Wisconsin GOP votes to starve their poor citizens

[Generic Other]

Wisconsin Republicans are following through with their plan to be the cruelest state in the nation when it comes to the way poor people are treated by passing a bill that would ban them from eating a multitude of foods.

On Wednesday, Wisconsin Republicans in the statehouse took the first step in their agenda to punish people who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Assembly Bill 177 seeks to ban people who rely on food stamps to survive on a daily basis from buying a huge list of products deemed unworthy for the mouths of poor people and their children.


The list of “disallowed” foods, which you can view here, also includes the following:

Cranberry sauce and pie filling. (Poor people can forget about making dessert for Thanksgiving dinner.)
Creamed vegetables
Baked beans
Pickles
Pork and beans
Frozen veggies that come in packages featuring pasta, nuts, rice, cheese, or meats
French fries and hash browns
Sharp cheddar cheese, Swiss, and fresh mozzarella, shredded and sliced cheeses (except American cheese of course), cheese food, spreads, and products. Even Kosher cheese is banned unless you apply to get a specific check for it which basically could identify who the poor Jewish people are.
Canned peas and green beans
Albacore tuna, red salmon, and fish fillets
Bagels, pita bread, English muffins
White rice and wild rice
Taco shells
Almond, rice, goat, and soy milk.
Brown eggs and any eggs produced by cage-free or free range chickens, which basically helps corporate chicken farms
Several kinds of infant food
Anything in bulk
Anything organic or natural

on edit: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/05/15/wisconsin-gop-passes-bill-banning-poor-people-from-buying-shellfish-potatoes-and-ketchup/

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Appears to be a list produced by Roundy's Super Markets,

say it ain't so. Stupid. GOP Death Squad,people on restricted diets,lactose intolerant,assholes. BTW,you forgot potatoes on your list. Stupid!!!!!!

[Generic Other]

2. Pretty much anything a poor family could afford

is on this list. Potatoes! And rice. Beans. Cheese. The poor are the new native Americans. How long before they decide to put them in reservations?

[turbinetree]

19. Your reply

hits it right on the mark--------the Native American's in this country are the poorest, highest unemployment, highest spousal violence, highest drug problems, you name it they are near the top of the list.
White men can come on the reservation and rape a woman and then it actually takes the tribal federal police and the U.S. federal government to try mind you try these criminals in a court of law and most of the time they are released-------amazing.

I honestly believe that the citizens of that state need to take over each and every legislature office and don't leave, and the capital itself, they have a federal and state right to assemble, they do not have to leave.

[Wellstone ruled]

26. Wisconsin is one of the largest producers of

potatoes,best cheese in the world,vegetable canneries and these Mean Spirited White Male Idiots do this. This is payback to those who might have voted for the non Rethug. This is what the old Rippon Society purposed back in the fifties. BTW,that was the John Birchers of Wisconsin.

[erronis]

38. To be true to the republican theme, alcohol and used blankets should be allowed purchases

I hope I don't have to explain this...

[yeoman6987]

14. So candy and junk food is allowed but rice isn't?

[Faux pas]

3. ...

So, after they force you to have that unwanted child, they will constibute to the starvation death of that child? How very 'christian' of them.

[Generic Other]

9. You are so right

There seem to be so many better ways to combat poverty and hunger. Why not help poor families start and maintain fresh produce gardens? This just sounds like a policy of genocide against the poor.

I hope Wisconsinites are proud of themselves. And I feel for the [progressives in the state having to stand by and see this kind of meanspiritedness prevail against their neighbors and families.

[Faux pas]

21. That would be the logical, humane

way to do things. Hard to do when all the right (wrong) wants to do is wipe out all the 'useless' eaters. The nazis would love this.

[sufrommich]

4. So basically any food that poor people can afford.

[hifiguy]

5. Part of the plan to cull the herd passively

via starvation, disease, exposure and general neglect.

Facilitating a die-off of the undesirables, or as war criminal Henry Kissinger once called them, "the useless eaters" has been percolating in reichwing think tanks for quite a while, I'd bet.

Disgusting but not at all surprising.

[jwirr]

8. It is time to take the states control of this program away and give it to the feds. I wonder how

that would work since local country workers take the applications and verify the contents? Maybe sent the completed application straight to the feds and by-pass the state government? The feds would have to send the EBT cards out to the users.

This food list was made by an idiot. Another great commercial for the campaign.

[Generic Other]

11. LBJs War Against Poverty has become the War Against the Poor

Kissenger -- a fat meat based sausage. His evil corrupt heart should have culled him from the herd long ago.

[DFW]

18. This is right out of the opening scene of "The News Room"

Where the character of Will McAvoy says: "We used to wage war on poverty, not poor people."

Aaron Sorkin presaged the dialogue of the Wisconsin Republicans.

Or, worse yet, some of them saw his show and took the criticism as praise.

[ck4829]

6. I said they'll have the poor eating nothing but early astronaut toothpaste food a while back

Didn't think they'd really aim for that eventually.

[spanone]

7. governor walker must be so proud of his legislature....

these are some sick fucks.

