SC

Soaring SC Food Stamps

VIVA LA “RECOVERY” By FITSNEWS  ||  “It’s a great day in South Carolina …” for food stamps. We know South Carolina’s economic “recovery” has been marked by a massive expansion of government-subsidized health care … but did you know it’s also been accompanied by a massive expansion of food stamp usage?…

VIVA LA “RECOVERY”

By FITSNEWS  ||  “It’s a great day in South Carolina …” for food stamps.

We know South Carolina’s economic “recovery” has been marked by a massive expansion of government-subsidized health care … but did you know it’s also been accompanied by a massive expansion of food stamp usage?

Yup … just because Palmetto State lawmakers have moved this expense off of the state’s books doesn’t mean we’re not following it.

According to average monthly participation data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a whopping 875,866 South Carolinians were part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2013 – a 27.3 percent increase from 2009.  Meanwhile benefits awarded through the program have climbed from $1 billion to $1.38 billion over the same period – a 37.9 percent increase.

And this is assuming the data provided by the S.C. Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is accurate …

“Republicans” in Washington, D.C. were supposed to have “cut” food stamps back in January.  In fact the left practically hyperventilated over the alleged reduction of an $80 billion food stamp budget by $800 million.

Here’s the thing, though: The cuts never happened, proving once again that government programs – once expanded – are not easily curtailed.  This is especially true of social welfare programs that incentivize dependency.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley – billed nationally as a rising “Republican” star – is running for reelection in the Palmetto State on the basis of her economic record, most notably the reduction of the state’s unemployment rate.

Here’s the thing, though: Haley’s unemployment rate reduction has been built almost exclusively on a shrinking labor participation rate – one that’s hurting all South Carolinians.

Seriously … you can’t claim credit for turning around an economy when the percentage of working age citizens in the labor pool is 57.9 percent (the sixth-lowest rate in America).  Or when your state’s income levels rank No. 44 nationally.

Nor can you take credit for people’s lives being better when they are being forced to rely on government welfare in record numbers.

Don’t take our word for it, though. Look at the data for yourself …

SNAP PARTICIPATION BY STATE (.pdf)
SNAP BENEFITS BY STATE (.pdf)

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62 comments

The Colonel October 14, 2014 at 8:34 am

…when the percentage of working age citizens in the labor pool is 57.9 percent (the sixth-lowest rate in America)…”

The labor participation has been in decline for at least five years.

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EB T. ObamaStamps October 14, 2014 at 9:13 am

BLS is cheating and manipulating statistics like they did before 2012 elections in southern states to try and help Democrats.

Individuals from Census were convicted of crimes.

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nitrat October 14, 2014 at 9:59 am

I guess you never learned from watching Mark Sanford’s manipulation of any and all kinds of numbers.
It’s a Libertarian trait…lying and cheating and living in a fantasy world, that is.
Oh, please cite any documentation of BLS statistics…ever.

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RogueElephant October 14, 2014 at 9:40 am

I just noticed that at 57.9 % working that would mean all the Republicans are working and 1.9% of Liberaltarians are working, leaving the rest Dims on food stamps and welfare. WOW Don’t you just love statistics ????? LOL

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grandtangosuglydog October 14, 2014 at 11:13 am

Angry old white guy crazy much? Im sure its only repubs working in your little world. hey I think you should go out with angry Grand tango/SC Pol/Emily..shit if you got a flat I can just hear you two scream in perfect harmony..”dam you Obama and the dems for my flat tire” ahh what a couple.

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grandtangosuglydog October 14, 2014 at 11:18 am

Hey rogue did you ever actually look up what the definition of Rogue is? I always wondered when that friggin idiot Sarah Palin called herself the same if she ever bothered to actually look up definition..here ill help ya casue i feel sorry for ya..from merriam Webster:

rogue

noun ?r?g

: a man who is dishonest or immoral

: a man who causes trouble in a playful way

Full Definition of ROGUE

1

: vagrant, tramp

2

: a dishonest or worthless person : scoundrel

3

: a mischievous person : scamp

4

: a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave

Dont ya love facts?

