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Comments

1. #101
   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:15 pm, happyscrapper said:

   So Obama’s mission, as MM puts it, is to only have a short-term rise in food stamp rolls?
   

   She clearly means this as a long-term nanny-state trend,

   which it will not be once unemployment numbers drop.

   Where in MM’s post did she say that she clearly means this is a long-term nanny state trend? There is only ONE way the unemployemnt numbers will drop. Clean out DC, get rid of all regressives, replace them with strong conservatives who believe in fiscal responsiblilty, small goverment, low taxes and less regulation. Drill for our own oil…that will dramatically increase employment. All these things, this current Obama administration is NOT doing! Wake the hell up.

2. #102
   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:17 pm, mondamay said:

   On May 31st, 2011 at 1:45 pm, kentroyals5 said: No you did not. Good point. You won’t ever use government assistance, right? Please pledge so on this site if you are a true conservative. Go mondamay!

   Okay. I have no problem with that.

   Of course, I’m cheating, since I know that we won’t be solvent enough to have assistance programs for me to use anyway if we don’t correct our financial mess, and it has become obvious that we won’t do that.

3. #103
   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:19 pm, Paratus said:

   What if there were no food stamps? Welfare? Government housing? Medicaid? Would these people using those die or find a way to survive?

4. #104
   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:20 pm, happyscrapper said:

   That comment is oozing with irony. Thanks for the laugh.

   Kent, I’m not telling you how to respond. I’m only telling you that your responses are illogical, bordering on delusion. That pretty much sums up the liberal mind. You sound more and more like my moonbat brother all the time, and I have pretty much stopped talking to him altogether.

   In the current crisis in this country, you are either for us or against us. I believe you are the enemy. Sad, but we can’t afford to spend time trying to convince people who won’t see truth. The situation is way too serious for that!

5. #105
   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:23 pm, kentroyals5 said:

   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:15 pm, happyscrapper said:
   So Obama’s mission, as MM puts it, is to only have a short-term rise in food stamp rolls?

   She clearly means this as a long-term nanny-state trend,
   which it will not be once unemployment numbers drop.
   Where in MM’s post did she say that she clearly means this is a long-term nanny state trend? There is only ONE way the unemployemnt numbers will drop. Clean out DC, get rid of all regressives, replace them with strong conservatives who believe in fiscal responsiblilty, small goverment, low taxes and less regulation. Drill for our own oil…that will dramatically increase employment. All these things, this current Obama administration is NOT doing! Wake the hell up.

   I didn’t say the drop in unemployment would occur under Obama. I’m awake.

   This is a short term problem. Unemployment was rising and food stamp rolls increase when that happens. It’s a non-political correlation. It happened under Reagan (I’m sure it was Obama’s fault though).

   That doesn’t mean policies can’t help/hurt the trend, but whenever unemployment rises, so will food stamp enrollment. Obama’s policies have not worked as of yet. I agree with you on this.

6. #106
   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:24 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

   On May 31st, 2011 at 3:35 pm, kentroyals5 said:
   Where did I say he was not responsible?

   On May 31st, 2011 at 2:35 pm, kentroyals5 said:
   This has to due to the economy tanking (before Obama had any say..remember, he voted Present all the time when in the Senate)

   On May 31st, 2011 at 1:59 pm, kentroyals5 said:
   How do you know he created a dependency? There are some/many that receive food stamps that have been on the books for years. This is not Obama’s doing.

   I guess we’re not on the same page.

7. #107
   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:24 pm, happyscrapper said:

   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:14 pm, happy2behere said:

   Thanks, happy2! And I agree…unless we can stop this trend, the government will soon run out of our money to give the freeloaders. Then, watch them come out of the woodwork demanding their “rights”. As I said before, lock and load.

   Stock up on supplies, buy non-perishable food on sale and stockpile. Keep cases of bottled water. And protect your home! Anyone try to get in here, it will be the last thing they ever do.

