Republican Food Fight Against the Needy Must End

Republican members of Congress have forced nearly 50 million American men, women, and children into near-starvation by cutting food stamps allowances for those in need to about $1.40 per meal. Consider for the moment what you could afford to buy for $1.40. One dozen eggs at about $1.40/dz. would provide breakfast for about one week, without bread or milk. You still need 21 more meals including lunches and dinners and have $37.80 left for those meals. That amount could provide and soup, beans, and possibly bread or crackers if you spend frugally.Fifty two weeks a year you and other family members in your household would be eligible for $1,495.20 each in food stamps. If you were a member of Congress that is the amount of money you would receive for less than three days of work (assuming 52 weeks per year of actual work). Typically members of Congress spend fewer than 100 days annually working in Washington and receive bountiful allowances for travel when travelling for "official business". Obviously Congressional Republicans and Democrats can feast abundantly daily spending a small part of their $175,000, minimum, annual pay. In addition food and living expenses perks fatten their gastronomical desire so that they do not have to hesitate to satisfy appetites with haute cuisine whenever they decide. Spending $50 for dinner is low ball when in Washington such a meal can easily exceed $100 even without booze. Despite their plush pay from taxpayers, that exceeds or is about equal to the top 5% income level, the Congressional Republicans believe that $1.40 per meal is more than adequate for nearly 50 million Americans who earn less than about $9/hr., per family member (including adults and dependent children). Furthermore, Congress establishes their pay, without consulting their voters who are responsible for hiring them as Members of Congress. When was the last time you told your boss what to pay you? Would that ploy have resulted in a pay raise? Members of Congress do not ask anyone and they are not bashful about maxing out per limits of the Constitution. Since 2003 the typical Congressional members pay has increased by over $20,000 annually. This pay increase exceeds the annual individual income of approximately 100,000,000 Americans (about 30% of our population). After absorbing the reality above do you approve the Republican plan to cut food stamp allowances for needy Americans? If you do then support Republicans who will abuse your frugality and continue to try to cut food allowance for needy Americans. If you are like me and reject the Republican's assault on needy Americans than for candidates who believe that the minimum wage must be increased to over $12/hr., and then food stamp eligibility can be adjusted accordingly dependent upon food prices that provide adequate nutrition. Otherwise food stamp allowances must be increased, not reduced or eliminated as Republican desire. The Republican food fight against needy Americans must end, and all Americans must have adequate nutrition regardless of income, and if necessary with federal and/or state income supplements.