Webster County, WV, 'Food Aid Curbs Sought By Republicans Would Hit Rural Poor'

[appalachiablue]

"Food Aid Curbs Sought By Republicans Would Hit Rural Poor," Reuters, June 15, 2018.

WEBSTER COUNTY, W.Va. (Reuters) - Bruce Green’s family of six scratches out a living in this remote, politically conservative corner of the Appalachian Mountains thanks in part to about $600 a month in U.S. food aid. For the Greens and other rural Americans who get nutrition assistance, making ends meet could get tougher if Republicans in Washington, including President Donald Trump, carry out plans to make it harder to qualify for food aid.

“If I lose even $100 of that, it would be devastating,” said Green, 35, a registered independent voter who said he “leans conservative.” He earns $23,000 annually as a county appraiser. Green’s wife Barbara stays home with their four children.

A Republican plan to curb food aid is under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a broad farm bill. Its future is uncertain, with Democrats opposed to it. A farm bill in the U.S. Senate proposes no major food aid changes. The House plan is an initial step in a welfare-cutting push by Republicans that could play out for years if the party keeps control of Congress in November’s midterm election. Should it become law, about 1.2 million fewer individuals would receive benefits monthly by 2028, nonpartisan congressional budget analysts estimated.

After approving tax cuts in December that are projected to add $1.9 trillion to the U.S. debt over a decade, Republicans, led by Trump, want to trim the social safety net. That includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. SNAP helps feed more than 40 million Americans each month by supplying recipients with debit cards good only for food purchases. That is 12 percent of the total U.S. population. Republicans say an improving economy means fewer Americans need help from SNAP.

Republican support from low-income voters: President Donald Trump received support from greater proportions of both lower-income voters and less-educated voters than the two previous Republican presidential candidates, John McCain and Mitt Romney...con't..

Read More: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-food-aid/food-aid-curbs-sought-by-republicans-would-hit-rural-poor-idUSKBN1JB13D

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster_County,_West_Virginia

[atreides1]

1. I have no sympathy for Mr Green

His children, maybe his wife...but for him I got nothing!!!

[bearsfootball516]

2. Same.

Making $23,000 a year, has four kids and votes for the party that wants to slash aid to the poor? You can't fix stupid.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. By what measure are repugs claiming that the economy is improving for these ...

people & their families, when I bet you that in 90% of the cases, they are actually not improving (w/ costs increasing across the board, etc., I'd say they are getting worse)?

I am not being cruel, but I say, go ahead, cut the SNAP payments and see what really happens to these unfortunate people (repugs and dems) who are literally trapped in this vicious cycle of proverty. Both sides have a sizable % of voters who are poor, and need help. Doesn't matter what party you're in, you're hungry whether you're dem or repug.

What's needs to really be communicated here and hard, is that bread and butter issues matter, and not the stupid usual repug drivel and nonsense of tax cuts (and basically no help in keeping my tabletop full of food). All I have heard is tax cuts etc. etc. etc., and then, nothing afterwards. You know why? Because nothing did happen (for us at least, for companies and the 1%, it's a different story). At least the dems helped put a little food on my table.

I look eagerly on the numerous new female candidates coming up for elections, as well as the male candidates of course, who are, in fact, pounding upon these bread and butter issues, and it's working w/ voters. The repugs are already attempting to change their tune (from tax cuts to ???), but haven't discovered any relevant issues other than harping w/ rump, which is a very poor issue to run on since rump is so unpopular w/ a very large % of voters. By the time repugs find a 'valid' issue to use (vs. the 2018 tax cuts), it'll be way too late.

Keep pounding away, point to your empty table top, and point out the issues you still have, in keeping it full.