Food Stamps

[Sunstone]

Can Obama veto this?

Well, technically he can. But if it makes it through the Senate, Obama is most likely too much of a wus to veto it.

 

[Cephus]

You can't be serious with this post.

Absolutely 100% serious. People need to stop reacting emotionally to everything and start *THINKING*.

 

[Sir Doom]

Absolutely 100% serious. People need to stop reacting emotionally to everything and start *THINKING*.

I think that I feel like doing both all the time. You know... because I'm a normal human being.

 

[Jeremy Mason]

Well, technically he can. But if it makes it through the Senate, Obama is most likely too much of a wus to veto it.

When does the Senate vote on it?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Absolutely 100% serious. People need to stop reacting emotionally to everything and start *THINKING*.

I am thinking, that's why I find cutting billions of dollars from social welfare programs to be inhuman, a travesty and a betrayal. If we need to cut the budget, let's cut a few hundred billion from the Pentagon. Shoot, with that money, you could give everyone healthcare, food, fix education and tons of other things.

There's something hideous about a country that seeks to gut its social services programs which only take relative pocket lint to run but has no issue with spending close to a trillion dollars a year on so-called "defense". This country has its priorities completely jacked up. We won't help our own people but we'll go bomb the hell out of others and set up military bases there.

Maybe you should start to think and stop swallowing Republican propaganda wholesale. If you want to talk about misuse of social services, maybe you should turn your eye to all the immigrants who come here and get almost everything handed to them on a silver platter while people who are born here and have lived there their whole lives have to struggle to get anything and many times, get nothing at all.

 

[Riverwolf]

Thats what disabiliy is for.

Churches are a great resource for food.

Im not for a whole 100% cut back, and I understand the need for those who really will need it.

There is quite the abuse of the system though that needs to stop.

Honestly, I think the honest users far outweigh the abusers, so that stopping the services is not justified.

 

[Riverwolf]

I think they're doing what they think is right. Its not immoral. Its their job. The job that you silly voters hired them for. Keep buying in to democracy, people. Its clearly working out for you.

We're not, and never have been, a democracy, and we didn't vote these people in. We voted in the characters they presented during election time.

 

[Riverwolf]

Absolutely 100% serious. People need to stop reacting emotionally to everything and start *THINKING*.

And my thinking asks this question: how much measurable damage are the abusers causing, and if it's a serious problem, are there any other solutions?

Thinking is just the first step. Then there's recognizing the problem, and finding the sources for the problem. (Yes, plural, sources.) Why are the people who abuse it doing so? Is there some process that makes it too easy? (Disability is a nightmare to get; speaking as someone who's trying to get it. I need my mom's help because I simply am unable to do it myself.) Are there loopholes being taken advantage of?

These, and other questions, need to be answered. Having found an answer, the problem has been adequately identified. After that, solutions need to be determined. Ethics aside, one has to determine how this will affect politics. After all, the kinds of voters who rely on food stamps (that's a huge population) suddenly won't vote for you in the future, and neither will their supporters. That's a pretty sizable population.

The kind of thinking that leads to cutting food stamps out is what gives those dirty liberals all their power, because it basically confirms all their propaganda.

 

[Sir Doom]

We're not, and never have been, a democracy, and we didn't vote these people in. We voted in the faces they presented during election time.

We are a democracy. We each get to vote. That's what it means. If you are about to say we are actually a republic, keep in mind that these terms are not exclusive to each other. We are a democratic republic. Republic means we have a representative government, democracy means the populace gets to vote on things.

China is also a republic, but they don't vote on anything. Their representative government is appointed. They are not a democracy. Sharp contrast.

And of course you voted on the faces they presented. And you KNEW they were just facade when you did it, too. Your vote is your stamp of approval on a sham.

 

[Curious George]

I'm absolutely in favor of it. Unfortunately, over the past couple of years, the liberals have been pushing anyone and everyone to get on the food stamp program. Locally, they've been running radio commercials that say "got a house? Got a job? Got a car? So what, get food stamps anyhow!" They've made it so easy to get that the program has expanded to absurd levels. People who don't need food stamps are getting food stamps. It's just another handout from the liberal government, designed to make people dependent.

Get rid of it. Go back to only giving to people who really, really need it.

I think that someone should clear up that the federal government distributes to the states monies that are largely representative of the state needs. California actually has a disproportionate need in comparison to those who are enrolled in these programs. Therefore, California has money in some social welfare programs which does not reach the people who need it. The response from California was increase education and outreach about the availability of these programs. Many assume that if you have a job you will not qualify for any social welfare. This is not true. There is not a push by the liberals for people to get on these programs. There is a push from the people who operate these programs to reach the people in need.

 

[Riverwolf]

We are a democracy. We each get to vote. That's what it means. If you are about to say we are actually a republic, keep in mind that these terms are not exclusive to each other. We are a democratic republic. Republic means we have a representative government, democracy means the populace gets to vote on things.

China is also a republic, but they don't vote on anything. Their representative government is appointed. They are not a democracy. Sharp contrast.

Right, a democratic republic. Different from a democracy ala Athens, different from a republic ala Rome.

We don't get any say whatsoever on this issue.

And of course you voted on the faces they presented. And you KNEW they were just facade when you did it, too. Your vote is your stamp of approval on a sham.

For the record, I didn't vote for any member of the House, because I knew nothing about them. I know better than to do that. I'm also disappointed in Obama; I didn't vote for the guy he actually is; I voted for the guy he was pretending to be.

Then again, he still seems far better than all the other choices.

