Food Stamps

There's been a lot of controversy regarding the immense expansion of the food stamp program in recent years, but a simple fact should not be overlooked. In the past few years, our economy has struggled and thus generates more qualifying individuals for the program.

Of course, the long run solution is not handouts of any kind; however, one must balance short run alleviation of suffering where that suffering is most severe, with programs to expand the productivity and horizons of the unemployed. If government has had a major failing of late, it is with regard to the latter imperative, not the former.