Feds nix proposal to ban food stamps for sodas
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(CBS/AP) Are food stamps contributing to America's obesity epidemic? Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City seems to think so - so he proposed a plan to stop people from using the stamps to purchase sugary soft drinks, teas, and sport drinks.
But the Big Apple's top health cop got busted.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture rejected the proposal, saying it would be too big and complicated to implement. In addition, the department had concerns over its "potential viability and effectiveness."
The ban would have applied to any sweetened beverage that contains more than 10 calories per eight ounces.
In a statement released Friday, Bloomberg said his administration was disappointed by the USDA's decision.
"We think our innovative pilot would have done more to protect people from the crippling effects of preventable illnesses like diabetes and obesity than anything being proposed anywhere else in this country - and at little or no cost to taxpayers," he said.
Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson had announced in October that they would seek a waiver from the USDA to start up a temporary program that would be evaluated before becoming permanent.
The city has been actively working to improve New Yorkers' diet choices, with campaigns such as one called "Pouring on the Pounds" that targets the excessive consumption of sugary drinks by linking it to obesity and diabetes.
What do you think? Was Mayor Bloomberg's plan a good one? Or should food stamp users be free to buy whatever they like?
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There might be a time you might have a problem and can't find work or a job and can't find anything to help and so you have to go on food stamps its not an educated issue here, its about feeding yourself proper, maybe get a cook book or two or look on the web for simple foods.
Anyhow good day.
MOST ppl on foodstamps are NOT ignorant and uneducated.. I might only have a High school Education, But I am 52 yrs old, disabled an a single parent.. With what Im bringing in LESS than 1400 a month I only get 25.00 on foodstamps.. I hope soneday you lose it all so YOU have to go beg your state for help..
GO through all the BULL CRAP you have to go through to get what little they give you to eat on an to feed your children on...
Pumpkins are really good for you and are loaded with beta-carotene and lots of other healthy vitamins and minerals. They are also fiber-rich.
But, if you're poor, if you want to make pumpkin soup or baked pumpkin, you gotta buy canned pumpkin. Not fresh. (Which can get pretty inexpensive in the autumn.)
Of course, this all just goes to show how hypocritical Republicans are. They want "less government", except for when they want more government as far as telling poor people what they can eat, and telling women what they have to do with their reproductive organs, etc., etc., etc.
The majority of people on food stamps these days are the working poor, the elderly or disabled and those who previously had jobs (for 20, 30, 40, 50 years) but had their jobs outsourced and have gone through their savings, cashed in their 401k's and were finally forced to go onto unemployment insurance. Even our military families are on food stamps these days as the price of everything goes up, while wages and jobs continues to go down.
100% fruit juice is far more expensive than soda and the majority of 'fruit beverages' are 10% fruit juice and sugar water.
Remember also that you could be in the same position as many Americans are, through no fault of your own, would YOU really want the government telling YOU what you were allowed to purchase?
I know a family, 1 husband, 1 wife & 2 growing children. They have both been out of work for over 2 years. They have 2 cars that are paid for but they look like new because them keep them clean. First, they went through their savings, then they both had to cash in their 401K's at great tax penalty. They finally had to go on unemployment 3 months ago and it doesn't come anywhere near their former income. Additionally, they've now gone on food stamps and receive the maximum allowed benefit of $300 per month. $300.00 per month does not cover food costs for 4 people and the parents often don't eat to make sure the children get nutritious food, as well as milk. The parents each drink a liter of soda per week and you want to tell them that while they are taking care of their family on less than minimum wage (unemployment is less than minimum wage), looking for work, they can't have a soda? They don't drink alcohol, they don't smoke, they don't go out to eat and they don't buy a massive amount of "junk food". Maybe a bag of sun chips every once in a while but their cart isn't filled with steaks, lobsters or caviar as some of you seem to think. They have chicken, fresh fruits and veggies, hamburger meat, potatoes, rice, beans, milk and 100% juices.
Control freaks, stop trying to tell other people how to live.