OMG...is this cool or what? "Gov., Wife To Live On Food Stamp Budget" A DEMOCRAT, of course.

[in_cog_ni_to]

No repuke would care enough to EVER do this.


Gov., Wife To Live On Food Stamp Budget

SALEM, Ore. -- Starting on Monday, Gov. Ted Kulongoski and his wife, Mary, will spend just $3 a day each for a week on their meals to match the amount spent by the average food stamp recipient in Oregon.

The goal is to walk the proverbial mile in the steps of those who rely on food stamps to feed a family.

The Bush administration has proposed several cuts, among them taking away food stamps from about 185,000 people because they receive other non-cash government assistance.


Kulongoski, a Democrat, plans to lobby Congress to restore the proposed funding cuts.

www.oregonfoodbank.com

http://www.kptv.com/news/12901364/detail.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

Hope this gets lots of publicity

kudos to the Gov for doing this.

[Lerkfish]

1. I applaud the publicity, yet I wonder why he simply doesn't pony up state dough

:shrug:

[Robbien]

13. Probably because all states are strapped these days because

they are ponying up on Medicaid subsidies and other state subsidies that the Feds have dropped.

Plus Oregon is a blue state and it gets the short stick on federal descretionary funding as all blue states do.

[Lerkfish]

14. good points.

[sandnsea]

24. Because of the states that won't

And then when things are so bad that there's emergency money appropriated, those states get it and the responsible states don't.

[RoyGBiv]

38. Umm ...

You know that was Reagan's theory behind budget cuts. Let the states fund it.

Problem is, the states are broke and some have laws that don't allow them to run a deficit. Not sure about Oregon, but that hardly matters since the federal cuts will affect everyone.

[roguevalley]

44. Oregon's broke. Libraries are closed everywhere. I applaud them.

[madokie]

2. Good for him.

[Echotrail]

3. I think it's very cool. He's only doing it for a week, but still.

At least he is recognizing the dire straights that millions of people face every day.

[Bobbieo]

8. I'll bet they will both lose weight - my family of 3 can't make it

with 2 of them on food stamps. We run out today with 10 more days to go. No steaks for this family. I shop at Wal-Mart which is 8.10s of a mile from my front door to their parking lot and their prices are going up every day.

[Bobbieo]

11. Take that back - maybe they'll gain weight

with a high carb diet. I grow some veggies and have several citrus trees

[Lenore]

16. Grocery Outlet (Rainbow Foods)....

My family lived on 'stamps' for years. We got an average of $90 per person. Rainbow Foods is the way to go, seriously! I can't remember a month we 'ran out' of food, stocking up at Rainbow Foods at the start of the month totally helped. We haven't been eligible to get stamps for years now, however I still shop at Rainbow Foods. I hope there is one close to you...


http://groceryoutlets.com/

[lildreamer316]

19. Aldi is one also..

more east coast though.

[renate]

28. WinCo prices rock!!

Great bulk food prices especially. And their regular grocery items seem to be about the same prices as those at Costco, but you don't have to buy huge amounts at once. When I think about all the money I wasted at Albertson's (not exactly a fancy store) before I found out about WinCo I could just kick myself.

(I think WinCo is Cub Foods in the Midwest??)

Yay for Ted and his wife--great idea!

[MissB]

29. WinCo used to be Cub Foods in Portland, too.

Until about 4 or 5 years ago.

I think they're non-union though.

[Echotrail]

43. An Aldi opened recently here. I love it.

ALDI – AN INTERNATIONAL BRAND LEADER IN GROCERY RETAILING
Aldi is a leader in the international grocery retailing industry with more than 5,000 stores. Aldi has operations in Europe, the United States and Australia. The first ALDI store opened in 1948 in the German town of Essen. The company grew steadily during the 1960's and the limited assortment concept was developed and adapted to fit the company philosophy.

[sandnsea]

25. They're non-union

and don't provide employee benefits for two years. I prefer to shop sales at a union grocery store, it ends up costing the same.

