State Rep. Jesse Kremer Proposes Jim Crow Diet For The Poor

In the latest of lame-brained, poor shaming ideas from Wisconsin's Republicans war on the poor, Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) has a doozy. He wants to put poor people receiving food stamps to go on a Jim Crow diet:

Food stamp recipients in Wisconsin would be required to use photo ID cards for their purchases under a bill being proposed by two Republican lawmakers.

Rep. Jesse Kremer, R-Kewaskum, says the proposal is an effort to crack down on waste, fraud and abuse and to make programs like FoodShare more efficient. But detractors say it would shame those living in poverty, with no discernible benefit.

The bill, currently being circulated for co-sponsorship, would require the state Department of Health Services to submit an implementation plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approval to issue electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards with photo identification to participants in FoodShare, the state's successor to the food stamps program. Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, is the Senate's lead sponsor.

Of course, like most of the dreck brought up by the state's Republicans, this proposal runs afoul of a number of laws, including the fact that any member of the family can use the EBT card, not just the head of the household. Federal law also forbids food stamp recipients to be treated differently than anyone else. I can't recall any time that I was carded to buy a loaf of bread.

But there's more. There's always more.

Kremer really wants to make sure the poor are shamed thoroughly by forcing them to shop at poor people-only stores:

Kremer also wrote in his "term paper" about an idea he'd raised during his campaign: limiting the use of QUEST cards to privately-run food pantries overseen by the government.

"Yes, it may be humbling to go into the pantry to purchase 'needed items,' but as I mentioned earlier, most people understand that this is meant to be a crutch and not a lifestyle. I would also love to see photo lD's (sic) on all Quest cards and will continue to work this angle," Kremer wrote.

The pantries could be set up on grocers' property, Kremer said, but they would not sell items like junk food, liquor or cigarettes.

"The fact that the author of the bill would, in his perfect world, require poor people go to segregated grocery stores to get food for their families, makes it clear that it's seething contempt, not legitimate public policy concern driving Kremer and supporters of this bill," Ross said.

Apparently Kremer has been hanging around with Scott Walker so much, he caught the same delusions about St. Ronnie and his fairy tale of welfare queens.

I just wonder what they are going to try to segregate next.

Caption This!

From Scott Walker's own Facebook page:

Yes, it is a picture of three caricatures controlled by a hand up their backside. Can you guess which hand is David Koch's?  (As a hint, it's the dumbest one.)

What's not pictured was Joel Kleefisch who was chasing Big Bird around the set while yelling, "Ribeye of the sky!"

Ironically, Walker's caption read, "Taped a healthy food video with Rosita and Abby from Sesame Street."  This is coming from a guy who teamed up with his fellow Teapublicans (and sadly, some Democrats) to make it harder for poor people to get food at all, healthy or otherwise.

Mommy Says...

Sometimes, the simplest messages are the most powerful:

Compare/Contrast - Diet Edition

By Jeff Simpson

You can not make this stuff up!

We know earlier in the week, the republicans(with the help of 13 democrats) decided to tell people on FoodShare what they can and can not buy at the grocery store!

Let's let speaker Robin Vos tell us why he passed the bill(emphasis mine):

The goal of the state’s supplemental food program is stated plainly on its website: “FoodShare Wisconsin was created to help stop hunger and to improve nutrition and health.” Unfortunately, what’s missing in the program is the promotion of good health. Instead, the FoodShare’s QUEST card is a cash card for junk food. The simple reality is that people buy cakes, candy, chips and sugary drinks with their benefit cards. Of course, these items lack nutritional value and are hardly a recipe for good health.

A recent study from Yale University showed that billions of tax dollars each year are spent on sugary drinks through the food stamp program. The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University estimates $2 billion in benefits are spent on high-calorie drinks bought in grocery stores. Those figures don’t include purchases from every store. At a time when our country is battling an obesity problem, it’s not right that our tax dollars are being spent on items that doctors say clearly contribute to a national epidemic.

