Why have food stamps become a political football in the 2012 election? The first high profile punt came from Republican candidate and former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, when he referred to President Obama as the “food stamp President.” The dynamic and diverse new media world of tweeting and blogging could be partly responsible; along with the never ending search for the ultimate sound-bite. But explanations that focus on the nature of the media today forget to acknowledge that political parties and their candidates have made use of such socially and politically-charged symbolism for decades—if not since the early days of the Republic.
In a larger context, food stamps are just one form of federal and state public assistance to families with incomes that are too low to adequately provide for their needs. In one form or another, food stamps have been a staple of the social welfare safety net that has protected the poor since the New Deal. But as a form of government subsidy, food stamps are a symbol of the relationship that exists between government and people. In that sense, food stamps and tax incentives that benefit home owners (i.e., the deduction of interest paid on home mortgages) are equal—both represent public policies intended to benefit very real constituencies in the political process. More importantly, the actual impacts of such policy choices are never as one-sided as some might suggest. A dollar spent by way of food stamps in part keeps farms, dairies, grocery stores, truckers, importers, and even members of Congress at work (just as tax breaks to home owners keep mortgage brokers, banks, tellers, and ATM companies at work).
Public policies generally don’t just benefit one person, group, or class. And they probably don’t just capture a narrow range of intentions on the part of the policy-makers that pass them. What do you think? Are food stamps the issue as some would suggest? If so, then shouldn’t all government subsidies become symbols during elections? Can you imagine a way of talking about such programs that does not lend itself to vilifying particular communities in the name of political expediency?
–DENNIS FALCON
Related articles
- Gingrich Uses Food Stamps To Criticize Rivals (npr.org)
- Albany grocer admits food stamps larceny (troyrecord.com)
- Liberals Offended by “Food Stamp President” Label, While Obama Gives Away More Food Stamp Grants (usamericanfreedom.com)
PoliSci News Review 
Food stamps are a problem. Not because of the principle of the idea but because of the the effect. I have an acute sense of the problem because I own a convenience store. Customers are constantly asking me if I accept EBT (food stamps) even though I sell nothing more than junk food.
Let me submit an example. An obese lady approached the counter with four kids in tow. She was adorned with tattoos on her neck, wrists, and upper breasts. She places several bottles of soda, oreos, skittles and a pack startburst on the counter. When I ring it up and tell her the total she hands me her EBT card. I informed her that we don’t accept EBT. She responds, “F**k, are you serious?!” ( I was). She walks away leaving me to reshelve the items as her kids threw tantrums for not receiving their “food”.
Many convenience store owners I have come across advise me to start accepting EBT at my store. They say it works great for them and its easy to do. EBT cardholders will go to their store, get a pack of cigarettes which the store owner will ring up as eggs and then accept EBT as payment. Its a win for the owner, a win for the customer and a big lose for the taxpayers.
I’ll share another quick story. There was a long line near our store of people waiting for the release of Nike Jordan shoes which come at a price of $180. One person waiting in the line to purchase these expensive shoes had his buddy hold his spot in line so he could come to our store. He approaches the counter and asks if we accept EBT.
He can afford to buy shoes for 180 dollars but needs the government to feed him? You see the problem? I do, Almost every day.
I will have to honesty agree and disagree. Food stamps can be the problem and on the other hand they are not the problem.
Food stamps can be the problem because some may take advantage of the assistance program. Many people recieve food stamps and dont need them. It just a way of getting over the system.
Alot of people get lazy and only depend on the food stamps because its free. The feel they dont have to work neither try and look for a job. The will sit around everyday waiting for that day of month to recieve the benefits on the card. What about when this program is no longer available. What will they do then? Thats when the real problem will come out.
Last but not least you have the ones who actually try to do something with their lives and after a while no longer recieve the benefits.
So at the end of it all, some use this to the best of their ability, and most take advantage of the system. But what can we do? Their will always be two sides of something. Is the world like that anyway?
In my opinion I dont think food stamps are the problem. Lazy people are the problem and to an extent the government not overseeing this program throughly are the problems. If we the working class have to take drug test to maintain our jobs, those on government assistance should have to take drug test as well to recieve their benefits each month. I am pretty positive that would weed out a lot of people who are on government assistance. If people would only use it in cases of emergency such as loosing their job and need just temporary help until they can find another job that is acceptable. But those who use the assistance as a form of “paycheck” need to step up and get a real job. I can see single mothers who work yet do not receive any child support being on food stamps for lengthy periods of time. There are so many ways in which the government needs to place more restrictions on the food stamp program. Able working americans will sometimes quit their jobs so that they can quilify for more government help. In cases such as this the government needs to implement rules that if you are unemployed for more than so many months you cant quilify for them until you have gained employment.
If you take a look at the households who annually use food stamps through the census bureau statistic’s sixty four thousand seven hundred and one million dollars was paid by the federal government in 2010 to supplemental nutrition programs. (Census.gov) These numbers do not include other programs like WIC, NSLP or CAC. These numbers are staggering and it is not surprising that they would be used as a “football” in the 2012 elections. Although many of the participants in these programs may not be as educated or with much income but what they do have is the power of their vote to make an impact on the election. Also on the flip side of the coin is the masses that pay into the taxes that support these programs that feel they may be abused. There may be a person who is a manager that works in a retail store and sees some one come in to cash out their food stamps wearing big diamond rings fancy clothes as they pull off in their Mercedes Benz. Don’t believe this is possible? Well I have personally witnessed it on several occasions. While the mass media may use the incentive programs as a type of football to gain the attentions of both sides and grab votes for the campaign trail towards a win. This would depend on what policies and programs the candidate may be pitching towards winning the election. The type of information the public may receive on the private control of media many are not informed enough to believe what is truth or fiction or simply do not care enough to research a topics validity on their own. Meanwhile the presidential campaigners will continue to toss the metaphorical football around through media avenues to gain votes. The media may even send these messages out through the form of trial balloons to test out the impact on the public.
The program of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs has about 47 million Americans reeling on federal food assistance benefits. I believe this type of programs are great benefit for those who are really in need especially when there is children involved and members of the house have lost his or her job due to the poor economy we are living in. However, the truth is that this programs are supposed to be helping families with low income until they can get back on their feet, no to live of them.There are people who really do not need these resources and who are taking advantage of this type of programs, and those who really need it cannot easily get. People who do not know what it is to make great efforts to achieve better jobs or a better education are the ones who exploit this country.I don’t think the solution is to put every American in food stamp, instead they should create more jobs and instead of food stamps offer them a job, which it would benefit both, the people and the country.
Food stamp is a problem but also a program that has helped many people. The way it is used and who uses it affects the result of the food stamps. People who are really desperate in need of food reply on food stamps and food stamps only. The purpose of this program is beneficial when these family who are in need uses it but becomes a problem when people take advantage. People who have low-income or people that ‘claim’ that they have low income, use food stamp simply as a way for them to save their own money. These people are taking advantage and causing a problem within the system. Instead of the food stamps, government should offer them a job or find something intangible so that people an’t take advantage of something that is very important to people who are desperately in need.