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Al Sharpton Betrays His Ignorance: MSNBC Host Unaware of $2M Lottery Winner On Food Stamps

By Ken Shepherd | December 02, 2011 | 13:50

A  A
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On his Politics Nation program last night, Rev. Al Sharpton reacted with incredulity to a remark that former Speaker Newt Gingrich made on the campaign trail about there being millionaires collecting food stamps.

"I challenge Newt Gingrich to name one millionaire that he knows that's getting food stamps," Sharpton blustered, apparently unaware of news that broke in May of this year about lottery winner Leroy Fick. The Michigan man won $2 million in a state lottery game yet continued to collect food stamps because, as Ron French of the Detroit News reported: (emphasis mine)

Eligibility for food stamps is based on gross income and follows federal guidelines; lottery winnings are considered liquid assets and don't count as income. As long as Fick's gross income stays below the eligibility requirement for food stamps, he can receive them, even if he has a million dollars in the bank.

[...]

"For Leroy Fick to continue to use a Bridge Card, paid for by the taxpayers, after winning the lottery, is obscene," said Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge. "What a waste of taxpayer money."

Jones contacted DHS officials Monday about Fick's case, and was told the department's hands were tied by federal regulations.

"There is no liquid asset requirement for getting food stamps," Jones said. "The department is asking the federal government for an immediate change (in policy). They're hoping this case will help the federal government act."

Until then, Fick can collect food stamps and keep his lottery winnings in the bank.

"I am not going to sit and debate the ethics of this," Wilson said. "But from his standpoint, he did what he was supposed to do -- he informed the state, and the state said he could keep using the card. The problem is with the state."

True, one could argue the semantic point that, technically, Fick is NOT a millionaire because he doesn't have a steady stream of annual income amounting to at least one million dollars. But the point of Gingrich's comment is that there is fraud and abuse of food stamps whereby there are folks receiving the benefits who, like Fick, clearly do not need them.

About the Author

Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters. Click here to follow Ken Shepherd on Twitter.
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Comments

Like the lawyer should never

Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:00pm.

Like the lawyer should never ask a question to which he doesn't already know the answer, never make a challenge unless you know with metaphysical certitude that it's impossible to meet.

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"Al Sharpton Betrays His Ignorance" ...

Submitted by Newsbubba on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:08pm.

... every time he opens his moronic mouth.

He is a prime example of the modern day Democrat Party, liberal voter.

He is ignorant, stupid, uneducated, uninformed, and very "special" in the PC context of the word.

Comrade Bubba
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Exacly what I was thinking!

Submitted by helomech on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:14pm.

Exacly what I was thinking!

"The bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps..." General Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC to the Senate Naval Affairs Committee, 5 May 1946
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Excellent!

Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:19pm.

Like Joy Behar, he speaks, and removes all doubt.

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Same goes

Submitted by texusmc on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:46pm.

for Barry Ocarter, our... well... "in chief" and we will just leave it at that.

"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance that they are the most ferocious fighters on Earth. And the amusing thing about it is that they are." --Kevin Keaney, US Navy chaplain, Korea 1951
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Yeah, bubba, and he also

Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 1:37am.

Yeah, bubba, and he also can't speak understandable Engish - just like his counterpart Barnaby Frump!! Which gives some proof to the theory that you don't neccessarily have to be 'black' to be incoherent or undecipherable........................

We ALL know that the ONLY reason Natso Sharpton has is 'own' show is BECAUSE he's 'black'..............I'm sayin' it right here and right now, and I WON'T back down from my statement. In fact - I'm saying the same damn thing about Barry Soetoro Barack Hussein Obama...........except he's a 'black' poser.........but the MSM and the ignorant voters bought into the scam.

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Yea well, To Jer's begrudgment

Submitted by Boudin on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 2:30am.

How come Alan Keys, doesnt have a show. Or?

Seek Truth, Defend Liberty
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As you well know,

Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 2:57am.

As you well know, Boudin.............it ain't Keys' 'color'..............it's his political persuasion!!! I heard Natso flapping his incoherent gums today about Newt - and I was thinking to myself - no wonder these school kids can't speak or write!!!! And he's griping about these kids having to actually 'get a job'??? What the hell has HE ever done to help that cause??? As far as I can tell, all Sharpton does is shake down 'white' businesses and extorts them in the name of 'racial fairness', or some such crap. He hasn't done a damn thing to help the 'black' cause - although most of them probably don't know it, since they don't pay attention. It's too bad - because I don't think the 'black' community used to be like that, and I've said this many times - if MLK was around these days, he'd probably take Sharpton and Jackson - and OBAMA - into the woodshed and school their stupid asses about what idiots they are!!! And take his daughters too............

