Defunding, Defending Food Stamps

THE UNITED STATES HOUSE of Representatives could arguably, in its current composition, be called "deranged" even on its best day, but has now outdone itself in meaningless madness. Last Thursday it voted, by about a ten vote margin, to leave food stamps out of the new fram bill, and thus, the federal budget. That's right, leaving out food stamps, all forty seven billion dollars of them, roughly. This is not a cut, this is a complete defunding. AS you might suppose, all of the votes to defund food stamps came from republicans, and all the votes against defunding the program came from democrats, plus ten intrepid, tea party defying republicans. Conservatives, up to their usual tricks, following in the fateful footsteps of John Boehner. As if republicans in congress aren't unpopular enough already. Boehner and his ultra conservative ilk must have a political death wish. There is no way in hell this can possibly stand up in the Senate, which has thus far avoided descendining into derangement, knock on wood; food stamps will be funded fully, after the usual attention seeking political fight. Otherwise, about one seventh of the American people will rise up in rebellion. Food stamp benefits were just recently cut back, as both democrats and republicans in both houses refused to negate temporary increases which expired automatically. The funny thing is, according to reliable studies, many of the people on food stamps call themselves "republicans". True, many more democrats than republicans use food stamps, which figures, because most poor people are democrats. But the republicans are in line too, and if you could interview all forty seven million Americans on food stamps, you might be amazed at how many of them have a compelling and convincing story to tell as to why, and, in most cases, it has nothing to do with laziness, stupidity, or bad personal decisions. Equally interesing is that half of the people on food stamps describe themselves as "conservatives", and half "liberal". Conservatives who are in need do not seem to let their devotion to the self sufficient values of conservatism stop them from seeking and accepting the government help they need. One way or another, the delusional folks in congress will come to their senses; the conservatives in congress are simply having a tantrum over losing the battle of Obamacare, and the fear of losing political power always outweighs party principles.