59 Comments

It's time for all those governors to spend 2 months in poverty with less than $120 to spend on food for their kids and themselves. I would like to see some constituents propose pay cuts and limit resources for governors and legislatures who take these stances.

And it sounds like you better stock up on Kum & Go t-shirts.

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Means-testing for all governors!

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We have to go to Iowa next week for work and I am pretty sure I am going to die just looking at the forecast. I told my team lead I'm going to show up looking like that kid from The Christmas Story who can't put his arms down.

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Bring a down-filled coat if you're not allergic to down (if you are, try a down alternative), a warm hat, mittens (they are much warmer than gloves), snow boots or some hefty hiking boots (you'll need good traction, trust me), wool socks, and a winter scarf. Carhartt makes really good, high quality, warm winter outdoor gear. It's not fancy, but it's warm, and right now in Iowa, you can't be too warm when you're outside. And it's going to get worse. Safe travels.

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yep, pretty much. be prepared.

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It's gonna be brutal up here.

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Umm, so I've been down with a horrible flu and I was feeling pretty good about being out in the world again today, but now I might be rethinking...

Anyway, WTF, Vermont?? How are you going to maintain your status as our ever crunchier, cooler, Northern neighbor if you DON'T FEED THE CHILDREN?? Please tell me it's because you're instituting a state-wide, wild foraging instruction program for all school-age children. That would be just like you.

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A friend commented on my post about this issue:

"To be fair, Vermont is interested but doesn’t have the infrastructure to administer it. The governor and legislature are looking at it now. Our Republican governor is fiscally conservative and socially liberal - and works with the democratic legislature- the best combination!"

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when the news first broke about how we aren't taking any federal money to feed hungry kids because they might get fat, i honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. opted for crying in the end. what is wrong with us in this state? don't answer that.

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Vote Republican: Killing women and starving children are our top priorities!

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We don't just hate women, we hate kids too!

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Nebraska governor: I don’t believe in welfare except for farm subsidies and tax breaks for rich people. What an asshat.

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Don't forget Ethanol subsidies that add about 50 cents a gallon here in California.

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I love when our Democratic governor keeps Kansas from being the absolute worst! Honorary Dingii to the new nutjob majority on my local school board. My jobs a school librarian is about to get more.... well, more something.

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It’s the same in the UK, Lyz. Our government doesn’t believe in welfare either. But it makes absolutely no economic sense. Hungry and uneducated children grow up to be hungry and needy adults who are mostly unable to work, putting pressure on already creaky public services. I highly recommend Eve by Cat Bohannon who argues if you give more money to women and children it is much better for the country and is actually good for men too.

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yessss waxahatchee mention!

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I LOVE THEM!!

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I think the new Waxahatchee song is the goodest good thing this week.

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There is a seamless punch line that captures the synchronicity of Thursday's "take his wallet!" message (Morgan Jerkins is a treasure) and today's report of the demise of Kum & Go. I'm just not clever enough to reel it in.

TGIF nonetheless, Lyz-heads and esteemed co-conspirators.

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How did we never have Kum and Go here in Florida? We're the creepy uncle of states, I feel like it would have been a perfect fit!

Bonita Beach, down on the southwestern Gulf coast had a fishing supply shop called Master Bait and Tackle, imagine a Kum and Go store next to that?

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I will miss my summer food entitlements. Yes, we have all the privileges. BUT our elementary school is free breakfast and lunch for everyone because there are so many kids on free/reduced lunch. (I think there's a federal grant that pays for this.) Anyway, my daughter would get a summer EBT card every year for the last three years. It was a great help in the summer months when all my kids do is eat.

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I woke up at like 1:30am a few nights ago and saw Chuy’s latest newsletter pop up and read it around 2am... he had a blurb and link to an article about Iowa turning down that food money. I was so beyond pissed to see Reynolds give childhood obesity as a reason to not take this food money. Seriously??? I was so fuming I didn’t get back to sleep until 4:30.

Food insecurity is part of the problem, as well as those on EBT having to eat cheaply to stretch that food money! Eating cheap is not the healthiest option. I made a point to cook fresh/healthier meals this week, and spent half of my monthly foodshare money on ONE WEEK of eating “healthier.” I’m betting on getting at least part of my tax refund (with a rapid refund product) the last week of January to help pay for food at least that week. Groceries have gone up in price so much, but foodshare hasn’t.

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Greetings from NYC. Liz, you are an absolute gem and I love you. Kids are germ factories indeed.

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Sorry Lyz (spell check failure)

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It happens!!❤️

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Lyzzzzz, thank you!! I needed the levity after being onsite with Perry schools from Thursday until whatever day was sometime this week. And then as an AEA employee learning I'll be shitcanned on July 1! I call our gov "Cruella See.You.Next.Tuesday." (if you know what i mean lol)

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It's actually Maverik (no c), but maybe you intentionally spelled it incorrectly. I would, it's a dumb name. They are absolute total dinguses. It'll always be Kum & Go (or Came & Went as we called it in high school) to me as I have a bit of a personal connection with the name. It derives from the initials of founders William A. Krause & Tony S. Gentle, who founded the Hampton (IA) Oil Company in Hampton, Iowa, which is close to my hometown. I met Tony Gentle once. He was a bit arrogant but wasn't afraid to speak his mind. I liked that about him. I think those guys were ahead of their time.

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Thank you for this information.

I know that the newly formed Krause Foundation will do many good works.

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