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He wouldn't believe the woman

Submitted by ricklail on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:09pm.

He wouldn't believe the woman that has 15 illegitimate kids and wants us to keep them all up.

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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Ahhhhhhhhh c'mon,

Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 1:44am.

Ahhhhhhhhh c'mon, Rick..........where's you 'heart'?? Your 'sympathy'?? Your 'caring'??? What is wrong with having 15 kids from multiple fathers............and expecting US to support them??? I mean - do you actually THINK that the 'sperm donors' are going to do anything?? They allready DID what they wanted to do!!! Jeez............think about this - would YOU want to hook up with some dumb-ass bimbo who had double-digit illegitimate kids??? We're talking about a LOT of stupidity here!!!

And you KNOW my own stance on abortion, right??? I'm all FOR it - as it relates to inner-city breeders, welfare addicts, illegal aliens, third-world over-populators, mooooooooooooooooooslems, and - of course - future libs. So I guess I'm not really a 'conservative', right?? After all, I DO support abortion!!!

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This woman having 15 kids is

Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 7:30am.

This woman having 15 kids is crazy. I think she was taking money from us to care for them. May not have been much but she sure doesn't seem very grateful. I saw this earlier in the week but did not watch the video until a few minutes ago. Who paid for the kids to be born? My feelings are that when a woman comes to the hospital to have a kid and the visit is paid by us then they should tie her tubes.

Nuke em til they glow; then shoot em in the dark
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I wonder how difficult it

Submitted by helomech on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:17pm.

I wonder how difficult it must be for savvy political types to hold their tongues when, the self procalimed Rev, opens his mouth and sprays ignorance out whenever he speaks. Come on people, get with the program-the Rev is keeping you down!

"The bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps..." General Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC to the Senate Naval Affairs Committee, 5 May 1946
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I think it's planned

Submitted by Franksam on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:57pm.

The 'savvy' folks who like Al are part of the problem. They see him as the
AA job holder that gives all illiterate ignorant folks like him hope.

The savvy folks who don't like Al know that there is nothing to gain by pointing out his
marginal qualifications and limited capabilities except to be considered racist. Al quietly confirms those who think AA is a scam that taints all Minority-Americans.

I agree. So-called black leaders make there living off the racial divide, and care not so much about ending it.

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Al

Submitted by NewLife56 on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:23pm.

Al is stupid so Ignorance is a part of stupidity, as all of MSDNC is.

NewLife56
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Conundrum

Submitted by dreamsincolor on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:30pm.

Since when doesn't 2 MILLION dollars generate interest? And since when doesn't interest count as income?

I do believe someone in accounting needs to be fired.

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You might

Submitted by BuffNBone on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:32pm.

See either Sec. Geithner or Rep. Wrangel for help answering the question--or at least how to avoid paying taxes on the money.

"Fighters are fun but bombers make policy"
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advice

Submitted by oldfart on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:47pm.

that would apply to almost anyone elected to serve on Capitol Hill

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
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Millionaire?

Submitted by Smartypants on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:34pm.

"True, one could argue the semantic point that, technically, Fick is NOT a millionaire because he doesn't have a steady stream of annual income amounting to at least one million dollars."

Actually, technically this guy is a millionaire since, by definition, a millionaire is someone who has more than a million dollars in assets. It really has nothing to do with annual income.  In fact, one could have a million dollars or more in annual income and still not be a millionaire.

 

 

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SmartyPants - Ken. . Millionaire

Submitted by Gary Hall on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:20pm.

Well, from Wikipedia:

A millionaire is an individual whose net worth or wealth is equal to or exceeds one million units of currency. [..]

Recently, there has been some controversy over how to correctly determine a person's status as a millionaire. One of the two most commonly used measurements is net worth, which counts the total value of all property owned by a household minus the household's debts. According to this definition, a household owning an $800k home, $50k of furnishings, two cars worth $60k, a $60k retirement savings account, $45k in mutual funds, and a $325k vacation home with a $250k mortgage, $40k in car loans, and $25k in credit card debt would be worth about $1,085,000; and every individual in this household would thus be a millionaire.