Furthermore, it all may be a sham, but some of the shams are worse than others. I don't vote for the good guy (there aren't any); I vote for the less evil guy, because otherwise, the guy who will blow up the world will get in. Better to vote for Lex Luthor than Norman Osborn.

 

[Assad91]

I put this in "Religious Debates" because I think those who do have religious affiliations should deal with something probably more important than 90% of all the topics being discussed at this website.

The Republican-controlled House just today voted to reduce Federal food-stamp expenditures by $4 billion, and I just have to question the basic morality of that decision. But before my getting in to it, I wonder what you think? Please indicate your opinion in terms of your religious affiliation as I'm more interested in covering it from that angle

I'm starting this thread now, but I can't return back to see the results until Monday. Meanwhile, take care, and have a great weekend.

If its one thing Islam teaches me, it is that one has to take care of the needy in whatever means are possible. Even if all you can offer is a smile or an ear, you give it. Most of us have had that one day where it seemed the world was crashing, and some nice gesture helped.

As such, I am terribly sadden by this news. And that is not even thinking of my family who is on food stamps. Its hard enough to make food last as it is! Alhumdulillah I just got worked. May it prove to be beneficial.

How dare these politicians debate military intervention and defense, yet want to make those who struggle, struggle more.

I think the American leaders have their priorities mixed up. Here in Philadelphia, the Mayor decided to built another skating rink, rather then work on abandoned houses to help the poor.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I think they're doing what they think is right. Its not immoral. Its their job. The job that you silly voters hired them for. Keep buying in to democracy, people. Its clearly working out for you.

I'm an unaffiliated theist, by the way. Not that this will give you any insight as to why I feel the way I do.

It's an extreme example, but many within the Nazi party were just doing their job. True that the voters are much to blame, but a politicians voting habits shouldn't be exempt for morality because "it's their job."

Absolutely 100% serious. People need to stop reacting emotionally to everything and start *THINKING*.

As for thinking, I can think of a number of Military bases that have been operational even though there has not been in fighting in that area for decades, in some cases over half a century. And each and every bomb carries a hefty price tag, surely we could do with a few less of those. Why not make it so the politicians loose their lavish benefits when there term is over, just like any other average person who loose their benefits when they loose their job. Why not end wasteful subsidies, such as subsidizing mega-corporations to expand, cease the over-subsidizing of corn and other farm products (especially if the person getting the money isn't an actual farmer)? Why not trim down on all agencies that bump into each other during a criminal or federal investigations?
But no, the money must come from people who were middle class, have families, have bills, and were forced to take a fast food job because it was the first thing they could find after months of searching. It must come from our struggling military personnel, college students, single-parent families, and those who are already working multiple jobs just to try to stay afloat.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I think all politicians should be forced to live on a minimum wage salary and that the White House should be a basement apartment in the ghetto. Let's cut 'em off.

 

[Curious George]

I think all politicians should be forced to live on a minimum wage salary and that the White House should be a basement apartment in the ghetto. Let's cut 'em off.

While the idea might be fun to think about, such a living would undoubtedly encourage more corruption.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

While the idea might be fun to think about, such a living would undoubtedly encourage more corruption.

Yeah, it's just a fun fantasy!

 

[Sir Doom]

Right, a democratic republic. Different from a democracy ala Athens, different from a republic ala Rome.

Being a democratic republic is the same as being a democracy and a republic. You could also say we are a republican democracy. Its the same thing.

For the record, I didn't vote for any member of the House, because I knew nothing about them.

That's good.

I know better than to do that. I'm also disappointed in Obama; I didn't vote for the guy he actually is; I voted for the guy he was pretending to be.

And he pretended to be that guy because he knew it would get your vote. I'd venture to guess you knew he was presenting a facade, as well. And voted for him anyway because of the following:

Then again, he still seems far better than all the other choices.

And that illustrates the crux of the problem. We vote for the best choice offered, not the best choice. The best choice isn't even on the table. The best choice doesn't have a prayer in Hell of running, let alone winning. Because the best choice is an honest person who cares more about improving the nation than getting the votes. Which means they wouldn't get the votes.

 

[Riverwolf]

Being a democratic republic is the same as being a democracy and a republic. You could also say we are a republican democracy. Its the same thing.

Still neither Athens nor Rome. 'Sides, we're a republic first and a democracy second.

And he pretended to be that guy because he knew it would get your vote. I'd venture to guess you knew he was presenting a facade, as well. And voted for him anyway because of the following:

And that illustrates the crux of the problem. We vote for the best choice offered, not the best choice. The best choice isn't even on the table. The best choice doesn't have a prayer in Hell of running, let alone winning. Because the best choice is an honest person who cares more about improving the nation than getting the votes. Which means they wouldn't get the votes.

Such people don't yet have any means of getting their voices heard. But that's changing.

'Sides, I knew Obama was corrupt. I didn't think he was craven.

 

[Sir Doom]

It's an extreme example, but many within the Nazi party were just doing their job. True that the voters are much to blame, but a politicians voting habits shouldn't be exempt for morality because "it's their job."

That's why I stated that they think they are doing the right thing. I don't think that extends to the Nazis and I'm certain that's why that defense didn't work at Nuremberg.

I'm not saying they are exempt from morality, I'm saying they are acting morally even if I don't agree with their decision.

 

[averageJOE]

Here is a really common sight that I've witnessed first hand multiple times at different grocery stores: a person in the check out line, talking on their iPhone, with a shopping cart full of steaks, no other groceries, just steaks, and "pay" with food stamps.

It don't take a rocket scientist to know that all they are going to do is sell it.