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Monday, February 25, 2013

Haley: Limit Food Stamps to Healthy Food

South Carolina, long at the back of the line in health care, wants to take the lead among states in the battle against obesity by allowing only healthy foods to be purchased with food stamps. Gov. Nikki Haley (R) on Thursday joined leaders of three state agencies to announce plans to seek a waiver from the federal government to change the food stamp program. Haley noted that South Carolina has the eighth highest rate of obesity among states. "All of that is about to change, not in what we say but in actions," Haley said. "We are going to make changes .. so we actually can see results. Then other states will say, ‘What are they doing?'"

Posted by roy_batty at 04:31 PM | 62 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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roy_batty

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Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Personal attacks, profanity, abusive conduct and expressions of prejudice are not allowed. If you have comments about site moderation, contact the site publisher in email.

That's the biggest problem with food stamps; they should've been limited to nothing but necessary food and household items from the very beginning.

I hope Gov. Haley is successful with this.

.

#1 | Posted by Dave at 2013-02-24 01:18 PM | Reply | Flag:

#1 | POSTED BY DAVE'

Or at least keep them from buying soda and junk food at the local pharmacy/convenience store.

Drove me nuts working at Walgreens..people spending 50 bucks on soda and chips and whipping out the EBT card.

#2 | Posted by Lohocla at 2013-02-24 02:19 PM | Reply | Flag:

Got to be something wrong here. Dave wrote something I agree with.

Also NO cash withdraws.

#3 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-24 02:50 PM | Reply | Flag:

Walgreens..people spending 50 bucks on soda and chips and whipping out the EBT card.

I would have been tempted to come over the counter at them Loh, I assume you have more restraint than me either that or you are posting from the computer in the prison library.

I know my wife worked in a grocery store back when food stamps were books of cupon like things and she has told me some tales. I am all for assistance but food stamps have gotten a bit silly. When someone is at the store buying name brand pop-tarts with EBT and I am buying the big bag of malt-o-meal with real money it does chap my hide a bit.

#4 | Posted by TaoWarrior at 2013-02-24 03:29 PM | Reply | Flag:

Got to be something wrong here. Dave wrote something I agree with.

#3 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-24 02:50 PM | Reply |

When guys like dave agree, you know there's still a glimmer of hope for the nation.

#5 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-24 03:40 PM | Reply | Flag:

Drove me nuts working at Walgreens..people spending 50 bucks on soda and chips and whipping out the EBT card.

Good thing they don't sell lottery tickets.

You'd get to watch someone spend $50 on soda and chips with an EBT card just before they pull out a $50 bill to blow on lottery tickets.

#6 | Posted by jpw at 2013-02-24 05:55 PM | Reply | Flag:

Also NO cash withdraws.

#3 | POSTED BY PANEOCON AT 2013-02-24 02:50 PM | REPLY | FLAG

Do you have no concept whatsoever of what EBT is? If it's EBT FOOD, it's impossible to get cash. If it's EBT CASH on the card, that's coming from state collected child support usually, and otherwise it's CASH assistance. Without the ability to withdraw CASH; how would they use their EBT CASH benefits? The cards look the same and are often, in fact, loaded with both kinds of benefits, but it's impossible for them to draw cash they're not deserving of.

Try grabbing a clue [...] before opening your yap. Every time these things come up.. ugh. Republicans are just as stupid about how the assorted forms of welfare work as ultra left wingers are about how guns work.

And no, this is not a "well, I'm so lucky hard working I have never had benefits so why SHOULD I know?" moment. All of these moments are equal. If you don;t know what you're talking about, educate yourself before trying to judge people or just plain shut the hell up.

#7 | Posted by soheifox at 2013-02-24 09:46 PM | Reply | Flag:

#7 | Posted by soheifox

Your knowledge of the EBT programs are impressive and your passion about them is quite moving.
If I may ask, what drives such an aggressive defense and personal attack?

#8 | Posted by libertarian_gi at 2013-02-25 08:28 AM | Reply | Flag:

I hope it works. Seems like common sense to me.

