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

[OneTimeSBX]

@ squirrely...

there is an article on CNN's blogspot about how childhood obesity is being blamed on WOMEN, and the fact that we are working now and not staying home with the kids...very interesting...

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/blogs/pagi...ity-among.html

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Kevin...and while u are at it....if you ever made that trek into Baltimore or DC....for each and every person you see...

For each reformed or down on thier luck junkie I want you to look them in the eye and tell them get a job

Taking drugs is a choice -- an illegal, unhealthy one at that. If they choose drugs over food, so be it. I could care less when they kick off.

For each abused adult who can't get medical help I want you to look them in the eye and tell them get a job

Each "abused adult"? You mean the ones who can go to the numerous battered womens' shelters, possibly obtain victims protection orders (or whatever the local equivalent thereof is), etc. It's their choice to continue to be abused. If they want out of that position badly enough, there is an out, although, admittedly, they may not agree. It's still a choice.

Besides, in that case, I don't think an extra ten bucks in food stamps is going to be the answer to their problem.

For someone who is so infirm they can't get a job I want you to look them in the eye and tell them get a job

They qualify for social security and disability and a myriad of other benefits. Therefore, no job needed. My arguments only really reach able bodied/able minded "working people" (as the Democrats would call them).

For each able bodied Katrina victim displaced this far north I want you to look them in the eye and tell them get a job

I actually have. A guy hit me up for cash a few months back, gave me his Katrina spiel. I directed him to the standby manual labor company a few blocks from here.

Again, Democrats argue that there are immigrants here to do jobs "Americans won't do." If they won't work, why should I owe them a living?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by squirrely girl

so do you not have other expenses besides food? or am i the only person? (btw this isn't personal and i'm not TRYING to be rude or over critical of you kevin but as far as i can see you're the only person really arguing in the other direction)

I think the answer is obvious. Of course there are other expenses.. but thank God there are other government programs! If 97% of poor households can own color TV's, I guess they aren't starving.

granted there is most likely OTHER income, but i also know what its like to have more bills than money in a month. and i'm nowhere near 'poor'. labeling $21/week as misleading IMO is just another way to be able to ignore the numbers and the problem. $21/week for food IS a reality for more than a handful of people in this country. that is a problem.

Right. They should have jobs and therefore, much more money to spend.

I think people are also ignoring the concept of food quality. that article was pretty good about addressing the lack of whole foods, fruits and veggies, milk, organic foods, and even semi-healthy options. poor people and people recieving food stamps don't have the luxury of healthy foods.

And you think we owe people luxury foods just because they exist? Screw that.

this is a HUGE problem. people wonder why kids and adults in this country are overweight and obese (and don't say 'exercise' if you can afford to be a member of a gym or can work out in a safe neighborhood - i really don't want to hear it).

For kids, there are sports.. those are free if played in most schools.

Otherwise, get a job.

quality of diet is a huge factor. when people can eat off the dollar menu at mcdonalds and be full for SIGNIFICANTLY less than they could if they were paying to buy healthy foods at a grocery store, there's a problem. and this is a huge problem when this is how children are being fed.

True. Parents shouldn't have kids they can't afford to feed. That is why we have abortions and adoptions and contraceptives.

then again i'm a fan of not judging other people and the world based on MY situation in life.

Yeah, I guess expecting other people to value themselves enough to be responsible for feeding themselves is expecting a little much...

[DaemonSeid]

you know...u should stop...that plumber's crack is turning into a full moon.

And when you moon like that you really start to show how ignorant you are of other people's misfortune.

[JWithers]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Taking drugs is a choice -- an illegal, unhealthy one at that. If they choose drugs over food, so be it. I could care less when they kick off.



Each "abused adult"? You mean the ones who can go to the numerous battered womens' shelters, possibly obtain victims protection orders (or whatever the local equivalent thereof is), etc. It's their choice to continue to be abused. If they want out of that position badly enough, there is an out, although, admittedly, they may not agree. It's still a choice.

Besides, in that case, I don't think an extra ten bucks in food stamps is going to be the answer to their problem.



They qualify for social security and disability and a myriad of other benefits. Therefore, no job needed. My arguments only really reach able bodied/able minded "working people" (as the Democrats would call them).



I actually have. A guy hit me up for cash a few months back, gave me his Katrina spiel. I directed him to the standby manual labor company a few blocks from here.

