This week's question:      

The state recently reached an agreement with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe under which the state will not place a new casino in the North Country and the tribe will pay the state $30 million owed under the previous agreement, plus 25 percent of future gambling revenues. Of the $30 million, St. Lawrence County will receive $3.75 million. St. Lawrence County will also receive 6.25 percent of future revenues. Do you think the new agreement or a new casino would be a better source of revenue for St. Lawrence County?

 Take the NCNow Survey. Due to the holiday deadline, results will be posted Monday, June 03.

Last week's question:

The long-delayed Farm Bill has been approved by both the U.S. Senate and House agricultural committees with several million dollars in cuts to the Food Stamp program, now called SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Do you think a cut to the Food Stamp program will be detrimental to St. Lawrence County residents in need?

55.2 % -- Yes

38.9 % -- No

5.9 % -- Unsure

Total responses: 203

Total comments: 108

Here are your comments:

They should have less!! Why should they get to buy everything name brand, when me, a hard working person, has to buy the generic brand?? This is blasphemy!

5/24/2013 8:11 AM

especially the children

5/24/2013 7:57 AM

One of the beneficial govt. programs available to low- income households. This program should be removed from the Farm Bill, administered under more stable programs as Health or Human Services

5/24/2013 6:43 AM

"Who controls the food supply controls the people." (Henry Kissinger) We are 9 meals from disaster - and control - in this country. And the most common personal disaster is loss of a job. When food supplies are cut off, irritability sets in within half a day. Within 24 hours, your ability to make good decisions can become compromised. You can become irrational, and violence can break out. And in this county - and this country - the people are by God armed to the teeth. At the very least, plant a garden.

5/24/2013 6:30 AM

Poor people eat too you know.

5/24/2013 5:46 AM

For many yes . For others, no. They will survive.iknow several who sell or trade off and just give it away only because they can get it. I came from a family of eighteen and we did not get any supplements and we never went Hungary!

5/24/2013 4:11 AM

I'm sick of dishing out tax dollars to people who never have nor ever will make an effort to provide for themselves.

5/24/2013 12:46 AM

There are families who depend on SNAP to get through the month with gas prices going up and everything else they do not need to lose more of the way they feed the family. Not everone who gets them missuses them as you have seen or heard. I don't understand why any other program should have cuts they never do anything without cutting somehere that should not have it.

5/23/2013 11:20 PM

CUT-CUT-CUT! They make cuts to the poor the schools and the elderly while they hand money to the rich. When will it all end?

5/23/2013 10:40 PM

Many in the north country don't have enough to eat without this assistance, including senior citizens and children.

5/23/2013 9:49 PM

It needs to be cut. Get off your lazy butts and get a job. I am sick of paying for other people to just suck the coffers dry. If they are a little hungry then maybe it might just inspire them to either get a job or maybe even work two. I work seven days a week. Try it and you will earn your food.

5/23/2013 8:48 PM

people need help and relief from rising costs. and the generation after generation of families who have lived off the system needs to be addressed it is a disgrace

5/23/2013 8:01 PM

not given enough information to make a decision.

5/23/2013 7:37 PM

The Food Stamp President has expanded this program at taxpayer expense. There were about 20 million on food stamps when the radical in our White House took office. Through his radical agenda promoting this program we are nearly at 50 million. These very ideas are why our country is in dire straits. The new teaching of government reliance is at the heart of American demise. God, Freedom, Liberty, Virtue, family core values and self-reliance are being eliminated from the American way by those we elect. “We the People” must become pro-active in our government to maintain our American values. Teach your children to not be a burden on society. Teach them to give back and not to take handouts. Political correctness must be thrown out the window. Political correctness is socialism in disguise. If your representative is a tax and spend socialist replace them at the polls. Elect constitutional conservatives that believe in the power of the people not power of the government. Power of the people is what our Republic is all about. Flush the System!

5/23/2013 3:52 PM

Yes, although I do think that the products which can be purchased with food stamps need to be regulated more. No candy, soda, or junk snack foods. I have also seen people using food stamps to buy those gross sugary drink mixes for alcoholic drinks. Isn't that nearly the same as using it to buy alcohol itself? No one drinks that stuff without adding alcohol to it. It would be better to cut the welfare and social security that I see people spending every day on lottery tickets, cigarettes, and beer.

5/23/2013 2:24 PM

Sorry no money for schools, no money for those with a handicap, no money for you.