#9 | Posted by eberly at 2013-02-25 08:31 AM | Reply | Flag:

"If I may ask, what drives such an aggressive defense and personal attack?"

Have you never read Panny's posts before? Still, one sentence directed at him hardly constitutes much of a personal attack. Unless you're especially thin-skinned about these types of things. Danni gets far worse than that here on a daily, often hourly basis. She never complains.

#10 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine at 2013-02-25 08:48 AM | Reply | Flag:

Your knowledge of the EBT programs are impressive and your passion about them is quite moving.
If I may ask, what drives such an aggressive defense and personal attack?

#8 | Posted by libertarian_gi

Someone needs to take a stand against conservative misinformation. Letting incorrect assumptions about how welfare works to go unchallenged just lets repubs reinforce their paranoid fantasies about welfare queens living it up.

#11 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2013-02-25 04:53 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Try grabbing a clue WTF you're talking about before opening your yap."

That's not how Pan rolls. For some, ignorance is bliss.

Good idea, but she needs to ensure that the food she wants them to buy is actually available. There are a lot of high client areas which have only convenience stores with little in healthy choices.

The other problem is policing this. Food codes? Secret shoppers? Just trusting the stores?

#12 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-02-25 04:55 PM | Reply | Flag:

"at least keep them from buying soda and junk food"

I've known people on food stamps that refuse to buy either of these with food stamps.

They say doing that is criminal.

Then again I've known people on food stamps who react like they're addicted to twinkies when you talk about taking them off their menu.

PS pharmacy/convenience stores are some times the only stores within walking distance.

#13 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 04:58 PM | Reply | Flag:

"PS pharmacy/convenience stores are some times the only stores within walking distance."

well, since they have time, they can walk further....and judging by how fat most of them are.....they could use the extra exercise.

yeah....a little insensitive....but since some here insist on having their feelings hurt.....might as well pile it on.

#14 | Posted by eberly at 2013-02-25 05:00 PM | Reply | Flag:

Your knowledge of the EBT programs are impressive and your passion about them is quite moving.
If I may ask, what drives such an aggressive defense and personal attack?

#8 | POSTED BY LIBERTARIAN_GI

Golf Clap.

#15 | Posted by shirtsbyeric at 2013-02-25 05:01 PM | Reply | Flag:

Damn, that is way too easy. Why hasn't the ag dept thought of that?

#16 | Posted by Sniper at 2013-02-25 05:02 PM | Reply | Flag:

The ultimate joke on the disarray of the food stamp program is to see someone at a store spending these while dressed in very expensive clothes and driving a late model or new vehicle... the black market on food stamps is also a prolific cost besides the fact that there is virtually little control on this entire program. There should be excessively tighter controls...if you are taking a hand-out, there should be little wiggle room in what you are receiving...

#17 | Posted by drsoul at 2013-02-25 05:03 PM | Reply | Flag:

EBERLY you forget that people have to eat in the dead of winter too.

Lets not kill people while trying to improve them (and yes I think you're trying to help them).

#18 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 05:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

oh, I'm sure all sorts of ideas have been attempted.

prohibit certain items from scanning.

alcohol
tobacco
twinkies
chips
pop
candy

I'm sure there is some sort of reason why people using these cards are allowed to buy such crap.

#19 | Posted by eberly at 2013-02-25 05:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

"EBERLY you forget that people have to eat in the dead of winter too."

so, we are never going to require these people enter a grocery store....just buy [...] at a C-Store...for life?

#20 | Posted by eberly at 2013-02-25 05:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

I can actually get behind this, though I'm against Bloomberg's pop banning. If you accept federal funds or help, you're subject to their rules, arbitrary or not. See: Golden Rule of Federalism.

It will be more expensive, though...since cheap food is [...].

#21 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2013-02-25 05:09 PM | Reply | Flag:

It looks like there are to parts to the ebt system and the food stamps part doesn't let people buy
alcohol or tobacco.

en.wikipedia.org

#22 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 05:11 PM | Reply | Flag:

Who is monitoring Haley's eating habits? She is getting paid by the taxpayers, so the taxpayers deserve to know whether she's eating twinkies or not.

