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evildeadashJul 8, 2011
This is absolutely ridiculous. I've been on food stamps before in my life and buying fast food should be in the very back of the mind of anyone on them. Not to mention that fast food cost way more than any store bought food. If you can afford to throw away your food stamps on overpriced fast food then odds are you probably shouldn't be getting them in the first place.
reaper527Jul 8, 2011
"Not to mention that fast food cost way more than any store bought food."
thats a debatable point
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
Not really.
reaper527Jul 8, 2011
if you compare fast food to boxed pre-prepared grocery store food, fast food absolutely can be cheaper. (obviously this will vary from place to place, but in the suburbs just outside of boston, this is definitely true)Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
I really don't think so. It would depend on what you buy at the grocery store. In the case of KFC it certainly isn't true.
I suppose it also depends on what grocery stores you go to.
kasha34Jul 8, 2011
They don't work and they don't have time to cook either?
They don't work and they don't have time to make a sandwich?
bluto36Jul 8, 2011
how bout we make KFC ok as soon as it is ok to buy guns with food stamps
LizDarcyJul 8, 2011
Unequivocally no.
A. It's crap. The whole point of food stamps and free lunch programs is to keep people alive and healthy, and fast food defeats that purpose.
B. It's expensive. If you are going to use someone else's money, shouldn't you want to spend it as wisely as possible?
And KFC has a lot of nerve, they don't even have what most would consider "healthy alternatives". Subway, I could maybe see having a halfway legitimate argument, but KFC?
partrowJul 8, 2011
I agree with your basic premise, but let's don't pick on "fast food" overall.
There are many types and brands of very healthy "fast food". But I am not for allowing food stamp purchases there because the price-to-nutrition ratio is too high to give us taxpayers who pay for it a good value.
Also, a large amount of food stamps are used to purchase junk food at convenience stores. They also buy liquor with them, when allowed to. Some also resell the items they buy at these stores, then buy lottery tickets and everything else you can imagine.
The answer is to get these people off government assistance as soon as possible.
antialiasJul 8, 2011
I'm not sure which fast food places could be considered healthy. Subway is what most people consider "healthy" but it certainly isn't good for you unless you leave off about 2/3 of the ingredients they put on, then their bread is pretty low on the "healthy" scale. Even the salads at most fast food places are pretty bad(often more calories than a burger and fries) unless you leave off any dressing.
partrowJul 8, 2011
There are many such as Asian food places, Indian food outlets, and many of the more common places such as McDonalds offer very healthy meals on their menu. Unfortunately many people choose to not order the healthy choices from the menu. There are also fast food outlets that offer smoothies, yogurts, noodle dishes, and many other veryhealthy foods.
My point was that we should stop picking on restaurants just because they are "fast". Fast does not necessarily equal unhealthy.
ieatskunkJul 8, 2011
Eating out is always more than eating at home, so no restaurant should accept food stamps.
goweigusJul 9, 2011
Not always
ieatskunkJul 8, 2011
plus KFC is the most expensive fast food place.
glbernsJul 8, 2011
At least in Illinois, food stamps can not be used on food that is hot prepared. They are not allowed at any restaurant regardless if it's fast food or not. Even in a grocery store, foods that are already prepared must be paid for with cash. We had a deli that sold rotisserie chicken, chicken tenders, hot wings etc. those aren't covered with food stamps.
miketJul 8, 2011
If the rotisserie chicken is put in the cooler it is then considered cold food and you can buy it. You can also buy a cold cut sandwich at a deli on link. I even got a big bucket of cold fried chicken on link once. If it is cold, its OK
Source: I was on link for 6 months.
goweigusJul 9, 2011
Seems to work that way in WA too
fertilebastardJul 9, 2011
NY is pretty much the same. Interesting though, you can buy soda pop with EBT, but you can't buy toilet paper. You can also buy seeds for food crops, but no fertilizer.
tomasiiJul 8, 2011
Excuse me but I don't have time to read this article. I have to go to work so others can stay home and get fat. America....the only country in the world where the poor people are fat.
kasha34Jul 8, 2011
If they can feed themselves with fast food, which on a per/pound basis is way more expensive that groceries ....we're giving them too much food money.
