November 1, 2013
USA Today
Doug Stanglin
Article:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/01/food-stamps-snap-cuts-farm-bill/3346341/
Opinion:
Today, November 1, 2013, the government will cut food stamp benefits to more than 47 million Americans as a temporary boost to the federal program comes to an end without a new budget.
A family of four that gets $668 per month in benefits will find that amount cut by $36. It may not seem like a big change in money to us, but to them, that is 18.6 percent of their total benefits that they just lost. The Department of Agriculture says in California specifically, the cuts will affect more than 4 million people and will amount to the equivalent of each family losing an estimated 21 meals per month.
I feel bad for them, but it might be a motivation from them to find a job. This may make tax payers feel happy because the money they paid is not being given to lazy people ( I'm not saying people who receive food stamps are lazy).
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I feel about this. Yes it's said that people are loosing a fraction of their benefits. But Thao has a point really this may give people the motivation they need to get a job or to better themselves in the work place to get a raise. I feel like we're living in an entitlement society. I feel badly for those who truly need it but those people who abuse the system will be getting less.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that the government is finally making food stamp cuts. I personally think it should've happened a while ago. Some people might be affected by the cuts, but I think it will do more good than harm.
ReplyDeleteIt might be a little cruel to say this but I think that cuts should have been made a while ago. I feel like our liberal government feels he need to fund everyone who asks for government funding even if that group doesn't need it. The Obamacare bill is the driving force behind the need to raise the debt limit because it will add $633 billion directly to that deficit. Making cuts here might not be the perfect place to start but any start will do.
ReplyDeleteCuts need to happen. If i knew the right place to make those cuts, I would be sitting in Washington right now. I think that the Food Stamp program might be a decent place to start for the simple reason that it is taken advantage of very often. Quick question though… In what universe is $36 18.6% of $668?
ReplyDeletePersonally, this change has been long overdue for the welfare system. It's unfair to say that nobody who is on welfare is deserving, because there are many who have genuinely fallen under tough times that are out of their control. However, the cuts were necessary for a system that is flawed already. The percentage of each person's welfare that was cut is fairly small, so if the truly unfortunate are victim to these cuts, it should not be difficult to adjust, and for those who are undeservingly on welfare, maybe this is the added cut that is needed to motivate them to do something productive with their lives.
ReplyDeleteWhile the cuts needed to happen, it is a shame that they were used on a program that helps millions of Americans feed their families every day. There are many other programs that could use a little less spending, *ahem* the military *ahem*. Everyone is saying things like "Oh I know it's a shame, but the cuts had to be made somewhere.". So why were they implemented on a program made to help those already in need? I am sure that there are other programs that would not force the disadvantaged to bear the incidence of the budget cuts.
ReplyDelete