Melissa started a stirring discussion about federal spending on SNAP, the program which folks (particularly Republicans) refer to more loosely as food stamps. In addition to warming up for today's show by watching our Go Figure segment and both segments of the discussion below, I'd encourage you also to check out the Washington Post's Suzy Khimm's post from Wednesday. She cites a USDA study that shows (above) that not nearly as many people as are eligible collect their SNAP benefits, and a CNNMoney report which indicates that the government is actively trying to change that:
...the government is continuing an outreach effort through radio ads begun during the Bush administration to get more eligible people to sign up. The USDA is using such public service announcements to target ”underserved seniors, working poor, and legal immigrants”—key groups that might not understand the eligibility requirements for the program, [said] an USDA official...
Melissa's discussion is below, and after the jump. See you all at 10am ET for Melissa's interview with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi!