USA Becomes a Food Stamp Nation as Joblessness Continues to Rise With No End in Sight

There is no other way to put it, the U.S.A. has become a food stamp nation with no end in sight as joblessness continues to rise. According to CNN Money, nearly 15 percent of the U.S. population relied on food stamps in May to make ends meet, the USDA said. The number of Americans using food stamps under the government's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rose to an all-time high of 45.8 million in May --  up 12% from a year ago, and 34% higher than two years ago. To think the Republicans and Democrats continue to fight over what they claim the American people sent them to do is beyond belief.

The program provides monthly benefits to low-income individuals and families, which they can use at stores that accept SNAP benefits. To qualify for food stamps, an individual's income can't exceed $1,174 a month or $14,088 a year -- an amount that is 130% of the national poverty level. The average food stamp benefit was $133.80 per person and $283.65 per household in May. The highest concentration of food stamp users were in California, Florida, New York and Texas -- where more than 3 million residents in each state received food stamps in May. Source

GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich called President Obama the "food stamp president"but I think the term should be applied to Congress -- The Food Stamp Congress, that has done nothing to help stem the high unemployment and foreclosure rates dogging the middle class and poor in this country. Instead they continue partisan bickering while holding this country hostage. It is time for every eligible voter in this country to take that right serious and go to the polls in EVERY election, local or national. To all those who believe blacks and Latinos are the only ones using food stamps, think twice. There are many whites using food stamps to put food on the table in their homes too. One last comment, many right wing evangelicals want Texas Gov. Rick Perry to throw his hat in the ring because they think he can beat Obama, um, his state is among the highest where food stamp usage is concerned, so think twice. Just saying...