darkmatter911Jul 8, 2011
Not just no but HELL NO. The various levels of government are enacting laws that impact nutrition, choice, potion size, etc. of meals for those that pay for their own food. There is no way in hell that there should be any public funds allowed for use at fast food restaurants.
barackalypseJul 8, 2011
No, they shouldn't be getting food stamps, they should, if they get anything, be getting literal Government cheese. I don't know why we open the system up to fraud and abuse with food stamps which can be sold or used ineffectively (the stereotypical food stamper buying steak and lobster) when we could simply provide staples like the food banks do. Its a lot harder for fraud in a food system that gives residents flour, eggs, milk, cereal, rice, and other foods directly.
darkphenoxJul 8, 2011
The reasons they don't do that is:
1. Despite whatever your opinion of people on food stamps is, the government wants to make sure they are not embarrassed and standing in the food line would be embarrassing
2. It is embarrassing for the country to have food lines, makes you look like a 3rd world nation
3. I'm not sure about this but with the government buying up supply of cheap food then the price of cheap food would go up and negatively effecting the poor population that actually works.
trdrstvJul 8, 2011
Sorry man, but embarrassing or not, Pride goes out the window when you need to eat. Same thing when you get pissed off at your job and the wife says "the baby needs diapers", you suck up your pride and do what you need to do.
Also though, who says there needs to be food lines per se ? Have the government buy the staples in MASSIVE BULK to lower the cost and people can pick them up at the usual grocery stores they go to now. Providing food directly is cheaper and can be A LOT healthier than people will do for themselves.
If you have your fruit, veggies, juice, meat dairy and baking goods on the list but exclude all the junk food / soda / deserts then people on the program will eat healthier because that's what's provided and they will buy less junk if they have to pay for it out of their own pocket.
barackalypseJul 9, 2011
1. If you aren't hungry enough to get past pride, you don't need food stamps.
2. They could deliver monthly right to the resident and avoid them needing transportation.
3. It doesn't matter whether the Government buys the food or gives other people money to buy the food, the net result is is gets bought, so the overall level of demand doesn't change. The Government could buy in bulk and save more over people using neighborhood convenience stores.
ieatskunkJul 8, 2011
No need to embarrass people. Many people get down on their luck and use these safety nets to get back on their feet and off of the system. Of course there are also many that abuse it, so many that we should consider massive reform to the system, such as limiting what type of items that can be purchased and increasing oversight.
cold0008Jul 8, 2011
So you want to you want to replace a voucher program that partners with the private sector to provide food to the needy with a distribution system run completely by the government?
Curious, how do you feel about Ryan's plan for medicare?
barackalypseJul 9, 2011
What I really want is the whole food assistance program scrapped, but if that can't happen, I'd much prefer it be as efficient as possible and distribute actual food rather than vouchers that leave the door open for fraud and waste. I define waste as someone walking to the corner convenience store and paying 50% more for something than if they had gone to an actual grocery store or purchasing a pound a filet mignon instead of 10 pounds of rice.
I invision it working something like this which provides USDA commodities to emergency feeding organizations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Food_Assistance_and_Soup_Kitchen-Food_Bank_Program
As to Ryan's Medicare plan, again I'd prefer the program be gone, but absent that whatever removes the most amount of Government from the program is a good thing.
goweigusJul 9, 2011
My mom has told me a few times of how she used to go with her family to get government cheese as a kid. I agree that states should run their own food distribution program for the poor rather than give them food stamps, extra incentive to get off of food stamps and back on their feet too.
hayjJul 8, 2011
Here's my issue. I specifically avoid fast food as a way to save money. Sure, I would like to eat fast food when I want but do not because of the cost. However, now I am forced to pay for someone else to eat fast food when I deny myself the privilege to save money.
If it must be done, I would say only allow certain items to be bought that meet very high nutritional standards. At least the public could benefit by giving the fast food chains incentive to offer a highly nutritious menu that has guaranteed customers in the form of food stamps recipients.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
No. Because if KFC would win this, it would open the door for every other food place to say, "Well... if they can use them at KFC, they should be able to use them at Wendy's"...and fast food or not, it's still far more expensive than buying groceries at the store. Seems like about the LAST thing anyone ought to be considering.
ikorkyiJul 8, 2011
but couldn't someone on food stamps go to a grocery store and buy truffles?
if the people seeking to do this are showing no common sense here - why would you assume they would make better decisions at a grocery store?
