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Post by N. De Plume on Oct 21, 2011 11:28:54 GMT -5
Again, though, I think you're all missing the point. The point isn't whether or not it's possible to live on that much a week. Obviously it is, since there are so many people who have to. The point is that it sucks having to live on that much a week. That's the point they're trying to make. The idea being that if people become more aware, people who are actually living on SNAP might be given more resources. It won't work, because the people who are resistant to increasing money for the poor aren't ever going to take the SNAP challenge. And they're going to say the same things you are. "It's easy to live off that much money. Anyone can do it. These people are just whiners." Since they've never had to live like that, they don't understand the difference between surviving and living. Exactly. Hell, even if they took the challenge, that wouldn’t mean they actually use any empathy. They might admit it is a crappy way to live, but they’ll still blame the poor for being too lazy to relieve their own suffering. |
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Post by TWoozl on Oct 21, 2011 11:41:20 GMT -5
Those of you going on about how easy it is to live on that budget, I need to point something out. What about a celiac, or someone nightshade intolerant or otherwise unable to exist on certain staples? I fit the former category myself, and about the closest I can get to gluten without suffering weeklong DH attacks or autoimmune issues that can last for days, is eye contact. No ramen, no wheat noodles, hell, even oatmeal is off the menu unless I'm willing or able to pay the premium for the "wheat free certified" shit that's the same crap in a different box with a tenuous guarantee that it won't poison me. Other staples? Ketchup? Forget it. Hell, basically any packaged wet goods, sauces or otherwise, forget it. Basically everything on the cereal shelves? Nope! Oh, you want that packaged deli meat? Chances are, it has wheat protein for texture enhancement or some other bullshit. Nope!
It's great to point at a "living budget", but keep in mind not everyone can live on it. My choice is basically earn enough to deal with genetic dietary needs, or eventually die a slow and agonizing death from colon cancer or intestinal failure.
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Post by Vene on Oct 21, 2011 11:56:57 GMT -5
I more just find it funny that the budget is sinking to such an unspeakable low, to them, when it is still higher than what a lot of us are doing.
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Post by jackmann on Oct 21, 2011 12:17:24 GMT -5
The point is that this is the amount people living on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are given. That's the program they're trying to get people to increase funding for.
And yes, you can live on this. You're not living well. And the people who want to expand these programs probably want to expand them for people like you as well, so that you don't have to live on ramen every day. That is a terribly unhealthy way to live, and one day, you're probably going to have health problems because of it. Which will make it even harder for you to get or hold a job.
Seriously, you're starting to sound Republican. "That's plenty of money. Why do we need to give them more?"
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Post by zupper on Oct 21, 2011 12:25:47 GMT -5
32? For that kind of money you could have actual meat!
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Post by worlder on Oct 21, 2011 12:38:07 GMT -5
The point is that this is the amount people living on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are given. That's the program they're trying to get people to increase funding for. And yes, you can live on this. You're not living well. And the people who want to expand these programs probably want to expand them for people like you as well, so that you don't have to live on ramen every day. That is a terribly unhealthy way to live, and one day, you're probably going to have health problems because of it. Which will make it even harder for you to get or hold a job. Seriously, you're starting to sound Republican. "That's plenty of money. Why do we need to give them more?" We get it. To quote The World Is Not Enough (used in the 007 film of the same name) "There's no point in living if you can't feel alive" |
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Post by Vene on Oct 21, 2011 12:45:32 GMT -5
The point is that this is the amount people living on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are given. That's the program they're trying to get people to increase funding for. And yes, you can live on this. You're not living well. And the people who want to expand these programs probably want to expand them for people like you as well, so that you don't have to live on ramen every day. That is a terribly unhealthy way to live, and one day, you're probably going to have health problems because of it. Which will make it even harder for you to get or hold a job. Seriously, you're starting to sound Republican. "That's plenty of money. Why do we need to give them more?" Way to read shit I didn't say into my posts. Did I ever fucking say that SNAP is a bad idea or that it pays too much? Did I ever once say that people should live on a diet of ramen? Am I not allowed to be amused at the sad state of reality? I think instead I will laugh at what the rich think poor means. $1.55/meal is the upper class of poverty. |
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Post by worlder on Oct 21, 2011 12:47:53 GMT -5
I agree with Vene here.
We have the right to dark humor.