5

: an individual exhibiting a chance and usually inferior biological variation

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Libtards October 14, 2014 at 8:37 am

I guess it’s the density of Republicans, right Max?

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Tazmaniac October 14, 2014 at 9:13 am

Anyone feel the irony of a “BiLo Closing” article and a “Soaring Food Stamps” article back-to-back? So I guess people in Cheraw and other affected areas are just cutting up their EBT cards because BiLo is closed?

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nitrat October 14, 2014 at 10:40 am

I honestly think that this blog doesn’t get those kind of connections.
When you suckle at the political teat of Mark Sanford, it’s hard to ever grasp the realities of life.

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euwe max October 14, 2014 at 11:23 am

I blame Bush.

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SC Political Digest October 14, 2014 at 11:26 am

Why…Did he father you, and saddle you with a 55 IQ?

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euwe max October 14, 2014 at 11:30 am

Good question!

No, actually – he didn’t.

SC Political Digest October 14, 2014 at 12:25 pm

We know your mamma was a canine, right? But you have not found your father yet???….I know someone who may be interested in your story…LMAO….

E-mail JerryfindSOBs@springer.com

euwe max October 14, 2014 at 1:07 pm

my mamma was a canine?

I thought for sure you were out of middle school.

Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 9:44 am

Remember when people had to rely on things like government cheese if they were going to leach off the government? Now it’s not uncommon to see EBT users using cards at fast food restaurants, convenience stores, buying junk food at grocery stores, etc… I say kill the program entirely, if you or your family are hungry, you’ll figure out a way to provide for them.

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Bible Thumper October 14, 2014 at 10:26 am

You are not allowed to use EBT card at fast food restaurants or for prepared food (fountain drinks or food prepared on site) at convenience stores.

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Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 11:29 am

Bullshit, then why do both types of stores have EBT stickers on their doors?

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Bible Thumper October 14, 2014 at 11:38 am

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items

Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy:

Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
Any nonfood items, such as:pet foods  soaps, paper products   household supplies
Vitamins and medicines
Food that will be eaten in the store
Hot foods

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Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 1:17 pm

So it gets rung up as apples and oranges.

Go by any fast food joint, 50%+ there’s an EBT sticker on the door.

Bible Thumper October 14, 2014 at 1:40 pm

“Many States allow clients to use a single EBT card to access SNAP as well as cash benefit programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).”

I wasn’t aware of this. I’m not sure if these fast food restaurants are accepting payments for SNAP, TNAF or both.

Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 5:57 pm

Funny how that Temporary usually means Permanent.

john October 14, 2014 at 6:36 pm

After two years you are no longer eligible to receive for another 10 years.
Example: Pam receive for her son when he was 2 weeks old. She can received AFDC for two years when her son turns 2 her case would be for 10 years. She will not be eligible for AFDC welfare check again until her son turns 13. If she had another child after her case closure she wouldn’t be eligible for that child until her son turns 13 years old. You can read this information on SCDSS website or under Federal welfare AFDC laws. She will always be eligible for food stamps.

Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 10:08 pm

Yeah, how’s that working out? You don’t think “Pam” gets benefits between her kid’s age of 2 and 13? There’s always another program “Pam” becomes eligible for. I know people who have been on food stamps/EBT for decades.

Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 5:57 pm

Funny how that Temporary usually means Permanent.

Crooner October 14, 2014 at 11:15 am

“if you or your family are hungry, you’ll figure out a way to provide for them” Yeah, that’s what you should be afraid of. Who was it who said “Let them eat cake?” Remember how that turned out?

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Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 11:30 am

Fuck ’em… let them try repeating that.

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Rocky October 14, 2014 at 10:10 am

We have a dumb, uneducated, illeterate workforce, and we wonder why our food stamp participation is so high. We have a GOP dominated State House, and have had a GOP governor forever, and we wonder why we have these issues. Haley, and those before her, only cared about creating jobs for transplants from Michigan and Wisconsin. They never created jobs for the people of South Carolina. So poor stayed poor, dumb stayed dumb, and they work at Cracker Barrel and Golden Corral feeding the transplants who are heading out for lunch.

