Maine Gov. LePage threatens to halt food stamp program amid sugar crackdown

[Gamdwelf]

In Texas (I'm sure it's the same way elsewhere), people cannot buy white potatos or whole milk (unless they have a child under like 2) with the food stamp equivalent.

So this kind of thing is already happening. Seems like a good idea.

Then what can they buy if they can't even have milk.

[Zantos]

I agree with the Governor. Its ridiculous that someone on food stamps can sit there and blow it on candy and soda. My gf used to work at a gas station. She had So many parents come in with children running rampant behind them, grabbing at everything and wanting snacks. So what did they get? Candy and soda, paid for with food stamps. I get it, juice is expensive to get, and water gets bland, Fast. However, foodstamps needs to be used on actual food. Not crap.

[Moxal]

Then what can they buy if they can't even have milk.

The restriction seems to be only on whole milk (3.5% milk fat), not ones with lower percentages of milk fat such as 1%, 2% or skim.

At least that is what the WIC signs at the grocery store say...

[Zantos]

In Texas (I'm sure it's the same way elsewhere), people cannot buy white potatos or whole milk (unless they have a child under like 2) with the food stamp equivalent.

So this kind of thing is already happening. Seems like a good idea.

That is a HORRIBLE idea. Milk is a stable food, as is potatoes. I could get a 15 pound bag of potatoes for 5-8$ at Any time of the year. That is many nights of meals I could make from them.

Milk is a drink that is a healthy option. It can be used to cook and bake Many healthy foods. They are idiots to remove items that are able to be cheap and staples of a diet that is better then candy or soda.

[Gamdwelf]

The restriction seems to be only on whole milk (3.5% milk fat), not ones with lower percentages of milk fat such as 1%, 2% or skim.

But whole milk is healthier than white colored water .

[Direpenguin]

I thought republicans were supposed to be for smaller government, not nanny states?

Stupid argument since we are talking about restrictions on an already-existing government program.

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Milk is a stable food

...if you're a baby cow. How many calves do you know that suffer from lactose intolerance?

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is a Republican and is looking for any excuse to cut money from Citizen Welfare

Citizen welfare should be used in extreme cases (disabled or otherwise unable to earn a wage), or as a stop-gap in times of need. It should not become a way of life, as it has for so many people who have figured out ways to abuse and game the system.

[Zantos]

...if you're a baby cow. How many calves do you know that suffer from lactose intolerance?

The second part of your statement makes no sense. However, I can tell you don't bake, otherwise you would know that milk is used in a lot of things for cooking.

[Moxal]

Don't ask me, I'm just relating the WIC signs I've seen at local stores.

However, doing some research, it seems that WIC recently (2015) did allow white potatoes to be purchased. I'm not sure why the (pretty new) signs I've seen seem to indicate differently.

It also seems I got it backwards: 2% is not allowed, but whole is allowed for children under 2. (What the signs I've seen say)

Food list: http://dshs.texas.gov/wichd/vo/flist.shtm

[Wolfman31]

I guess letting them eat cake wasn't a good idea after all.

[Orlong]

Except there's really no evidence that SNAP spending on candy bars and other "junk items" is a common behavior.

And the overpayment rate is at historic lows, so that theory is busted as well.

Over payment rate doesnt measure how much of the amount they spend is wasted on non-essentials. It only measures overpayments due to incorrect income testing. nd there is no evidence snack and junk food spending on SNAP is NOT a common behavior either

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Then what can they buy if they can't even have milk.

I agree, they should definitely be able yo buy milk with food stamps, just not flavored (chocolate, strawberry, etc) milk

[Gamdwelf]

Over payment rate doesnt measure how much of the amount they spend is wasted on non-essentials. It only measures overpayments due to incorrect income testing. nd there is no evidence snack and junk food spending on SNAP is NOT a common behavior either

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I agree, they should definitely be able yo buy milk with food stamps, just not flavored (chocolate, strawberry, etc) milk

Why not flavored milk? Still milk, still nutritional.

[TZucchini]

Over payment rate doesn't measure how much of the amount they spend is wasted on non-essentials.

There's no universal definition of what a "non-essential" item is. What you're basically asking for here, is to create a brand new government entity, in charge of determining what products are "essential" vs "non-essential". Is an eggplant essential? What about breadcrumbs? How about store bought pizza dough? I mean, all they really need is flour, water, and yeast.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of new food products are released each year, and now this brand new government entity needs to classify each item as "essential" or "non-essential".

So we could do that. Or we could just try to better educate people and let them make their own choices when it comes to purchasing food products with SNAP benefits.

And there is no evidence snack and junk food spending on SNAP is NOT a common behavior either.

Stellar logic here. There's also no evidence that Chimpanzees aren't secretly plotting to eliminate the human race. We better start executing Chimpanzees just in case.

[upirlikhyi]

I think people on food stamps should be more limited on what you buy, fast food companies for years have been campaigning to allow people to buy their food with food stamps.

I have a friend who is on disability because he is obese, how does the government fix this? They gave him a place to live then has someone come in clean his place and does his shopping. Guess what he buys? Mt Dew and Chips, he has done nothing but gain weight since he got disability 15 years ago. He went from 500lbs to 770lbs. He pretty much just sits around all day playing video games and watches Netflix.

So dont give disablity to fat people they quit giving it to drunks. But you even if they are on FS have no right to tell someone they can not enjoy a candy bar at times if that starts we might as well rename ourselves russia 2

[Kathandira]

So dont give disablity to fat people they quit giving it to drunks. But you even if they are on FS have no right to tell someone they can not enjoy a candy bar at times if that starts we might as well rename ourselves russia 2

No one is saying they aren't allowed to enjoy a candy bar. Just not on the government dime. Use your own cash on that, not the gracious handout.

[PosPosPos]

Working part time at McDonalds isnt working. Perhaps we should say they should work more!

Yeah well, perhaps conservatives don't think working 16 hours a day is working if they are minimum wage jobs.

[lockedout]

No one is saying they aren't allowed to enjoy a candy bar. Just not on the government dime. Use your own cash on that, not the gracious handout.

Why do you care if they buy candy with government benefits?

[zenkai]

So dont give disablity to fat people they quit giving it to drunks. But you even if they are on FS have no right to tell someone they can not enjoy a candy bar at times if that starts we might as well rename ourselves russia 2

People on food stamps are already limited on what they could buy, how is expanding to junk food any different? People on foodstamps can spend real cash if they want junk food.

[lockedout]

People on food stamps are already limited on what they could buy, how is expanding to junk food any different? People on foodstamps can spend real cash if they want junk food.

They are limited to unprepared or prepared food. Some stores will let you get around this anyway.

[Kathandira]

Why do you care if they buy candy with government benefits?

I view things like candy as non-essential foods. A non-necessity. It is not what the assistance was designed for.

[lockedout]

I view things like candy as non-essential foods. A non-necessity. It is not what the assistance was designed for.

Ok but why do you care?