That’s right, folks, Santorum has reasoned hunger away and found a way to save some money without taxing the rich! Why didn’t anyone else realize it could be that easy?
Well, for starters, because it isn’t.
With that one statement, Santorum demonstrated his complete misunderstanding of poverty and hunger. It’s simply a well established fact that the same population can suffer from obesity and hunger simultaneously. Memphis, unfortunately, is a good example of this phenomenon. As we’ve stated before on this blog, Memphis tops the nation in hunger and obesity. This seems paradoxical at first, but it’s actually not that complicated.
When Americans join the SNAP program, this means that they do not have the income necessary to feed themselves and their families. There is no shame in that. We believe (or at least many of us do) that not a single American should starve. Therefore, SNAP is meant to fill the gaps in household income so that every family can feed itself.
Unfortunately, hunger in American is not as simple as not having enough to eat. Many of our poorest and hungriest citizens live in food desserts, which are areas with minimal to no access to fresh food. In food deserts, corner stores are often the only locations where food stamps can be used, and their fare is often less than nutritious.
So, in one way, SNAP is a very good thing. It keeps Americans from starving. In fact, the number of Americans participating in SNAP has increased by approximately 20 million since 2007! Without a doubt, SNAP has saved lives.
But the program is also hindered by malfunctions in our food system, the prevalence of food desserts being only one of these. Therefore, we don't need to eliminate SNAP, we need to ensure that those who use food stamps have access to fresh and healthy food.
So, Rick Santorum should keep his well-fed mouth closed next time he thinks he’s reasoned hunger away. He just lost the support of the over 44 million Americans on SNAP, as well as all those who believe that America can, and should, eliminate hunger through real change – not sophistry.
When Americans join the SNAP program, this means that they do not have the income necessary to feed themselves and their families. There is no shame in that. We believe (or at least many of us do) that not a single American should starve. Therefore, SNAP is meant to fill the gaps in household income so that every family can feed itself.
Unfortunately, hunger in American is not as simple as not having enough to eat. Many of our poorest and hungriest citizens live in food desserts, which are areas with minimal to no access to fresh food. In food deserts, corner stores are often the only locations where food stamps can be used, and their fare is often less than nutritious.
So, in one way, SNAP is a very good thing. It keeps Americans from starving. In fact, the number of Americans participating in SNAP has increased by approximately 20 million since 2007! Without a doubt, SNAP has saved lives.
But the program is also hindered by malfunctions in our food system, the prevalence of food desserts being only one of these. Therefore, we don't need to eliminate SNAP, we need to ensure that those who use food stamps have access to fresh and healthy food.
So, Rick Santorum should keep his well-fed mouth closed next time he thinks he’s reasoned hunger away. He just lost the support of the over 44 million Americans on SNAP, as well as all those who believe that America can, and should, eliminate hunger through real change – not sophistry.
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