[lildreamer316]

20. I want to ask..

and please no offense..do you coupon??
If not, several here can teach you a few tricks to help out. There's actually a lot more to it than you'd think. You don't have to know everything,but a few basic tricks can help immensely.
I had a hell of a rough year last year; trying to feed my family when husband lost two jobs and got a DUI. We managed to pull through with some help from some great friends combined with my couponing skills --stockpiling.

[DeepBlueC]

9. you expected him to do it for life...?

Even people on food stamps look forward to the day when their lives turn around and they can afford to live. It's part of a lobbying effort, and a good one. I wish more state officials would join in. The problem with the state ponying up the dough is that it may not be there. Thus state people are put in the position either of reducing or withdrawing benefits, which is what the Bushies want in the end, or of raising the tax revenue needed to pick up the shortfall. In the first scenario the states take the rap for having to implement a federal policy. In the second the we get to hear more "tax and spend" babble. The feds are putting the squeeze on the states and it is a pattern. No Child Left comes to mind.

[Echotrail]

48. No, I didn't EXPECT him to do it at all

One week of voluntarily living poor will give a brief taste of the challenges. I applaud him for it. Not many politicians go out of their way to highlight the struggles of the poor.

[napi21]

4. WOW! I'd LOVE to get more publicity on that story! I'd REALLY

love to see a lot more of our politicians AND OUR CANDIDATES FOR PREZ to do that as well.

I'm not too sure I'm too thrilled that it's only 1 week! I'd prefer at least 2 to 3 weeks. It'spossible to do almost anything for 1 week...just to prove you can! After that first 7 days, it becomes a real drag OR WORSE!

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. Yep. There is a big difference between having mac & cheese

for the third time this week, and having it for the 23rd time this month. Not to mention the psychological changes once the quality food has finished its job, and there is nothing but crap to replace it. Going without fresh fruit and veggies for a week is inconvenient. Going without them for a month can effect real changes in nutrition.

But, good on them for trying.

[bobthedrummer]

5. This is the legacy of Tommy Thompson and his Wisconsin Works W2

model of welfare reform which has spread and even gone international.

The major input for this program came from the extreme RW, people like the eugenicist Charles Murray, the neocon think tanks and foundations (Bradley, Aspen, Heritage etc) and just plain old "elite" RW Republican racist nazis.

[grasswire]

7. I am happy to say that ....

...a member of the Oregon food bank fundraising office is a shirttail cousin, and his little family is taking that challenge, as are some members of my family.

[Reader Rabbit]

10. That's our Ted!

Several local radio station folks are attempting it, too. They keep going on about peanut butter and jelly, macaroni, and ramen, though. Hasn't anyone out there ever heard of beans, peas, and other dried legumes? Rice? Pasta? Tortillas What about potatoes, cabbage, and carrots?

Honestly, there are many budget-friendly foods that aren't of the college student variety.

[Cha]

45. I have..That's all I eat on my

Vegan diet..veggies, fruits, brown rice, buckwheat, Quinoa, corn tortillas, avocados, black beans, salsa(is not just a dance!) ect ect ect.

[Reader Rabbit]

12. That's our Ted!

Several local radio station folks are attempting it, too. They keep going on about peanut butter and jelly, macaroni, and ramen, though. Hasn't anyone out there ever heard of beans, peas, and other dried legumes? Rice? Pasta? Tortillas? What about potatoes, cabbage, and carrots?

Honestly, there are many budget-friendly foods that aren't of the college student variety.

[Forkboy]

15. I'll be interested to see what he thinks of his experience.

[Debi]

17. I think this is great

But it really won't show the whole experience a family who lives on food stamps has. He'll still live in the Governor's home (without worrying about eviction notices or how he'll pay the rent) - have staff and vehicles (and gas) available to him without worrying about how to pay for it or how he'd get to his job w/out gas or bus money - have the appropriate clothing (and ability to have it washed/cleaned)to go to work each day - HAVE A JOB - and not have to worry about the gas/phone/electricity being shut off.

At least he's making the effort though. Not many would even consider it for a day, much less a week.

I have been very lucky in life only living on state aid/food stamps for two months. But without the help of friends/family I would have been out on the street w/out anything many different times.

[lildreamer316]

18. I hope he will take those things into consideration..

maybe he will at least remember those qualifiers.

