End Stigma, Give Food Stamps a New Name?

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government wants to end the stigma of food stamps -- by giving them a new name to add to their new look.
After decades of issuing paper coupons, the government now gives people the same sort of plastic card and computer password that many shoppers use at the grocery store. Each month, the card's account is refilled electronically.

The government marked the nationwide conversion to anti-hunger plastic cards on Tuesday that began 20 years ago with a pilot project in 1984 in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, who oversees the program and announced the search for the new name, said, "We really don't have food 'stamps' any more." Americans can suggest a new name -- or argue to keep the current one -- until Aug. 23.

http://news1.iwon.com/odd/article/id/410998|oddlyenough|06-23-2004::11:44|reuters.html

[SoCalDem]

1. Why not just call it an assistance debit card?

:)

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Oooh! *melting.* That's what my kitty looked like when she was

brand new. :D

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. I haven't noticed what's happening in MN, but when I lived in Oregon

and did most of my shopping at a store that drew a wide cross-section of socioeconomic groups, I noticed that people on food assistance were using debit cards, called "Oregon Trail cards" for some reason.

[Maine-i-acs]

4. "Bushbucks" ?

A nice place to put Reagan's face too ... redesign the stamps with the Gipper on 'em.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. I'd puke taking those things into my local Hannaford's, though.

[merh]

14. I love this idea....

That would be wonderful!

[Vickers]

6. ReaganCards

Good enough for me.

[SoCalDem]

7. Compassion cards??

and the pin number must be in the form of a prayer :evilgrin:

[The Flaming Red Head]

8. Corporate welfare card

I mean aren't we just supporting lower wages and enabling these companies to have a cheap work force while putting the money back in the pockets of companies like Walmart, Kroger, etc?

I would never be ashamed of being on food stamps or the card especially if you look at the bigger picture.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Welcome to DU :^)

[The Flaming Red Head]

10. High Green

Thanks for the nice welcome.

[gottaB]

11. Assistance for Agrobusiness cards n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Can farmer's markets take food stamps? It used to be, when

I was on WIC, we could get special coupons for the local farmer's market to get fresh fruits and veggies in the summer/fall.

Also, it seems to me that our local health food store, which was very organic and local, took food stamps.

[merh]

13. tax rebate!

[outinforce]

15. Vouchers?

Food Vouchers?

Help for people who can't affor food.