Oregon Gov. Will Live On Food Stamp Diet

For One Week, As He Battles Proposed Cuts In Federal Program

(CBS/AP)  Oregon Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski and his wife, attorney Mary Oberst, have enough money to get by and meals are generally no problem.

But things will be different this week.

This is Hunger Awareness Week in Oregon, and for the next seven days, Kulongoski and Oberst will be cutting way back – down to the budget one would live on if relying on food stamps – a diet they hope others will also follow for a few days to better understand the plight of those who have no choice.

They'll spend just $3 a day apiece on their meals, $42 in all, to match the amount spent by the average food stamp recipient in Oregon.

"I'm gonna probably go back to what I remember in college, Top Ramen and hot dogs," said Kulongoski.

It won't be easy, but the less than bountiful fare is for a cause, reports CBS News correspondent Stephan Kaufman, as Kulongoski begins lobbying Congress against cuts in the food stamp program proposed by the Bush administration.

"The problem is we've just been reducing the money and the eligibility rolls of those who can get food stamps," said Kulongoski, who lived in a home for boys as a child and worked his way up, with a boost from the GI bill. "At the same time, those on food stamps are getting less."

The Oregon governor is also a strong advocate of school breakfast and lunch programs. "When the federal government cuts back on them," says Kulongoski, "you're actually depriving children of opportunity to basically have a healthy life and at the same time, to be able to learn while they're in school."

The Bush administration has proposed several cuts to the program, among them taking away food stamps from about 185,000 people who qualify only because they receive other non-cash government assistance. The Department of Agriculture budget, as proposed, would also eliminate a program that gives boxes of food to nearly half a million seniors each month.

The administration has proposed some changes hailed by hunger advocates, like excluding retirement savings from income limits, and setting aside money to encourage food stamp recipients to purchase more fresh produce.

[momminmn]

I meant to also say that a box of cereal is inexpensive and can be an excellent part of breakfast. Also, the $1.57 can of Progresso soup that the governor turned down did not sit well with me. Anyone on food stamps should really be thinking hard about buying premade foods. I can make an entire pot of homemade chicken noodle soup for about $2 and it feeds my whole family one meal plus some leftover. Food stamps are not meant to feed you like a King. They are meant to feed you, period. I don't mean to sound harsh.

[momminmn]

First of all, highly unlikely that they would only get $21 of foodstamps to work with at one time. Seems like it would be $21 x 4 = $84 which should last one month. That person would not be stuck with ramen and hotdogs like the article suggested. In my local grocery store flyer that came in the mail yesterday: eggs .79, ground beef 1.99, fresh strawberries .99, mixed salad .88, Deli lunchmeat 10 oz $2, cheese 24 oz 3.77, miracle whip $2, loaf of bread $2, gallon of milk $3.74. Total $17.16. Can still purchase other things. If you were working with a MONTHLY sum of money here and not just $21 think potatoes, rice, pasta, beans, flour, sugar, butter and the basics so that a person could make their own "fillers" as you called them as well as desserts. A person can make it on $21/week - if they're smart about it. There is nothing wrong with eating a sandwich for lunch each day. Makes life easier! I feed my family of 5 for less than $100/wk. My husband doesn't mind brownbagging his lunch, and I have no problem baking, freezing extras, or even making my own pasta. The trick is to "cook ahead". Hard boiling eggs, browning some meat ahead of time and then freezing the extra, just cooking in bulk in general. The article made it sound like such a difficult task. No, you wouldn't be eating steak or all organics, but you would be eating just fine.

[momminmn]

First of all, highly unlikely that they would only get $21 of foodstamps to work with at one time. Seems like it would be $21 x 4 = $84 which should last one month. That person would not be stuck with ramen and hotdogs like the article suggested. In my local grocery store flyer that came in the mail yesterday: eggs .79, ground beef 1.99, fresh strawberries .99, mixed salad .88, Deli lunchmeat 10 oz $2, cheese 24 oz 3.77, miracle whip $2, loaf of bread $2, gallon of milk $3.74. Total $17.16. Can still purchase other things. If you were working with a MONTHLY sum of money here and not just $21 think potatoes, rice, pasta, beans, flour, sugar, butter and the basics so that a person could make their own "fillers" as you called them as well as desserts. A person can make it on $21/week - if they're smart about it. There is nothing wrong with eating a sandwich for lunch each day. Makes life easier! I feed my family of 5 for less than $100/wk. My husband doesn't mind brownbagging his lunch, and I have no problem baking, freezing extras, or even making my own pasta. The trick is to "cook ahead". Hard boiling eggs, browning some meat ahead of time and then freezing the extra, just cooking in bulk in general. The article made it sound like such a difficult task. No, you wouldn't be eating steak or all organics, but you would be eating just fine.

[barbaraf4]

"to barbaraf4, I might remind you that SCOTUS just took some of the "right to choose" about having children or not having children out of the Mothers hands....and if they get a chance, they'll take all the right to choose...so you would suggest what for a normal married woman..? The rhythm system..? Perhaps alchemy..? Maybe bones and rattles..."

