Page 1 of 26
1
2
3
11
... LastLast
  1. #1

    Texas to outlaw the use of SNAP for purchasing junk food/energy drinks.

    http://dailycaller.com/2013/02/09/te...h-food-stamps/

    For those who aren't aware of the term, SNAP, it stands for Supplimental Nutritional Assistance Program (IE: Food Stamps).

    Even I, as much as I hate big government and government intrusion in private life, can't argue with this. Especially the illogical policy of letting people use Tax Payer money to buy junk food, become ill, then require more Tax Payer money for medical treatment.

    EDIT:

    I should point out that it's already illegal to use SNAP to purchase alcohol, tobacco, and non-grocery items. Several states are also looking at making it illegal to use the cash assistance-arm of SNAP to get money out of ATM's at strip clubs, beer stores, and casinos.

    EDIT: I'm going to address some of the concerns expressed in subsequent replies here.

    1. The article I linked has some basic guide-lines that are included in the proposed bill. You would NOT be able to buy "sweetened beverages, candy, potato or corn chips, and cookies." You WOULD be able to buy baby formula and certain weight-lose products. The Energy Drink ban is a second proposed bill would prohibit "beverage[s] containing at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces that is advertised as being specifically designed to provide metabolic stimulation or an increase to the consumer’s mental or physical energy."

    2. In the state of PA and SC (I can't speak to other states) a single person can collect up to $200/month in SNAP benefits. Speaking as someone who works a seasonal (9 months/year) job, and who collects SNAP for three month, I can assure you that $200 is MORE than enough for a single person. Can I eat steak every night? No. But I CAN eat fresh chicken, pork, or beef (low quality, grant it), along with vegetables every night. I can also have healthy cereal for breakfast, fruit for lunch, and still have "money" left. (I actually collect less than what I could collect simply because I don't need the full amount.)

    3. It may be hard for younger people to believe, but there WAS a time before Red Bull and other energy drinks. And people were still able to get by. If coffee isn't enough maybe you should get more sleep. If that isn't the answer than see a doctor. But energy drinks really aren't necessary.

    4. Fast Food (IE: McDonalds) is already prohibited with SNAP. You can only use SNAP (food) benefits to purchase edible items from the grocery store. You can't use it to purchase non-edibles, pet supplies, alcohol, tobacco, or fast food from a place like McDonalds.

    5. On $180/month in benefits I, as a single person, can have a bowl of cereal (generic Cheerio's, typically) for breakfast. Lunch is either soup (condensed) or lunch-meat on whole-wheat bread. Dinner is a protean (chicken, pork, or beef, all boneless), and two cans of veggies. (I prefer whole potatoes and carrots or a green.) For drinking I have coffee, tea, milk, and V-8. After all of that I still allow a little "nicety" now and then such as creamer, eggs instead of cereal, or the occasional frozen pizza. If that isn't enough, if you're still hungry, it might be time for a diet.

    The idea of SNAP is to provide people with a means to buy nutritional food so they can stay alive. It's not designed to provide an endless supply of funds to buy what ever you want.
    Last edited by Twotonsteak; 2013-02-10 at 03:46 PM.

  2. #2
    Sounds like a sensible move.

  3. #3
    Sounds like a good move if the other food they are to buy is as cheap.

  4. #4
    Good. Now cut off the steaks, shrimp, crab legs, lobster and things like that.

  5. #5
    The issue will be in trying to determine what falls under the category of junk food. All desserts? Anything with a certain caloric value/per nutritional value?

    Also, I used to work night shift, and as unhealthy as energy drinks may be I was sometimes forced to get enough caffeine and sugar in me to remain alert.

  6. #6
    Scarab Lord DEATHETERNAL's Avatar
    10+ Year Old Account
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    USA, more fascist every day
    Posts
    4,406
    It is constitutional and a logical move (less logical than eliminating the entitlement altogether, but still logical).
    And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.
    Revelation 6:8

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Lefrog View Post
    Also, I used to work night shift, and as unhealthy as energy drinks may be I was sometimes forced to get enough caffeine and sugar in me to remain alert.
    They really need that energy drink to get through the Maury and Judge Joe Brown marathon.

    If they want these extra items let them do some work and buy them with cash or cut out other things they dont need to make up for it. Thats what the rest of us have to do.

  8. #8
    Orcboi NatePsy's Avatar
    10+ Year Old Account
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    VIC, Australia
    Posts
    5,361
    That's the thing, junk food is a hell of a lot cheaper than organic vegetables and any other healthy stuff. It's like the common saying goes, society wants people to lose weight and stay healthy but you can't exactly do that with healthy items being more expensive than the junk food itself.

