GOP Congressman’s Defense for Cutting SNAP Benefits: ‘If Anyone Is Not Willing to Work, Let Him Not Eat’
Ignorance is a word I often use to describe many antics of the Republican party. I wish that wasn’t the case and Republicans operated within the same reality that the rest of us seem to reside, but unfortunately that’s too much to ask of many conservatives.
Many of these individuals seem to live on some planet where faith is science, reality is debatable and you’re a “good Christian” by attacking the poor while supporting the rich. You know, basically the complete opposite set of values which the key character in Christianity — Jesus Christ — actually stood for.
So it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise when people like North Dakota Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer publicly prove their utter stupidity. When a constituent posted on Cramer’s Facebook page a long list of Biblical quotes showing the Christian support for feeding the sick, elderly and poor—Cramer decided to respond.
He did so by using another quote from the Bible to justify his vote to cut billions from funding for SNAP benefits. The congressman wrote back on his Facebook page, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
Well, let’s look at that quote, shall we? The keyword I see is “willing” to work. Now granted, I recognize that there’s abuse that goes on as it relates to our government assistance programs, but this blanket statement Republicans often use to act as if the majority of those on government programs are abusing them is simply baseless.
In fact, 76% of households who rely on SNAP benefits include children, the disabled and the elderly. Individuals who might be willing to work, but are simply unable. And that’s where this draconian cut to the SNAP program is reckless and irresponsible.