Ham on Wry Award of the Week

Many of you have been waiting breathlessly for this week's award winner, so exhale deeply, because here he is.  Representative Paul Ryan, Chairman of the House Budget Committee, authored the budget proposal approved by the House earlier today.  Clearly, Mr. Ryan has a firm grasp on how to solve the hunger problem in America.  He proposal slashes the food stamp program and severely limits those who would qualify for it.  The United States must bring the deficit under control; however, to do it on the backs of the neediest population segment shows a callous disregard for these people.  Having enough to eat is a right as well as a need, and neglecting that basic tenet of humanity places us in the ranks of the many countries in Africa whose people are starving.

A friend of mine who served as an elementary school principal for many years told me that she was shocked when she transferred to a school with an extremely high percentage of students on free and reduced lunch.  Many of them had little to eat except what they received at school.  Their plight moved her to tears, and she stocked her office with snacks and easy-to-eat foods at her own expense that she would give to any student who asked for something to eat.  One of her students told her that his family ate dry spaghetti noodles because they didn't have money to pay for electricity to cook them.

Maybe it's time for Representative Ryan and his Republican colleagues who voted for the proposal to take a field trip to schools in high poverty poverty areas in their home states.  They could then experience the effects of hunger first-hand.  Students have trouble concentrating and lack energy when their stomachs grumble for food.  I know that abuse exists in the use of food stamps, but, instead of chopping the program to bare bones (pun intended), finding ways to reduce abuse would better serve us.

Cut non-essential programs, not basic needs programs, Representative Ryan.  Ham on Wry "honors' you for authoring the worst idea of the week.  Congratulations!