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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBill would ban Missouri food stamp recipients, among others, from casinos
A Republican senator from St. Joseph has introduced legislation banning anyone who receives certain types of public assistance from entering the gaming areas of Missouri casinos.
Sen. Rob Schaafs legislation would cover anyone receiving food stamps assistance, federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits, low income home energy assistance or MO HealthNet services. The Missouri Department of Social Services would be required to turn over a list of people receiving such public assistance to the Missouri Gaming Commission. The names would be placed on a list alongside problem gamblers who have voluntarily banned themselves from casinos.
Names would be removed from the banned list once they are no longer receiving public assistance.
Any person identified on a Missouri gaming floor in violation of Schaafs legislation would be charged with trespassing.
Read more here: http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/bill-would-ban-missouri-food-stamp-recipients-casinos/#storylink=cpy
Ian David
(69,059 posts)rurallib
(62,451 posts)nanabugg
(2,198 posts)More than all the food stamp recipients all together is my guess. But, hey, it would create more jobs?
MattBaggins
(7,905 posts)This will fail.
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)senators ,congressmen ,oil barons getting millions and the mortgage brokers we bailed out?
rucky
(35,211 posts)NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)I only ask because their seems to be this mistaken belief across the political spectrum that Public employees do not earn their pay. Municipal workers are paid a wage for labor performed, and as such their pay is not a "handout" in any sense. Once they get their compensation (paycheck) it's their money to spend on whatever they see fit.
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)but public funds are used to pay me ,where do we draw a line ,or preferably not ,on policing where and how tax monies allocated are spent?
NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)It doesn't matter where your money comes from. Once you get paid and that money is in your hands, no one can tell you what to do with it.
As for this bill, I find it disgusting, but not unexpected from the right. They seek to always make the poor miserable.
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)From the president to the subsidized bail-outs , it's all from tax dollars ,and it's a slippery slope to draw a line.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)republicans just making up busy work to look busy and not dealing with real problems.
arbusto_baboso
(7,162 posts)southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)arbusto_baboso
(7,162 posts)Because righties assume that poor whites will blame poor minorities and want these senseless and/or punitive measures enacted.
ozone82
(91 posts)arbusto_baboso
(7,162 posts)Conflating the two is pure evil, even by Republican standards.
Response to southernyankeebelle (Reply #4)
Obamanaut This message was self-deleted by its author.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)pretty silly, don't you think? I think I'd rather put food on the table for my family.
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)this bill is bullshit
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)it is a card and they use it like a Credit Card/Debit Card.
Just won't happen
xmas74
(29,676 posts)You also cannot use the EBT cash card. From what I understand, they don't take them. (And I know people who work at casinos here in Missouri-some of the better jobs with decent benefits are at the casinos.)
metalbot
(1,058 posts)What they are doing is making it illegal for someone who is a recipient of food stamps from entering a casino.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)go in knowing I didn't have the money even to go eat.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)I believe in most states with casinos?
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)Some people do when they think they have a gambling problem. But you can never get off the list and the list is for EVERY state, not just the state where you live and or gamble.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)LiberalFighter
(51,104 posts)xmas74
(29,676 posts)I've heard that it's pretty cheap to eat at some of the casinos. Some have buffets that offer a decent variety for a low price. Also, sometimes there are giveaways for free tickets for shows and concerts held at a local casino.
RZM
(8,556 posts)But if you play enough, you get it comped. I don't go all that much and when I'm there I'm pretty much a 'low-roller' but I'm actually surprised at the amount of comps I get. Whenever I go I get a free room and eat for free too.
xmas74
(29,676 posts)and she said for what's offered the price is reasonable. She said that there are quite a few who come only for the all-you-can-eat buffet. Compared to some of the prices of regular restaurants offered in our town it's not a surprise that it's a decent deal.
I work with someone who goes every year with his wife to the boat. They save their money, dine out (it's the all-you-can-eat crab legs that bring them in), and then play slots until they lose the amount set. (It's very little money-less than the price of going to the movies for the night, from what I understand. And if they win they only play for one hour, max and then take home everything left.)
They go out once a year. That's it. They save their money to go out. If this bill passes they will no longer get to go once a year, since his wife receives assistance after suffering from a stroke. The bill just seems cruel when you think of people like them.
haele
(12,681 posts)They aren't allowed? Not to go to a concert (Casinos are often big name concert venues in more remote areas), or the casino outlet mall, or go to a cheap all-you-can-eat buffet with a friend?
Just on the off chance the food stamp recipient might want to drop $5 or $10 on the penny slots, I guess.
