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SNAP

Mayor Cory Booker Will Live on Food Stamps

America's best-loved mayor will eat SNAP diet for at least a week

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by Mary Noble

Senior Editor t +

Image: AP

Cory Booker, famous for rescuing a woman from a burning building and other acts of un-politician-like heroism, will live on food stamps for a least a week after challenging himself and Twitter user @MWadeNC.

"Nutrition is not responsibility of the gov't," wrote @MWadeNC, a self-described Army veteran and Army wife "fighting against any and all forms of socialism/communism." Booker responded, "we have a shared responsibility that kids go to school nutritionally ready." He followed up by tweeting, "you and I try to live on food stamps in New Jersey (high cost of living) and feed a family for a week or month. U game?"

The user replied, "Sure, Mayor, I'm game," to which Booker shot back, "great. Let's do this. I hope you live in New Jersey. Let's film it and see how we do."

"This is key point, its very HARD," added Booker.

The challenge will start after Thanksgiving, and the Mayor may live on a food stamp diet for longer than a week. He tweeted on Monday, "been challenged by thoughtful people 2 go longer. I will."

All of which prompted Twitterer Tim O'Brien to write, "One day @CoryBooker will run for President. It will be the nation's first uncontested election - he's just that perfect for the job."

Via Yahoo News and Twitter.
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Is Booker's food stamp challenge a good idea?

138 Comments (view in Forum)

  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    Their was a newspaper challenge once to try to survive with a $40. Allowsnce for food for the week. It is very difficult, even with most of the diet from pasta, rice or potatoes. Just the tiniest bit of protein and any produce eats up a bog part of the budget.
  • Denizen_Kate
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    True. Try being diabetic and living on all those carbs with little to no protein. Potatoes, pasta, and rice are all at the top of the glycemic index.
  • JeanieD
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    So the taxpayers pay his substantial salary while he plays games with Twittet users & now he's going to steal from taxpayers (most of whom make 1/2 his salary) so they can feed him & a buddy too????? Socialists really do believe they own what I earn. If it were my town, he'd find me in his office DEMANDING to know why he thinks I should feed him. Impeach/recall is the only answer to this form of theft.
  • Cool_voter
    !
    He doesn't want you angry feeding him...
    He is paying for it out of pocket, the term "food stamps diet" means foods you can buy with food stamps.. He isn't actually signing up for the welfare program...
    Are you that thick?
  • CanisCanemEdit
    !
    @MRMacrum - One wonders if he's going to live like so many on food stamps, you know, in public housing or low rent apartments/homes.

    Or is he going to sleep in his comfortable, upper end home and just eat what he can afford on food stamps.

    Doubtful he will be changing his residence to see what it's really like.
  • MRMacrum
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    @CanisCanemEdit - I think you need to research this guy some. Something tells me he does not live in what would be considered "upper end" home.
  • CanisCanemEdit
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    @MRMacrum - Cup of coffee says he's not living in the projects either.

    My son tells me thats an expensive tailored suit he's wearing in the photo.(I wouldn't know because I get my suits at Penny's.) Lol.

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  • NO-BAMA
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    What is it with the libs? Why are they pushing foodstamps as Americas new way of life?
    That's right, I forgot. They need the dependency so they can have their power,(control) over their subjects. How come self reliance and personal responsibility aren't being taught?
    He's a disgrace.
  • Lorth
    !
    Heh-Heh, I can just hear you explaining to a six year old - we can't help feed you cause your family is poor - you need to be self-reliant. Now here, let me help you..... S, say S.
  • RoyFloyd
    !
    You are aware that most people collecting food stamps have a job, aren't you? As far as pushing food stamps, Wal-mart encourages its employees to apply for foodstamps and other benefits that subsidize the difference between their salary and a living wage. Keeps applications in the employee break room, offers assistance in filling them out, so Wal-fart must be "lib", right?
  • MongoAPillager
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    @RoyFloyd i work for them'hes telling it like it is.thats one of the reasons towns don't like to see them come in,the drain on the local assistance programs
  • RoyFloyd
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    @MongoAPillager I'm in sympathy, bro. Only thing imaginably worse than having to shop at Wal-fart because all the local businesses have been wiped out is having to work at one for the same reason. The employees there just don't seem happy.

