1/4 of American kids on food stamps! USA a-ok?

[SvennoJ]

sethnintendo said:

SvennoJ said:

fordy said:

Over here, we add incentive to healthy food by exempting it from the GST. There are no food stamps here, but perhaps something similar can be done to achieve a compromise.

For instance, have food classifications and different kind of foodstamps. Foodstamps under, for example, class A can only buy fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. Class B could be stuff like Bread, Eggs, etc. A higher classification foodstamp (like junk food "C") can substitute when buying class "B" or "A" products, but not the opposite. Finally, regulate the foodstamps so like 90% are class A or B, and the remainder are class C.

Just a thought...

Or you can scrap foodstamps and replace them with food banks. That would create some jobs, provide a place to donate food and money too on a community level, and they can make bulk deals buying food to distribute amongst the most needy.

You ever been to a food bank?  They mainly give canned veggies, beans, etc and junk food that didn't sell in stores (discontinued).  I picked up a box or two while I was in college and believe me there is a lot of work to be done for food banks.  From my experience the food bank didn't provide anything that healthy or of much substance.

No, but I've heard stories that what you get is far from ideal. Still that seems easier to improve then trust people to buy the right stuff. Most of the people I know that got into financial trouble did it themselves by spending beyond their means until the bills caught up with them. The food stamp system, how I understand it works, feels like throwing good money after bad.

A system like Fordy could work too but can easily become overly complicated. Before you know it we'll be giving out free iPhones with a food stamp app to keep track of what you can buy.

Having to rely on a foodbank is a bigger incentive to get into a better situation yourself.
In my opinion, normal social assistance should be a minimum from which a smart person can live. If you still screw up with that, then there is the foodbank.