However, according to the net financial assets measurement used for some specific applications (such as evaluating an investor's expected tolerance for risk for stockbroker ethics), equity in one's principal residence is excluded, as are lifestyle assets, such as the car and furniture. Therefore the above example household would only have net financial assets of $80,000. Another term used is "net investable assets" or working capital. These practitioners may use the term "millionaire" to mean somebody who is free to invest a million units of currency through them as broker. For similar reasons, those who market goods, services, and investments to high net worth individuals are careful to specify a net worth "not counting principal residence."

I don't see any reference on the page associating millionaire with income.

Secondly, according to one of those standards, I'm feeling a bit less elitist in the moment. Rats.

(;~/ gary

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Fair point. I'm just

Submitted by Ken Shepherd on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:33pm.

Fair point. I'm just imagining what Sharpton would say in response, which may be something along the lines of the guy being dirt poor but for being lucky enough to win the lottery. But no matter how you define it -- assets or income -- Fick shouldn't be on the dole.


 

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Ken

Submitted by Gary Hall on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:46pm.

. . of course, there's no argument on that - which is the point.

(;~. gary

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But you forgot the liberal argument...

Submitted by retrocon on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 4:39pm.

The argument used to justify the Buffets and Gates not paying more taxes "voluntarily," basically, as long as the government offers loopholes (subsidies, or whatever), they have to take advantage of them, otherwise, they are at a disadvantage, since the other guy will. Basically, as long as the loophole exists, and they are entitled to take it, they will.

Most people don't look at Warren Buffet as having an entitlement mentality, but he does.

This lottery winner had, and maintains, his entitlement mentality. Even if you corrected Sharpton, he would probably say something to the affect of "Well, so what if he continues to get food stamps, he deserves to, considering the evil that 'the man' has done to him for all these years."

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I still haven't decided whether...

Submitted by KyWriter on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:39pm.

...I despise Al Sharpton more in his former greasy-haired, jump-suited Tawana Brawley days or in his current pseudo-religious three-piece-suited period.

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Sharpton peaked when he was

Submitted by celator on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:44pm.

Sharpton peaked when he was the tour manager for James Brown in the early '70's. It's been downhill from there. ;+}

"This is not your mother's Democratic Party"--Andrew Breitbart, CPAC, February 2012
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IDEA

Submitted by ROSSMAN on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:48pm.

someone offer Tiwana Brawley 2M to tell the truth, and take a lie detector test!! I am sure AL WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIS NAME CLEARED!!!

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Ignorance is Bliss on M.S.S.R. (MSLSD) and MTV

Submitted by djwolf12 on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 2:58pm.

I remember seeing on MTV once a news report where a reporter for MTV News went along with Rapper (Multi-Million Dollar earner) ODB [Old Dirty Bastard] to a welfare office to cash a welfare check. It is actually pretty damn funny to see how these Progressive Socialists/Communists are trying (and failing) to rewrite history because sane people who aren't on drugs remember stuff like this.

"Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets". - Robert DeNiro, Taxi Driver (1976).
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Wait til da Rev finds out Leroy is white.

Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:17pm.

LOL.

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Stupidity on a "Galactic" Scale

Submitted by ThePickle on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:27pm.

MSNBC Host Unaware of $2M Lottery Winner On Food Stamps

I am quite sure that the number of things the Rev Sharpton is "unaware" of would fill several volumes, somewhat  akin to the "Encyclopedia Galactica"

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we have one in Philly

Submitted by jimtrees on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 3:42pm.

Her name is Arlene (the queen of mean) Ackerman. She gets a million dollar buy-out only to file for unemployment. Another $56,000.

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"Rev" Al, nothing reverend

Submitted by ricklail on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 4:35pm.

"Rev" Al, nothing reverend about him, needs to listen to Boortz and he'd know all this. You learn a lot more with your mouth closed and ears open. 

A well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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Wait a minute. I thought

Submitted by ant on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 6:21pm.

Wait a minute. I thought libtards like Al HATED millionaires, you would think he would embrace this subject. But, then again, he is a hypocritical libtard and you can't be seen agreeing with anything an evil Republican says, even if it's true.

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It is not fraud...

Submitted by Gbear on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 7:43pm.

but it sure is abuse. It is almost impossible to prosecute a food stamp case, because it has become a give-away vote buyer like never before.

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If lottery winnings are

Submitted by ampul man on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 7:15am.

If lottery winnings are 'liquid assets', then why are they subject to INCOME tax?

CNN, the Clinton News Network---Bill decides; Hill reports

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Good question!

Submitted by Ken Shepherd on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 11:28pm.

Good question!


 

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