[Debi]

23. The fact that he's taking this step is good

Maybe when people who actually have to live months and years on food stamps and assistance speak to him about their daily living worries he'll understand a little more.

[madrchsod]

21. good luck gov...but i`ll give a tip

find a job that pays under the table and have your wife babysit for cash. have your kids sign up for every free lunch and breakfast program. there are other tricks and you`ll figure out those around the third week...

[Marrah_G]

22. It's a start

But I have to say this:

1) I doubt they can/will really do it. A governors schedule is full of lunch meetings, dinner gatherings, etc. Will he include coffee at the office, soda on the road, etc into that 3.00?

2) A week is a little tough, a month would really make them feel the anxiety.

I say this as a mom who is NOT on food stamps (i make too much) I feed a family of 4 (3 teens)on 75.00 per week, with another 25.00 on household/grooming items, and I do this in Eastern Mass.

That is 2.86 per family member per day for food. No assistance....welcome to the world of the working poor.

I know what's its like to go to bed hungry. I know what its like to feed the kids ramen noodles for 5 days straight because it's all I had left after having to fill the oil tank.

[MissB]

27. He has sworn off all free items.

Typically meetings would offer lunches and drinks. He's brown bagging it and refusing free food/drinks.

[Marrah_G]

31. Good for them then. I hope they stick to it and then talk about it.

[FloridaJudy]

30. I've been there

Not on food stamps, but down to selling my blood for $20 to buy groceries for a week. Believe me, that rice/beans/pasta doesn't look so tasty after it's all you've been eating for two weeks.

I applaud the Governor's efforts, though I'd like to see all politicians try this for a month or two.

[MissB]

26. They're even avoiding free food they'd normally get at meetings and such.

[windbreeze]

32. I'd like to see some of our prez. candidates join this effort....

only way to understand being poor....is to be there with them...there is a huge difference between choosing not to eat...vs...having no money or food to eat...
wb

[Shallah Kali]

33. That is a great idea! I would also like to make 'em shop for the food themselves

at least a few times in a regular supermarket and see what normal people deal with.

[bobbolink]

34. Walking a mile in our moccasins!

Finally, someone who has the guts to experience first hand what some of us live with!

I hope all the guests to the governor's mansion are like-wise given the same food-stamp fare.

Also, I hope all those on DU who are so proud of their health eating habits will follow suit!!

[stevedeshazer]

35. I don't understand why a bunch of DUers are piling on Ted for doing this

It's never enough.

Perhaps Ted and Mary should sell off Mahonia Hall to the highest bidder and go live under a bridge. Would that be enough?

Ted Kulongoski is a good man, and he's trying to make a valid point here.

Why tear him down? Sheesh.

[in_cog_ni_to]

39. Right.

Some people are never happy no matter what. That's just DU. I thought he was AWESOME to do this, but that's just me.:)

[stevedeshazer]

40. He's my governor, and I'm glad.

Thanks for posting this, I think it's awesome, too.

Another thing people should know about Ted (he's an ex-Marine)is that he has attended every single funeral for Oregonians killed in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You can read about them here: http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/soldier/soldier_oregons_most_honorable.shtml

[in_cog_ni_to]

41. OMG...I love your Governor!

A man who appreciates the sacrifice and respects the families who lost their loved ones enough to attend their funerals. How could you NOT love that guy? He sounds like a wonderful man.

[NashVegas]

42. What Are You Talking About

Please point out to me where, in this thread, he's being piled on?

Cause all I see is 99.5% kudos.

[rucky]

36. What a welfare queen!

Shopping on MY tax money while he goes back to his MANSION.

He'll probably buy one of those jumbo cans of beans, too.

[bobbolink]

37. Not just the JUMBO can, but the expensive brand, rather than the 'house' brand

Or..... for those who are insisting that diet is responsible for mental illness, .....

By eating that cheap junk for a week, he'll end up on a locked ward.

:shrug:

[Skittles]

46. that doesn't do sh**

they know there is light at the end of their tunnel - and for a week? I think it is condescending.

[jgraz]

47. Not only would the Repigs NEVER do this...

You can bet that they're going to be laughing at him the whole time.

Have I mentioned yet tonight how much I hate these people?