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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 10, 2013 - 12:50pm.
This is ridiculous. I have used EBT benefits when I was in law school with a growing family, with some work we were able to make our benefits last every month and even had a sizable surplus when we were able to stop participating in the program. I say this to say that I am no stranger to the program, how to use it, where to use it and the other benefits attached to it. I have seen what many people buy using the benefit provided, this includes tons of soda, fast and easy highly processed foods and sugary snacks and the like. At first I judged those people for what I perceived as a waste of taxpayer provided benefits, as my wife and I were cutting coupons and trying to not abuse the program that literally allowed us some breathing room during school. But I am a big believer in free will, so let the people do as they will regarding the benefits. I am no fan of restricting the range of products available for purchase in either direction, but I think you can use incentives to incentivize the living of a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps a program that gives extra coupons or benefit money if you can show that a certain amount of your allotted money goes towards fruits and vegetables. Or perhaps giving cash vouchers for participation in healthy eating contests, etc.
An unhealthy society on public welfare costs more to us because they also participate in publicly provided health care.
You would think with this idea in mind you would want to incentivize the purchase of as many healthful and organic products as possible, not limit them by calling them junk food and the like. This change in the language is stupid and frankly irresponsible.
Contact me if you would like more ideas or help rewording.
Free Choice
This is ridiculous. I have used EBT benefits when I was in law school with a growing family, with some work we were able to make our benefits last every month and even had a sizable surplus when we were able to stop participating in the program. I say this to say that I am no stranger to the program, how to use it, where to use it and the other benefits attached to it. I have seen what many people buy using the benefit provided, this includes tons of soda, fast and easy highly processed foods and sugary snacks and the like. At first I judged those people for what I perceived as a waste of taxpayer provided benefits, as my wife and I were cutting coupons and trying to not abuse the program that literally allowed us some breathing room during school. But I am a big believer in free will, so let the people do as they will regarding the benefits. I am no fan of restricting the range of products available for purchase in either direction, but I think you can use incentives to incentivize the living of a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps a program that gives extra coupons or benefit money if you can show that a certain amount of your allotted money goes towards fruits and vegetables. Or perhaps giving cash vouchers for participation in healthy eating contests, etc.
An unhealthy society on public welfare costs more to us because they also participate in publicly provided health care.
You would think with this idea in mind you would want to incentivize the purchase of as many healthful and organic products as possible, not limit them by calling them junk food and the like. This change in the language is stupid and frankly irresponsible.
Contact me if you would like more ideas or help rewording.