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  • Lorth
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    I've seen nutritionists try this and have a hard time. Should illustrate why the kids need to be fed nutritious meals before and during school. Hard to think and act properly if you're hungry or riding a sugar buzz. Teachers see this first hand - that's why they're so supportive of efforts to ensure kids get fed properly. Guys like the Mayor's 'opponent' who doubts there is a problem are just clueless.
  • LGRepublican
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    So now it's "society's" job to not only pay for these kids, but feed them and raise them as well? Hell, might as well just make them wards of the state and eliminate the middleman...
  • Lorth
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    @LGRepublican - Really? Someone loses their job and we just take away their kids? Society has long recognized that giving assistance to the needy is a necessity. C'mon, join us - be a pal - don't require the little urchins enter an orphanage or work in a sweat shop to earn their keep.

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  • PrettyToez
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    Not sure if it is a good idea to entertain a Twitter follower, being the man he is and his position. While I believe he has good intentions, this "competition" could end up ugly and backfire on him down the road.
  • DerivePI
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    I don't understand the concept. Is he trying to say that the food stamp program isn't adequately meeting the nutritional needs of families? Is he saying that a food stamp life isn't so great? Since fasting for 40 days is doable, the challenge is definitely doable. I'm just not sure of the message.
  • Lorth
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    My take on it is the guy on the phone doesn't believe the government should help feed poor kids. He just expects them to get a good education and better themselves and then they can buy their own food. The Mayor is trying to illustrate how hard it is to get a good education when a person isn't fed well and to show that the Massive Food Stamp Program doesn't allow for massive food. Of course, I could be wrong - I spin things like I want them, too.
  • DerivePI
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    @Lorth - thanks, that does clear up the premise for me. Of course it still doesn't respond to the original Tweet, but it should be an interesting experiment. Heard yesterday that America's 'poor' is now having problems with obesity. Since children are under the responsibility and authority of their parents, even a 'good' program can still be ruined by bad parents (ex. single parent mothers with a drug problem).
  • Lorth
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    @DerivePI - It's the crappy food. The cheapest food also happens to be some of the worst food for you. The government could try to balance the aid with nutritional education but that would cost money and I'm guessing be hailed as a Communist or Socialist takeover of American lives.
  • DerivePI
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    @Lorth - If government must provide the safety net, a successful program will need to address these three things: 1. It meets the base needs of the people who need it. 2. It discourages people from staying on it willingly. 3. It doesn't punish the people who don't need it (ex if I get a job I can no longer collect ...). If Mayor Booker is successful, item 1 is met but item 2 is suspect. If he fails, item 2 is met, but we would still not be sure of item 1. Item 3 is a structural issue and will probably never be met.
  • Lorth
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    @DerivePI - Good point. I personally believe allowing people to work for the assistance will help with items 2 and 3. If an individual is required to perform some community service, assisting in hospitals, nursing homes, janitorial work in fire and police departments, etc., it would encourage those that are capable of finding and performing work to do so. There would be no benefit to working for the state at less income than they could make in the private sector.

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  • 1hardcorerepub
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    Booker probably already does live on food stamps, so not much of a stretch.

    All democrats will vote for the guy because democrats don't care about being lied too, as long as it is not a republican running the show.

    Notice how when democrats do something ridiculous it is a "stunt" or good for all mankind and when republicans do similar things we are prejudice or racist or unwilling to compromise?
  • Neo_NtheMatrix
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    We have someone at a chief executive level that is trying to ensure that we all do just that, and for more than six months. If he has his way it'll be permenantly.
  • Dan_Tien
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    @Neo_NtheMatrix If you want to blame someone for poverty in America, blame the "job creators" who lay off Americans and hire overseas Chinese in their place.
  • tomincali
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    seen new jersey pays about as much as ca,all i can say is those using foodstamps here spend alot more on food than we do.family of 4 getting almost 600 a month and cannot eat good is doing something wrong.
  • David944
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    It is supposed to government assistance not government taking care of your every need. I have $75 t0 $120 a week depending on the week for 4 people that’s everything including dog food and toiletries with no assistance.
  • jamie91
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    See I would not have a dog if I could not afford to feed my kids. Without the dog food and toiletries that is less than 1.50 a meal, then you take out more to feed a dog? And that us YOUR maximum BTW.
  • David944
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    @jamie91 Dog food is $7.50 a month 2 very small dogs and generic products. Lucky to live in Georgia rather than New York. Whats BTW
  • WilliamWallace
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    I spend $300-$350 a month on groceries. A family the size of mine would get $600 a month in food stamps. I bet it's hard to live off only $600 a month for food.
  • WilliamWallace
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    @MRMacrum There are five people
    In my family. According to the SNAP charts my Thrifty Food Plan should be $793.00. I was using $600 because I know a family of five that was getting that amount.

