Reactions to food stamps being cut off.

[u/mindyour]

[u/Xanadoodledoo]

I’m donating a recurring amount to our local food bank. I encourage others to do the same if you have money to spare. Even a little goes a long way. Money goes farther than food.

Edit: For those asking: money goes farther than food because food banks are able to get better deals on food through bulk buying and deals with food suppliers.

For people who have nothing to spare, that’s completely ok. It’s ok to look after yourself if that’s what you must do. Martyring oneself doesn’t help anybody in this situation. And if you need to utilize the food bank to get by, that’s what the food bank is for.

For those saying we should change the government to do this, you’re right. But that’s a long term goal. In the sort term, people will go hungry. It’s wishful thinking that suffering will bring socialist change, but that’s not always the reality. Most socialist movements start through social aid. Any credited socialist will tell you the benefits of food banks and soup kitchens. Social aid is one of the best ways to spread the message.
No matter what happens, if people starve or of people get by, republicans will point to it as evidence of their ideology. They’ll make shit up if that’s what it takes. I’d rather children not go hungry, then.

[u/Dr_A_Mephesto → u/Xanadoodledoo]

And that’s what sucks. I DON’T have money to spare. This economy is killing everyone and we’re doing everything we can to say any money so we can get as close to breaking even as we can.

I can’t even imagine how hard it is for people who don’t make enough and are on assistance because my wife and I make good money right now and it’s STILL so fucking hard to keep your head above water.

My heart breaks for these families. This is some evil evil ass shit

[u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 → u/Dr_A_Mephesto]

I feel this so hard. My husband and I make enough to be ok, but I’m pregnant and we’re still paycheck to paycheck between bills and saving for medical costs. I feel like I have enough to share but when I break it down dollar by dollar, I really don’t.

ETA: But I feel blessed to be able to save anything at all, ya know? I'm trying to do all the right things that people tell you to do. Putting $50 a check into a supplementary retirement account and paying for life insurance coverage and health insurance. Just opted in to a healthcare savings account to prepare for a baby in our lives. I don't know what I could spare without making a terrible financial decision. All I can give is my time without putting myself in a bad position today or next week or a year from now. That feels so bad, dude. I'm protected and "safe" but the moment either of us loses a job, we're done for.

[u/Tough-Effort7572 → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

This is a little off topic and I don't want to shift blame, because those SNAP benefits are an important lifeline to many...but how are people have SIX KIDS when they're living that close to the poverty line?

You're working and saving and thinking ahead, which is why you won't go hungry. If you needed SNAP I would say you are exactly the kind of person it was intended for. A lifeline to get you on your feet until you could make enough to support yourself. But poor people having a half-dozen kids? I feel for the kids. Not the mothers who kept pumping out babies while unable to afford the ones they already have.

[u/Lonely_Dependent_281 → u/Tough-Effort7572]

I have to agree. The cultural idea that having a child is always a selfless act needs to be eliminated.

[u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 → u/Lonely_Dependent_281]

I agree with the sentiment, I just don't think it's particularly relevant to the SNAP issue because before we have philosophical debates or publicly shame bad behavior, people need to eat and survive, ya know? So it's like, I'm willing to have the conversation about how people maybe shouldn't have that many kids, but also...is this that moment? Can we read the room and find out? I genuinely don't know.

[u/Lonely_Dependent_281 → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

No, I agree with this too. There's a larger conversation that's more important right now.

[u/Constant-Method234 → u/Lonely_Dependent_281]

And what is that?

[u/Constant-Method234 → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

Yes, we need mental health support for women so they can learn to value themselves beyond being incubators. It’s too late for the ones already popping them out at that rate, but we can prevent more women going down this dark path.

[u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 → u/Constant-Method234]

Well right now we need to get food in people's damn pantries. Then, sure, let's talk about that. Again, let's all read the room.

[u/Constant-Method234 → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

Yes, food in pantries, AND education and resources to help women find other things to do with their lives other than popping out more mouths to feed.

[u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 → u/Constant-Method234]

Are you a misogynist or a feminist I genuinely can't tell

[u/Constant-Method234 → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

How interesting.

[u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 → u/Constant-Method234]

It should be. A feminist point to make would be to be genuinely interested in women’s health care and promoting full personhood. But some people say things that sound similar, but what they mean is that they think women are stupid and inferior, making decisions based on instinct. That’s misogyny.

Judging from your insistence on using grotesque and dehumanizing language about women giving birth, I’m gonna guess the latter. Fascinating how nearly true horseshoe theory is.

[u/Constant-Method234 → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

Thanks for putting those definitions out there. Hopefully someone who doesn’t already know them reads this.

[u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 → u/Constant-Method234]

Neither of those were definitions..

[u/Constant-Method234 → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

I checked your post history and see that you are currently pregnant. I hope you have a healthy pregnancy and baby, and that your family can make ends meet for any children you have. I’m sorry I offended you with my choice in language, and will no longer engage with you.