8. #108
   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:25 pm, John Deaux said:

   Kent,

   If Obama was serious about lowering unemployment, the administration would be doing all that it could to get the private sector in general, and specifically small businesses back on their feet. How exactly has he been doing that? Increased regulations? Stimulus? The business world hates uncertainty and everything he has said, done, or implied has been at best inconsistent, at worst openly hostile.

   The simple fact is that this economy will not recover until we have a change in leadership. All of the pie in the sky social engineering and “helpful” programs can not change that.

9. #109
   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:27 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

   On May 31st, 2011 at 4:23 pm, kentroyals5 said:
   Obama’s policies have not worked as of yet.

   You hold on to that Hope On A Rope, it’s what I find endearing about you.

10. #110
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:29 pm, mondamay said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:27 pm, Rogue Cheddar said: You hold on to that Hope On A Rope, it’s what I find endearing about you.

    Remember: Don’t drop the Hope!

11. #111
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:30 pm, kentroyals5 said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:20 pm, happyscrapper said:
    That comment is oozing with irony. Thanks for the laugh.
    Kent, I’m not telling you how to respond. I’m only telling you that your responses are illogical, bordering on delusion. That pretty much sums up the liberal mind. You sound more and more like my moonbat brother all the time, and I have pretty much stopped talking to him altogether.

    In the current crisis in this country, you are either for us or against us. I believe you are the enemy. Sad, but we can’t afford to spend time trying to convince people who won’t see truth. The situation is way too serious for that!

    ENEMY! SEE THE TRUTH! AGAINST US!

    And I’m delusional? Keep stocking up on canned food and ammo for the impending battle.

    Kent, I’m not telling you how to respond. I’m only telling you that your responses are illogical, bordering on delusion.

    You told me exactly how to respond. At no point did that comment reference any of your concerns about my so-called ‘illogical’ responses. Only on follow up did you start to go off into a strange tangent.

    And I’m illogical? Pot, meet kettle!

12. #112
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:34 pm, Hangfire said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:20 pm, happyscrapper said:
    In the current crisis in this country, you are either for us or against us. I believe you are the enemy.

    Sadly, yes, it has come to that.

    The polarization of America is complete.

    Look at how close our Federal elections are. Each party’s candidate, Rep. or Dem, will get approximately 50 percent of the vote.

    THAT is the reason why special interest groups, like the Gays, or Illegals, or Same-Sex marriage advocates, are catered to by the Left. A Democrat election victory is a coalition government.

13. #113
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:34 pm, spaceycakes said:

    Pot, meet kettle!

    is it time for tea?

    methinks so!

14. #114
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:35 pm, kentroyals5 said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:24 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    I guess we’re not on the same page.

    The economy started to tank before he took office. Fact. People have been on the food stamp rolls for years, abusing the system. Fact. Obama’s policies towards job creation and fixing the economy have not succeeded so far. FACT.

    Obama’s faults and failures do not have anything to do with the economic downturn or people who have abused the system in the past. He does own his current policies not working to get out of this mess.

15. #115
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:35 pm, John Deaux said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:23 pm, kentroyals5 said:
    Obama’s policies have not worked as of yet.

    So exactly which policy do you think will work?

    What is the Obama doctrine?

    I can see no coherent effort to do anything other than play golf at every opportunity. (9 straight weekends, including Memorial Day)

16. #116
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:36 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    And shortbreads?

17. #117
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:37 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:19 pm, Paratus said:
    What if there were no food stamps? Welfare? Government housing? Medicaid? Would these people using those die or find a way to survive?

    The simple answer…they will steal it.

18. #118
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:39 pm, BOB said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 3:44 pm, kentroyals5 said:

    HEY, LOOK! SQUIRREL!!

    Thanks,

    Just thought I would drop something that is actually important into the middle of the daily bla, bla, bla.

