Food stamps are not only unethical, they're also a really stupid idea.

[Anarchist420]

Same goes for Medicare, HUD, WIC, educational vouchers, and regulations.

They drive up the price of the things they buy because they shrink the supply. It shouldn't be a coincidence that food prices have sky rocketed while a record number of Americans are on food stamps.

Why haven't I ever heard a welfare statist say they should be repealed and replaced with money? Is it because the general welfare and the state are incompatible or what?

I think all redistribution by government is bad, but redistributing dollars (better yet, gold so that there would be much less inflation which causes all sorts of problems) would require less waste (especially if it was done with gold) and those who can't help themselves would get to choose.

There is so much waste with food stamps it's ridiculous.

It's the same thing with how people used to have 5 year mortgages at 6% interest. Then FDR came along with the fascist FHA. Then to add insult to injury, there was the Great Society so that resulted in... the housing market we have today. The market will always find around integration imposed by the government anyway so don't tell me that the CRA was good legislation.

I realize there are disadvantages to giving people money compared to vouchers, but how do those advantages outweigh the costs?

 

[Patranus]

If this guy can eat healthy for $1 per day I see no reason to give more than $2 per day for food.

I would much rather have people getting direct benefits like baloney sandwiches and soup than cash money.

 

[Infohawk]

I would much rather have people getting direct benefits like baloney sandwiches and soup than cash money.

That would require an immense and costly food distribution network.

 

[RabidMongoose]

That would require an immense and costly food distribution network.

No, the food can be mailed to people. The USPS network is already set up and that could easily be used.

 

[soundforbjt]

No, the food can be mailed to people. The USPS network is already set up and that could easily be used.

Don't forget the cost of the workers, packaging, etc. It would probably not be cheaper. Also what about people with food allergies, etc.?

 

[RabidMongoose]

Don't forget the cost of the workers, packaging, etc. It would probably not be cheaper. Also what about people with food allergies, etc.?

Yeah, but you wouldn't need a costly food distribution network since everything can just be mailed out of one facility. In fact, maybe you could even pay people to make food items, package them, and then delivery them to the one facility for mailing preparation.

I don't think that this is particularly a good choice, but obviously a costly food distribution network being needed is incorrect because we can use an existing postal system to just mail food that has been prepared by others.

 

[soundforbjt]

Yeah, but you wouldn't need a costly food distribution network since everything can just be mailed out of one facility. In fact, maybe you could even pay people to make food items, package them, and then delivery them to the one facility for mailing preparation.

I don't think that this is particularly a good choice, but obviously a costly food distribution network being needed is incorrect because we can use an existing postal system to just mail food that has been prepared by others.

Don't forget the database required for people with diseases, food allergies, etc. Trust me, it would cost more and grow government as well.

 

[RabidMongoose]

If this guy can eat healthy for $1 per day I see no reason to give more than $2 per day for food.

I would much rather have people getting direct benefits like baloney sandwiches and soup than cash money.

That is a fascinating link, especially day 1 details that I just read, thank you for posting that.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Don't forget the database required for people with diseases, food allergies, etc. Trust me, it would cost more and grow government as well.

Maybe a lot of those could be contracted out. For example, people prepare food for someone who needs it and then they mail it. Those food preparers can contact those in need for their food allergies.

Do you think that this would still be costly?

 

[Patranus]

Don't forget the database required for people with diseases, food allergies, etc. Trust me, it would cost more and grow government as well.

Its call soup kitchens and they were run by the church and were immensely successful - that was until the current war on religion which is try to beat down any attempt by the church to do any good.

 

[Patranus]

That would require an immense and costly food distribution network.

Doubtful.
Each county already has a county office.
You can distribute the food there.
You don't have to distribute pre made food, just the limited subset of necessities like bread, some sort of low cost meat, ect.

No need to give someone who can't manage money credit to spend at a store when they are going to piss it away on luxury items like chips and steak.

