Istook’s Insights: Bad economics: food stamp excesses, Minimum wage makes government the boss
Published: November 19th, 2015
There’s a new food stamp controversy.
45 million people — one of every seven people in America — currently receive food stamps, costing taxpayers $74 Billion a year.
Very soon, about a million recipients will be cut off from Food Stamps, unless they work — at least 80 hours a month.
That’s been the law since 1996, but the feds have waived it in 44 states since 2008. Now the waivers are ending.
This involves only able-bodied adults with no children to feed. The work requirements do not apply to the other 44 Million on food stamps.
Protests are underway, claiming that work requirements will cause people to starve.
Protestors lose sight of numerous private charities that are always ready to help someone who needs it — especially if that person actually is trying.
Public help is supposed to be a hand up, not a handout.
In another economic debate with human dimensions, Republican candidates say raising the minimum wage is a bad idea.
Public opinion polls show broad bipartisan support for raising the minimum wage.
Just before the GOP Presidential debate in Milwaukee, union-backed protestors marched in multiple cities, insisting that $15 an hour should be the minimum.
But the candidates bucked the protestors and bucked the opinion polls.
Ben Carson noted that it increases unemployment, especially among unskilled black workers.
Marco Rubio said it makes people more expensive than machines, so they get replaced by machines.
Donald Trump said it gives the advantage to foreign businesses, which pay workers far less than the current U.S. minimum of $7.25 an hour.
The only Republican candidate to speak in favor of a higher minimum wage was John Kasich.
A government-dictated raise does not make people work harder. Instead of asking politicians for a raise, hard workers should be asking their boss.