Now sit down while we tell you what the Wisconsin republicans, led by Speaker Vos, did less than 48 hours later(emphasis also mine):

The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee inserted a provision into the state budget Thursday that would ban counties and municipalities from restricting the sale of food and beverages based on calories, portion size or nutritional quality. The change would not interfere with local governments to put limits on alcoholic beverages.

Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend), the backer of the measure, called it an "anti-Bloomberg bill," referring to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg who championed limiting serving sizes for soda. Strachota said she was backing it because she'd heard officials in Madison and Stevens Point were discussing similar limits.
She said people should be able to buy any size soda and popcorn at movie theaters.

"I want to make sure I can continue having that experience and don't have government telling me I can't have that experience," Strachota said.

Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine) called the proposal ironic because it came two days after the Assembly passed a bill requiring that food satamp recipients spend two-thirds of their benefits on health food.
"It makes it seem you were really going after the way poor people behave and not everyone else," Mason said.
The measure passed 12-4, with all Republicans for it and all Democrats against it.

 Welcome to Fitzwalkerstan!

How Do We Judge Thee?

By Jeff Simpson

Let me count the ways! 

We discussed this morning the fact that the republicans, with some help from some very misguided democrats, have decided to change the FoodShare program. 

The big government republicans, are now deciding what foods almost a million Wisconsinites can and can not purchase.  

They of course came upon their conclusions using no science or knowledge of nutrition whatsoever.   We pointed out, correctly, that this bill was not about hoping the poor in WI get better food choices, but it was simply about piling on the poor and judging them as unworthy.   It really however, goes even deeper than that.  

It falls on the back of an elitist group of people in our country judging those whom they feel are too fat.  

We have seen numerous examples of it, from when Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner let the world know he felt Michelle Obama's butt was too big,  to viewers writing Jennifer Livingston in La Crosse to tell her she was too heavy, to the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch making it clear he does not want fat girls wearing his product!     Republican speaker Robin Vos even expressed fake outrage that he once saw poor people use food stamps to buy WEDDING CAKE(although to be fair, we are not sure if Vos was more disgusted that poor people were eating cake or the institution of marriage). 

Now they are judging people some more by assuming that all poor people are fat because they are buying junk at the store (with 'our' money).   Well Robin Vos, with the help of 13 democrats, were able to make sure that no one in the lower earnings scale will ever buy wedding cake again!  

Unfortunately, we know that no matter what we do, people that are perceived as overweight, especially women, will continue to be judged. 

Luckily, we have people like Jennifer Livingston and Brittany Gibbons to help balance this!  

So now we know that this bill is a kick in the face to the million people on FoodShare program and a nice way to judge 'those people'  who Robin Vos feels should lose weight! 

Is there anyone but judgemental old white men from Waukesha County that sees the merit of this bill?  

Besides , of course,  Peter Barca who is desperately trying to permanently establish a democratic minority in WI.

No Soup For You!

By Jeff Simpson

We brought you the ridiculous story of Dean Kaufert and Robin Vos wanting to tell people on food stamps what they could and could not buy at the grocery store. 

It was such a Big Government, intruding in your life laughable ridiculous bill that we made fun of it here a few days ago.   As we know on Cog_Dis, there is more and boy is there!

It turns out this bill of Kauferts, who pretends to represent Wisconsinites, actually classified brown eggs, sharp cheddar and organic milk as "junk food".

Wisconsin's AB 110 would mandate that two-thirds of a person's FoodShare benefits could be spent only on foods on the WIC-approved list. Exemptions have been added so recipients can also purchase fish, beef, pork, chicken, and potatoes. Strangely, exemptions were not added so that the "healthy" two-thirds could also be spent on a full range of healthy Wisconsin farm products and fresh food.

The result is that the bulk of your FoodShare dollars can be spent on milk, but not organic milk; on eggs, but only on white eggs by the dozen, not on brown, free-range, or organic eggs; on 100 percent whole wheat bread, but not on gluten-free bread for those with Celiac disease; on slices of American cheese, but not sharp cheddar. FoodShare dollars can be spent on dry beans, but not if they come from a money-saving bulk bin at your local food coop. You can get juice boxes for your children, but only Juicy Juice brand juice boxes.