[Generic Other]

13. They don't seem capable of even being shamed

That's the thing I don't get. Supposedly if you are a Christian, you should have some compassion in your heart.

God knows what they would do if Christ came and turned the poor people's water into wine. Or handed out loaves and fishes. Pretty sure they'd put these items on the verboten list.

This is how a government rids itself of "undesirables."

[lonestarnot]

10. Gawd I hate those fucking bastards!

[Generic Other]

12. Get in line!

[procon]

15. Geeze... if you're poor and disabled with any sort of illness

that affects your digestive system, you're pretty much doomed.

Isn't Wisconsin a leading producer of cranberries? So why would they ban the can but not fresh; who is going to afford the added time and cost of cooking your own sauce? Wisconsin is a big cheese producer, so where's to logic in reducing sales of cheese products, and excellent source of nutrition.

Why cut off cheap staples like rice, potatoes, spaghetti sauce, soups, beans and veggies? And bulk purchases save time and money, so what's bad about that? No salsa or taco shells... if that's a slap to Latinos, they forgot about everyone else who likes Mexican foods. Why ban ketchup; don't they know this is a common recipe ingredient for lots of inexpensive meals?

It's like they expect people to cook everything from scratch, but they didn't factor it what that involves. Who can afford to run the stove for several hours to cook dried beans if they can't even buy enough food? Impoverished communities are often food deserts where fresh ingredients are scarce and overpriced.

Most people don't have the necessary cooking skills, the needed kitchen equipment, the time, and maybe not even a working stove or fridge. What the point of try to cook from scratch when you can't use any herbs and seasonings. Then where do they store all this homemade food without canning equipment or containers and the freezer space to store it all?

If these shortsighted bullies are to spend a month living under those restrictions, they might not be so interested in punishing people for the crime of being poor.

[Enthusiast]

16. K&R.........That is downright stupid.

[TBF]

17. You're talking about Scott Walker here ...

(and I hope everyone will feel free to use this graphic when he is running against Bernie or Hillary):

[Spitfire of ATJ]

24. That also fits since he's such a brown noser to the Kochs.

[TBF]

25. Excellent point -

I'm going to be using this as my stock photo of him from now on.

[Enthusiast]

41. Walker is so far to the right he's going to fall right off the flat earth.

[world wide wally]

20. Sure, Walker and the GOP suck.

That is no news flash.
However, you, the people of Wisconsin, aren't so innocent in this. YOU are the ones that keep electing the asshole.

[workinclasszero]

37. Soon the poor are really going to begin to understand that

going to vote in this country is a life or death issue for themselves and their family.

The teahaddists hate the poor to the bottom of their hardhearted dead souls. I expect every red state to pass these hateful laws against the poor soon.

[Hugin]

22. Is it true that in order to implement this travesty WI will need a Federal Waiver?

Issued by whom? HHS?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

23. Everyone in Wisconsin, go up to the nearest Republican voter and ask them if they support this....

If they answer "yes" do what comes natural.

[whereisjustice]

27. They see starving people in Asia getting by on less than $2 a day and that's their model for the US

To a Republican, if you aren't born rich, you deserve to live a horrible life serving the wealthy and die pennyless.

[perdita9]

28. If this isn't Government turning into Big Brother I don't know what is

And Republicans will continue to scream "FREEDUMB!" at every opportunity

[Initech]

29. But corporate crooks can make billions dissappear and no one is punished.

Isn't our system great?

[gregcrawford]

30. This kind of mindless savagery...

... must be dealt with swiftly and severely.SOMEBODY sue these evil bastards!

[world wide wally]

47. We get a chance to deal with it every 2 years in one way or another and this is what Wisconsin has

chosen to do repeatedly.

[KansDem]

31. I find this prohibition particularly disconcerting...

Brown eggs and any eggs produced by cage-free or free range chickens, which basically helps corporate chicken farms

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember recently reading leaked information about the TPP which, among many unacceptable provisions, will prohibit the use of "locally grown" on a product's label.

I find this intolerable. I shop for "locally grown" meat and veggies as they tend to be free-range, cage-free, grass-fed, antibiotic-free and hormone-free, etc., and healthier. Plus I'm supporting the local economy. I can't believe these fucks are pushing legislation that will deny me the information I need to buy goods I deem necessary for the good health of my family and community!

And to think this is coming from the "Party of Less Government?"

GOP: "Gang Of Phuckups"

[Jack Rabbit]

32. It looks like a mother with a child who is allergic to cow's milk is going to have a problem

What next? A night of broken glass aimed at food banks?

[workinclasszero]

33. Of course the "pro-life" republicans

want the poor to f off and die ASAP.

Then they go to church on sunday and thank god/ayn rand they aren't lousy sinners like the poor, sick, gay and democrats!

[Diclotican]

34. Generic Other

Generic Other


Horrible - but not surprising coming from GOP - they really want to kill as many who is poor in that state.. And it is no better elsewhere in the world - conservatives want to do it elsewhere to - but are to afraid to do it - yet..

