HUNGER
Urge Congress to act
to protect food funds
As a chef, I make sure my community has access to healthy, nutritious food. Yet this holiday season, low-income families across the country will face greater struggles as they try to put a holiday dinner on the table for their kids.
Those receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) assistance — including 23 million kids — recently saw a reduction in their monthly benefits. With the average Thanksgiving dinner costing about $49, for many SNAP recipients, the holidays will mean struggling to make ends meet.
On top of food costs, during the holidays, kids will be out of school and away from the free and reduced-price school meals many rely upon. Yet Congress is looking to take away their access to those meals while cutting SNAP even more.
As the holiday season is upon us, let’s remind our members of Congress about the importance of ensuring those in our community aren’t forced to make choices between giving their kids a holiday dinner and paying their rent. Tell our members of Congress to protect SNAP funding at www.SNAPworks.org.
CHEF HUGH ACHESON, FIVE & TEN, THE NATIONAL AND EMPIRE STATE SOUTH
COMMENTARY
Cheney cartoon just
reflects family history
So, a recent letter writer (“Cheneys are victims of artist’s crassness,” Readers write, Opinion, Nov. 25) found the Mike Luckovich cartoon “Cheney Family Thanksgiving” (Opinion, Nov. 19) to be “crass, base and in crude taste.”
That’s interesting. I found it a rather gentle ribbing of the former vice president, based on some of the controversies in his past — and his daughters’ present. It brought a smile to my face. I have to wonder if the offended letter writer ever lets his eyes drift about 4 inches further down the AJC Opinion page?
BEN DOOLEY, ATLANTA
GOVERNANCE
Repercussions likely
with filibuster’s end
The mere fact that Harry Reid and his fellow Democrats forced “the nuclear option” through to end a long-time tradition allowing the filibuster as a political maneuver indicates that he, and others, think that the Obamacare debacle will prevent Democrats from controlling the Senate after the 2014 midterm elections. It’s interesting that Joe Biden once opposed this threatened move by the Republicans vehemently.
This move, applauded by the president, is politically motivated to be sure, but is not good long-term for our nation. The filibuster, in essence, is a tool used by the minority to prevent passage of opposed legislation, and it has served our nation well. Now, whichever party holds the majority in the Senate can shove through whatever it wishes. Repercussions will follow.
WAYNE KERR, STOCKBRIDGE