    The 2000 pound elephant in the room is killing us while we discuss stuff that doesn’t matter:

    Read more: Intel report: Kenyans honor Obama’s ‘birthplace’ http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=303165#ixzz1NxcbYCBk

19. #119
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:41 pm, Hangfire said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:36 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    And shortbreads?

    Crumpet or water biscuit?

20. #120
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:42 pm, kentroyals5 said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:35 pm, John Deaux said:
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:23 pm, kentroyals5 said:
    Obama’s policies have not worked as of yet.
    So exactly which policy do you think will work?

    I’m not sure what exact formula is required to get out of this mess. It’s above my pay-grade

    I believe there are general economic cycles that occur and that government intervention via taxes, spending, or cutting both tend to have a minor effect on said economic cycle.

    Neither Republican or Democratic plans would hinder the cycles but may be able lessen the negative impacts to a small degree.

    These are just my thoughts on it. No facts, just opinion.

21. #121
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:46 pm, Hangfire said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:37 pm, happyscrapper said:
    The simple answer…they will steal it.

    They already are, just by milking the system.

    Here in the People’s Republic of Hawaii, a single “parent” can get a substantial pay raise —by becoming pregnant again.

    Lots of girls here have 5 kids from 4 different fathers, live in Section 8 housing, and don’t have a job.

    They make enough to support themselves, the kids, and at least one boyfriend.

22. #122
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:47 pm, happyscrapper said:

    And I’m delusional? Keep stocking up on canned food and ammo for the impending battle.

    Kent, I’m not advising people to stock up on canned food and ammo for a war…I am thinking of economic collapse and those who would take from us because they have not thought ahead and stocked up themselves. If you think this is far-fetched, you would be wrong. Everything is pointing to economic collapse. What will you do if that happens? Do you have enough food and water to take care of yourself and your family if worse comes to worse? Maybe things will get better. Then we will have been prepared. Nothing lost. But if the trend continues, we are in for some bad bad stuff.

    You can ridicule and call me delusional. But my family can survive very nicely for a good year if the economy collapses. And I will be darned if I let some freeloader take what is mine. I worked for it, I earned it, and I had the foresight to stock up in case of emergency.

    Most people don’t think that is delusion. Most right-thinking people, that is.

23. #123
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:52 pm, Paratus said:

    Bob: My wife has a college friend that came from and lives in Kenya. She believes,along with a lot of other people there, that Obama was born in Kenya. Doesn’t make it a fact, but it is interesting.

24. #124
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:52 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:35 pm, John Deaux said:
    So exactly which policy do you think will work?

    What is the Obama doctrine?

    I can see no coherent effort to do anything other than play golf at every opportunity. (9 straight weekends, including Memorial Day)

    Don’ forget that Obama is spending a LOT of our money on himself and his family. World travel/vacations. Golfing. Parties. Flying AF One all over the country campaigning. More parties. $1,000/bottle wine. Fancy food. $5,000 dresses for the Mrs. Etc. The taxpayers are paying for all of thet. So, no, he is not making any effort to reign in spending or improve our economy. Why? Because this is exactly the way he wants it.

25. #125
    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:56 pm, kentroyals5 said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:52 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Don’ forget that Obama is spending a LOT of our money on himself and his family. World travel/vacations. Golfing. Parties. Flying AF One all over the country campaigning. More parties. $1,000/bottle wine. Fancy food. $5,000 dresses for the Mrs. Etc. The taxpayers are paying for all of thet. So, no, he is not making any effort to reign in spending or improve our economy. Why? Because this is exactly the way he wants it.

    Yeah, he’s got this election wrapped up if he continues to tank the economy on purpose! He’s so smart!

26. #126
    On May 31st, 2011 at 5:06 pm, mojojojo said:

    This doesn’t surprise me. The UDSA has been running radio advertisements for food stamps in heavy rotation in my area.

27. #127
    On May 31st, 2011 at 5:07 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:56 pm, kentroyals5 said:
    Yeah, he’s got this election wrapped up if he continues to tank the economy on purpose! He’s so smart!

