In rough numbers, take the entire populations of Texas and New York — number two and three in population, respectively — and put them on food stamps. Well, welcome to America in 2011.
Nearly 15% of the U.S. population relied on food stamps in May, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
The number of Americans using the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — more commonly referred to as food stamps — shot to an all-time high of 45.8 million in May, the USDA reported. That’s up 12% from a year ago, and 34% higher than two years ago.
The 15% who are living on food stamps are living on money taken from productive Americans — the 58.1% of the work-eligible population who are actually working — and handed to them. That money is taken through taxes, under the threat of IRS audit and worse.
Which brings up a question for Ezra Klein and his fellow travelers on the left: Do food stamps constitute “moving money around in ways that are fair?” Show your work.
Well, it certainly looks bad when college students on food stamps use their allowances to buy standard rations, and then use the food stamps to binge on salmon mousse, filet mignon, and other expensive items. Not a good use of MY money, thank you.
I was floored when I saw a 7-11 near me with a big “EBT Accepted” sign in the window. Really? Even assuming that is for “staple” items only and not slushies (nobody would ever lie about those transactions, right?) that is the most expensive place to shop compared to the local big-box supermarket or wholesale club. Not a very effective use of taxpayer money.
just last week had the neighbors (illegal mexicans) put in a new big screen on their new patio. says he made it on overtime $$$ they are making since their boss couldn’t find any other help. on the other side i have the welfare queen living practically for free in her 4 BR new gov. built apartment (love the pool) while shacking up with the baby daddy for 3/8 of her brood. they really do have some serious cookouts, steaks, lobster, crab legs, and lots more. they have regular parties when her oldest 2 come home from the free college they get. there are dozens of them out there with their new cars, motorcycles, fancy bling and new clothes, at all hours day and night, 7 days a week, p a r t y i n g. they sure know how to cook. her b.d. said the free cell phones helped him deal some good chit, whatever that means.
recession? what recession?
“Nothing to look at here, move along now, move along…extremist!”
“moving money around in ways that are fair.” Hmmmm.
Something to keep in mind when talking to a liberal or socialist or multiculturist. They use the same sounds in their language that we do, but they have completely different meanings. You hear them make what seems like a correct sentence and you think you understand what they mean. Later you discover that they meant something bizarrely different.
In this case we should be very suspicious of the meanings of the words ‘moving’, ‘around’, and especially ‘fair’. We might also want to inquire about the word ‘ways’.
Why bother extending unemployment when we can bring back welfare?
Amazing how little interest or time most PJM bloggers spend on the topic of the nations unemployment conditions…but find plenty of time in tough rhetoric plotting how to increase the unemployment numbers…then scorn the lowly unemployed bastards who draw unemployment checks which expire at some point then they go on food stamps and other programs all costing the government billions. Don’t want to solve the problem …just condemn the people caught in unemployment.
It used to be that only the strong survive. Now we cultivate sacks of garbage. How else could a woman have eight kids and support them on someone else’s dime.