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
Well, if you are on food stamps ... you get a set amount per month. So, sure ... you could buy truffles ... but then you eat ramen noodles for weeks. Here's what will happen... people won't buy groceries...they will buy prepared food. Then, they won't have enough food and they will hit up the food pantries, further emptying them.
ikorkyiJul 8, 2011
im not following you
my point was that the people who will make poor choices will make them both in groceries and by going to KFC - so does it really matter that we allow it or not?
removing the ability to use food stamps at KFC or fast food places is ignoring the problem: that people are making bad choices.
no matter what you allow or disallow is not going to fix the poor choice problem.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
It matters because KFC is much more expensive than buying food at a grocery store.
We know that people make bad choices. The idea here is that you decide ... hey ... let's expand the places that people can make bad choices at.
I am of the opinion that it is generous to have a food stamp program that says you can go to a grocery store and buy food.
There is a limit on how much you are allowed per month. Why would we expand the program to allow people to buy prepared food from restaurants?
You already have people saying that the food stamp limit amounts are too low. Why would we say, "Ok... you are now allowed to spend your food stamps at a restaurant where food costs MORE than at the grocery store?"
Here's the deal ... if you buy lobsters with your food stamps, you are a selfish s**t who can't budget ... but you will learn pretty damned quick that you'd better not buy lobster with your food stamps.
This is just common sense. Here's what happens... people are stupid with their food stamps and then they ALSO hit up the food pantries. Pretty soon, the food pantries are empty.
ikorkyiJul 11, 2011
are you just looking for a platform to rant about how you hate poor people - cause it seems like youre not even reading what i'm saying.
if you want to waste money and time considering what to let and not let people with food stamps buy and waste time enforcing it while still getting the same result, go right ahead.
kamtsaJul 8, 2011
If this is Kentucky's money, I don't care since I don't live there. It's there own business.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
Well...I have an opinion about the idea. Also, if it happens in Kentucky...other states are going to say, "Hey... in Kentucky, you can get fast food with your food stamps! We ought to have that here."
jdenzerJul 8, 2011
So now the party of anti 'Big Gov." wants big government to step in and tell people what they can an cannot buy? Funny how when the left tries to do the same thing in order to promote good health, it's wrong. But it's ok for the right to CONTROL people, b/c it has to do with some odd principal.
So should we apply this same spending control on corporations that receive subsides? Should we be telling Big Oil how to spend their subsidized money. Should we have told the banks that received tarp funds that spending it on retreat and bonuses was off limits?Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
It's about telling them that they can't buy expensive prepared fast food with big government money. jdenz- stick to the topic? Ilinois has been a democrat state, but you can't buy prepared hot food at the store with food stamps.
This is about financial sense. Not everything is, "You're anti-big-government, so you should have no say over how tax money is spent."
That's absurd.
jdenzerJul 8, 2011
Why shouldn't they be allowed to buy expensive food. Why is it that when people are given any type of assistance? Conservatives expect them to but the cheapest often worst food possible? Why is there always this sense that they must continue to suffer? Why can't the same be applied to corporations that take federal funds?
What are you accomplishing by telling a person they can't buy the expensive food? The money is going to be spent either way, you can't change that at that level. Are you teaching them to be responsible? Why is that ok. But when the Gov tries to help parents by setting the amount of sugar kids get in school foods.
That is wrong and it's nanny state?
"You're anti-big-government, so you should have no say over how tax money is spent."
Wrong, this is not controlling how money is spent. That has already been decided. When you go down to the level of controlling the food stamp recipients. You have entered that same nanny-state Big Gov. control that you always complain about. What is happening is that you are bitter that those people are getting that money and you want to take your frustration out on them. You are are applying that "how dare they spend it on McD's" attitude. If you really want to " say over how tax money is spent" Then you should be going after the one's on the top.
And you still didn't answer my question about applying this to Corporate subsidies or banks and tarp funds. They shouldn't be able to use those funds on expensive bonuses and lavish retreats.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
"Why shouldn't they be allowed to buy expensive food. Why is it that when people are given any type of assistance? Conservatives expect them to but the cheapest often worst food possible?"
