[Kobi]

Originally Posted by Miss Tick

I have to disagree with this article's stance that Gingrich has a point that the U.S. is becoming an entitlement society. Here is the quote "Gingrich often cites the number of persons on food stamps to support his view that the U.S. is becoming an “entitlement society,” increasingly dependent on government aid. And he has a point. One out of seven Americans is currently getting food stamps."

It just boggles my mind. If one out of seven Americans is currently getting food stamps, then one out of seven Americans qualifies for them. That's a freaking no brainer. It's not like they are stealing them. Or abusing the system. And the reason they qualify is because they don't have enough money to feed their family. That is the issue. And the next issue is what can be done to help people find jobs that give them enough money to feed their families. Being hungry and wanting to eat and wanting to feed your children, that's not being an entitlement society. WTF!

Maybe it's me but I can't see how anyone can confuse this issue and make it about too many people getting food stamps. It should be about too many people not having enough money to feed themselves and their families and what can we do about that. Not what can we do about convincing people that when they want enough to eat they are acting like they live in an entitlement society.

I dont see the article saying or even making the innuendo that Gringich is right or that the USA is becoming an entitlement society or that 7 in 10 people receive food stamps. Am I missing something?

To me, it is putting together the numbers in a constructive way while taking into account what has happened with the economy since the meltdown, leading to certain programs to relax/alter the requirements as a way to deal with excessive economic loses and prolonged unemployment. That to me is a responsible way to explain and look at increases in anything.

The Gingrich view fails to take the history and current situation into account. He is looking only at numbers and making giant leaps in promoting his warped view to suit his own needs. To me, that is Newt just being the butthead he has always been.

Kobi predicts the current Newt craze is just a flash in the pan thing and will extinguish itself soon enough.