Please stop writing that people are voting against their self interest. First, the people of these states are not getting a direct vote on these programs. Second, the people who are (the congressional delegations) are for the most part doing just fine. They are not on AFDC, Snap, Medicaid, or Medicare. They do not have a direct stake in these programs.
I was sort of joking......sort of exaggerating just a little....I don't think iowa governor Kim Reynolds put up a big sign saying "please don't feed our poor children it just makes them obese" when she told the federal government she will not allow the federal government to give poor children a few dollars a month more in food stamps during summer months when school is out.
If you search "Kim Reynolds refuses food stamp money for poor children" you will probably find Des Moines Register and other articles.
She did literally say that she opposed giving poor children the food because she said too many poor children are already obese and giving them more food money would just make them more obese. You cannot trust them to buy good food. So don't give the poor children food money because they might waste that money on fattening food......and if the children are already fat....don't give them food money.
I did a photo illustration for my Art site but using disposable camera (I know) I did not have money to develope and post to my art site or here....there are plates of food on children's tables with either real or imagined quotes from Kim Reynolds...later if I get money and the burglars didn't steal that roll.....these burglars just loaded all kinds of stuff up....long story....but I did a photo shoot to try to illustrate....it's so bizarre that Governors would refuse food money for poor children. And those same states I believe do everything in their power to deny for any reason food stamps to people who actually qualify.
If you look it up and find it please publicize.....it's just so mean and unnecessary!
Yeah.....I think iowa governor Kim Reynolds put up a big sign up...."Please do not feed the poor hungry children...it just makes them obese" when she told the Federal Government she would not allow poor children to get a few more dollars in food stamps. Believe it or not!
From Noah Berlatsky today: “the cause of poverty isn't some moral failing. The cause of poverty is not having enough money. Human beings are imperfect; everyone has moral failings—me, you, even J.D. Vance.”
I’m always struck by how quickly we blame the poor for making bad choices, being lazy or stupid or criminals which is always their fault or the fault of a social support system that doesn’t hold them accountable and discourages work. The proof of this fallacy always surprises us. I’m shocked that the billionaire is a tax cheat and commits business fraud and is lazy. The priest is a pedophile. The corporate executive a drug using, wife abusing, drunk who cheats on his wife and has been divorced numerous times. We are all human, all make bad choices. Let’s ease up on judgement, eh?
I think there have been several studies concerning what the poor spend money for if they get cash benefits from the government. In every case they spent money on necessities such as food, clothes, or paying down debt. No one wasted a cent. Contrary to the pejorative judgments of wealthy Republican types, the poor have a very good idea of what money is worth in terms of buying power. They know how to stretch a penny until it squeals to get value for dollars spent. And yet rich Republicans persist in believing that the poor are reckless children. In fact, the only reckless children in the acquaintance of the rich are their own spawn. Look no further than Donald Trump’s vile offspring for examples of what I mean.
And yet, many of those same Republican lawmakers gleefully took credit for infrastructure projects … the funding for which they [checks notes] VOTED AGAINST.
What is downright embarrassing to normal thinking people with a few shreds of empathy is that Oklahoma, as noted in the article, has one of the highest poverty rates of all fifty states. Yet he thinks a bit of help with food for children comes with a federal government "agenda"?
So often, you have to read between the lines. The programs are intended for *all* children not just the white, allegedly Christian children. Somehow if a BIPOC gets a benefit, that diminishes a *white* benefit.
I agree that racism and other hideous stereotypes are at the root of this cruelty. Writing or calling your local officials, including the governor's office, and explaining the stupidity of decisions like this is a good place to start.
Please ask these so-called leaders in these Red states what good their pride and arrogance have? How is their prideful collective upturned nose on the part of people who have plenty good for well-being of CHILDREN? What lesson do hungry children learn when they are denied food? Read that sentence again.
Please stop writing that people are voting against their self interest. First, the people of these states are not getting a direct vote on these programs. Second, the people who are (the congressional delegations) are for the most part doing just fine. They are not on AFDC, Snap, Medicaid, or Medicare. They do not have a direct stake in these programs.
I was sort of joking......sort of exaggerating just a little....I don't think iowa governor Kim Reynolds put up a big sign saying "please don't feed our poor children it just makes them obese" when she told the federal government she will not allow the federal government to give poor children a few dollars a month more in food stamps during summer months when school is out.
