EDITORIAL: PRO/CON VIEW: Should food-stamp recipients be prohibited from using them on junk food

Source: The Beaumont Enterprise, TexasSept.迷你倉最平 13--OUR VIEW -- NO JUNK IN THE TRUNKHard-working taxpayers spend nearly $80 billion per year to provide food for low-income people. Both groups would benefit from a proposal form U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., that makes sure none of that money is spent on junk food.One study showed that junk food accounted for about $2 billion of the money spent on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.SNAP recipients are already prevented from using that aid for alcohol or tobacco. Those common-sense restrictions should be extended to junk food loaded with fat, sugar or salt.That especially applies to children depending on this program. They need to break the cycle of unhealthy eating that traps so many people.This isn't punishing anyone. It supports efforts by First Lady Michelle Obama to encourage healthful diets and exercise.Frankly, it's hard to image why any member of Congress would oppose this.------------------ANOTHER VIEW: BE REALISTICThis is one of those ideas that looks good on paper but quickly breaks down in the real wor迷你倉d.In theory, all of us should eat healthful, balanced meals prepared from fresh, wholesome ingredients. Yet most of us don't have to time to prepare three of those meals each day -- especially those like single parents who are struggling in low-paying jobs. Many poor people also live in neighborhoods where fresh fruit and produce are not available or very expensive.Roe's proposal would require retailers to somehow identify "junk food" at the cash register -- assuming that someone could define that category to begin with.And even SNAP recipients should be able to enjoy a bag of potato chips or a candy bar now and then.Too many people are still going hungry in the richest nation on earth. That dismal record won't improve if we keep stereotyping SNAP recipients as lazy cheaters.----------------FEEDBACK: What do you think? Should food-stamp recipients be prohibited from using them on junk food? Post your comment below now!Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Beaumont Enterprise (Beaumont, Texas) Visit the Beaumont Enterprise (Beaumont, Texas) at .beaumontenterprise.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存