SNAP benefits and the loss of choice

I read an article the other day which seemed to be advocating for stricter restrictions on beneficiaries of the SNAP program and their purchasing power with that supplemental income.  The stated goal was to aim at guiding more healthy dietary habits.  But it seems to me that there could possibly be some very negative consequences for recipients if this were to happen.

I am all for demanding better practices by the government in their delivery of the people's vital needs, but the real trouble with our nation's benefit programs are far worse than kids drinking coke.  Let's start with the first problem of people lacking any food and drink at all.

The paternalistic feature of controlling what people who have their figurative hands tied eat is not the only negative issue related to this bad policy.  What the author fails to acknowledge is the problem of many people not having access to what they define as healthy food and drink.  What makes it worse is that the population which specifically needs supplemental income may in fact be less likely to have access to a lot of food choices.  Individuals and families from many different backgrounds and locations may be in situations which limit their available food options.  People living in cities may have to rely on a convenience store, for example, because of a lack of resource such as transportation.  This could be said as well for people living in rural settings. 

Another extremely important detail is the fact that most of the healthier food options also come with a heavier price.  That is an unfortunate reality which people would be forced to face when deciding what they can and cannot take home from the grocery store. 

You can't worry about the nutritional aspect until you solve the issue of actually getting food to people who need it.  It seems they are getting ahead of themselves.  I suggest we go back and try to think about whether the system in place is doing enough to solve the first critical problem.

 http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/10/4/save-food-stampsprogrambyreformingit.html

three little cups

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/9/9/the-war-on-food-stamps.html

 

 

Unfortunately, I do not have much more to offer than this nonsense.

Why am I so calm about the fact that my government is useless? 

Is this a reflection of the larger problem of society's conformance and accepting the things we believe we are incapable of changing?  I am the epitome of a bad citizen.  There is no question.  I hope you all are doing more than I am to help the situation.  If we're all as lazy as I am then humanity is doomed beyond doubt.

Are you doing something to help the people suffering directly from this shutdown?  Or, are you an active activist for social justice? Are you involved?  Please share.

Some governments become the pastimes of terrible people.

Our introduction to social work in communities and organizations was a flash indoctrination into the truth that the situations we are entering may be in bad need of change and/or totally fucked up.

The people already suffering at the hands of pitiful policymakers are of course the ones who will feel this shutdown the most while I dare to think of not much more than my little world.

Observation: I need to be a better citizen. 

http://www.vice.com/read/the-us-government-shut-down-because-everything-is-stupid

There ye their ye

“According to the City of Austin's Department of Planning, property value in East Austin's 78702 ZIP code increase more than 100 percent from 2000 to 2005. Census Bureau data shows that African-American population in East Austin drastically reduced from 1990 to 2000, from 80 percent to less than 20 percent in some areas.”

 http://abcnews.go.com/OnCampus/story?id=7399717&page=1

Confession # 1

I currently have the (unfortunate) privilege of residing in the west campus area. I have lived here for two years, and I have watched them build (or prepare to build) one unaffordable apartment complex after another in order to store the largest collection of neon tank-tops ever assembled.

I often wish I lived east of 35.  Especially on nights when it seems impossible to escape the noise of kickin' party music and those wild screams of ecstasy from drunk manchildren stumbling down the street.  But when I think about the situation in East Austin, as groups who have not traditionally resided in those neighborhoods push out long established residents through the process that is gentrification, I can’t help but feel that it may be best for me to fight that urge and avoid becoming just one more kook infiltrating the nest. I am afraid of the damage that I am capable of producing with my choice.

I hope this city gets its shit together. I hope I get my shit together.

“Observation”/Query 

How terribly difficult is it for a community to guarantee affordable housing, food, health care and a good education to its citizens?   

Obviously pretty damn tough. 

Why?

Because people suck at doing the right thing.  Myself included.

 

Delayed Notice: This post is lacking in both insight and educational value.