Food Stamps in the Headlines

Posted on 04 April 2008 by Ed Z

Drudge
ran two different headlines about food stamps in the last few weeks. 
One on March 24 read "OHIO:
Nearly one in 10 now receives food stamps; highest number in state’s history…"
and another on March 31, "NUMBERS
OF AMERICANS ON FOOD STAMPS HITS RECORD…".

On April 1, British paper The Independent declared "USA
2008:  The Great Depression".  The opening line stated,
"Food stamps are the symbol of poverty in the US. In the era of the
credit crunch, a record 28 million Americans are now relying on them to survive".

So that’s it then?  Food stamps on the rise, we’re all going to be
living in cardboard boxes and the sky is falling.  Maybe.

Richard Rector of the New York
Sun examines the numbers behind the increase in food stamp use and puts the
situation into context.  The impression most media want to impose is that
if a record number of Americans are using food stamps then by default that same
number must be in poverty.  However, as Mr. Rector points out, this is not
true.

The recent Food Stamp
stories also feed off the idea that most of the 36 million
Americans who the government defines as "poor" face
ongoing, serious material deprivation.

The facts show otherwise.
According to the government’s own data, nearly two-thirds of
"poor" households have satellite or cable television.
Nine out of 10 have microwave ovens and 80% have air conditioning.
Nearly three-quarters own a car and almost a third own two or more
cars. For decades government data have shown that more than 40% of
the poor own their own homes, typically a three bedroom house with
one-and-a-half baths.

On average, poor children
have the same high levels of protein, vitamin, and mineral
consumption as upper middle class kids. Only 1.5% of the poor
report they "often" did not have enough food to eat
during the last four months, although another 6% state this
"sometimes" happened.

He lists three reasons for the food stamp activity which are all
logical; the increase in in American population, the food stamp operation being cyclical
allowing spikes in economic slowdown, and aggressive campaigns with relaxed
standards.

Does it come as a surprise that people (and many who may not
need the help) would take advantage of government handouts, especially when it
is made easier for them to get it?

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