Proposed Florida bill bans use of food stamps for sweets/snack foods

[Grace62]

Black wrote:
[quote=Grace62]
WIC and food stamps are separate programs. WIC purchases are very restricted. So nobody is buying junk food with WIC money.

Oops, good catch. WIC is a program that distributes food via centers you have to visit, as far as I've paid attention. I meant "Link card."
No, WIC is used at regular grocery stores. For things like milk, cheese, tuna, peanut butter, and fruits and veggies. Families can be on both WIC and the regular federally assisted food stamp programs if they include a pregnant and/or nursing mom or very young children.

[Black]

Good to know, thanks. I pass what I have come to think of as a WIC center on my way north, but it's possible it's a food distribution center run by another organization and just has a WIC sign in the window-- will have to pay more attention.

[vision63]

It's called racism, classism, sexism and elitism.

[Black]

vision63 wrote:
It's called racism, classism, sexism and elitism.

Making a judgement about others' choice to prioritize "food" items I personally would never consume, and devote their income to extravagances that would be far too excessive for me personally is racism, classism, sexism, and elitism?

[$tevie]

As far as eating healthy goes, all I can think of is “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

I'd love to believe that this was about making sure that folks on public assistance eat healthy, nutritious foods. But I don't. I think it's an effort to make public assistance less appealing, since we all know the people who use it are lazy bums who should go find jobs. Denying their children snacks is a good start, doncha think?

Maybe I'm prejudiced because Storms has a history of promoting right-wing issues. Her sudden interest in health seems really disingenuous to me.

Is she going to switch to having an annual Healthy Fruits and Vegetables Exchange?
http://www.ospreyobserver.com/2011/11/sh...da-storms/
Yeah, now I'm just being a b*tch.

[vision63]

Black wrote:
[quote=vision63]
It's called racism, classism, sexism and elitism.

Making a judgement about others' choice to prioritize "food" items I personally would never consume, and devote their income to extravagances that would be far too excessive for me personally is racism, classism, sexism, and elitism?
Yup. It's what it is. People need to stick to their own business.

[Black]

$tevie wrote:
As far as eating healthy goes, all I can think of is “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

I try not to focus on it but seeing shopping carts overflowing with empty-calorie comfort foods freaks me out. Especially dealing with people's health issues on a professional level daily.

[Grace62]

Black wrote:
[quote=$tevie]
As far as eating healthy goes, all I can think of is “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

I try not to focus on it but seeing shopping carts overflowing with empty-calorie comfort foods freaks me out. Especially dealing with people's health issues on a professional level daily.
All of these points are part of the equation I think. I was once in line behind a young woman purchasing 5 or 6 Red Bulls and using a state assistance card to pay for them. After she left the cashier gave me an earful about how angry that makes her. Now, I don't think it's cool for cashiers to talk like that, but I could see her point. That's what this young woman has decided to use for calories I guess. Maybe that should be restricted, it gets tricky though because for some a similar product might have value.

As $tevie says, the focus should be on what ALL of us are eating, because clearly we are doing something wrong! If we're going to ban the grocery store bakery and the soda and cookie aisles for public assistance, maybe just do away with them altogether?

[Pops]

Grace62 wrote:
[quote=billb]
We should be taxing corn sugar in soda, too
10 cents per teaspoon.

Now on that we agree. Now there's an example of why we should maintain internet forums as a medium for discussion.

I'm serious.

[Black]

Grace62 wrote:
As $tevie says, the focus should be on what ALL of us are eating, because clearly we are doing something wrong! If we're going to ban the grocery store bakery and the soda and cookie aisles for public assistance, maybe just do away with them altogether?

I wouldn't disagree with this. However, there have been public awareness campaigns to promote healthy eating my entire life, and if they're gotten us anywhere, I don't see it.