One in eight Americans now gets food stamps. One in eight. Among American children, one of every four.

Food stamp use surged under President George W. Bush. In the economic crisis of the past year, it has exploded. All over the country. In communities where people thought they would never be on food stamps — but now are.

The longterm poor and the newly jobless, city and suburb — 36 million people.

What does it mean for our country? What does it say about our economy?

This hour, On Point: America’s exploding dependence on food stamps, and what it tells us.

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