# I pit WIC **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 25, 2007, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491 "2007-09-25T23:34:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/41 "2007-09-26T01:25:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by **jayjay** > > The Feds (the USDA, to be precise. The same folks who fund and administer the federal grants for food stamps.) So, then, taxpayers? ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/42 "2007-09-26T01:26:28Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] Oh, sure. That’s exactly what I said. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Well, you know, it kind of is. It’s not like the people on WIC are generally living high on the hog, you know. You’re upset because they get this one nice thing, but you have lots of nice things, I’m sure. Instead of wasting your energy on people who are already sitting at the fucking bottom of the heap, why not just be thankful for all the blessings in your life. “There but for the grace of God, go I,” and all that. [QUOTE=Hello Again] People who meet Federal guidelines for WIC don’t typically have money for convenience ANYTHING. I wouldn’t begrudge this one thing to them – it may well be the ONLY thing they get that’s a bit “nice”. Being that poor is really f-ing depressing. [/QUOTE] No, see, you don’t understand. Poor people make _bad decisions_, and they don’t deserve anything nice, because, well, fuck em. Relying on assistance means it’s everyone else business what you do, because really it’s “their money,” right? And, it’s really really wrong in this capitalist society that poor people have the gumption, the unmitigated gall, to allow themselves any luxuries when there might be some better off person, somewhere, doing without. I mean, do they not know their place? ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/43 "2007-09-26T01:30:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by **Miss Elizabeth** > > No, see, you don’t understand. Poor people make bad decisions, and they don’t deserve anything nice, because, well, fuck em. Certainly not all, but some, yes. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/44 "2007-09-26T01:31:14Z")
[QUOTE=miss elizabeth] Well, you know, it kind of is. It’s not like the people on WIC are generally living high on the hog, you know. You’re upset because they get this one nice thing, but you have lots of nice things, I’m sure. Instead of wasting your energy on people who are already sitting at the fucking bottom of the heap, why not just be thankful for all the blessings in your life. “There but for the grace of God, go I,” and all that. [/QUOTE] Oh, believe me, I am thankful. I’ve been poor, so I know what I have to be grateful for, I assure you. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/45 "2007-09-26T01:32:48Z")
[QUOTE=miss elizabeth] No, see, you don’t understand. Poor people make _bad decisions_, and they don’t deserve anything nice, because, well, fuck em. [/QUOTE] Actually, speaking, as I said, as someone who’s been working with the assistance-receiving public for the last three years and some months, poor people in general really DO make bad decisions. A lot of them do tend to spend their assistance on things that don’t give them the most value for the money. That’s a simple fact. It doesn’t mean that the second part of your snark is correct, though. I just think it’s good policy to recognize that there ARE parts of the current stereotype of pretty much any group that are actually true. That doesn’t, on the other hand, mean that the kind of outrage that such stereotypes engender is necessarily socially acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/46 "2007-09-26T01:34:24Z")
[QUOTE=Southern Yankee] So, then, taxpayers? [/QUOTE] Exactly - you and me are paying to buy these people’s groceries… Me? I think I would wait until I had enough money to feed a kid properly before having a kid. But that’s just me. But then again, why bother waiting & working when you can just get stuff for free, right? ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/47 "2007-09-26T01:36:25Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by jayjay > > Actually, speaking, as I said, as someone who’s been working with the assistance-receiving public for the last three years and some months, poor people in general really DO make bad decisions. A lot of them do tend to spend their assistance on things that don’t give them the most value for the money. That’s a simple fact. It doesn’t mean that the second part of your snark is correct, though. I just think it’s good policy to recognize that there ARE parts of the current stereotype of pretty much any group that are actually true. **That doesn’t, on the other hand, mean that the kind of outrage that such stereotypes engender is necessarily socially acceptable.** Bolding mine. Well said. I’m not saying the emphasized statement was directed at **sarahfeena** , but the truth is that she has every right to be upset that she is helping pay for other people to take advantage of conveniences her own fiscal responsibility prohibits. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/48 "2007-09-26T01:37:37Z")
**Sarahfeena** a question - just how do you know that the other people at daycare have WIC? That doesn’t seem like something you would go around broadcasting. I have an idea - why don’t you just quit your job so you can qualify for WIC, then you could get your convenient formula? Less work, more stuff - sounds like a good plan! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/49 "2007-09-26T01:37:37Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] Your point is well taken regarding the fact that they may skip formula altogether if it wasn’t for WIC, and that’s why we need such a program. I guess I’m wondering, though, if people are in that much of dire straits for cash, then couldn’t that hypothetical $2 they are spending for RTF formula go for something else that is needed, rather than purchasing convenience with it? [/QUOTE] Well, sometimes convenience makes for a better all-around mom. If she’s schlepping a couple kids, getting them dressed, fed, to daycare or school, and herself to work, and maybe all of this on public trans, sometimes it’s the right choice. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/50 "2007-09-26T01:38:39Z")
[QUOTE=Southern Yankee] Bolding mine. Well said. I’m not saying the emphasized statement was directed at **sarahfeena** , but the truth is that she has every right to be upset that she is helping pay for other people to take advantage of conveniences her own fiscal responsibility prohibits. [/QUOTE] Thank you for saying that…this exactly expresses how I feel about it. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/51 "2007-09-26T01:40:14Z")
