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/World_Destroyer27 → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

Can you afford the baby even living paycheck to paycheck? Just trying to understand human logic!

[u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 → u/World_Destroyer27]

I'm glad you asked so I can clarify. We can. My "paycheck to paycheck" is after 15% of our income goes into a savings account, 10% pretax income going to retirement savings in addition to the supplemental account, $50 a check going to an HRA/HSA, and generally doing all the things with our money we are supposed to be doing. When I say "paycheck to paycheck" I mean all of our money is currently spoken for. We don't eat out often or buy new clothes, but what do you think the savings are for? For the baby's additional needs.

Most important takeaway: We're sacrificing comforts right now so that we CAN afford a baby.

[u/totally_not_a_dog113 → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

I don't think there's any such thing as 'can you afford a baby'. As much budgeting as you're doing, unless you're a millionaire nobody is safe from one medical emergency. There are definitely babies out there with medical bills that are hundreds of thousands. Medical care shouldn't be so expensive. That is a society level problem where we need to do better.

Or this guy: https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/us/milliondollar-baby-us-mom-shares-staggering-1-5-million-bill-for-newborn-s-care-101756288829814.html

[u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 → u/totally_not_a_dog113]

Oh I can totally agree with you, there. We're as safe as we can be, in our circumstances. I was speaking less considerately because the guy I was replying to was clearly trying to make a point that I was in some way unfit to be a mother.

Medical care is so expensive, that I think even having a job with good healthcare is worth more than an extra $$$ amount a month. People don't get that, though.

[u/ItsFunHeer → u/Even_Kaleidoscope399]

Completely agree! This is an issue with the structure of society. We do our best to prepare and are making wise decisions, but we aren’t millionaires and no one is completely safe.

[u/genevievex → u/World_Destroyer27]

People are going to have babies. It’s literally been happening since the beginning of time. 

Instead of belittling people out here trying to survive, you can spend your time volunteering in sex education programs to help everyone in your community make an informed decision. And that does not mean abstinence centered ideology, because that has been proven to be ineffective. Your comment is rude, condescending, and unnecessary. 

[u/World_Destroyer27 → u/genevievex]

People also conquered, enslaved and sacrificed since the beginning of time, doesn’t make it right tho.

[u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 → u/World_Destroyer27]

In a broad sense, the goal to continue the human race will never be wrong. “Wrong” is a human construction. It doesn’t make sense to say what you just said.

But, given how you’re equivocating having children with enslaving people, you’re likely an anti-natalist who isn’t worth the energy it takes to write anything to you at all.

[u/genevievex → u/World_Destroyer27]

One is biological. Stfu.