#23 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-02-25 05:15 PM | Reply | Flag:

Null that woman could kick your @$$ so I would not worry about her nutrition if I were you.

#24 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-25 05:19 PM | Reply | Flag:

I think it's a fine idea. Do it.

#25 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2013-02-25 05:21 PM | Reply | Flag:

Do you have no concept whatsoever of what EBT is? If it's EBT FOOD, it's impossible to get cash.
#7 | POSTED BY SOHEIFOX

How to Access Cash and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits
To Get Cash at the Store
Get your balance by looking at your receipt, or call 1-888-328-2666.
Look for the Quest® mark.
Your card is swiped.
Enter your secret PIN on the number pad, then press Enter.
Tell the clerk how much money to enter or enter the amount yourself.
Check to make sure the amount on the receipt is the same as the amount of cash you received.
www.ct.gov

So that is SOHEIFOX's first LIE

Try grabbing a clue WTF you're talking about before opening your yap.
#7 | POSTED BY SOHEIFOX

Looks like good advice you should try it some time. It's called google.

Every time these things come up.. ugh. Republicans are just as stupid about how the assorted forms of welfare work as ultra left wingers are about how guns work.
#7 | POSTED BY SOHEIFOX

Guess we proved that wrong and I'm a life long gun owner to boot.

If you don;t know what you're talking about, educate yourself before trying to judge people or just plain shut the hell up.
#7 | POSTED BY SOHEIFOX

You're just diggin deeper

#26 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-25 05:27 PM | Reply | Flag:

Someone needs to take a stand against conservative misinformation. Letting incorrect assumptions about how welfare works to go unchallenged just lets repubs reinforce their paranoid fantasies about welfare queens living it up.
#11 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY

Your turn SPEAKSOFTLY. I have no issue with assistance programs and support programs. We live in a society of humanity for the time being. What you fail to understand is that these programs are paid for by tax payers and that we have a responsibility to use these funds properly. That doesn't mean as a DNC vote buying tool. It is also wrong to enslave people with government largess, it cripple people, it creates a permanent underclass. Conservative don't lack compassion but we do have a bigger picture on the whole process.

#27 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-25 05:34 PM | Reply | Flag:

When Gov.Haley is praised by the First Lady will she become a RINO for wanting the kids in her state to be healthy. I used to have a neighbor that was always asking me if I needed anything from the store, then one day found out she was getting food stamps and then could use my cash for beer and cigarettes I stopped ever needing anything when I figured that out.

#28 | Posted by THomewood at 2013-02-25 05:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

That's not how Pan rolls. For some, ignorance is bliss.
#12 | POSTED BY NORTHGUY3

Always willing to have the conversation NORTHGUY3, bring it.

#29 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-25 05:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

"When Gov. Haley is praised by the First Lady will she become a RINO for wanting the kids in her state to be healthy."

That will be nothing Haley's already been accused of being a Muslim.

#30 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 05:39 PM | Reply | Flag:

SOHEIFOX just because you pi$$ed me off this one's for you.

MY EBT for SOHEIFOX

#31 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-25 05:41 PM | Reply | Flag:

Tobacco and alcohol are already taboo for the EBT card. This idea of restricting the EBT purchases to "healthy food" is about as asinine as the idea of testing card repicients for weed.
These ideas might sound pretty good for a knee-jerk attempt to "straighten them grubbers out" (elite description of poor folk), but if they denied help to positive weed testers, it would force some to steal what they need and or put them on the street.. Little kids would bear the brunt of that shytty idea.
Same with the "health food" idea.. Who is gonna decide what is healthy? Hell plain ol Cambells soup could be considered unhealthy by the amount of salt in one can..

#32 | Posted by phesterOBoyle at 2013-02-25 05:44 PM | Reply | Flag:

PHESTEROBOYLE considering the burden that might be spared tax payers if those on food stamps eat better this should be looked into.

