #2, Hydrogenated Palm oil, sun flower oil and about 30 other things. This is good for me?

As for the gov tellin me everything, they should insure at least the safety of our food supply. Instead they are putting Amish in Jail for sellin unpasteurized milk. They worry about stupid things and I bet, with my own stupid farmer lack of knowledge, that much of what they are approvin is bad for us.

First why are you waiting for the government to tell you something

Lastly I'm not waitin for the Gov to tell me soomthin, I think there is a problem with animal growth hormones and will not use them on my calves and am trying to get other poeple to think about it and raise questions. How hard is that? What else can I do?

I'm glad you aren't my patient. It's maddening to try to treat the ignorant.

David, Thanks for the informative response. We have an ethanol distillery here by the farm and in the winter I give them the left over mash from the ethanol production. I only give it to em on very cold days and buy it by the ton. They LOVE it but they get too fat. So it's just a treat. I really believe that the HFCS is much more dangerous than cane sugar, just an uniformed opinion though.

My Trans Am with the 400 SBC with cold crank 285psi compression, about 15 to 1 compression, T56 6 speed sure runs great on E-85 (105 Octane). Make any moonshiner jealous and gits over 30+ mpgs. So this is another case of conspiracy. If they made only little 4 cyl E85 only cars what kind of mpgs could they git?

I ain't never seen no fat Iraqis or Afghanis. Have you? Especially those Afghan mountains, those people climb them like billy goats.

Don't forget many off the Appels and other fruits come from Red China enhanced with heavy metals. Yum, Yum. Almost makes ya want the Mexican "Organic" ones. LOL!

Our country has very poor quality food. Additives and preservatives... antibiotics in the meat... etc. PBA in canned food has been outlawed in other countries, but not ours. That also goes for many of the additives, preservatives, and medicines that are given to animals and end up in our food. Our food quality is so low it is downright scary. What's even more scary is that many people don't care or are not informed. Of course our poor quality food is affecting our health!

The reason why high fructose corn syrup is in so much of our food is because it is cheap. Cheap because it is subsidized. High fructose corn syrup is NOT the same as sugar or honey. Our bodies do not metabolize it the same way. I know this personally, because I have a child with an allergy to high fructose corn syrup. It causes personality changes. He is not allergic to sugar or honey.

I avoid MSG because it triggers migraines. Most other health problems that are caused by foods are not that obvious. That does not mean that the food we are eating is not making us sick.

I can feed 6 people on about $600 a month, but that involves eating very little meat or expensive produce. We eat a lot of pasta, rice, and potatoes. I do a lot of my own baking (in order to avoid high fructose corn syrup and other additives, but it also saves a lot of money). We get a lot of our food at Aldi, which is by far the cheapest store around. Some items are 1/3 the cost of our regular grocery store. Otherwise, I don't think I could pull it off.

I haven't seen anyone on here mention how speculators are driving up the cost of food as well as gas and heating oil. They produce nothing, yet take money from all of us. I wonder how many extra hours the average person works to put money in the pockets of the uber rich who are trading futures. This might at least partly explain why people are working more and more hours and not getting ahead.

Walmart figured out a nice little system for themselves. They pay their employees so little that they have to get medicaid and food stamps. Then Walmart makes money off the food stamps. They have it pretty sweet, huh? I boycott Walmart and have for about 5 years.

One thing is indisputable. Tax breaks and subsidies to the rich never get put back into the economy. But poor people who receive benefits always put that money immediately back into circulation.

People need to pay enough taxes so that the poor can have a minimum standard of living.

Life to me is kind of like a type of ballgame

Pee wee

Jr High

High

College

Semi Pro

Major league

All of us start somewhere, but some of us just get stuck at certain levels. But those of us that are lucky and skilled enough, just might make it to the majors.

Don't hate the players hate the game.

but a good mom ,right.

Welfare cheese rocks!

I know there are plenty of people who have a true need for help in tough times. I support that and help out people when the situation comes to my attention. However, saying that people abusing the system is only a small portion of the total is really crazy. You wish it was a small group. It is not! The poor in our country are not truely poor. They can't even see poor from where they are. Most still have cell phones w/internet of course and cable TV with a movie channel or two. Many live in government supported housing with AC and god knows how many other programs. I will assure you there is almost always more to the story when someone has been playing the system for more than a few months. Just go down to the welfair office and check out the cars many of the people visiting there are driving. Bottom line is there is a very large group of people who are playing us all for fools. This while the old and sick people who really need the help can't get it. I only wish they would tie the free money to work of some sort. Pick up trash along the highway or mow the lawn at a public park. Something to make them earn their check. You watch, if they did that tons would be removed from the wellfare roles overnight.

Take it from one who worked in food banks and Pantries; "Welfare Cheese" is NOT Cheddar; what it is is processed "American Cheese Food", heavy on the fat and heavy on the salt. But that was back in good 'ol 1999. There are many other things that the food banks give away (or used to) that are much healthier, problem is they are much rarer than the cheese.

Vermonter, Me too am VT. Our shelves are MT and in need of replenishment but the money isn't there to just give all that is needed away. Yes there are cheats and double-dippers out there; some who even sell what they get for food. We weed them out when discovered but there is just so much allowed under current law.

When it comes down to it there will ALWAYS be waste in any such program, but then look to how much we GIVE to Afghan where they waste a good amount of what they are given (sometimes openly and in front of our troops). Other amounts are sold on the Black Market and used to buy the ingredients needed to by materials to construct bombs that kill our own Men and Women.

Our system may be flawed, but the food is mostly reaching the families that really need it.... and we aren't killing our citizens with it.

I remember sitting in a relatives home back when I was a child and listening to some very upset people talking about that cheese and rice and other subsidies the government was handing out to families back then. It was a subsistence farm where they made about enough money to cover property taxes and a very few things they couldn't make or grow for themselves. Most of the people in the area lived the same way.

