On NPR today, a panel outlined the food stamp issue. Seems we had 26 million on food stamps around 2008 in USA. Now it has moved to 46.5 million . Income level to receive food stamps for a family of 3 is below of $24,001. A women emailed in a story from Ohio. His son's family receives only $300 per month to feed his family. He lost his job recently. 

The discussion moved to cutting federal budget. One proposal is to cut the poor by 5%. This was compared to Obama proposal to tax those over $250,000 by 4%. Of course they would pay less tax on the first $250,000 of income. 

A panel member added the notion that the real tax money needs to come from those between $100,000 and $250,000 - the socalled middle class . However he argued we are afraid to address this fact. If we really want to address the deficit in federal budget, we will need to do so. I would quickly add that any new taxes should only happen with real federal cuts in the budget. It was also added that food stamp expeniture is most efficent way to stimulate the economy..especially in terms of government expenditure.

The EU mess seems to support this balance approach: more taxes with government cuts. Only cuts will not allow the economy to grow and allow the USA or EU to get out of the decession we now have. 

What do you think? 

Stan