Current.com Blog | February 08, 2012 | 4 comments

A new bill that would ban using food stamps on sweets

We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:

No food stamps for junk food: Florida bill would ban buying sweets with food stamps
Submitted by Radical_Centrist

Republican State Senator Ronda Storms wants to limit welfare funds that would include no longer being able to use food stamps to purchase sweets. The bill will require Florida to launch a  campaign to educate the benefits of a nutritious diet. The off-limit items would include: ice cream, pudding, sodas, potato chips, among others.

"Most individuals using public assistance dollars are using the funds to get by and to provide for their families. However, we should do what we can to prevent dollars intended to help Florida's poorest families from being spent in the wrong places," Storms said in a statement.

But critics say the government shouldn't dictate what people eat.

"What I choose to ingest even though I may be on food stamps, that's at my discretion. I don't need government telling me what I can and cannot purchase," said Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, a Pompano Beach Democrat who voted in committee against the bill.

Storms' bill (SB 1658) recently passed a committee and a companion bill in the state House (HB 1401) is being considered by a subcommittee. The community discusses the possible new ban on food stamps:

Radical_Centrist: "Sounds like a GREAT idea to me!"

KB723: "I cannot disagree!!! =)"

unimatrix0: "This is just another way for Republicans to demonize and scapegoat the poor. Disgusting. The gov. should not dictate what poor people can and cannot eat."

bailey78: "About Damn time. I see folks with a bunch of kids spend food stamps on crap every time I go to a Stop & Rob store around here. That or sell the card to buy dope. I know a lots of families need the help. But a lot of them are just abuseing the system as much as they can."

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4 comments // A new bill that would ban using food stamps on sweets

  • Don3323
    • -2
      Don3323  

    • You cheap bastards make me puke. Why can't you just let the poor struggling families buy some treats for their children who probably don't have a fraction of what your kids take for granted. You would deny them ice cream or pudding? I feel like I'm living in a Charles Dickens novel. You would probably ship them all to the poor farm if you could. I'd love to take a look at what's in your refrigerator. I wouldn't want your bad karma.

    • 3 months ago
  • LAyellowdog
    • +2
      LAyellowdog  

    • This is about time. I wish Louisiana would pass a bill like that in our legislature. Our less educated poor citizens are killing them selves though Diabetes and Obesity and costing us over a billion dollars a year in medical care. Maybe the junk food pushers or soda and processed food industry should feel some of the pain that they are causing though less food stamp revenue.

    • 3 months ago
  • warman1138
    • +1
      warman1138  

    • Junk food is exactly that, junk. If you want something sweet buy fruit or juice. Why consume crap? If you want people on assistance to make healthier food choices try education, dumb or uninformed people make poor choices. Don't stigmatize a group for the mistakes of some, develope something smart and crafty to correct a problem before using blunt force.

    • 3 months ago
  • alexsmith01
rluz
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