The house was really and truly a log cabin with only a fireplace and wood cook stove for heat, there was no electric since the TVA hadn't reached them yet. There was an outhouse and the water came from a well outside the kitchen door. There was a fairly large "cool house" where they stored all the food they produced. Jars and jars of veggies and home made sausage lined the walls. Milk and butter were in a stone lined pit to keep them cool. Mother traded things they couldn't get locally or cloth goods for some of their home grown food. My favorite was fingerling sweet potatoes, now sold as a gourmet item in some stores. Most of those potatoes wound up being fed to the hogs and they were embarrassed that we wanted them so those were a gift, not a trade. There was corn, apples, honey and molasses, carrots and beans, huge tomatoes and bushels of cucumbers and paw-paws, peaches and nuts(I hated the black walnuts)and cabbage and home made canned sausage and pickles. We brought clothing and shoes, furniture and mattresses/box springs and many other things they could use but much of it went to neighbors who weren't as well off or to young couples just starting out. Usually they sent us a butchered hog once a year that went into our freezer. My parents had a hard time finding enough to make up the value we received. When I got married, they sent me a set of handmade table runners crocheted from quilting thread and my cousin sent a skirt she had made from scraps of cloth hand sewn together like a quilt. I still cherish them.

But back to the cheese. The government decided they were poverty stricken and despite their protests began delivering cheese and bags of sugar, flour, rice and dried beans to the house. They didn't want it and couldn't even give it to their neighbors since the same things were being delivered to them. Most of the time the stuff would be delivered when no one was at the house. And it started piling up. Some families actually took it to the offices of the social workers and just dumped it at the door but that cost time and money and it was just thrown out. Most of the rest fed the stuff to the hogs because it was sinful to waste it.

It was a big blow to their pride. Some people got used to it and somehow it came to be accepted by many who had always believed they were well off. Now that area is considered a pocket of deep poverty. I've often wondered about the connection.

I remember my mom telling me that she tried to get food stamps and was denied when I was a baby. First, she was embarrassed to go and ask for assistance, and then she was denied. She and my grandma both went without some nights.

Goody - that was an interesting historical note! My dad's brother is older, and he told us how in backwater Ohio, during the Depression, government workers would come with a monthly allotment of cornmeal, sugar, and some other staple - to keep the country folk from being too hungry, and coming to the cities looking for work, as there was none. He said he was sooo sick of porridge, although they had a nice truck farm of veggies. Finally, around the time of WW2, they all ended up moving to the city, Grandpa found work at GE, from which he retired many years later. I think the poor folk still stuck in the holler are those that just would never move away for work. My family has been heading west since 1690 - most of Grandpa's kids ended up with a college degree - on merit (zero money for tuition), and half of those advanced.

jonjojon - When it comes down to it there will ALWAYS be waste in any such program, but then look to how much we GIVE to Afghan where they waste a good amount of what they are given (sometimes openly and in front of our troops).

Just to let you know about this place (Afghanistan). The majority of the waste is from the US Department of State (President Obama's Political Appointees) that were and still are spending Billions of USDs with nothing being done nor built (previously and currently making President Karzai so pissed he demanded that General McChrystal and General Petraeus investigate President Obama's Political Appointees (then Eikenberry and Holbrooke, to deflect blame they then started screaming to the News Media "Karzai Corrupt"), after the investigation President Karzai demanded that they account for every dime spent, with Holbrooke dying on the operating table at Pakistan after "straining his heart" (US Congress was going to grill him), Eikenberry tenders his Letter of Resignation to President Obama. These Funds are NOT accessable to the US Military nor the Local Afghan Government (President Karzai) and managed (mismanaged) by the US Department of State.

The majority of the "Troops" are NOT allowed to even associate with the "Locals" as to prevent any possible International Incidents. As most of the US Military Conventional Warfare Forces (Majority of US Military) do NOT know the Languages (Pashtu, Dari, Farsi (near Iran Border), Arabic (Official Language of Islam) , the Islamic Laws (Fiqh, Hadith, Sharia, etc.), Islamic and Afghan Customs, etc. that are very easily violated and offending or inciting (to violence) the Locals. This is just like the Wackenhut Embassy Security Guards that were videoed dancing around drunk and naked, proving to the dirt poor Afghans that the Fundamentalist Islamic Taliban were correct about the Foreign Islamic Law Breakers being decadent and morally corrupt (what made the Afghans even angerier was that instead of these US Civilians being turned over to the Afghans (like we (US Military) would be if "Politically Expedient") they were evacuated thru US Diplomatic channels (Diplomatic Immunity). This kind of thing (and there are many other examples) is what destroyed the Afghans Trust after my men's and women's living with the Afghans to gain their trust during years of consecutive tours (unlike the US Military Conventional Warfare Forces we do not "abandon" the Afghans after a few months, just after they get used to us.).

The reason why they will throw things on the ground given to them, is because they do not want that limb chopped off by the Fundamentalist Islamic Taliban, Al Quada, Hamas Foreign Fighters, Islamic Chechen Foreign Fighters, Pakistan Taliban, Army of Islam Pakistan, etc. or getting a near death arse whooping by them or their Afghan peers that support the Islamic Jihadists after the US Military Conventional Warfare Patrols leaves the area(s) just prior to nightfall with the Islamic Jihadists coming out at night and paying the Pro US Afghans a visit (against current Islamic Laws to be a Collaborator to the Christians, Jews, Unbelievers, as previous justification to massacre the 20, 000 to 50,000 1980s Pro US Afghan Muhajeen that we (US Military Asymmetric Warfare Forces attached to SAD trained to defeat the USSR 40th Army Occupation, NOT OBL that was living with his rich relatives at Saudi Arabia, nor Al Quada, nor the 1990s Taliban).

