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Fox Helps Member Of The Least Productive Congress Demand Food Stamp Recipients Work For Their Benefits

Posted by Ellen -7859.80pc on January 15, 2014 · Flag

In yet another attempt to undermine anti-poverty programs and to suggest the poor are lazy "takers," FOXNews.com touts the view held by Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL) that those on SNAP are there undeservedly.

The article, which is a summary of a segment from the January 12, 2014 Fox News Sunday, headlines the Republican guest's position only: "GOP rep: Require food stamp recipients to work."

The article makes a pretense of balance by stating, "Both parties are floating ideas to address poverty and 'income inequality,' 50 years after the 'War on Poverty' was first waged, to limited success."

The truth however, is a different story according to Anthony Orlando, a lecturer at CSU, who cites the benefits of programs like the New Deal, Medicaid, Medicare, and food stamps (aka SNAP), all liberal programs, which Republicans are trying to dismantle.

Also included is the suggestion that food stamp recipients are slackers. The author summarized Southerland's position by saying, "He claimed most people would agree that food stamp recipients should work, train, look for work, or volunteer while on the benefits." However, it was noted that Southerland would "exempt the disabled, seniors and children."  
The attempt at "balance" comes when the article quotes Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) who notes that "many households receiving benefits are in fact working households." No fact checking of either claim is done. That might have found truth to Van Hollen's claims. SNAP fraud is at a historic low of less than four percent. More than half of SNAP recipients are under 18 (44%) or above 60 (9%) and more than 40% live in a household with earnings. This is clearly at odds with the impression given by Southerland.
Without fact-checking, Fox allows Republicans to peddle misinformation about the poor - and then promote it via a he said/he said.
You can watch the video of the segment below. It's worth noting that host John Roberts not only did not fact check Southerland's insinuations about the poor, he helped promote them.

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doors17 commented 2014-01-15 10:57:57 -0500 · Flag
I personally know several who had this same attitude against those who collected employment, welfare, food stamps or any government program needed for survival. I would have to listen to them stand on their pedestal while they would complain about working their asses off while they had to pay to those who would sit around doing nothing, sleeping in and watch TV all day. Never mind that the cost to them in taxes was microscopic compared to what it was costing them for corporate welfare so the haves could have even more.

Then we had what is known as the great recession. Many lost their jobs to either outsourcing or upper management having a panic attack in which many companies had massive layoffs since they could lose their mega-millions in salary and bonuses as corporate greed destroyed the middle class that many of us grew up with. The attitudes quickly changed when they were in need, but that’s understandable. It was no longer living paycheck to paycheck, but day to day in the struggle to keep a roof over their heads and feed themselves and families. They would love to work and become productive again, but many in my age group of being over 50 can’t even get an interview, much less a job. We can’t have a strong economy greeting each other at Wal-Mart.

I’m glad that we have these safety nets in case we fall. Like having auto or health insurance, today I’m not in need, but tomorrow could easily be a different story.
truman commented 2014-01-15 10:22:26 -0500 · Flag
I remember when John Roberts was at CBS and CNN that he would at least on occasion present the news in a fair & balanced way. Since arriving at Fux Noise, he has become the right-wing partisan hack that Jabba the Ailes demands.
NewsHounds posted about Fox Helps Member Of The Least Productive Congress Demand Food Stamp Recipients Work For Their Benefits on NewsHounds' Facebook page 2014-01-15 10:00:06 -0500
Without fact checking, Fox helps promote a Republican Congressman's attack on SNAP recipients.








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