Photo identification to purchase food...?

[Earth_First]

On Wednesday, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) introduced a bill that would force recipients of food stamps to show a valid photo ID to buy food. Anti-hunger advocates say that because many poor people cannot afford to purchase government IDs, the requirement would make it harder for low-income Americans to eat.

Vitter says the bill is designed to cut down on fraud. "Using a photo ID is standard in many day-to-day transactions, he said upon introducing the bill. "My bill will restore some accountability to the program so it's not ruined for people who use it appropriately."

But it's not that simple. Vitter's bill would also prevent many Americans from using the nutrition aid they're eligible for. "Many poor people do not have photo ID's, and it costs money they do not have to get them," Deborah Weinstein, executive director of the advocacy organization Coalition on Human Needs, told the Times-Picayune on Wednesday. "Senator Vitter's proposal will be especially tough on elderly and poor people who do not have the documents needed to get their photo ID, and who will struggle even to get to the necessary offices. They will wind up going without food."

This is just the latest assault in the long-running GOP war on the food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Last year, Vitter drafted an amendmentto the Senate farm bill—the five-year legislation that funds nutrition and agriculture programs—that would ban those convicted of certain violent crimes from ever getting food stamps. The amendment, which the Senate approved, would have "strongly racially discriminatory effects," according to the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

http://m.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/01/david-vitter-food-stamps-photo-id

[TreasonousBastard]

1. THERE IS NO FUCKING FOOD STAMP FRAUD!!!

[Xyzse]

8. Agreed. Even if there were, it would be few and far between.

This type of BS just makes things harder and more expensive for those in genuine need.

[El_Johns]

12. +1. Horrible people.

[Gormy Cuss]

13. Well ya. For one thing, there's no longer a Food Stamps program. It's called SNAP.

For another, the rate of recipient fraud is small and decreasing thanks to fraud detection programs. Even vendor fraud is waning.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Well we can't have those really hungry people taking food away from the really hungrier people...

And then selling it for crack, right?

is that the fucked up logic???

If somebody has the card, or the booklet of tickets, however it works, that should be all the identification they need.

And the needier a person is, the less likely they'll have proper ID.

Makes me sick.

[11 Bravo]

3. How about requiring a photo ID before a hooker will change your diaper, Davey?

[In_The_Wind]

5. Ha!

[hobbit709]

4. Every time Vitter speaks in the Senate he should show a photo of himself in a diaper.

[Berlum]

7. "You rang?" - Vitty (R - Exemplar of Republicon Family Values)

[gordianot]

6. His photo ID should be taken with him wearing a diaper and stamped as S&M.

[blogslut]

9. What the hell is wrong with these people?

I would say that Vitter should be ashamed but I hear tell that shame turns him on.

[onethatcares]

10. every time I hear about defrauding the government

I think about how many billions of dollars pRick Scott made off a Medicare Scam an how he became

gov of Florida(uh)

and I realize our country is fucked beyond repair.

[enlightenment]

11. Why is this horrible person still in politics?

He can't open his mouth without something awful coming out. In a decent world, he'd be the nasty man you crossed the street to avoid - not a state senator.

[dragonlady]

14. Just like requiring voter ID

Except that its effect would be felt every day.

[Brigid]

15. *sniff sniff*

Smells like those "concerns" about voter fraud to me.