Food Stamp Use Nears Record High

clipped from donklephant.com Food stamps, the main U.S. antihunger program which helps the needy buy food, set a record in September as more than 31.5 million Americans used the program — up 17 percent from a year ago, according to government data. The number of people using food stamps in September surpassed the previous peak of 29.85 million seen in November 2005 when victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma received emergency benefits, said Jean Daniel of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. September’s tally — the latest month available — was also boosted by hurricane and flood aid, Daniel said on Wednesday. But anti-hunger groups said the economic downturn is the main reason behind the higher figures. “It’s a disturbing trend,” said Ellen Vollinger, legal director with the Food Research and Action Center. She said she expects more people will turn to food stamps as unemployment figures rise and the economy remains weak.

Speaking of unemployment figures, there were 573,000 new unemployment claims last week.

But, by all means, let's let the automakers fail. It'd be so much cheaper to pay out in food stamps, welfare, public health, aid to cities, etc. -- none of which we'll never get back -- than to give a loan to car companies.