Posted on 12/11/2013 1:21:25 PM PST by Kaslin
Inquiring minds are digging into the alleged "Draconian Cuts" in Food Stamps as championed by the Daily Koz. Of course the Daily Koz is not alone in whining about "draconian" cuts.
Note: The food stamp program is now called "SNAP" Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
"The Unthinkable"
On December 5, Greg Kaufmann, writer for The Nation wondered Why Is a Senate Democrat Agreeing to Another $8 Billion in Food Stamp Cuts?
On the same day that President Obama eloquently described his vision of an economy defined by economic mobility and opportunity for all, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow was busy cutting a deal with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas to slice another $8 to $9 billion from food stamps (SNAP), according to a source close to the negotiations.
“That was the first time in history that a Democratic-controlled Senate had even proposed cutting the SNAP program,” said Joel Berg, executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger. “The willingness of some Senate Democrats to double new cuts to the program…is unthinkable.”
Mother Jones Says "Kill the Farm Bill Entirely"
Bitching and moaning would not be complete without Mother Jones getting in on the act. On November 12, Mother Jones proposed House Dems Can Block GOP Food Stamp Cuts—by Killing the Farm Bill
The food stamps program—which helps feed 1 in 7 Americans—is in peril. Republicans in the House have proposed a farm bill—the five-year bill that funds agriculture and nutrition programs—that would slash food stamps by $40 billion. But by taking advantage of House Republicans' desire to cut food stamps as much as possible, Democrats might be able to prevent cuts from happening at all.
To pull it off, Democrats would have to derail the farm bill entirely, which would maintain food stamp funding at current levels.
Where's the Beef?
On December 10, The Tennessean more evenly covers the issue in its report TN House Republicans back $40 billion in food stamp cuts.
The future of food stamps — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — remains the largest sticking point in House-Senate negotiations to finalize a new farm bill before the end of the year.
In September, the House approved a farm bill that cuts almost $40 billion from food stamps over 10 years — about 5 percent a year. The Senate earlier approved a bill that would cut $4 billion over that time.
At $80 billion a year, food stamps remain the single costliest item in the farm bill. The program serves almost 48 million Americans and 1.34 million Tennesseans — about 20 percent of the state population.
Among House members from Tennessee, all but Reps. Jim Cooper of Nashville and Steve Cohen of Memphis — the two Democrats in the state’s congressional delegation — voted for the bill making $40 billion in cuts.
Groups such as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal-leaning Washington think tank, say cuts of that magnitude would result in denying benefits to 3.8 million low-income Americans in 2014.
“Those who would be thrown off the program include some of the nation’s most destitute adults, as well as many low-income children, seniors and families that work for low wages,” the CBPP said in an analysis of the House bill. “The House SNAP bill is harsh.”
Rep. John Duncan, R-Knoxville, complained that administrators of the program “have no incentive to keep people off.”
“They will get bigger offices, staffs and funding if even more people get food stamps,” he said.
Close Inspection of "Draconian" Cuts
Please note that the alleged $40 billion in cuts is really only $4 billion in a close to $80 billion program. They arrive at $40 billion by multiplying $4 billion by 10 years.
OK Fine. The cuts then are $40 billion in an $800 billion program. And I actually doubt we will ever see those "cuts" in the first place.
A few charts from reader Tim Wallace will help explain.
SNAP Growth in Benefits
click on any chart for sharper image
SNAP Benefit Facts
SNAP Participation
SNAP Participation Facts
SNAP Per Person Benefits
SNAP Per Person Benefits Facts
Supposedly a 5% cut is draconian.
The Problem
As is typical with government programs, there is no incentive by the administrators to eliminate waste or fraud.
The more funding for food stamps, the bigger the salaries and staffs of the administrators.
I suggest that we need a way to provide necessary safety-net benefits while simultaneously providing an incentive to get off the program and get a job.
I repeat my proposal.
Mish SNAP Proposal
My proposal will not only lower the cost of the food stamp program, the resultant healthier diets would lower Medicaid and Medicare costs as well.
Moreover, my proposal would give people a strong incentive to get off the food stamp program without intrusive, costly big-brother ideas like drug testing which cannot possibly work for the simple reason that anyone who fails will steal to get food rather than starve.
Why don’t we have “fuel stamps” for poor people too?
I mean driving is important, right?
“Why don’t we have “fuel stamps” for poor people too?”
SHHHH!
Restore the import tariffs. Bring back American industry. Put Americans back to work. Food stamps will fix itself.
Cutting food stamps without fixing employment will cost the GOP elections.
I saw “ebt accepted” on a gas pump in Arkansas.
Actually doing some fraud prevention might cut the food stamp budget by 40%.
You mean those unfeeling ‘Pubbies actually reduced the rate of increase in the Food Stamp Program?
Interesting. I wonder if that’s for gasoline or the nutritious grub inside.
It might, but I doubt it would reduce it more than 10%. Most of the increase can be directly linked to the poor economy.
Still, do the fraud prevention and let the Food stamp outlays fall accordingly. Don't do an arbitrary cut to the food stamp program in hopes that they might make up for it by implementing a fraud prevention program.
They should hire that guy who does video stings and give him a staff and funding to audit the program.
I don’t think this was a convenience type place, just a kiosk.
I think there is a cash component on EBT - that might be what it was about.
Still, I was paying $3.30 for my gas, and buying someone else’s against my will. It really ticked me off.
I saw a hand written EBT Accepted sign on a fudge kiosk at the BJS in Newnan, GA.
The cash part is called TANF.
A local tv station here got a computer file of all TANF card swipes by Indiana recipients for 2012.
Vegas, Nevada brothels, Puerto Rico, Disney (LA and FL), Hawaii, all showed up as locations used.
DON’T GIVE THEM ANY IDEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you also advocating "car stamps?"
And don’t forget “housing stamps” for folks to pay their rent/mortgage with.
And clothing stamps, as we can’t have folks running around naked.
Right on target, Joe Carr for US Senate, send the RINO Lamar Alexander, over 70 home to play with his great grands before they become parents!
Carr is a TN Legislator, has a good conservative track record, unlike the RINO lamar. Whose chief of staff jut got caught in a child porn issue.
Lamar Alexander’s Chief Of Staff Investigated For Child Pornography
WRWG TV
George Brown 12/11/13
http://wreg.com/2013/12/11/home-of-lamar-alexanders-chief-of-staff-being-searched/
Did the Draconians have food stamps? Are they related to the Romulans or the Amish?
Good point, at least doing SOMETHING that looks like fixing the climate for job creation.
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