An EBT Crisis?

Chesterton said:

You could be right, but the portion of the video I watched did not support that.

"Lived experiences". I'm glad you brought that phrase up. Would you like to hear some of my lived experiences? I warn you, if I post them, it will probably sound to you like I'm a total white racist, but they are only honest anecdotes.

If you're not going to tell me specifically what's important in the videos, I'm not going to watch them

Which political clashes are you referring to?

I don't deem anyone "deserving" anything from other people. The Christian idea is that you love the unlovable, and give to the undeserving. But St. Paul said "if you don't work, you don't eat".

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I'm good and I'm ok if you don't watch them. They are simply videos I think are informative and wanted to share.

Chesterton said:

I can't tell if this is sarcasm, because you seem to be contradicting things you've said elsewhere. No offense, again, but, again, you have a confusing style of prose (at least for me).

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I would never advocate those things but there are many who feel otherwise and they have more influence over our government and business leaders.

Chesterton said:

When it comes to the Constitution, I'm a strict constructionist, and I stand with Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the others who were unable to find any place in the Constitution which gives Congress the right to engage in charity with other people's money.

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My first commitment is to the Lord. His precepts supersede all rulings by men including the constitution and their allegiance is fickle. I’m mindful of my alliances because life has a way of putting you in situations where you’ll have to choose and compromise one or the other.

Although my post wasn’t serious that’s what’s happening now. I stumbled on a site yesterday that had recent bills related to the policy proposals I’ve shared and found a youtube channel by a former manager at social security who covers the programs from the agency in depth. One of the slides in his video said 87 full checks remain. But if we lose a year or two like we did at the previous accounting the end may be closer than we expect.

This is bigger than welfare and most people won’t read a 900 page document or 229 policy initiatives. But as the saying goes, if you want to hide the truth put it in a book and they did. The road ahead is full of uncertainties and bearing up will be easier if we support one another. You don’t know what side of events you’ll be on and we reap what we sow. I don’t mean that as chastisement but as the principle of return. We can remind the Lord of our good works and ask for our recompense.

We have a duty to leave the world bettered by our presence and one of the ways we do is through giving. I want to depart with buildings in my name and organizations bearing my likeness. I want to fund causes dear to my heart and see lives transformed because of my kindness. The more I commit to doing His will the more He places in my hands to accomplish it.

Don’t settle for a life of good enough or obscurity. Endeavor to do the unexpected and be a beacon of surprise instead. We’re ambassadors after all and everyone has a post. What has He entrusted to you for the kingdom?

~bella

Many people I evangelize use their EBT cards to get cash so that they can drink their calories instead of eating actual food.

They are mostly homeless and addicted.

This means they qualify to receive snap benefits, but end up selling their cards for cash or using them to buy others food and then getting some cash for it.

For example, buying 50$ worth of food with their EBT card, and then getting 25$ cash in exchange.

The people who are struggling with addiction are thin indeed and look very unwell.

They have explained that they are desperate to not get the DT's and go into seizures which could cost them their lives

So, they do what they have to do they tell me, in order to get some cash to buy alcohol.

Chesterton said:

My first commitment is likewise to the Lord, but I have no choice but to live "in" this world, hopefully without being "of" this world.

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One of the things I’ve learned in my relatively short life is the necessity of having people around me who help me see beyond myself and operate from that space and I hope you have the same. The world is full of can’t and naysayers and there’s a million ways to live effectively and enjoy ourselves while we do. Whatever you decide I hope it goes well.

~bella

Chesterton said:

Whatever I decide about what? Your posts are so...uh...different.

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However you decide to apply that principle of being in the world but not of it.

~bella

These videos are evidence of things we have known all.along. There are a LOT of people out there scamming the system.

The idea that over 40 million people in this country need food stamps is ridiculous. Do we seriously believe that 40 million people need food stamps to keep from going hungry? That 1 in 8 Americans. Seriously? 1 in 8 Americans need food stamps to eat?

