Take or refuse? Internet users discuss the prospect of introducing the ration cards

As Novye Izvestia already reported, at a meeting with the heads of the Duma factions, Putin considered it possible to introduce food ration cards: “Food certificates - we have already discussed this, and I instructed the government to talk about this topic. There are pluses, there are certain problematic issues that need to be resolved. But for sure it's possible to think about it..."

Earlier, the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation proposed introducing cards for low-income Russians to allow families to decide on their own which products to purchase.

These statements caused confusion among the opposition-minded part of society, and especially among those Russians who found the cards in the Soviet Union.

True, it turned out that food certificates are not at all rare, and that they exist even in prosperous America. As the poet and publicist Alexey Tsvetkov wrote on his blog:

“...But why did everyone pounce on these food certificates? What does bread cards have to do with it? This is a food aid option for the poor. And Zhirik is absolutely right, in the USA about 40 million people receive such assistance. Why are the Russians suddenly ashamed?"

Moreover, it is a common practice. For example, both in the Czech Republic and in Italy, people receive bonus certificates and actively use them.

True, in Canada, the poor are helped in a different way, sparing their dignity. Instead of food coupons, they give out money so as not to distrust the recipients, because it is no secret that one of the reasons for issuing cards instead of money is the fear that adults in poor families will spend cash on drugs or alcohol.

However, hostility in our country to this venture is also possible due to the false popular opinion of Russians that in America only blacks and any "immigrant rabble" of losers are recipients of cards (and this is absolutely not the case), so the candidates for food aid in Russia psychologically, it will be difficult to classify yourself as such an imaginary company.

Political scientist Ilya Grashchenkov agrees with this assumption:

“The introduction of ration cards is a very serious blow to the image of the authorities. Of course, you can argue as long as you like that this is real support of the poor from the state. But our historical memory perceives the cards as the very bottom, those same dashing 90s, and in the worst years of Gaidar's "shock reforms".

Yes, there are also such food stamps in the USA. But there this assistance is perceived humiliatingly, it is intended rather for non-English speaking immigrants and other marginalized segments of the population. We are now talking about quite normal families, where people lost their jobs and other incomes due to the consequences of the coronavirus crisis. Therefore, when Zhirinovsky offers Putin to introduce food ration cards, the LDPR leader is playing on himself. Because then it is he who will stigmatize the authorities for bringing the people back to the most terrible times - food ration cards. By the way, it was then that the Liberal Democratic Party won first place in the elections to the first State Duma, taking most of the seats. Just on the slogans of Zhirinovsky that he will feed, shoe and warm the country, as well as help wash the boots of our military in the Indian Ocean. So there is a certain cyclicality and historical predetermination in this dialogue between the incumbent president and the leader of the opposition party.

But in reality, the government may very soon come to the topic of introducing ration cards and special shelves in stores “for the poor”. The point is that food price containment is ineffective if the service is used by everyone, not just the poorest. In addition, if the government intends to go towards the reconstruction of the neo-USSR, then the economy and the market will have to be regulated manually. Therefore, keeping cards and limiting prices is a vivid example of the fact that our country is really following this path. It remains only to understand how effective this decision is and how much it is supported by the population, who have been nostalgic for a return to the past for so long..."

Economist Dmitry Milin opposed food ration cards in Russia for other reasons:

“Any" stagnation "in our country ends in the same way: attempts to regulate food prices and food cards. Those who have lived in Russia for a long time (and in Russia one must live for a long time, as the classics argued) saw all this in the late 1980s, nothing new.

I know, many will now begin to argue that this will be analogous to the American "food stamps". Yes, our "guardians" (not the opposition) are the wildest Americanophiles, everything that is done badly in the United States is an example for them to follow.

However, once on our soil, any sensible idea in the execution of our bureaucracy always takes on the familiar traits of corruption and treasury, traditionally growing up as a "freak tree".

In reality, food stamps will lead to the fact that "businessmen" close to the authorities will simply for "very expensive" begin to supply the poor with low-quality and even hazardous foodstuffs, which will ultimately lead to an increase in deaths among the poor. ... And reducing the number of the poor, as you remember, is one of the national goals of our authorities.

I was told about a large company that supplies "milk" to children's institutions and hospitals under government contracts, despite the fact that their products are not made from natural milk, but from substitutes for it.

According to the documents, food sets will be regularly received by all "315 million" citizens of the Russian Federation, and they will include "Soviet champagne" at the price of Don Perignon, boned poultry at the price of marbled beef steaks and a "cheese-like product" made from palm oil for the price of Italian parmesan. Let the state increase benefits for the poorest, at least for children. and does not feed his friends from the budget with contracts for the supply of food!

This is Russia, here everything that is connected with the state will ALWAYS be exactly like this: bad, expensive and dangerous for health!"

In addition, there is one more problem that is typical for our country: bureaucracy. As one blogger wrote:

“...you will be tortured to collect papers for the right to“ gratuitous ”stew. I must say right away - if you are not registered alone, then this is the end of the world! You are not entitled to anything. This is our situation - in fact, you live alone, but 7 people are registered. All! The circle is complete. Don't even rock the boat. And so in everything. However, before the elections, sometimes you can throw scraps from the master's table..."