Life on the Dole: Stories From Mothers

What is life like for Americans who receive food stamps, welfare, and other government benefits? It ain’t easy. Each week, we let some of them tell you in their own words. Today, we hear from six moms who are making it work.
Missouri Republican Wants to Ban Food Stamp Users from Buying Steak
Missouri State Representative Rick Brattin, who’s presumably run out of every other better thing to do, is sponsoring legislation that would prevent people receiving food stamps from buying “cookies, chips, energy drinks, soft drinks, seafood or steak.” He’s already admitted the bill might need “tweaking” to permit…
Pol: Spy On Food Stamp Users to Make Sure They're Acting Poor Enough
There's nothing Tea Party freshman and ace troll Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin hates more than a handout: he's vocal on his feelings that welfare is "a bribe not to work that hard" and that food stamp programs "encourage sloth." Now Grothman is reportedly encouraging his constituents to ask a few hard questions of…
Idiot Wants to Abolish Food Stamps Because No One Is THAT Hungry
Have you ever met a person who says something so backwards that you have to double check to make sure they even knew what they said? Meet Forbes columnist John Tamny, who told Jessica Williams of The Daily Show that he'd abolish food stamps and create something like food stamps all in the same interview.
This Is the Week the US Government Told Poor Women to Fuck Off
Know what's even scarier than stumbling into a Walgreens at 3 am and witnessing a woman dressed as Miley Cyrus puking on a guy dressed up as Jesse Pinkman as a muzakal rendition of Silent Night plays over the loudspeaker? What conservatives in the government are doing — and have done — to low income women this week.…
Super Mayor Cory Booker Starts Food Stamp Challenge, Already Missing Coffee
Last month, Cory Booker announced that he'd be living off food stamps for a week, and today was his first day on the program. He has $29.78 for the week.
8th Grade Math Teacher Says Obama's Win Means She'll Have to Keep Paying for Her Students' Food Stamps
Sharon Hailey Aceta, an 8th grade math teacher at Rawlinson Road Middle School in Rock Hill, South Carolina, posted a sarcastic and highly inappropriate Facebook status update after Obama won a second term as President earlier this week:
New York Attempts To Ban Use Of Food Stamps On Soda
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Paterson have asked the federal government to make sugary drinks ineligible for food stamp purchases in New York City. The government already bars the use of food stamps for cigarettes, alcohol, and prepared foods.
Race, Religion & Responsibility: About The Backlash Against Octuplets' Mom
Some people think that Nadya Suleman, the mother of octoplets and six other kids, is not being celebrated because she is not white. Writes blogger Kenny Darter:
For Thanksgiving, Some Heavy News For Reflection And Fluff For Dessert
- Armed gunman in India today attacked 7 different sites in Mumbai in a reported attempt to kill as many Americans and Brits as possible, not that they spared any Indians while they were killing. At least 78 people lost their lives. [Huffington Post]
- In addition, the FBI has information that al Qaeda may have discussed…
Laura Bush Talks Myanmar, Marriage
- Laura Bush gave a speech about Burma a.k.a. Myanmar and disaster preparedness and Jenna's wedding. Her lipstick was very well-applied. More than 10,000 people may die as a result of the cyclone. Harry built a limestone altar in Texas especially for the wedding. It will be "permanent" in contrast to many of the…
Really Important Debate: Does Barack Obama Bowling Like A Fag Mean He Is One?
Americans! We are not exactly not known for excess! But on this, the first of April, perhaps it is time to start a national IM dialogue on whether we have finally somewhat overdosed on the absurdity! For instance, the government is supposed to spend $1.6 trillion on weapons with names borrowed from the Twilight Zone…
