Image by joykennelly via Flickr In the richest nation on earth, nearly 20% of the population can no longer afford to buy enough food for their families. A new study says, one out of every eight Americans is now on Food Stamps. Yet there is talk among Washington politicians that budget cuts should take aim at the poorest Americans.
Former Republican House Leader, Newt Gingrich, recently said, “This year, the House Republican’s Pledge to America has set the stage for a powerful, symbolic closing argument for candidates seeking to unseat the left-wing, big spending, job killing Democrats: paychecks versus food stamps. It is an unassailable fact that in June, more food stamps were distributed by the government than ever before in American history. Which future do I want? More food stamps? Or more paychecks?” according to Politico.
Americans dependent on Food Stamps to keep from starving are hoping that Mr. Gingrich does not get the future he wants.
The Huffington Post said, “A staggering 18 percent of Americans surveyed last month said there have been times over the past year when they could not afford to put food on the table, recent Gallup data shows.”
The divide between the Republican anti-government entitlement agenda, and traditional Democratic safety net policy could not be wider. As Republicans prepare to take control of the House of Representatives in January, the ultra-conservative leadership more likely to cut the Food Stamp program. If that happens, 20% of the American population may actually starve.
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