5/23/2013 1:42 PM

Get a job

5/23/2013 1:35 PM

With summer approaching, and children not able to benefit the free lunch programs in our schools, combined with a reduction of their families SNAP benefits, it only seems logical that food insecurity will increase in our county. I am sick as a citizen of this United States that we vilify the poor to protect our own self interests, especially when children suffer.

5/23/2013 1:32 PM

No. Just buy flank steaks instead of rib eyes.

5/23/2013 11:25 AM

When you work and make moderate to low income, no children, you don't get any help anyway. If you don't work you get help. Sooo, I think NY has caused a huge issue anyway. They should be more willing to try to help those that are trying to help themselves and not just those that refuse to help themselves.

5/23/2013 10:53 AM

The enormous misuse and waste in the SNAP program is an embarrassment, cut it in half and it could still serve its purpose.

5/23/2013 10:50 AM

Too many on food stamps abusing the system up here that hurt the ones who really need it. There needs to better regulation regarding what can be purchased using it too! (Healthy vs junk food and soda; grocery stores/Walmart vs expensive overpriced convenience stores)

5/23/2013 9:05 AM

It is unfortuhate that this is happening but we have to rien in the abuse of the system. There are many that take advantage by not reporting a parymers income that lives with the receiptiant and therefore is manipulating the system or they go to the shopping center like Price Chopper by cases of water only to dump them out in the parking lot to return the bottles and get cash. These people are making a fool out of the rest of us and that needs to be stopped. Yes there are legitamate needs but the bad apples hurt the good ones. I think that there should also be mandatory drug tests to receive food stamps, Florida just passed the law.

5/23/2013 8:48 AM

People need help, but, the current system is broken and needs fixing. Plus, I think it is abused. People needing help should have to go to local food distribution centers to receive their items.

5/23/2013 7:42 AM

Yes, but hopefully food stamp recipients will smarten up and buy nutritious, wholesome foods with the help they do recieve instead of candy and soda.

5/23/2013 7:02 AM

Yes to the ones who really need and use the food stamps but no to the many greedy people who get food stamps so they can sell them for beer, cigarette or drug money.

5/22/2013 11:00 PM

Who listens to the comments of the poor, tired and hungry. So, why even ask, in the first place?

5/22/2013 8:45 PM

It is one of many cuts that need to be made to balance the budget. We pay out too many benefits that we have no money to pay for. Time for everyone to be responsible for providing for themselves.

5/22/2013 8:20 PM

We are a high poverty county with high unemployment - cuts to SNAP will hurt our area.

5/22/2013 5:32 PM

Now limit your purchases to groceries instead of beer and lottery tickets .

5/22/2013 4:51 PM

There should not be people going hungry in America!

5/22/2013 4:15 PM

It would cut cigerate and beer sales too.

5/22/2013 2:06 PM

i think the whole system needs to be revamped! they use them on junk like soda and chips anyway, maybe if they had less to use they would buy good wholesome foods.

5/22/2013 1:24 PM

I have been present at a local Meat Company and have seen first hand a Food Stamp recipient purchase Prime Rib.

5/22/2013 12:58 AM

Yes!! Of course it will. With St Law Co being such a poor county and it will never be any different it will make a big difference. With our esteemed Board of legislators raising property taxes 14 % that is 14% less for groceries for a great many people. But do they care? No they don't. They get their raises every year.

5/22/2013 12:22 AM

Yes, of course it will detrimental but most people on food stamps can afford more groceries than people who are out working for a living. They will have to learn to make ends meet just as working families do and learn to not rely on free hand outs so much!

5/22/2013 11:44 AM

It would be, but if the food program where redesigned to feed children three meals at school, and keep SNAP for the elderly, it would force those bilking the system to have to go to work.

5/22/2013 9:14 AM

Of course. If you have very low income what do you think. Yes But even just continue like they did years ago the surplus item. cheese, powdered eggs, peanut butter etc.

5/21/2013 8:34 PM

What does in need mean? Rather, why are these families in need? I truly understand the problems with disabled and seniors, but for others who aren't working but can....there really are jobs! There should be continued cuts to assistance they are accustomed to receiving and force these people to work! If you don't work you don't eat!

5/21/2013 7:56 PM

But who cares about St Lawrence County anyway we always get the short end of the stick in everything, its all about jefferson county and fort drum, the rest of can just swing

5/21/2013 7:13 PM

there are families that need this, even individuals, when the unemployment rate falls below 6.5 percent then go for it, but i don't believe they have taken this into consideration.