If there's a problem gambling issue, the Casinos probably already know about the person and they'd be on "the list".
Next up - Food Stamp recipients aren't allowed in Movie Theaters or Amusment Parks unless they're employed there.
Haele
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)It says food stamp recipients can't spend ANY money at a casino.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)Mind you, working the casino floor is a highly lucrative career-option for someone who couldn't afford to go to college. Want to get people off public assistance? taking away one of the best career options they have is not a good start.
former9thward
(32,082 posts)The sponsors think that if you are receiving food aid you should not be throwing away your cash in a casino.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)think this is just another case of republicans doing nothing but look busy. They don't want to talk real issues. God forbid they would want to help the working people.
xmas74
(29,676 posts)It's also Mo HealthNet, which is the state health insurance program for children. Most of the casino employees I know have their kids on the HealthNet program.
So, if they use HealthNet and work on the floor of a casino, can they be arrested for trespassing? What about a few of the servers working the floor receiving food stamps?
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)I don't care for gambling or casinos ... they are simply not fun for me. However, I know groups of people that go for "fun." I live in metro Detroit, there are casinos in the city .... there are plenty of folk that go downtown to the casinos for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties (etc) ... what gives the state the right to decide that the poor can't (by law) participate in these celebrations?
The poor do not surrender their basic rights simply by being poor ... it saddens me that there are those that apparently believe rights are tied to economic status.
Astounding
pstokely
(10,530 posts)You can buy junk food with food stamps
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)in a position I had to have them.
onethatcares
(16,188 posts)on the cheek or something.
these fucking legislators are getting out of hand.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)Tikki
(14,559 posts)Tikki
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)Justice wanted
(2,657 posts)The Genealogist
(4,723 posts)How long until people on benefits have to wear an ankle bracelet that tracks their movements? Go down the wrong street and go to jail. Perhaps hire citizen spies to write down everything people receiving any kind of benefits buys at the store, and anything bought that is on a "banned" list will cause jail time. Maybe we can track where people on benefits go on the internet, and if they go to any sites that RWers hate, they go to jail. Maybe make everyone on any kind of government assistance have a big red "A" tattooed on their foreheads. Then force them all to the town square and require everyone else to mock them and throw rotten vegetables at them. Hell, how about just putting everyone below a certain income right into a prison work camp? Yeah, way down the slippery slope, but it is getting more ridiculous by the day.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)of braclet or ankle braclet of some type of obese kids to track what they are doing and how much activity they are getting. This is 1984 coming true. If you haven't seen it you can online. Just google 1984 and watch it. Today its the obese kid, tommorrow the really thin child, what is next.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)the fact that he's a self-made millionaire astounds me somewhat. I mean the guy's king fucking dunce.
One of my favorite tee-shirts I bought when I lived in Brooklyn says "Fuck Bloomy!" I got cheers and complements everywhere I went with it on. He spent a fortune to barely win his last election and I doubt he'd win again if he ran.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)think
(11,641 posts)but having no problem if the government is in your life.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)master list of food stamp users? and cruise the casinos? Notice the casinos will not be held accountable. Therefore they wont screen.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)All the casinos in MO are set up that way. I would imagine food stamp recipients would be added to the Do Not Enter list.
MNBrewer
(8,462 posts)proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)They scan it. If you don't have a card, they can check ID. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. But they film everyone going in and find you if you're on 'the list' and somehow got past the front door.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)And what would be the incentive for the casinos? Cant see them wanting to cooperate.
What do your casinos check "as they walk in the door"? They dont check shite in Washington the State.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)There is no incentive for the casinos. Well, to stay open would likely be an incentive.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)i dont believe it is against the law for casinos to allow "food stamp" recipients on their premises. The law they are touting is just a feel good law. Look what we are doing. It isnt practical to enforce.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)They scan IDs and casino cards at the door. They take people out who get around their security, I have seen them do this and I know people who have been banned and escorted out.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)with possible exception that someone watches for the under aged.
pstokely
(10,530 posts)nt
jpljr77
(1,004 posts)Most adults can stroll right into a casino without being stopped and asked for ID. And they can game all they want.
But when they go to cash in those chips, things get a little more strict. This is how underage gamers are usually caught. So if a person hits a modest jackpot on the slots, for example, let's say $1,000 and goes to collect, THAT'S when stuff starts getting verified.
This is a lot nastier than people realize, because guess who gets to keep all of the money if the verification doesn't go through?
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)liberal N proud
(60,346 posts)How else would they control access?
