Granny's gone and done it again

[h2oratt]

I salute you Valerie. Tough choice and totally unfair that they wouldn't offer you food stamps for your kids. In the mid west they have WIC women, infants and children which is a food assistance program for, well, women, infants and children.

The problem I witnessed with food stamps in IL was that a lot of people abused them. I often thought it was the reason many couldn't get them who really needed the assistance.

They abuse them here also. Sad. Many hungry kids. Parents sell the food for drugs.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They abuse them here also. Sad. Many hungry kids. Parents sell the food for drugs.

The system can be abusive too. When I was in need, I was asked if I had small children, was pregnant or could get that way. No, no, and hell no. Sorry, can't help you. Too bad, so sad.

 

[ValerieJ]

I salute you Valerie. Tough choice and totally unfair that they wouldn't offer you food stamps for your kids. In the mid west they have WIC women, infants and children which is a food assistance program for, well, women, infants and children.

The problem I witnessed with food stamps in IL was that a lot of people abused them. I often thought it was the reason many couldn't get them who really needed the assistance.

We have WIC here too, because I see signs on food items in the store that say WIC approved.

Fortunately, I was only a single mom to one child and we were able to make it on my wages. We didn't eat steak. lol

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They abuse them here also. Sad. Many hungry kids. Parents sell the food for drugs.

I'm not justifying it, but ... food is just food. Drugs is money. With money parents can buy clothes, shoes, other necessities. Gas, toilet paper. Things food stamps don't buy. Pay bills. The system doesn't work in the real world.

 

[Rambling Iris]

Is this true?View attachment 4033588

We have had snow all day in southern Alabama. Accumulation of about 3 inches as of 7 PM but it's still snowing. Temp is about 20 now but going into the teens later. Roads are closed and people have been advised to shelter in place for the next few days. Schools are closed.

 

[ValerieJ]

I'm not justifying it, but ... food is just food. Drugs is money. With money parents can buy clothes, shoes, other necessities. Gas, toilet paper. Things food stamps don't buy. Pay bills. The system doesn't work in the real world.

Sure wish I knew what would work. We seem to have never gotten it right, even with the best of intentions. We all want to help the less fortunate, and especially someone temporarily trying to make it but needing just a little help. Everything we try gets abused on both sides, by the recipients and the providers. Maybe someday, someone will come up with a workable solution.

I personally subscribe to the working welfare system, however that would work. I really think we should be helping under employed, or under paid people, get by until they can better themselves, and providing opportunities and trade mentorships or apprenticeships. Something along those lines.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We have had snow all day in southern Alabama. Accumulation of about 3 inches as of 7 PM but it's still snowing. Temp is about 20 now but going into the teens later. Roads are closed and people have been advised to shelter in place for the next few days. Schools are closed.

Be safe, you two! Especially have Larry take precautions against falling, but you, too!

 

[ValerieJ]

We have had snow all day in southern Alabama. Accumulation of about 3 inches as of 7 PM but it's still snowing. Temp is about 20 now but going into the teens later. Roads are closed and people have been advised to shelter in place for the next few days. Schools are closed.

That is so unusual for you. Such a tough situation.

I remember when I first moved to Virginia from California. My DH was coming home from a trip and I was supposed to pick him up at the airport. Well, I got into my Chevy Blazer, that did not have 4 wheel drive, on a hilly snowy driveway, and slid sideways about 6 feet. I waited for it to stop, holding my breath the whole time, and then calmly got out of the car, went in the house, and called him. At 9pm, I said you will need to get a taxi or rent a car. I cannot drive in this snow and pick you up. lolol Just tonight this came up in our conversation, talking about the hardships the southeast is facing. We both laughed at the memory, but at the time he was quite unhappy with me. lolololol

 

[ValerieJ]

Okay...time for playing cards with DH. See all you loverlies a bit later.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sure wish I knew what would work. We seem to have never gotten it right, even with the best of intentions. We all want to help the less fortunate, and especially someone temporarily trying to make it but needing just a little help. Everything we try gets abused on both sides, by the recipients and the providers. Maybe someday, someone will come up with a workable solution.

I personally subscribe to the working welfare system, however that would work. I really think we should be helping under employed, or under paid people, get by until they can better themselves, and providing opportunities and trade mentorships or apprenticeships. Something along those lines.

What about older widows who can't work, or the disabled? My husband had died, I had no income, I was in my mid-40's, too young for Medicare and no one wanted to hire me. But it still would have been nice to eat - and to choose my own food! There were food banks, which was better than nothing, but ... they fill a box for you, you don't get to choose. What use has a single woman for a 10-lb bag of onions, 10 lbs of marshmallows, s dozen donuts, six cans of cranberry sauce and a sugary cereal she would never buy for herself? I wanted salad makings, fresh produce, milk, cheese. I needed shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste. No hope of getting those items. Thank God those days are behind me, but many people are still fighting this battle. And the people who are supposed to be helping you treat you like the scum of the earth, as if you don't deserve their consideration and are just a waste of their precious time.