Again, Democrats argue that there are immigrants here to do jobs "Americans won't do." If they won't work, why should I owe them a living?

Amen, Kevin. I have a pre-schooler who can already chant the family's mantra "You are responsible for your own actions". Yes, sometimes people are handed a crap deal, but you can't take it lying down. Get up, get moving and get over it. Often times, people make their own 'bad luck' which is just a symptom of 'bad choices'. I know it isn't always the case, so no flames.

[kddani]

This thread is a hell of a lot like this one: http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...light=homeless

[Kevlar281]

No one is starving in America.

21 dollars a week means that they choose to not to supplement their government aid.

A person soliciting donations on a street corner IMO would earn a minimum of a dollar an hour. If they solicit for eight hours a day they would earn an extra eight dollars per day.

So let’s see here. $21.00 + $56.00 = $77.00 for food per week.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

And when you moon like that you really start to show how ignorant you are of other people's misfortune.

Misfortune and bad luck as that preivous poster said are just methods to displace ones own poor choices on some mystical force.

Not being a bleeding heart liberal does not make me an ass. It means I have a difference of opinion. Please tolerate my differences.

Can't we just all get along?

[JWithers]

Originally Posted by Kevlar281

No one is starving in America.

21 dollars a week means that they choose to not to supplement their government aid.

A person soliciting donations on a street corner IMO would earn a minimum of a dollar an hour. If they solicit for eight hours a day they would earn an extra eight dollars per day.

So let’s see here. $21.00 + $56.00 = $77.00 for food per week.

I DO think there are children who are starving in America, b/c of the bad choices their parents/caregivers have made. Children should be assisted by being removed from the homes of negligent parents who abuse drugs, alcohol and their own children. My sister and her husband ,today in fact, officially adopted TWO children, siblings , 9 and 4 who were in a home just like that. Big day for our whole family!

However, these parents do not deserve one thin dime of the money my family works hard to earn. The parents of THESE children are both in jail for running a meth lab.

[macallan25]

I agree with both of you and especially kevin.

What is wrong with some of you people? Daemonseid.........why in God's name should I have sympathy for some crack head junkie living off of the street? I would gladly "look them in the eye and tell them to get a job". Sure I would, with pleasure. People like that disgust me.

As far as Katrina victims.........I have told them to get a damn job.....many times. Houston and Austin had a major influx of them......totally ridiculous..........as if Austin needed more homeless people.

....at what point did we stop holding people accountable for their actions? Jesus Christ.......there is absolutely no reason for me or my family to spend our time and hard earned money trying to be a savior to people that are so completely worthless that they don't even have the gumption to go look for work.

[susan314]

Originally Posted by squirrely girl

i think people are also ignoring the concept of food quality. that article was pretty good about addressing the lack of whole foods, fruits and veggies, milk, organic foods, and even semi-healthy options. poor people and people recieving food stamps don't have the luxury of healthy foods. this is a HUGE problem.

I'm not jumping into the food stamps "good" vs. food stamps "bad" argument, but I will say this...most people in this country overpay for groceries and, if they had the proper tools/education about how the grocery stores run their specials, they could spend a lot less.

I spend $250-300 a month at the grocery store for 4 people + a 65 pound dog for everything. That includes cleaning supplies, paper products, diapers/Pull Ups, dog food, dog treats, feminine products, shampoo, soap, razor blades/shaving cream...everything I buy. I could probably spend less, but I insist on having fresh produce in the house at all times and I shop at a specialty meat market for most of our meat products.

(I'm not kidding when I say that I indulge in fresh produce - in my house, right at this immediate moment...when I haven't even done my normal shopping yet this week...I have the following fresh fruits and veggies: broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, celery, zuchini, strawberries, pineapple, grapes, oranges, apples, and bananas.)

You have to learn to beat the grocery stores at their own game.

[JWithers]

Originally Posted by susan314

I'm not jumping into the food stamps "good" vs. food stamps "bad" argument, but I will say this...most people in this country overpay for groceries and, if they had the proper tools/education about how the grocery stores run their specials, they could spend a lot less.