Your perspective is remarkably skewed. You are either just arguing for the sake of arguing or you are messed up. I could just as well ask:
"Why limit food stamp payments at all? Why is it when we put a program in place, liberals think that it should always be expanded until everyone dines on lobster and truffles every night?"
You are being ABSURD.
I'm not arguing for the eradication of food stamps. I think it's REASONABLE to put limits on them. If that makes me some insensitive conservative, then so be it. Why SHOULDN'T they buy expensive food? Because it's not BETTER food. The goal here is to have people buying food from the grocery store that is nutritious.
It's kinda f**ked in the head to claim that because someone would say that food stamps should be limited to grocery store purchases, they are in favor of the nanny state. The NANNY STATE is the idea that people should be on food stamps buying expensive food from restaurants.
As to the rest of your comment ... of course I didn't answer you. It's an attempt at misdirection. What we are discussing here is this idea in Kentucky.
jdenzerJul 8, 2011
"Your perspective is remarkably skewed. "
No it's not. If you think most conservatives who read the heading "Should Kentucky Residents Be Able to Buy Fast Food with Food Stamps? "
initial reactions wasn't "how dare they . . ."
And instead it was "They should be eating healthier" is a load of crap and you know it.
And people can still eat unhealthy from grocery food.
"Because it's not BETTER food. The goal here is to have people buying food from the grocery store that is nutritious. "
Which is the same point that dems have tried with things like limiting the amount of sweets that are given to children at school. But that doesn't stop those like you attacking the left for trying that. You accuse them of a nanny state.
And I find it completely hypocritical of you. Now, you want to apply that same exact principal to those on food stamps.
"It's an attempt at misdirection."
You're kidding right? You are the Queen of misdirection.
And my point about corporations doing essentially the same thing is valid. B/c those like you always have no problem going after those receiving 'hand-outs' while never objecting to the corporations. Even kasah34 feels that kind of abuse by corporations is unacceptable.
Such a using gov money for retreats.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountJul 10, 2011
You really need to learn to discuss the topic instead of always jumping me because you think you know what I'm thinking. It's tds.
fertilebastardJul 9, 2011
"Why shouldn't they be allowed to buy expensive food".... Simple, because they are not buying the food, the taxpayers (or our children actually) are buying the food.
KFC is a restaurant. Food stamps are not for restaurants. Period. End of discussion.
jdenzerJul 10, 2011
And how do you propose stopping them from buying gourmet steaks from the grocery store?
And as I asked quirk, how do you feel amout corporations who get taxpayers (or our children actually) funds? Should we control how they spend it? Is it fair for them to spend it on retreats, bonuses and expensive jets, etc?
But I'm guessing end of discussion for you on that, right.
At least kasha34 was able to answer.
"KFC is a restaurant"
What difference should that make, it is still food. Would you object to KFC donating food to feed the hungry.
The fact that you only object to that fact that KFC is a restaurant. Goes back to my original point. ANd that is, that those who object, do so b/c they expect the needy to continue to suffer. You are taking out your anger and frustration on them. It is the lawmakers that you should be angry with. And why can't you apply that same "How dare they . . " attitude towards corporations that do essentially the same. Why is wrong for someone on food stamps to buy KFC food. But it is ok for corporations to spend taxpayer funds on retreats or bonuses?
It seems only fair to have the same outrage for both.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
kasha34Jul 8, 2011
For the 1,000th time....we don't give "subsidies" to "Big Oil."
There are legit business expenses that all businesses of their type get. Those are not subsidies, by definition.
jdenzerJul 8, 2011
And spending the food stamps of fast food is still spent on food. It is all legit.
And even though I am not a business expenses as you seem to think you are.
If a corporation used funds from a business expense marked "Transportation" on say a new top of the line jet. When they could have spent it on a cheaper jet. How is that any different than the person spending money on McD's. Seems like a double standard.
Why was it ok for AIG and banks to spend million in tarp on bonuses an retreats.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
Food from GROCERY STORES.
jdenzerJul 8, 2011
As someone pointed out. How would you regulate or stop anyone from buy truffles and blowing it all on gourmet steaks or foods?
