Cory Booker is widely regarded as one of the more honest and honorable politicians. The mayor of Newark, New Jersey is regularly praised by the press for going above and beyond in his commitment to serve the community he governs. This year alone, Booker was lauded for rescuing neighbors from a burning building and inviting Hurricane Sandy victims into his home.
The mayor is in the news again for pledging to live on food stamps as part of a Twitter challenge. Booker went back and forth with a Twitter user, @MWadeNC, about what the government’s role should be in providing nutritious diets:
He also tweeted:
“We pay 4 HUGE back end govt programs: prisons, police, etc. If we invested in Schools, nutrition, etc we’d save $ & create wealth.”
Booker then challenged the user to a week of food stamps:
Lets you and I try to live on food stamps in New Jersey (high cost of living) and feed a family for a week or month. U game? @MWadeNC
Booker informed his followers today that he is participating in the challenge and documenting it on Waywire. While his supporters feel it’s a great way to bring awareness to hunger and nutrition issues, others see it as a publicity stunt and a cry for more positive attention from the press.
What are your thoughts? Will Cory Booker’s Food Stamp Challenge truly spread awareness and make an impact?
First off, the man is awesome. In the original sense of meaning of the word: I am awestruck at some of the things he has done.
I’d follow his challenge. If more pols knew how the worst of us have to maintain, they might be more inclined to do the right things.
A publicity stunt and more positive attention from the press… really?!? I don’t think I’ve ever read anything negative about Booker, since he’s mostly considered something of a Clark Kent/Superman (he did save a woman from a burning building).
He seems like one of the few politicians who’s actually willing to understand the day to day lives of his constituents. He’s far from someone like Mittens “I’m a sore loser” Romney who makes $10,000 bets with people on a whim. I applaud his efforts.