Wisconsin #GOP targets poor with zero evidence about nutrition and food stamps

Food stamps and entitlements are only the second thing that Republicans seem to care about, next to taxes.  But why?

Do they really think that abuse of programs like WIC and Foodshare are making people poor and/or unhealthy?  Or are they just upset that taxes are too high and/or could be spent on other things?

I venture to guess it's because they don't know why people are poor and/or unhealthy, and that it is easier for them to blame poor people themselves than to actually study or understand the complex issues that Foodshare recipients actually face.

In fact, we already know that most Foodshare beneficiaries are short-term recipients due to a job loss, family illness, or other temporary problem.  Many others simply cannot earn enough to be able to feed their kids without help.

Perhaps there are abuses, but there has never been any study of how much of a problem it is.  Somehow, the anecdotal stories that make the news take the place of we don't know for certain.

Frankly, I blame racism for a lot of this.  While whites are the overwhelming majority of Foodshare benefits, there are higher percentages of people receiving this aid within the African American and Latino communities.

We don't seem to have a problem with millions in government subsidies that go to white dairy farmers or others in the agricultural sector, but you hear one story about an African American man who used food stamps to buy a lobster and suddenly there is a major scandal.  How is that fair?

Oh yes, because the white farmer is employed.  I venture to guess, however, that he might be on Foodshare himself if not for the subsidies that are out there.

Please, people, think things through a little bit more.  People do not eat better when they are poor.  They eat worse.  If we are concerned about improving health for our most vulnerable citizens, let's take a more balanced approach and look at the entire environment and increase some actual opportunities rather than take away what little people have to start with.

Link: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/odd-coalition-opposes-wisconsin-bill-limiting-junk-food-purchases-qu9re45-206318501.html