Are you asking what I would recommend for a "normal married woman"? How about for all sexually active women? See your doctor and find out what is right for you. If you want sarcasm, then I could suggest aspirin. One held tightly between your knees works everytime.

[chabuka-2009]

to barbaraf4, I might remind you that SCOTUS just took some of the "right to choose" about having children or not having children out of the Mothers hands....and if they get a chance, they'll take all the right to choose...so you would suggest what for a normal married woman..? The rhythm system..? Perhaps alchemy..? Maybe bones and rattles...

[chabuka-2009]

Nice thought, Govenor..but it would really only count if you lived on food stamps for an entire month....as food stamp recpients get a monthly stipend. Using a months worth of food stamps in just one week, would net you pretty much anything you wanted, (except caviar and champagne)...do it for a month..no cheating..and you will find out how awful it is to live on "tube steaks" and "noodles with flavored water" month after month after month, with no end in site

[barbaraf4]

"Have you seen the cost of formula for babies? Diapers? A generic can of formula at Wal-Mart is about 12 bucks and we go through one of those at least every 2 to 3 days=$24/week=$1248/year. And, that is if the baby can even use the cheapest, most generic brand available and many babies can't because of allergies or dietary needs, such as premature infants. A small can of Enfamil, for example, which is what many pediatricians recommend, runs almost $24 a can. It is much smaller the one above and so you would go through at least 2 to 3 a week; $24/can x3 cans/week x52 weeks/year =$3744. That is for formula alone. Shall I go on to diapers?"

Posted by me4prezz at 11:54 PM : Apr 23, 2007

The bottom line is that YOU made the decision to bring these children into the world. If you are working 3 jobs to support them, that is a consequence of your decision. If you expect taxpayers to help support your family, then you were wrong on your original decision. If you can't afford to feed, clothe and education a child, then don't have one.

As for diapers, if you can't afford those expenses disposable ones, then buy some cloth ones and launder and reuse them.

[kansas1946]

Oh, here we go. Bush and Co. (big supporters of life) have cut program after program that benefit at risk children. It is just a little reminder that Republicans only care about children before they are born. They are pretty cheap to feed in the womb, but let 'em starve once they are born. This current bunch of Republicans is the biggest bunch of hypocrites that I have ever seen.

[archangelric]

where do you get the idea that 80% of the people are getting work on the side and are abusing the system? What kind of drugs have you been doing?

every audit has found very very few examples of "welfare queens", etc. This is another one of those urban myths - you hear one story in a newspaper and all of a sudden its everyone.

and, for your information, just because a disabled person gets some work on the side does not mean it is safe for them, that they are healthy enough to work; only that they are desperate enough to risk their lives to have something for dinner, a roof over their heads.

After all, so what if another disabled veteran dies trying to work "on the side" just to get dinner as his disability payments don't stretch that far?

try this on for size: Veterans 100% disability for "non-service connected" (the VA does not admit fault) is currently $910 per month. Most places want income of 3 times the rent so you could rent a place that would cost $305 a month. Find that place (or shut your mouth).

[gegan249]

This is a case where 80% of the welfare recipients are ruining it for the 20% who actually deserve it.

Unfortunately, rules must blanket everyone so the needy suffer.

Perhaps the solution is to provide more flexible rules (and implementation of some of the readers suggestions) to the more aptly abled welfare recipients.

It's too bad that our Vietnam Vet will only get $10 per month (because $250 per month for food was too much) and, without singling out any one genre, hoardes of others on welfare relaxing, raising a family on the government dime.

I almost guarantee you that the 80% who abuse the system do extra work 'on the side' to make more money and therefore are able to work and find work.

[me4prezz]

(4) There are mothers and fathers out there who are working, sometimes 2 to 3 jobs, to support their families and still can't make ends meet. Would you punish then or their children because their paychecks can't cover all the bills or because a few people have figured out how to ride the system?

Have you seen the cost of formula for babies? Diapers? A generic can of formula at Wal-Mart is about 12 bucks and we go through one of those at least every 2 to 3 days=$24/week=$1248/year. And, that is if the baby can even use the cheapest, most generic brand available and many babies can't because of allergies or dietary needs, such as premature infants. A small can of Enfamil, for example, which is what many pediatricians recommend, runs almost $24 a can. It is much smaller the one above and so you would go through at least 2 to 3 a week; $24/can x3 cans/week x52 weeks/year =$3744. That is for formula alone. Shall I go on to diapers?

The ones you see out parading the fact that they are on welfare are not a good representative of the ones who are trying or who need it and you don't see them because for that very reason. And I don't care how many are riding the system or abusing it; if even 1 family out there is in genuine need of it, I will continue to support its continuation and use because I refuse to hurt a family, especially children, because of someone else's greed and laziness.