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  • Cool_voter
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    Why do you say that?
    Because he's a democrat, black??
    Mitt romneys father used welfare, meaning mitt used it.
    Dan republicans always looking for a free handout and big government to regulate their ideals
  • Buckfan4life2
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    Hows this guy going to go shopping on foodstamps LEGALLY? Where Iam from they throw people in jail for that. Ah, I forgot hes a democrat. I use to respect this man but I guess you just can't put to much faith into any politician anymore. I guess I will never really understand you democrats. I thought that freedom of choice was your thing. I guess not when it comes to what we eat. If this isn't a sign of communisum tell me what is???????
  • Cool_voter
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    Don't lie. You never respected him...
    He isn't apply for the food stamps program he is paying for the food, but only buying what you can have with food stamps, which, now this may blow your mind, is a somewhat limited selection of brands..
  • hybridlment
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    @Cool_voter There's no limitation on brands of food that can be bought with food stamps. WIC might have restrictions, but you can spend the entire month of food stamps on potato chips and Mt. Dew if you choose. Many people do, unfortunately.
  • hybridlment
    !
    I never spend as much on groceries as what food stamps would provide me if eligible. If I bought junk food, it would run through quickly, but thinking ahead and actually cooking brings the cost down a lot.
  • Pragmatist
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    How much does food stamps provide you? I have never bothered to look into it myself. I do agree that most people need to learn to grocery shop and cook. Some vegetables, potatoes/rice, and a *little* meat for flavoring (I love my steak, but I when I didn't have money... I didn't buy it) and you can easily feed yourself for a few dollars a day. I know because that's what I did (bulk oatmeal for breakfast, sandwich and banana/apple for lunch, stew/bacon flavored veggies with rice/potatoes for dinner... later on frozen chicken thighs as they are very cheap in bulk) for like $5-6 a day. I don't believe people should do the ultra-cheap route and live on .25 cent instant ramen though.
  • hybridlment
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    @Pragmatist It depends on how many in your family, but I know one single person who gets about 200 a month. I know I don't spend over 50 a week on food, but what I do buy is healthy food, no junk (I value my health too much!) and I make a lot of soups, chili, stews that make several meals, no soft drinks or snack foods. I also don't spend roughly 200 a month on cigarettes and conserve my utilities. While there are many people who need help, way too many are getting free groceries but spending twice that or more on smoking and drugs. The amount they get is very adequate if they used it wisely and laid off the junk food that is gone the first week.
  • Pragmatist
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    @hybridlment I agree that $200 a month should be plenty for a single person who know what they are doing in the kitchen. I don't know why poor people even bother buying soft drinks (water is soooo cheap and better for you 99% of the time). They definitely need to start giving classes to urban household (and to southern household for that matter) on what proper nutrition is.

    I would almost suggest they switch to some type of voucher system where they kind of control the types of food you are eating. Like per month you are given vouchers 20 daily servings of meat, 30 servings of vegetables (frozen vegetables now a days are actually pretty good), and like 10 servings for whatever (rice, cereal, junk food) to ensure they buy proper nutrition.

    This might annoy people who think the government tries to control... to much of their life, but hey... if you don't like what the food the government is offer, don't take it. If I'm paying to keep them from starving, I should get to "earmark" what foods they eat.
  • Pragmatist
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    @hybridlment Speaking of which, wtf is with those extreme couponers... they spend hours planning out these ridiculous purchases... most of which is not healthy food to begin with. 99% of people do NOT need to drink gatorade or any type of sports drink regularly. They are "saving" at the grocery store... but they will eventually pay in higher medical bills later on.

    I actually don't mind paying a for person's basic medical needs (vaccines, regular check-ups, flu-shots), because it is for the communal good. But it sucks to pay for someone's obesity medication because they never learned to get food that wasn't extruded/decanted from a machine.
  • hybridlment
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    @Pragmatist It does sound bad and controlling but I agree it should be used for real food. I checked out the other day after shopping carefully for the week and the woman in front of me had 26 items - every one of them chips, pepsi, candy, beef jerky, slim jims...and paid for with food stamps. I admit it made me feel bitter.

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  • Hireman
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    I like to see pols that will get down to business and reality. I would like to see him try this for 6 months though, and it would have been better for him NOT to wait until after Thanksgiving. Furthermore, I would have liked to see him do this without fanfare and cameras as that only looks like a stunt. Still, good on Booker for doing this. Maybe now congress will try out Medicare instead of their own insurance plans.
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