1 in 7 Americans rely on food stamps

[alp227]

Source: CNN

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The use of food stamps has increased dramatically in the U.S., as the federal government ramps up basic assistance to meet the demands of an increasingly desperate population.

The number of food stamp recipients increased 16% over last year. This means that 14% of the population is now living on food stamps. That's about 43 million people, or about one out of every seven Americans.

In some states, like Tennessee, Mississippi, New Mexico and Oregon, one in five people are receiving food stamps. Washington, D.C. leads the nation, with 21.5% of the population on food stamps.

"The high unemployment rate caused the high participation rate," said Dottie Rosenbaum from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank.

Read more: http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/21/news/economy/food_stamps/index.htm?hpt=T2

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And why does Congress insist on cutting taxes for the wealthy?

[DJ13]

1. why does Congress insist on cutting taxes for the wealthy?

Because they only help those who dont need it.

[burnsei sensei]

2. They know where their next meal is coming from. nt.

[Mark D.]

7. And Who Is In Control

Pre-crisis, JP Morgan Chase was the 3rd largest financial institution. It's now not only the largest (Bank of America is larger on consumer deposits, but not overall) it's the largest corporation in the world according to Forbes, 2010. They invented the Credit Default Swap and were (and still are) the largest Hedge Fund Manager. Both central to the crash, as was Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers. Both played the risky casino, but it was JP Morgan Chase that actually pushed them both over when they were teetering. They got OUR TAXPAYER backing to buy Bear Stearns, and look like heroes for it.

What a perfect scam. How does it relate to Food Stamps? Max Keiser (look it up on YouTube) talks extensively on this, he's one of the few not afraid to mention JPMC in his criticisms. They are the largest aministrar of Food Stamps. Many don't know they issue the checks for Medicare (lots of profit from doing that). They even cut the checks for the biggest consumer health insurer (United Healthcare). But I digress. The more on Food Stamps, the more money they make. It's no mystery why they went from number three to number one. They had such a big hand in the collapse because they'd profit from it.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. here's the solution. End Food Stamps! That will show

those lazy bastards! AND TAX CUTS! MUST HAVE MORE TAX CUTS!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

4. I had NO idea we had THAT many Cadillac driving black welfare queens.

:sarcasm:

[Akoto]

5. I just went on them ...

I'm 25 and disabled due to a chronic pain condition. This year, after a long battle, I was approved for SSI disability. The vocational rehab expert at the trial declared there would be no work for someone in my condition. So, about $450/mo income, Medicaid, and back pay for the years of fighting. I have a $2k cap on what I'm allowed to have in the bank. Food stamps are a little over $100/mo, but in fairness, it would be more if I didn't live with my parents.

The money isn't a lot, but it has changed my living situation for the better. There's more to eat in the pantry, my five medications are mostly or totally covered, and I'm no longer burdened with the guilt of my parents having to pay my medical and general living fees.

I am very grateful that these programs are here for us, even if they don't always make them easy to access.

[mudplanet]

6. I'm fairly sure 40% of New Mexicans receive them.

If it wasn't for the food stamp program we'd really be able to see the effects of the depression: long lines of people at soup kitchens and lots of poor children in hospital emergency rooms suffering from illnesses brought on by hunger.

[jwirr]

8. I am applying for them this month. You are right - if we did not have

the so called safety net programs like food stamps we would be seeing a poverty like none we have ever seen in this nation.

[mudplanet]

10. Well, like we saw in the Great Depression.

[jwirr]

11. The reason I say worse is because most of the people in the GD lived

in rural areas not cities. Most had access to gardens or neighbors who shared. In my area we actually had neighbors buying back farms that went on auction blocks. Those kind of helps are harder to achieve in cities.

[sarcasmo]

9. Jobs is the only thing I want to hear the next two years but will we? 1 in 7, just sad.

[Psephos]

12. I see this differently.

A country that makes sure millions of its people can eat decently in the throes of a terrible economy is doing something praiseworthy.