 But WAIT there's more, its NOT just those foods there are so many more, as an anonymous source told me:

THe WIC list is terribly restrictive. I know a lot of people have been talking about the fact you can’t buy brown eggs, but the list does not include many basic foods.

The WIC list had no oils, margarine or butter. It has no spices, herbs, sauces, mustard, catsup or salad dressing.It has no flour, baking soda, sugar or honey.  It has no pasta, noodles, canned soups, canned beans, or canned meat like chili etc...  crackers, bagels. It only allows 100% wheat bread. It does not take into effect anyone with a gluten free diet. 

 So we have decided that the poor people in our community do not deserve to eat soup, frozen foods, crackers or  frozen dinners.   Who eats frozen dinners in 2013 you say, well my source answered that:

  The last 4 are especially important to the elderly, disabled and ill people who get FoodShare. These individuals may not be able to cook a meal "from scratch" or even have access to a full kitchen.

These people depend on "ready to heat" meals, but they may not be able to purchase as many "ready to heat” meals as they need because AB 110 restricts ALL of Non-WIC foods to a mere 33% of their monthly FoodShare amount.

More info on WIC here! 

Well Sorry Grandma, its Darwin's theory in WI.  Only the big dogs eat here!

Headache yet?  Sorry....as you guessed, there is more:

What have the studies had to say about this?


On the healthy foods bill, no studies have looked at the spending on different kinds of groceries within Wisconsin's FoodShare program, according to the state Department of Health Services. That means it's unclear whether the bill would actually increase the amount of money spent on healthy food in FoodShare.

Kaufert said that the bill should be passed because a substantial amount of FoodShare benefits is clearly being spent on junk food. But Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) said that's due in part to the fact that needy families in areas such as Milwaukee's inner city don't have ready access to stores stocking fresh fruits and vegetables.

Well there are no studies but everyone Kaufert knows poorer than him, is fat and no where near the physical fitness specimen that he is so they must be eating junk food!




Sorry my friends, but we are NOT even done yet!  What is the cost of implement this program?  Surely the deficit hawk, fiscal conservatives would have done a cost benefit analysis before ever bringing this bill to a vote right?  right?   ummmmm....

 The costs of implementing the program have also been a concern for grocery store owners, who would need to make significant computer system changes to do that. Kaufert's bill has drawn outright opposition from other groups, including Kraft Food Group - the food giant whose holdings include Oscar Mayer Co. in Madison - PepsiCo Inc. and state associations representing food processors, convenience stores and retailers.

So when we desperately need jobs we are forcing an unfunded expensive mandate on some of our biggest employers.....brilliant strategy!

And yes there is more!How does this compare or conflict with federal mandates?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the FoodShare program, isn't commenting on the Wisconsin bill. In the past, it has rejected proposals in other states restricting the sales of soda or candy using public benefits, including Minnesota in 2004, New York in 2010, and Mississippi in 2012.

It will probably be rejected.  So we are spending all of this time and wasting money implementing a new restrictive big government intrusion law that  will in the end be rejected. At least we let the poor know that they have been living the good life by eating honey, Ketchup and Mustard far too long.

You lazy bastards have had dressing on your salads for long enough!  We are gunning for you!!

The worst part is when the 858,000 Wisconsinites who received some form of FoodShare benefits needed someone to stand up for them.  The democratic party went AWOL.

When 858,000 Wisconsinites needed someone to explain that the problem is the healthy food costs too much and many people do not have access to real grocery stores anyway, these 13 democrats said too bad for you!  

When 858,000 Wisconsinites, were saying, in a very LOUD chorus, we NEED JOBS, these 13 democrats stood shoulder to shoulder with Robin Vos and said - we have other priorities!

When 858,000 Wisconsinites are working their butt's off to get by and raise their families, these 13 democrats said - "shame on you - get a job!"

When 858,000 Wisconsinites had no where else to turn, these 13 democrats looked them in the eyes and said "you are not deserving of butter,  soup, ketchup or Spices."!

