Limit Use of Food Stamps to Buy Soda

[DrLeftover]

NEW YORK (AP) — The mayors of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and 15 other cities are reviving a push against letting food stamps be used to buy soda and other sugary drinks.

In a letter to congressional leaders Tuesday, the mayors say it's "time to test and evaluate approaches limiting" the use of the subsidies for sugar-laden beverages, in the interest of fighting obesity and related diseases.

"We need to find ways to strengthen the program and promote good nutrition while limiting the use of these resources for items with no nutritional value, like sugary drinks, that are actually harming the health of participants," Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose office released the letter, said in a statement. "Why should we continue supporting unhealthy purchases in the false name of nutrition assistance?"

http://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2013/06/18/18-mayors-limit-use-of-food-stamps-to-buy-soda


"Nanny is upset"

 

[Evil Eye]

At least this time they're actually the ones paying.

 

[DrLeftover]

At least this time they're actually the ones paying.

You mean the assholes or the taxpayers?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I agree that food stamps should be used to purchase basic necessities like fruits/veg, milk, eggs, bread, meat and stuff like that. This program is supposed to be for those in desperate need of help keeping their families properly fed. People abuse the food stamp program to buy junk, and poor nutrition leads to more health problems. More health problems lead to more taxes to support the free health care programs we have available to low income families. If they want to buy junk, they should spend their own money on it.

 

[seasidemike]

It makes perfect sense to set limitations, I would agree with that.

 

[DrLeftover]

Which begs the question:

"Do the 'disadvantaged' have the Right to be Ignorant and spend the Tax Money of those that work for a living any way they want once they receive their Government Handout?"


It is already supposed to be impossible to buy cigarettes, booze, and pet food with said allowance, but, we have all heard the stories of it going to other things:

TALLAHASSEE – Food stamp and welfare recipients will no longer be able use their state-issued EBT cards at strip clubs, race tracks, bingo halls and liquor stores.

Gov. Rick Scott today signed HB 701 to crack down on the use of state-issued benefits at places viewed as entertainment venues, such as a gambling establishment or strip club.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/os-scott-signs-bill-banning-use-of-ebt-cards-in-strip-clubs-casinos-20130530,0,1291689.post

 

[seasidemike]

I don't think it is about being 'ignorant' but people need to realize that the money is not free and it comes from other people so it should be spent with the purpose to which is is being provided, to provide basic needs, which does not include a lap-dance

 

[DrLeftover]

No.

They're Ignorant.

 

[Fatal Dawn]

It would be a stereotype to say that all people on welfare are out to abuse the system, yet you seem to lump all disadvantaged people in this category.

As with any other government program there will always be those looking to exploit the system. Regardless of how many checks the government puts into place, this will remain an unfortunate, foreseeable reality.

 

[DrLeftover]

My stereotype was intended to only include those who were referenced in the followup news story.

I've been ON food stamps at one point in my life (when they were real life paper coupons that you tore out of a little book), and you know what? I bought FOOD with them.

 

[JetWing34]

If you're actually buying soda, preferrably 2-liter bottles for graduation parties or family reunions, how are you supposed to pay for it if you don't pay cash and you're not a card holder?

 

[DrLeftover]

I don't think that's the problem with the system.

It is routine, everyday, abuse.