President Trump has stated that he does not want American citizens to go hungry, yet he attributes the issue to Democrats. Meanwhile, a court has mandated payments to affected individuals using contingency funds, but the government is grappling with a funding shortfall exceeding $4 billion. On the other side, Democrats are unwilling to compromise on healthcare benefits, which has contributed to the government shutdown. Ultimately, the true victims of this crisis are ordinary citizens. Legal proceedings are inherently protracted, but hunger cannot be deferred. Irrespective of partisan blame or justifications, I hold the current administration accountable for the ensuing chaos. The public elected them to resolve such problems, not to offer excuses. It is imperative that they either deliver results or step aside.

Suzzy

I personally cannot think of a single more stupid argument than those that place the blame for cut SNAP benefits on individuals who rely on this lifesaving access to food for themselves and their families. Out of ALL the things our government spends money on every year: useless wars abroad, unfinished infrastructure, continued benefits for Congress while the American people starve, the one thing that I do not care about being done with my taxes is using them to feed hungry kids. Why should children in poverty suffer because you don’t have basic empathy for individuals in hard situations? My mother and all of her siblings were raised on the poverty line; not because they didn’t work hard, not because they weren’t motivated, but simply because they had no other choice. In order to survive, they relied on local churches and food programs. It is wonderful to know that others have a charitable spirit like this, but this should not be the reality for the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits yearly. Maybe our government should focus on making groceries and housing more affordable rather than letting lower-income Americans take the fall yet again.

Isabella