FREE MEALS all year!!!

[lurker]

So again are we really doing these kids a favor?

America's chil-ren are being fed while the American family is being destroyed.

[Outofdodge]

Originally Posted by Detector

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I'm not opposed to the program and I understand there will always be some abuse, but we see so much complaining about unnecessary government spending when often its not "the man" doing the spending.
[snip]
So again are we really doing these kids a favor?
[snip]
As far as the $40,000 a year you're not taking into account our cost of living. Granted today its not very pretty, but its not as bad as it could be. 40k a year is a bit conservative for a household with 2 working parents. Often if one parent works at the plant both do. In any case 40k can allow for a decent living in dodge.
[snip]
Heck, I raised 4 kids making far less than 40k and I never qualified for any special treatment. And it wasn't all that long ago.

My initial intent was to respond to the 40K. All I can say is that what the USDA sets for the criteria. My gut tells me the threshold would be higher starting July 07. As the cost of living in Dodge, I've seen the stats and comparisons but I never felt like I was paying less for stuff when I pulled out my checkbook and housing cost construction per sq ft was higher than the two large metropolitan areas I had lived in.

You and others raise some valid points, my answers would only be my opinions and I like to use facts so all I can say is I don't have a good answer for you. Not trying to cop out. At a personal level I despise social engineering having had social workers trying to engineer my family.

I was never much impressed with the Dodge Education system but other than write the property tax check, buy some fund raising stuff from the kids, help a few with math and science, I did not have much contact with them. My kid having finished school before I came to dodge. For all I know they got additional funding or grants. Or maybe even got a surplus from all that darn property tax money and decided to spend it?

At the end of the day, I believe the downfall of our civilization is not going to be illegal immigration, free school lunch, terrorists, George Bush (though he's trying), Repubs or Demos, high cholesterol, or avian flu. It's going to be the systematic negation of accountibility, responsibility, civility, and integrity. Someone raising their kids, holding down jobs regardless of stature and pay, and doing the right thing should be held as role models for all.

Sorry for the all the words, it's kind of a melancholy (or however you spell it) day.