The Food Nazi Says NO SHRIMP FOR YOU: How One State Plans to Feed the Poor.

[AthenaAwakened]

A bill proposed by state Rep. Robert Brooks (R) would ban stores from accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cards for lobster, shrimp, and any other form of shellfish, and set a long list of additional rules for the first two-thirds of a recipient’s monthly spending. Lawmakers held a committee hearing Thursday on the bill, which would require a federal waiver to implement.

An average of 420,000 households received SNAP each month in Wisconsin in 2014. The average recipient household got $220 per month from the program last year. Brooks’ restrictions would apply to all but $72.60 per month for the average household affected. And even that amount could not be spent on any form of shellfish.

...

The law would restrict access to a whole range of commonplace ingredients. Some of the things that would be harder to buy for poor families who cook include “herbs, spices, or seasonings,” all nuts, red and yellow potatoes, smoothies, spaghetti sauce, “soups, salsas, ketchup,” sauerkraut, pickles, dried beans sold in bulk, and white or albacore tuna. (Cans of “light tuna” are allowed under the rules.)

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/05/01/3653919/wisconsin-food-stamps-shellfish/

Here is link to what allowed in WI on the states WIC (Women, Infants, and Children's) nutrition program: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p4/p44578.pdf

 

[ZiprHead]

That's fucking stupid!!!

 

[NobleSavage]

Leviticus 11:9-12
These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination. Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.

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On a more serious note, the more the government give you the more they can control you.

 

[AthenaAwakened]

Leviticus 11:9-12
These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination. Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.

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On a more serious note, the more the government give you the more they can control you.

The thing is, SNAP benefits have been and are being cut, and the lower the benefits go, the more restrictions are applied.

 

[NobleSavage]

It's more like we are returning to baseline.

 

[NobleSavage]

If I'm not mistaken this is tucked into the Farm Bill right? Neither party is bitching about the subsidies that go to agribusiness. Anyone, know how much those add up to?

 

[AthenaAwakened]

If I'm not mistaken this is tucked into the Farm Bill right? Neither party is bitching about the subsidies that go to agribusiness. Anyone, know how much those add up to?

Do you mean the Federal Bill?

 

[bilby]

Because not letting people make their own decisions is always a good idea.

And giving less to the poor has helped the USA achieve crime rates and poverty levels that are the envy of the rest of the developed world.

If being cruel to the least fortunate in society isn't helping to reduce crime, unemployment and poverty, then obviously you are not being cruel enough yet.

 

[ZiprHead]

The law would restrict access to a whole range of commonplace ingredients. Some of the things that would be harder to buy for poor families who cook include “herbs, spices, or seasonings,” all nuts, red and yellow potatoes, smoothies, spaghetti sauce, “soups, salsas, ketchup,” sauerkraut, pickles, dried beans sold in bulk, and white or albacore tuna. (Cans of “light tuna” are allowed under the rules.)

This is the part that's fucking stupid.

 

[NobleSavage]

If I'm not mistaken this is tucked into the Farm Bill right? Neither party is bitching about the subsidies that go to agribusiness. Anyone, know how much those add up to?

Do you mean the Federal Bill?

Yeah, I'm confusing the Federal Bill with the state restrictions you posted. For the record I think the restrictions are dumb, but I also think when the government gives you goodies they then can do stupid shit like this. This is why I'm mostly against more socialism in the US -- we are not advanced enough for it.

I've got a friend who thinks that food stamps should only be used for beans and rice because starving people in the third world can only dream of such. I don't think he is alone in thinking this.

 

[Bronzeage]

A bill proposed by state Rep. Robert Brooks (R) would ban stores from accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cards for lobster, shrimp, and any other form of shellfish, and set a long list of additional rules for the first two-thirds of a recipient’s monthly spending. Lawmakers held a committee hearing Thursday on the bill, which would require a federal waiver to implement.

An average of 420,000 households received SNAP each month in Wisconsin in 2014. The average recipient household got $220 per month from the program last year. Brooks’ restrictions would apply to all but $72.60 per month for the average household affected. And even that amount could not be spent on any form of shellfish.

...

The law would restrict access to a whole range of commonplace ingredients. Some of the things that would be harder to buy for poor families who cook include “herbs, spices, or seasonings,” all nuts, red and yellow potatoes, smoothies, spaghetti sauce, “soups, salsas, ketchup,” sauerkraut, pickles, dried beans sold in bulk, and white or albacore tuna. (Cans of “light tuna” are allowed under the rules.)

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/05/01/3653919/wisconsin-food-stamps-shellfish/

Here is link to what allowed in WI on the states WIC (Women, Infants, and Children's) nutrition program: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p4/p44578.pdf

You want find any of that kind of talk in my state. I bet Wisconsin rules were easy on the cheese regulations.

 

[thebeave]

I dunno, I'm not a shrimp kinda guy, but it seems to me that with shrimp, you spend a lot of money, but don't get much in the way of nutrition or calories. At least compared to something like tuna, or pork or chicken. It doesn't seem unreasonable to have restrictions on what can or cannot be purchased for those on gov't assistance. Should they be allowed to buy caviar so they can impress their friends? Filet Mignon? Where should the line be drawn?

