A Week In Review - August 10th 2013

 Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. I apologize for not having this posted earlier. I have this darn persistent fever… nothing high… like 102… just between 99.8 and 100.4. My doctor thinks I… that the bone grafts… that never ‘knitted’ have developed and infection. I am supposed to go in for blood tests. However, that would take most of a day. That means I would miss another day writing and posting.

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I already am going to be gone most of the day Tuesday the 13^th. I cannot afford to be gone another day this week. Sorry about that, I am a little off and… dizzy. Anyway, here is this week’s

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‘A Week In Review’ Enjoy!

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• Sunday Funnies August 4th, 2013 : “Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. If it is Sunday then it is time for ‘Sunday Funnies’! Today I have one of my favorite antics by Alexander. He just loves curly fries from Arby’s. This is a short of Alexander absconding with most of my curly fries, just the other night.” If it wasn’t for Alexander I would never smile, anymore. He loves me so deeply. I swear that he is self-aware. I know that nobody believes that, but I can see it in his eyes. Also, he SEES himself in the mirror in the bathroom. He will be on my shoulder, and I stand in front of the mirror… call out his name and wave. Looking directly into the mirror into his eyes… and he talks to me. He even reaches over and licks my face… like a dog. I really hope my health holds up until I get this book finished. At least the first one.


• Today? Danny SAVED LIVES! : “Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe and a very special article all about me. As most of you know the building I live in has been sold. The building was sold to foreign interests with offices in Los Angeles. They have kicked everyone but the long term residents out, with only days to a week notice. They took away our dumpsters before providing replacements.” I know that nobody believes me. However, I did get the work in the pool STOPPED. All they were going to do is; repair the rebar, fill in the hole under the broken pool foundation and pour in cement. THAT would have failed! See, the ground under the pool has been exposed to; rain, weather, settling, and erosion for three years. There is no way they could have compacted the soil enough to support the pool’s weight and volume of water by just ‘backfilling’. As well, the foundation of a pool (as far as I was told and educated) must be one pour. The foundation must support ten tons of water and the kenetic energy ccreated by thirty to forty people playing in the water. I looked at the crappy way they were trying to repair… and I saw THIS. I saw the ‘repaired’ holes giving way… water pouring through the holes past broken and sharp rebar. I saw people even CHILDREN getting sucked through the broken rebar and concrete down into the hole. I saw it in my mind’s eye and it made me sick! What kind of ‘person’ places the lives of innocent people and children in jeopardy… to save some money? Not ME! FYI The inspector agreed with me… and told me so over the phone.


• August 6th, 2013 Danny’s Update : “Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. Today I am in extreme pain, but I cannot just leave everyone in the dark. I am working with the Nuance Dragon Speech software… and I doubt I will have a chance to correct. Please overlook the… errors. At least just this once.” Dark days and pain. The pain hasn’t stopped… hardly relented. It is intractable... but if I do not write people will not help. So, I work through the pain and pray that I get the financial support I need. Tuesday I have a new MRI. I will try to get the results and share them here @ The Other Shoe.


• Unbridled Capitalism vs. Human Strife: “Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. Today I am going to write about a concern I am facing with regarding my publications at The Other Shoe. I like to write about news and policy that strikes a personal note, to me. Policy that effects my life, or the lives of people close to me. For the past three years I have written articles on a myriad of subjects. I have never written any article just to lambast a party or political party member.” And I succeeded. I did not bash any party or member of a political party. I kept my word, and I will continue to do my level best to keep my articles about policy and not attack a party. It is interesting that this is a topic all over the net… this week. It was the focus of two speeches by the new Pope Francis. I think it is time that we, the American people, renewed our societal obligation to the poor. ““A society that “does not pay a just wage”, that “does not give work” to people; a society that “that only looks to its balance books, that only seeks profit” is unjust and goes against God.” From Vatican Radio’s broadcast of a speech from Pope Francis.


• Digging Deep For Content… And A Horrifying Dream: “I was… in a public library. I had my notebook computer… the one that I write everything I post on… and… there were parts to the notebook missing. I was desperate to write… to publish… to entertain you, My Dear Readers, but my computer would not work. There were external drives missing… and a power cord or two. I was frantic, in the dream, to get my notebook working and begin to write. In the dream… I had envisioned a scene from ‘The Adventures of Princess Nadia’ in my head. I was desperate to write it down… before it left my head. I couldn’t… my computer would not work…” I awoke covered in sweat and shaking. I am having dreams, just like this, often… now. I haven’t dreamed, like this, in years and years. Honestly… ALL I want is a new place to live. Nothing fancy… just not on the street. I promise.. I am not using the money you donate for; booze, drugs, parties, or even fun. I pinch every penny till it screams for mercy. I have not been to see a moive in ten years. I am using the same glasses I got seven years ago. I don’t allow myself any fun.I just am so scared to death of… being homeless. In my condition? Being homeless would = death. If you can… please do help. Thank you!


