Food Stamps

If you are at all familiar with food stamp debates, then you have heard about the steak and lobster wars with food stamps. If you are not familiar with the food stamp debate, then this may seem like a strange issue. With the ongoing debate in crisis with food stamps, these seemingly silly debates, has actually caused a great deal of strife and purification for not only the Department of Agriculture who heads up food stamps, but also for those people who are in genuine need and are currently receiving food stamps. So what is this debate really about?

The Surfer

It may seem odd to consider the food stamp debates and include a surfer in the conversation. However, in September of 2013, a surfer in Southern California named Jason Greenslate created his own bits of fame through food stamps. This single man is a food stamp recipient. He does not work, is able-bodied, and still receives $200 of food stamps per month. If that wasn’t a bit of controversy enough, there is the question of what he’s purchasing on food stamps. For news broadcasters and camera crews, Jason decided to purchase a regular item on his grocery list, lobster. This purchase was seen as a slap in the face not only the program but also to those individuals who work on the food stamp program. It was also seen as the prime poster reason for the problems that currently flag food stamps and the recipients.

Purchasing Power

There has been question as to whether or not Jason’s particular issue is a common one. The truth is that it is unfortunately very common. There are several families who have admitted to purchasing lobster and other high-end foods on food stamps. Though there are some who have admitted it is rare and only for special occasions, others have admitted to doing so on a regular basis. This leads to the question of how they afford it. It is based on purchasing power. The amount of food stamps available to a person greatly influences what they can buy. This is just common sense. However, in Jason’s case there is no reason for them to have this particular purchasing power.

The Solution

This issue with Jason and others has led to the question of what the solution for the problem is. The truth of the matter is there seems to be no solution. Though there have been several budget cuts made, the solution is still up for grabs. Budget cuts do not help, the concept of limiting the purchasing power of the individual or limiting what they can purchase on food stamps has not helped, and the solution of simply changing guidelines has not helped. The government politicians are currently working on ways to meet in the middle helping individuals who truly needed and excluding people like Jason who are simply using the system.

Steak and lobster are only a part of the food stamp wars. There are several other issues that the Department of Agriculture and that food stamp activists need to face. These issues leave a growing concern as to where individuals who need the program will be left when a solution has been found.