Why Are 47 Million Americans on Food Stamps?

Most people would blame the surge in food stamp use on the crappy economy, or our liberal president, or some combination of the two. But the causes go much deeper, says libertarian Reason magazine's Nick Gillespie - and are utterly bipartisan.

"Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamp program, has increased 70 percent since 2007."

Sure, more people have signed up to the program because they're poorer due to the ropey economy. But more people are now able to sign up because the 2009 stimulus allowed more people to qualify, including households with incomes above 140% of the poverty line - currently $15,130 for a single parent and child, or $23,050 for a family of 4.

So it's all the fault of Obama's stimulus? Wrong. Gillespie points out that "spending on food stamps doubled under George W. Bush" - despite a relatively strong economy.

Via Nick Gillespie, Reason.com.

Do you think too many people are on food stamps?

[nolefties]

why do 47 million people take handouts? because they are lazy.

[Hireman]

I wouldn't say all or even most are lazy. There are definitely throngs of system-soakers on the program, but the economy IS in the dumps. I think we can audit the day lights out if this and other programs to reduce those numbers. Just taking the dead off the rolls will save millions.

[DanielMincin]

That's somewhat of a generalization. The real reason is because of the lack of job creation from our president.

[DanielMincin]

Along with the handout, it does discourage people from pursuing jobs if that was the point you were trying to make

[DogLady_1]

Not true... Most food stamp recipients are children or elderly. Many are disabled. 8 in 10 have a job, but it doesn't cover the basic necessities. Your rhetoric is old and outdated, and has been proven wrong...

[DanielMincin]

@DogLady_1 In 1992, 3.5 million people were on disability. Now in 2012, we have 8.8 million people on it. That should be a sign that people are abusing the system and the system must be changed.

[MBernard]

Maybe b/c we're in a recession.

[MBernard]

Well if not that and if it's try that happened under Bush, idk what to tell you but I know it's not Obama before the right wing nuts blame him.

[martydotcom]

FOX NEWS FOOD STAMPS WEIGHT LOSS TECHNIQUE.

Fox News' Andrea Tantaros, who co-hosts "The Five," likened food stamps to a dieting technique during her appearance on Fox Business When host Stuart Varney asked her if she coud live off $133 to spend on food monthly, Tantaros replied, "I should try it because do you know how fabulous I’d look?She continued, "I’d be so skinny. I mean, the camera adds ten pounds, it really does. I’d be looking great." Varney seemed fairly amused by her answer.

[marine1]

Maybe because all the jobs are chased out of this country?

[marine1]

@marine1 By starving one american we can employ 10 chinese.

[Thegrif]

@marine1 ...and we aunt seen nothin yet!

[Lorth]

Yeah - I think 47 million people on food stamps is too many.

[Sonny]

Yeah, well tell that to your so-called "job creators". When they start hiring people (corporations are siting on more than 2 trillion dollars)----then fewer people will need to be "on food stamps"....Until then...hey, people & their families have to eat---So be it!!

[Lorth]

@Sonny - I just told it to Everybody, sonny boy.

[Ashstop]

I know some of these people, they don't want to work, they would have to get a job making $15 an hour just to equal their free housing and food stamps and other entitlements, I know of 3 that make more money than I do by selling dope but are supported by my taxes,.. They all voted for Obama and can't quit smiling since the election! 4 more years; the party never ends!!!

[DogLady_1]

Sounds to me like a good argument for legalizing pot... let entrepreneurs sell what they are good at selling... then they will pay taxes, and eliminate the need for gangs to control territory. Less policing of neighborhoods would also save money... Fewer incarcerations of people whose only crime was selling a weed in a bag... Fewer people lost in addiction because they won't be afraid to ask for help... Sounds like a win-win to me!

[PuroChorizo361]

Lol Why would a dope dealer even think about voting?

[PoliticalSpice]

Just because those are the type of people you know doesn't mean the majority of people on food stamps do not need the food stamps. Just because you know people who sell illegal drugs that you say are supported by your taxes, does not mean most people on food stamps are. Instead of taking away food stamps from everyone why don't you tell these people you will report them? Why do you instead prefer taking food from the mouths of hungry families. Do you consume or take drugs with these people? Are you complicit in there behavior?

