Coming out of Washington, DC, is news that the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program, also known as SNAP, or Food Stamps, is in BIG trouble starting next March 15th. The program is on schedule to be permanently stopped this coming March, 2015! There just isn't enough federal money to support the old program. According to Department of Agriculture Executive Thomas J. Vilsack there just won't be anymore Food Stamps at all. Not even for people who rely on SNAP as a first necessity to feed their kids.
Last year SNAP cost the government $76.4 Billion, providing food for 47.6 Million people. That's about $133 in food stamps per household. Much of those many Billions of dollars went to people who are stealing these resources and the food from other tables. This Agriculture executive Mr. Vilsack says that in order to reduce costs in 2014 the amount of benefit per household was decreased, but it didn't help.
Mr. Vilsack, in the Department of Agriculture says that abusers of the program, "Painted us into a corner. We knew it was going on, but we didn't see to such extent. A large percentage of people receiving those benefits have under-the-table jobs, don't report their income, and don't pay taxes, either. The money for the program is gone. The White House isn't going to provide any more funds for the program."
Mary Parker, herself of Washington, DC, said to a reporter, "Well, I'm frustrated. It's a damn shame that our government won't step up and feed us. I'm not sure how my kids are going to eat. I might have to go get a job." She was visibly upset that her kids can no longer depend on the federal government for their breakfast, lunches and dinners.
Jim Conrad, of Jersey City, NJ, says differently. "It's about time the government does something about the fraud we all know runs the SNAP programs. My family and friends have all worked their entire lives AND paid their taxes. When we needed help we were too proud to ask and always found a way to take care of our own." This guy was really indignant that 'welfare moms' and illegal immigrants depend on the assistance that the Food Stamp program has often provided. Well, come March 2015, it won't anymore. The whole program will be closed due to insufficient government funding. A sad situation for a lot of people.
Even the President has sounded off on this situation and he once worked for the Department of Agriculture! "The system is obviously broken beyond repair. It is time that American families find their own way and cease depending on federal programs to support them." Obama also said, "We don't know how we are going to be able to help these people in the future. It is likely that they will have to depend on themselves in order to eat."
There is no further comment from officials with the USA Department of Agriculture.
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