And, hey check out this cellphone teleprompter!
By Guy Page
I wondered what would happen when I posted a reel monologue about the opportunity to revisit how the State of Vermont pays SNAP benefits, now that we might be spending our own money and are less shackled by federal regulations on how we must spend its shekels.
The Vermont Emergency Board will meet at noon today to determine how to distribute SNAP benefits if the federal government remains shut down after Nov. 1. An important part of this conversation will be how much it will cost to pay these benefits out of state revenue, as House leaders propose. Ahead of their 10 AM press conference, I offered a few citizen suggestions:
- No junk food allowed,
- Tell us how many illegal immigrants are receiving benefits (some say zero, others say half of all illegal immigrants nationwide are receiving benefits, what’s the deal?)
- Help people help themselves. In detail not fully expressed in the reel, I suggest the State require work, training or substance abuse recovery for those who are receiving benefits due to lack of motivation, training or sobriety.
I meant this reel as an informed conversation starter. It worked! As of 9:14 this morning, I counted 5,213 views and 101 comments to the Facebook reel and 832 views on YouTube. Here are a few of the comments:
Dave asks about helping people find better jobs so they won’t need food stamps:
“The best social program is a good job. There’s too many folks stuck in low wage jobs. Is there some program or non-profit, that helps people find better employment?
Barbara says recipients should be taught to grow and preserve food:
‘I think start teaching independence by offering opportunities to grow food and preserve food through canning, drying food for winter.”
Meaghan asks:
“Who decides what the “junkiest of junk food” is?” I rather snarkily replied, “same people who decide what kind of straw to use, I guess.”
Lisa stirs the pot with:
“You don’t have the right to tell people what they can spend their money on.”
Betsy responds:
“Yes I do, it’s my money you are using.”
Chris adds:
“If they work and earn money, they can spend it on whatever they want.”
BTW I was able to record this reel in my mancave on my cellphone with the help of the PrompterPal app, a free and simple ‘teleprompter’ that even I can use, so you can too. Readers of all persuasions, I invite you to start your own conversations.