Writing this now, when I have no idea how the government shutdown will end or if it will, I still feel strongly about some cultural issues that I feel Americans should consider. There are programs that will not be funded. How many of us understand what they are? Or how they impact the lives of others.
The first one on my mind is what the government now calls SNAP, which used to be food stamps, and when I was a girl, it handed out food from warehouses where people stood in line. I saw the lines but never was in one, but I thought they gave out basic food needs like bread, vegetables, cheese, and I don't know what else.
Today, Snap means Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. Except now they are talking about children going hungry. Does not sound like supplemental nutrition, but rather what I thought Food Stamps used to mean, which could be total food costs.
Who should we blame for the government scaring families like this, which I consider cultural? I'd say both parties who care more about their political power than families.
Turns out one of my relatives works for checking food programs in at least one part of Washington to be sure it's legitimate, which sounds like all anyone can do and reassures me.
But, I also was told by someone who gets SNAP that when they use it for food, and not all of it, the cashier gives them back cash. That means they could use that for forbidden items like cigarettes or alcohol. Nutritional Supplements?
What does not reassure me, with its loss, is the SNAP programs are also helping to fund local food banks or even stores to help the less advantaged to get food. This is a big deal and makes me angry that fear is trying to be used with evidently 42 million people in the programs. If they are the elderly, disabled or those with children, that sounds right that they should receive it.
Is that all that get it places they might not be checking? And even, if so, why are so many suffering in our system? I know what some claim... tax more to the rich, but I don't know that it's so simple and political power might play more of a role than it should. Besides, what does it mean when people must depend on government, where it's so vague what the "government" actually does.
With the government shut down, evidently it will also impact airlines. That means controllers are not being funded by the ticket purchasers. This is about to majorly inconvenience those who need to fly. If it lasts until Thanksgiving, this will not only impact families but also the airlines.
The military will be funded by a billionaire's donations, which is not reassuring for a budget that already is massively in debt? What is going on and how many of us have any idea? I sure do not, and I fear that many do not want to know!
There are a lot of other programs that have been intended to figure out nature's needs, not to mention the park services. Where is the money going? I ask again.
We know the Congress made sure they get paid even when they refused to fund the country or figure out what needs funding. They don't seem even embarrassed in protecting themselves over others. It's very disappointing, but nothing more for me than children going hungry. Do the people we elect to Congress care about anything, but power for themselves-- that means both sides.
If the government cares about doing what is right for American citizens, which lately I tend to doubt, end the filibuster. It used to make sense when someone like Senator Morse could speak for hours to justify his position. They got lazy and now all it takes is one to say-- I filibuster to mean a simple majority is not enough. If Americans want one party or the other to be in power for that simple majority-- vote. But as it stands, it seems to me the filibuster just avoids responsibility. Get rid of the meaningless filibuster that enables them to avoid their duties.
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