    I not sure what that even means. But whatever. You are starting to sound slaphappy.

    I guess this is a good time to sign off.

28. #128
    On May 31st, 2011 at 5:10 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Yeah, he’s got this election wrapped up if he continues to tank the economy on purpose! He’s so smart!

    Actually, I beleive he does think that. He’s never lost. He has the office, the MSM, unlimited illegal cash, all of the enforcement agencies, and tons of frightened folks on the dole.

    That is why we need a clear vision of path out of this to Reagan’s Shining City on a Hill as opposed to “Obama Sucks” as a campaign strategy.

29. #129
    On May 31st, 2011 at 5:10 pm, Papa Louie said:

    Of course Democrats want to create a cycle of dependency in America. That’s what keeps them in power in blue states and big cities. The more citizens become dependent on the government, the more they vote Democrat and the bigger government becomes. The bigger government becomes, the more powerful public unions become and the more money they give to Democrats to keep them in power.

    It a vicious cycle, but it works. At least it works at the local level. You don’t see impoverished inner cities suddenly voting Republican even though Democrats have done nothing for them except make them more impoverished and more dependent on government. That’s why Democrats don’t want to fix the economy. They are banking on this same scheme working at the national level. But will it?

    Financially broke cities and states get bailed out by the federal government. It keeps them on life support and dependent on big government Democrats. But the same policies will destroy the national government because there won’t be anyone to bail out the entire country.

    The rich will leave or become poor. Government bonds will become worthless and we will no longer be able to borrow our way out. The poorer the country becomes, the more dependent on government we will all become and the more we will support big government Democrats. It’s a death spiral that we will lose the ability to stop unless we fight it now.

30. #130
    On May 31st, 2011 at 5:44 pm, spaceycakes said:

    none of the above; rather, scones with clotted cream & fresh strawberry jam.

    Oh, and a view of the Atlantic from the Mt. Nelson Hotel in Cape Town.

    ahhhhhhh

31. #131
    On May 31st, 2011 at 5:52 pm, kentroyals5 said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 5:44 pm, spaceycakes said:
    none of the above; rather, scones with clotted cream & fresh strawberry jam.

    And we have a winner! YUM

32. #132
    On May 31st, 2011 at 6:25 pm, BOB said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:52 pm, Paratus said:
    Bob: My wife has a college friend that came from and lives in Kenya. She believes,along with a lot of other people there, that Obama was born in Kenya. Doesn’t make it a fact, but it is interesting.

    Apparently there is nothing that can make it a fact, or even enough evidence for an official investigation.

    Obama is a flim-flam man if there ever was one, yet if he says he was born in Hawaii that’s good enough for Congress and the media, even the so-called conservative media. They don’t want to know the answers to, “Who is Barack Obama”, and they believe continuing the charade is the way to go for America.

    Rather obviously, it isn’t.

33. #133
    On May 31st, 2011 at 6:34 pm, Hangfire said:

    scones with clotted cream sheep dip & fresh strawberry jam.

34. #134
    On May 31st, 2011 at 8:48 pm, SgtSchultz said:

    While I agree that the trend shown by the chart is alarming, I am compelled to decry the tactic used to present the figures.

    You will note that the Y-axis origin for the chart does not start at 0%. The Y-axis starts at 8.5% and ends at 14.5%. The lowest value shown, for Feb 2007, is around 8.7%, and the final value, for Feb 2011, is around 14.3%. The Y-axis of the chart has been carefully offset and scaled to just barely contain the range of the data set. This is an old statistics-as-lies trick used to exaggerate an apparent trend in data.

    Admittedly, the growth shown still represents an increase of 5.6%, a net growth of over 65% which is certainly an excessive amount. Just the same, the graph would not look nearly as stark of a climb (the slope would be quite less) if the graph origin started at 0%. Depicting it this way is disingenuous.

    Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely no love for the food stamp program. I worked as a grocery store bag boy in my teenage years, and my experience matches those of others here who have noticed a disturbing tendency of food stamp users buying expensive junk/convenience/luxury foods much more so than the ‘typical’ cash-paying shopper.

    I have no problems in someone pointing out the grotesque growth in entitlement program utilization and spending, and being critical of that growth. I just dislike it when “our side” resorts to shoddy statistical practices and underhanded psychological tricks to make their point. Leave such tactics to the Alinskyites.

35. #135
    On May 31st, 2011 at 8:58 pm, TK-421 said:

    Given some of the comments hereI felt I needed to chime in…I’ll agree that some people that have food stamps, arn’t blue dogs, want government doing everything for them or vote for the blue dogs.

    Though it shames me, I am one of those ignorant masses who can’t take care of his own. And gee lets see why I have such a great hand out.

    Simple, fuel, housing, utlilities, in my area of NC so many people are moving in here given it is so much cheaper than the North East and West coast. And in turn that drives our “Cheap” prices up even more, more so with the already sinking economy. So yeah I can cut back on the basics I have, given I don’t live out side of my means that isn’t much.

    I have no debt what so ever and own nothing I can’t pay for. Unless I just don’t drive and given I live in a Rural area that means walking 20 miles to the nearest town. Not a short ride on a bik or walk is it? My area funny enough is one of the poorest and most crime ridden in the state of North Carolina. And blue dog dominated, in fact many of our local elections are lame duck blue dog races, and the political situation angers me.

    But I don’t have the money to move elsewhere, and most of the jobs here are too shitty to make up for that “Goverment dependancy” those who are rich here keep the money, land, and everything else. Hell I’ve tried getting grants or loans to build my own company or such to escape it, and those on the central planning commities always shoot it down no matter how sound it was.

    I have hardly any friends or family period, nevermind out side of my area, work is crap here, and the people are trust worthy enough to not hit you in the back of the head with a baseball bat. opps my bad someone killed my step uncle like that not long ago and robbed him. Hell I HATE having to get government help. I feel guilty and horrible about it, ashamed even.

    But short of that, I have a wife and kid to feed, plus my step father, and I don’t abuse that help, I don’t get T-bones or over priced food from the gas station, when I get crap its $200 worth of the cheapest products I can find at a Super Walmart. I had to get that help, I’ve been having to get less food given the last few months thanks to fuel prices namely(not that I do that much riding or have a clunker) I haven’t been able to save nothing these last few months. And I live in no mansion, heck my house payment isn’t but 300 a month, problem is nearly criminal intrist rates the feds won’t do shit about will have me paying 4 times what the place is worth.

    I also vote republican largely, and I pay my own bills. Short of that help the only other way I could get crap is to take a fire arm or two and rob a bank, or someone else. So yeah sorry for being part of whats killing this great nation as I have no choice but to live in a backwards dixie crat hell hole, unless some of you fine people have a job offering.

    I needed to be reminded of my failings as a family man and a father, namely as I fallow the laws so many of those around me break. And surprise surprise, trying to live honestly hasn’t gotten me crap but shitted on. Maybe I should start breaking them myself and let the goverment keep its help. As surprising as it sounds, some of us “useless freeloaders” would happily take a job, would LOVE to be a contributing member of society, and generally DO need help.

    But what do I know ehh, maybe I’m the only one with piss poor luck and location.