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)... I mean the war on the poor. some days I am sute I have fallen down the rabbit hole.
mackattack
(344 posts)in the free market like this? I thought that was the whole purpose of the civil rights legislation, to stop businesses from keeping people out.
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)is the biggest leech on our funds , 600% during the war on mass weapons Obstruction ,shhhoo.
Shandris
(3,447 posts)Maybe someone got inside, dropped a couple quarters in the slot machine, then enjoyed the buffet? It's the only thing I can think of that even remotely makes sense, and even then it simply can't be enough of a problem to warrant the state spending that much cash.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Makes more sense.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)Televangetheives barred from stealing grannies SSI cheeck!
My mom sent Robert Tilton a check for $2.27 (or some other odd amount) once. She despised the guy btw. But she sent it along with a letter saying that this was all she could afford, and I can't remember all the details, but she listed personal hardships she invented.
The Robert Tilton "ministry" sent her letters that progressed from politely asking for a repeat donation to awful things that said "God" will bring sickness and grief to the unfaithful and wicked. Which, it was strongly implied, was what a non-donor to Robert Tilton "ministries" was.
But donors to Robert Tilton would see their gift returned by God 50 fold!
pstokely
(10,530 posts)I stuff those in the prepaid envelopes that come with the letters from the fundy mailing lists I'm on
pstokely
(10,530 posts)I stuff those in the prepaid envelopes that come with the letters from the fundy mailing lists I'm on
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,438 posts)in our supposedly "Christian nation" is becoming unquestionably despicable. We've so thoroughly demonized them to the point that they are increasingly stigmatized as being unworthy of any compassion and basic respect for their gignity as human beings.
Taitertots
(7,745 posts)People should have the good sense to avoid gambling when they don't have enough money for food.
xmas74
(29,676 posts)It's not just food stamps.
I worked at a place that would occasionally give away concert tickets for shows at the local casinos. (I live in Missouri.) What if a person won tickets for a show? They go to the boat, drop a couple of dollars on slots just to say they did, saw the show, and then went home. I guess now they wouldn't be able to accept the tickets.
Also, I know employees working at the local casinos. More than a few are on food stamps, heating assistance, and/or Mo HealthNet. Does this mean they can no longer work as servers or cleaning staff on the floor?
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)(I've read, essentially, that thought right here on DU). If they won tickets ...those tickets should immediately be given to someone that is not poor (their economic status alone identifies them as worthy).
I have no doubt there would be exceptions made for poor folk to clean up after the more affluent.
* do I really need the sarcasm thingy?
xmas74
(29,676 posts)And are you sure about the exceptions? They may demand that they give up services in order to keep their jobs. In this economy no one wants to give up their job, especially since the casinos around here pay more than $7.25 an hour.
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)In honesty, the vast majority of posters are horrified by the vilification of the poor ... but, there is still a significant number of posters that truly believe (and stridently defend) that the poor "should" give up their basic human rights as a condition of receiving any help.
In seriousness, I do see your question about the possibility of giving up services in order to keep their job as a possibility.
Again, I am astounded.
xmas74
(29,676 posts)I can actually see them doing just that-demanding they give up services in order to work. Of course, if you quit your job then you don't qualify for unemployment in this state. Oh, and it's getting harder and harder to get assistance. It's very hard to get heating assistance right now. I know of someone through our church who has been on the wait list for two years for heating assistance.
And rental assistance/Section 8-they opened the application office for one day last year. (No applications were accepted for four years prior.) At the end of the day they closed it, stating they were taking no more applications. The applications weren't for assistance. They were to get your place in line to be considered for assistance when a spot finally opens.
Food pantries constantly beg for food around here because there isn't enough to cover everyone. Yes, some churches and organizations do try to help but when times have been tough not everyone can afford to donate like they once did. People who once donated every month have cut down on donations. People who donated their "Lord's Acre" to the church and to the food pantry (Lord's Acre is 10% of what you've grown on your land) have had to cut down and save it back for their own families. Same with hunters who once donated an entire deer, processing price paid by them, to food pantries. Now that same deer is being stockpiled in their deep freeze at home because they're worried about running out of food.
EFerrari
(163,986 posts)They hire PR people to come up with this stuff so they can get time in the media. Like that idiot that wanted to ban fetuses in food. This is the same sh!t.
SoCalDem
(103,856 posts)and right wingers morph it into something that EVERY winner who "looks" poor has done.
People are often so excited when they finally win something, that they say things they later wish they had not said.
Reporters dig for stuff too that will make the winners more "interesting".
MH1
(17,608 posts)doesn't mean it's a significant problem, or even that it actually happens.
