Russian food stamps

The economic turbulence, into which our country fell along with the rest of the world, forces us to non-standard solutions.

The ideal solution would be to accelerate the economy and bring it to sustainable growth.

However, this takes time, which not all Russians can tolerate.

Those with shallow pearls will take care of themselves somehow.

But those who have thin soup need government support.

A welfare state, as prescribed in our Constitution.

The time has come to prove it, show it, demonstrate, convince, do good to people.

At a meeting with the leaders of the State Duma factions, Vladimir Putin cautiously supported the discussion on the advisability of introducing food certificates for the poor in Russia.

He recalled that he had already instructed the government to work out this issue, and noted that such a decision has certain advantages.

Although, perhaps, this idea is no longer as relevant as in the midst of a pandemic ... I'll tell you on my own.

Looking around in my provincial city of central Russia, I see that it is relevant, and even very much.

The proposal came from the Liberal Democratic Party.

I remember that at the stage of its formation, this party, among other things, used the slogan "We are for the Russians, we are for the poor."

Well, the initiative with Russian food stamps (as food stamps are called in the USA) fits well into this political credo.

When voicing the initiative in a conversation with the president, the LDPR leader was not unfounded.

The corresponding bill has already been submitted to the State Duma.

It assumes support for Russians with incomes below the subsistence level at their own request.

Quite a competent approach.

The mechanism for using product certificates looks simple and sane.

The owner of the certificate buys food in the store for a fixed amount, which is then compensated for by the trade from the budget.

Preliminary, we are talking about 25% of the living wage.

The main thing is to clearly define the criteria for the needs of a citizen, as well as a list of products that fall under the law.

Buckwheat, bacon, pasta, vegetable oil, onions, etc. A guaranteed food set will allow a person to spend real money on other primary needs: the Internet, transport, utilities.

If the idea is implemented, all participants in the scheme will receive continuous benefits.

The poor, of whom there are as many as 20 million in the country, will be fed.

Trade will receive a certain guaranteed minimum turnover - there is no partner more reliable than the state.

The country's economy, manufacturers - steady demand.

After all, we are not talking about oysters from Marseille or balsamic vinegar from Italian Modena, but about domestic products produced somewhere near Voronezh.

Well, the state will receive social peace.

A lot.

The efforts of officials to prevent a drop in living standards are noticeable.

Especially in terms of rapidly rising prices for basic products.

And they, who does not know, have risen in price in recent months so that mom does not grieve.

Sugar, butter, chicken, vegetables, sausage, finally.

Messages about price increases by tens of percent come almost every day.

Not long ago I myself bought sunflower oil at 80 rubles per liter, and now - at 110 rubles.

And this was after the intervention of the state, and there were 120 and 130 rubles.

State regulation measures, export duties help, but do not completely solve the problem.

When the price of food in foreign markets is high, the manufacturer, not giving a damn about the poor compatriots, by hook or by crook will seek to export his goods to a foreign exchange.

Let us recall how, in imperial times, oil of that time was exported from Russia to Europe - Vologda oil, replenishing personal accounts, but dooming the peasant, the producer of this very oil, to starvation.

They say that world food prices will only rise.

This is the era.

Well, if this is so, then one should not be ashamed, hope for the growth of the economy, the standard of living - it is necessary without delay, without delay, to finally protect the poorest layers of the population - to introduce food certificates.

It is in embarrassment, I think, the whole point.

Historical, you know, memory.

They say, no matter how they think that we are hungry, once again ration cards for food.

The associations are not good.

And with that very war, terrible, and with the shameful, terrible in the food sense, perestroika times, when the regions introduced coupons for a variety of goods, including basic products.

However, one cannot look back at the past forever.

Now we are talking about something else.

Not about the distribution of limited resources among all, but about point, local support for certain groups of the population.

The cries of the online intelligentsia, which have already begun, should be ignored.

That's what power is for, to use it when needed.

We need it now.

It is necessary to voluntarily introduce food certificates, survive criticism and ... reap a bountiful harvest of people's love, when it will finally become clear to everyone what a reasonable and verified measure this is.

Moreover, there is no risk here.

The distributive method of supporting the poor with products has long and been widely practiced in the world.

Moreover, in the most advanced, developed countries of the West.

Thus, in the United States, 43 million people receive food stamps - one in eight.

The average monthly allowance per person - $ 126 (2016) - allows you to survive.

Who knows, perhaps it was this measure that for many years allowed restraining the internal conflict between the white and colored population, which broke out only now, when it became completely intolerant.

The Old World is rapidly moving along the same road.

Panic raids by Europeans on supermarkets have prompted governments to consider broader use of food stamps.

At the forefront of this process is Italy, where money for the program has long been allocated.

Following her is Britain.

And post-Soviet Lithuania supported families with preschool children back in 2018.

And nothing, did not choke.

It's time to clearly understand that there is no right market and wrong non-market measures to support people.

There are effective and ineffective ones.

The author's point of view may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.