36. #136
    On May 31st, 2011 at 9:14 pm, rocketman said:

    ***
    HI SGT_SCHULTZ–#131. I get 64.4% increase using your min/max values. But the data is still valid regardless of how it is presented–bad any way you present it.
    ***
    The real phony numbers are the reporting of the real increase in unemployment numbers. The proper calculation should be done using the number of employed at the starting date, and the number still working at the current date.
    ***
    We get numbers that have been “cooked” by dropping out those who have been unemployed for some long period. Obviously dead people, retired people, and new workers entering the work force adjustments are needed. Our U3 and U6 numbers are as phony as a $3 dollar bill. And that’s not a data presentation problem–it’s real BS.
    ***
    John Bibb
    ***

37. #137
    On May 31st, 2011 at 9:44 pm, T-Bone said:

    The total numbers are still valid for this time period. You go from 26 million to 44 million in 4 years time. I don’t know what the numbers were prior to this period. I am assuming they are closer to the 26 million than the 44 million.

    By the way, Obama was President for most of this period and was part of the Federal government prior to becoming President. When do you think Obama will finally step up and except responsibility for anything? Its always someone elses fault. Like he had nothing to do with any of it even though he was a Senator, a leader in the Democrat party, and now a sitting President.

38. #138
    On June 1st, 2011 at 2:10 am, BK said:

    Another thing:

    SNAP purchases are sales-tax free and not taxed by the income tax so tax revenue to the states drops like a rock.

    Destroy the middle class and the result is: destroy the god of the leftists: government.

39. #139
    On June 1st, 2011 at 3:41 am, CaryConcealed said:

    On June 1st, 2011 at 2:10 am, BK said:
    SNAP purchases are sales-tax free and not taxed by the income tax so tax revenue to the states drops like a rock.

    Then states become completely dependent on federal money. The states cease to become states and become mere provinces.

40. #140
    On June 1st, 2011 at 8:14 am, mondamay said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:56 pm, kentroyals5 said: Yeah, he’s got this election wrapped up if he continues to tank the economy on purpose! He’s so smart!

    Who’s going to beat him? Someone who has a message of “Lets do most of the same things but more of some things and less of others.” to fix the mess? Among the anointed few who have been deemed fit opponents, that is the message that you’ll find. There is no conservative excitement for a candidate like that, and without a big turnout of the base, no incumbent can be beaten.

41. #141
    On June 1st, 2011 at 8:31 am, John Deaux said:

    Well apparently the junkies will be leaving Florida if they want welfare.
    Governor Scott just signed a bill requiring drug tests for welfare recipients.

42. #142
    On June 1st, 2011 at 9:06 am, Retiredtopo said:

    Well lets see, record numbers of unemployed, no jobs bill yet from the House GOP and record numbers on food stamsp. Not hard to figure out, even for one with a degree in English from an elite private east coast liberal college.

43. #143
    On June 1st, 2011 at 9:17 am, nacho475 said:

    I wonder if colleges and universities actually encouraging students to sign up for food stamps has anything to do with it.
    get em hooked while they’re young!
    

44. #144
    On June 1st, 2011 at 9:18 am, nacho475 said:

    ok the link didn’t show up- hope this works…

    http://dailycaller.com/2010/03/27/universities-encourage-students-to-enroll-in-food-stamp-program/

45. #145
    On June 1st, 2011 at 11:34 am, cicerokid said:

    As an example, when unemployment went up during the Reagan administration, guess what else did? Food stamp applicants!

    Link, please.

46. #146
    On June 1st, 2011 at 12:34 pm, Chief RZ said:

    These people seem to think and demand that :

    “They” owe us a living.

    They are not self-sufficient, like the people in NO who were “incapable” of saving even an empty jug of water before a hurricane that was warned a full 5 days beforehand.

47. #147
    On June 1st, 2011 at 12:43 pm, corkie said:

    On May 31st, 2011 at 4:35 pm, kentroyals5 said:

    People have been on the food stamp rolls for years, abusing the system. Fact.

    Yes, the chart clearly indicates the number on food stamps prior to Obama taking office. The purpose of the chart was to show the increase.

    Obama’s faults and failures do not have anything to do with the economic downturn

    I agree that Obama’s faults and failures do not have anything to do with the start of the economic downturn, but the economy would certainly have cycled back towards robust growth by now if Obama hadn’t pushed healthcare and other deficit soaring policies.