Lawmakers Find $21 a Week Doesn't Buy a Lot of Groceries

[UGAalum94]

I don't know that for sure, but it seems to me that we've been in need of reviewing how the gov't subsidizes food for low income people for a while.

In previous, less sedentary days, (when kids would have been involved in active play, teenagers in manual labor, and adults in manual labor plus maybe walking more for transportation), school lunches and food stamps and WIC funds were all set up to guarantee a lot of calories. High fat foods were an easy way to do that.

Now, we live very differently, and our big problem isn't starvation as much as obesity and nutritionally empty calories. It seems like "they" have started to review this with school lunches, so maybe, they will follow through with food stamps and other forms of food aid.

About politics, here's the thing as I see it: I think it's possible to conclude that the government is never going to successfully make everything equal. The societies that have made economic equality the most important government function haven't, in my opinion, worked out that well. On some level, you have to try to take care of all people, but you can't ever make it so good for people who can't or don't work that not working becomes as attractive as working. We have a moral duty to our fellow man, but the government may be the least effective and most destructive way to deliver on that duty.

So, maybe the government keeps you from starving, and if you will stay off drugs and avoid violence and take your medicine for mental illness, should help you find basic shelter. Maybe the gov't should provide basic preventative care, so we cut down on the expenses for emergency services later. But we can't really set up a system where the gov't provides everything for everyone or the whole thing will go under. And we can't keep treating people who continually make destructive decisions as if they aren't responsible for those decisions because what they do hurts other people. Kevin sounds mean spirited in these debates, but some of the rest of you seem downright delusional about what the gov't can actually do for people.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Aaaaactually, flash frozen veggies retain more nutrients than fresh veggies.


Here's some info from a few pages back:

I appreciate your calling my attention to it, but it doesn't really explain at what point a person qualifies and for how much in food stamps. Is it the single person making less that 11,000 who qualifies for the $21 bucks a week? So even such a person would have some limited about of money to supplement the stamps.

I'm not saying it's enough, but the congressional stunt is silly.

[JWithers]

I agree that often times, poor personal choices put people in the position to need assistance for food, etc.

However, children are not responsible for those choices made by their parents. But if the only food that these kids are fed is laced with chemicals, preservatives, sodium, fat and zero vitamins and minerals, nor dietary fiber, these kids will perform poorly at school, have more health problems (and frankly, taxpayers like myself so not want to pay for their medical bills) and fall behind in general.

All moral obligation to fellow man aside, it just seems like if I were running a company(hello; government?), I would want my employees happy and healthy and productive. It would save me money in the end to prevent a problem, rather than fix it once it occurs.

Again, people see this obesity epidemic and think that we are the best-fed country in the world. Well, most caloric intake does not = best fed. Some of these kids are fat maybe, but certainly not healthy or well fed. I guess the same for adults in the lowest SE groups.

I agree with Kevin on personal choice leading to a rough life. But children shouldn't have to pay that price and as a taxpayer, I would like to see my dollars go for nutrionally sound food programs, not for 'how much cheap crap can I buy" WIC programs.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

I worked for a Nephrology Dept for 7 years (Kidney specialists) and one thing that has been found and is always being reinforced among the African American community who have been patients, is that in order to decrease the rate of hypertension and diabetes and kidney failure, cut out the fried foods...pork chops pork rinds, pickled pigs feet and so on...are so cheap to buy and so high in preservatives that because it's eaten in such high quatities, by the time most people are tested and treated, they are already in bad shape.

We still have not done the clinical multicenter trials to prove that any processed pork products that is fried decreases hypertension. What genes are involved and why would that occur.

However, for nutrition, one should not be consuming these products every single day because there is no balanced vitamins, minerals and other nutrients essential for healthy aging.

It has been shown in many studies published the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of American Medical Association and public epidemiology studies throughout, that poorer patients fail to see their professional healthcare providers and there is a lack of adherence as well as follow up. Reasons are due to cultural competency. That is on the CDC's website right now.

And to clarify also, it's not just us, it's prevalent among other nationalities also and there are many reasons why the rate is extremely high among the African American community....and a lot of those folks don't have adequate insurance to cover treatment (meds, dialysis, possible transplant) either.

BTW....did anyone know that a lot of insurances either don't cover (at 100% anyways) or have special provisions set up for those who are in need of organ transplant?

Since I am very familiar with the stats of many health disparic communities, the numbers are drawn from the fact of 2000 census bureau that given the percentage in the population, certain groups, with state to state variations have increase risk of chronic diseases. Prevalence, there has not been shown a strong percentage. That is another CDC and Journal of Public Health Article from 2005.

As far as organ transplants, I know for African Americans, they fail to donate their organs should they pass. They hardly fill out their donor cards when they get their license, and they hardly plan for untimely events, including life insurance and will planning. One is lucky to have a health directive.

Dr. AKA_Monet
GC chief of cardiovascular medicine

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

We still have not done the clinical multicenter trials to prove that any processed pork products that is fried decreases hypertension. What genes are involved and why would that occur.

However, for nutrition, one should not be consuming these products every single day because there is no balanced vitamins, minerals and other nutrients essential for healthy aging.

It has been shown in many studies published the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of American Medical Association and public epidemiology studies throughout, that poorer patients fail to see their professional healthcare providers and there is a lack of adherence as well as follow up. Reasons are due to cultural competency. That is on the CDC's website right now.



Since I am very familiar with the stats of many health disparic communities, the numbers are drawn from the fact of 2000 census bureau that given the percentage in the population, certain groups, with state to state variations have increase risk of chronic diseases. Prevalence, there has not been shown a strong percentage. That is another CDC and Journal of Public Health Article from 2005.

As far as organ transplants, I know for African Americans, they fail to donate their organs should they pass. They hardly fill out their donor cards when they get their license, and they hardly plan for untimely events, including life insurance and will planning. One is lucky to have a health directive.

Dr. AKA_Monet
GC chief of cardiovascular medicine

see..that's what I am talking about!!! Good working knowledge...U GO DOC!!

YES!

now just to add to that...as a lay person that screened a lot of these potentials...another thing I noted that was an issue is that many cannot donate because a lot of them are at risk themselves, smoking obese poor diet...etc a lot of people cant even donate because they need the kidneys they have...LOL

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

I appreciate your calling my attention to it, but it doesn't really explain at what point a person qualifies and for how much in food stamps. Is it the single person making less that 11,000 who qualifies for the $21 bucks a week? So even such a person would have some limited about of money to supplement the stamps.

I'm not saying it's enough, but the congressional stunt is silly.

I'm not sure they would have much more to spend on food. $10,000 a year is $833 a month. One of my mom's friends who is looking to move into a section 8 apartment makes about that. The rent for his apartment is going to be $375 a month plus all utilities. Figure $100 for heat, electricity and water each month. Add some money for a phone.. $30 minimum. He has a car that is paid for, so he only has to pay car insurance.. about $50 a month for the minimum required by law in Michigan. His medicare premium is $60 a month and he pays about $200 a month for prescriptions. That's $835 and he hasn't bought toilet paper, napkins, shampoo or hygiene products, etc. The $21 a week in food stamps only pays for actual food, none of those other things. He hasn't done laundry yet or bought gas for his car. That's a pretty minimal amount of money to live on.

I don't think it's silly for the congressman to get a taste of how some people live.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

I appreciate your calling my attention to it, but it doesn't really explain at what point a person qualifies and for how much in food stamps. Is it the single person making less that 11,000 who qualifies for the $21 bucks a week? So even such a person would have some limited about of money to supplement the stamps.

I'm not saying it's enough, but the congressional stunt is silly.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10101.html

Also check out the pre-screening tool: www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I'm not sure they would have much more to spend on food. $10,000 a year is $833 a month. One of my mom's friends who is looking to move into a section 8 apartment makes about that. The rent for his apartment is going to be $375 a month plus all utilities. Figure $100 for heat, electricity and water each month. Add some money for a phone.. $30 minimum. He has a car that is paid for, so he only has to pay car insurance.. about $50 a month for the minimum required by law in Michigan. His medicare premium is $60 a month and he pays about $200 a month for prescriptions. That's $835 and he hasn't bought toilet paper, napkins, shampoo or hygiene products, etc. The $21 a week in food stamps only pays for actual food, none of those other things. He hasn't done laundry yet or bought gas for his car. That's a pretty minimal amount of money to live on.

I don't think it's silly for the congressman to get a taste of how some people live.

Oh, if they really got a taste of it, it wouldn't be silly. But I don't really think that's what's happening here.

I certainly don't think that people are living well and getting food stamps, but they aren't living like congress lives except for $21 dollar for food.

It's the artificial nature of what they are doing that offends me about it. It's just a publicity stunt. (And I think it's only four people total, right?)

If your mom's friend disabled in some way? (I don't mean that in an insulting way; I'm just wondering what his circumstances are.)

It's hard to talk about this issue without making it sound like I feel 21 dollars is enough and I don't think that it is. On the other hand, what would be the right amount per person to give out weekly for food? How much money should a person have to earn to feed oneself? Is the answer that a person should not have to earn any money? That "enough" money for food should be provided by the government for able bodied adults?