As far as the funds to buy materials to make IEDs, that is mostly from Fundamentalist Islamic Iran (General McChrystal made that information Public and got his first Letter of Reprimand from President Obama, since this violated President Obama's 2009 Improved Relations with Iran Policy). Fundamentalist Islamic Iran is also where the majority of weapons, ammunition, military equipment, etc. as used by the Fundamentalist Islamic Taliban (supported by Fundamentalist Islamic Iran since the 1990s), Al Quada (Afghanistan), Pakistanis Taliban, Army of Islam Pakistan (not the Pakistanis Government Military), etc.. Fundamentalist Islamic Iran is also the source for the majority of the weapons, ammunition, military equipment used against the US and US Allies at Iraq were coming from as stated by General Petraeus when he was at Iraq, based on the tons captured. As Fundamentalist Islamic Iran's Allies the Chinese and Russian Federation are trading these for Fundamentalist Islamic Iranian Oil and future Fundamentalist Islamic Iran's Sphere of Influence (how the Chinese and Russian Federation got the Iraqis Oil Contracts from the Allies of Fundamentalist Islamic Iran, the Kurdistanis (Indo Europeans, Shiites, Kurdish form of Farsi (Iranian, Persian) Northern Iraqis Oil Fields) and the Shiites (generations ago as Illegal Aliens fled to Iraq from Iran's massive unemployment after the Fall of the Shah of Iran) Southern Oil Fields, with the Iraqis (Arabs, Sunnis, Arabic) getting nothing (hatred of US and US Allies, for giving Iraq to non Iraqis).

What I find really amazing is how most of the "Middle East", Africa, Asia would consider that the "Poor" of the US as being "Rich"; to the extent of even wanting to take by force the "Rich" of the US "Poor" (very long conversations with the locals, most will not tell you until you earn their trust (usually by living with them for years).).

David, my son has returned from Afghanistan and I've seen pictures he's shown me and also those posted on the Internet of Afghans literally ripping bags of staples apart, sometimes grabbing bags from people in line to do so. Whether they are part of the Taliban or not, I do not know. But believe me second hand, the situation does exist.

If you read my posting you'll note that I've acknowledged that the poor in the USA are better off than those in many foreign nations, Afghanistan included.

Getting a helping hand is nothing to be ashamed of, but resorting to stealing is.

That was the lesson my mother taught us as children.

Never be ashamed of receiving help, just don't wear it out she would say.

Some said that people on food stamps are obese.

If you take time to learn about nutrition you would find that a big stomach is a indicator of being malnourished.

Think of the starving kids in Africa who look like skeletons but are often pictured with big bloated stomachs.

Eating a lot of stuff that is not good for you is bad for your health which is why the poor suffer more from nutrition related disease and illnesses.

Kwashiorkor (pronounced /kwɑːʃiˈɔrkər/) is an acute form of childhood protein-energy malnutrition characterized by edema, irritability, anorexia, ulcerating dermatoses, and an enlarged liver with fatty infiltrates. The presence of edema caused by poor nutrition defines kwashiorkor.^[1] Kwashiorkor was^[when?] thought to be caused by insufficient proteinconsumption but with sufficient calorie intake, distinguishing it from marasmus. More recently,^[when?] micronutrient and antioxidant deficiencies have come to be recognized as contributory.^{[citation needed]} Cases in the developed world are rare.^[2]

Jamaican pediatrician Dr. Cicely D. Williams introduced the name into the medical community in her 1935 Lancet article.^[3] The name is derived from the Ga language of coastal Ghana, translated as "the sickness the baby gets when the new baby comes",^{[4][citation needed]} and reflecting the development of the condition in an older child who has been weaned from the breast when a younger sibling comes.^[5] Breast milk contains proteins and amino acids vital to a child's growth. In at-risk populations, kwashiorkor may develop after a mother weans her child from breast milk, replacing it with a diet high in carbohydrates, especially starches, but deficient in protein.

If you take time to learn about nutrition you would find that a big stomach is a indicator of being malnourished.

fed up, there is a huge difference between the spindly limbs and the bloated stomach (caused partially from the muscles that hold in the gut breaking down) and sombody who is just plain fat. which you DO see in people on food stamps

in the US the only real cases are either self-inflicted (anorexia), or from deliberate mistreatment.

Sam Walton stole the idea from Fred Meijer.

I remember when you went to Wal mart They used to have made in the USA stickers on most items but since Sam died its all Offshore.

I wish Fred Meyer was still alive and in charge. Kroger didn't learn a thing about how to treat customers or employees when they bought him out.

Notice they don't put up the signs that say "Made In China" all over the place. They just put it on the product itself. Back when Sam was alive he had big signs "made in America."

Walmart started dumping made in USA well before old sam died. His kids were running the place and he was chairman emeritus or something. But the Waltons clearly liked that Chinese stuff. remember when they were first trying to control the manufacturers. Instead of being just a retialer they got into the manufcaturer's operations. Well, the americans didn't have a history of dealing with it that way and the Chinese were trying to get established. So the American's resisted and the Chinese said yes. Viola` Chinese stuff was all over the shelves at WalMart and made in america disappeared. And al you Walmart shoppers were fine with that - unitl, Oh say it ain't so - you realised you were firing your neighbors and cousins from their jobs. Now you have to support them with family charity, higher social costs and at the same time be on the bubble for losing your own job becasue this snowball is rolling downhill. Keep your paychecks out of WalMart. The money you save you have to payout a thousands times over supporting the poor SOB who just lost his job because you shop at "china".

When walmart is pretty much the only affordable game in town, we're going to walmart! They don't have everything, so don't get all our business, but in my town, the ONLY place we can buy new clothing is walmart. The best grocery selection is walmart. The only sporting goods is walmart. the other option is to drive 40 miles or more to a big city.

I Read You,

Just today I was thinkin we should dig up Sam Walton and bring back the "Made In America" signs in Wal MArt. I found out that Sam Walton started his made in America campaign in 1985. He stoped in in 1986 the sam year Hillary Clinton was placed on the board of directers. They've been esculatin their Chinese purchases since. Clinton got off the board in 1992 to aid her husband.

Need I remind you about all the Red Chinese money that was donatede or the Loral missle guidance deal. They have been owned by the Chi-Coms since AR. days.