If you search "Kim Reynolds refuses food stamp money for poor children" you will probably find Des Moines Register and other articles.
She did literally say that she opposed giving poor children the food because she said too many poor children are already obese and giving them more food money would just make them more obese. You cannot trust them to buy good food. So don't give the poor children food money because they might waste that money on fattening food......and if the children are already fat....don't give them food money.
I did a photo illustration for my Art site but using disposable camera (I know) I did not have money to develope and post to my art site or here....there are plates of food on children's tables with either real or imagined quotes from Kim Reynolds...later if I get money and the burglars didn't steal that roll.....these burglars just loaded all kinds of stuff up....long story....but I did a photo shoot to try to illustrate....it's so bizarre that Governors would refuse food money for poor children. And those same states I believe do everything in their power to deny for any reason food stamps to people who actually qualify.
If you look it up and find it please publicize.....it's just so mean and unnecessary!
Dodobbird.pixels.com
https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-puppy-wants-a-cheeseburger
Yeah.....I think iowa governor Kim Reynolds put up a big sign up...."Please do not feed the poor hungry children...it just makes them obese" when she told the Federal Government she would not allow poor children to get a few more dollars in food stamps. Believe it or not!
Dodobbird.pixels.com
Mr Dodo B Bird. "Starving Artist"
Thanks for your comment! I'll look that up, unless you want to post a direct link in your current comment or in another comment.
From Noah Berlatsky today: “the cause of poverty isn't some moral failing. The cause of poverty is not having enough money. Human beings are imperfect; everyone has moral failings—me, you, even J.D. Vance.”
I’m always struck by how quickly we blame the poor for making bad choices, being lazy or stupid or criminals which is always their fault or the fault of a social support system that doesn’t hold them accountable and discourages work. The proof of this fallacy always surprises us. I’m shocked that the billionaire is a tax cheat and commits business fraud and is lazy. The priest is a pedophile. The corporate executive a drug using, wife abusing, drunk who cheats on his wife and has been divorced numerous times. We are all human, all make bad choices. Let’s ease up on judgement, eh?
I thought I'd add...I don't see this calling out as "judgment", but rather the calling out of hypocrisy.
I hadn't thought of it that way, but I like your take on it, pointing out hypocrisy resonates with me. Thank you.
Thanks for posting Berlatsky's thoughts, here. And for your insightful analysis.
I think there have been several studies concerning what the poor spend money for if they get cash benefits from the government. In every case they spent money on necessities such as food, clothes, or paying down debt. No one wasted a cent. Contrary to the pejorative judgments of wealthy Republican types, the poor have a very good idea of what money is worth in terms of buying power. They know how to stretch a penny until it squeals to get value for dollars spent. And yet rich Republicans persist in believing that the poor are reckless children. In fact, the only reckless children in the acquaintance of the rich are their own spawn. Look no further than Donald Trump’s vile offspring for examples of what I mean.
Myths about the poor and their "bad decisions" abound.
So, Republican elected representatives would sooner see needy Americans go without than accept federal assistance?
OK then. Fuck every single one of them.
You would think they might be embarrassed or something...
And yet, many of those same Republican lawmakers gleefully took credit for infrastructure projects … the funding for which they [checks notes] VOTED AGAINST.
Yes, they did. And I love that President Biden called them out!
We love a good map!
Yes!
Just read this to Tom. So infuriating. OK gov Stitt is an -ss and Idaho is more of the same.
What is downright embarrassing to normal thinking people with a few shreds of empathy is that Oklahoma, as noted in the article, has one of the highest poverty rates of all fifty states. Yet he thinks a bit of help with food for children comes with a federal government "agenda"?
Hoo boy...
Exactly!!
So often, you have to read between the lines. The programs are intended for *all* children not just the white, allegedly Christian children. Somehow if a BIPOC gets a benefit, that diminishes a *white* benefit.
It's racism without saying the words.
I agree that racism and other hideous stereotypes are at the root of this cruelty. Writing or calling your local officials, including the governor's office, and explaining the stupidity of decisions like this is a good place to start.
Thanks for your comment, Larry!
Please ask these so-called leaders in these Red states what good their pride and arrogance have? How is their prideful collective upturned nose on the part of people who have plenty good for well-being of CHILDREN? What lesson do hungry children learn when they are denied food? Read that sentence again.
Lo, that hungry children could vote.
Good point, In addition to going hungry and/or watching their parents struggle, what do the kids learn from this choice?