Posted on 10/07/2010 5:41:38 AM PDT by Doogle
NEW YORK -- New Yorkers on food stamps would not be allowed to spend them on sugar-sweetened drinks under an obesity-fighting proposal being floated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson.
Bloomberg and Paterson planned to announce Thursday that they are seeking permission from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the nation's food stamp program, to add sugary drinks to the list of prohibited goods for city residents receiving assistance.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Not everybody is for the government controlling citizens' lives. I'd cut the food stamps off completely. Okay, maybe I'd allow low fat milk, potatoes and brussel sprouts.
Last Valentine's Day the stores were advertising that they'd take food stamps for boxes of Russel Stover candy. That is wrong.
And I regret that conservatives can’t have any empathy for those who are struggling financially, often through no fault of their own.
Creating an entitlement is not empathy.
I am upset at what is going on. I hate seeing hard working people being exploited to subsidize those that routinely game the system. Today, it's different. We have decent people, ashamed of being “caught” on unemployment and food stamps. My ultimate goal needs to be put off till we HOPEFULLY turn things around.
It's all interrelated. Our economy is tanking more and more. The private sector is sitting on their hands waiting for the next shoe to drop. They're still figuring out how this hellcare bill will affect them and not hiring because of all the uncertainty. It all feeds on each other.
What I know is this, when taxes are LOW and incentives are there for the private sector, capitalism lifts people UP. The opposite is going on so this hinders what I’ like to see happen.
In the 80’s when we were “greedy” - LOL!!!, CHARITY was at all time highs! We are the most generous and big hearted country in the world. It's hard to watch people of means also holding back ... I understand why ... and I can't blame them ... so charity falls and so does job creation in the private sector. Speaking of charity, it is no longer tax deductible - that needs to change back to being tax deductible. The result of this is pushing people to government.
We truly need to VOTE THESE HIDEOUS PEOPLE OUT and then try to get back on track to what once made us a great nation. I love this country as I am sure you do too. If you have children,I'm sure you also want to leave them better opportunities.
Providing food for the hungry is.
Providing luxuries to the lazy isn’t.
Could it be you confuse gov't intrusion as empathy. Or do you think it is just easier that way?
The government intrusion would be telling people what kind of food to eat and drinks to drink. Have you ever known anyone who received food stamps? Food pantries across the nation are saying they have never seen so many people seeking assistance. It isn’t just bums like you think. Food stamps are a safety net paid for with tax dollars, just like bank and auto bailouts. Go complain about those.
What has caused you to assume that everyone who receives food stamps is lazy? Are you aware of how hard it is to find a job these days? Not everyone is fortunate enough to live in your perfect little world.
If I spend money out of your pocket, should you have a say in how it is spent?
LOL!!
If it really mattered what I thought about how the government spent my tax dollars they would only get “protect and defend” money.
If YOU took money out of my pocket we'd have some legal papers drawn up on conditions. Nothing personal against you. Unfortunately the government isn't a private individual and we are not able to sue them for misusing our tax dollars so your argument doesn't apply.
What can work is to vote these Communists OUT.
As well as giving others earned money away to those who would rather not work for it.
Have you ever known anyone who received food stamps?
Yes. So?
It isn’t just bums like you think.
Why the need to put words in my mouth?
Absolutely - live on the taxpayer dime, you accept certain limits on what you can buy with that (stolen) dime.
Additionally - if it were up to me - if you accept unearned government assistance, you forfeit your right to vote until you are off said assistance. This one policy alone would bring about true “hope and change” this country needs to survive. No more leeches voting themselves more and more of other peoples treasure. You want to live free - live free. You want a nanny or sugar daddy from cradle to grave - you give up certain freedoms and rights for it.
We’re now into our third or fourth generation of people that have known nothing but the welfare state.
The 40+ years of the welfare state has destroyed far more lives than it’s helped.
Trust me, not everybody on food stamps is looking for a job.
You’re not doing anybody a favor by teaching them the government is there to provide for their every want.
“Okay, maybe I’d allow low fat milk, ...”
Sigh. I remember milk. Straight from the cow.
What is this week substance, that you call “low fat milk”?
My pee has more nutrition.
I am talking about temporary situations due to unemployment, health issues, etc. I never said people should strive to be on welfare for life.
That was a well-thought out and intelligent response.
Neither Bloomberg nor Paterson is likely to suffer any retribution at the ballot box. Bloomberg just began his third term as NYC mayor this year, and is unlikely to attempt a fourth. Paterson is stepping down as NY governor st the end of this year and, considering his dismal record and unpopularity, is unlikely to be a candidate for public office in the future.
This business is just so typical of nanny statists. The thinking here is that if the proposal goes into effect, the food stamp recipients banned from purchasing the sugary drinks could just as well allocate those same food stamps toward items containing more calories. So you might end up with even more obesity.
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