By Donna Pususta Neste
Wisc. Rep. Paul Ryan sponsored a budget bill in the federal House of Representatives last year that would have:
- increased military spending,
- cut taxes for millionaires,
- raised Middle ”“class taxes
- plunged millions more into poverty
- by cutting SNAP (food stamps),
- the Women Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC),
- the Low Income Tax Credit
- all other Federal Gov”'t-funded nutrition.
Not only did he propose to cut SNAP, but also convert to Block Grant. The beauty of SNAP is that it contracts and expands as needed. America would have experienced widespread hunger in these economic tough times if SNAP had been “block granted”, because Block Grants are limited and States often do not spend “block granted” funds on the programs for intended. Thankfully the Ryan budget did not pass in 2011.
“However, this past week Representative Ryan reintroduced his budget in the House of Representatives”. Bob Greenstein, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, president, said that the Ryan budget “would likely produce the largest redistribution of income from the bottom to the top in modern U.S. history and likely increase poverty and inequality more than any other budget in recent times, (and possibly the nation”'s history).” He called it “Robin Hood in reverse.”
Tell Minnesota 5th Dist. Rep. Keith Ellison your opinion IMMEDIATELY!
Rep.Keith Ellison, is sponsoring an alternative budget that will cut our nations deficit, without cutting programs that benefit the most vulnerable in our society. He needs our support. Use toll-free (1-800-826-3688) and ask connection to his office. Ask him not to let Congress cut the programs that protect the most vulnerable, like SNAP, WIC, the School Lunch Program, and the Low Income Tax Credit, (the most beneficial program for the working poor, that pulled 5 million Americans out of poverty last year).
