New York City wants ban on soda bought with food stamps

[kval07]

Yes! Someone else did read it!

One of the things you didn't mention is how that document explained how it would cost MORE to exclude items from food stamps. I won't go in to all the reasons why. Anyone who really cares and wants to look at all sides of the topic will go back and read it.

I did!! I read that link that she posted bout why the government decided not to limit junk food, sodas, etc. It was an interesting read. Main reasons given were that it isn't practical, feasible, or economical. They agreed with what many have posted here that there is a lot of debate about what is healthy and what isn't. It specifically mentioned the slippery slope arguments that we have discussed here. Also, it went further to say that there is a stigmatism associated with using FS and that more restrictions would make the program more difficult to understand and interpret.

Checkout at the grocery store would take longer and it would require costly training for both the cashier and education programs for the FS user. The article stated that one problem with making it more difficult with more restrictions is that the people using it would become frustrated and embarrased with purchasing items that are not allowed. This would make more bystanders aware that they are using FS, hence the stigma and embarrassment. They stated it would make some who truly need the help discontinue using the program.

Now, some of you are probably thinking GOOD! People will quit using FS. I believe it is the people who could use the help but are already embarrassed about needing it who will be leaving the program. The fraudulent users don't give a donkey's behind about what the cashiers or people in line think. They would continue using FS and some who really need the help will walk away because they have no dignity left.

[PraiseAdonai]

hi can we please STAY on topic and those who wish to discuss proper ways, to give babies water/ milk.. Start a new topic please~

MOD alert.. ~ Thks~
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Actually since, we're soo off topic and no one is going to agree, at this pt.. I think its wonderful that the Chilean Miners have finally been rescued.

Yes, it is wonderful that the Chilean Miners are rescued!!!!!!!

I think there are about eight still down in the mine, at this moment.

Very emotional to see the first one brought up last night!

[loaslaen]

Yes! Someone else did read it!

One of the things you didn't mention is how that document explained how it would cost MORE to exclude items from food stamps. I won't go in to all the reasons why. Anyone who really cares and wants to look at all sides of the topic will go back and read it.

Glad to see that a few people read it. I thought it was very informative and shows that the government does actually put thought into some things before they take action.

As far as people having to accept limitations when things are funded/or helped by others, there has to be a point where there's some personal freedom and responsibility. You can't go itemizing everything line by line. If someone gets help with their electric you can't go dictating what items they can plug in and what items they can't. You can however limit the amount of funding you're willing to help with and leave it up to the individuals to stay within the budget. Let them pay whatever they exceed in funds.

[CW&M Mom]

Glad to see that a few people read it. I thought it was very informative and shows that the government does actually put thought into some things before they take action.

As far as people having to accept limitations when things are funded/or helped by others, there has to be a point where there's some personal freedom and responsibility. You can't go itemizing everything line by line. If someone gets help with their electric you can't go dictating what items they can plug in and what items they can't. You can however limit the amount of funding you're willing to help with and leave it up to the individuals to stay within the budget. Let them pay whatever they exceed in funds.

Good Analogy.

[loaslaen]

Yes, it is wonderful that the Chilean Miners are rescued!!!!!!!

I think there are about eight still down in the mine, at this moment.

Very emotional to see the first one brought up last night!

On a similar note, I heard this morning that the miners sent up a note saying that they wanted cigarettes and wine. Those aren't necessary items and are very unhealthy. They supposedly tried nicotine patches, but gave up on those. These were men in a very precarious situation and needed some comfort items to help them get through their ordeal, or possibly have some "last request" type items. That's one of those slippery slope deals where you either choose to have compassion and make the men comfortable with their vices, or forbid to send down those items for the sakes of the health of those wanting them and the others involved in the situation.

[mayanfire]

Who's the one person and what was their comment? Was this a person with them who was kinda in on "bragging" or whatever you want to call it, or was it another customer or an employee making a negative comment about all of the family members using food stamps? If the family was being provoked, then I can't say I blame them for their comment. If someone said anything to her about the type of food she is buying, and she said, I'M not paying for it...food stamps are" then maybe that person shouldn't have been so judgmental about her food choices.

If someone dared to say something to me when I bought sodas for $1 and bought $15 to get back $5, I could have retorted with the same comment just to rub them the wrong way for sticking their nose in my business, but it doesn't mean I have a sense of "entitlement". For every comment made like that by someone on food stamps, there's also a comment from someone else being judgmental about what FS recipients purchase. If you read comments online about food stamps, there's MORE comments of people judging FS recipients and commenting how "I was behind this person using food stamps with a full cart of X,Y,Z." than there are people on food stamps bragging about their purchases.