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10101.html

Also check out the pre-screening tool: www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov

Thanks! I'm trying to play with the site to figure out what the level of benefits are.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

Oh, if they really got a taste of it, it wouldn't be silly. But I don't really think that's what's happening here.

I certainly don't think that people are living well and getting food stamps, but they aren't living like congress lives on except for $21 dollar for food.

It's the artificial nature of what they are doing that offends me about it. It's just a publicity stunt.

If your mom's friend disabled in some way? (I don't mean that in an insulting way; I'm just wondering what his circumstances are.)

Yes, he is disabled and his income is his Social Security Disability. The VA and Worker's Comp both say the other should pay for stuff and it's a big mess. He had old war injuries that weren't debilitating at the time but then after working a physically demanding job for a couple decades, his hips and back and majorly screwed up and he should have hip replacements. It's a pretty major mess. He can't get his pension benefits for another 10 years or so either.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Yes, he is disabled and his income is his Social Security Disability. The VA and Worker's Comp both say the other should pay for stuff and it's a big mess. He had old war injuries that weren't debilitating at the time but then after working a physically demanding job for a couple decades, his hips and back and majorly screwed up and he should have hip replacements. It's a pretty major mess. He can't get his pension benefits for another 10 years or so either.

I'm sorry.

I'm a little surprised he has to pay any health related costs since he'd have the VA stuff, but I guess it depends on how long he was in and whether he can receive treatment from them. (Not that just the health costs are the problem.)

I'm also a little surprised that workman's comp would fight it. Was he able to find a lawyer to represent him for free?
I guess he's going to need one.

Does he have family who can help him?

[DolphinChicaDDD]

Congressman Ryan's tired to take his PB&J sandwich past airport security! Tsk tsk tsk...
I just had to share...

As the agent sifted though my bag, I tried to recount what could possibly be in there that was threatening...my mouthwash? Toothpaste? Yeah, it was those two, but it was also my peanut butter and jelly.

Sure enough the very nice TSA agent explained to me the 3-1-1 regulations for liquids....He politely put the peanut butter and jelly to the side, closed my bag and gave it back to me. I was too astonished to talk. I took my bag and walked towards the gate thinking about the 4 or maybe 5 meals that she had taken from me. What am I going to do now? It’s not like I can just go to Safeway and grab another jar. I have .33 cents and a bag of cornmeal to last today and tomorrow.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DolphinChicaDDD

Congressman Ryan's tired to take his PB&J sandwich past airport security! Tsk tsk tsk...
I just had to share...

As the agent sifted though my bag, I tried to recount what could possibly be in there that was threatening...my mouthwash? Toothpaste? Yeah, it was those two, but it was also my peanut butter and jelly.

Sure enough the very nice TSA agent explained to me the 3-1-1 regulations for liquids....He politely put the peanut butter and jelly to the side, closed my bag and gave it back to me. I was too astonished to talk. I took my bag and walked towards the gate thinking about the 4 or maybe 5 meals that she had taken from me. What am I going to do now? It’s not like I can just go to Safeway and grab another jar. I have .33 cents and a bag of cornmeal to last today and tomorrow.

Ummm...well...because I don't know too many poor people who fly...my suggestion would be...chew those peanuts VEEEERRRRRY slowly!!

BWUUAHHAAHHAHA

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

I'm sorry.

I'm a little surprised he has to pay any health related costs since he'd have the VA stuff, but I guess it depends on how long he was in and whether he can receive treatment from them. (Not that just the health costs are the problem.)

It doesn't necessarily depend on how long he was in--it's more an issue of when. It's still taking some red tape, even now, for Vietnam-era veterans to get benefits. Sometimes it requires referrals and declarations from an outside doctor, which is tough to get if you have no or limited health insurance. The VA benefits can be great, but they're not as easy to get as some people believe.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

It doesn't necessarily depend on how long he was in--it's more an issue of when. It's still taking some red tape, even now, for Vietnam-era veterans to get benefits. Sometimes it requires referrals and declarations from an outside doctor, which is tough to get if you have no or limited health insurance. The VA benefits can be great, but they're not as easy to get as some people believe.

In reality, few insurance benefits are easy to get as some people believe. For example, when I worked in mental health and someone's insurance company said they had to leave an inpatient psych unit after 5 days, they would say "But my policy says I get 30 days". They didn't realize that you only get as many days as they decide you need. If someone documents in your chart that you smiled when you are supposed to be depressed then BAM, you're outta there.