Wednesday, May 16, 2007
$21 a week to eat...or trim a few strands of John Edwards hair
This is one of those feel-good stories about members of Congress who are keeping it real by garnering a real understanding of what their constituents are going through…and not coincidently getting some killer publicity in the process.
Lawmakers Find $21 a Week Doesn't Buy a Lot of Groceries - washingtonpost.com
“Ryan and three other members of Congress have pledged to live for one week on $21 worth of food, the amount the average food stamp recipient receives in federal assistance. That's $3 a day or $1 a meal. They started yesterday.”
We are also treated to a picture of Congressman Ryan as he shops for his weekly sustinence.
Not to be too cynical about all this but…what a crock. The Congresspeople (see, I can be PC) are acting as if $21 is supposed to cover the week with no other source of income. That simply and demonstrably is not the way the program works. Nor does it take into account other programs such as the meals provided at schools. Or the WIC program. Or welfare payments. Or Housing Assistance. (Money being fungible and all).
Besides, rather than demonstrating how down he is with the people’s struggle, Congressman Ryan is actually showing just how clueless he is by attempting to stretch his $21 at a Safeway – a WalMart would probably have been a much better choice.
But I understand that may have presented our concerned Democrat with an awkward photo op.
Lawmakers Find $21 a Week Doesn't Buy a Lot of Groceries - washingtonpost.com
“Ryan and three other members of Congress have pledged to live for one week on $21 worth of food, the amount the average food stamp recipient receives in federal assistance. That's $3 a day or $1 a meal. They started yesterday.”
We are also treated to a picture of Congressman Ryan as he shops for his weekly sustinence.
Not to be too cynical about all this but…what a crock. The Congresspeople (see, I can be PC) are acting as if $21 is supposed to cover the week with no other source of income. That simply and demonstrably is not the way the program works. Nor does it take into account other programs such as the meals provided at schools. Or the WIC program. Or welfare payments. Or Housing Assistance. (Money being fungible and all).
Besides, rather than demonstrating how down he is with the people’s struggle, Congressman Ryan is actually showing just how clueless he is by attempting to stretch his $21 at a Safeway – a WalMart would probably have been a much better choice.
But I understand that may have presented our concerned Democrat with an awkward photo op.
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He's a Democrat, I believe it's against his beliefs to shop at union busting, 3rd world exploiting, enviroment ruining Wal-Mart.
If it had been a GOP Congressman, the WaPo would have written an article about how out of touch he is with Americans as he doesn't even know how much groceries cost.
SD - true but they can always send their minions (a la John Edwards) to do the same
...and good point veeshir
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...and good point veeshir
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