What the Wisconsin GOP want - is to kill people - pure and simple - but I'm not sure if they have been reading up on their history - as hunger can be a really danger if people have nothing to loose - and everything to win doing a little revolution - and if that happened - it would not matter how many police officers, or national guards the governor is able to muster - it will always be more there to take up arms - and one way or another stop it... The only thing what is needed is someone to fire up the match - and then it Will burn true it all...

Both the French Revolution of 1789 and the Russian revolution of 1917, was basically a revolution made upon hunger - and the loss of ability to have excess to even baseline food.. This list is just horrible - and will cost Walker and the GOP greatly, when it all explode in their face down the road... Walker and the Wisconsin GOP deserve if anything - to be convicted of everything under the sun... Including working to get rid of poor people by starving them to death...

Diclotican

[sunnystarr]

35. According to Snopes ...

This is inaccurate. The proposed bill states that they can't spend more than a third of their benefit on the listed items. But even then, if that passes it's unlikely they would get the federal waiver they would need to codify it into law.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/wifoodstamps.asp

[Generic Other]

58. They have labeled the items junk food!

What on that list looks like junk food to you? Beans? Eggs? Cheese? Rice? Potatoes? Pasta? Canned spaghetti sauce? That is a month worth of cheap food right there for a poor family. There is no 1/3 or other fraction about it. If you want to survive a month on food stamps, these are pretty much the cheapest options.

[sunnystarr]

61. It's criminal to even suggest to have a list

in my opinion. I posted the Snopes article because I don't want fingers pointed at Dems for spreading less than the truth. I was taught that your hands need to be clean if you're going to accuse anyone. The reporting from the op showed that our hands weren't very clean and that puts us all at a disadvantage. To me the truth was bad enough.

[louis-t]

36. Well, as long as they can still eat dirt. Dirt is allowed, isn't it?

Isn't it funny how evil Republicans can have a fit when Michelle Obama makes a point of encouraging kids to eat healthy, saying "she can't tell MY kids what to eat", but they are ok telling everyone else's kids what they can and can't eat. I fucking hate Republicans.

[valerief]

39. I don't understand why supermarket chains put up with this. Don't they have to program these items

out? Or educate their staff? How is bullshit like this implemented?

[barbtries]

40. someone will sue i hope.

how do these motherfuckers sleep. fucking bastards, this makes me so mad.

[blackspade]

42. Are you fucking kidding me?

This is a GOP war on the poor.
These people are fucking psychopaths.

There better be some fucking strikeback from the Democratic Party.
Waiting......

[marym625]

43. What the ever loving FUCK is wrong with these people! ?

Disgusting! God damn!

[kairos12]

44. They are left with RC Cola and Moon Pies. How nutritious.

[pansypoo53219]

45. "let them eat cake'. christian my ass. the church of ayn rand.

[IVoteDFL]

46. Vegan on food stamps here

Thank god I live in Minnesota or I would literally not be able to buy about half of what I eat.

Also the only difference between white and brown eggs is the color of the chicken that laid them. Fucking idiots.

[Generic Other]

56. Even with eggs the GOP are racists?

I don't get that egg thing either.

[lexington filly]

48. I feel acutely distressed by this.

Why can't we start here at DU a total WI cranberry products boycott in solidarity with the poor needing foodstamps and try to spread it???

[Generic Other]

57. I rarely eat them

but I join the boycott. Cheese too. Especially American Wisconsin cheese. The GOP sours the cow milk there.

[project_bluebook]

49. Bread and water republiCons

in the meantime KBR is serving tax payer financed steak and lobster to their workers.

[EEO]

50. GOP Seeks to Cut Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Meats, and Dairy from SNAP Benefits

GOP Seeks to Cut Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Meats, and Dairy from SNAP Benefits

Satire, but so close to the truth...

[olddots]

51. I am against the death penalty

but these repukian turd maggot polititians make me wonder about exceptions .

[Warpy]

52. I don't want those men dead. I want them all POOR.

I want to see them struggle with a SNAP level budget on these Draconian guidelines.

Nothing in bulk? Poor folks here rely on pintos and rice in bulk in every single supermarket.

This is mostly an obvious corporate pushback against indie grocers and health food stores, as well as more criminalization of poor folks.

Nope, dead won't do it. Making them poor will, as long as they have long lives to live in that kind of poverty. I've been there. Those men are the only ones I'd wish it on.

[mvd]

54. Exactly!

[Generic Other]

59. Poor and humiliated

by being asked by the store to put things back.

[mvd]

53. Infuriating. Absolutely infuriating!

There is nothing they won't do to show their contempt for poor people. Stupid Walker would sign it I am sure.

[ananda]

55. Control freaks on steroids!

I just wish some of that freaky need to control the lives
and choices of all women and all poor people would
transfer to controlling the criminals running the banks
and corporations and hedge funds and derivatives.

[gollygee]

60. What?

This doesn't even make any sense. Remember the article about a woman freaking out about another woman buying grapes with food stamps? Basically, people with food stamps can't buy anything at all without someone complaining that they're misusing the money. Canned green beans? What on earth? Rice? I thought beans and rice were supposed to be their cheap foods. No almond, rice, goat, or soy milk? What if they or their kids are allergic to dairy? Baked beans? Why on earth would anyone complain about bulk food? This is ridiculous, even by control-freak standards.