Before we start with the partisan bickering, ALL the DEMOs, RINOs and half the Tea PArty Reps are owned by da BANKSTERS and are workin to create the New World Order.

yes Mac we get it "da " da "da"............. I'm somewhat amazed that you can tie this all to Hillary

I'm not tying fat welfarites going to Wal Mart to Hillary. Just commentin to I Read You point. If you research the apove points they are ALL true. If they're interrelated I can't say. But where there is smoke there is generally fire.

But on the other hand, don't fall for the good cop/bad cop game. Both parties are owned by the same puppet masters and dance to the jig of the New World Order. LOL!

I completely LOVE all these right wingers who post on here about not wanting to help the poor, to not use their tax dollars, you know to not be a human being to the poor. The myopic NERVE of these sheep is ASTOUNDING.

How many of these mooncalves say that they're Christian and worship at the feet of the holy Jewish zomibe? I bet most. Didn't that reanimated corpse say to tend to the poor? To help those who need help? It definitely hated the corruption of the powers that be. If you all are such ardent followers of that zombie, why ain't you RUSHING to help the poor? Opening your doors and spreading the wealth? Wait, is it because in your heart you love money and nothing else? Prolly, the right is great at platitudes but terrible at practice.

Oddly though the Right has NO problem with Corporate Socialism. Fund the Military Industrial Complex under the guise of it "keeps us safe", fund the banks because "they make us money" is fine with them. Of course that money is poorly spent as the MIC does nothing but drain the wealth of the nation and banks, what a scheme they are! You give them your $, they fee you to use your $, they loan your $ back to you while charging you interest on that $, and guess what? You give them your next paycheck. What a bunch of RUBES!

Right wingers, open you brains and eyes for a second as that deed you bought is one to a steaming pile of $hit, and the $ you spent is only funding ivory back scratcher decorated with dodo feathers fund for a company that has one sole interest--getting all of your money.

Derek,

I'm all about helping the poor. I just don't think it's the government's job to help the poor. It is our job as Americans to help those that are in need.

As for the name calling "mooncalves, jewish zombie, etc.," When you grow up (as well as those that call people names on the right) then we can actually begin to debate/discuss real issues. Until that time, you add no value to the conversation.

stick in there ,you make for accurate stats .welfare moms not so much.

hockkeypuck: because women don't actually go hungry?? What is your point..

And yet we give billons upon billions of dollars to Pakistan.

huh?

I don't want to belittle a childs hunger, and I'm sure to many children go hungry. But.....ask my children if they are going hungry and it will depend on when and how the questions is asked.

Conversation....child "can I have a cookie"....mom "no, dinner will be ready in 30 minutes".....child "but mom I'm starving:.....mom "no you're not"

Not getting a cookie when you want is not going hungry. Not eating lunch because you don't like what is served is not going hungry. It is called being spoilt or picky and I have two of those.

well there is a lot of concern about feeding and giving medicine and providing schools and clean water to Africa, the middle East and South and Central Asia. With so many americans in the hurt locker and the underclass getting larger by the day, the US Govt, Charities and Churches are still focused on the poor countries half a world away.

You know what's not fair.. When i hear these young parents saying that they are going to keep having babies just to get food stamps. When the working people "like me" who work 2 jobs and still struggle.. Just because you have 2 jobs it does not mean things get easier.. Before i got another job, i was turned down for food stamps because "i didn't have enough children" crazy i have 3 teenage sons..

agree with regina...ticks me off when I work hard and grocery shop and can afford only to buy things I truly need, yet the person in front of me has all kind of junk food in their carriage and paying with my dime...have heard too of lots of young kids having kids so they can get the free boat witout working, etc...So we pay for these kids to continue in this pattern while the older folk try to find $ to buy medicine they need and cannot get it....Im also for drug testing the welfare people before handing over their checks...no easy answers, I just dont think the handout for twinkies is acceptable... my apologies to the ones on the system that truely do need it to get them by in these tuff times... My kick in the butt to the abusers.....

Agreed. If there is an Aldi nearby, use it.

Aldi's meat is sub-par. Otherwise, you can save on many groceries shopping there if you are good at reading nutritional information.

My experience with Aldi is that you have to carefully read EXPIRATION DATES, don't buy the meat and also don't think about buying anything fresh. I went more than once to more than one Aldi's and noticed the same thing every time ... food that was at or past it's expiration date. On SOME food it doesn't matter whether the expiry date is close or has passed, but on others it makes a big difference. Yes, it's cheaper ... but that's because they can't legally sell food that is close to or past the expiry date for the same price as the other stores sell their food.

never heard of the place. three grocery stores in town. Walmart has the lowest prices and the best selection. I guess I will continue to shop at walmart.

It depends upon which Aldi stores you go to. The stores in their more traditional markets ,i.e., places where there are a large number of lower-income shoppers such as seniors, college students, and people on food stamps tend to be the stores with poorer product selection and quality. However, Aldi has recently started to move into more affluent areas. These stores are much cleaner with great product selection and quality. While I don't buy fresh meats there (I only buy ground turkey, ducks when in season, and cornish hens in the freezer section), I'm able to buy specialty items such as avocados, goat cheese and tomatoes on the stem and most of my basic shopping (general fresh and frozen produce and dried beans are the same no matter where you shop). Thanks to shopping at Aldi and carefully watching sales and/or using coupons wisely I'm able to feed my husband and myself for around $150 each month. If I didn't splurge on the specialty items I could feed us for even less.

Aldi's is German. Huh, funny; the walmart in Wurzburg, Germany ( A town with a large US instillation) has a Walmart with an escalator. Why do we still have any installation in Germany is the correct question to be asking following the first statement.

Aldi's is ok, but don't go when it is "check day" - I didn't know, and was shocked at the piles of food in carts. Then it was explained to me.

I buy most of my groceries at Aldi because some items are as low as 1/3 the price of regular grocery stores. A lot of the food is better quality, too. However, I specifically avoid their cereals and shampoo. A lot of their produce is not the best, either.

I can get a week's worth of food for my family of 6 for as low as $100. The down side is that I still have to go to a regular store for a few items that Aldi does not carry.