I think it's sad that generations may be on food stamps, but that just shows how bad poverty can be and how hard it is to get out. I don't see why cashiers, store employees, and store owners complain so much about what FS recipients buy anyway because if they're buying it in their stores, then it's helping to pay their paycheck and bills and make them profit. FS recipients can choose to take their FS benefits elsewhere as well. Foods stamps help the economy and help to move food products just as any other customer's payment.

If it isn't the food stamp recipients taking advantage of their benefits, then it will be the stores taking advantage of the food stamp benefits. Why do you think sales cycles run with food priced higher at the beginning of the month, and the deals and specials running toward the end of the month? Stores want to make sure they're getting the most money they can when people are rushing to the stores to get their food at the first of the month. You can bet their mouths are watering come midnight the first of the month when all the customers line up and when their profits rise the first few weeks of the month. For every FS recipient that feels "entitled" there's a greedy business owner looking to make a profit off of them. I was constantly low on funds at the end of the month until I realized this about the sales cycles and then bought some of the cheaper items at the beginning of the month and bought enough to "just get by" and stocked up on food toward the end of the month. Then I was actually able to get ahead.

If NYC DOES manage to pass a ban on sugary drinks with food stamps, watch for manufacturers to "conveniently" start coming out with more "diet" and sugar-free alternatives, particularly marketed toward NYC. They're not just going to sit back and potentially lose 1.7 million potential customers or $75-135 million dollars in revenue.

i'm sorry that i wasn't clear. The only people in the store were my aunt and this family, and my aunt has no problem with fs users (esp ones that choose to spend them in her store). The problem was, the family thought it was hillarious that the government was paying for the stuff they were buying. I'm not really explaining it right apparently.

[Whispered]

Anyone who has endured what those miners have, can get whatever the F.. they want!!

Thats why I vote less , for big brother! :P

I've read that they're going to endure months of psychological problems.. luckily, they'll have help w/ it.

To the subject, ahh forget it.. people know where I stand~

[concernedshopper]

I'll duck and cover, but I totally think that food stamps should carry restrictions. And here are the reasons:

1. WIC works really well and in my state there are very specific things that you are allowed to get/not get. It's frustrating sometimes, but hey...the gov't is buying you food (I receive these benefits so no I'm not judging others...this is how I see it for myself).

2. Eating-related diseases are epidemic in our country--blood pressure, heart disease, cholesterol problems, diabetes, obesity, etc are rampant. I think that the gov't buying junk food for people does not help the problem.

3. We don't have chips, pop, sweets, etc. in our house unless they are free at rite aid because of coupons/rite aid money. I don't think my family is deprived because of it.

I have heard the argument "they shouldn't do that because the gov't shouldn't tell us what to eat." And my response is, "they aren't." They aren't telling you what you can/can't eat, they are telling you what they are going to buy you which is a different story. No one NEEDS pop, chips, little debbies, candy, etc. for sustenance so I do think that there should be more restrictions.

[concernedshopper]

This is totally off the original topic, but what i can't stand is the entitlement people feel. Some people feel they deserve food stamps. It's not a helping hand, it's what's owed to them.

Me too! And, I think it is a matter of where you live maybe, but in my economically depressed area, there are more people living on welfare/food stamps than on earned checks, and there is DEFINITELY a sense of entitlement and no gratitude whatsoever by the masses. When we had our second child we fell just under the line to qualify for medical assistance and WIC benefits for them and we were very grateful for that. I get frustrated at the sense of entitlement as well. At the end of the day, the government is helping your family out. Period. And, I think that should inspire a little bit of gratitude and not, "they should give me x, y, z, too." which is what I have seen the most of.

And, as far as food stamps not lasting till the end of the month, 99.9% of the time it's from irresponsible use. (or selling them which I won't even get into). I don't use many coupons on food, but I do use some. I feed my family of 4 on a $150/month food budget. So, I'm sorry that I don't have *much* sympathy for people who get hundreds of dollars per month in food stamps and can't make it last.

On that same note, I really think that financial management classes should be offered or maybe even required with gov't assistance because in a lot of cases, in the generational thing people just haven't been taught how to manage their finances in a responsible way.