Friday, August 7, 2009

Venting Session: Food Stamps

We've all seen it and we've all thought the same thing: "Are these people using MY tax dollars to purchase junk food"? That's right, junk food. Cases of Coca-Cola, bags of Cheetos, gallons of ice cream, bags of popsicles, Snickers candy bars, packs of gum, etc. The sight of needy people purchasing garbage that does very little for their health and little to satisfy their hunger makes me sick to my stomach. I have no problem providing some of my tax dollars to assist those in need. Food is a necessity; however, some people don't know how to properly satisfy this particular need. I've thought about this and I have come up with ways to improve the current system. They are as follows:

1) All food stamp recipients must take a number of classes and pass a number of tests prior to receiving food stamp benefits. Each recipient must take a class on exactly where tax dollars come from and how they're generated (state, federal, city, property, sales, etc.), who pays them, and where they go after they are collected. They must also take a class about personal health and the benefits of eating healthy. They will learn recipes, proper cooking techniques, and how to stretch their financial resources. After these prerequisites are fulfilled, the recipient-hopeful must take tests that will demonstrate how well each person paid attention. These tests will be extremely difficult. This will ensure that the classes didn't go for naught and that these recipients understand how precious food stamp benefits truly are. If they fail, they must take the classes all over again. Food stamps will no longer be provided to people showing no initiative towards improving themselves, their families, and/or their situation. If you don't care, neither do we. Exceptions will be made for those with serious mental/physical disabilities.

2) Food stamp recipients will no longer be receiving "cash balances" on their EBT card. They will be provided electronic vouchers that will be good for the purchase of fruits, vegetables, low-fat meats, and other foods not containing high fructose corn syrup. Additional credits/vouchers will be provided for individuals that get their fruits and vegetables from local farmers at weekly farmer's markets. Individuals redeeming their electronic vouchers at a local farmer's market will be able to purchase more fruits and vegetables than if they were to redeem them at a grocery store. Additional credits will also be available for individuals redeeming their vouchers at locally owned (non-chain) grocery stores. This will support local businesses and encourage them to shop at these locations.

3) Men raising children on their own, will receive more benefits than a woman raising children on her own. This will encourage more men to take responsibility for their children. Men and women MUST provide the names of the parental figures prior to receiving benefits. This will also apply to married couples and couples with children living in the same household.

4) The vouchers will only be able to be redeemed by the cardholder and ID must be checked each and every time a voucher is redeemed. Children will no longer be able to come into the grocery store and purchase junk food on their mother's EBT card. This will also make the cardholder and food stamp recipient more responsible.

5) Papa Murphy's Pizza will NO LONGER be able to receive payment via food stamps and/or EBT. A pizza is a luxury item and shouldn't be available to individuals not willing to pay for it themselves.

6) Food stamp benefits/vouchers will decrease as the number of children increase. A set amount will be provided for a mother/father and his/her child. If the mother/father have another child, the total number of benefits will increase, but only slightly. This will discourage food stamp recipients from having children that they cannot financially support. Having a child is a responsibility. If one cannot provide for their person, they shouldn't be having children.

I'm not writing this with a sour taste in my mouth. I'm writing this in hopes of creating a system that teaches people to care for themselves and the lives that they create. I believe that people learn from the consequences of their actions. Failure to learn from one's mistakes speaks volumes about their character.

I also believe in supporting our local farmers. When we purchase junk food, sodas, ice cream, etc. we are hurting our local farmers. Eating junk food should be a luxury and not a way to "get by" or to replace a meal. Have you ever wondered why a good majority of food stamp recipients are overweight? Why their children are overweight and running around "high" on high fructose corn syrup? They need better diets and more discipline.

According to a recent news article, a record 34 million people are now receiving food stamp benefits. Not all food stamp recipients buy junk food, soda, etc. Therefore, this change will not affect them. However, this will affect those that use OUR tax dollars to purchase garbage that satisfy none of the requirements needed by the human body. I'd rather see my tax dollars go towards raising healthier children/families and supporting local farmers.