Oklahoma City’s News 9 has an article detailing the push by Yum! Brands to have the use of food stamps be allowed at fast food locations. Yum! Brands operates Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silver’s and Pizza Hut.
After years of various government entities berating the fast food industry for making everyone fat, this is an odd turn of events.
CNS News has an excellent article about a report from the Institute for Medicine on strategies for local governments to combat childhood obesity by restricting fast food establishments near schools and public playgrounds.
And yet some states already allow the use of tax dollars to purchase fast food for children. ABC News has a list of those:
Michigan
Church’s Chicken
Kentucky Fried Chicken
McDonald’s
Subway
Grandma’s Famous Chicken
Eight Mile Pancake House
Mr. T’s BBQ
Vito’s Pizza
California
Jack in the Box
Subway
El Pollo Loco
Papa Murphy’s Pizza
Florida
KFC
Taco Bell
Pizza Hut
Papa Murphy’s Pizza
Arizona
Domino’s Pizza
Golden Corral
Southern Cuisine
Rally’s Hamburger
A lot of people are of the opinion that any kind of government assistance should not be used to purchase food or other items that are not proper. I can understand their point, up to a certain degree. This is especially true with tobacco or alcohol purchases.
When it comes to purchasing “fast food” with government assistance, I am undecided. I understand the point that some of that food isn’t necessarily good for us to eat, but at what point do we have the right to restrict the personal liberties of those who are receiving that assistance.
It’s not an easy topic to ponder.
I definitely share the opinion that tax dollars should not be used to purchase improper items. I consider fast food to be one of those items. Not necessarily because of the fat content everyone screams about, but because of the cost, I consider it a minor luxury. Tax dollars should not be used for any kind of luxury.
Yes, I know, it’s just a few dollars, but when you consider the cost to get burgers, fries and drinks, think about how much food that same amount could have purchased at a grocery store.
If you can afford to eat fast food, you don’t need my help. And the same goes for other things. If you can afford cable tv, you don’t need my help. If you can afford smartphones, you don’t need my help. If you can afford a better car than I have, you don’t need my help.
I’m sure a lot of people would call my attitude hard-nosed, but being the fiscally ultraconservative person I am, I decry any ridiculous use of my tax dollars. And that includes buying fast food with food stamps.