Something is totally wrong with a system that allows 40 million prople to take money from their fellow Americans like that. Think about it. 1 in 8 people cannot feed themselves and need the rest of us to provide food for them. Thats more than rhe entire population of California saying they can't feed themselves.

In fact we are giving so much money for this that rhe average person on food stamps spends more on groceries than the average American who is not on food stamps.

In 2019 people.on food stamps spent 4.5 billion dollars and by 2022 it had gone up to 11 billion.

Now about 15 million adults live below poverty line.

But lets look at that. 4% of people who are working are below the poverty line of that group 2.7% are working part time. That means if you are working full time the odds are that you wont be below the poverty line.

From 1971-2000 there were about 6 people working to support 1 person on foodstamps. By 2023 it had fallen to about 3.

Most notable is the growth in the participation of able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18 to 49 (the population that is supposed to be subject to work requirements as a condition for receiving benefits). In 2002, 37.9 percent of eligible ABAWDs received food stamp benefits.16 By 2013, virtually all eligible ABAWDs were participating in the program.17 In 2019, 81 percent of eligible ABAWDs received food stamp benefits, despite a robust economy and a low unemployment rate.18

A higher proportion of eligible noncitizens have also received food stamp benefits in recent years, growing from 28.7 percent in 2002 to 55.6 percent of eligible noncitizens in 2009.19 In 2019, 55 percent of eligible noncitizens received food stamps.20

By 2018 government provided services, food, housing medical, etc provided $65,000 in benefits per family enrolled. $65,000.

Now we have created such a dependency and an incentive not to work such that people are threatening to steal your groceries rather than going out and getting a full time job, which would most likely get them out of poverty.

rjs330 said:

Something is totally wrong with a system that allows 40 million prople to take money from their fellow Americans like that.

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Do you have the same concern for Israel, Ukraine and Argentina? There’s no comparison cost wise and you’ll find them mentioned frequently for this subject, the economy and more. With the consensus being, if we’re giving away money it should go towards Americans first not foreigners.

~bella

bèlla said:

With the consensus being, if we’re giving away money it should go towards Americans first not foreigners.

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I don't disagree with that. I think Americans would do.much better if we just didn't have to give away so much money to the government.

In my opinion we give to much money away to foreign countries period.

But thats not the consensus of a lot of people. And often those who suppkrt doing so, only suppkrt giving money to certain types of countries. Like not wanting to give money to Israel or Argentina, but very happy to give money to Somalia or Ukraine.

In the idea of America first, I would want to know, what the country is going to do for us in order to receive the money. What are we going get out of it and is it cost effective? Its o e thing if we have so much money in the coffers that we don't know what to do with all of it. But we are way too far in the red for that.

And I think EVERY able bodied American ought to be paying taxes. No one should be exempt from it if they are able bodied and can work. If you are going to be receiving money from your fellow Americans then you should do all you can so you receive as little as possible. I mean $65,000 in benefits and you are contributing little to nothing? That's not acceptable.

And I most certainly blame ALL parties for this. Republicans and Democrats. The Republicans have proven themselves to be all hot air with some of their complaints vs their actions.

rjs330 said:

But thats not the consensus of a lot of people. And often those who suppkrt doing so, only suppkrt giving money to certain types of countries. Like not wanting to give money to Israel or Argentina, but very happy to give money to Somalia or Ukraine.

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Africa supplies the world with natural resources and the return is inequitable. But don’t take my word for it. Dr. Howard Nicholas is a well-known economist who acknowledges the same. I present the truth in two stages according to your appetite. The first addresses Africa and the latter pair gets into the WTO.

'Underdevelopment' in Africa - What's the Real Story? (1/3) - Howard Nicholas

What are the root causes of “underdevelopment” in Africa?
What is the role of trade and institutions like the IMF?
What is the role of imperialist wars and colonial legacy?
What are the hopeful social movements and initiatives in different African nation


Howard Nicholas: International Trade and the WTO - What's the Real Story? 1/2

"What is the connection between poverty, human rights and trade?
What is 'free' trade and who profits from it?
What are genuine and bogus solutions to poverty worldwide?
What is the role of institutions like the WTO?
What is the role of trade treaties such as EPAs, TTIP and TiSA?
To what extent are trade and economics 'war by other means'?"


