Food Stamps and Unemployment Benefits Two ‘Most Stimulative’ Things for US Economy

[dhr05b]

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters on Tuesday that the two most “stimulative” things the government can do is provide food stamps and unemployment insurance, CNSNews.com reports.

Well if that’s the case, the economy should be thoroughly “stimulated.” A report released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) last month states that there are now roughly 45 million Americans receiving food stamps. That’s one in every seven people.

Further, government spending on food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), increased by 65 percent between 2007 and 2011. It’s frustrating — we should be more stimulated by now. Instead, the U.S. remains in one of the slowest so-called economic recoveries arguably in American history.

Hoyer was apparently asked by a reporter on Tuesday whether Democrats in Congress were reconsidering the “wisdom” of allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for the country’s most wealthy at the end of 2012 instead of extending the tax breaks to Americans of all income-brackets.

“I haven’t talked to any who are of that mind,” Hoyer said. “If you talk to economists, they will tell you there are two things that are the most stimulative that you can do — one’s unemployment insurance, the other’s food stamps, okay?”

“Why is that?” he asked. ”Because those folks who receive those resources must spend them. And they’ll spend them almost upon receipt. Most economists with whom I talk believe that those with significant discretionary income, that that’s not the case.”

The Bush tax cuts are set to expire on the first day of 2013 unless Congress acts. Meanwhile, a battle is brewing on Capitol Hill as Obama and Democrats only want people making less than $250,000 to keep the Bush tax cuts while Republicans want the rates extended for everyone.

According to CBO projections, allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire on Jan. 1, 2013 would result in a 1.3 percent contraction in GDP when coupled with looming defense cuts.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/dem-congressman-providing-food-stamps-and-unemployment-benefits-two-most-stimulative-things-for-us-economy/

[DiveDeepSix]

Both programs that require our taxes to run, it just goes to show how clueless the Dems are, obviously they don't have a solution at all. You can't tax your way to prosperity. Thanks for the post!

[NEODinar]

Yup the dems don't have a clue how to stop all the conservatives leeching off the government. Go figure.

[kliklok00]

So is this how it works:

1. The government taxes my income---my money earned for the work I perform.

2. The government gives my money away to people who don't work.

3. The people who receive my money spend it.

4. America prospers.

Something about that scenario just doesn't add up to me...

[DiveDeepSix]

Yup the dems don't have a clue how to stop all the conservatives leeching off the government. Go figure.

Oh really slick? Tell me what has your self proclaimed mesiah done for America? Don't even say killed Bin Laden, the SEALs did that and Hillarious had to make the call because O didn't have the stomach for it, besides it wouldn't have mattered who was in office from either side it would have been the same thing. Healthcare maybe? Nah, the majority of the public hates it and wants it repealed. So tell me chief what are you guys doing?

Edited July 18, 2012 by DiveDeepSix

[jgyear]

i would say people on unemployment and food stamps have no choice but to use them. Now that was a no brainer for anyone. anyone who hasn't had to have them just don't understand, no matter what party you support. It would be nice if our gov . would spend the money they give to other countries at home first and we wouldn't have so much unemployment or food stamps. If our country wouldn't allow our jobs to go to other countries maybe we wouldn't have this problem. It just makes me sick how our gov does and gets by with. We as americans need to stand up and say stop it and take care of home first.

[kliklok00]

i would say people on unemployment and food stamps have no choice but to use them. Now that was a no brainer for anyone. anyone who hasn't had to have them just don't understand, no matter what party you support. It would be nice if our gov . would spend the money they give to other countries at home first and we wouldn't have so much unemployment or food stamps. If our country wouldn't allow our jobs to go to other countries maybe we wouldn't have this problem. It just makes me sick how our gov does and gets by with. We as americans need to stand up and say stop it and take care of home first.