Do not fear though, in a year those same democrats will be asking you to give them donations, volunteer for them doing doors, and answering phones.   858,000 people in a state of 5.7 million is a significant amount of votes(to put this in context, Pat "I see nothing" Roggensack's total vote was 482,696) and the dems will be asking you for their help.

They will need it!

Remember this day, I will!  



If one of these democrats is YOUR rep, call them.  If not call Peter Barca and express your outrage that he would support such big government, intrusive legislation in WI!

Madison Office

Room 201 West

State Capitol

P.O. Box 8952

Madison, WI 53708

Telephone

(608) 266-5504

(888) 534-0064

Fax

(608) 282-3664

Email

Rep.Barca@legis.wisconsin.gov

Twitter - @peterwbarca

Voting Address

1339 38th Ave.

Kenosha, WI 53144

Walker Channels His Inner Marie Antoinette

We all know what a screw up Walker was as county executive. Now that he's governor, he's really fudging thing up.

This time, he's willing to cost the state millions of dollars just so he can screw over the poor.

What a guy!

Oh SNAP, Walker's Cost Cutting Measure Could Be Costly. Again.

Some people just cannot or will not learn from their mistakes.

Scott Walker is one of the most glaring examples of that type of person.

As Milwaukee County Executive, Scott Walker thought he'd be clever and grossly short staffing the Income Maintenance Program, most notably the call center of said program. Instead of having the thirty workers that the County Board had provided funding for, Walker would have as few as five people trying to do the job of the missing thirty. It should be noted that Walker played this cruel political stunt just as the country was entering the worst recession in the nation's history and unemployment rates soared. Instead of getting the help they needed, many of Milwaukee County's most needy citizens got only busy signals.

By sabotaging the program this way, he was hoping to show that the county workers couldn't do the job and that this would open the door for privatization of the program.  However, things didn't work out the way Walker wanted them to.

Before he could privatize the system, a class action was filed against the county as well as the state.  In order to save tax payers millions of dollars in fines, the state reached an agreement and took over the program from the county. While it saved state tax payers a lot of money by not having to pay for Walker's folly, the move did cost county tax payers more to clean up the mess Walker made.  The cost was more than what Walker said the short staffing would save.  My, how did Walker howl about that!

Now fast forward to today and Walker is now governor.

Instead of wanting to preserve local control like he claimed to value just a few years ago, in his proposed budget, Walker is suggesting taking the FoodShare program from the counties who are administering it and put it strictly as a state function. Walker claims he wants to do this in order to streamline the process (and lay off 270 workers).

The one thing that Walker is consistent on from that time to this one is wanting to privatize the income maintenance services, especially the FoodShare program (otherwise know as food stamps), or as the federal government calls it, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

One problem with that plan -- it's against federal rules.

And the feds know about it.  In a letter from Ollice Holden, regional director of United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, to Dennis Smith, Secretary of Health Services, it is made perfectly clear that the feds won't accept Walker's plan:

As when he was county executive, we see Walker continue with a pattern of acting first and worrying about the legality and viability of his actions later.  If Walker and the Republican legislators follow through with this plan, the state will lose the federal share of the cost to run the program, which is 50% of the total administrative costs.  Considering that the fully federally funded portion, the benefits themselves, is now at a staggering billion dollars, the administrative cost is quite considerable as well.

Also of concern is the Walker's proposal to generally cut the staffing numbers.  In the letter, Holden warns that the feds will not abide with another drop in quality of services or a loss of accuracy.  However, indications are that Walker would also cut back staff whose job is to make sure that money isn't being paid out where is shouldn't be.  And this comes at a time, as Holden pointed out, that the system is wide open and ripe for fraud and abuse.

If Walker and his GOP cohorts do follow through with this plan, and the federal funds are cut, they will have to find that money somewhere without cutting these services or staffing, because that class action lawsuit is still pending.  Failure to meet their end of the agreement would expose all of the state's tax payers to millions or tens of millions of dollars in fines.

Apparently, in Fitzwalkerstan, it's more important to give the appearance of cutting spending than actually being fiscally or socially responsible. Walker's cost cutting actions will cost us much more, in more ways than one, than any savings he could ever hope to claim.