Pat Trieweiler: Buying fast food for poor people creates more problems

It is an insult to taxpayers that food stamps (Snap cards) can be used to purchase Whoppers and sugary drinks. This is a complete waste of money and will create higher costs in health care, due to pork-barrel spending and eating. This will help create more cases of diabetes and heart disease among the poor.

Our valley already has some of the highest levels of these diseases in the nation. Shortsighted, big-spending politicians are playing a huge role in making that possible. One Valley politician recently stated on the radio that he supports this unhealthy option because it helps many veterans who do not have access to kitchens, get a ready-made meal.

I don’t see how creating future cases of diabetes helps veterans. A dollar can go a lot further in a grocery store than a value meal with fries and a Coke. The food choices in a grocery store are more plentiful and healthier and include fruits and vegetables.

If kitchen access is the problem, find creative and healthy solutions to solve it. Don’t make hasty decisions that will only create even greater problems in the future?

This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 12:42 PM with the headline "Pat Trieweiler: Buying fast food for poor people creates more problems."