Sometimes I jump to conclusions, but usually I just take a bus.
I think that most people who know me know how I feel about the abuse of assistance programs. Too many people see them as a lifelong program, instead of one that allows you get your feet underneath you and improve your situation. California paid for my mother to go to nursing school, and ensured that she and I had a roof, food and medical care for the duration. We were on that program for almost two years, until her graduation and getting her first job as a nurse. After those two years, she never used the programs again but they were there when she needed them and allowed her to fulfill a lifelong dream while still being able to take care of me. For that, they will always have my graditute.
With that being said - I love WIC. I have never used it (duh - no kidlets!), but have many friends that were helped greatly by the program. One of the reasons that I like the system so much is that I think that it would be difficult to abuse. Oh, I'm sure that some people manage it - but I doubt that it is easy or overly lucrative.
As I understand the program, the family receives vouchers for specific food items each month. Basics such as milk, cheese, grains, etc. There are no WIC voucers for Twinkies, or lobster. This program exists to help pregnant women and small children be able to afford the basic nutritional needs that are vital during the developmental stages. Poor nutrition during this time period can cause repercussions that last a lifetime. I may not have kids, or even like the majority of strangers' kids that I see running around; but, I cannot imagine how heartbreaking it must be for a parent to work hard at a job, care for their children and still worry about their family getting enough calcium or such. I don't think that WIC magically takes away all worries for their children's nutritional needs - after all, it only provides for specific food items and it would probably be impossible to actually feed a kid solely from WIC. But, considering the cost difference between wholesome and healthy food staples and cheap junk food, it has to make a huge difference in dietary options.
Then there are food stamps. You can pretty much get anything at a grocery store with food stamps. I can't tell you how many times I have seen a person with an entire cart full of junk (chips, soda, candy) pay for it with their food stamp card. And then there are the people that buy lobster and filet mignon. Gah. Seriously - put it back and buy something a little less outrageous with that money that was given to you. But, I also don't think that anyone using food stamps should be humiliated or forced to purchase strictly staples for preparing every meal from scratch. Nor should they never be allowed to get anything for treats for the kids or themselves. Candy, cookies, pasteries, etc. should be catagorized differently and each account should have a discrectionary amount for that catagory. Someone that gets $250 of food stamps, for example, might have $30 that can be spent as they choose on "fun food".
But I don't see any real way for the program to allow oversight without a huge increase in administrative costs and overly arbitrary guidelines. Which means that those that use this program for the intended purpose and with common sense are going to continue to bear the stigma from those that abuse it.
Wow, this really got rambly and kinda ranty. I blame medication.
With that being said - I love WIC. I have never used it (duh - no kidlets!), but have many friends that were helped greatly by the program. One of the reasons that I like the system so much is that I think that it would be difficult to abuse. Oh, I'm sure that some people manage it - but I doubt that it is easy or overly lucrative.
As I understand the program, the family receives vouchers for specific food items each month. Basics such as milk, cheese, grains, etc. There are no WIC voucers for Twinkies, or lobster. This program exists to help pregnant women and small children be able to afford the basic nutritional needs that are vital during the developmental stages. Poor nutrition during this time period can cause repercussions that last a lifetime. I may not have kids, or even like the majority of strangers' kids that I see running around; but, I cannot imagine how heartbreaking it must be for a parent to work hard at a job, care for their children and still worry about their family getting enough calcium or such. I don't think that WIC magically takes away all worries for their children's nutritional needs - after all, it only provides for specific food items and it would probably be impossible to actually feed a kid solely from WIC. But, considering the cost difference between wholesome and healthy food staples and cheap junk food, it has to make a huge difference in dietary options.
Then there are food stamps. You can pretty much get anything at a grocery store with food stamps. I can't tell you how many times I have seen a person with an entire cart full of junk (chips, soda, candy) pay for it with their food stamp card. And then there are the people that buy lobster and filet mignon. Gah. Seriously - put it back and buy something a little less outrageous with that money that was given to you. But, I also don't think that anyone using food stamps should be humiliated or forced to purchase strictly staples for preparing every meal from scratch. Nor should they never be allowed to get anything for treats for the kids or themselves. Candy, cookies, pasteries, etc. should be catagorized differently and each account should have a discrectionary amount for that catagory. Someone that gets $250 of food stamps, for example, might have $30 that can be spent as they choose on "fun food".
But I don't see any real way for the program to allow oversight without a huge increase in administrative costs and overly arbitrary guidelines. Which means that those that use this program for the intended purpose and with common sense are going to continue to bear the stigma from those that abuse it.
Wow, this really got rambly and kinda ranty. I blame medication.
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Comments
Yeah... no! No! No! No!
:)
Healthy food is NOT more expensive than junk food. It is more time-consuming. Even if the flashier types of real food are a bit expensive (steak vs stew meat) you can prepare healthful and filling meals cheaper than you can eat junk food and overly-processed crap. It won't always be "certified organic", and it won't always be something you want to have a candlelight dinner over, but certainly healthy and better than the majority of humanity for the greater part of history including most of the world right now. Fresh fruit costs far less per pound than potato chips. Instant rice costs more per pound than healthier regular rice. Instant noodles in individual servings cost more than bulk pasta which can be made in any size serving, including individual.
While I think vegetarianism is stupid and unhealthy, you can be perfectly healthy on a bit of meat and get the rest of your protein from beans, for example. At less than a dollar per pound for dry beans, money goes a LONG way. It doesn't have to be plain beans either, but it does require a little imagination, a little time, and a little self-investment in learning how to cook.
Food security in this country is NOT a problem of wealth or poverty, but of impulse control and future vs present time orientation. You have to plan your meals more then 5 minutes in advance, but at least you don't have to lie in wait for it all day, then run it down and fight with it before you can eat it (though I don't really mind that part sometimes), or range your territory trying to find something to dig up or climb trees to eat.