As a nation that has compassion, I am not against helping those who are in a bind. I have been in plenty of binds in my 55 years on earth. People have come to my assistance and I was very grateful. With that said, I also work for a living...I own a construction business (have most of my life) and I actually hire people. I don't have exact numbers, but in my world, 9 out of 10 people who apply for work don't really want the work...they just want to use my company as proof that they tried to get a job. Then, they collect their benefits. While I understand not everyone wants (or can) work in the construction field, my point is their mindset is used to figure out how to scam the government. The more money our government is willing to give away, the more scammers there will be.

Again, this is my world...I realize things are different in other parts of my state and in other states. I also realize we should not cut off aid to those in need simply because there are unscrupulous people who have figured out how to run their cons. But we do need to figure out how to stop the scams...and more important, we need to realize that no one, no country, can tax those who work, give that tax dollar away to those that don't, and actually believe it will prosper America. That line of thinking is flawed....actually it is moronic.

[jonjon]

Never have we ever been less free than we are now

Industry evacuated it through in the towel

Fines through regulation has replaced it anyhow

The one great dream is gone

OSHA

EPA

Labor Department

The taxes collected by these branches sent industry packing.

Now the Healthcare industry will have to support the uncontrollable government spending.

Did anyone truly think that the government was concerned about our health?

[cris]

So is this how it works:

1. The government taxes my income---my money earned for the work I perform.

2. The government gives my money away to people who don't work.

2.5 The Govt tells us we should hate anyone that doesnt want to give their money in taxes

3. The people who receive my money spend it.

4. America prospers.

Something about that scenario just doesn't add up to me...

I added one little addition Kliklok....Theres a lot more that could be added,

but I think what you've said pretty much sums it up

[NEODinar]

<br />Oh really slick?  Tell me what has your self proclaimed mesiah done for America?  Don't even say killed Bin Laden, the SEALs did that and Hillarious had to make the call because O didn't have the stomach for it, besides it wouldn't have mattered who was in office from either side it would have been the same thing.  Healthcare maybe?  Nah, the majority of the public hates it and wants it repealed.  So tell me chief what are you guys doing?  <img src='http://dinarvets.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

Lol! Well guy, the seals certainly couldn't get the job done under Bush so……….

.Lol! doesn't have the "stomach for it" Obama has been responsible for more terrorist captures and deaths than Bush. Read an article for once man, it might help you actually make some sense.

Well you speak as if I love obama. Lol simply because I don't illogically hate him and think he's a secret Arab doesn't mean he is my "self proclaimed messiah" Since obama can't win for losing with you people what's the point of listing his accomplishments? Lol! Simply google them if you want the list. Here I'll help you out as they are too numerous to jot down.

http://obamaachievements.org/list

Oooh but let me guess this is all just lib propaganda right? Lol! Well you asked and so shall you receive. that's in the bible somewhere right?

[cris]

i would say people on unemployment and food stamps have no choice but to use them. Now that was a no brainer for anyone. anyone who hasn't had to have them just don't understand, no matter what party you support. It would be nice if our gov . would spend the money they give to other countries at home first and we wouldn't have so much unemployment or food stamps. If our country wouldn't allow our jobs to go to other countries maybe we wouldn't have this problem. It just makes me sick how our gov does and gets by with. We as americans need to stand up and say stop it and take care of home first.

Absolutely right about ending aid to most other Countries

this is US Govt aid around the world

US Taxpayer-Funded Foreign Aid Received by 150/192 Countries in the World!

That's us dishing-out an allowance to over 78% of the nations in existence...

Thanks US taxpayers- but most of them still hate you anyway.

And if you feel like a chump- you should: we'll be paying for this dubious investement (+interest) ad infinitum: America doesn't have any money to be giving-away in the first place, all discretionary federal spending is in-effect borrowed these days...

http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/2011/03/us-taxpayer-funded-foreign-aid-received.html

Heres another good map...it shows the level of corruption around the world

Edited July 18, 2012 by cris