• A Word of “Thanks!” To My Indiegogo Campaign Contributors : “I have just posted my “Thank you!” to ‘Anonymous’ for their contribution of $100. This contribution takes the campaign one BIG step forward towards our goal. For that, I am, eternally grateful. This contribution couldn’t have come at a better time. As many of you might have noticed, those that read my works @ The Other Shoe, I was getting pretty blue.” I still have no idea who it was that gave that fateful $100 contribution that put me within striking distance of $1,000.00. I cannot pick up things… I cannot move alone. I have never paid movers… now I must. This is not a happy time. I am deeply embarrassed… ashamed. I just want to have the funds to move… to another crapy motel.. if that be my fate. I genuinely appreciate everything… every contribution is a gift from God. I hope that I make it… Make enough to pay for movers… a truck and enough to get a new room. I honestly??? Pray endlessly… that I get enough to get the punk OUT of California. I doubt it will happen. I am not that fortunate. I can wish… right?


• Where Have All the Honeybees Gone?: “Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. It is not often that I get an opportunity like this, My Dear Readers, I am glad this is happened on the weekend. Being on the weekend I have the chance to reach the largest number of readers. I know this by looking at my traffic reports. A side note, I have been working on original content ever so diligently for the past six weeks. In so doing I have neglected my responsibility of providing traffic reports for The Other Shoe. That changes this weekend I promise you.” I really hope to feel good enough to get together the traffic reports. I have already looked at them… they are impressive. Just last week; TWELVE articles in seven days… FIVE HUNDERED ‘likes’ and nearly a thousand visitors. The campaign now has 300+ Likes… Anyway, this article about bees! Is really good. Time has an article out, this week, about the problem. There are two really good documentaries at Netflix about it as well. This problem is only getting worse… every year. I do not think the majority of Americans fully comprehend just what this means to FOOD! This is just the tip of the iceberg… IMHO. Just waiting for The Other Shoe to Drop! J

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I was hoping to have finished my article about Education. It is just not going to happen. I am needing to rest… so that maybe I can get out ‘Sunday Funnies’ tomorrow. I apologize for my shortcomings. I have so many… My Dear Readers. And you mean the world to me. For the past six weeks I have pushed past; fever, pain, depression, pain, limited movement, lack of food, and (did I mention) pain.

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I will do my best to keep prodding and writing and publishing. I PROMISE!

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As always, I am deeply honored that you come here to read my work. I have no words to share that accurately convey the honor I feel when I see the ‘Likes’ and ‘Shares’. I can only hope that I do your time and efforts the respect and honor they deserve. So long as there is breath in my lungs… and at least one hand works. I will continue to write and publish. “Thank YOU!”

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I ask your indulgence, once again. I am getting so close to my goal. If you have the time… and the money. Would you please consider assisting me? Just click on the widget below… and donate to help me move. There is still the 50^th Anniversary Disneyland Dessert Plates and Pins available as perks. Either one would put me over my first MAJOR milestone in the campaign. Again…

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THANK YOU!

Please Share & Help?!?

Why Must Congress Cut Food Stamps... NOW?

Today I saw an article, at MSNBC, that caught my eye… then it hurt… me. This article will be a test. A test of my abilities. As a writer, and as a humanist. The test? Can I write an article about policy and leave out the politics. This is a very important challenge for me. Let me tell you why.

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I was born, raised and educated in South-East Texas. Pearland to be exact. I am a proud Texan. However, when I was a boy, in Texas, the state was ‘Blue’. Meaning that more than not, at that time, Texans voted Democrat. When America elected John F. Kennedy they also elected a Democrat Vice President named Lyndon Baines Johnson. LBJ was, at the time, the epitome of a Texan. He was larger than life, had a deep accent, a voice that was both deep and thoughtful. And hands… Well, let me you a short story. When I was six or seven, when the honor I did have, to meet LBJ. I was with my father, my BFF from 3-13, and we were at either Ellington AFB, or at my father’s society.

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Here is what I remember… I remember a warm and rumbling voice… I remember he cast a shadow whenever he stood in front of you. He was so tall and large, it was like he blocked out the sun. I remember than even though he was an enormous man, when he stood in front of my father and spoke to him… I was not scared. I remember him leaning down (way down) to look me in the eye. Then he grasped my hand in both of his… and my hand disappeared. Literally, My Dear Readers, I lost sight of my hand! Even though, to me, he was a giant. Even though, in his hands mine disappeared. There was this overwhelming calm that I felt. I was not afraid. As a matter of fact… I remember feeling like I wanted to give him a hug.

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LBJ asked me my name, and I replied Daniel! He smiled… leaned over… and whispered in my ear “When you grow up… you are going to vote Democrat… right?” Lucky for LBJ that even at this young age I knew of politics and I knew my father and mother voted Democrat. I replied

“Yes sir… a straight ticket, all Democrat. Like my father does!”

I remember that he laughed. Deep and rumbly, it shook the air around us, and I felt it in my tummy. He smiled so large I thought he would split his face in half. He turned to my father and said (something I did hear often… and it made me proud to have people say it to my father… with me there)

“He’s as smart a whip, eh, Ken?” and he laughed again… then moved on.

My father was beaming, so awestruck he did not speak… simply nodded. LBJ was a great man, and I was/am proud that I had the honor to meet him.

When LBJ took over the Presidency from our slain President Kennedy, he did not ride on his laurels or those of his running mate. On January 8^th, 1964 (I would have been six) Lyndon Baines Johnson changed America by announcing the beginning of the ‘War On Poverty’[1] This war was joined by legislation such as the; ‘Social Security Amendments of 1965’’[2]’, ‘Food Stamp Act of 1964’’[3], ‘Economic Opportunity Act of 1964’’[4], and ‘Elementary and Secondary Education Act’’[5]. These laws were passed, all of them, with (what we cannot seem to do for the life of US) Bi-Partisan support! In the House of Representatives and the Untied States Senate these pieces of legislation received wide Bi-Partisan support. The major reason why the strong, and across party lines, support?

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During John F. Kennedy’s Presidential run for office he did something no President had done since Franklin D. Roosevelt. He took trains, he rode in cars, and he toured the South. And what did he find? Rampant and intractable poverty all across the South. At the time the ‘War On Poverty’ started the rate of poverty in America was Nineteen percent. That means, if you took five people… let’s say from Texas. From five different towns, ONE of those five would have lived in (often generational) poverty. America was the wealthiest nation on the planet. The most wealthy in human history.

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We could not stand to know this, and see such intractable poverty harming fellow Americans. I clearly remember before America was forced to watch our son’s die in battle in Vietnam. We sat at our T.V. Trays and watched as John and Robert Kennedy sat on porches, in the South, of the deeply impoverished. Once We (THE American people) saw the footage and heard the stories? There was no turning back, we simply had to act.

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At the time these laws were passed (and I cannot say this enough, with Bi-Partisan support) the national poverty rate was 19%. One in five Americans lived in poverty, and many it was intractable and generational. We were the single richest nation in the history of man. We could not tolerate the fact the 19% of US could not; feed, clothe or shelter themselves. It had to stop. I remember hearing about this poverty, as a child of seven and eight. I remember asking my father “Are we poor?”

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Nineteen percent. The nation was horrified by the size of that number. We moved as one and struck at its roots. I remember it was the topic of many a sermon @ South Park Baptist Church. I remember the ‘Food Drives’ and other activities held locally to address poverty in our own backyards. I remember giving up clothes, canned goods and time @ South park Baptist Church. I, sincerely, wanted to do my part in this ‘War On Poverty’. However, I was not alone. I saw other children, my age, at the church helping in the same cause. I saw ‘shorts’ on the Nightly News about other children getting involved.

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As a nation we moved in unison, we moved with purpose, we moved as ONE regardless of; race, color or political affiliation. This poverty reflected on US all, every single one. The line between the Haves and Have-Nots would (at least) be, for the time, blurred. And, like everything else that our great nation puts it mind too… focuses on… moves as one! We took a big ol’bite out of poverty in America. And I was proud.

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Psalms 82:3-5: “Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. ⁴ Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.”

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When LBJ lead; the Congress, the Senate and the American people into war against poverty the national poverty rate was 19%. Today in America in 2013 the national poverty rate is (conservatively rated at) 15%.[6] That is equal to 46.2 million America citizens. Danny is sitting here, and without even thinking, is doing some math… in his head. In forty-nine years we have dropped poverty only four percent. They estimate that over 16.2 million children live every day in hunger. In America… today.

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1 John 3:18 Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. 1 John 3:19 Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God's side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord.

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Today I read an article that disturbed me, and is the motivation for this article. Now, My Dear Readers, I firmly believe that up to this point I have been objective. I have not favored any party, nor have I bashed any political party. Now we get to see how well Danny can dance (not very well… you can ask my date to the Prom (Lisa Long DeHoyos) or anyone from “The Man Who Came To Dinner’. With two left feet, I was born, there can be no doubt. However, here goes my very best attempt to avoid politics and speak only of national policy. I cannot edit the title of this article. Therefore, the use of a party name in this link and header is not my doing and beyond my power.

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Republicans to propose $40 billion cut over decade to food stamps program[7]

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I deeply apologize if this title did offend anyone. Please believe me when I tell you, and I mean this with all respect and admiration, if the title would have read the name of the other party. I would be writing the very same article in the very same way. I hope that you can accept my position, and my apology, and not hold it against me or my blog and my writing. A promise I have made, to myself and to others, to leave partisanship behind and it is a promise I will work hard to keep. I think it is important, for me, but I also think it is a lesson we (as a NATION) could do well to learn. If we can leave partisanship (especially this new breed of ‘Hyper-partisanship’… and it is both parties that engage in this practice) behind I think we would have a better chance of making this a better nation.

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Mat. 25:44 "Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' Mat 25:45 "And I will answer, 'When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing help to me.'

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The cuts will come over ten years, at four billion a year. Since the financial downturn of 2008-2009 the roles of the Food Stamp program (now known as SNAP- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program[8]) did swell. However, what is to be expected? Our nation suffered, what is now being called, ‘The Great Recession’. With twelve million Americans looking for; a second job, a job that pays a “Living Wage”, or just a full time job one can reasonably expect that more Americans would not have enough money to pay their rent and food. In my humble opinion, there should be no shame in asking for assistance to feed your family… or just yourself, if it is beyond your means. Now, I do not think that we should be providing food for; drug dealers not reporting their drug sales income, any recipient of illegal funds that are not reported, residents that are here illegally and have committed crimes while in our nation, and parents with children that simply refuse to look for work or work for the state for their benefits. Having said, I do think that; people with disabilities that simply cannot work, mother’s with infant-school age children who work one or two jobs and need the assistance, the elderly and seniors, Veterans of our nation’s Armed Forces, and people who work as many hours as the jobs they have allow and still live below poverty. There are more… but I am sure you understand.

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Our nation has not, yet, completely recovered from the single greatest economic downturn since The Great Depression. Especially when we all got the good news that our national deficit has fallen $642 billion in 2013.[9] This is not some mathematical error and it is not partisan. I saw this reported on Fox News as well as; NBC, CBS and ABC. Please, put parties aside and politics as well. Let us look at this as fellow Americans individuals of all walks of life banded together for the betterment of our posterity and our nation. Did I mention that this equals Sixteen pint two million children?[10]

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1 John 3:17 But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him ?

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I don’t know about you? But that part… I find unconscionable. The entire budget for SNAP (at its highest recorded level) was $78 billion dollars. During the height of the Iraq & Afghanistan wars the United States was paying out nearly $100 billion a month for third party vendors to feed our troops in these war zones. We are out of Iraq and by the first quarter of 2014 our troops will be out of Afghanistan. The savings of just one month from not fighting these wars will pay for One YEAR of “Food Stamp’ benefits that will reach nearly ten million American families.

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By now you have all noticed me doing something different. Within this article I am placing quotations from the Christian Bible. As I mentioned, earlier, I was Baptized @ South Park Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. When my family moved to Pearland ( and I am very proud to be from Pearland) we attended the First Baptist Church of Pearland Texas. Until my parents marriage went south, we attended church regularly. My father was involved in both churches. In Houston he was an Usher then later a Deacon. I do not talk of this often, and I do not brag about it either. I am proud of my membership in these fine churches. I am very proud of the lessons I learned and the positive effect attending had on me. I only mention it now… because… How, pray tell (play on words) can we call our nation Christian… how can we call ourselves Christian… if we support cutting programs that feed the poor of our very wealthy nation?

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Prov. 14:31 Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God.

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I place these quotations not to guilt and not to insult. I place them out of a desire to put our actions (Rather the actions of our Representatives in the House of Representatives) into perspective. I am proud of my Christian upbringing. I am proud to be a Christian. I think that our nation has done well to keep Christianity alive for our children and our children’s children. But… doesn’t actions… even only intended… speak volumes about these the callus natrue of these acts? Cannot we make cuts to other programs that do not feed the poor, the disabled, and our seniors? I mean, why can’t Congressmen and Senators take… let’s say… a 3% pay cut and keep feeding these impoverished Americans?

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An offering, like that, would certainly get the Congressional approval rate above seven percent. Yes? I know it would improve my opinion of Congress and the Senate. Heck, I would even approve of cutting endowments for the Arts before we put the axe to food for the impoverished!

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1 Sam. 2:8 He lifts the poor from the dust-- Yes, from a pile of ashes-- And treats them as princes sitting in the seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lord's And he has set the world in order.

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My Dear Readers, I am nearly finished. I have said my full and I cannot think of any more arguments for America to do what we all know to be rightful action. If, by chance, you agree with my sentiment. If you agree that other programs or the military should be cut before these programs to feed the poor. Show your support. Show your support by; leaving a comment here on this thread, call your representative, write a letter to your Congressman or Senator or call. The number for the Congressional switchboard (which can locate your representative and connect you to them) is 202-224-3121.

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As always, My Dear Readers, it is my honor to have you visit my blog. You honor me by reading my works. I thank you for your time and am grateful for your comments and support. Thank you for your time, it has value and I respect your time.

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Please… I have been the awestruck recipient of a very generous donation this week. It has pushed me well towards my goal and I am eternally grateful. However, I am still far from my goal and I ask for your support. Please… if you can… please give. If you simply cannot? Please share my works, my blogs, and my campaign… and leave the rest to me.

“Thank YOU!”

Please Share?!?

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[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_Poverty

[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_Amendments_of_1965

[3]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_Stamp_Act_of_1964

[4]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Economic_Opportunity_Act_of_1964

[5]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_and_Secondary_Education_Act

[6]http://useconomy.about.com/od/glossary/g/Federal_Poverty_Level.htm

[7]http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/02/19831109-republicans-to-propose-40-billion-cut-over-decade-to-food-stamps-program?lite

[8]http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/applicant_recipients/eligibility.htm

[9]http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-57584449/feds-u.s-goverment-deficit-is-plunging/

[10]http://www.bread.org/hunger/us/?utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=onlinead&utm_campaign=search&utm_term=us-poverty&utm_content=text&gclid=CNPXnteM4LgCFS_ZQgodykMAhw

Starving the Poor

This hits very close to home... my home.
"…the House version of the farm bill making would throw nearly 2 million people off food stamps, most of whom are working families with children or senior citizens. More than 200,000 kids would lose access to free school lunches, according to the group." (NBC News see link below)
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Is there some lack of proper education on the part of Republicans? The market(s) crashed in 2008. Since then the Food Stamp roles have more than doubled. Is that a surprise to anyone? Poverty increases in time of economic collapse. Nobody is surprised, looking back at The Great Depression, that there were bread lines in every major city in America.

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We have, as a society and a people, moved passed making families with children stand in bread lines. Who is it, exactly, that wants to take the United States back to bread lines and poor houses? Social progress undone is evil winning and immorality replacing Christianity. Not since The Great Depression has hunger swept across America the way it is now. And this number will only grow if Food Stamp benefits are cut.

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America has fought hunger and poverty for the past three generations. Republican Presidents; Eisenhower, Nixon, and Regan all supported programs to feed the poor, the disabled, the elderly and vets. Literally every President since F.D.R. has supported feeding the hungry from the Federal level. It is a NATIONAL responsibility. When, again, did this change? When did this fundamental tenant of our society get overruled? Who is it that made this decision that the poor need go hungry when our debt is SHRINKING?

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Now two million Americans (including working poor families, they ARE WORKING FAMILIES) will be hungry? Just as a filter for this eventuality (if you do not act) 70% or Seven out of Ten Wal-Mart workers (that ring you up and help you in the store) will be without daily sustenance. Three out of ten college students will be without a proper diet.   Why?

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Now there are some that will say “What about the food banks and churches? Shouldn’t they carry the load? Won’t they help?” I will let a representative with the Food Research and Action Center (A Food bank monitoring group) answer that question:

 

        “James Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, is working with food banks and organizations that focus on hunger issues to lobby Congress against slashing food stamp spending. For them, it is not a matter of politics or theories on the role of government, but a matter of getting people the assistance they need.

“People in the field know how much harm these cuts can cause,” said Weill. “Those who actually work with low-income Americans around the country know they can’t provide a sufficient amount of people with the help they need if these cuts take place.”

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So the short, and correct, answer is “No!” America’s churches and food banks are already stretched beyond capacity. Our social welfare safety net is in tatters, and the churches cannot assist further. No, this IS the responsibility of our Federal Government. So says President Dwight D. Eisenhower:

        “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final

sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone.

It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.

The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities.

It is two electric power plants, each serving a town of 60,000 population.

It is two fine, fully equipped hospitals. It is some 50 miles of concrete highway.

We pay for a single fighter plane with a half million bushels of wheat.

We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than 8,000 people.

This, I repeat, is the best way of life to be found on the road. the world has been taking.

This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.”[1]

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President Richard M. Nixon had this to say about hunger in America:

 

        “That hunger and malnutrition should persist in a land such as ours is embarrassing and intolerable.”[2]

 

Now for President Kennedy on hunger:

“"The war against hunger is truly mankind's war of liberation."[3] And ““There is only one rule by which to judge if God is near us or is far away – the rule that God's word is giving us today: everyone concerned for the hungry, the naked, the poor, for those who have vanished in police custody, for the tortured, for prisoners, for all flesh that suffers, has God close at hand. We have the ability, we have the means, and we have the capacity to eliminate hunger from the face of the earth. We need only the will."[4]

 

Now for President Carter:

"We know that a peaceful world cannot long exist, one-third rich and two-thirds hungry."[5]

 

Now for President Clinton he acted on hunger: ‘Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act of 1993’[6]

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President George W. Bush on hunger in America:

"I also acted on this timeless belief, to whom much is given, much is required. We have been given a lot in our country. And it's not only in our strategic interests that we deal with hunger and disease, it is in our moral interest that we do so, as well. In the Western Hemisphere, we expanded trade and helped our fellow democracies deliver prosperity and social justice to their people. And around the world, we built a coalition of more than 90 nations to fight terror and advance the cause of freedom in the great ideological struggle of our time. In short, we've made our alliances stronger, we've made our nation safer, and we have made the world freer."

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President Obama has acted in the war against hunger, much like President Bill Clinton did with : ‘President Obama Signs Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 Into Law’[7]
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Well, if you have read this far I have captured your attention, and maybe your heart. Right now you might be asking yourself “Yes, Danny, but what can I DO?!” If you are, KUDOS! What you can do to help FIRST? Look around your circle of friends. Be they are work, at church, in your neighborhood or your old friends found-again on Facebook. Reach out and offer help. Believe me when I tell you that right now all around you are people; good honest hard working people, genuinely hungry people that you can easily reach out and help.

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Contrary to some ill-willed rhetoric not all poor people are drug addicts or alcoholics. There are good and honest people that would love to work, but their disabilities make it impossible to work, or are incapable of living/working without a caregiver. Reach out and help. Put some food in a box and mail it, leave it at a door or take it to a food bank. Get involved in a local church or business group’s support of food banks.

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Lastly? :Let your voice be heard. Call or write your Congressman and Senators. (I have posted the phone information below) Need to find out WHO to write or call? Go here: Find Your Representative

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HERE is the number to get a hold of your Senator: United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121
HERE is the number to get a hold of your Congressman: To call your Member of Congress: US Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121
that was the same number... I am going to leave that there... see if anyone... ;)
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Taking food from the already hungry is just wrong. Today is SUNDAY, the Day of Sabbath. Will you make a pledge to help protect food for the poor and hungry?
Will YOU call your Congressman and Senator?  Will YOU reach out to someone you know is hungry or going without food? This level of hunger (One in SIX Americans depend on Food Stamps for all or part of their diet) demands Federal and grassroots action. It requires something from everybody. I stepped up to the plate and have spent four hours over two days preparing this article. I posted that I would be taking a break, but this issue would not let me rest. How about you, My Dear Readers?

Thank you for your time, your consideration and your efforts.

 

 

This article was inspired by the article linked below.
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http://inplainsight.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/19/18307642-ax-hovers-over-food-stamp-program-as-costs-grow?lite

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[1] http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2011/09/30/the-origins-of-that-eisenhower-every-gun-that-is-made-quote

[2] http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=2038

[3] http://www.stophungernow.org/hunger-quotes

[4] http://www.stophungernow.org/hunger-quotes

[5] http://www.stophungernow.org/hunger-quotes

[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Bill_Clinton

[7] http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/13/president-obama-signs-healthy-hunger-free-kids-act-2010-law