Unless you plan on creating more gov bureaucracy by auditing them every month.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
kasha34Jul 8, 2011
If they're getting enough food stamps to be able to pay for restaurant food then we're giving them too much food stamps.
Your jet comparison is irrelevant.
As to the TARP....I agree. Of course it was not ok to spend any of it bonuses or retreats.
jdenzerJul 8, 2011
"If they're getting enough food stamps to be able to pay for restaurant food then we're giving them too much food stamps."
Not always true. Plus some could equally abuse the system by spending that money on gourmet foods in grocery stores.
"Your jet comparison is irrelevant."
It is, b/c I am pointing out the hypocrisy of those like Quirk who are quick to attack those on food stamps and defend or ignore that abuse by companies.
Of course this doesn't apply to you, b/c even you acknowledge that this abuse is unacceptable.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
toughiceJul 8, 2011
There should be rules for people on government assistance. Like if you get food stamps, you have to get behind me in line. Since I am paying for both of us, the least you could do is get out of my way so that I can get back to work.
kasha34Jul 8, 2011
Smartest comment here.
miketJul 8, 2011
idiot, you'll never know I'm using food stamps, they work just like debit cards. Youre not paying for them, you probably covered about a cent of their bill.
If I give you a penny can I cut you in line?
toughiceJul 11, 2011
It's not very hard to see when somebody is paying with food stamps.
miketJul 12, 2011
sure it is, unless youre hovering right over my shoulder.
fertilebastardJul 9, 2011
This is probably true is most cases, but not always. I know a gentleman with a family of five recieving EBT food assistance. Last year he paid over $40,000 in taxes. He had a small business that failed and is still paying the IRS, NYS and the locals. The minority I'm sure, but people like this put a lot more into the system then they take out.
He will be on food stamps for almost a year and a half before he gets back on his feet.
I'm sure this is a minority of recipients, but they are a lot more common than you may think.
toughiceJul 11, 2011
I know. It was a joke anyhow.
gamefreak1792Jul 8, 2011
O yeah great idea, lets make it so that the people that are sitting on their asses all day get fast food as well. Are we purposely trying to make america even fatter than it already is?
glbernsJul 8, 2011
So you're suggesting that anyone who works in an office shouldn't be allowed to eat fast food?
kasha34Jul 8, 2011
Not with my money, you shouldn't.
trdrstvJul 8, 2011
Personally I think every state should either provide the staples directly to them, or give them the restricted list of what food "Is approved" and they can get that reguardless of the price (though there's usually a cap).
In PA the "foodstamp program" gives you a debit card with a certain amount of cash to buy whatever food you want. Is is a bad idea.
In PA the "WIC program" (Women Infants Children) gives you a voucher for "2 gallons of milk, 1 lb of cheese, 1 dozen eggs" and the cashier writes in the price. This is a good idea so long as they stick to the staples and keep both prepared foods and junk food off the list.
rblancarteJul 8, 2011
No.
1. It is overpriced
2. It is unhealthy
msquare1Jul 8, 2011
No way. Wow KFC must be getting close to bankruptcy or something.
leroyvanceJul 8, 2011
Bad idea. Kentucky tax payers pay for those food stamps, and fast food is a waste of money. They can get twice as many boxes of frozen fried chicken from the grocery store than KFC. Overall, it will be a bad idea to turn food stamps into corporate welfare.
partrowJul 8, 2011
There are more than 40 million people on food stamps in the U.S.
They commonly buy everything else including cigarettes with them. There is virtually no control. And people are encouraged to apply for them to expand the rolls.
kasha34Jul 8, 2011
Sometimes they're swapped for cash, at a discount. Sometimes those profits are sent to the Middle East and N Africa to further the global jihad.
fertilebastardJul 9, 2011
You can't swap for cash. You can't buy cigarettes. It is an EBT debit card. the checkout computer at the grocery store won't accept anything but food. I suppose you could buy food and trade for cigarettes or cash.
At least here in NY State. I'm not familliar with other areas.
BTW... You can eat pretty damn good on food stamps. Fresh fruit, fish every week. If you live and cook frugally, clip coupons, and watch for bargans like most people must do, you can feast.
