Farm Bill and Food Stamp Cuts

When the House recently voted against the farm bill it was viewed along political lines and that is unfortunate. I don’t claim to understand all the ins and outs of all the farm bill but was is clear that the food stamp program was a critical factor.

The bill’s intent was to cut about $40 billion; about half of those cuts were to food programs. I hear a lot one-liners about undeserving food stamp recipients but this is bigger than some abusers of the program.

A synopsis of the program show that cuts in the House farm bill would leave 1.8 million people without food stamps and eliminate 210,000 children from school breakfast and lunch programs. Some of the children might find other paths for free or reduced lunches.

When Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, and Peter said he did, Jesus said, “Feed my sheep/lambs.” Three times this was asked and three times Jesus responded with “feed my sheep.” [John 21: 15-17. That is the way we respond to God’s love, by caring for each other, by working for the common good.

It doesn’t matter if you are liberal or conservative here; the problem is caring for people in need in this country. Our public servants are supposed to do that regardless of party. Tell your representatives to do their job. Forget the lobbyists and conflicting ideologies just solve the problem for the common good.