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September 18, 2016
The Greater Depression
The appalling optics of Americans waiting in food lines and/or living on the streets is not being broadcast by the mainstream corporate media, as their duty is to sustain the establishment narrative of economic recovery at any cost.As I drive to work through West Philly, every Thursday the Grace Lutheran Church at 36th & Haverford Ave. distributes food to the local community and the line at 7:30 a.m. in the morning extends around the block. This scene is duplicated in crumbling urban enclaves and deteriorating suburban municipalities across the land. Food banks and homeless shelters throughout the country are being inundated by those who haven’t benefited from the Fed’s QE and ZIRP “Save a Wall Street Banker” monetary schemes. One in seven Americans – 46 million people – rely on food pantries and meal service programs to feed themselves and their families. - - | Zero Hedge
Posted by gerardvanderleun at September 18, 2016 9:44 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
Thanks for the (not so) cheery news.
Posted by: Mark at September 18, 2016 2:38 PM
I just got back from riding a ten mile stretch of a bikeway that runs along one of the concrete riverbeds in LA county. Last I was on this path was about eight years ago. The decay was horrifying. There were dozens of Obamavilles (homeless camps) trash and filth everywhere. Suddenly I realized that I look like a target- some old guy alone on a bike. A big section of the Santa Ana river trail has been closed to the public because of the homeless hassling people trying to ride or jog. We've been fundamentally transformed all right.
JWM
Posted by: jwm at September 18, 2016 3:55 PM
I myself am sort of semi-retired and live on the proceeds from odd jobs. A neighbor told me about the food bank in the nearby town, and I went to check it out on the evening when they distribute food.
I got discouraged by the incredibly long line. Regulars could be known by their sensible precaution of bringing lawn chairs.
Could have used the canned goods, but I never went back.
Posted by: Joel at September 18, 2016 4:07 PM
I have a hard time believing the 1 in 7 (~14%) number. I'm not calling bullshit; it just seems rather high to me. That said, I know of at least one fellow full time employee where I work who supplements his family's food supply with some kind of public assistance.
Thanks, Obama.
Posted by: Grizzly at September 18, 2016 5:38 PM
And I know I sound heartless, but how many in that food line are whiling away their time checking their smartphones? Got hair extensions? Tats?
Stylish clothes?
Posted by: OldFert at September 19, 2016 1:46 PM
You get the allocated food with the EBT card then you sell the food at a steep discount then you use the money to buy ..."checking their smartphones? Got hair extensions? Tats? Stylish clothes?"...and more.
And don't forget the scamming. People that have been in the system for awhile have learned the ways to get more then they are supposed to, and who can blame them?
After all, the giver is a thief too.
Posted by: ghostsniper at September 19, 2016 5:56 PM