I spend $250-300 a month at the grocery store for 4 people + a 65 pound dog for everything. That includes cleaning supplies, paper products, diapers/Pull Ups, dog food, dog treats, feminine products, shampoo, soap, razor blades/shaving cream...everything I buy. I could probably spend less, but I insist on having fresh produce in the house at all times and I shop at a specialty meat market for most of our meat products.

(I'm not kidding when I say that I indulge in fresh produce - in my house, right at this immediate moment...when I haven't even done my normal shopping yet this week...I have the following fresh fruits and veggies: broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, celery, zuchini, strawberries, pineapple, grapes, oranges, apples, and bananas.)

You have to learn to beat the grocery stores at their own game.

LOL. I am the queen of cheap. We have a store called Aldi here and they have very nice produce for MUCH less than the bigger chains. I pay 2.99 for a three pack of red, yellow and green bell peppers when just ONE would be more than that at the other groceries. Broccoli crowns are .99! My husband makes fun of me, but when we can pay for our beach house in full b/c of my frugality, we will see who is laughing! I don't buy processed foods full of crap, only 'real' food and my kids eat and drink food that is actually good for them. AND I do it on a self-imposed TIGHT budget. I would rather spend some time to save money and be able to have the things that matter more to my family!

Again, GOOD CHOICES!

[AKA_Monet]

Kevin--

Wait, the Census Bureau does not have any medical authority and is not National Institutes of Health or Centers of Disease Control.

Starvation as defined is emaciation, dehydration, dysentery and entended bowel.

Essentially, one can starve by consuming mass quantities of fast food because it is not healthy.

Yes, at a basic level, children can learn some functional literacy, but critical thinking skills without nutrition and physical activity to lift oneself beyond poverty or working poverty, to sustainability is not happening in the US but for only a select few.

Criminality suggests that there is US starvation. Not a causation to effect, but definitely a symptom.

Illiteracy in one's home conversations, and this occurs in recent immigrants, moreover, outreach to those in authority does not occur. As such, working poor immigrants doing the jobs that Americans will not do, does not constitute they are healthy.

And after the all day meeting I have just attended: Health disparities causes educational achievement gap--simply means if children cannot learn if they are sick, and if they are sick, they will not learn...

Given the US inability to care about the poor similar to that observed in European nations, then we, the US, will go back into a 2nd class citizenship ideology.

Well, if that is dandy for you, but I don't think plenty of our elders want to go back to those days...

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by macallan25

I agree with both of you and especially kevin.

What is wrong with some of you people? Daemonseid.........why in God's name should I have sympathy for some crack head junkie living off of the street? I would gladly "look them in the eye and tell them to get a job". Sure I would, with pleasure. People like that disgust me.



As far as Katrina victims.........I have told them to get a damn job.....many times. Houston and Austin had a major influx of them......totally ridiculous..........as if Austin needed more homeless people.

....at what point did we stop holding people accountable for their actions? Jesus Christ.......there is absolutely no reason for me or my family to spend our time and hard earned money trying to be a savior to people that are so completely worthless that they don't even have the gumption to go look for work.

mac...it's people with attitudes like yours that disgust me.

that crackhead CAN EASILY be you...whether you like it or not...u have no idea what lead that person to be where they are...


Who are you to judge without first taking that long look in a mirror?

Katrina victims...well hmmm...suddenly displaced?

Kinda hard getting a job when your address IS A FLOODED OUT HOLE IN THE GROUND hmmm?

Hell..the Superdome that was for a month a 3rd world country has been fixed up in less than a years time and the lower wards in New Orleans are STILL after 2 years ghost towns...you want those homeless people out of your area in Texas....here is challenge for you...whatever purpose you serve in your area...get up and take a trip over there with those homeless and help rebuild their communities.

Too much for you?


Oh yeah ...too much like right...


When did we stop holding people acountable....?

Go back to 1939 when the welfare system in this country officially kicked off...since that is what we are discussing in this thread before we digressed to homelessness.

But you know what...we are gonna call it a day on this thread....we have offically agreed to disagree, but just in case you happen to wind up in a living condition much less than what you are used to and forced to get food stamps but you don't wanna be a burden on our government?

...do yourself a favor.

GO GET A JOB !!

[squirrely girl]

i am completely okay with the idea that not everybody thinks like me. i'd much rather have the debate than to completely ignore the issues. i sincerely think its great that there is participation in this thread. from ALL sides of the issue.

- m