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SCBlueWoman October 14, 2014 at 10:20 am

How about educating people? SC is doing a poor job of it and wonders why those eligible to work have no marketable skills and no job to go to. Education is key.

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SC Education works! October 14, 2014 at 10:31 am

“Education is key.”

I think government is doing a good job of that personally.

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Rocky October 14, 2014 at 11:12 am

Stop that commo sense sillyness. Common Core is a commie plot. Billy don’t need to read and rite, let alone do mathe.

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SC Political Digest October 14, 2014 at 11:18 am

Cliche much?

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Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 11:32 am

Shit, most black churches have classes on how to manipulate the system to get on welfare programs or to get more out of them.

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Rocky October 14, 2014 at 11:56 am

I heard corporate America has the same seminars for getting corporate welfare. It’s just de classes is more spensive.

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Rakkasan October 14, 2014 at 6:14 pm

Or to help people become aware of benefits they are entitled to, since participation rate in some is surprisingly low.

But in your world, linking people to resources, services, their rights etc is something else–like “gettin over”

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Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 10:04 pm

Somehow they overlook the entitlement to get up off their lazy ass and go to work.

Ying-Yang October 15, 2014 at 12:28 am

“But in your world, linking people to resources, services, their rights etc is something else–like “gettin over””

Well, if those resources/services/rights didn’t come at the involuntary expense of others, I’d agree with you.

If the church is using members donated money to help them, great!

If they are sending them into government offices to suck up confiscated funds, well, that’s not so great.

Rakkasan October 15, 2014 at 8:38 am

You mean like the tax deduction for your mortgage, donations etc. you are also probably under the delusion that you will pay for all your Medicare benefits too.

Rakkasan October 15, 2014 at 8:41 am

Put the anti-tax pamphlets and John Birch material down and step away from your computers with your hands in the air. You are a danger to yourself and others.

john October 14, 2014 at 6:27 pm

I heard whites churches are completing online applications for their members.

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Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 10:04 pm

You have to fill out an application to join a church?

SCBlueWoman October 14, 2014 at 10:20 am

How about educating people? SC is doing a poor job of it and wonders why those eligible to work have no marketable skills and no job to go to. Education is key.

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SC Political Digest October 14, 2014 at 11:17 am

50 million Americans on Food Stamps, and you’re attacking the people of South Carolina.

Bigot much?

PS: with the election 3 weeks away, did the Obama Administration re-hire you as its troll, to try and spread more stupid Democrat lies, hoping to avoid obliteration on Nov. 4. Fat chance…LMAO…

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Rocky love Bit T October 14, 2014 at 11:55 am

They offered, but I had to tell them that SC Political Digest was paying me too much and I had to admit you and I had an exclusivity agreement.
#$)%*#$ idiot.

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Jackie Chiles October 14, 2014 at 11:44 am

The GOP voters in SC (whites) have comparable SAT scores with whites from other states. The real failure of SC education is for minority children.

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Rocky October 14, 2014 at 11:54 am

True, very true.

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nitrat October 14, 2014 at 12:57 pm

They may have comparable IQs, but they sure don’t have the sense to vote for their own interests rather than those of the rich massa.

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Full Belly October 14, 2014 at 10:18 am

This is why I plan to vote for Nikki Haley for a second term. She make sure my family get food stamps and we have Sunday afternoon dinner every week for free. Usually we cook a big pork shoulder in ower smoker out back. And Moma cooks up a big mess of collards and field peas. But now, becaus of Governer Haley, we gets free Coke for free at the store, and we can all take family photos with our new smart phones and post them on Facebooke. I like my food stamps, because it lets me eat Super Sugar Smacks for breakfast, and Eggos. I love Governer Haley, she’s helping everyone, and with our card, Pappa doesn’t even need a job.

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The Temptations baby! October 14, 2014 at 10:30 am

“Pappa doesn’t even need a job.”

Pappa’s a rolling stone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcqs5z0yEl4

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Full Belly October 14, 2014 at 11:10 am

Pappa works back in the woods – he don’t let me back there – so I dont know xacty what he does.

