Aylee -> RE: Is it any wonder... (1/8/2013 7:10:31 PM)
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ORIGINAL: dcnovice Two Thoughts on Food Stamps: (a) When I was commenting earlier on the interesting notion that those on welfare don't deserve to vote, I overlooked the fact that there are folks on "food stamps" who actually do hold down jobs. Economist Elise Gould observes, "Over 40 percent of all recipients live in households where family members are employed." So do they get to vote or not? Perhaps we could give them a partial franchise--say, 3/5 of a vote. (Bonus: A premade sandwich, purchased with 100-percent-earned income, for the first poster to catch the reference!) (b) Decades ago, Notre Dame magazine had an interesting essay that I dearly wish I'd saved. The author was an ordinary guy, who was furious to discover, one fine Sunday, that his local bakery accepted food stamps. "The nerve!" he thought. What business did the poor have buying hard rolls or cookies or cakes? Week after week, the resentment grew, clashing uncomfortably with the teachings of love and compassion he'd tried to carry with him from church (his previous stop). Finally, he realized that what bugged him was not the possibility that some kid was getting an ill-deserved birthday cake instead of beans and rice, but that the poor folks' ability--even temporarily--to enjoy the same treats he did gnawed away at his sense of privilege and entitlement and social superiority. The author explained it much better than this, but that's the gist of what stayed with me. a. Well, I suppose that is one way to compromise. b. That is an interesting thought. Heh. I will have to ponder that.
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