Source... I spent several months on them when I was down and out a while back...(hangs head in shame)
partrowJul 9, 2011
It is easy for these people to find a store where they can trade for cash, or get anything they want. There is one about a block from where I type this that one can buy illicit drugs directly from the clerk . . .
There are also numerous places that offer a market for food stamps, giving the bearer less than the face value of the stamps, like Kasha mentioned above. And yes, a significant amount goes to the Middle East etc. folks we do not want to support: http://tinyurl.com/69qb7wm
gkiltzJul 9, 2011
In Virginia, you can buy soda, but not toothpaste!
Dental services are available to public assistance recipiants in most Virginia Counties less than half as often as free clinic services. Eyeglasses are flat out not available in the real world.
drich255Jul 8, 2011
I am on the fence on this one. I don't mind the government attaching strings to food stamps. They are providing the assistance, they can set the rules.
On the other hand, I believe in the dignity of the individual. If the parents take their kids to KFC every once in a while with food stamps, it doesn't bother me.
I don't think, though, that Jr. should have the food stamp/debit card and be buying chips, soda, and candy bars on his way to school. But this is a parenting issue -- not sure it is anything we can/should legislate.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
But sometimes, we need to think things through. Here's what the ideal is with food stamps. You receive them, you use them in a responsible fashion to buy healthy groceries at the grocery store. When various people have brought up the idea of saying, "You can't buy soda or chips with your food stamps" ... I have been opposed to putting those restrictions in place because we'd become the grocery store police. However, when someone is proposing the idea that ... hey... we should make this government program more liberated and allow people buy fast food (because face it, it won't stop with FKC) ... then we go too far.
In addition... you aren't stretching your food stamp dollars, you are using them on things that are more expensive. If you receive food stamps, you need to be responsible enough to use them correctly at the grocery store.
drich255Jul 8, 2011
A bit off the main topic, but some cities shamelessly welcome and encourage food stamps. It brings additional funding to the city from other sources.
millisssandersJul 8, 2011
Hell to the no - I mean if you have no job then you have time to cook for your kids. At least to me.
agmlauncherJul 8, 2011
No! absof**kinglutely not. Here's why:
1 in 8 people shouldn't be on food stamps to begin with. America may be as bad or worse than a 3rd world country in some ways, but we're not THAT poor. There is clear abuse of the food stamp system and it's costing honest people money.
Further, fast food is more expensive than home cooked meals. It amounts to being too lazy to cook, and being lazy is why so many people are on f**king food stamps to begin with. If you look at how unemployment works, the person receiving unemployment is required to show proof of job hunting in order to continue continue receiving it. Food stamps should be the same way (you can't be lazy and receive government benefits): we're not going to use tax payer money to help feed someone with food that is expensive simply because they're too lazy to make their own.
Lastly, fast food is unhealthy. If you allow people on food stamps to essentially have free meals at fast food restaurants, not only are they going to become fat and unhealthy, their kids are as well. The result? They'll put a greater strain on the healthcare system. It will be a tax payer/government funded obesity drive which will end up costing every else even more money as a result.
The people at KFC should be taken out of their homes while they're sleeping, thrown onto military transports, flown out over the North Atlantic at 30,000 feet, and kicked out of the back of the plane butt ass naked, simply for suggesting such a horrible idea.
If they get their way, then it's just another example of the US government being nothing more than a front for corporations.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
donniehoward08Jul 8, 2011
This was great right up until the end with the whole plane rant
duncan202Jul 8, 2011
Too far.
laurahoustonJul 9, 2011
It's not right to assume everyone on food stamps is lazy.
laurahoustonJul 9, 2011
no they probably should not be able to use foodstamps for fast food however,
I have traveled a lot through Kentucky transporting racehorses.
many people in poverty don't own a car so its walk or bike to get food to eat.
real grocery stores like most of us enjoy aren't even built near poor areas. yes a lot of poor people live in cities but if one takes notice, places to buy foods are limited.
check out the prices in the 'corner stores' for necessities like bread, milk, eggs, cheese. an 8 ounce package of shreded cheese is 5.00 in those kentucky corner stores, when its about 2.00 at a grocery store.