Howard Nicholas: International Trade and the WTO - What's the Real Story? 2/2

rjs330 said:

And I think EVERY able bodied American ought to be paying taxes. No one should be exempt from it if they are able bodied and can work. If you are going to be receiving money from your fellow Americans then you should do all you can so you receive as little as possible. I mean $65,000 in benefits and you are contributing little to nothing? That's not acceptable.

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Where do you get that number from? It’s not a reflection of cash, SNAP or WIC benefits. Nor would you guesstimate on Medicaid. And it’s too high for housing as well. Section 8 vouchers have a cap and reflect the average rates for rents in an area. Bear in mind, the reason for their existence. When a developer receives a loan from HUD they’re required to set aside 10% of the units for low income tenants in exchange.

What isn’t disclosed is the property’s ability to continue participating after the loan is repaid. Many do because the rent is guaranteed. That’s the other thing about these programs no one discusses. Many are subsidizing corporate entities. I saw a video yesterday that said SNAP provides 1% of Walmart’s profit. Assuming that’s true for the sake of discussion we’d calculate it as follows:

2024 revenue: $15.511 billion x 1% = $155,100,000

And your position on taxes is unbiblical. The bible said the poor would always be with us but it wasn’t predicated on being able bodied. People are impoverished for different reasons. The government maligns the needy while subsidizing those with means which is welfare too.

The situation is designed to divide and have citizen’s cheering one groups oppression while remaining oblivious to their own. If we took the golden rule at face value we’d rise from our slumber. What America does to another they’ll do at home. We don’t get a pass because we’re citizens. Our prayers would be more effective if we’d face the truth about our government.

Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them

~bella

bèlla said:

And your position on taxes is unbiblical.

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The Bible gives no instruction as to what taxes should be or what they should be for. My stance is not unbiblical at all.

bèlla said:

People are impoverished for different reasons. The government maligns the needy while subsidizing those with means which is welfare too.

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Of course they are. But if they are able bodied they should be working full time. That is the best roadway to get out of poverty.

And I dont think we should be subsidizing people with means either. I dont believe in corporate welfare.

bèlla said:

The situation is designed to divide

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I don't know if the situation was designed for that, but it certainly is being used for that. Far too many people 1 in 8 are on food stamps. Thats ridiculous. Taking a good hard look at the welfare system its a trap. It incentivizes not working and having children out of wedlock and single parenthood. It preys on our lower nature instead of appealing to our higher nature.

Our tax system also doesn't encourage giving and helping either. In my opinion, every dollar you give to help people should be tax deductable and you shouldn't have to go through a charity to do it. If I buy tires for my neighbor because they cant afford it, I should be able to deduct that.

In recent days, media outlets on both sides have highlighted the challenges Americans may encounter if the government remain shuts down and SNAP benefits are not extended. Both parties are employing political bias, attributing blame to each other, and emphasizing that 42 million Americans could be adversely affected if the government is not reopened.

I would like to understand how it is possible for the wealthiest country in the world to have 42 million citizens who are unable to sustain themselves for even a month without government assistance.

How have we overlooked this issue for so long? Is it because we are overly focused on less significant yet sensational topics, such as debates about bathroom access or comparisons of freedom between different social media platforms?

I am not interested in attributing government assistance dependency to partisan rhetoric, whether it is conservative viewpoints that label individuals as unwilling to work, or liberal perspectives that criticize corporations and capitalism. My primary concern is understanding the genuine reasons behind the prevalence of government assistance dependency and exploring effective strategies to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency.

rjs330 said:

Our tax system also doesn't encourage giving and helping either. In my opinion, every dollar you give to help people should be tax deductable and you shouldn't have to go through a charity to do it. If I buy tires for my neighbor because they cant afford it, I should be able to deduct that.

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How can you provide proof on a tax form that you financially assisted your neighbor in order to receive a tax deduction?