We are the Tea Party

FOOD STAMP PROGRAM UNDER OBAMA..... GREW BY 39%.... 21 MILLION AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS OR 14%

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/05/congress-mulls-cuts-to-foo...

Congress Mulls Cuts to Food Stamps Program Amid Record Number of Recipients

May 31, 2011 11:48 AM

ABC News' Huma Khan reports: Congress is under pressure to cut the rapidly rising costs of the federal government’s food stamps program at a time when a record number of Americans are relying on it.

The House Appropriations Committee today will review the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bill for the Department of Agriculture that includes $71 billion for the agency’s “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.” That’s $2 billion less than what President Obama requested but a 9 percent increase from 2011, which, critics say, is too large given the sizeable budget deficit.

A record number of Americans -- about 14 percent -- now rely on the federal government’s food stamps program and its rapid expansion in recent years has become a politically explosive topic.

More than 44.5 million Americans received SNAP benefits in March, an 11 percent increase from one year ago and nearly 61 percent higher than the same time four years ago.

Nearly 21 million households are reliant on food stamps.

Opponents of the program argue that money from the food stamps budget -- with what they call its increasingly lax requirements -- needs to be shifted to other programs such as education and child nutrition. The program’s supporters argue that at a time of economic decline, such welfare programs are even more important to try to keep Americans from spiraling into poverty.

The cost of the food stamps program has increased rapidly since it was established by Congress in 1964.

It cost taxpayers more than $68 billion last year, double the amount in 2007.

Nutrition assistance now accounts for more than half -- or about 67 percent -- of the USDA’s budget, compared with 26 percent in 1980. That shift in focus, critics say, is ineffective because it hasn’t put a dent in poverty or hunger in the United States while taking away money from other programs, specifically agricultural programs that should be the main focus of the agency.

Even “at a time of prosperity, we have increased the amount of money we are spending for people to buy food,” said Harold Brown, an agriculture scientist and adjunct scholar at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation. “The appropriation of money by Congress has never solved poverty or the resulting problems of poverty. When President Johnson declared war on poverty a half century ago nearly, we thought we saw the end of it as far as food and nutrition goes. For the Department of Agriculture, we only saw the beginning.”

The Republicans’ 2012 budget plan proposes changing SNAP from an entitlement to a block-grant program that would be tailored for each individual state, much like their proposal for Medicaid. States would no longer receive open-ended subsidies and the aid would be contingent on work or job training. It would also limit funding for the program.

The president’s 2012 budget, however, goes in a completely opposite direction. It aims to make requirements less stringent by temporarily suspending for one year the time limit for certain age groups without dependents. The president also suggested restoring benefit cuts that were included in the Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill last year.

http://newmexicoindependent.com/70258/new-mexico-to-end-food-stamp-...

New Mexico to end food stamp supplement

By Matthew Reichbach | 05.31.11 | 5:55 pm

New Mexico will end a food stamp supplement for elderly and disabled residents, according to the Associated Press. The cuts come just as Congress is considering cuts to the food stamp program even as a record-high amount of people are receiving the benefits.

The AP reports that the Human Services Department will stop the supplement on July 1 because there is no money in the state budget for the program. The program cost half a million dollars last fiscal year.

Federal law requires that those who receive food stamps receive at least $16 a month. New Mexico currently provides at least $25 a month for those who qualify for food stamps.

On a federal level, ABC News reported that Congress is considering spending $2 billion less on food stamps than President Barack Obama says in his version of the budget.

A record number of Americans — about 14 percent — now rely on the federal government’s food stamps program and its rapid expansion in recent years has become a politically explosive topic.More than 44.5 million Americans received SNAP benefits in March, an 11 percent increase from one year ago and nearly 61 percent higher than the same time four years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Jack G Ritchie Jr on June 1, 2011 at 6:04pm

I just got approved for food stamps. For my son and I we will get $8. a piece per month. Wow, we can party and live a life of luxury with that... shouldn't knock it though, something is better than nothing.

Guess I am being rewarded for 45 years of hard work at lower wages, obtaining two degrees, and struggling to purchase a home for banksters to take over.