Crystal 5 - Why do we still have any installation in Germany is the correct question to be asking following the first statement.

Since you did not post the emotive non factual opinion "close all overseas US Military Bases".

The explanation is simple, the World War II Terms of Unconditional Surrender of Germany, Italy, and Japan (the Tripartite Pact) and the previous and current Status Of Forces Agreements (SOFA), that limit the sizes and types of those Nations Military Forces;

There were/are many other Treaties and Agreements Post World War II with the non Tripartite Pact European Nations (example: SHAPE Belgium, with the ultimate Commander of NATO being SACEUR a US Military General or Admiral (as to why NATO is actually the US, based on Command (SACEUR), US Bases, US Military Equipment, US Funding, and quantity of US Military Personnel of NATO).

Until the US Politicians, negotiate or renegotiate these, we (US Military) will be at those Nations. Additionally, most of these US Military Installations have been part of the Logistics chain for the Middle East, Africa, Asia. examples: Italy (and Sicily) to support US Military and NATO Military Actions at Libya. With the HQ for AFRICOM being at Stuttgart, Germany. Most of the Logistics support for Afghanistan and previously Iraq actually from Germany as USAREUR and USAFE (previous expertise developed during Desert Storm, Cold War (especially REFORGER), etc..).

This is the kind of thing you find out (the hard way) when you get assigned to HQ SHAPE (Belgium) as a US Military Officer and or live at Germany for over 20 years with the Locals "On the Economy" (between deployments to the Middle East, Africa, etc.), training/schools with the various European Nations Military Forces and previously graduated Gymnasium and Technical University at Germany.

I was also at Germany when the German Teenagers, Students, Academics, etc. were protesting and demanding the closures of US Military Bases at Germany, and saw the Results when the US Military did close US Military Bases. These German Teenagers, Students, Academics, etc. then lost their Lifestyles (did not have to work) when their parents that were employed by the US Military lost their jobs at the closed or downsized US Military Installations. And the surrounding German Towns suffered the cascade effects (Germans with no job and no money).

Speaking of almost spoiled meat and Germans, ever heard of Sauerbraten (real Deutsche recipe not the US one). Most of you do realize that long ago spices were prized to hide the taste of spoiled food (happened a lot since they did not have refrigeration, except cellars (kellers), or the food was brined, preserved in salt, dried, smoked, pickled, "canned" in bottles, etc.).

Intelligence isn't your strong suit huh?

fisherman's wife: Ah, the myth of the "welfare queen" driving her pink caddy - funny how St. Ronnie of Reagan was never able to actually produce one.

They exist. I volunteered with a Christmas program and the people picking up the gifts for their kids were driving caddies and wearing gucci. They had to sort through all their credit cards to get their ID.

-+fishman'swife, People like you make me sick to my stomach. If you are truly a woman, then shame on you. If you are a Conservative TP/Republican woman then double shame on you. If you consider the fact that none of these children were conceived the way Jesus way, there is a rotten man involved, not taking can of their offsprings.

And you should be happy, these children you hate were not aborted.

Shame on you, again.`

Slightlyold- Agreed. As a 30-something male wasp, I am sick and tired of other "men" my age, able-bodied, usually gainfully employed, just ditching their wives/girlfriends because she "got" pregnant and the "man" couldn't handle the pressure.

Hey, if you stick your d--k in a woman and plant your seed, then you ARE obligated to be responsible and take care of that woman and child. You don't have to live with her, but you do have to man-up and make sure they are not destitute, spend time with your child, and take care of business. Period.

If more guys would pony-up and be responsible, we wouldn't have so many "welfare queens" (or whatever) to worry about.

As much as I hate to agree with anything a Teapublican says (yes, I am sooooo gonna hate myself for doing this) - those "welfare queens" do exist, along with "welfare kings." Granted, maybe it isn't as egregious as RR made it sound, but it is out there.

It used to burn me up when people would come into the grocery store where I worked circa 1995, pay for a bunch of food with stamps and then whip out a wad of 20s and stand there making me type in Lotto numbers for them, spend $50 to $100 on tickets and then drive off in their Cadillac. And when I say they bought food, I mean JUNK, and NOT the "oh, we have to eat Kraft Mac and Cheese and processed white bread, blah blah blah - I mean cookies, candy, cake, chips, soda . . . heck, there were these two little girls who lived at the apartment next door to the store who would come in nearly every day with "a dollar" each (a $1 food stamp) and buy the 5 and 10 cent candy.

So, yeah - people like the ones mentioned in the article deserve our help; but don't think for a minute that there aren't people out there abusing the system.

As someone else noted, what is the solution to "welfare queens" (assuming they do exist)? Do we make the kids go hungry? Do we spend even more tax dollars to oversee how the money is spent? I hate the idea of "welfare queens" as much as the next person. But I hate the idea of kids possibly going hungry even more.

Darrell, when I had food stamps briefly in the late 90s, I remember certain foods not being covered by FS, including soda. This was in PA.

I wish more people thought like you!

Our Super Wal-Mart has a huge fresh produce section that is competitively priced. The fresh meat and dairy offerings are good as well.

avid golfer: If you were a shareholder, you probably made a bundle on that stock.

My theory has long been that my Arizona dollars are not badly needed in Bentonville.

Go USA- UM, the meat cooks to nothing, all fat (even the 90-20 hamburger), the soda is OUTRAGEOUS (almost 8 bucks for a case), the clothes cost less, but you have to buy 15 times more because they fall apart in a week, and then you have to worry about the staph infections. There is not enough bleach to clean that place, or the produce. I wont even talk about what I found in the cupcakes I got from there once. Oh, and the brand of dairy that they have has artificial growth hormones. Which are linked to cancer, early development in young girls (i.e. periods at 6), and other issues. Nothing really comes from here, its usually China, and they have been sending tainted toys over for years, why not food? Sorry, I will go to safeway where I can be a member, get great deals on gas and food, and other things, and their brand is at least CLOSE to what the name brand is. Walmart brand of things DOES taste differently. Maybe not all, but alot of it does. This I do know. Oh, and the BATHROOMS and customer service! It bites! I live in a fairly small town, and the people are rude. That is scary. Its the walmart disease. The only reason I shop at Sams Club is there isnt a costco here. With 4 kids, its better to buy in bulk. Otherwise, I would be spending 400$ a week. At least.

