As a child I was hungry a lot. My parents did their best to feed us. Government “commodities” was a thing for awhile- boxes and cans of unlabeled generic foods (ugh! including powdered eggs!) Then food stamps offered a way to get the “real” stuff in grocery stores.
Now it is called SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) with EBT cards. I don’t have them, but I do live on the edge of possibly needing them someday, as prices on everything increase sharply but COLA on retirement does not cover these expenses.
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| by congerdesign on pixabay |
At any rate, what happened recently really hit hard in my heart for those who rely on SNAP. Abruptly, the program was stopped as the government shutdown continued into November. But the fact is - it was not supposed to happen. It was entirely unnecessary. There were already safeguards in the funding (within the USDA) that could and should have kept people receiving their much-needed sustenance.
It was simply cruel and evil to use SNAP as a political bargaining leverage on the shutdown. Yes, lots of things needed to be worked out in the budget, (a big one was health insurance premiums) and Congress had a duty to negotiate a plan. But they didn’t even bother to address the egregious act of stopping SNAP benefits.
Although the Supreme Court ordered the benefits to be sent out immediately, the executive branch petitioned that order - they wanted to continue halting SNAP - this just doubles down on the heinous act. Not only that, but the Supreme Court allowed a stay for their request.
Thus, all three branches of government were purposely letting people stay hungry.
What does it take to do the right thing these days in America? How much loss? How much pain? How do governing officials dare to call themselves Christian when they so blatantly ignore Christ’s teaching? Their actions are so inhumane.
I hope Thanksgiving this year will bring some enlightenment. Theresa M.
