Junk Food for Kids Lunches, but not for Low-Income Food Stamp Recipients.

Many Republican dominated states have taken aim at what can only be called big government control over what people on food stamps can buy. They say it's something about not wasting taxpayer money on the purchase of junk food.

But wait a minute. Aren't Republicans trying to reinstate serving junk food in school cafeterias, food that's also paid for by taxpayers? Not only that, they say districts can't afford the more expensive healthier food. Oh really, and the poor can with their limited amount of food stamps?

Again, Republican ideology is trying to have it both ways, with the help of the news media that hasn't said a peep about this amazing contradiction. Here's what our new big government Republicans are saying about school lunches:

As the opening bell sounds for the 114th Congress, don’t be surprised to see GOP lawmakers take on school nutrition … included provisions to allow states more flexibility to exempt schools from the Department of Agriculture’s whole-grain standards if they can show hardship and to halt future sodium restrictions 

But those same high salt foods are the target of our hypocritical GOP food stamp Nazi's. One Borg-like follower, tax attorney Jay Miller, summed it up nicely this way:

(Some) argue that having the government regulate food-buying decisions is condescending or paternalistic. They are using food stamps, i.e., government funds, which cost taxpayers over $60 billion per year. Given this investment, the government has an obligation to ensure that the program - which is designed to improve, not harm, the health of low-income people - fulfills its purpose.

But school lunches are exempt? Beautiful. Miller assumes low-income people can afford healthy foods, but congressional Republicans whine taxpayers can't afford those same foods for school lunches? 

...sparking complaints among schools and Republicans who argue the rules are too prescriptive and costly.

Here's Millers diatribe that mirrors every other Republican lawmaker trying to have it both ways:

Whether it is cirrhosis of the liver, lung cancer or diabetes, the government should not be an enabler (Except when it comes to school kids?) 

When it comes to food stamps, however, the government seems to be saying that candy or chips are of equal nutritional value to grapefruit or fresh spinach. 

And to make things worse, food stamp recipients will have to wait for local convenience stores to start stocking the expensive health foods because demand will eventually force them to carry it: 

We know that purveyors of fried chicken, pizza and burgers line the commercial streets of the inner city, whereas merchants offering healthier products rarely can be found. But if government were to mandate that food stamps could be exchanged only for such products, the marketplace would respond by making them more available there.

Our meddling big government food watchdogs want to save us from ourselves, except in schools, where taxpayer money usurps the health of our children:

Although government can't stop people from engaging in self-destructive behavior, it shouldn't abet that behavior, either. Where, as with food stamps, government's goal is to combat hunger, it ought to avoid policies that substitute one health problem for another.

Waterford School District Dumps Federal Lunch Program!!! Won't Pay for other kids lunches.

Now I've seen everything. I can't wait for this disaster to unfold.

Waterford school district drops federal lunch program: Students at Waterford Graded School District may notice a difference on their plate next year. The district has decided to opt out of the federal lunch program.

Monologues of Dissent discovered this incredible piece of clap trap libertarianism foisted off onto the Waterford School District area parents. From the Waterford Graded School District site, watch the actual discussion to avoid paying for someone else's kids lunch. You're on your own now kids...



I tried to include the TMJ4 embeded video, but it started to play automatically and featured the Republican Governors Association Mary Burke attack ad over and over. Click here to see how Act 10 is leaving public education up to losers like WGSD District Administrator Chris Joch. He isn't really in charge is he?

End Entitlements: Isn't it time to cut a child’s dependence on Free or Reduced School Lunches?

What does it mean when more kids are eligible for free or reduced school lunches? It says their parents incomes are falling behind, or they’re not working at all. So is this the time to cut back on FoodShare? Get tougher on unemployment job searches? Dump families off Badgercare?

This is what Walker meant by turning out State Red?

If you’re Scott Walker, yes. Who hasn't been angered by the following irresponsible and inappropriate argument Walker gave for achieving "freedom?" When he repeats, "not because we...kick them out to the street...to the curb," it's an acknowledgement that that's exactly what will happen, and he's okay with that.

Walker: "We measure success in government by just the opposite: by how many fewer people are dependent on government, not because we kicked them out to the street, not because we pushed then out to the curb, but because we understand that true freedom and prosperity come when we empower people to take control of their own lives and their own destinies." 

These are destinies that empower people as they live on the “street,” or off to the “curb.”

The truth is, free and reduced school lunches shines a bright light on what real prosperity is…Walker style; low wages and lousy desperate jobs.

WPR: The larger numbers of students in Wisconsin receiving free and reduced-price school meals has increased for the ninth straight school year. Over 43 percent of public school students in the state qualified for subsidized breakfast and lunch this school year - up nearly a percent from last year. Ten years ago, (it was) around 30 percent. 110 Wisconsin school districts now have 50 percent or more of their students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. That's out of a total of 414 districts in the state that participate in the National School Lunch Program.