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Full Belly October 14, 2014 at 10:18 am

This is why I plan to vote for Nikki Haley for a second term. She make sure my family get food stamps and we have Sunday afternoon dinner every week for free. Usually we cook a big pork shoulder in ower smoker out back. And Moma cooks up a big mess of collards and field peas. But now, becaus of Governer Haley, we gets free Coke for free at the store, and we can all take family photos with our new smart phones and post them on Facebooke. I like my food stamps, because it lets me eat Super Sugar Smacks for breakfast, and Eggos. I love Governer Haley, she’s helping everyone, and with our card, Pappa doesn’t even need a job.

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Chairman Mao October 14, 2014 at 10:27 am

No worries people, the Great Uncle will provide.

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SC Political Digest October 14, 2014 at 10:50 am

But what did FITS do when I TOLD him, and his band of dolt disciples, this is what Obama is? ….He just doubled-down and threw more feces at Romney, and the GOP….

It’s hard to feel sorry for your whining, when it’s YOUR FREAKIN’ Fault…

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grandtangosuglydog October 14, 2014 at 11:17 am

Hey Emily im trying to set you up with angry old white guy AKA Rogue Elephant. What a pair you two would make. Stubbed my toe..”Dam you Obama!!” Dropped a glass on the floor..”Dam you Obama”..got fired because all i do is post ridiculous rants on political blogs instead of doing my job..”Dam you Obama..” see how perfect your world could be Emily? Hey did you know what the definition of rogue is.from Merriam Webster:.”

rogue

noun ?r?g

: a man who is dishonest or immoral

: a man who causes trouble in a playful way

Full Definition of ROGUE

1

: vagrant, tramp

2

: a dishonest or worthless person : scoundrel

3

: a mischievous person : scamp

4

: a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave

5

: an individual exhibiting a chance and usually inferior biological variation

Reply
SC Political Digest October 14, 2014 at 11:25 am

2 or more gathered….LMAO…

You F*#king FITS idiots are paranoid as H#!! there may be more than one person discussing – out loud – how ignorant you are…and laughing at you…

Just think of all the $#!tt!#g in your pants there will be on election night….Maybe it ‘ll occur to you then, that Obama was put into office by multi-voting racist idiots…and you are NOT loved for the stupid-@$$ policies you have destroyed our country with… Reality BITES on Nov. 4….Hahahaha…

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Loving the T October 14, 2014 at 11:58 am

OK – and then in 2016 when Hillary wins – what’s your dumb @$$ story gonna be then – idiot.

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grandtangosuglydog October 14, 2014 at 11:58 am

is this another famous political prediction Emily? like your last ten predictions? How is President Romney working out for you and your ugly little dog?

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The Colonel October 14, 2014 at 12:26 pm

SCDP is having a party at Allen “University” today – started an hour and a half late. The Chairman of the SCDP Jamie Harrison introduced Ol’Enos. Ol’Enos said of his wife when he found out she had spoken at an event “…Emma ain’t never got up an said nuthin…” After a short bit of gum flapping, including taking complete credit for the Charleston Harbor Project (he claimed he got the money over lunch with the President and Vice President) he introduced Biden, no wait, he decided to talk about Medicaid first, giving statistics and then losing his place before eventually claiming that the Gubernor was somehow turning her back on “the children” and “old folks”.

He finally introduced Jill Biden describing Joe as “…Jill’s lesser half..” (an understatement of epic proportions).

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Squishy123 October 14, 2014 at 1:19 pm

Sounds like you enjoyed yourself. Personally I wouldn’t have gone if I had been threatened with termination.

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The Colonel October 14, 2014 at 1:38 pm

I was actually over at Benedict watching it in between talking with some students and couldn’t resist commenting on it.

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SC Foodstamp Digest October 14, 2014 at 12:32 pm

Hey, GrandTango has to eat too. And Emily Peterkin, Big T and the rest of the staff at his blog.

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taxedmore October 14, 2014 at 7:39 pm

Oh Boy – more free stuff!

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taxedmore October 14, 2014 at 7:39 pm

Oh Boy – more free stuff!

Reply

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