Restoring SNAP isn’t going to fix the situation

SNAP is set to run out of money on November 1 thanks to the federal government shut down. Our elected officials are doing what they do best in light of the situation- blame the other side.

I have a long history in politics, having worked for elected officials, in partisan political campaigns, and more. One of the many things I learned from these experiences is that professional political people often see issues as abstract issues where political points can be scored to help earn votes or raise money. They lose sight of the reality that issues are more than just verbal rhetorical battlegrounds. They lose sight of the real world impact that occurs – especially on the poorest and marginalized in society.

They lose sight because the world of politics is insular. It is a bubble that is often unaffected by the problems of the world, unless there is a direct threat upon the political bubble.

I was recently asked how the SNAP cuts are going to impact people. The simple answer is “I don’t know.” But I do know that cutting SNAP is not going to have a positive impact. In fact, I think it is fair to say that these cuts will push people who are already struggling further down. And restoring SNAP won’t bring people back to where they currently are. It will stop the bleed, but keep them pushed down.

People need to eat and they will figure out how to get food. But this is where the ripple effect takes place. People will use what money they have for food. But where does that money come from? It’s money that they are pulling from other bills that they have to pay – rent, transportation, utilities, etc. It’s a matter of paying for something now by robbing from another bill that will need to be paid soon. At some point you run out of bills to pull from. And that’s when things really start to speed up, and not in a good way. Whatever facade of control that people think they have breaks down.

What do you do when your vehicle needs a repair or new tires because you have been putting off necessary maintenance. And you need that vehicle in order to get to your job. And what happens when you get sick and can’t go to work? That’s assuming you have insurance. And what happens when you have put off the electric company month after month and they are finally cut off your electricity. And that’s just a few scenarios. And often, these type of situations aren’t one situation for a person. They usually build on another for a person or family. Imagine having that kind of stress build on you.

Restoring SNAP is important because it will help prevent some people from falling down into a worse situation. But it won’t fix people’s problems.

Let me set this straight – the generalizations and stereotypes about people who utilize SNAP are just not true. But that’s true of poverty in general. A good portion of people on SNAP are working already. And the remaining folks are often unable to work for a number of reasons – legitimate reasons. People in poverty are not lazy. Being in poverty is exhausting. Trying to figure out how you are going to pay your bills every day, or figure out what you are eating tonight, or where you are staying, or how you are going to get needed medication, or how you are going to get to work, or all of those combined is exhausting.

I learned many years ago that the only time that exists for someone in poverty is the present. Which makes sense if you are spending all your time trying to survive.

Restoring SNAP won’t solve the problems of poverty. But it will help prevent making matters worse.

And this isn’t just about the people in poverty. Poverty is never a solitary experience. These SNAP cuts also impact non-profits and service organizations and churches who help people. They have to figure out how to help people where to get the extra resources for the increase in need.

Lastly, I want to say something to the people who make comments that are dehumanizing or ungracious to those in poverty, or cheer on cruelty towards fellow humans, or only care about their own wellbeing and think that these cuts are not going to have an impact on themselves since they don’t receive SNAP. I see past your facade, your macho attitude, your cruel comments, your lack of empathy. You are afraid. I know you aren’t going to admit it. I frankly don’t care if you do or not. But I don’t buy your attitude. Because here’s what I know – you’re much closer to poverty than you want to admit. You are just one medical incident away, or one job loss, or the death of a loved one, or a cancer diagnosis, or an accident, or any number of things that happen in life to people. And all these things are beyond any of our control. Your facade of control is as empty as your words. And they will fall away quickly. It’s just a matter of time. At some point one of two things happens to every person – no matter how independent and tough a person might be. First – you’ll get old. And when you get old, you need other people, you need support, you need this because you can’t do it any more. Second – you’ll die. So much for your independence and toughness.

SNAP isn’t the solution to poverty, but it does help prevent poverty becoming worse. And we’re all much closer to needing it than any of us want to admit. And more importantly, even if these SNAP cuts don’t directly impact us, they will affect us indirectly. We’re just shooting ourselves in the foot by keeping the cuts going longer.