A pop quiz: How many Americans are on food stamps? How many children in the United States are on food stamps? For how many people in the United States are food stamps their only means of regular financial support?
An article from Saturday's New York Times gives the surprising (to me, at least) answers: One in eight Americans rely on food stamps; one in four children in the United States rely on food stamps; one in 50 Americans live on nothing but food stamps.
Here are some snippets from the article, which is based on a nationwide study, but focuses on Florida. The Republican congressman's comment that providing food stamps to people is the equivalent of "paying people to sit around and not work." What jobs does he suggest they sign up for, I'm wondering?
The New York Times
Read the full article. The maps are pretty compelling, too.