Challenge Mitt Romney to Feed His Family on a SNAP Budget
Mitt Romney couldn't have been more cavalier in dismissing the problems of the very poor than he was in his recent interview on CNN. Romney said he was "not concerned about the very poor" because they have a "safety net." Romney has identified his voting constituency as the middle class and, by golly, that's the only group of Americans he's going to bat for.
Clearly, Romney has never battled the paperwork involved in getting benefits, never had his food stamp card declined at the check out counter. He's not had to worry about whether he can feed his children or if there will be space for them in the shelter tonight. If Romney had ever been poor, he would know how often welfare benefits do not reach the people who need them and he would understand the very short reach of those benefits.
Tell Mitt to feed his family of seven on $995 (a typical Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit) for one month and see how well the safety net is working.
We the undersigned are appalled at how cavalierly you can dismiss the very poor while sucking up to your target voters. The middle class may indeed be suffering from wage stagnation, but they are not, for the most part, wondering where they will sleep tonight or whether they can afford a decent meal for their children. These are the life and death problems of the very poor. Food stamps and other benefits do NOT assure everyone a meal and a bed. Many people who desperately need benefits find they are not eligible. Others find their benefits do not match their needs. We challenge you to feed your family of seven on $995 (the equivalent of a SNAP allowance) for one full month. Then you will know the value of America's safety net for the poor.
