Foodstamps Surge By Most In One Year To New All Time Record, In Delayed Release

Zero Hedge ^

[Perdogg]

While there had been speculation that the BLS may delay the release of its October nonfarm payroll number until after the election, it turned out there was no reason to worry. Perhaps this is because the number, while at stall speed, was not quite as horrible as some had expected (even if the change in average hourly earnings did tumble to new all time lows) and so boosted Obama's reelection chances. There was, however, another closely tracked number which perhaps is far more indicative of the economic "growth" in the past 4 years, which certainly had a delayed release. The number of course is that showing how many Americans are on foodstamps, and usually is released at the end of the month, or the first day or two of the next month. This time the USDA delayed its release nine days past the semi-official deadline, far past the election, and until Friday night to report August foodstamp data. One glance at the number reveals why: at 47.1 million, this was not only a new all time record, but the monthly increase of 420,947 from July was the biggest monthly increase in one year. One can see why a reported surge in foodstamps ahead of the elections is something the USDA, and the administration may not have been too keen on disclosing.

[GeronL]

There are something like 50 different entitlement programs

AFDC, WIC, there are programs to your utilities, section 8 rent vouchers (can be $2,000+ a month in some places)... on and on

[rovenstinez]

I think I’ll go down and apply now. No one really wants to fix anything, and I might as well enjoy this the last dance.

[Morris70]

Thanks. Couldn’t figure it out and tried to find some sort of parameter that allowed it.
Some people do need this. I’m sure there are some people who use this honorably .

[Excellence]

They were also given an increase in their allotment a couple of months ago.

[NoLibZone]

[riri]

Not just that but so many who may have gone on to have nice lives will never now.

[BluH2o]

In 1887 Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior:

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.
A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.
From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury,
with the result that every democracy will finally collapse over loose fiscal policy,
(which is) always followed by a dictatorship."

[Slump Tester]

"A recipient isn’t going to be trying that for very long before he or she learns some math."

That EBT card is just their Obama money. They make their REAL money selling crack and their sisters.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Well it seems if they had been selling crack and their sisters already, it begs to be asked why the uptick in deluxe goods being bought. Because that’s already a darn deluxe budget.

[CARDINALRULES]

I have EBT and Medicaid and plan on trying to get SSI - yes I am actually disabled and unable to work.

I always take a little pleasure in knowing I don’t vote like they expect each time I have to fill out the voter registration form. I refuse to vote for any democrat at the state and national level. Not likely to at the local level either.

[Teacher317]

I don’t see how that can keep up. The cards are not worth enough to buy such food daily. A recipient isn’t going to be trying that for very long

That's kind of the point. The majority of recipients ARE able to feed themselves, and buy their cigarettes and alcohol, too. The EBT cards are extra cash, for luxuries. Some buy high-end foods. Others sell them for 50-70% of their value, and use the cash for other distractions.

[snarkytart]

Well, Obama voters, be careful of that for which you wish - you may get it. Your life is not going to get better. Sure, you will get by on foodstamps and subsidies, but your life will suck under Obama. Without economic growth, you are so screwed as the price of energy and food goes up and you barely scrape by. Let’s see how that works out for you. Idiots.

---

Excellent point. They won’t be able to afford food, clothes and gas regardless of their free stuff.

[daniel1212]

Good quote, even if Tyler as the source cannot be verified: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2956588/posts?page=30#30

[daniel1212]

Related: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2957338/posts?page=39#39

[Borax Queen]

I know, I need to figure out a way to get something. 35 years of paying massive amounts into SS that I will never see a dime of. Never collected a penny of anything in my life. Am penalized for not having children and get to subsidize large families of illegal alien criminals and their offspring. I’m tired of breaking my back for all of the leeches and just want a little bit of my Ponzi scheme money back. This is why I don’t begrudge many of those unemployed now on disability. At least THEY paid into the system, some longer than others, unlike most of the looters.