This economy may be starting to hit home for some

[Horse with no Name]

My daughter who works in the grocery store was telling me that she has noticed a HUGE increase in the usage of food stamps.

I am sure that is the way of the country.

She was telling me that she has noticed some trying to hide their food stamp card...or swiping it really fast and putting it back in their wallet...she even said one lady TAPED a debit card to the top of the food stamp card so it looked like she was using a regular card...and not the one with the tell-tale white background on it.

That uncomfortableness, to me, signals that is someone who has never had to turn to the government for help, finding themselves in a position to do so.

When that uncomfortableness leads to action, maybe we will have a chance.

Right now, I don't know, but I KNOW that I am hoping against hope that the people of the Great State of Wisconsin motivate a nation.

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. Arizona...

....is moving towards making their EBT cards bright safety orange, to make the people using them easier to spot in line. You can monitor their purchases, and at the very least, feel superior to them.

A real vote-getter.

As this is cheap, and nasty, I expect it to spread nationwide like wildfire.

[Horse with no Name]

2. Scarlet letters.

Just like in Texas, WIC and food stamps are on credit cards.

However, each month they mail Medicaid recipients a paper stating benefits.

Of course, it would be much more cost efficient to issue cards...but the embarrassment of having to hand your "paper" at the doctor's office is what they are going for and let's EVERYONE know that "they" are paying for your healthcare.

[Fire1]

6. It will only affect those who finally hit a wall b/c their noses

were so far up in the air. That will bring em down a notch or two but people like this 'forget' quickly.

[elocs]

7. Here in Wisconsin ours are a friendly green:

To be honest I've never had a problem using mine and have never received any negative comments. Too many people are using them now.

[Davis_X_Machina]

9. Looks like our state park season pass....

...well done, the Badgers.

[EC]

14. Same here.

In fact one check out girl told me that they keep her in her job. That before Obama took office it was harder for people to get cards -so the store was near empty many days (I remember that, I was one that stopped going and only bought as needed)but when the limits were raised of how much you could earn and still be eligible the store started getting busy again. So at least most of the employees know the need.

I early retired - so not eligible any more, but was never hassled or thought ill of that I noticed. Although almost 20 years ago when I was on for 2 months, we used coupon book type things and I was hassled by cashiers and customers in line. One cashier even threw my stewing chicken.

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. What a horrible thing to do. n/t

[Horse with no Name]

12. Psychologically, it is designed to SHAME the recipient

so they can snub their noses when people are purchasing better cuts of meat other food items than they are able to purchase and to create an atmosphere of hate surrounding the person using them.

[mwooldri]

21. NC - a little more friendly:

That's the NC State EBT Card...

And here is the card that you can get from Discover...



Or even from Capital One...



I *had* the Capital One version at one point. Yes I did get asked whether it was a food stamp card.

[Davis_X_Machina]

22. Cap One's based in Charlotte...

...they're probably doing the back office work for NC's state HHS apparatus anyways, on contract.

[BanzaiBonnie]

3. Calling forth badger spirit

Cunning badger of the forest,
Guide me to wisdom, truth and light.
All injustices against me,
Wipe the slate and set them right.

[Dragonfli]

20. So Mote It Be

[gateley]

4. Good observation - about the discomfort indicating that person

has never had to rely on outside help before.

I'm thinking that they may be so ashamed, though, they won't reach out to others in their situation. They may not realize that their fellow neighbors and co-workers are in the same boat. Hopefully this problem gets more of a spotlight so these people can band together.

I remember when grocery stores started accepting charge cards - that was a pretty sobering statement. Now all the card readers have a button for the food stamp card. Debit, credit, gift card, food stamp card.

That's another thing - people giving gift cards to grocery stores -- that couldn't have been in any-body's consciousness just a few years back. :(

[SoCalDem]

15. I used to always give my grown up sons gift certificates for grocery stores

and then the gift cards when they came along..

We even used to be able to exempt stuff like booze:). It was a great way to make sure they had FOOD:)and they loved getting them:)

[gateley]

19. Yeah, that's a good point, too - kids! nt

[Historic NY]

5. Gas is up, food is up, wages are down, no SS cola, local taxes are up, ...

no where to go.

[grasswire]

8. If you qualify for assistance, APPLY FOR IT

Don't try to get by or make do or be hungry or without utilities.

A huge increase in numbers will affect policy.

If you qualify, it is your duty to stand up and be counted. Make them take notice.

[EC]

16. I all boils down to responsiblity

Which is more responsible? Swallowing pride and feeding your family or starving?

[grasswire]

17. It's more than that.

If everyone who would qualify would apply, no one could ignore the problem -- the true amount of hunger would be revealed.

[Lost-in-FL]

18. +1, nt.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kentuck]

13. If gas goes to $4 per gallon...

..this would destroy many of these families. That would be a hit they could not take.