General Discussion

cynatnite

(31,011 posts)

117. You are basing that on your own personal values...

Wed Jun 27, 2012, 05:59 PM

Jun 2012

which is not the same as everyone else.

People on assistance are being told what they can spend with their food stamps. If they do happen to get cash assistance, which is considerably less than food stamps, they should be able to buy what they want without some busybody picking through their cart and telling them what they think is acceptable.

I've been on food stamps and had to have assistance. I can't tell you how awful it is to take that fucking card out of my wallet knowing that people are looking at me as if I'm a criminal. That's just for having food stamps. And you want to add to that indignity?

Let me ask you something. If I took my food stamps and bought nothing but chips, candy, ice cream, soda and basically unhealthy junk food, would you be okay with that? Would you limit those? Would you demand that poor people only buy acceptable food?

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Clerk loses job for refusing to let customer use welfare money to pay for cigarettes [View all] proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 OP

She wasn't fired, she quit ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jun 2012 #1

Oh I agree proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 #2

this kind of thing does make the progressives case for income assistance look bad... CTyankee Jun 2012 #5

This kind of thing? You mean, ignorant people trying to humiliate the poor and powerless? EFerrari Jun 2012 #13

No, I don't like that at all. Not saying that. CTyankee Jun 2012 #23

I just read a quote the other night: "I'm too old to spend my life worrying EFerrari Jun 2012 #25

You are right and I think of that. But I just had one of those "conversations" with my auto repair CTyankee Jun 2012 #31

With all the rightwing media money being spent EFerrari Jun 2012 #33

See, I can't understand WHY propaganda works, really well, on some SammyWinstonJack Jun 2012 #50

John Dean wrote that book about authoritarians. EFerrari Jun 2012 #51

But if it's biological progressiveinaction Jun 2012 #132

Well, resenting people for who they are EFerrari Jun 2012 #144

I Think you have to come from a progressive background & an open family where political Pyrzqxgl Jun 2012 #85

You may have a point there proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 #104

Abraham Lincoln summed it up when he noted, Art_from_Ark Jun 2012 #156

Sam Waterson's character in the first episode of Newsroom said: TomClash Jun 2012 #37

That was it! Thank you! ETA EFerrari Jun 2012 #45

It was great TomClash Jun 2012 #129

Thanks. russspeakeasy Jun 2012 #82

It was the new HBO show "Network." IdaBriggs Jun 2012 #139

Tell me... Scootaloo Jun 2012 #32

I'm sorry, too, that we don't live in that kind of world, or at least not here in the U.S. CTyankee Jun 2012 #44

Well, I made this suggestion the other day here.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jun 2012 #48

It differs from the anti-obesity arguments in that people have to eat to live but not smoke to live. CTyankee Jun 2012 #55

But don't you think it's hypocritical to slam the poor for trying to find a little pleasure in sabrina 1 Jun 2012 #72

But I didn't "slam the poor" on anything. I was talking about the hard, political reality that we CTyankee Jun 2012 #93

if tobacco is eligible, it's because corporations & tobacco farmers lobbied to make it HiPointDem Jun 2012 #95

GREAT point, and one's that very likely to be missed amongst the heat of the debate, even at DU. bullwinkle428 Jun 2012 #148

Yep, it is the new American culture. The ignorant rising up ripe with RKP5637 Jun 2012 #53

Yep. The climate has definitely changed. n/t EFerrari Jun 2012 #63

that's not a nice things to say about a drug addict trying to score nt msongs Jun 2012 #124

I don't think authoritarianism is officially an addiction. Yet, anyway. n/t EFerrari Jun 2012 #146

The citizens of the state bought those cigarettes. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2012 #162

Wait, are you questioning this aid recipient's citizenship? EFerrari Jun 2012 #164

In the absence of voters consent to provide aid, he would have been unable to buy cigarettes. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2012 #165

When that money is allocated to that individual, it isn't yours any more. EFerrari Jun 2012 #168

It's public money, and public funds, up to the point that a EBT card is funded. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2012 #169

LOL, so now this situation is my fault? Still doesn't make a lick of sense. n/;t EFerrari Jun 2012 #170

Take it up with the TOBACCO DiverDave Sep 2012 #177

We don't lose any argument when you've got corporate welfare... cynatnite Jun 2012 #16

I wish I could say that everybody is on to the corporate welfare scam in this country but they CTyankee Jun 2012 #26

Yes indeed, in particular the purchase of Cadillacs using ebt cards just has to stop. Warren Stupidity Jun 2012 #152

That's odd. Marinedem Jun 2012 #9

Really? You'd reward discriminatory behavior EFerrari Jun 2012 #11

Discriminatory? Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #17

Yes, if you refuse to allow a sale simply because the person is using a Welfare card EFerrari Jun 2012 #21

I don't think it would make for a good civil rights complaint. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #35

It's even more than just straight sales. EFerrari Jun 2012 #43

Cigarettes, unlike disabilities, are not a protected class. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #54