#33 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 05:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

Again, who gets to say what is better? Would mac & cheese be allowed? Soup? Butter? Hamburg? Frozen chicken wings? As it is no hot food can be purchased with an EBT card, no hot subs and no hot pizza allowed.
In a perfect world, people would be restricted to mainly fresh fruits and vegetables, but we don't live in a place like that.

#34 | Posted by phesterOBoyle at 2013-02-25 06:06 PM | Reply | Flag:

In a perfect world, people would be restricted to mainly fresh fruits and vegetables, but we don't live in a place like that.

#34 | Posted by phesterOBoyle

Perhaps someone will open stores in those neighborhoods, that specialize in selling fresh foods instead of soda and chips. If that's all they'll be able to buy with those funds, someone should see it as a business opportunity.

#35 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2013-02-25 06:17 PM | Reply | Flag:

Perhaps someone will open stores in those neighborhoods, that specialize in selling fresh foods instead of soda and chips. If that's all they'll be able to buy with those funds, someone should see it as a business opportunity.
#35 | Posted by Whatsleft

Sounds good but every grocery store around here already has fresh foods.
The ACLU would step in and cry discrimination saying if we can buy junk food then so can they.

#36 | Posted by phesterOBoyle at 2013-02-25 06:21 PM | Reply | Flag:

"who gets to say what is better?"

We do have doctors and scientists.

#37 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 06:22 PM | Reply | Flag:

We do have doctors and scientists.
#37 | Posted by Tor

Yes and next we can insist they get a certain amount of exercise "according to the doctor" -- or they lose benefits?
Just think of all the new case workers we can hire to enforce all of this..

#38 | Posted by phesterOBoyle at 2013-02-25 06:28 PM | Reply | Flag:

PHESTER there's no reason to fear a slippery slope besides programing their cards to reject select products is already done.

And much as I like the idea of public works the idea of someone making sure they work out would be an exercise in weirdness.

#39 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 06:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

Well it will be interesting to see who decides what can be considered healthy food and what isn't. Obviously there are some foods that are downright unhealthy, but there is a lot that could be considered "marginally" bad.. Who and how it's decided is the question.

#40 | Posted by phesterOBoyle at 2013-02-25 06:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

#38..Actually, my employer did just that. All employees are now required to be enrolled in a healthy lives type of program. Failure to do so and, more importantly, failure to "progress" can and will lead to termination.

#41 | Posted by bogey1355 at 2013-02-25 07:01 PM | Reply | Flag:

@ #40

I'm fairly sure the military has an idea what's healthy for adults to eat.

Then again all kinds of stuff could go wrong if we try to get a 80 year old woman and a 17 year old man to eat the same "healthy" food.

#42 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 07:32 PM | Reply | Flag:

Are these politicians applying these standards to the food served at their own dining rooms in the capitol?

#43 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-02-25 07:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

Because as we all know, if the unhealthy American diet is going to be radically reformed--as it should be--it's poor people who ought to be the early adopters.

#44 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-02-25 07:39 PM | Reply | Flag:

@NULLIFIDIAN

Haley looks fit to be......

uh but you're likely thinking of DC where it could be argued elected officials have better things to do with their time than stay healthy.

Still it wouldn't hurt them to eat better.

Anyone else remember the freak out when Michelle Obama started promoting eating better and exercise?

It was madness to the point that Mike Huckabee had to come to her defense.

#45 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 07:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

"I'm sure there is some sort of reason why people using these cards are allowed to buy such crap"..........Eberly

very simple.......lobbyist. Food Stamp peeps are a growing segment of companies and these companies don't want to miss out on the $$$

Coke, Pepsi, Twinkies all have they lobbyist in Washington making sure they are not excluded from all this.

#46 | Posted by Maverick at 2013-02-25 07:44 PM | Reply | Flag:

Make no mistake, this has nothing to do about being "healthy" and everything about being "wealthy" WITH OUR TAX $

#47 | Posted by Maverick at 2013-02-25 07:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

@ #46

If you're right (and I think you are) no one told Haley.

#48 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 08:35 PM | Reply | Flag:

As recent documents prove, science has been used to create addictive junk foods, of which few can eat just one.

