NORTH BAY BOH E MI AN | O CTO BE R 2– 8 , 20 1 3 | BO H E M I AN.COM
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BOHEMIAN
Rhapsodies SNAP Judgments Dispelling myths of food stamp recipients BY BIANCA MAY
T
he recent article “Uncovering the Secrets of Food Stamps” from the Los Angeles Times, and reprinted in the local daily, was both informative and disheartening. While the authors do not seem to hold a completely negative view of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, they do little to dispel falsehoods or offer solutions to the supposed “problems” associated with food-stamp recipients.
The myth that food-stamp recipients are jobless poxes on the system taking advantage of it is just that, a myth. A simple Google search to locate the Cal Fresh website lists one of the requirements to be eligible for food stamps: “Work Requirements: All able-bodied persons (ages 18–49) without dependents must work 20 hours per week (monthly average 80 hours) or participate 20 hours per week in an approved work activity. . . .” Exceptions are only made for the aged or the disabled. The second question brought up—“How much of the SNAP budget is going for fruits and vegetables and how much for soft drinks and snack foods?”—implies that food-stamp recipients are spending on these things. This image is further pushed by the American Medical Association’s suggestion of a ban prohibiting recipients from buying these items. Of course, many who don’t use food stamps are overweight and have poor eating habits. This is an epidemic stretching across all classes. Instead of government restrictions on what drinks people can buy, we should instead ask what can we as a society do to help. Instead of criticizing those whose only option for feeding their families is at the local quick stop, encourage city planners to equitably distribute grocery-store chains around town. Create laws requiring retailers who accept SNAP to have healthy options. Farmers markets can be held year-round, and can easily be put together using local vendors who would likely be just as eager to promote their products. The benefits to this would not stop at the individual, but could help foster a sense of community in cities everywhere. SNAP recipients won’t be helped by more restrictions, but they can be helped by the solutions that we all, as a community, come up with. Bianca May is a graduate of Sonoma State University and self-described feather-ruffler living in Rohnert Park. Open Mic is a weekly op/ed feature in the Bohemian. To have your topical essay of 350 words considered for publication, write openmic@bohemian.com.
Permanent Shutdown, Now!
Workers of the world, rejoice! Reactionary elements in the federal government of the U.S.A. empire don’t know it, but they are showing us the way forward for humanity! Let’s take it to the next level! Let’s organize a global business shutdown! Among the demands for a strike, we should include: (1) keep the federal government shut down; expand the shutdown to all levels of government; (2) use the public power of eminent domain to seize all property and assets of the “1 percent” and reorganize all economic activity under workers’ control; (3) abolish all labor laws which obstruct the basic human right of all workers to full freedom of association and freedom of expression. Let us hold open public assemblies in all communities worldwide to decide how to dispose of government assets and how to reorganize services. Most of the more than 800,000 workers employed by the U.S. government are being subjected to what amounts to a lockout by their employer. Workers everywhere must show them solidarity. We can do that, and advance the collective interest of all of us, by permanently throwing the dead weight of the governments of the 1 percent into the dustbin of history.
MARTY KROOPKIN San Diego
The Weather Is Nice Because We Feed People Did you ever wonder why we of this county have such nice, easy weather, surely compared to Denver, Colo., or New Orleans? Why do we have such
nice weather year-round? My theory is simple: our county demonstrates feeding the hungry with the Redwood Empire Food Bank, and with many churches donating time, food and material goods for those who have no home, let alone a kitchen.
Our county is blessed with mild weather. Our county is great for seniors. Sonoma County is acting as a poster child for sharing, and having so many healthcare practitioners and facilities. Our great weather is a result of a generous and sharing county setting an example for other counties in California, and the rest of our great and generous nation.
MICHAEL BOBIER Santa Rosa
An Inspiration It is truly an honor to have studied with Mark Perlman at SSU (“The History of Thinking,” Sept. 4). His commitment to teaching, passion for painting and dedication to critical discourse made a lasting impact on me as a young student and inspired me to be the artist I am today.
FRANK RYAN Via online
Who Cares About Beautiful Fields, Anyway? A grant of tax money from the county is being sought by a citizens group to purchase an eight-acre parcel costing $1.5 million that lies adjacent to downtown Forestville to make it open space, meaning that it can never be built on or developed—ever. It’s a complete waste of your tax money. I am opposed to the Forestville open space grant for the following reasons: It eliminates a future tax base that would enable El Molino High and Forestville Elementary to stay in operation. Both are in danger of closing due to declining enrollment.