Refusing service to someone with a Welfare card EFerrari Jun 2012 #60

The clerk made a good faith refusal Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #73

We really don't know if her refusal was in good faith or not. EFerrari Jun 2012 #74

Yeah, those workers are always cutting into the profit margin Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #77

Discriminating against poor people is not "work", it's discrimination. EFerrari Jun 2012 #79

When did Big Tobacco care about choice? Remember the decptive adds and studies? Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #81

But I'm not talking to Big Tabacco, I'm talking to you EFerrari Jun 2012 #83

"I'm not talking to Big Tabacco, I'm talking to you" Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #98

This isn't a discussion about corporate propaganda. For that, you'd need to start your own thread. EFerrari Jun 2012 #101

if you can buy cigarettes with benefits, it's for the benefit of the corporations & HiPointDem Jun 2012 #89

it's an eligible product on the card, what don't you get? and it's eligible because HiPointDem Jun 2012 #103

Then we should lobby to have it made ineligible Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #113

yeah, that's a very important issue, why don't you go work on it. HiPointDem Jun 2012 #118

It is possible to do more than one thing at a time. Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #120

We live in a system that guarantees that there will be poor people. Poor people are not infants... Luminous Animal Jun 2012 #125

Rant: ON Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #147

Food for thought. ChazII Jun 2012 #166

for what, holding up a line? refusing a sale? humiliating a customer? unblock Jun 2012 #12

You think you have a right to tell poor people what to buy? cynatnite Jun 2012 #18

What if she wanted a soda that was larger than 32 ounces? Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #19

Um...let me think about that... cynatnite Jun 2012 #20

Would that the rest of us had such freedoms with our own money Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #22

Of course. Totally agree. n/t cynatnite Jun 2012 #24

Then in NYC she would be treated like every other supermarket customer. Warren Stupidity Jun 2012 #154

It's bullcrap. Marinedem Jun 2012 #30

It's not crap...it's none of your business is what it is... cynatnite Jun 2012 #36

no, your post is bullcrap: i pay $9 a pack for cigarettes, and most of it is tax. HiPointDem Jun 2012 #106

I imagine you then run a most successful company... LanternWaste Jun 2012 #28

Not political Marinedem Jun 2012 #34

What if they were buying nothing but junk food with their food stamps? n/t cynatnite Jun 2012 #39

Some States are using EBT for Child Support and Unemployment Benefits rbrnmw Sep 2012 #178

For me, it would depend SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2012 #123

They have sting operations here where minors try to buy booze XemaSab Jul 2012 #175

Yes, she was playing morality police. If it'd been a mistake* I'd be for her. But she ran her mouth. freshwest Jul 2012 #176

I don't think that's the case blogslut Jun 2012 #3

the article says one type is for food only, the other type is for anything, even gambling. unblock Jun 2012 #6

WIC is a voucher. Very specific as to what you can buy with it. Milk, cheese, eggs, beans, juice, Erose999 Jun 2012 #8

I haven't read the entire thread, so this may have already been said SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2012 #122

Read the story. LiberalFighter Jun 2012 #167

Jackie R. Whiton, had been a six-year employee at the Big Apple convenience store ... Kalidurga Jun 2012 #4

exactly. in fact, i'd bet she was looking for an excuse to quit. unblock Jun 2012 #7

Further in the article it states, �She didn�t think it was right and just wasn�t going to sell..." ieoeja Jun 2012 #29

If she did stay, who would she decide to 'punish' the following week? Ikonoklast Jun 2012 #40

Good fucking riddance. n/t cynatnite Jun 2012 #42

it was none of her business Liberal_in_LA Jun 2012 #10

You can use welfare funds to buy cigarettes? 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #14

The cash portion can be spent at the discretion of the reciever of the assistance. n/t cynatnite Jun 2012 #15

I could see letting the cash portion be largely unregulated 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #41

If you're not going to allow poor people to buy smokes, why should you allow the rest? cynatnite Jun 2012 #46

I never said they wouldn't be allowed to buy smokes 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #58

It's none of our business what they buy with that money. cynatnite Jun 2012 #59

Do you think food stamps should be altered as well then? 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #66

Yes, I do... cynatnite Jun 2012 #68

Interesting. 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #75

Why do you care so much about what they spend? cynatnite Jun 2012 #80

Why do you keep saying it isn't our business when it is our money they are spending? Bandit Jun 2012 #94

It is their money as citizens of this country EFerrari Jun 2012 #99

Politicians are spending our money... cynatnite Jun 2012 #100

Corporations should NOT be getting taxpayer money Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #111

"our" money "they" are spending cthulu2016 Jun 2012 #107

Awesome 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #136

I also think that the poor should have greater access to the internet... cynatnite Jun 2012 #137

Yes clearly it is the lack of access to tobacco 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #138

Did I say that anywhere? cynatnite Jun 2012 #142

It's the cash portion Marrah_G Jun 2012 #150

moving to put all public benefits on these cards gives the public ever so many more HiPointDem Jun 2012 #112

