-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
The Food Stamp program, now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a target for Republicans who voted to cut $40 billion from the program. The reasons that Republicans have given are so divorced from reality that one can reasonably suspect their true motivations lie elsewhere. The primacy of fantasy in the GOP has been recently evidenced by Michele Bachmann who sees signs of the End Times, a wished-for global apocalypse.
First up on the list of fantasies is by Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Arkansas) who said “the food stamp program [grew] exponentially because the government continues to turn a blind eye to a system fraught with abuse.” In reality, SNAP participation closely tracks the long term unemployment rate, prolonged by Republicans. The sale of SNAP benefits for cash, called “trafficking,” has been cut to $1 in every $100 of SNAP benefits. The reality is a one percent abuse rate, the fantasy is SNAP is “fraught” with abuse.
The next fantasy is that able-bodied people are getting food stamps instead of working. The reality is that 83% of all SNAP benefits go to households that include a child, an elderly person, or a disabled person. The average individual gets $133 a month in SNAP benefits. It is ridiculous to imagine that a person is going to quit their job for $133 a month that can only be spent on food, but Republicans bear ridicule well.
The next fantasy is that SNAP recipients use their benefits to buy cigarettes and alcohol. The SNAP program uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, similar to debit cards, that can be used in the supermarket checkout line only to purchase food. The Right likes to point to Jackie Whiton, a Peterborough, New Hampshire, store cashier who declined to accept an EBT card as payment for a pack of cigarettes. In reality, the EBT card contained state assistance money, not SNAP benefits, which can be used to purchase tobacco products. The store she worked for has a policy of accepting EBT cash benefits. In reality, Whiton was fired for violating the company’s policies.
The Republican war on programs that benefit Americans in need isn’t based on a philosophical commitment to small government. If it were, the $20 billion in farm subsidies, a welfare program for agribusiness, would be near the top of their hit list. According to a Greenberg report, the Republicans “are very conscious of being white in a country that is increasingly minority.” The report goes on to say that the “race issue [is] very much alive.” There you have it. Obama is taking their money and giving it to “Those People.”
H/T: Dave Johnson, Paul Krugman, Dottie Rosenbaum, Amanda Marcotte, Brian Tashman, WMUR.
Bron,
I’m confused as to what you’re trying to say. Are you suggesting that no studies, no research should be considered as providing the best information available at the time?
Elaine:
who was saying that? What you said about new techniques and equipment is implied in my statement about the scientific theories being proven wrong over that past few thousand years.
I am not sure how you took it to mean I was against scientific inquiry. There will always be new things to discover as we progress.
Nick, Speaking of reports, how do you feel about Wiki pages that summarize union busting laws passed in Wisconsin in 2011? Just thought I’d ask since you never answered the question over on pension post and it is sort of like a report that everybody can read.
Bron,
I’m a Groucho Marxist. But I’m going to have to explain to again that when it comes to economics, I’m not a Marxist of any sort despite your inability to grasp the very real distinction between democratic socialism (which requires a mixed economy, i.e. free markets and limited planned markets) and Communism (which demands a command economy). Two entirely different critters. Much like Groucho and Harpo although if you’re going to carry that out to it’s logical metaphorical end, Karl is more like Zeppo.
SNAP (Food Stamps): Facts, Myths and Realities
Feeding America
http://feedingamerica.org/how-we-fight-hunger/programs-and-services/public-assistance-programs/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program/snap-myths-realities.aspx
Nick, am I black or white? rich or poor? legal or illegal? young or old? male or female (funny, you didn’t call for gender diversity. Maybe you’re a misogynist.)
Could an argument be made that all the above does not count. It’s just the words and ideas that count?
Nick, who were you quoting at 8:20?
How about those who take self investigation reports as gospel w/o even having read it. Where does that fall into the ElaineM philosophy on “understanding our world?” Carry on your quest for knowledge. It should be a short journey.