I have advocated a variation of this, a balanced healthy diet of basic food stuffs available to everyone who needs them, paperwork not required, in one corner of every food store; tea, flour, salt, sugar, beans, rice...as recommended by dieticians, that's about it.

#49 | Posted by nutcase at 2013-02-25 11:13 PM | Reply | Flag:

@ NUTCASE

Like a health food store?

#50 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-25 11:50 PM | Reply | Flag:

you foodstamp nazis sure do assume a whole helluva lot. maybe the person is a diabetic or any of a whole host of other problems.

that thinking simply is not charitable. may you rot in hell along with your saved nickel.

i hope any person you "come over the counter" at is carrying protection.

you ppl blow. so does Nikki Haley.

#51 | Posted by ichiro at 2013-02-26 03:51 AM | Reply | Flag:

#51 How are chips and soda going to help a diabetic?

You don't agree that there should be expectations placed on individuals that use food assistance paid for by others?

It is a nutrition assistance program, not a buy anything you want program.

#52 | Posted by HeuristicGratis at 2013-02-26 08:52 AM | Reply | Flag:

On the bright side, it could accelerate urban farming and community gardens, if the products could be purchased with the cards.

#53 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-02-26 09:58 AM | Reply | Flag:

#52 actually there is no food a diabetic can't eat, in moderation.

Besides, anyone complaining is just being racist. The food stamp president and the take yours society has spoken.

#54 | Posted by DavetheWave at 2013-02-26 01:21 PM | Reply | Flag:

Dave for a change the majority might actually agree with you if you simply stated your opinion.

#55 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-26 02:02 PM | Reply | Flag:

When I was a kid we had food stamps for a while. We could only buy 100%, milk, cheese, meat, bread... real foods. Pre-cooked foods like the rotisserie chickens were not able to be bought with them.

Guess what... i lived through it. Seeing people bust out there link card for soda and chips makes me sick. You have the right to not be hungry.... snacks are not a "right".

#56 | Posted by captjimmyjames at 2013-02-26 07:21 PM | Reply | Flag:

Why not make all food healthy - remove all taxes from organic produce.
The negative effect on the economy due to fewer pharmaceuticals, or hospital stays, will no doubt be too much for your ruling class. Oops i meant you the people.

#57 | Posted by BetterRed at 2013-02-26 08:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

Whoa whoa whoa.... getting a little radical, aren't you, Betterred? The hell do you get off speaking such lunacy?!?!? Organic!? We all know that's just code for food with bugs on it!!!

Take you and yer crazy ideas out of here!

#58 | Posted by captjimmyjames at 2013-02-26 10:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

Go back to the days of issuing basic foodstuffs labeled "THIS IS A GIFT FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES." Bulk butter, cheese, rice, etc.

Of course it will be very hard to buy off voters if all you are offering them is a means of subsistence. Government cheese and bread probably don't make good transferrable currency.

As to the no cash withdrawals comment earlier. Dunno if you can or can not take money out on those, but a few years ago there was a controversy in California when it was revealed that welfare recipients were taking withdrawals out on some sort of card, at Casinos.

"On the bright side, it could accelerate urban farming and community gardens, if the products could be purchased with the cards."

Uh, if they were smart, they could do it themselves as part of a co-op, and pay very little. But that would take effort.

#59 | Posted by madbomber at 2013-02-26 11:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

.... Better Solution - Prosecute the Crooks!

**** Give America back it's manufacturing industries that the CorpoRats shipped overseas and give them back the $TRILLIONS that the Federal Reserve and the Banksters and the Pentagon STOLE from the U.S.Public and then nobody will need to be on Food Stamps!!!

#60 | Posted by AntiCadillac at 2013-02-27 03:49 AM | Reply | Flag:

#59 State issued debit cards used at strip clubs, bars, x rated industries, etc. :

www.wfsb.com

www.nypost.com

www.nbc-2.com

#61 | Posted by HeuristicGratis at 2013-02-27 08:26 AM | Reply | Flag:

The thing that offends me about their using welfare at adult venues is that people aren't supposed to go there unless the have money to waste.

#62 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-27 02:45 PM | Reply | Flag:

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