[erbmrb]

So....you know some people who are selling drugs and on welfare and food stamps? How do you know these people well enough to know that is going on? If you know that is going on then why not turn them in? Something about your story smells fishy.....

[Ashstop]

@DogLady_1
I totally agree with you about weed, I was pointing out that these people are just as capable of working as I am but why would they want too? It's all they've ever known! One of them did get a job but found out she was going to lose her housing so quit

[hwyangel]

I personally would prefer to err on the side of caution than watch people starve. But I also believe that social programs like food stamps should be more equally balanced with economic programs that would help people help themselves.

[Sonny]

No more "programs" are needed. Just tell your so-called "job creators" to actually start creating some damn jobs, then fewer people will need to "be on food stamps". This ain't rocket science...Just put people back to work....then you don't have to worry about having to contribute a few pennies so that families won't starve....Nobody really wants anyone else's help...All those "people on food stamps" want is a good job---Is that so hard to understand?

[hwyangel]

@Sonny

Yes, we do need more jobs. Now if someone could convey the message to Obama that the jobs are needed here in America and not China.....But in the mean time.
Contrary to popular belief, many of those poor people do have jobs, some even work two jobs. I expect you don't understand the concept of trying to raise children on a Mc Donald's income? The solution is more than just more jobs that put more profit in the hands of wealthy business owners, or more monetary gifts that do the same. These social programs help but are very short sighted.
There is a saying: "If you give a man a fish he will eat for the day, but if you teach a man to fish he will never go hungry "
The first part is the social programs like foodstamps and medical care, and the second part is education and jobs. Both important but there is still one element missing. A place to fish!
This where the economic programs come in.
Better schools, employment services, business opportunities, and community services.

[Sonny]

@hwyangel Tell that to your so-called precious "job creators"...not Obama. Yes poor people do have jobs. Everybody knows that. The problem is that they often don't make enough to survive..thus, the reason for foodstamps.----And please don't bore me with your "old sayings"...people need to eat and survive, not be preached down to by you and your side.

[hwyangel]

@Sonny

I'm not sure what "side" your talking about. I was neither for Obama or Mitt. I can only assume that by "Job Creators" you are referring to Obama? This is Obama's economy we are living in right now. After four years of Obama's presidency it would be beyond reasonable, if not delusional to blame anyone else at this late date.

[Sonny]

@hwyangel I already told you who the so-called "job creators" are. And its not any pres. of the us...YOUR side always says that...I can't believe you don't know this, but I am not too surprised. Your side rarely ever knows any facts, just more steretyping and BS is all you and your side is good for.

[NormalFlora]

Of course too many people are on food stamps. And yes, there are people who abuse the program due to insufficient oversight. But better oversight means more government employees and the teabigots will never let that happen. The solution is NOT to just pull the plug and let them all go hungry. I propose neighborhood food distribution centers where excess USDA flour, butter, eggs, milk etc. are distributed instead of food stamps. Why should farmers dump excess milk down the drain to keep prices up when kids and adults are starving? Have a heart people!!!

[PoliticalSpice]

Yea, one problem is that usda no longer has enough surplus, the farm support programs that bought up bumper crops in good years to help farmers and build a food reserve was cut severely under Reagan. This was a great program and they should bring it back. I like your idea of food pantraries, such services are run by charities in some communities, but the need outstrips the supply...

[jeffbrightone]

Evidently, Obama offered free food stamps to everyone in the world who comes to America to vote for him and the liberal Democrats Senators and Congressmen. Obama put advertisements in Mexico and offered free checks for anyone who crosses the border knowing that everyone that gets food stamps is Obama voter and integral part of the Democratic party base of Blacks, Hispanic and Asians regardless if he is illegal and is not eligible to vote. The use of the hard earned money of White conservatives was used by the Obama regime to bribe voters and buy their vote which is against the American constitution. This extends the liberal Democratic Party base with more than 60 million people including 'willingly disable' and willingly unemployed that will not take a job because they get monthly free checks, free phone and other benefits from Obama for their lifetime which is much more than the hard-working blue collar conservative Americans make. The Obama regime was able to buy his power for life as Obama will use the food stampers for a third and fourth term in the White House while GOP congressmen and Senators losers will keep silence.

[Lorth]

My understanding is that he is funneling arms to these people so that when Americans object to the 3rd and 4th and 5th terms he will be able to use them as his personal militia to secure his place as dictator for life. Thanks for bringing this to light.