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Post by Bezron on Oct 21, 2011 12:51:52 GMT -5
The point is that this is the amount people living on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are given. That's the program they're trying to get people to increase funding for. And yes, you can live on this. You're not living well. And the people who want to expand these programs probably want to expand them for people like you as well, so that you don't have to live on ramen every day. That is a terribly unhealthy way to live, and one day, you're probably going to have health problems because of it. Which will make it even harder for you to get or hold a job. Seriously, you're starting to sound Republican. "That's plenty of money. Why do we need to give them more?" Way to read shit I didn't say into my posts. Did I ever fucking say that SNAP is a bad idea or that it pays too much? Did I ever once say that people should live on a diet of ramen? Am I not allowed to be amused at the sad state of reality? I think instead I will laugh at what the rich think poor means. $1.55/meal is the upper class of poverty. This. Seriously. Way to overthink this... Did you miss the part where I said I ate like that because I was poor and didn't want to admit it? Here, let me spell it out for you: I ate like that because I was so poor that there were days when I didn't know if I was going to eat. I walked 2 miles to work because I couldn't afford a car, and some days didn't have enough for public transportation. |
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Post by N. De Plume on Oct 21, 2011 14:11:37 GMT -5
Way to read shit I didn't say into my posts. Did I ever fucking say that SNAP is a bad idea or that it pays too much? Did I ever once say that people should live on a diet of ramen? Am I not allowed to be amused at the sad state of reality? I think instead I will laugh at what the rich think poor means. $1.55/meal is the upper class of poverty. This. Seriously. Way to overthink this... Did you miss the part where I said I ate like that because I was poor and didn't want to admit it? Here, let me spell it out for you: I ate like that because I was so poor that there were days when I didn't know if I was going to eat. I walked 2 miles to work because I couldn't afford a car, and some days didn't have enough for public transportation. I don’t think jackmann was directing the comment specifically at you or Vene. More or less warning against folks that make careless jokes that could be taken seriously. Because if you leave out the various caveats that you have used, you are left with a fairly serious-sounding statement that does sound like a Republican asshat trying to pass off basic necessities as luxury. |
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Post by Vene on Oct 21, 2011 14:15:13 GMT -5
Yes, if somebody is willing to be dishonest, they can make it look like you said anything.
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Post by The_L on Oct 21, 2011 15:16:05 GMT -5
... shit, I can make both myself and my roommate live on less than that for a week. With change to spare. Please tell me that ramen packets are not part of that. ETA: Part of the reason that I rarely have spending money is because I refuse to eat a lot of the cheap mass-produced garbage out there, requiring me to either pay out the ass or bargain-hunt like crazy. My diet consists of: - a glass of milk per day (this means 1/2 gallon tends to last for 2 weeks, so I have to really check that expiry date) - an egg per day - English muffins, but only when they're BOGOF (less healthy than regular toast, but they're a sort of comfort food for me. Also, they're easier to fit into the toaster than a lot of the bread that I buy.) - Bread from the bakery section, because it's fresh-baked and isn't stuffed full of corn syrup (I could easily cut the cost of my bread in half, but I'm spoiled enough that cheap bread doesn't even taste like bread to me. It's unpalatable unless I toast it.) - Greek yogurt (leaner than regular yogurt, but a bit more pricey and insanely addictive. 6 cups/week usually) - Bag spinach (versatile, pre-washed, and OMFG SO GOOD <3) - When cold cuts are 3/$10, I stock up. That, combined with cheese slices, mustard/mayo, the bag spinach, and the aforementioned bread, gets me a daily sandwich. - Pasta--I usually make a batch of sauce every other week, and that lasts me for a week. I also have a big bag of tilapia fillets and bottles of lemon juice and cooking sherry. This means fish with lemon butter sauce is an option when marinara sauce gets old. - 1 can tomato sauce - 1 can mushrooms, for the sauce. Also added: herbs from the spice rack. - Whichever fruit is discounted for being in season. - Pistachios (I try to go for light salt or unsalted, just to be safe). - On occasion, I will succumb to the urge to buy ice cream, rice pudding, or other sweet snacks. (NOT Little Debbie/Entenmann's/Hostess snacks. They make me gag.) - 50% Off Kashi Snacks Week is like a fucking holiday for me. I like being able to sometimes afford granola bars that don't taste like sugar. My weekly budget fluctuates from $45-75/week, depending on whether it's stock-up week, or eat-what-you-got-when-shit-was-on-sale week. I plan each shopping trip using the mail ads. |
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Post by N. De Plume on Oct 21, 2011 15:27:16 GMT -5
Yes, if somebody is willing to be dishonest, they can make it look like you said anything. Well I don’t know if I am concerned with the dishonest blokes, because, well, fuck the dishonest blokes. But maybe it’s more about the more well-intentioned ones that nonetheless, for one reason or another, don’t quite catch the caveats. Mind you, I say this as someone who has already experienced a few sarcasm failures already in my short time on this board. And yet I keep on plugging lone with the deadpan snarking. So I am not necessarily good at following my own advice. |
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