all the fast food places and the 'corner stores' are inflated in food value for food quality or amount of to take advantage of food stamps.
best thing would be to totally stop food stamps and just give plain decent basic foods and use UPS or FEDEX to ship to their door.
everything given can be gov farm surplus stocks of basic good food.
jerrynautJul 9, 2011
We already do this in california. there was such a stigma about wellfare and foodstamps, that they changed it to "EBT" electronics benefit transfer card. now you get an atm card from the government to buy goods at supermarkets and now most fast food. In fact, alot of the fast food joints are starting to attract these parasites with "EBT here" signs displayed on their windows. 7-eleven does it... jack-in-the-box does it.... plenty.
dudegivemeanameJul 9, 2011
Only if it is somehow cheaper than lunch from a grocery store. Otherwise, no.
chrismurphyJul 8, 2011
Any hot food or lunch counter food in a grocery store can't be bought with food stamps. Everything sold at a fast food place is the same thing and shouldn't qualify for food stamps.
But then, even a lot of frozen foods and breakfast cereals have crap nutritional value and are expensive calories on the order of fast food. By rights most of them should not be purchasable with food stamps. 90% of breakfast cereals are so non-nutritional on their own that they have to fortify them artificially and then still have too much sugar in them for a healthy diet.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
f**k no.
malicexcxJul 8, 2011
This has got to be a joke.
slangitmanJul 8, 2011
no
aahpandasrunJul 8, 2011
What happened to wanting the government to stay out of people's lives?
reaper527Jul 8, 2011
realistically, that's what this would do. it would put it more along the lines of "you have X dollars to spend on food, spend it it however you see fit", rather than the government saying "you have X dollars to spend on food, and we are going to micromanage it for you and tell you where you can spend it"
Closed AccountJul 8, 2011
How about saying, "This program is for you to buy groceries at the grocery store"?
kasha34Jul 8, 2011
When your life is f**ked up enough to need Food Stamps, you forfeit that.
reaper527Jul 8, 2011
i don't have an issue with it. its inexpensive and convenient. as the article mentions, there are already plenty of unhealthy things that can be obtained on EBT.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
bluto36Jul 8, 2011
as soon as you can buy guns with food stamps i say sure
elimgarakJul 8, 2011
Umm... Duh? Of course not! Not only is it unhealthy, but it is also far more expensive. It is much cheaper to make people find decent food and buy it in bulk. Fried chicken for them is a luxury - if they want fried chicken, they can get a job.
Instead, force them to buy raw ingredients, and offer classes in healthy cooking. Triple benefit.
1. Much cheaper to cook and eat in bulk. For the people and for the government that's giving the people food stamps.
2. More healthy.
3. Spreads a skill that many people lack - some may even learn to use the skill to support themselves. Many people eat junk food because they don't know about the alternatives.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
oboyJul 8, 2011
Only at KFC.
theghoulJul 8, 2011
Not a good idea.
However, there should be a path to get instant prepared food for those displaced by catastrophe or domestic violence (I believe there is a coupon or giftcard plan in place already for some states).
I'm all for helping the poor, but McDonalds or any fast food is the wrong answer. Everything there but the water is unhealthy and that's suspect.
They f**ked up oatmeal..how could you make oatmeal unhealthy?!Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
ricksiteJul 8, 2011
"..how could you make oatmeal unhealthy?!"
Eh...pretty easy...many people load their oatmeal up with brown sugar and cream.
laurahoustonJul 9, 2011
the federal disaster crews do use those meals ready to eat and flats of bottled water last couple years and big disasters around my area.
I'm all for no food stamps and fedex or UPS a box of basic decent 'instant' foods to anyone who needs food assistance
jaythewiseJul 8, 2011
Haha! The US makes me laugh with it's corporate welfare!
Food stamps for fast food? You must be f**king joking??? I am very surprised that food stamps can be used to buy microwave dinners to begin with. Of course it should be only unprepared foods lol...Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
gamefreak1792Jul 8, 2011
O yeah great idea, lets make it so that the people that are sitting on their asses all day get fast food as well. Are we purposely trying to make america even fatter than it already is?Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
debdiego03Jul 8, 2011
Let's just hope that the govt. starts funding corporate obesity programs, would not surprise me at this point.