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Permalink Reply by Benjamin Bolock on June 1, 2011 at 6:33pm

I applied for food stamps with my only income being State Disibility ($548/biweelky) and with my rent at $662 and all other expeditures I was denied. They said my income was too large. I think I was denied because my skin color was too light. Everyone that worked behind the counter in Social Services was Hispanic, with one Black. What's really going on?

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Permalink Reply by Ilene R. Burwick on June 1, 2011 at 7:19pm

Reverse racism.

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Permalink Reply by Brenda V. Calif. on June 1, 2011 at 8:23pm

Racism is racism, and yes it runs wild at Social Services and the Dept. of Agriculture.

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Permalink Reply by Deborah Schermerhorn on June 1, 2011 at 9:28pm

I'm caucasian and work at the welfare dept in my state, food stamps are based on income. It seems to be geared to individuals who exercise their truth bending skills. Funny thing, we are instructed to "accept client's statements". The Obama admin wants as many people on as possible. Next time, bend the truth. Not serious. It's geared to illegals and slackards. Elderly and disabled are pretty much out of luck. Maximum most of them get is $16 month, while the previously mentioned get $200 month for ea individual they claim in their household. Again, no proof required regarding household composition. Thanks Obama.

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Permalink Reply by www.Libertysoup.org on June 2, 2011 at 10:33am

What happens to the soul of a country whose leaders cheat?

Food stamps IS getting something for nothing (or by making others pay for your "POOR"decisions ) which IS stealing. A 39% growth in Food stamps is a clever way to make people Dependo-crats. Who ever bites the hand that feeds them?

Check out www.libertysoup.org & the 535Project for fun innovative ways to WIN.

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Permalink Reply by Ginger Lymbery on June 1, 2011 at 10:30pm

Maybe if they cut the food stamps for illegal invader criminals from Mexico, they would have enough to supplement the poor seniors who can no longer work. Nevada is loaded with illegals...it is time to do something about this crap.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Thompson on June 2, 2011 at 12:18am

What is going on is the loss of your equality as an American citizen. If you aren't black or hispanic (preferably female ) you are a second class citizen. Well that's not completely true, if you are a Democrat and or a union member that trumps the system. If you are white and a Chrisitian you are really in trouble especially if you stand up for what you believe! I can't believe I am saying this. I have never hated anyone, not even after coming back from Nam and being treated as we were (still are by the media) and I don't hate anyone now but I am at the end of my rope with putting up with what is going on. Oh we forgot social security, there is an hispanic woman locally that makes rude people seem polite. As for food stamps, I would consider stealing more honorable then accepting handouts from Washington!

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Permalink Reply by Louis Bird on June 2, 2011 at 9:57am

You have it right Ben, Wrong Color or Flavor. My sister and her husband are both disabled, no income and they can't get crap. Neighbors have 2 kids good jobs and get all they want Free, Food stamps, money for home etc. But they are a darker color. And no one can tell me that its not a race based program. Well they can but I am not stupid enough to believe them

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Permalink Reply by Robert Blakeley on June 2, 2011 at 6:56pm

Me too. I was making $8 an hour ($4 after the state took half for child support). Now I'm unemployed and the local county run welfare office has generously offered me enough gas money to leave town PERMANENTLY!

No other assistance was offered.

But what really kills me is the people I see using food stamps to buy soda pop, ice cream, and even sushi.

I do very well myself dumpster diving at the local grocery store these days. And to think, before this DEPRESSION started I was making $37 an hour and able to pay all my bills and send a couple thousand to my kids for support every month. Thanks to congress, the federal reserve, and our current president, I need support.

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Permalink Reply by Rita Blackmon on June 2, 2011 at 7:39pm

So sorry Robert Blakely, but I think it is race based and unwed mother based as a program..

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Permalink Reply by Tana W. Bernard on June 5, 2011 at 1:20am

Too many hispanics getting them. Or illegals... Look at the Medicare and Social Security Disability Obunner's Auntie Z gets. She was under deportation orders until strings were pulled. She is not a citizen nor did she work and pay taxes or into SS. Too many benefits being paid out to non-citizens!