SNAP a key part of safety net

Politicians and citizens alike have long acquiesced to the “dog-eat-dog” social Darwinism that holds sway in the U.S. Now, we have moved beyond the predestination practiced by the Puritans to outright viciousness.

SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — popularly known as Food Stamp, though most people use a type of debit card these days — is a vital component of the safety net. It is under fire by the GOP: after all, tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy must be funded by one means or another, and SNAP recipients lack a well-funded lobby able to spread money around to buy influence.

Fortunately, we are better than this. We are the sum of our diverse parts, and most of us realize, on some level, that times are tough, and only getting tougher.

In the Great Depression, people came together to help one another. Now, we are being told to turn on one another by our vaunted “leaders” in D.C.

I would like to be able to say that this is not a partisan issue, but one of sheer decency and compassion. However, one party (and its standard-bearer) is pronounced in its desire to sever the strands of the safety net. We have already lost federal funding for public education at every level and seen responsibilities once the domain of our national government foisted off onto states and municipalities. Or ignored.

I urge readers of good conscience to contact their representative and senators in Washington and register their opinion: save SNAP!

Shelah Riggins

Deer Park