There a many great quotes that could have been the title of this diary.
Like
I know you probably believe the only true starving people in the world have flies buzzing around their eyes while they wallow away, near-lifeless in gutters.
But that's a bit too long. Or
Why am I on food stamps? ... because I would very much enjoy not starving.
But I only get one choice. You get to pick and choose the diaries you read.
Below the Horn of Kos are excerpts from Jason's story.
My Name Is Jason, I’m A 35-Yr-Old White Male Combat Veteran…And I’m On Food Stamps
My name is Jason. I turned 35 less than a week ago.... I just spent the last three years in the military, one of which consisted of a combat tour of Afghanistan.
Oh, and I’m now on food stamps.
Why am I on food stamps?
The same reason everyone on food stamps is on food stamps: because I would very much enjoy not starving. I mean, if that’s okay with you:
Mr. or Mrs. Republican congressman... Mr. or Mrs. “fiscal conservative, reason-based” libertarian.
...
I do apologize for burdening you on the checkout line with real-life images of American-style poverty. I know you probably believe the only true starving people in the world have flies buzzing around their eyes while they wallow away, near-lifeless in gutters.
...
The whole concept is un-American. People living here, in the greatest country on Earth, with the most abundant resources, should be forced to go hungry because of the intellectual notion of fiscal conservatism and the ideological notion of self-reliance.
...
Anyone who genuinely supports cutting food stamps is not an intellectual or an ideologue – they’re a bully. And nobody likes a bully. Except other bullies.
It’s time for regular Americans to stand up to these bullies. Not cower in the corner, ashamed of needing help. Because if there’s one thing life has taught me, it’s that you never know when you’ll be the one in need.
You can read the entire beautiful essay here.
In the essay, beyond lambasting the austerity mavens of the right for looking down on those getting SNAP, he describes spouses of active duty military shopping on base with food stamps... Which makes about as much sense as Walmart employees needing food stamps!
Indeed, I echo his thought: what kind of country is this, where those actively serving their country don't even earn enough to provide for their families?
Something is rotten, and it's not in Denmark.