By John Q. Hosedrinker 
As a result of the ongoing government shutdown, Americans relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) face potential benefit cuts. While a federal judge has prevented the complete suspension of SNAP, the Trump administration has indicated that enrollees may only receive half of their usual benefits. The Guardian’s investigation revealed that many SNAP recipients, including the elderly, disabled, and those with health issues, are deeply concerned about the ramifications, fearing difficulty affording food and essential items. Many respondents voiced harsh criticism of the potential cuts, as they struggle with difficult choices between food and other necessities.
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Americans are supposedly “dumbfounded by cruelty” of Trump officials slashing SNAP benefits, a headline that, frankly, seems a bit off the mark. If anyone is truly surprised, they haven’t been paying attention. It’s hard to imagine being shocked by actions that have been foreshadowed for years. The pattern has been clear: those associated with the former president and his allies consistently prioritize policies that seem to inflict suffering on vulnerable populations.
The notion that anyone is dumbfounded seems especially ironic considering the context. There’s a particular kind of violence, as Robert F. Kennedy so eloquently stated, that is slower, more insidious, but just as devastating as any act of physical violence. It manifests in the indifference and inaction of institutions, particularly those that are supposed to provide a safety net for those in need. To be surprised by policies that dismantle this safety net is to ignore the fundamental ideology driving these actions. The goal has always been quite clear: fragment the national unity, and consolidate power for the benefit of a select few. The most vulnerable in society, as usual, are the ones who bear the brunt of these actions.
The phrase “Cruelty is the Point” is more appropriate. Trump and his supporters seem to revel in the suffering of others. It’s a core tenet of their ideology, not a bug, and anyone who’s still in denial about this fact needs a reality check. The same people who complain about the state of the country and then vote for leaders and policies that consistently make things worse are experiencing “LeopardsAteMyFace” moments. To repeatedly vote for the same people, knowing the results will be the same, is not just naive – it’s self-destructive.
The political maneuvering is also revealing. The administration seems keen on cutting programs and slashing benefits. It is no surprise they would take actions to undermine the SNAP program. When judges try to stop them, they are branded as activists. But when those same judges are forced to provide SNAP benefits, it’s a completely different tune. It’s a blatant manipulation of the system to achieve their desired outcome – the dismantling of social programs and the consolidation of power. This is the goal; it has been all along.
The cutting of benefits isn’t just a political move; it’s a deliberate act. It’s an indictment of the priorities of the current regime, one that seems intent on rewarding the wealthy while punishing the poor and working class. It is hard to feel sympathy for people who vote for such policies and then claim to be shocked when those policies negatively affect them.
The truth is that Republicans, in particular, have never really put forth policies that help those making less than $400,000 a year. All of the programs and laws helping the vulnerable have come about through long battles with Democrats. The Republicans, when they get the chance, do their damnedest to tear down that social safety net.
This is a stark reminder of the consequences of political choices. Anyone who continues to vote for these policies is a fool. This is not a matter of surprise; it is a matter of understanding the ideologies and motivations of those in power. It’s a matter of recognizing a pattern and understanding that it’s not an accident or a misunderstanding of intent, but a core component of the plan.
If anything, it’s the lack of surprise that is the prevailing sentiment. People have been warning about this for years. Those who are still surprised, need to start paying attention.