lifegoesonbrah
Well-Known Member
I have been working in this field for about 6 months now and it is horrendous. These programs need to be simplified. The system is so clogged up both because of the endless regulations and because of all the people that apply and don't need assistance. When you over regulate, it increases costs of these programs because you need more oversight. There comes a point where the marginal benefit of preventing fraud exceeds the marginal cost of the fraud itself. The conservatives are kind of backwards on this issue, if they want to save the taxpayers money then they are doing it wrong by creating a monstrous and complex system which increases the costs of helping the few that actually need it. Some examples of over-regulation:
*If you have two drug felonies you cannot get food stamps, but if you are a rapist or a murderer we will make sure you eat good.
*There is no longer a work requirement, except for college students. So, if you are a loser that doesn't go to school or have a job you can get food assistance. If you go to school and work at an unpaid internship you are ineligible.
*Most elderly people own their own home, therefore the considered expenses when determining a food stamp allotment are generally much lower for the elderly.
I'm not arguing that all regulations are bad, but there is too many and they are too specific and discriminatory. If I was in charge here is what I would do:
*Every able bodied person from age 16-65 is ineligible.
*Institute a work requirement for parents applying for their children. No income floor for eligibility but income limits in place. Parent must work or volunteer at least 20 hours a week.
*Income limits for the elderly and disabled.
*Do away with food stamp budgeting, everyone gets the same amount.
*A person can only apply once a year, if they are denied they must follow through with the appeal process. They cannot just keep reapplying.
This is a step in the right direction of shrinking the program. The food banks and churches are great programs which should not be crowded out by the goddamn food stamps. The food banks get food from markets that would otherwise be thrown away and sell it cheaply to churches and food pantries. The churches, through donations, pay the food bank around $600 for a truckload. One truckload usually feeds about 200 families. This program is soo much better than food stamps. Freedom winning again.
The food bank receives matching funds from the state. The food stamp program is 100% federally funded.
Thoughts?
*If you have two drug felonies you cannot get food stamps, but if you are a rapist or a murderer we will make sure you eat good.
*There is no longer a work requirement, except for college students. So, if you are a loser that doesn't go to school or have a job you can get food assistance. If you go to school and work at an unpaid internship you are ineligible.
*Most elderly people own their own home, therefore the considered expenses when determining a food stamp allotment are generally much lower for the elderly.
I'm not arguing that all regulations are bad, but there is too many and they are too specific and discriminatory. If I was in charge here is what I would do:
*Every able bodied person from age 16-65 is ineligible.
*Institute a work requirement for parents applying for their children. No income floor for eligibility but income limits in place. Parent must work or volunteer at least 20 hours a week.
*Income limits for the elderly and disabled.
*Do away with food stamp budgeting, everyone gets the same amount.
*A person can only apply once a year, if they are denied they must follow through with the appeal process. They cannot just keep reapplying.
This is a step in the right direction of shrinking the program. The food banks and churches are great programs which should not be crowded out by the goddamn food stamps. The food banks get food from markets that would otherwise be thrown away and sell it cheaply to churches and food pantries. The churches, through donations, pay the food bank around $600 for a truckload. One truckload usually feeds about 200 families. This program is soo much better than food stamps. Freedom winning again.
The food bank receives matching funds from the state. The food stamp program is 100% federally funded.
Thoughts?