Consider this analogy. I've been poor. In college, my dad paid half my expenses and I paid the other half. I guess I could have bought all kinds of fancy delicacies with my dad's money and then just begged or complained to him for more later, but I respected his gift of the money and spent it wisely and frugally. If you have kids in college and aren't a one percenter yourself, wouldn't you want them to do the same? Or are you OK with them buying anything they want? Isn 't this a similar situation to government food aid?

 

[Underseer]

Because not letting people make their own decisions is always a good idea.

And giving less to the poor has helped the USA achieve crime rates and poverty levels that are the envy of the rest of the developed world.

If being cruel to the least fortunate in society isn't helping to reduce crime, unemployment and poverty, then obviously you are not being cruel enough yet.

What's so great about communism? Huh? Did you miss the memo that communism failed? Remember the fall of the Berlin wall?

Europe is nothing but communist countries, and just look at them! They have more poverty, people starve, and they have shorter lifespans. If Europe would just reject communism, they could be as free and prosperous as we Americans! The formula is simple: step on the necks of the poor as much as possible so that they will decide not to be poor anymore, then give as much money as possible to large corporations.

You too can enjoy the kind of success and freedom we have in America if you would just follow our example! Instead, you willingly choose to live in a socialist dictatorship. [/conservolibertarian]

 

[AthenaAwakened]

Do you mean the Federal Bill?

Yeah, I'm confusing the Federal Bill with the state restrictions you posted. For the record I think the restrictions are dumb, but I also think when the government gives you goodies they then can do stupid shit like this. This is why I'm mostly against more socialism in the US -- we are not advanced enough for it.

I've got a friend who thinks that food stamps should only be used for beans and rice because starving people in the third world can only dream of such. I don't think he is alone in thinking this.

People on SNAP are generally people who are working, are on disability, or are pensioners. They are tax paying citizens. The government (the one of the people, by the people and for the people) isn't "giving goodies" to anyone.

 

[AthenaAwakened]

I dunno, I'm not a shrimp kinda guy, but it seems to me that with shrimp, you spend a lot of money, but don't get much in the way of nutrition or calories. At least compared to something like tuna, or pork or chicken. It doesn't seem unreasonable to have restrictions on what can or cannot be purchased for those on gov't assistance. Should they be allowed to buy caviar so they can impress their friends? Filet Mignon? Where should the line be drawn?

Do you really thing people will spend their entire benefit (on average less than $200 a month) on an appetizer that can cost hundreds of dollars an ounce?

 

[NobleSavage]

People on SNAP are generally people who are working, are on disability, or are pensioners.

Yes, I know.

They are tax paying citizens.

A lot of them are making money when they file their taxes - the EITC.

The government (the one of the people, by the people and for the people) isn't "giving goodies" to anyone.

Sure they are. Where is Axulus with the numbers? How much do you have to pay in taxes before you are paying more than what you get?

 

[Valjean]

How did dried, bulk beans get on the list? What could be cheaper and more nutritious than beans?

 

[RavenSky]

The law would restrict access to a whole range of commonplace ingredients. Some of the things that would be harder to buy for poor families who cook include “herbs, spices, or seasonings,” all nuts, red and yellow potatoes, smoothies, spaghetti sauce, “soups, salsas, ketchup,” sauerkraut, pickles, dried beans sold in bulk, and white or albacore tuna. (Cans of “light tuna” are allowed under the rules.)

This is the part that's fucking stupid.

More stupid than the other part, definitely.

Dry beans sold in bulk is a very cheap food source and should be encouraged - not restricted. Likewise nuts. And no herbs/species? I guess poor people should be forced to eat bland, crappy food?

What do these politicians have against shellfish anyway (other than the religious prohibition)

I don't have a problem with not being able to use SNAP for cigarettes or alcohol. I wouldn't even have a problem with restrictions against soda or the really crappy bad-for-your-health foods.

But beans and nuts? Who's brain fart came up with that one?

 

[NobleSavage]

This is the part that's fucking stupid.

More stupid than the other part, definitely.

Dry beans sold in bulk is a very cheap food source and should be encouraged - not restricted. Likewise nuts. And no herbs/species? I guess poor people should be forced to eat bland, crappy food?

What do these politicians have against shellfish anyway (other than the religious prohibition)

I don't have a problem with not being able to use SNAP for cigarettes or alcohol. I wouldn't even have a problem with restrictions against soda or the really crappy bad-for-your-health foods.

But beans and nuts? Who's brain fart came up with that one?

Look into what company is in competition with beans and nuts -- Frito-Lay? -- then look for donations.

 

[AthenaAwakened]

This is the part that's fucking stupid.

More stupid than the other part, definitely.

Dry beans sold in bulk is a very cheap food source and should be encouraged - not restricted. Likewise nuts. And no herbs/species? I guess poor people should be forced to eat bland, crappy food?

What do these politicians have against shellfish anyway (other than the religious prohibition)

I don't have a problem with not being able to use SNAP for cigarettes or alcohol. I wouldn't even have a problem with restrictions against soda or the really crappy bad-for-your-health foods.

But beans and nuts? Who's brain fart came up with that one?

Shrimp is for good people, working people. Poor people (who obviously don't work hence they are poor) are just trying to act above their station when they dare to eat shrimp.