[me4prezz]

(3) It isn't just promiscuous women who get pregnant and I think it is sad that this country has come to the point that we see a few who abuse the system and we are ready pull the plug on the thousands who truly do need it, especially the children who never asked to be put into that position. Who would go and tell them that they are going to have to go hungry today because America is to selfish to help those less fortunate any more? Should we leave a sign up sheet out? There are exceptions to every situation and to say that promiscuous women need the Depo shot to deter them from the welfare system is judgemental, blind, and only a fraction of the situation.

[me4prezz]

Require all promiscuous women on welfare to get the Depo-Provera shot. Require them to get a job in 5 months and pay back the cost of welfare benefits. This will greatly help reduce children born into poverty and deter these women from becoming welfare queens.
Posted by jfinster10 at 09:17 PM : Apr 23, 2007

(1) It takes to TWO to tango.

(2) There are major side-effects to the Depo shot. If you want to go down that lane, then they need to reduce the restrictions on surgical means of birth control, such as tubal ligation. My husband walked in and had a vasectomy with no questions asked. I was flat out refused a tubal several times, by several doctors, over a period of almost 2 years even though I was married and my kids were 10-1/2 months apart. I ended up needing a hysterectomy for endometriosis, which is the only way I got that.

[michellem99-2009]

Yes. There are women who have bibies that use them for money.I did not. I stepped upto the plate and had my tubes fixed. I was born blind and milti handicapped and felt it was best no children. So I am now 52. A child needs a home,need clohes,food,schooling,Mum/Dad,and more. WHen child don't that then what. A live in foster homes where he/she in taken in for the money only.
So that child who had no meal, wore rags, bedded down on the floor due being poor. Mum gone out.Then foster home to foster home. Beaten and raped in the home. That person is me. So when I grew up I knew I could never put a child thru that.I did not.

[sero5]

If Governor Ted Kulongoski he truly cares for people on food stamps, then he should live on $42/week meals for a whole year. Most food stamp recipients don't receive $42/week meals for just one week. He should stage a sit-in at the Oval Office.

[newsjeff-2009]

I hope other governor besides Governor Ted from Oregon will stop and think and realize that other states will also suffer funding cuts if the Bush Administration is allowed to cut funding for all 50 states for food stamp programs,medicare and medicaid and nursing home funding. I almost forgot funding cuts for hospitals and veterans health care centers in all 50 states as well. I have friends who have CBI Indian cards who have been told their is not enough funding anymore for them to get Indian homes built for themselves or their families, so I guess Bush's funding cuts are effecting everyone not just food stamp receipients. Other governors need to do what Governor Ted of Oregon is doing: Governors of all 50 states need to fight and oppose these proposed funding cuts of the Bush Administration.

[jfinster10]

Require all promiscuous women on welfare to get the Depo-Provera shot. Require them to get a job in 5 months and pay back the cost of welfare benefits. This will greatly help reduce children born into poverty and deter these women from becoming welfare queens.

[tervet-2009]

I am 70 years old and have had MG a muscle desease and diabetes caused by Agent orange exposure in Vietnam in 1968.

Every I have to fight with the LA county welfare people for everything I get. I do not have any retirement other than SSI. Even though I spent 10 years in Vietnam doing the job the military either would or could not do.

At present I get $10 per month in food stamps.
At one time I was getting $250 per month, which I have been told was way to much for my case.

My wife also has diabetes from Agent Orange exposire. We went to a VA hospital to see if we could get medical treatment but I did not have a DD213 to prove service in the military. I have never been in the military in uniform only as a civilian. They refused to see us and called the LAPD to have us remove from the premise.

This grandstanding by the Gov. of Oregon does not do anyone any good.

[hunter10039]

I USED TO BE ON FOOD STAMPS....but

I was able to get jobs, and get off of it, in order to feed my 3 childrem...

BUT

when I became severely physically disabled...

I had problems feeding and clothing them AND MYSELF

not all people on foodstamps are cheaters.

[madisongirl-2009]

1- I just do not understand how the poor become poor, most of the homeless people I see in the streets may not have money for food or a home but they sure do have enough for a beer or what they call a 40. I live in CA. Los Angeles County and you see alot of that.

2- If you need the food stamps get it but not for years, it does not take a person 3 years to find a job. But it sure takes a women to pop out 3 kids in less than 5 years, knowing she don't even have a job. She is low income the does qualify for what they call Family Planning..condoms, pills, the patch, depo etc. But she knows the more kids the more money.

I hate going to the store on the 1st of the month, I see these women paying with their EBT card with their nails done, luxury jewelry. I will walk out right behind them and OMG!! They are driving on a new SUV or car. What the!!

Most of these women report they live "solo" and claim baby daddy do not live @ home and you go to most of these womes houses and BOOM!! The man is at home...he works but she don't. How could it be that the Walfare office not ask them why? If you don't have a job why are you pregnant again?

The WAR yes I agree it sucks...we are spending money lots of it too, but we also need to cut down all this welafare to this fraud, sick minded people.
Posted by patsy2007 at 01:43 PM : Apr 23, 2007

GOOD JOB