 

[fskimospy]

I'm glad to see this has brought out our resident logistical experts. This isn't even a good attempt at trolling anymore.

 

[JSt0rm]

Poor people should fight to the death in arena style combat. Only primitive weapons. The winner gets to eat the loser and live to fight another day.

 

[umbrella39]

I would much rather have people getting direct benefits like baloney sandwiches and soup than cash money.

How does the sandwich/soup appear in their home?

How is taking away a large chunk of US Grocery Retailers sales away a good thing?

EDIT: You have answered 1st question with go to soup kitchen... that's the answer I was expecting.

 

[Patranus]

How does the sandwich/soup appear in their home?

I don't know, maybe people who are getting my money for sitting on their ass should put some....you know.....*work* or *effort* into it.

Anyways, how does their current food appear in their home?

 

[Patranus]

How is taking away a large chunk of US Grocery Retailers sales away a good thing?

Fine. Reduce payments and eliminate the ability to buy luxury items like chips, cookies, soda, prepared food, or any other waste of money.

 

[JSt0rm]

If this guy can eat healthy for $1 per day I see no reason to give more than $2 per day for food.

I would much rather have people getting direct benefits like baloney sandwiches and soup than cash money.

How much did he spend driving all around town?

 

[JSt0rm]

Fine. Reduce payments and eliminate the ability to buy luxury items like chips, cookies, soda, prepared food, or any other waste of money.

The junk food lobby would destroy you and your idea.

 

[umbrella39]

I don't know, maybe people who are getting my money for sitting on their ass should put some....you know.....*work* or *effort* into it.

Anyways, how does their current food appear in their home?

Not what I was implying and you know it. Since you hadn't yet answered with soup kitchen it was an obvious question if they couldn't use food stamp $ at store now under your 1st plan.

 

[Infohawk]

Doubtful.
Each county already has a county office.
You can distribute the food there.
You don't have to distribute pre made food, just the limited subset of necessities like bread, some sort of low cost meat, ect.

It would still be a supermarket. I don't think most county offices can be easily converted into a supermarket. And it's a stretch to think one location would be convenient for everyone. Some people might be working or have other obligations.

You are describing a mini centrally planned economy. It's odd since your intent is obviously conservative.

It's more efficient to use our nice market system of food distribution. If you don't want people buying expensive food, reduce their overall assistance.

 

[ky54]

Another thought would be have all the items that you are allowed to use food stamps on in a certain section of the store and has to be marked. No junk food, tobacco, beer etc. Just the basics.

 

[Patranus]

It's more efficient to use our nice market system of food distribution. If you don't want people buying expensive food, reduce their overall assistance.

Like I said, reduce payments and eliminate the ability to buy luxury items like chips, cookies, soda, fruit rollups, prepared food, frozen dinners, fine cuts of meat, ect.

 

[RabidMongoose]

How much did he spend driving all around town?

Don't people already drive around town to get their food? My solution of mailing food to people is the only one that doesn't require an extensive food distribution network because it is based off of the existing USPS network and it doesn't require the end consumer to drive anywhere at all.

 

[Infohawk]

Is there any actual statistics of wide-spread food stamp abuse?

Another thought would be have all the items that you are allowed to use food stamps on in a certain section of the store and has to be marked. No junk food, tobacco, beer etc. Just the basics.

That would require supermarkets to re-organize their stores which are currently designed to maximize profits, and it would involve outing people who get assistance.

If you're really going to micromanage what people buy, it would make more sense to have a card that only goes to pay for certain purchased items.

 

[umbrella39]

Fine. Reduce payments and eliminate the ability to buy luxury items like chips, cookies, soda, prepared food, or any other waste of money.

This would be great in a perfect world but you are going to have a big hurdle with the lobbyists from Lays down to Pepsi. Prepared foods are already excluded in my State. Reducing payments punishes everyone including people who are at no fault and those who DO comply and eat right. Easy in theory very hard to implement.