A looming campaign issue? Over 1 million risk losing food aid over Clinton-era work requirements.

[reformist2]

Think Bill Clinton's infamous 1990s welfare reform is old, forgotten news? Water under the bridge? Maybe not...

=============

Over 1 million face loss of food aid over work requirements

More than 1 million low-income residents in 21 states could soon lose their government food stamps if they fail to meet work requirements that began kicking in this month.

The rule change in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was triggered by the improving economy — specifically, falling unemployment. But it is raising concerns among the poor, social service providers and food pantry workers, who fear an influx of hungry people.

Recent experience in other states indicates that most of those affected will probably not meet the work requirements and will be cut off from food stamps.

For many people, "it means less food, less adequate nutrition. And over the span of time, that can certainly have an impact on health — and the health care system," said Dave Krepcho, president and chief executive of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Advocates say some adults trying to find work face a host of obstacles, including criminal records, disabilities or lack of a driver's license.

The work-for-food requirements were first enacted under the 1996 welfare reform law signed by President Bill Clinton and sponsored by then-Rep. John Kasich, who is now Ohio's governor and a Republican candidate for president.

...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-food-stamp-requirements-20160131-story.html

[onecaliberal]

1. This bullshit right here is why Hillary will not be the net POTUS

This is exactly what Bernie is talking about, but Hillary says fuck those hungry people because we can n't possibly make the rich pay.
This makes me really angry.

[orpupilofnature57]

3. + 1000000000000 !!!!!!!!!!!

[orpupilofnature57]

2. What Candidate would make this a key concern ? The Capitalist, the Fascist or the Democratic

Socialist ?

[Lancero]

14. O'Malley is a Fascist?

Huh. First time I've heard him called that.

[orpupilofnature57]

15. He's a capitalist and a Damn good person . He calls corporations on their shit, WHO is

always saying how they want to work with them ?

[ancianita]

4. Yep, part of that whole 'tough on crime' 'welfare to work' racist crap they spewed back in the day.

Back when the Clintons fell over themselves proving how much tougher they were on crime than Republicans.

[Armstead]

5. And meaner to those Welfare Queens

I wish people's memories were longer sometimes

[CharlotteVale]

6. I remember it...and I remember my shock that a Democratic would

do that.

[ancianita]

7. Those of us in chronic psychic pain have the longest memories.

[ancianita]

8. Guess I've only got long term memory now; I forgot to remember that Bill "apologized"

about all that. No domestic policy reparations statement, though.

Kinda like Hillary did over her "hard choices."

[nashville_brook]

10. guess those hard choices meant switching the focus to "super-predators"

[ancianita]

12. Heh heh...the whole international landscape kinda takes on a different look now...

[hootinholler]

9. It certainly should be. n/t

[RiverLover]

11. Will all the middle-aged suicides make their numbers look better?

Late last year, a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that middle-aged, white Americans have been getting sicker and dying in greater numbers, even as the rest of the world is living longer and healthier.

The authors of that study attributed the trend to what we called “despair deaths:” mainly suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver disease.

...........snip.........


That means not only are middle-aged white people drinking more, using more opioids, and killing themselves at higher rates, more of them are getting sick with the diseases that usually kill older people. And when they do get sick, they don’t get better....

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/01/middle-aged-white-americans-left-behind-and-dying-early/433863/

USA! USA!

[Downwinder]

13. Wonder if that is why Walmart is closing stores?