I have had a different experience than you. Buy the lower fat cuts, chicken, fish, etc.

stop buying the brand name soda, $2.50 for a 12 pack, vs $4-$5 for the 12 pack of a brand name(which is still sadly cheaper than the safeways/randalls, albertsons of the world)

I shop wal-mart the choices are good and competitive with the store across the street which I also shop at. I've been on food stamps and WIC when you are a parent you don't have the luxury of refusing help when you need it. I also took help from the state of Texas for medical assistance for my child. Don't be ashamed of doing what you have to to survive the kids come first to heck with the person behind you. And the cashier has seen many people on food stamps you would never think were. They don't care.

Whoever started that lie about fruits and vegetables not being available in poor neighborhoods should be tarred and feathered!!!! I grew up on the west side of Chicago, aka da ghetto. My Mom made sure we always, always, always had fruit in the house and she would buy this produce in a neighborhood store. Surprise, surprise, she didn't have to go to the white neighborhood for fruit!!! It wasn't until I was older that I knew about the more "exotic" fruits like pineapple, kiwi, mango, etc., but we always had apples, bannanas, oranges, grapefruit, etc. In the summer we would have grapes, cherries and good ole walermelon (misspelled purposefully). Of course, we had turnip, mustard, collard greens, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers all year round. The problem is not the supply, the problem is that these so-called mothers don't cook anymore. It is more expensive to go to a fast food place and feed your kids one meal, then to cook a pot of greens or beans one night, but eat from that pot for several nights. There is no such thing as cooking "a little" greens or beans. Folks stop with the excuses and stop talking if you don't have the slightest idea what you are talking about. Many inner city kids are fat, truly because their mothers' are lazy, just like some of them are illiterate because their mothers' are lazy and expect others to educate their children without them being held accountable in any way. Ghetto life is like a totally different culture and it breeds failure and entitlement and dependency. One can choose not to live that life and leave the ghetto or you can choose to stay and live the life. This is the population liberals need, because without them what exactly would be their platform? what would be their purpose? Who then would they exploit? Indeed, I would rather my boss who pays me every two weeks to "exploit" me, then the government who throws me crumbs and tries to convince me he is throwing me a loaf of bread. Ya'll been played and don't even know it!!!!!

wal -mart is lowest...long has there's competition...they kill off competitors...then raise their prices...they do it town after town...yes the crystal bridge museum...was built with money exploited from...corporate greed...wal-mart always sucks... always...

I once went to WM to buy an unusual item. The WM employee went all over, looking in about 20 places for it, she couldn't find it anywhere, she went above and beyond. I emailed WM to praise this employee. WM called me back, they had never had a nice email about an employee in a smaller town. She just wanted to talk to me and ask me why I had sent the email. i told her I had worked at Tarjay, I had worked other retail and restaurant and I know that only a few employees really stand out helping customers. WM gave her an extra hundred dollars in her check that week. When morale isn't a problem, people can be very nice.

Saw a coffee mug that was very appropriate, "The beatings will continue until morale improves." LOL

Wal-Mart has quite a selection of milk, they sell Kemp's, which is about the only milk that doesn't have that strange grassy aftertaste that seems to b pervading the other milks. They also sell organic milk.

I love Wal-Mart. They have self-checkouts. I love self-checkouts. I like to handle my own purchases, and not have them draged and nicked across the scanner. Too bad they didn't have these decades ago.

I have to go in there to buy my amunition. Meijer doesn't sell it and bass pro wants a 20% mark up. Ughh. Targets are cheaper there as well.

I work for walmart, and my fiance for home depot, and with what we are getting paid we can barely afford to make ends meet where we live. When both of us graduated from college this past year I never thought I would be put in this position, where we are wondering where our next meal is going to be. And we have been too ashamed to apply for food stamps. Oh and thanks for the 50 cent pay raise per year Walmart! Save Money, Live Better huh?

You should count your blessings SadTimes for your raise. I have worked for several years with no insurance, no raise, no profit sharing, nothing! I am thankful I have a job even without the raise.

SadTimes: What was your major in college? If you are employed with no dependents, you probably wouldn't qualify for assistance anyway.

So- Buy the cheap brands, or go somewhere else? Deal with mad swarms of angry shoppers unless its 6 am, or go somewhere else? Get worse quality everything, or go somewhere else? I can see how that makes sense. I go somewhere else. And maybe the produce is nice where you are, but not around here. They dont have Kemps, or whatever around here. They have Viva that is outrageously priced or their brand that is alot cheaper, but tastes horrible, anyway. Any meat I have bought from there is not high quality, even the "Ranchers Reserve". I can pay less at another store, and get better quality, service, and rewards. I get more for my bang at sears with kidvantage. I can get one pair of shoes, and when it tears out, I can exchange it for another the same size. Same for all kid clothes. I have 4 kids. They go through shoes like candy.

Rancher Reserve® is exclusive to Safeway and it's subsidiaries. I don't think WalMart is a subsidiary of Safeway.

Whatever their "TOP" meat is, they say its the black angus or whatever. Gee, my bad. I think you got the point, anyway.

MEDA - Yes, welfare was reformed and you know what happened shortly thereafter? A half dozen of more other programs sprang into life to cover the people who got thrown off of welfare after their time was up. These various other programs cover them until they can once again go back on welfare. Why did they come into existence?

Because liberals were so up in arms that we were throwing people out onto the street by placing requirements and time limits on them that they pushed through these programs so instead of going out on the street they now just jump from program to program.

Do tell JJ, EXACTLY what are these 15 other programs you drone on about? Name them.

