US Congress Finds Money for War, Not Food
AP reports that small grocers are feeling the pinch as 42 million Americans lose SNAP benefits due to an alleged government shutdown. The proprietor, Ryan Sprankle, highlights the 'inhumane' lack of empathy from lawmakers. Meanwhile, the same legislative body that 'struggles' to fund domestic nutrition programs just voted overwhelmingly to send billions in military aid abroad. (One might wonder
which bills get rushed through with bipartisan support.) While SNAP recipients and small businesses grapple with the consequences, the legislative dance around essential domestic programs is almost as predictable as the immediate approval of foreign military packages. One could argue the crisis for working Americans is simply collateral damage in a political game where 'fiscal responsibility' is
selectively applied. After all, how many Americans taking an empty SNAP card to a grocery store have Representatives who just took five-figure donations from groups like AIPAC, who then happily vote to funnel billions into foreign wars? That question, apparently, is 'above their paygrade.'