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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Despite Tough Times, Is There a War on Food Stamps?

    Federal money for food stamps has almost doubled since the start of the Great Recession, now covering 48 million people. The Census Bureau says that's kept four million people out of poverty. But Republicans in Congress say it's increased dependency on hand-outs. They want to cut $40 billion in food stamp money over the next 10 years.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Federal money for food stamps has almost doubled since the start of the Great Recession, now covering 48 million people. The Census Bureau says that's kept four million people out of poverty. But Republicans in Congress say it's increased dependency on hand-outs. They want to cut $40 billion in food stamp money over the next 10 years. Federal action is not very likely, but Kansas, Ohio and other states will be doing it on their own. Is it tough love to encourage personal responsibility, or is it "draconian, heartless and cruel" in an era of high unemployment and an economic recovery that's leaving more and more people behind?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Is There a War on Food Stamps?
    1. 0:00Republicans Keep Up Pressure to Defund Obamacare
    2. 8:06Despite Tough Times, Is There a War on Food Stamps?You’re reading this
    3. 42:48African Malls as a Symbol of the Consumer Class
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

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      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

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      Liyna Anwar

      Assistant Producer, To the Point/Which Way, LA?

    • KCRW placeholder

      Grovum Jake

      Stateline

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      Tawny Stottlemire

      Kansas Association of Community Action Programs

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      Robert Rector

      Heritage Foundation

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Is There a War on Food Stamps?
    1. 0:00Republicans Keep Up Pressure to Defund Obamacare
    2. 8:06Despite Tough Times, Is There a War on Food Stamps?You’re reading this
    3. 42:48African Malls as a Symbol of the Consumer Class
    Back to To the Point