I seem to recall that prior research has shown that impoverished people supplied with powedered formula are prone to _dilute it_, which makes it (and the money) stretch farther, but results in malnourished infants. This could be playing a role here: if they are being encouraged to buy the pre-mixed variety, the kids will get the food that they need instead of some watered-down stuff that’s nowhere near as good for them. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/52 "2007-09-26T01:40:52Z")
[QUOTE=nyctea scandiaca] **Sarahfeena** a question - just how do you know that the other people at daycare have WIC? That doesn’t seem like something you would go around broadcasting. [/QUOTE] I already explained this…it’s a small daycare and we all know each other pretty well. People don’t seem inclined to hide it. In fact, the main reason I know who is on it is because they think it’s a great program, and like to let people know that it’s available. > [@](#): > > I have an idea - why don’t you just quit your job so you can qualify for WIC, then you could get your convenient formula? Less work, more stuff - sounds like a good plan! No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/53 "2007-09-26T01:41:58Z")
[QUOTE=AHunter3] I seem to recall that prior research has shown that impoverished people supplied with powedered formula are prone to _dilute it_, which makes it (and the money) stretch farther, but results in malnourished infants. This could be playing a role here: if they are being encouraged to buy the pre-mixed variety, the kids will get the food that they need instead of some watered-down stuff that’s nowhere near as good for them. [/QUOTE] 😕 You could dilute the RTF formula just as easily…pour it in a baby bottle and cut it with water or milk. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/54 "2007-09-26T01:43:37Z")
Wah. If there are real benefits to ready-to-drink formula–whether they be convenience, sterility, or just plain harder to goof up when preparing them–then I think this is a good thing. Remember: many mothers who use WIC are also in unstable housing/living conditions. If it takes convenience packaging to ensure their kids still get fed properly, so be it. My guess is that the program covers items with recognized quality, so that mothers will get the best choices on the shelves rather than the suspect stuff. There are a lot of “luxury” items that are covered by WIC. Like Cherrios (not the generic stuff, but the name brand). ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/55 "2007-09-26T01:43:59Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] Well, sometimes convenience makes for a better all-around mom. If she’s schlepping a couple kids, getting them dressed, fed, to daycare or school, and herself to work, and maybe all of this on public trans, sometimes it’s the right choice. [/QUOTE] Right. And it would be the right choice for me, considering all of that. Except for the public trans part, I do all of that (as do the other folks at my day care…they all drive to drop off their kids). The thing is, I just can’t justify the extra expense, because the only drawback to it is an inconvenience to myself. I just suck it up. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/56 "2007-09-26T01:46:06Z")
[QUOTE=Southern Yankee] Certainly not all, but some, yes. [/QUOTE] I guess you’ll decide which, huh? [QUOTE=Sarahfeena] Oh, believe me, I am thankful. I’ve been poor, so I know what I have to be grateful for, I assure you. [/QUOTE] You know what, **Sarahfeena** , I really respect you a lot as a poster, and I’m sorry I got pissy at you. I don’t think you really meant this the way I heard it. I was on WIC when my son was born, and all they offered was liquid\*. I had a former friend say something similar to me, about how “lucky” I was to get nice formula for free. This was at a time in my life I was skipping breakfast every day and lunch on weekends, because I couldn’t afford food. I wasn’t lucky. I didn’t feel lucky. I felt miserable. I actually was happy they provided liquid; not because I was lucky, but because my stove was broken, and I couldn’t afford to fix it, which meant no boiling water to sterilize for mixing up formula. Being poor sucks. I guess I just can’t understand why anyone would begrudge someone who’s already doing worse then you. \*The WIC program is funded federally, and they set certain guidelines, but the states decide how to run it. Where I live, we had a storefront we went to, and we were given prefilled boxes. What kind and how much food we received was based on income, and any medical conditions you may have had. I got to choose grape or apple juice, but for the most part everything was decided for me. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/57 "2007-09-26T01:47:42Z")
[QUOTE=nyctea scandiaca] Exactly - you and me are paying to buy these people’s groceries… Me? I think I would wait until I had enough money to feed a kid properly before having a kid. But that’s just me. But then again, why bother waiting & working when you can just get stuff for free, right? [/QUOTE] How do you know the situation didn’t change after the child came along? Why are you feeding the stereotype of ignorant poor people who don’t know when to quit fucking? ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/58 "2007-09-26T01:50:42Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by **miss elizabeth** > > I guess you’ll decide which, huh? It’s not a matter of “deciding.” I worked at a liquor store and I can’t tell you the number of times people came in trying to buy booze with food stamps. So, yes, I stand by my post. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/59 "2007-09-26T01:51:34Z")
[QUOTE=nyctea scandiaca] Exactly - you and me are paying to buy these people’s groceries… Me? I think I would wait until I had enough money to feed a kid properly before having a kid. But that’s just me. But then again, why bother waiting & working when you can just get stuff for free, right? [/QUOTE] _These people?_ What people? Babies? You have no idea what you’re talking about. You should be thankful for that, but you aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491/60 "2007-09-26T01:52:46Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] How do you know the situation didn’t change after the child came along? Why are you feeding the stereotype of ignorant poor people who don’t know when to quit fucking? [/QUOTE] Well…a lot of the women on WIC are teenage mothers. They’re teenage mothers at least in part because Republican/fundamentalist efforts to destroy sex education (or water it down to “Don’t do it!”) have left them without the knowledge of just HOW not to get pregnant. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-wic/420491.md?page=4)