5/21/2013 4:55 PM

Non essential (snacks and soda pop, for example) and non-food items should be banned from the food stamp program. Many of us who don't get food stamps are hungry and do without the extras.

5/21/2013 4:47 PM

Why would they pass a bill that 's going to take food away from people and their kids that need it?It's always the poor and low income that get screwed. We need to vote them out of office

5/21/2013 4:33 PM

Many who are eligible do not participate.

5/21/2013 4:30 PM

I'm not sure what "in need" means anymore. So many of the food stamp customers are taking advantage of a program that was started with the real needy people in mind. It seems like there are more and more people taking advantage of the program that really shouldn't be considered "needy". Our welfare system is terribly in need of a major change. We (taxpayers) cannot continue to feed, clothe ,provide housing & all their other needs such as alcohol, drugs, cigarettes. At some point, our government needs to say enough! At the beginning of the month, all you have to do is go to the grocery store and see how much junk food is purchased with food stamps. They are home all day and should be able to cook their meals from scratch but no, they would rather buy expensive prepared meals. When their food stamps run out, they go to the food pantries. I'm sure there are people out their that are really needy but I know there are an abundance of them that are just using the system and we the taxpayers are having to pay more and more. Wake up America !

5/21/2013 4:23 PM

This program is so abused. The current administration has made it so easy for people to enroll, they often do nothing to enroll, and the rules for what you can and cannot buy with it have been thrown out the window. It is now basically a free money card that you can buy whateveer you want with it. Enough is enough! The cuts being made are nominal (that means not enough, to those SNAP recipients). We should not be a welfare state. Welfare is not a way of life. Buy some birth control (on your own nickel) and get a job! If you cannot find one in your back yard go somewhere else! In answer to your question, a cut to the Food Stamp program would be great for this country! And feed your own kids their breakfast and lunch!

5/21/2013 3:42 PM

Does "cuts" mean less food? This one'll have the libtards up in arms!

5/21/2013 1:43 PM

Absolutely! Most people on Food-Stamp are the working poor, elderly, or have lost their jobs! There are very few that abuse the system. No one wants to go through the degradation of being judged by the "high and mighty" cashiers or those waiting in line. I know, I was there once upon a time!

5/21/2013 1:21 PM

they should get their lazy butts outside, rip up the grass in their lawns and plant beans, squash, and other goodies, even letting the weeds grow and eating the weeds is better than a mowed lawn. if more folks farmed or at least gardened they could greatly reduce their food bill and get some good exersize. last year i used nothin but a hoe and spading fork to turn soil and I'm still eating leather britches (dried green beans) from last year. grew nearly all my own food or ate the weeds. when people hear that i am low income but refuse snap they are shocked, but there is more than enough in my pantry to last another year. i tell you, if everyone ripped out their mowed lawns and grew food instead no one would need snap.

5/21/2013 1:19 PM

Its way too abused... Its for people that need it. Not drug and alcohol users who are to lazy to work... Cut them from it, make everyone on "Food stamps" pass a drug test. Darwins Theory of evolution

5/21/2013 12:28 AM

At a time of limited job opportunities, and mostly poorly paying jobs, SNAP can make a tangible difference to those in need.

5/21/2013 12:07 AM

I understand the need for cost controls in the SNAP program, but cutting funding is not the answer. What needs to be done is to overhaul the items that can be purchased with the benefits. I think there would be much less stigma attached to it if people could see that the benefits were used to be real food and not what a lot of people consider to be "junk" or "luxury" food items.

5/21/2013 10:57 AM

I do not receive food stamps, but am retired now and know trying to make ends meet with just Social Security as your sole income, makes it difficult to maintain all expenses. Often food is last on your list. Food stamps are a necessary benefit for elderly and/or disabled individuals. Also for those working folks having a hard time making ends meet.

5/21/2013 10:53 AM

This program is detrimental to all that "have" to be on them for their children's sakes. I know some abuse the system but there are so many more that truly need this program.

5/21/2013 10:29 AM

It will definitely hurt those that actually need it. A lot of people abuse the system and that is where we should be focusing our energy. If the scumbags that abuse the system didn't waste the resources for those that need it we wouldn't need to make any cuts.

