WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2010 -USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon emphasized the results of an annual report released today by USDA's Economic Research Service that demonstrate that federal nutrition assistance food programs are providing a valuable safety net to the most vulnerable Americans. The report "Food Security in the United States 2009" found that 17.4 million households in America had difficulty providing enough food due to a lack of resources, about the same as in 2008.
17.4 million households.
And what is the GOP response? Here it is in a perfect 'nut'shell, from Robert Rector, a poverty expert with the Heritage Foundation:
"It's regrettable that these households have temporary food shortages that mean they have to eat less in a given day or given week," he says. "But it is certainly not a condition of chronic under-nutrition or chronic food shortages."
And he says he worries that what might be a temporary setback for some families, will lead to a permanent increase in government spending on food aid.
"It's regrettable."
We're not talking about people skipping a meal in order to shed a little weight, asshat. We're talking about SNAP, which provides assistance to make sure that one-in-four children doesn't go hungry.
"It's regrettable."
Yeah, it is. How about we put your family on SNAP and see how well you can survive, dipshit. Have you need to scramble to locate enough food for your kids from whatever source. See how you like it when you find out that without your Wingnut Welfare it's a hard life out there in the US.
I'm lucky. We've never been forced to resort to seek out assistance for food insecurity. But I know others who have. It ain't easy. And conservative pricks like this idiot are worried that we may expand government spending and make it a little bit easier on those fellow citizens who need help.
"It's regrettable."
Yeah, it is, regrettable that pompous asses like you get any attention at all, let alone have the political power that you do.
If this pisses you off as much as it does me, let your congressional representatives know. And donate to your local food bank if you can.
Jim Downey