I want to know what programs your talking about JJMurray. As a single mother of one, I once tried to apply for Cash Assistance. At the time my ONLY INCOME was 200.00 a month in Child Support, they told me in order to get the 300.00 a month in Cash, I would have to give up my child support. I declined, and even though I had my daughter at 15, I have NEVER recieved ''Welfare" so your theory about alternate programs is absurd. Maybe in LA or NYC, but for the rest of the country, food stamps are about the only "safety net" that can be counted on.

I'd like to know about these other 'secret' programs too. I could give this information to some of our clients who have lost jobs the past 2 years and cannot find work. As it is, there is only WIC, or AFDC/TANF that I know of here.

JJ tell me where you are I couldn't even get my kid in headstart because I made $15 a year too much. I thank the taxpayers of Texas who helped with my kids medical problem even though it required a 400 mile drive each way 4 times a year. I also thank the company that gave me time off during seasons when days off and vacations were not allowed.

I once worked with a young CNA, mother of two babies. She got assistance with her babysitting, because that was too expensive for her. She was so excited, she got a quarter an hour raise. which pushed her income up over the limit for babysitting assistance. So that extra 10 dollars a week means she couldn't get help with 300 dollars in babysitting.

Willow - same thing happened to a young woman being trained at a new office job by my mother. My mom was so annoyed, as the young woman had been abandoned by the husband - with 4 kids. Within a few months she had to quit the job, as her increase in wages would have cost her the kids' benefits like health care. My mom wondered why the State would not gradually decrease benefits, and allow workers to get back on their feet better.

Cassandra and Willow, you have hit on a huge problem that I have not seen brought up until now. It is very, very hard to get off assistance because assistance is never gradually decreased. So getting a better paying job can land a person worse off. How is this helpful?

The best reform of all would be if all of these programs gradually decreased with an increase in pay instead of suddenly stopping. Willow, in your example, I am wondering if the young mom had to quit working. That would be ironic, wouldn't it?

You know what the secret really is? Get one or more of your kids declared "disabled". People do this now because welfare is temporary. It is apparently quite easy to say your kid has ADHD or some other learning disability, especially if you have done a very poor job raising them and they aren't intelligent or able to behave. I am not kidding or being mean, this is what people do now. They all have disabled kids!

Any more vague generalities you'd like to make?

you are a jealous idiot. You are jealous of people that don't have anything, how does that make sense

Most places depending on your income, you can get a cell phone and pay a real low price a month! Up in AK, if you make less than $1000 a month, you can get a cell phone for $1 a month!

How exactly do you survive without a cell phone? Try filling out an application and putting none on their for a phone number. How are they going to contact you? Most people don't have home phones anymore they have a cellphone.

That's right. They shouldn't have a phone! They couldn't have possibly gotten a cell phone years before they fell on hard times! And if they did, they should have pawned it, because pawn shops give you just tons of money for a cell phone! They don't need it to get calls from potential employers!

I hope you understand where I'm going with this, I think I sprained my sarcasm.

FYI - there are discounted/free cell phone plans for those that qualify. I know an elderly person who has one - it comes with 250 minutes a minute.

just a straw man thrown up that poor people are fat from eating at macdonalds,i never thought i had money to pay other people to make my meal.

Here in my state there is a program called "safelink" where you can apply to get a cell phone for either free or a small fee per month, as long as you are either on SSI, AFDC/TANF, SS, Disability, Unemployment, etc.

the phone isn't the problem. It is the monthly cell phone bill. And why can't I get a cell phone for $1 a month? And excuse me. I've been in line (at walmart) and some welfare momma was infront of me buy a cart full of junk food, paying with the food stamp card, and surfing the web with her smart phone.

I don't have a smart phone because I think the expense is to high. My point is if you have phone, you food stamp allotment should be decreased by the amount to you pay for your phone each month. And if it is a "gift" from your parents or boyfriend, etc. I don't care. You have a resource so I shouldn't have to support you and your misbehaving kids

Thats easy to answer the foods you can get cheap are also the processed foods that make people fattest. The really good for you stuff is too expensive. When you have to stretch those food stamps for a month you don't have that luxury.

Do they give free Iphones to those on food stamps? I see a lot of people using Iphones, and that service isn't cheap data, cell service. Lmao, if your on welfare I can see why, you spend money on luxury things, instead of feeding your family. I guess welfare helps so they can afford the luxury items. I laugh when they bust out that food stamp card in the grocery line and in the other hand, is an Iphone decked out with those fancy covers, fingers just texting away. Then you walk out and load your bags in your car, and the food stamp spender is loading theirs in one of those fancy rimmed out caddys.

it is cheaper now to use cell phones than to maintain a landline in many cases. imagine, a flat monthly fee, for the ability to remain in contact with your family 2000 miles away! yes, we could eliminate many of these options. how many of you know that it was only 80 years ago that electricity reached many parts of this nation! It is quite likely that your grandparents may have lived part of their lives without electricity, and while we spout and spew about "welfare mommas" many of us are only a payday away from being there ourselves.

I missed the comment about the fancy cars. Sorry, my newest car is a 2000, and I am only driving it because the head cracked two weeks ago on my 1994. I do have another car, so I guess I am rich. it is a 1987.

You see these really obese young children on welfare and food stamps and do not realize that their obesity is a sign of malnutrition, due to lack of protein, such as meat or eggs. They eat mostly mac and cheese, spaghetti with a little bit of tomatoes, cereal and white breads. they are malnourished. Ever seen the small starviing AFrican babies whose hair is turning reddish and they have a big stomach? Similar form of malnutrition.

I hear no mention of the underground "black" market that holds up the poor class in America. I am talking about drugs, gambling, fight rings, human traficking, etc.

Get that money out of the circulating pit that involves the criminals, local goverment, law officials, lawyers, bondsmen, and others.

Blame the "social workers" that skim money from programs that were put in place to help the children. (I've seen this first hand)

Above all else, blame fiat currency controlled by the federal reserve bank.

