well, what you at last night is what i eat everyday except the jelly and butter. but I'm on a diet of sorts. i exercise and burn 450 calories a day. so...

but i just got home from the store and spent 259.03$$ there were people buying ice cream and cookies and soda with food stamps, what do you think of that. i also said "you re welcome" when i passed by, they didn't speak English so  I'm sure they didn't know what i said. =D

also

"How many low-income families have the means to pay for music lessons, sports or dance practices, or other sorts of training for themselves or their children?"

when were these rights? there are fun things to do without spending money. when i was a kid we were DIRT ASS poor. my parents didn't pay for these things. and I'm an OK person. I just think you need to work for it. but others think you have to take care of them.

i hate paying for someone Else's crack and or ice cream

Manny's Discount Grocery has protein bars for 10 for a $1 and you can find the Luna brand mixed in the box of bars to choose from.

Wow, Annie. There is way worse examples of our tax money being wasted then the welfare system. Which, like any system on the planet has its drawbacks and those who take advantage of it. Its human nature do so. You seem to have a real interesting perspective on the welfare system that I'd love to sit back with a drink and listen to.

You're correct on how some people confuse "privilege" and "rights". I just heard someone talking about how they wanted to sue somebody because they got away with getting extra money out of the other person. When the other person found out the mistake and wanted the extra money back, the this person said because the other made the mistake, they're entitled to it. Presumed spanish speaking people with food stamps are low on my priority list of intolerance.

It was all about the mud puddles growing up!

Sam G: "At least you'll never be a vegetable - even artichokes have hearts."

Thanks for the tip, Kindra! I have been trying to focus on finding items that can contribute to more balanced meals rather than grab-n-go items, though (which are typical of my normal diet)... but had this been longer-lasting challenge, the bars might be right up my alley :)

Annie, jelly? I said "peanut butter sandwich" meaning bread and peanut butter... no jelly! And if those are the same portions you're consuming, maybe you should up your caloric intake... especially with the 450 burned calories. I'm sure you don't mean "diet" in the fad sense, because I've read other comments you've posted about how people should just eat properly and exercise... and if that's the case, I agree. I'm not a fan of "diets;" moderation is key, not complete restriction.

And Annie, I didn't say anything about "rights," but since you brought it up, YES, I believe that everyone has the right to happiness and opportunity. Many of our systems do a great job of holding people back, and I think that's really unfortunate. Obviously, music lessons and other extra-curriculars are not going to be a priority for a low-income family. But the fact that those kids may be missing out on something like that (which clearly brings so many people so much joy) - the fact that they are not allowed the same opportunity to experience things - is a shame to me. Nearly everything about my life has some connection to the arts, so imagining life without it sounds awful. Again, that's just a very personal perspective on the matter.

sO you believe that taking something away from another person and given it to another is ok? I do not. I do not believe in redistribution of wealth. i work for my money, you work for yours, i do not want it givin to someone who  doesn't work. or wont. (there are exceptions with disability, but only some, like severe mental illness & severe physical disability) but even so i once worked with a dude who couldn't walk & played basket ball in a wheelchair....

This is the thing if you want something bad enough you will get it, & without a hand out. of course i agree with helping someone. but not thru government . i think that's the government likes people to stay poor and dependent its a power & control thing... This is my prospective thru experience. my dad was poor saved his money as a kid and bought a guitar, music was the biggest part of his life. he worked for it. others can too then come accomplishment and self esteem. maybe some don't wanna work for it.

I undertand your foodstamp thing and what you're doing to show how little they get, but i work to feed myself and my kids for that very reason so im not poor, i have been poor and low on food and money and i wont be there again.