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Synthaxx View Post
    I'd assume it's referring to fast food and microwave meals in a large scale. I dare say some prepared meals will be allowed, but things like branded frozen pizza (vs those made fresh in store, packed, and then refrigerated) would probably be denied.
    Here you can use foodstamps to buy fried chicken from the deli it just has to be from the cold case or already made subs, that needs to be cut out.

    Move the system closer to WIC.

    ---------- Post added 2013-02-10 at 03:10 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by NatePsychotic View Post
    That's the thing, junk food is a hell of a lot cheaper than organic vegetables and any other healthy stuff.
    It is not cheaper than things like pasta, rice, simple meats, normal produce not the organic stuff that is 4times the price for the same thing.

  10. #10
    As someone who has used food stamps before, I've got mixed feelings.

    I completely agree that it's ridiculous that people can go to the store and use all that money to purchase tons of junk food and more expensive food (steaks, etc.), but a bag or two of chips never hurt anybody.

    Oh well, it's definitely more positive than negative, surely.

  11. #11
    Banned Beazy's Avatar
    10+ Year Old Account
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    8,459
    I have mixed feelings about this.

    What about all those families that have children? We seriously dont want them to have even ONE box of little debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies for their kids? Just one box? Thats not cool guys. You cant tell me that consumption of one box over the course of a month is harmful, especially when split between a whole family. . .But at the same time, Id hate to see food stamps wasted on a cart full of chips and dip.

    Its crazy, we wont drug test to allow people to get stamps, but we want to restrict the purchase of twinkies?

    This whole situation is fd up.

  12. #12
    Vegetables, fruits, dairy, bread, meat, - that's all you should be bale to buy ofcourse not to mention basic stuff like water/sugar/tea etc.

  13. #13
    Elemental Lord Reg's Avatar
    10+ Year Old Account
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Manhattan
    Posts
    8,264
    Sounds good to me.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Cattaclysmic View Post
    Sounds like a good move if the other food they are to buy is as cheap.
    In fact cheaper... as far as nutritional value per $.

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by Beazy View Post
    I have mixed feelings about this.

    What about all those families that have children? We seriously dont want them to have even ONE box of little debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies for their kids? Just one box? Thats not cool guys. You cant tell me that consumption of one box over the course of a month is harmful, especially when split between a whole family. . .But at the same time, Id hate to see food stamps wasted on a cart full of chips and dip.

    Its crazy, we wont drug test to allow people to get stamps, but we want to restrict the purchase of twinkies?

    This whole situation is fd up.
    I'm sure they can save the money for a box of cakes over the course of that month.

  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by NatePsychotic View Post
    That's the thing, junk food is a hell of a lot cheaper than organic vegetables and any other healthy stuff. It's like the common saying goes, society wants people to lose weight and stay healthy but you can't exactly do that with healthy items being more expensive than the junk food itself.
    Oh noes tax payer dollars won't buy people organic vegetables. Now they'll have to buy 70c cans of vegetebles like people who don't have food stamps in the first place. We're all going to die of pesticides and all the bad things everything except organic stuff has.

  17. #17
    Scarab Lord DEATHETERNAL's Avatar
    10+ Year Old Account
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    USA, more fascist every day
    Posts
    4,406
    Quote Originally Posted by Beazy View Post
    What about all those families that have children? We seriously dont want them to have even ONE box of little debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies for their kids? Just one box?
    Buy it yourself.
    And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.
    Revelation 6:8

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by DEATHETERNAL View Post
    Buy it yourself.
    Lots of ways they can make that $2 over a month. If they skip one 40oz or a pack of menthols they can get more than one box.

  19. #19
    I don't see what's wrong with this. Junk food and energy drinks aren't exactly the best things to be eating in the first place.

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by DEATHETERNAL View Post
    It is constitutional and a logical move (less logical than eliminating the entitlement altogether, but still logical).
    So much hatred and ignorance, but this is the internet. It's not within the gov't scope to say what you can and can't eay. How would you regulate this? Being directly involved in the field, I can honestly say there are more people who legitimately need benefits (my gf's mother, who is disabled and cannot work and SSI barely covers rent/bills, for one) than those who milk the system. For every dollar of entitlements that go out, it goes back into the pockets of taxpayers. Consumer buys food at WalMart, goes into pay for the workers, which gets taxed, then goes back into circulation, getting taxed again, and then the consumer rec's benefits again. People who don't understand are nothing but ignorant.
    Sig/ava made by the amazing Elyssia! ♥

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •