 October 7th, 2010
03:45 PM ET
Take sugary drinks and soda out of items eligible for purchase through food stamps, New York officials said Thursday. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exclude sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas and sports drinks from food stamp eligibility, because of their effects on obesity. Under the New York proposal, city food stamp recipients would not be able to buy soda using food stamps for two years. “This initiative will give New York families more money to spend on foods and drinks that provide real nourishment,” Bloomberg said in a press release. The Big Apple has been the vanguard in many health initiatives – banning trans fats in restaurants, proposing the end of smoking in outdoor public areas and requiring calorie counts on the menu. CNN Health has the FULL STORY |
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For people who are in a truly desparate situation, their food stamps may be all that they have for food for the month. And depending upon how destitute they are otherwise, they might have very little to find joy in.
I say let them have their soda or treats. If it's a food item, let them have it. That may be all the treat they can afford for themselves or their kids.
Know what actually would help? Some one-on-one food counciling. Maybe some cooking lessons, and something to show them how to stretch a penny and make good healthy meals on the cheap. But let them have something to look forward to. Like as not they had jobs and paid taxes too, before falling on hard times. Not everyone is on welfare because they want to be.
I don't give a damn about other people's weight problems, and I'm perfectly willing to help out those who need help making ends meet, to provide their family with pantry staples like fruit, vegetables, meat, milk, bread, butter, eggs, flour, etc.. But I'm not paying for that Snickers bar or the 32 oz. of soda they feel they must consume daily or feel horribly deprived. People can buy whatever they like, but they should budget for non-essentials out of their own cash, just like anybody else–just like those of us who *don't* get food stamps to pay for them! When I'm near the end of a paycheck, I buy potatoes, not potato chips, and I drink water, not soda. We're so spoiled and entitled now that what was once considered a common-sense part of the economics of raising a family–with or without food stamps–is now considered a near martyrdom. Oh, and of course, "discrimination." Let's not forget that. That's the trump card, and whoever plays it first, wins.
All snacks should also be banned because it is not only sugary soft drinks that cause obesity, it is also chips, Twinkies, Little Debbie cakes and all the other cheap food that the food stamp recipients purchase. Instead of buying fruits and vegetables for these poor kids, their lazy, obese moms are giving them quick garbage to eat. Thank you Mayor Bloomberg for at least trying to do the right thing for the next generation.
I think the food stamps should be replaced by something like necessities stamps. Meaning basic food and also basic toiletries and household things (soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc.) Only because I used to work at a grocery store and saw people buying things like soda, chips, even lobsters and bakery cakes with their food stamps...yet someone wouldn't be able to get something like a pack of toilet paper.
It would be better to have a list of accepted items, basic food that must be prepared at home (it's cheaper than prepared food) and basic necessities that don't happen to be edible. I budget because I must pay for these things myself as a single mother. Let others budget and learn how to make these things in a less expensive manner as well. Whole foods= more work but cheaper and healthier result.
I think that's a fair option. Food stamps should be used for necessities only and there should be a list, if you don't like the list then get a job and buy what you want but if it's being "handed to you" then you get only what is allowed on the program. I also agree with another poster about food stamp recipients having to turn in reciepts in order to show that they are being used to buy necessities....no reciepts...no more food stamps.
God, I love New York. After living in Texas and California, I have decided that more states should follow NY's example. No trans fat in restaurants + calorie listings = a GOOD thing to help us eat healthier and make healthier decisions. With the rate at which obesity has increased in the past 10 years, I don't think most people should be saying that "I should be able to eat whatever I want with no consequences." Sorry, not true anymore. Eating whatever you want will cost the US billions of dollars in health care regarding obesity when it consists of soda, donuts, McDonald's and junk food. It's not about you anymore... it's not about me anymore... it's about US as a whole. Now, let's do something about it one step at a time and please, stop b*tching about it. It won't help!
A person's existence is two-fold. Our instincts focus on the struggle for survival, but our higher functions focus on the struggle for meaning. Unfortunately, so many people can do no better than focus on their survival because they lack resources. I guarantee that if you help take away a person's struggle to find their next meal or rent check, they'll start looking for ways to contribute to society. I have no problem with empowering the government with helping to eliminate our struggle for survival, and in exchange letting the free market stimulate us in our quest for meaning (science, art, entertainment, commerce.) If this means regulating the kinds of food products one can purchase while under their support, I don't see a problem with it, so long as it's within our best interests. Simply put, if you need help, accept that sometimes it comes with terms.
Also, while I see from anecdotal evidence presented here that there will always be people who abuse the system, I would rather HAVE a system in place that benefits the most people of good character as possible. For every one person gaming the system, there are 10 families or more who are surviving thanks to the aid they receive.
First of all this is just more ways of controlling us. It wont stop anyone from drinking soda. They will just sell their foodstamps to be able to get it. Plus if they are going to do that then they should just go ahead and make sure people cant buy flour,oil, and chicken. Wouldnt want them eating greasy fried chicken would we? Also all they have to do is vuy a bag of sugar and tea bags and they can make sweet tea equivalent to McDonald's. If they are so concerned with obesity why not shut down all the fast food joints? Oh...I forgot...corporations put money in the politicians pockets. There are reasons you shouldnt eat starches. They can cause diabetes just as much as sugar when consumed in large amounts. Does that mean we are to stop selling rice and potatoes? This would sound like a dictative decision that I would expect from a communist country.
Hey don't knock food stamps. It's the only other way to get support from the government when you can't get unemployed benefits.
Don't give me that I'm paying taxes bullshit. Everyone pays taxes, including those buying food using stamps.
Trig, people who are using food stamps to purchase food are not paying taxes, it's not their money it's the gov'ts money.
actually, alot of people on food stamps pay taxes too. My husband died 5 yrs ago, with a child on the way. I worked but it wasnt enough to make ends meet. I paid more in taxes a month than what I received in benefits. yes when you purchase food using food stamps it is tax free, but just because you have benefits doesn't mean you dont pay taxes.
Most soda is made with HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. Are specifics, such as this, outlined in this proposal? It is one of the major causes of obesity, not sugar. It also contains MERCURY, which never exits the body. It just builds up somewhere, such as , the aorta and/or destroys the liver or kidneys. Also, type 2 diabetes. Trade ya your foot for a soda. They should pass a proposal for that shiz, sheepies!
Your Mama named you funny.
Most soda is made with
I work for Public Assistance and ma told for every $1 i n Food Stamps spent in the community $5.00 is added to the economy, food stamps have become an amazing government subsidy.
Yeah. Sure it does. Please don't believe everything you hear. I'd like to see your math behind that.
An actual fact is that every dollar given to someone is taken from someone else. Period. Actually more than a dollar because all of the things you have to pay for to give that person their dollar. People on welfare ( those that are physically able to) should have to find their own transportation (i.e. bus, friend, their own car etc) to a government distribution center where they give you the necessities to survive on. Eggs, milk, chicken, the cheap cuts of meat. I cannot count the times that me and my wife waited in line behind someone with stamps complaining about the price on an item while they had their carts full of the best meats, chips, soda, snacks etc.. Meanwhile, us workin stiffs carefully budgeted our meals and looked past the things we wanted but couldn't afford just to get by. I am all for helping out our neighbors, but the times are tough and why should all of us that pay in sacrifice so much for those that only wish to exploit us.
When we were a younger couple I did take some help. But that was from friends or family that I would work for. I made damn sure that I did something of value so I didn't feel like a mooch. Where is the pride in this country anymore?
BTW.
You really want to turn a $1 into a $5? Do what we did and put it away. That and the next 4 $'s.
Eric
Duz dis mean I can't by my MD 2020 no mo?
I"m gonna SUE these Yankee Bastards.
My husband and I worked all of our lives and put into the system.And so have many other Americans.Now that we're disabilied and husband is in living room in a hospital bed lactose tolerant and needs no caffine Sprite he should be penalizled?! Give me a break we have already had our SSI taken away from the both of us because of the state of Maine which SSI is a fedrally mandated program we all paid into and they won't give it to us.We get one check a month for $1,032.00 morgage is $770.00 you do the math! And now the state of Maine is taking away $51.00 of our food stamps.UNBELIEVABLE! This stae received thousands of stimulis dollars and were is it? In the poloticans pockets not going where it's supposed to be that's for sure.We're not isolated just digusted like everyone else.Bloomberg walk in our shoes for a week you wouldn't be able to handle it.None of us deserve to be treated like this.Thought this was America it seems more and more communisum.(207-993-2054)answering machine due to having to go to dr's.Thank you and I love your program.
I sympathize with your situation, but I take issue with your assertion that your husband NEEDS Sprite. Most assuredly, he does not. And, by the way... you can still go right ahead and buy all the Sprite you want. Just not with Food Stamps.
You're cold. How do you know anything about what he needs? I hope when you're at retirement age, you are in their situation. I'd love to see you fight for just the basics on food stamps then.
actually...some people do need a sweetened beverage, its called diabetes. Guess what else. not all people with diabetes are obese, it can be genetic. If your sugar dropped too low, you're home alone, you need to make sure you have some sort of sweetness in the house. If his choice is sprite so be it. I will definitely pray for these people, but pray for you more, pray that you wont have to walk in their shoes. Its not fun, but also having people criticize you. Wait til you have worked all your life paying into social security and it wont be there when you need it.
I am a food stamp recipient living in Ohio and I fully support this measure. Federal assistance is meant to be a last resort for those who need help providing sustenance for themselves and their families. The exclusion of these gratuitous, unhealthy products may also help reduce the problem of obesity in the low-income families receiving food stamps.
This initiative disgusts me, because it amounts to bullying. If they're SO concerned about reducing obesity and "caring" about my health then, ban McDonald's (and all fast foods), butter (and peanut oil), alcohol (Prohibition II) and everything else.
Hello, big brother. Or, should that be "Big Father" now?
There's no way they would be able to get away with banning sugary drinks altogether. So, here they are, trying to ban it for those that are most in need? We all should have a choice. Just because someone gets hits hard for a time doesn't mean that choice should be taken away from them. If you want to ban something because it's bad for us, ban it for EVERYONE, not for those that you can "control."
Communicate/Educate people on making better decisions. Taking options away? How often does that work out?
Yeay for Bloomberg! Kristen et al, I agree wholeheartedly with food type restrictions, drug testing, AND child benefit limits. I speak from personal experience as a hard-working, God-fearing, PROUD conservative American who has watched too many people I know misuse and abuse the system. If you can't support yourself (but you're TRYING), I'll do everything in the world to help you climb out of the rut you're in; but DONT expect me to buy you treats with MY money.
And Deathpoop Dave – you're almost as stupid as you are evil. When you find yourself unemployed and homeless, maybe you will purge your cesspool of a soul of some of those nasty, wrongheaded and ridiculous judgements you are making about people on food stamps. You really are on the path to hell. Hope you enjoy the destination.
Well, Beggars Can't be Choosers. I think it's great to forbid soda purchases with food stamps and I would sholeheartedly support disallowing junk foods and candy as well. This isn't any sort of abrogating the rights of these people. It's called the Golden Rule – he who holds the gold makes the rules. They are welcome to consume as much junk food as they like but the taxpayers should not have to underwrite it. If these poor, unknowing people who were raised on junk food are not smart enough to figure out how to eat properly then they could be given a crash course in nutrition 101 when they apply for the food stamps – and informed that the stamps won't buy anything but fresh produce (or maybe frozen veggies), non-sugared dairy (I mean milk and cheese yes, ice cream no), fresh meat, bread but not doughnuts, fresh fruits. And Kristen, I'm not sure it's fair for you to generalize about everyone on food stamps being a drug dealer, but even if it were even remotely true, I don't think the government could afford the expense of setting up drug testing for everyone who needs food assistance. It's just not practical, and in many cases is not fair.
If they cannot be eliminated altogether, they should be good for powered milk and rice cakes only. Then maybe the bums would get jobs and buy their own damn food. Charity demeans those that accept it, and there used to be shame attached. We need more of that today.
What a smoke screen! SODA IS NOT THE PROBLEM.
The drug makers and diabetes drug makers take in 10 billion$$$$ every year with no cure!!
Food Chemicals are the cause of the diabetes and obesity crisis NOT SODA!
The FDA and Drug makers know this and are laughing to the Billionaire$$$ bank!
The food chemicals break the gut(insulin) and this is the cause of the diabetes and obesity crisis
A filmmaker has been reversing diabetes and Obesity in now 10 countries and the drug makers do not promote the story
see here http://spirithappy.wordpress.com
or just google SPIRIT HAPPY DIET
Please change your name to EnimaAnn as your kinda squirty!
This is a great example of the government trying to tell you what to do and what to eat,there is no reason why they should tell you you can buy this or that ,I think its a power thing here and its not called for.People who deserve food stamps should be able to buy the food they CAN afford with the stamps if its french fries or burgers,I will also say there are alot of people milking the ________(fill in choice word) out of the system and dont deserve food stamps! These are the people who should be removed from such programs!
As far as I am concerned, let them spend it on cigs and beer. If they go hungry halfway through the month, that would be what my father called "Learning a valuable lesson"...
I work at a large grocery store and I welcome food stamps customer because they pay my salary, but when they come in and purchase a "WEDDING CAKE" ranging from 100.00-300.00 and purchase it with a food stamp card that makes me sick! Also when they come in and purchase 20-12pk drink product, have 2 sometimes 3 people making purchases on the same card but separate orders I know this is fraud and I have reported it several times but when the person from the food stamp office comes it is like YOU are the one who has committed the crime! I have seen it all Convenience Store owner come in with a person with a food stamp card and they purchase items for the store and they give money in exchange for the purchase, I have also reported this but nothing happen as a result and it happens monthly! I think receipts should be required to account for them to get food stamps and make sure the FAMILY is being feed and feed the nutritious menu.
exactly susan.. its FREE dont complain about your handout!
Kristen,
I totally agree with you. I have worked for almost 40 years, raised my child as a single parent, paid for his higher education, provided for him the things he needed and NEVER received ANY help from anyone except my family. I work with people who are unmarried, have children and live with a partner, both work, but still get food stamps as well as medicaid and in some cases, get child support. They laugh about the way they work "the system".
I believe everyone should have medical care and enough to eat, but believe there is a better way. I don't believe in food stamps. I think there should be food banks that people have to go to and get the food. That would keep people from selling their food stamps and make sure that they receive only healthy foods.
In response to Elenanatx, I'm not saying all food stamp recipients are drug users, but if you are not, you should not mind
being drug tested.
I also believe that if you are on welfare, you get help for one child and one child only. If you decide to have more children, you will have to find a way to provide for them. I believe that this would cut down on a lot of births.
To those who say that the gov. should not tell them what to buy with their food stamps, THE GOV. IS GIVING YOU THE FOOD STAMPS, why should there not be stipulations?
I too have raised my children after a divorce with no help from the system, I worked and made too much money (they said), I didn't understand but I prayed, lived within my money and taught my children how to be proud of everything we had and not to let the newest fad control them. They had things mostly when they went on sale and their treat was birthday, Easter, Christmas which put me in debt BUT GOD now my children are ALL Grown, one has a master's, one is working on her degree. They had to work and go to school but now they appreciate everything. By the Grace of God I am out of debt, making more money than I ever thought, and am able to do more for them if I had to and to help with my grandchildren. It can be done BUT YOU have to think more of your self and WANT to. I have no problem with people who REALLY need help but it should be a step to get you to another (higher) level, not where you park yourself for life!
The grace of God has nothing to do with your lack of debt – your own hard work and refusal to be demeaned by acceptance of charity it responsible.
Another sock-puppet.
I keep thinking about this and if you can't buy cigerettes and alcohol with your food stamps, then it would make sense you shouldn't be able to buy large unaccountable amounts of the types of food proven to cause obesity either for the same reason. Understanding that food choice is part of larger issue, but still if like the article says there is proven documentation that this is what is happening, then when do you stop it? I can already see the lawsuit, the government made me fat because I was allowed to buy soda and junk food.
NO.. I did not say ALL people on welfare and foodstamps are drug users but there are ALOT who sell drugs for an income and use the government for handouts.. its a proven fact and one I have seen in person. What would it hurt to impose a drug test? The people not doing drugs and honestly having a hard time would pass and the people who are on drugs well... if you can buy drugs you can buy food sorry... and I do not eat doughnuts thank you.
I agree with you on that Kristen. My former neighbor and his wife and kids get free healthcare, foodstamps and 3 of his kids on SSI (for obesity). They do not work not because they cant, but they chose not to. They are capable of working and be productive American citizens. They also spend the SSI checks to buy their marijuana, i know for a fact because they asked me numerous times to borrow $20.00 here and there so they can buy their kids milk and cereal. I said to myself, the SSI should be spent on kids necessities not their drug habit. I also brought them to grocery store ( they have no vehicle) to get their food, and all they buy is junk food considering their kids already obese. My husband's boss offered my neighbor a job, but he refused. His excuse is the job pays by the books and i can't do that because i will lose my foodstamps. I mean, come on, who wouldnt get furious with this. How about some people on welfare driving cadillac escalades and all blinged out. This makes me sick! Government should put a stop to this.
Yet another sock-puppet.
Whether you say "ALL" or "A LOT" does not matter. You are making an unsubstantiated and ignorant accusation about an entire group of people. Find a study from a peer reviewed scientific journal linking drug abuse to food stamps (you won't) or be quiet and go away.
Obviously, you don't know much about drug dealers; they don't need food stamps!
Guess who got his internet back at work, suckas!!!
lol, thought maybe they banned you permanently, or you went into severe depression because of the 49ers
Good thing that you don't know we are 0-4 this season. Thank God for the Internets. Now get back to work! RH-RS.
*sigh*
I can barely wave my Niners flag anymore. Good thing Vick is injured, otherwise, 0-5 for sure after this Sunday.
The Niners are liberals and will not win five games this season, if that.
btw, where you been JDizz?
My high-strung manager ganked my internet for a few days. I acted like I didn't know, then brought it up when I couldn't help a customer properly due to my lack of internets. Then she acted like she didn't do anything, but the IT dept told me otherwise. It's back now, so it's all good. She was stressing over an upcoming visit (Monday) from a District President that was here to ream her arse. She's the most high-strung person ever. You should see her. Stresses so much she doesn't eat. Looks like a Holocaust victim.
Kristen...
With the economy the way it is how can you be so cruel and state that food stamp recipients are drug users? Your comments are rude and uncalled for. Some of these people buy cheap food to stretch the dollar amount, some just have bad eating habits, and some just don't know any better because that is what they probably were raised on...junk...it's been around for a while now and their are too many families that bought into a junk food lifestyle. I agree with not allowing sodas and they probably need to cancel out sweets, but your comments about people on welfare are crass and pitiful. You probably need to take the doughnut out of your own mouth before you type to speak next time.
Again if what you are saying is true that those on food stamps and welfare aren't on drugs than her comments are a non issue. They can take a drug test, pass, and continue using assistance. I'm not sure what the issue is!
uhm they should be banned from buying candy, soda, cake, frozen pizzas all kinds of junk. I am paying taxes and you are getting food stamps so you can EAT to LIVE I am paying for my own food so if I can only afford basic needs why should someone who doesnt work get to buy all the kinds of food and sweets and junk they want?? OH and I'm strongly for drug testing for food stamps and welfare and all that. If I have to take a drug test to get a job you should have to take one to get me to pay for your free food.
Kristen,
It's important to realize that not everyone who receives food stamps are drug users who refuse to work. I grew up with a single mom who worked two jobs and was putting herself through college. The wages she earned at Burger King and tending bar paired with the 100 dollars a month in child support she received each month were not enough to feed, clothe, and provide shelter for herself and 4 children (one of whom was fighting cancer). So, there came a time when she was forced to seek welfare. We were not lazy drug users who preferred to live off of tax payer's money. Instead, my mom was mortified every time she had to pull out the food stamps to pay (because back then it wasn't a debit card that you could swipe) for her groceries. The very minute she made enough to support us without assistance, we celebrated by going to the grocery store and buying groceries with money from her checking account.
Now, I agree wholeheartedly with the decision not to allow food stamps to be used on sugary drinks. Food Stamps should be used to provide sustenance, not on something that is going to rot children's teeth and promote an unhealthy lifestyle.
This is a publicity stunt by the mayor of New York to improve his image after the 9-11 Mosque fiasco. Food stamps are for food. Soda is a type of food, even if its not good food; it is not malt liquor. Do you really want politicians to be given the power to make it so food stamps are only valid for foods THEY want people to buy?
See your mother is a great example of the system working. Unfortunately the stigma that your mother felt on social programs that drove her to get off the system is no longer there for most people. I don't believe Kristen is saying there shouldn't be programs to help those like you're mother who needed it. Rather that is you want others to help support you the least you can do is be clean from drugs. Luckily in the scenerio that Kristen is giving, your mom would still be able to use the system in the way she did because as you state she wasn't on drugs. So non issue in relation to your situation
I think Bloomberg needs to mind his own business. What a phoney.
I completly agree with kristen. I am Native American, employed full time. I pay my taxes and I do not get any kind of financial breaks. Im living pay check to pay check. Most ppl think Natives get free stuff. WEll this is one Native American who doesnt. and I totally agree with kristen
You are a sock puppet.
To assume that all food stamp recipients are drug users and dealers shows a completely willful surrender to ignorance and hatred. You mention taxes, perhaps it is time for you to be audited by the IRS?