No to Steak While on Food Stamps but Yes to Redbull and Alcoholic Beverage Mixes

Recently, we have begun hearing what seems to be an assault on SNAP benefits, or food stamps, and their recipients. This, in fact, is nothing new. Back in 1976, Ronald Reagan complained about folks purchasing T-bone steaks while receiving governmental aid. This political back-and-forth over what qualifies and what doesn’t has been a tug-and-war between the parties for decades.

Republicans, most notably, have been especially enthusiastic trying to restrict what people can buy with their benefits. Recently, the Republican House of Missouri has proposed legislation to ban seafood, steak and junk food. Kansas has followed suit and now Maine is considering legislation. It seems almost inevitable that more states are going to jump on the bandwagon.

While you can see how there could be legitimate concern about children, especially poorer children, having access to better food (i.e. cutting down on junk food), there seems to be no logical reason why they shouldn’t be able to enjoy higher-quality, sometimes healthier foods such as steak and seafood. This seems to be no more than a political tool to keep lower-income people away from more expensive, higher-quality food since they are often deemed to be “moochers” of the American government and the American taxpayer.

However, while steak and seafood are being given a “no,” according to the FDA, energy drinks like Redbull that have a nutrition facts label and mixes for alcoholic beverages are given a “yes” since they are considered eligible foods.

Seems like it’s okay for parents and even kids could make a nice alcoholic beverage, but having a little surf ‘n’ turf seems to be immoral.

Sounds a little fishy, doesn’t it?