[erbmrb]

@Lorth Break out the tin foil hats...

[PoliticalSpice]

Errr... A third or fourth term in the white house, really? See 22 amnd u.s. constitution.bought ads in mexican papers telling people to cross the border to come get food stamps? Fox didn't report it? LOL

[Lorth]

@erbmrb - Take off the Sarcasm Deflector. I'm having me a Good Time!

http://m.youtube.com/watch...

[erbmrb]

@Lorth d LOL I was talking about both of us putting on tin foil hats. Maybe that will protect us...

[FFX_VA]

47 million on food stamps is a new national record (national disgrace actually). People are forced on food stamps at a rate 75 times the net number of new jobs created. It's a huge problem. The number should be zero, but that takes a government that knows how to grow an economy, create jobs, and give people hope instead of handouts. Strange how Obama hasn't highlighted his new Guinness Book of World Records achievement. Oh that's right, it was Bush's fault.

[erbmrb]

Gillespie points out that "spending on food stamps doubled under George W. Bush". Hmmmmmm..........

[PoliticalSpice]

Forced on food stamps? How does that work. Some guv-mint guy with a gun grab em and say "apply or else"

[FFX_VA]

@erbmrb Can't speak to that, but will say from personal experience when you need the help FS, WIC, etc are a big help. The rules are just too loose right now and we can't afford that. I'm sure some on this blog will disagree, but Ice Cream & soda are not staple foods, they are luxuries.

[FFX_VA]

@PoliticalSpice Forced by economic circumstances. You've clearly never been there or known anyone who has.

[PoliticalSpice]

@FFX_VA
Really? I didn't realize me and the people I know. Maybe we just didn't discuss that aspect of our lives when we met.

In any event the question was asked bc when I see "was forced" on this site it usually is followed with "by the govt". Finding out you mean forced by economic circumstances gives your statement a bit more credibility, that is all.

[kyrebel]

I love the last paragraph...(despite the relative strong economy with bush. It's still bushes fault not obama fault.) That don't make no sense.

[Lorth]

Actually, some of it is the 'fault' of Bush, if you want to word it that way. The food stamp rolls increased under Bush because he made a concerted effort to get the word out to those that were eligible. It was done to help those living in poverty.

[Lorth]

Oh my goodness - I just realized I completely gave away my political leanings by claiming Bush was "trying to help those living in poverty" rather than "trying to buy votes".

[KyleMFb]

Yes I think there's to many people on food stamps BUT Its not bc Obama is granting everyone who asks food stamps bc that's not true millions of people get denied everyday...the economy sucks and that's not bc of obamas policy's either yea of course if Obama let Wall Street and banks run freely and do what ever they wanted the economy would probley being doing better BUT if you want more shit like what happend in 08 to keep happening then that's your own stupidity....PEOPLE who say people on welfare are lazy and looking for handouts are incredibly STUPID people that are on food stamps aren't on them bc they want to be most people on food stamps work multiple jobs trying to make do and they still come up short contrary to popular belief people on food stamps aren't living the high life bc that's simple not the case their defiantly not eating name brand foods that's for sure everything's generics brands of generics yes there is a lot of abuse of the the welfare system and something needs to be done about that but the way IDIOTS demonize people who are unfortunate and have to have a check from the gov just to survive (its not a blank check) bc there defiantly NOT thriveing is sicking and I truly hope one day those same asses who talk crap about welfare recipients lose their jobs and then their homes and cars and everything else...I hope they lose everything and can't provide for their children I hope they have to watch their kids go to bed hungrey every night and MOST OF ALL I hope they get denied welfare....and then see how quickly their attitudes change

[Cool_voter]

Don forget the majority of food stamp and welfare users are war vets and seniors...

[KyleMFb]

@Cool_voter and red states are welfare states....they criticize welfare then turn around and cash their checks

[Cool_voter]

@KyleMFb red states are missing something as well. Non religious bound sex Ed classes. Guess what they do have?
Higher non married birthrates...
Whoops!