+1 Luminous Animal Jun 2012 #126

Yes, it is. Most people work hard for their money and when they see it squandered MrTriumph Jun 2012 #84

But you're ripped off by big corporations all the time... cynatnite Jun 2012 #88

Where's the outrage? As a Democrat I am disgusted when MrTriumph Jun 2012 #109

You are basing that on your own personal values... cynatnite Jun 2012 #117

"They're doing it" so it's okay? mizzuz pibb Jul 2012 #172

apparently only when poor people "squander" it. albeit the overwhelming majority HiPointDem Jun 2012 #114

does it bother you that the military sells cigarettes and junk food to the troops? Bluerthanblue Jun 2012 #160

The problem with the cash..... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jun 2012 #47

Post removed Post removed Jun 2012 #38

yeah.... opiate69 Jun 2012 #52

Yep. That's what I wrote... MightyOkie Jun 2012 #56

the implication is obvious to anybody with 2 brain cells to rub together opiate69 Jun 2012 #62

Because life is just so fucking grand for them that they are living it up... cynatnite Jun 2012 #61

Big tobacco has always been there for the poor people Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2012 #76

Fascinating 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #140

It comes down to choice... cynatnite Jun 2012 #141

I thought in some states you can't buy smokes or alcohol with welfare cards. southernyankeebelle Jun 2012 #27

That's what I thought... MightyOkie Jun 2012 #49

OMG! cynatnite Jun 2012 #57

+1 Lionessa Jun 2012 #65

The authoritarian mind, what an awkward twisted place to live. n/t Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #64

Seriously. EFerrari Jun 2012 #67

Notice how the store clerk and the customer are pitted against one another, while coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #69

+1. and it's because of the media meme -- "lazy welfare cheats, wasting our money" HiPointDem Jun 2012 #86

I'm sorry I am very far to the left and an ex-smoker now for 13 years. ArnoldLayne Jun 2012 #70

The money is for whatever they want it to be for... cynatnite Jun 2012 #71

Say what!? Taxpayers pass moral judgments every day about how their money is spent. MrTriumph Jun 2012 #87

Sure they do, but you're talking about someone's personal life here... cynatnite Jun 2012 #90

But they don't get to inflict those decisions on the public at large EFerrari Jun 2012 #91

How far to the left can you be if you are trying to enforce your wishes EFerrari Jun 2012 #78

They aren't all red, are they? n/t Egalitarian Thug Jun 2012 #127

The food portion cannot be used for anything but non-prepared food. Marrah_G Jun 2012 #151

I'm sorry but welfare is not for food. It is for your living expenses. Warren Stupidity Jun 2012 #155

This thread is a prime example of what makes the average person irate: Poor people HiPointDem Jun 2012 #92

Banksters throw hundreds of thousands of families out of their homes EFerrari Jun 2012 #96

i've been kicking a thread about the attack on unions for three days. one response. HiPointDem Jun 2012 #115

Sad, isn't it? proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 #97

After one of these threads, no one here should ever again claim EFerrari Jun 2012 #105

Oh I know proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 #108

LOL EFerrari Jun 2012 #110

really. why would any working class person vote democratic, when they're constantly HiPointDem Jun 2012 #116

Poor people make for good targets, don't they? cynatnite Jun 2012 #102

Yep. (nt) Posteritatis Jun 2012 #131

It's the "deserving" vs. "undeserving" poor BS. Odin2005 Jun 2012 #133

Wow, a story with two people making idiotic financial decisions Taitertots Jun 2012 #119

When you figure out a way to make people stop making stupid decisions EFerrari Jun 2012 #121

It's a bit ridiculous SoCalNative Jun 2012 #128

If it wasn't for welfare ...... Smilo Jun 2012 #130

The anti-poor bigotry in this thread is nauseating. Odin2005 Jun 2012 #134

I didn't realize that welfare could be used for cigarettes. BlueCheese Jun 2012 #135

It's the cash portion of the ebt card, used like a debit card Marrah_G Jun 2012 #149

Do ya'll know any poor people? jcboon Jun 2012 #143

Welcome to du and thanks for your compassion. Warren Stupidity Jun 2012 #157

Post removed Post removed Jul 2012 #171

Got called for a jury on your hateful post-then I saw you'd already been PPRed....Good riddence Rowdyboy Jul 2012 #173

This just makes me so sad.....the whole idea of power over someone else..... a kennedy Jun 2012 #145

No one is getting rich off welfare Marrah_G Jun 2012 #153

Fired because of ..."The two �had a little go-around�... SoCalDem Jun 2012 #158

I don't care unreadierLizard Jun 2012 #159

Yay for Big Apple! They gotta protect their profits. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2012 #161

WELFARE QUEENS IN CADILLACS!!!!!BUYING CIGS AND BOOOOOOZE!!!!11!! tjwash Jun 2012 #163

Mittens will probably give her the RNC keynote position RFKHumphreyObama Jul 2012 #174

unemployment and child support go to ebt cards in many states rbrnmw Sep 2012 #179