I cry B.S. in general on your theory, Willow. For example, eggs are quite possibly the most inexpensive form of animal protein available. If you're forced to buy ground meat with a higher fat ratio, drain it as well as you can after cooking to remove as much fat as you can. Produce need not be fresh to be healthful. Well-rinsed canned fruits and vegetables are better than no produce at all if a family cannot afford to buy fresh or frozen. Children under school age qualify for WIC assistance which is designed to meet their basic nutritional needs (see your state's WIC website for more detailed information). Once children are school age, reduced or free lunch and/or breakfast can help to fill in the nutritional gaps during the school year. I do acknowledge that some families live in the virtual "food deserts" and my heart does ache for them. Some does not mean all, however. Many are either too ignorant to know how to manage a household budget or simply do not care as long as someone else is footing the bill.

Speaking from experience, I am down on my luck with my current job situation. I tried to pawn my cell phone, and the pawn shop wouldn't even take it. When they shut off my phone after I couldn't pay the bill anymore I had to get a month to month phone I only pay $25 for what few minutes I get. If I didn't have a cell phone i would have no way for potential employers to call me, no way to call someone when my unreliable car breaks down while i'm traveling to my job that is 25 miles away... Things aren't always as black and white as they seem. Granted, there will always be system abusers, but there are plenty of people like me who are genuinely trying to make ends meet and just can't. And the food I was able to get from the food pantry for a month was a loaf of bread, a couple cans of soup and veggies, flour, sugar, eggs, and a package of cheese slices... Even with their help, how do you make meals out of that. You buy the cheapest rice, pasta, and mashed potatoes you can find, and eat those and veggies almost every day for supper while you skip the other two meals because you can't afford to eat.

I hope that you are able to find work soon, Sad Times.

I am getting so sick of a working poor person/family getting chastised for having a cell-phone, basic cable TV, Internet, a car, etc. For one--a cell phone OR a land line phone is a necessity for JOB hunting. And, what if you have a variety of family members with medical conditions or your child didn't show up to school and the school is trying to contact you to notify you of their absence? When you have a parent end up in the ER up to 4-5 times a year and then the other parent goes in once that same year and then your spouse goes in once from an accident, your child has a seizure at school and must come home immediately--then tell me a cell-phone is NOT a necessity.

Ahhh, cable TV. Yeah--it is a luxury. But, nobody works 24/7. At some point, a person must have personal relaxation time for the mind and body. And, if going out is too expensive because of transportation costs--movie tickets are too expensive, etc...I guess it is a crime for a working couple to want some form of entertainment right? All work and NO play makes Jack a dull boy.

The Internet. True, you can go to a library. Been there done that. You wait until a computer is open--you might wait up to 3 hours. Then you have a time limit. And, my husband and my 18 year old daughter have consistently encountered businesses requiring you apply online--they don't hand out paper applications nor accept them that way anymore.

A car...well--pretty much every single welfare program either does not allow a vehicle to be owned or it must be pretty damn old and worthless before you qualify. So, you own a beater that is at least 10-15 years old--sink lots of money in constant repairs, Pray it passes the emission test, and cross fingers eventually you will get that magical job that pays enough to LIVE so that you can buy a newer car in your long-term future.

The ect...never seen a Gucci anything--don't wear any jewelry, and pretty much all of my clothes are at their newest 5 years old or older--in fact I still have sweatshirts that are over 22 years old. My tennis shoes--5 years old. Water seeps in the bottoms--but oh well. When kids need shoes, they get them--I get mine when I can. Garage sales, coworkers with kid's hand-me-downs and trades, all that is soooo handy.

Welfare queens--whatever the heck that is...I know what window shopping is, and that includes the grocery store.

SadTimes... I'm right w/you. When I shop now I buy the things that I can get the most meals out of. Every Monday night I buy a veggie pizza from Papa John's for $8.99 that feeds me for 5 meals ( 3pcs each ). I stock up on eggs, sliced cheese ( from the deli ), tortillas, bread, cereal, pasta, rice, beans, hummus, waffles, frozen fish filets, veggies, fruit, tuna fish, organic mac 'n cheese, honey, pnutbutter, preserves, oatmeal, potatoes, salad, milk, butter, sour cream, cottage cheese and coffee. For breakfast I have coffee and either toast, waffles, eggs, cereal or pancakes. Lunch is usually soup & sandwich ( pb&j, pb& banana, grilled cheese, egg & cheese, tuna or egg salad ), snack is usually apples, grapes or celery. Dinner is usually fish or soy meat substitute w/a big serving of mixed veggies and roasted, baked or sauteed potatoes, a pasta dish or beans 'n franks, Indian food or sometimes breakfast foods. Most times I only eat 2x a day, sometimes only once.

Sorry Crabbypatty, I see where you are coming from but if my kids are hungry I don't get cable.

It cost my wife and I about $150 per week. I don't see how you feed more people on less.

Please keep in mind that food prices vary greatly depending on where you live. I'm in NYC and my parents are in rural Michigan. Some of the same basic items are almost twice the price in my grocery store as in theirs, while I can get more exotic things much cheaper than they can.

The article says they have 5 kids, so 700 seems reasonable.

I thought the same thing. I spend roughly $400 a month for a family of 4. This includes a teenage boy. My husband and I both thankfully have jobs...but together we only gross about $50K a year.

I would love to have a grocery budget of $691 a month. But I wonder if that includes their toilet paper, shampoo, soap, laundry detergent etc...

If so, then I can see it costing that much. Again though...depends on the size of the family.

wow I'm not sure what you are eating but I can not get food for 300.00 a month, also I'm not sure where you live...that does make a huge difference...I use to live in Ca. and certain things were a lot more, I lost my job of 23 yrs knowing I couldn't make it alone in Ca. I moved to NC. with my daughter and grandson, now I'm telling you that I can not believe how much meat is here, I can't even buy a cheap greasy roll of hamburger for under 12.00 we are 3 adults and 1 child and I spend 200.00 or more.. I started packing lunches for those who work so we don't spend the extra on food...I feel so sorry for all those other families...if you can tell me how you only spend300.00 a month on 3 people please tell me.....I just don't see it....