Food rant
I just read an article expressing outrage at the wave of 20somethings on food stamps, shopping at Whole Foods, spending the money on organic produce and expensive cuts of meat and how if they can afford that, they don't need food stamps.
It makes me so mad.
We as a nation eat like crap, and it's literally killing us. Poor people who eat ramen and chips every day are going to cost taxpayers far, far more than $150 a month in food stamps in the long run. Were going to be paying for their diabetes medication, cholesterol meds, hospital visits, heart attacks, etc. We are also paying for all the pollution caused by producing cheap food.
As a family of 4, we get $400 a month in food stamps. We aren't exactly cheating the system - this is literally what we qualify for under our income, so really it's the government deciding we are poverty stricken, not us. Sure, I tend to go on vacations constantly, I don't work, we buy nice things..not exactly the lifestyle of a struggling family although we do have a nice share of debt and the occasional stress about paying a bill on time, but the point is I don't control the guidelines, I just follow them. The government has decided we are poor enough to warrant $400 a month in food stamps, and i am taking full advantage. Why not?
So yes, I use my food stamps for organic produce, wild mushrooms, lemongrass curry, exotic items, expensive meats, and wild caught fish. I feed my family the healthiest choices possible, and I am proud of that.
Why on earth would anyone else care what someone is buying with their food stamps? I cringe when I see a family buying bulk mayo and seventeen pounds of chips and donuts on food stamps, but that is their choice. I don't see why I should be judged more harshly than that family. At least I'm using what is available to me to keep my family as healthy as possible.
So if a young, single hipster wants to spend their 50$ allottment each month at Whole Foods buying nothing but fresh herbs, so what?
You can buy almost anything on food stamps, but WIC is very picky. You can only buy 2% non organic milk, only cage fed eggs, only tuna in oil, not in water...it makes me sick. I won't even use my WIC vouchers except occasionally to buy milk for the rest of the house which i won't drink. WIC is encouraging unhealthy eating, and it's freely handed out to anyone with a baby. Yes, I'd be okay with soda not being allowed on food stamps, but as it is, I am glad you can buy organic anything on them if you want.
So all you families in line behind me buying cases of ramen and processed cereal and scoffing at my fresh veggies and gourmet cheeses purchased on the governments dime can enjoy your bodies slowly dying while my family thrives at your expense. Sometimes, I love Darwinism.