See also: Oklahoma republican state legislator introduces a bill to ban chopped up fetuses being used in food. <<-- yes it really happened.
Edit to add: I probably should have read EFerrarri's post just above mine. Honestly, I didn't read that before I posted. It's just the obvious response.
xmas74
(29,676 posts)yet still receive food stamps? I know someone who has four kids, works for a casino, but receives food stamps and MC+
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)xmas74
(29,676 posts)but the way this is written is doesn't say gamble-it says they cannot be on the floor.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)xmas74
(29,676 posts)they can't even work the floor, even to clean.
This whole darn bill is stupidity in action.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)They sit at home and eat all day long while plotting more ways they can steal our tax dollars from us hard working folks.
xmas74
(29,676 posts)What was I thinking?!
I forgot that they sit at home all day, watching the soon-to-be-extinct daytime soaps or Univision while eating bon bons and flushing their birth control pills down the toilet. More babies, more welfare.
Whatever was I thinking?
cthulu2016
(10,960 posts)Since the logic here treats visiting Missouri casinos as irresponsibly throwing money away perhaps the problem is the state being involved in profiting from stealing the citizenry's money.
I imagine that if one looks at the advertising for these casinos they could reasonably infer that patronizing casions offers a great opportunity to get off public assistance.
MineralMan
(146,333 posts)madinmaryland
(64,933 posts)Which is a much more regressive tax than allowing them into casinos. As said elsewhere, most people who are on food stamps and other support, probably don't have the money to even get into casinos.
What a mis-guided effort.
RedRocco
(454 posts)unless they are low enough for the point of sale to pay out.
trumad
(41,692 posts)How will they know if you are on food stamps?
Will it be attached to your drivers license?
This would be a bureaucratic nightmare and most likely be shot down in the courts.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)They have a security device that scans IDs.
trumad
(41,692 posts)proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)but I watch them scan IDs every time I'm there.
trumad
(41,692 posts)Still--- they will have to tie food stamps to drivers license... that don't seem easy.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)They can easily add food stamp recipients to the list.
I'm NOT approving of this - just explaining it's not hard to do.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)bills like this. It's just another obstruction tactic to keep governing bodies from doing their job by taking up their time with this crap.
stlsaxman
(9,236 posts)the Public School System- as they promised it would- and not siphoned off to the general debt.
Then and only then.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)The problem is it's only about a tenth of a percent of the total education budget. So it doesn't really make a difference.
vankuria
(904 posts)to movie theaters, amusement parks, field days, state fairs, etc. Since the reasoning is if you can't afford food then you can't afford entertainement either. And while they're at it, how about anyone getting any state or federal benefits be excluded from anything that would be considered entertainment. This is indeed a "slippery slope" and I can only hope someone has some sense to stop this insanity.
xmas74
(29,676 posts)and high school football games. (Unless the kid is good enough to win a state championship, of course, but his parents wouldn't be allowed to watch.)
That would eventually be part of something like this.
Solly Mack
(90,787 posts)The twisted mind sees strength in cowering others.
Fucker.
PotatoChip
(3,186 posts)Many people make so little that even with a 40 hour work week, they qualify for some type of assistance. Food servers for example, are often paid less then minimum wage. Tips are supposed to make up for that, which is why it's legal to pay waitstaff less. But sometimes they have slow days or too many poor tippers.
And even a person receiving full minimum wage would probably qualify if they have one or more children. I wonder if the bill will take this into account?
What is it w/Republicans and this mean spirited war on the poor anyway? Yeah, I know they've always had a cruel streak to them, but it really seems to have intensified as of late.
RZM
(8,556 posts)At least at that particular casino.
PotatoChip
(3,186 posts)You are probably right.
But my other comment still stands. Republicans are nothing but mean spirited jerks... It's this idea they have in their little peon brains that people on public assistance are a bunch of, gambling, cadillac driving, pill popping, low life, fraudster types. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that the bill, in and of itself, will probably have little to zero impact on the lives of people on public assistance since I highly doubt that they are out there gambling anyway. ---It's just the implication that they are that pisses me off.
If people are poor enough to qualify for public assistance, it means that they are barely scraping by. Whatever assistance they are getting would not be enough for all of these 'vices' that they are being accused of. Pukes act as if these poor people are living it up somehow.
WI_DEM
(33,497 posts)yellowcanine
(35,701 posts)Social service depts cannot turn over lists of people receiving public assistance, not even to other agencies or charities who might want to provide programs to assist people.
And the Constitution doesn't allow this kind of arbitrary ban on the participation of individuals in legal commercial activity.