Those citing 42 million as the number of people affected by the pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits intend to shock us. But the actual number affected is even more shocking. It is 342 million. All of us.

The halt to SNAP benefits touches those dining tonight at a gourmet restaurant as much as those choosing whether to pay for food, rent, or medication. When we bury our fear of future unemployment or Social Security insolvency by ignoring those who already have lost their income, it affects us. It affects us when we lose a bit of our humanity by allowing children who grew up hungry to be tried as adults when their despair of opportunity drives them to crime.

It affects us when we are so fearful of those we label as unworthy that we support gerrymandered voti

See Full Page