Bron,
“How many scientific theories have been proven wrong over the last few thousand years?”
I don’t know. Why don’t you provide us with the information on that subject?
As we develop new scientific equipment and new methods of testing hypotheses…as we design new technologies…as we learn new things…as we build on our knowledge, we should open our minds to new horizons. Those who would suggest that our understanding of our world and the universe should remain static, close their minds to new discoveries.
He explained, bfm. But they have a study NO ONE HAS EVEN READ and the discussion is over. Now they’re gloating. I can tell you from my exchange Mike would have liked to have stayed here but they made him feel inferior. I’m trying to find him a venue w/ less assholishness. That should be pretty easy.
Nick Just how have you determined the racial and socioeconomic status of all the commenters and their lack of diversity?
Bron, Like so many good people who get run out of here, they say who needs these pompous, elitist, jerks. I think some of the women have a problem w/ the bullies, but are too timid to say anything. Some have the moral authority.
“I think some of the women have a problem w/ the bullies, but are too timid to say anything.”
It seems to me that Elaine has not been intimidated by your constant misogynist attacks on her, but why should she be, she’s smarter than you and a much better debater. Notice to “women” you too delicate and timid to stand up to us big, bad Gb’s. Blouise and SWM especially. Doesn’t it comfort you to have a Gallant Man to come to your defense in your state of helplessness?
@nick spinelli ” Great job, folks. I’m still working on getting this guy back. However, I’m conflicted. This place needs him desperately.”
I would hope that everyone would feel welcome here. But the idea that anyone ran this guy off is a bit of a stretch.
Aren’t we taking about the same guy who posted “BTW, telling me you need me to provide evidence and claiming I am wrong, is calling me a liar.” under the screen name Michael Arm?
Michael seemed to have a stchick that went something like ‘if you question my conclusions that is the same as saying I am lying about my data and I will get very, very insulted.’
That is fine with me if someone wants to act that way. But I am still going to question conclusions, data, government reports, personal observations or most anything else that seems interesting, questionable, or otherwise printable.
I also find it amazing that so many seemed so impressed that his SES gave him access to street secretes little dreamed of by ordinary folk.
For the price of a cup of coffee anyone who is interested can sit in McDonald’s at First and New York Avenue, NE and watch about as much SNAP trafficking as you want – as long as it is the fist week or 10 days of the first of the month.
It is only slightly apocryphal to claim that more prescription drugs have been dispensed in the men’s room at that McDonald’s than a most pharmacies.
If that guy ever saw anything that doesn’t happen day in and day out at that McDonald’s and the surrounding streets, he sure did not mention it here.
I think everyone should feel welcome. But anyone who is not ready to explain the basis of their beliefs and accept that not everyone will agree with them, is likely to feel a bit frustrated.
So how about it, lets talk…
nick:
It would be good for him to be challenged. This is all an opinion anyway, even many published papers by very smart people. How many scientific theories have been proven wrong over the last few thousand years?
Ibsen had it right in his story “An Enemy of the People”. So much for published papers and statistics.
Nick, Your comment at 8:20 uses quotes. Who are you quoting?
Gene H:
that is alright, you are a Marxish, and I dont mean Harpo.
nal:
Take a look at fast food workers in North Dakota and get back to me. A fast food job at minimum wage is not meant to support a family of 4.
If government would step out of the way and let the private sector create jobs like it is able, there would be a seachange.
As it is, government is an economic damper.
Who was pompous? Who was elitist? Who was asked to leave? Were there ad hominium attacks? Statistics and published reports were offered. What are the proscribed rules of argument? Just agree lest you are being rude? Are anecdotes to be weighted as heavily as stats or publsihed papers? And it wasn’t as if the guy was out there on his own. He had a very supportive and welcoming friend.
Where’s the beef (other than there were many who disagreed with him and a few that had some experience with government assistance programs)?
Are you the scientist?
Going to law school does not a lawyer make.