NH Homesteader
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It bothers me that you can buy soda, candy , potato chips, with food stamps . Heck you can buy lobster with food stamps! Kind of absurd!
Safe/unsafe food?
- Thread starter sumi
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Mini Horses
Sustainability Master
"required" -- not that we CAN control but, I do feel that there should be an understanding that to obtain the help you must go thru one of the many programs available to TEACH them what they should know about eating, the effects, reducing MANY medical problems by reprogramming their habits. It is not only better for their health but actually reduces meds, in many cases... medical operations in many cases. Learn good health and try to practice it.
As to welfare, years (!!) back, they did require training for jobs for those able to work. There was free training, support for child care, etc. to assist. The assist reduced as they gained sufficiency. The goal being to get them self supporting.
Those are the things that I personally feel should be a part of long term financial assist. Not saying all are in this situation, some are not able to work. Those that are able should be ! Heck, I WORK!! It busts my butt to see what I see that is totally preventable and unnecessary & their lives being financially supported by tax dollars.
The welfare & food stamp rolls in this country are huge. HUGE. We should help those in need, just ferret out and make productive those that are "working the system".
Otherwise, Uncle Sam -- send ME a check
As to welfare, years (!!) back, they did require training for jobs for those able to work. There was free training, support for child care, etc. to assist. The assist reduced as they gained sufficiency. The goal being to get them self supporting.
Those are the things that I personally feel should be a part of long term financial assist. Not saying all are in this situation, some are not able to work. Those that are able should be ! Heck, I WORK!! It busts my butt to see what I see that is totally preventable and unnecessary & their lives being financially supported by tax dollars.
The welfare & food stamp rolls in this country are huge. HUGE. We should help those in need, just ferret out and make productive those that are "working the system".
Otherwise, Uncle Sam -- send ME a check
Lazy Gardener
Super Self-Sufficient
Yes, it's a free country. And no one should be forced to eat a certain food. However, when it comes to MY money being used to provide $$$ for folks to buy foods which are void of nutritional content, I believe it's MY freedoms which are being trampled. Money taken out of my wallet to buy potato chips and soda for food stamp recipients. Plenty of reports of folks buying bottled water with food stamp funds, dumping it in the store parking lot so they can redeem the bottles to buy their cigarettes. Granted, these abuses are not so common. But the system is sick. If the food stamp program worked the same way the WIC program did (vouchers for x # of vegetables, x # of proteins, x # of carbohydrates, x # of dairy: in keeping with the healthy food pyramid) this would prevent 99% of the abuse. Sure, It's a free country. But when public assistance is being provided, the freedom to purchase high priced low nutrition junk food should not be placed above MY freedom to keep my money in my wallet so I can provide healthy food for my own family.
Britesea
Sustainability Master
The best time to teach people how to garden, and to love gardening, is when they are children. I would like to see every school have a school garden that the children spend a bit of time in- being taught about how to coax food and flowers from the soil. The food harvested could then be incorporated into school lunches, or perhaps allow each child to bring home a portion of the harvest? Among other things, working in the soil produces a feeling of contentment and peace... something I would think the teachers would be glad to see!
NH Homesteader
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We had a garden at the last school I worked at. They would make stone soup every year
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Soup
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Soup
Lazy Gardener
Super Self-Sufficient
Yeah, I've been there, done that also. I "helped" a co worker plant a modest garden... a couple tomato, cukes and some lettuce. She was more than willing to watch me do the work. When I encouraged her to get her hands dirty, her response, "I'd better not. I'm not smart enough." Later, when the tomatoes started setting fruit, she would laugh at how her dtr pulled the "little green balls" to throw around in the yard.
For the past 2 years, I've offered to teach basic gardening or hay bale gardening to any one who wanted to learn. This last fall, I offered to teach canning. In the 2 years, I've only had one person follow through to learn how to start a garden.
But, I'm convinced that there is a way to effectively mentor folks to teach them the joy of taking care of their needs, instead of letting the government do everything for them. Not sure I know what that way is... Perhaps requiring work to earn the resources. Similar to the Habitat for Humanity program.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
For the past 2 years, I've offered to teach basic gardening or hay bale gardening to any one who wanted to learn. This last fall, I offered to teach canning. In the 2 years, I've only had one person follow through to learn how to start a garden.
But, I'm convinced that there is a way to effectively mentor folks to teach them the joy of taking care of their needs, instead of letting the government do everything for them. Not sure I know what that way is... Perhaps requiring work to earn the resources. Similar to the Habitat for Humanity program.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
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Rammy
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It just shows you how dependant people have gotten on the government and how its effectively severed peoples desire to be self sufficient. Why should they when Uncle Sam hands you everything? Most people arent going to be self sufficient until thier forced to and thats only going to be when they run out of food stores from the groceries, warehouses, and either killing someone for what they have, or stealing it. When the SHTF, society is going to descend into chaos over food and water.
NH Homesteader
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I always thought it would be lovely to have a local garden and kitchen to teach low income people how to provide for themselves. Then I realized, so few of them want to it's not worth the bother. At least not here.
frustratedearthmother
Sustainability Master
REQUIRED? Still a free country, lol! People are free to eat poorly and make bad decisions... not saying it's smart - but nobody has the right to REQUIRE me to eat what they think I should eat or buy what they think I should buy... sorry... uh uh.. not happening.
frustratedearthmother
Sustainability Master
I understand. I know that some people scam the system too. I even get that it's OUR tax dollars. Yes, it would be great if more would take the initiative to help themselves instead of waiting around for handouts. But, when this country starts REQUIRING folks to eat the way someone else wants them to eat then freedom is over. Just my opinion.