5/21/2013 10:20 AM

A lot of county residents need the food stamps because they work at jobs that pay only minimum wage or are at the poverty level

5/21/2013 9:47 AM

The current food stamp program is ripe with abuse with some selling their cards or trading cards for drugs, alcohol or other favors. The program needs a complete overhaul.

5/21/2013 9:31 AM

The program is generally abused by those who receive it. Too many freeloaders who use their money for gambling and other things.

5/21/2013 9:23 AM

The food pantries in local communities are overflowing.

5/21/2013 8:36 AM

Too many recipients trade them for drugs, booze ,and cigarettes.

5/21/2013 8:10 AM

Food stamp recipients may have to learn to grocery shop like folks who pay for their own food....plan cheaper meals, stop eating lunch out and buying junk food. Perhaps plant a garden?

5/21/2013 7:57 AM

This system needs to be improved. Going back to the provision of actual healthy food would better serve the needy. The current system of food stamps allow individuals to purchase unhealthy quick foods instead of the basics: vegetable, fruit, milk, grains, meat.

5/21/2013 7:46 AM

Dont these committees realize that there are people with needs?

5/21/2013 7:16 AM

No matter how much I might whine about my Federal taxes being too high -- SNAP is, I think, one of the programs that should never be cut, but only increased over time. It should not have been tied to a farm bill, nor should feeding the hungry be a political "issue" played by both parties. In the U.S.A., no one should go to bed wondering about whether or not they will eat the next day or pay bills!

5/21/2013 7:09 AM

Nutrition for poor people, should be of higher regard the a lot of other programs that the government spends money on.

5/20/2013 10:31 PM

About time there are some cuts somewhere. Maybe those who get the food stamps will appreciate them more and use them more wisely. The Lord helps those who help themselves.

5/20/2013 9:26 PM

How could anyone conceive of a question that answers itself any more succinctly?

5/20/2013 9:04 PM

They will not be able to buy as much beer as they now do

5/20/2013 8:26 PM

Need to start someplace to fix the mess. To much welfare fraud. Killing the middle class.

5/20/2013 8:24 PM

it might be to a few, but for the most part the program is abused by the lazy. They need to get a job. The 50 percent are getting sick of supporting the other half. With food stamps/EBT cards you should only be able to purchase healthy food items.

5/20/2013 8:11 PM

I work at the Hopkinton Food Pantry. SNAP benefits are crucial to the families in the North Country. Food prices keep going up and it is hard enough for people to have enough to feed themselves without loosing more benefits. Pantries are seeing an increase already in those in need. Please don't reduce SNAP benefits.

5/20/2013 8:00 PM

cutting back on food stamps might help the obesity levels in this county. assistance to buy food should be limited to thin people.

5/20/2013 7:16 PM

Of course! You're actually asking if "people in need" need SNAP? Duh! It's politics as usual; steal from those who can't object and have the most to lose! It all just adds to my list of people I will not vote for! Jeez, thing are sure dumb these days and our politocos are the dumbest, most lying, care-less beings there are. Can this really be a serious question? Woof!

5/20/2013 7:06 PM

Working for minimun wage and a family supporting 3 kids this will surely hurt them...but seems ST. Lawrence county gets stabbed with all budget cuts. Used to love living here in the North Country but not any more...time to leave NY State all together!

5/20/2013 6:39 PM

I think it will force the program to become more efficient and do away with fraud. I have seen too many people use their benefit card to buy multiple packages of the extra large soda bottles and nothing else. The program should be used for items in the basic food groups and nothing else. This would save huge amounts of money. The people can use some of the other money pots they dig into to buy the junk food and soda.

5/20/2013 6:15 PM

Cutting SNAP hurts both the poor (most recipients are children, the elderly and working poor) and hard-working farmers. This is simply another example of the Congressional Obstructionists hurting the most vulnerable of us to benefit the wealthy and ultra-wealthy, Not a single member of the wealthiest will lose so much as one calorie.

5/20/2013 6:13 PM

enough is enough! get a job! one out of five on food stamps? Things are not that bad. Lazyness is kicking in here in America.

5/20/2013 6:03 PM

As a nurse in this county, going door to door, I can attest to the poverty that lives amongst with both elderly and children. In addition to their poverty, they are often stricken with a disease or injury that takes its toll on them as well.

5/20/2013 5:41 PM

Highest unemployment, no jobs to be seen. So we will starve, but can't pay the bills, so doesn't matter. But the government gets their share of everything.

5/20/2013 5:36 PM

they get too much as it is , follow someone at a grocery store !

