Why Conservatives Are Wrong About Food Stamps

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The International Business Times published a very informative piece contrasting the facts about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with what Conservatives are saying about it. The opinion piece has a great chart showing the impact of social safety net programs on child poverty around the world.

"Those administering the program seem determined to place the largest number of people possible on welfare support," said Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, whose amendment to tighten eligibility requirements was defeated. The omnibus bill passed 64-35 with most Democrats and 16 Republicans in favor. "Is not a better goal to see how many Americans we can help achieve financial independence?"

Let's ignore the magical thinking that is the idea that government can help people achieve "financial independence" by pushing them off the food-stamp rolls. The reason for the explosive growth in food stamps isn't fraud or a sense of entitlement, as conservative pundits have claimed. It's because people don't have enough money, and given the government's job forecasts, this is not a short-term trend. As for the belief, oft-repeated by conservatives, that the government plays no positive role in the lives of Americans, or their children, that's a canard. 

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