[KyleMFb]

@Cool_voter also a way higher rate of incest and more upstanding pillars of the community in the red states get arrested for touching little boys and girls

[Locutus]

I meant to put YES sorry... It is the bush fault and the sad sack cheney that wasted our money. If WE had not have sold out and sent our jobs to other lands we might not be in this situation. Let's borrow anothe few billion from china... Why don't we start by rebuilding america and fixing our falling down systems; electrical, railroads, highways etc... That would put a few of us back to work.

[Keyjo]

Yeah, too many people ARE on food stamps.
AND it's a sad commentary on our lopsided, top heavy, GREEDY capitalism, unregulated, unforgivng, inhuman! It's because labor wages are ions behind the the cost of living. That gap continues to widen and if the greedy have to pay higher taxes to compensate for those foodstamps subsidizing the working poor, then it's justice.

[FollowTheMoney]

It's the nanny state mentality that the people have been swallowing for generations now. This is what the professional politician needs to maintain their positions . They need us to need them. Self reliance that was once the primary character trait of Americans is all but gone. Hell, we can't even feed our selves without the FDA. I for one an ashamed of that fact.

[1hardcorerepub]

It isn't a problem that 47 million people are on food stamps. The problem is 47 million people think food stamps is an ok lifestyle. Drug test them all, prove they are a legal us citizen, provide a some form of valid identification and a thorough investigation into their claims as a need.

[Russell797]

Because the rich control everything and the gap between the rich and poor has grown wider. Corporate outsourcing of jobs, supply side economics and a large population of ignorant, undereducated people to exploit, conspire to drive more and more to lower economic status.

[FFX_VA]

I've seen ppl buy carts full of junk food with food stamps. Apparently soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, and ice cream are eligible food items. After traveling the world and seeing truly poor, truly needy ppl the junk food seems like tax $$ spent on a luxury. You can buy seeds too and grow ur own (food that is) but haven't heard of anyone doing that.

[PoliticalSpice]

Ever look at the aisles in a dollar store, sadly it is mostly junk food. I agree with the limited point that the stamps should go to nutritious food, but how does that get enforced, a list of permissible items? And if that were tried wouldn't the same type of people who complain about food stamps raise a fit about govt regulation of what we can eat?

[FFX_VA]

@PoliticalSpice There is an approved list of permissible items. When you checkout the register verifies and logs what was bought with FS, cashiers are required to check & enforce too. But you know how that goes. Complain about no junk food, yeah they would. Where's Michelle Obama on this issue anyway?

[Keyjo]

@FFX_VA
Any human food substance qualifies.
You can not buy alcoholic beverages, pet food.

[FFX_VA]

@Keyjo That's correct. Can't buy a live chicken to get eggs either.
...guess my only point was I'm not sure SunnyD & Ho Ho's should qualify as food substance :) Michelle & I agree on that!

[Keyjo]

@FFX_VA
Granted, I'd never put Ho's, Ho's or Twinkies in my body, either. But many people would and do subsist on junkfood using their own cash.
I submit that those who'd purchase healthy fare with cash will do so with food stamps and likewise, the junkfood junkies.

[commonsense51]

For anyone to suggest it not being the fought of decades of a Socialist mentality whereby Government rather than family and Church are suppose to support everyone from cradle to grave, then they are living in some dream world. Democrats are running commercials to get people on food stamps who do not need it but fall into an ever increasing Government income limit that can get free stuff on the backs of tax payers. Democrats are taking over our nation by growing the welfare roles and creating an unbeatable voting block. HOW SICK IS THAT? I truly believe these Democrats in power are traitors to our nation. They are closet socialist and will bankrupt us to usher in their socialized version of Government.

[Brychan]

Because the American industrial base has been nearly gutted. Because corporate shareholders want ever higher profits while the consumer wants ever cheaper goods.
Because BOTH Reps and Dems removed the roadblocks that allowed the robber barons on Wall St to screw an entire nation.
I think the question SHOULD be, why are 47 million Americans on food stamps when America has billions of dollars to give to the Wall St robber barons?

[tdrummer198527]

what I you people don't seem to understand is that you are going to raise crime rates. take away food stamps and housing and you will have a new voice. you just might have to spend your taxes on buliding new jails and better alarm systems, i'm just saying.

[Jacobhannah18]

Why are 47 million Americans on Food Stamps? Because Obama has taught them if they lay on the couch and act like they are unfit to work you can get them. Or if you simply cannot afford to pay for your 8 children on your minimum wage job.