5/20/2013 5:25 PM

Given the high number of fraudulent cases I see constantly - reduced SNAP benefits might just force some people to get off their butts and get to work.

5/20/2013 5:09 PM

Why does it always seem that any program to be a success it has to be based on the "rob Peter to pay Paul" method? Stupid....isn't it?

5/20/2013 4:58 PM

SNAP is a necessary fact of life for hundreds in Northern NY. To cut it is to take food from the mouths of seniors and children.

5/20/2013 4:41 PM

Less money to spend on junk food and very expensive items that working people can't afford to buy.

5/20/2013 4:39 PM

If the programs are getting cut, does that mean our taxes are being cut as well? I didn't think so! The entire government should be impeached!

5/20/2013 3:55 PM

Many on SNAP (not all, but many) sell their SNAP for cash, tighten up the guidelines and this wouldn't be a problem!

5/20/2013 3:40 PM

There are far to many families making a living off Welfare these days, use it for what it was intended for to help out those in need - not the ones that feel they deserve/are entitled to it! It's the same as correction officers, except they have to at least show up at work to get their assistance checks!

5/20/2013 3:21 PM

Unsure . . . If a man won't work, then neither should he eat. Perhaps this will shake loose some from the grip of entitlement that people live under.

5/20/2013 3:14 PM

Single mothers with a child especially. The father got what he wanted and split.

5/20/2013 3:12 PM

I'm unable to find any information on exactly what percentage of total costs the cuts will be and where/how the cuts will be made. How can anyone answer this question without that information?

5/20/2013 2:32 PM

Yes it going to effect many people and businesses across the county

5/20/2013 2:28 PM

Of course it will be detrimental. How could it not be?

5/20/2013 2:20 PM

It will hurt the people who are truely in need.

5/20/2013 1:19 PM

I think it will help people! It is time people become self-sufficient. I work hard to meet my family's needs, it's about time other people start doing the same. Our society is going down the tubes. It's about time some changes were made!

5/20/2013 12:54 AM

The Food Stamp program should be under some other welfare related bill, not the Farm Bill. Food Stamps and other similar programs account for 80% of the farm bill. It's ridiculous to lump a welfare program in with food security.

5/20/2013 12:54 AM

I have seen too many of these residents in need living a better lifestyle than me. They cheat the system. Time for them to get a job!

5/20/2013 12:50 AM

Maybe with less free food stamps those getting the free handouts will be a bit more careful how they spend them? Probably not. After all, lobster, steaks and junk foods are soooo good. Free too.

5/20/2013 12:42 AM

Only some residents as it appears the general practice is to misuse the assistance.

5/20/2013 12:21 AM

I think this program is highly abused and there should be stricter guidelines and time limits

5/20/2013 11:50 AM

There has been a long-term assumption that all people on food stamps are lazy and refuse to work. There are many families working and making minimum wage who are still eligible for food stamps! We have a very poor county and this will be a really big problem!

5/20/2013 11:45 AM

Yes I do, cant they take more from the rich who won't even notice when the lower income will suffer even more when we have to pay for all our groceries instead of paying other bills we can't pay everything ourselves though we if we cant get it from our grocerie bill.

5/20/2013 11:41 AM

Just have to cut out the soda & chips and other junk food.

5/20/2013 11:38 AM

SNAP recipients should be drug tested in order to receive funds and the funds should not be used for items other than basic needs. If these two changes were made, the reduction wouldn't impact St Lawrence County residents at all.

5/20/2013 11:32 AM

SNAP needs to be overhauled. Those in need for supplemental nutrition should be able to have it, but cut out soda, cigarettes, sweets snacks, etc.

5/20/2013 11:27 AM

No It just might motivate them to relocate to find a job,or a better paying one elseware like the pioneers did.

5/20/2013 10:59 AM

Although I think there should be more restrictions on what can be purchased; focusing on more nutritios items, it is my opinion that this is one of the more palitable assistance programs in america. I hate to think that someone may go hungary, especially a child.

5/20/2013 10:25 AM

I hope it is detrimental to the people as you say are in need. It will force some of them to do what the working people do. Get up and work for it.

5/20/2013 10:16 AM

I personally know two individual seniors, each in their 80's, who depleted all their life savings to pay medical expenses and now live only on Social Security and Food Stamps. Cuts to people like this are mean and punishing. Not everyone is gaming the system!

5/20/2013 9:57 AM