The Truth Behind SNAP, the Government Shutdown, and Starvation
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, one of the things for which we Americans should be very thankful is the abundance of food. We are among the greatest calory consumers in the world.
Yes, there are Americans who struggle to make ends meet. And yes, millions rely on government assistance at the federal, state, and local levels. But let us not confuse economic hardship with starvation. That is precisely what Democrats, and their media allies, are doing—exaggerating the impact of the government shutdown by painting a picture of mass hunger and food deprivation. It is not only misleading it is classic political fearmongering.
The latest act in this drama centers around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Democrats claim that unless the government is reopened immediately (which they could do at any time), millions of Americans—especially children and the elderly—will be left to starve. The headlines scream catastrophe. The talking heads warn of a humanitarian crisis. But the facts tell a very different story.
Americans are Not Starving
Let us start with the basics. Starvation in America is exceedingly rare. According to government data, approximately 10,000 people die annually from malnutrition. These are typically elderly individuals with severe physical or mental illnesses, including Alzheimer’s — or homeless people battling addiction and mental health issues. That is tragic, but it is not the mass starvation Democrats imply.
Real starvation is found mostly in Third World authoritarian nations. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 100 out of every 100,000 people die from starvation annually. If that rate applied to the U.S., we would see more than 300,000 starvation deaths each year. We do not. Malnutrition in the U.S. is more often linked to poor eating habits than lack of food. People may not eat properly, but they are not starving.
SNAP and Abuse
And while SNAP does help those in genuine need, it is also riddled with abuse. According to recent reports, fraudulent SNAP transactions surged by 55% between late 2024 and early 2025, with more than $100 million in benefits stolen through scams and skimming. The program serves more than 41 million people monthly. (Are we expected to believe that more than one out of every ten Americans is in desperate need of food?) Improper payments and insider fraud are rampant, especially in states like New York and California. In fact, the USDA has acknowledged that trafficking—selling SNAP benefits for cash—is a persistent problem, with thousands of retailers permanently disqualified for fraud.
And what about those starving children Democrats keep talking about. The truth is, SNAP has become a bloated welfare program that too often serves able-bodied adults without dependents. According to the Foundation for Government Accountability, nearly 4 million childless, work-capable adults receive SNAP benefits without meeting work requirements. That is not a safety net. It is a hammock.
Weaponizing SNAP
Democrats continue to use SNAP as a political weapon. They portray any disruption in benefits as a death sentence. They ignore the fact that America is overflowing with non-government food resources. We have food banks. Religious organizations pitch in. Families help each other. Neighbors step up. The private sector donates generously. Grocery stores and manufacturers contribute tons of food annually to charitable organizations.
But Democrats are not interested in solutions. They are interested in optics. They want to paint Republicans as heartless and cruel. They want to turn every budget negotiation into a moral crisis. And they want to distract from the real issue — their refusal to end the shutdown.
The irony is that while Democrats cry starvation, they oppose reforms that would make SNAP more efficient and targeted. They fight against work requirements. They resist fraud prevention measures. They defend the status quo—even when it fails the very people it is supposed to help. It is based on the Democrats’ belief – with some evidence – that dependency on government is good politics for their party.
America is a rich and generous nation. No one should go hungry. But that does not mean we should accept waste, fraud, and political manipulation. Hunger is a serious issue. It deserves serious solutions. Not scare tactics.
So, there ‘tis.
Thank you, Larry. I think fraud is probably in the top ten components of our nation’s annual budget. Some kind of reward program could save a lot of money. Or DOGE being allowed access to the records?
Fly by and good bye again, for a bit.
Ah, to be American. As I walk down my city’s streets, there’s Trump’s military to protect me where I never needed protection with Biden or before. Bold brave Trump guys hidden by masks to protect them and riot gear in case I lob my sandwich their way as they clear the streets of the brown people. We are resurrecting statues of racist slave promoters while national iconic buildings are being razed in honor of the Felon King, the Golden Boy, Epstein’s best friend, the joke of New York. Tis the new American age of payola. Pardons for sale. Access and privilege too. Just deposit a few million in a crypto fund and off you go. As we pardon 1,500 rioters, a multitude of who have already been locked up again for their crimes thereafter, one for an assassination attempt on a Congressman. And tonight, gonna grill me some Argentinian steak in honor of America’s farmers. They get 20 billion, the poor get less food. I mean $20 for a 10oz strip, oh my.
The author stated: “Republicans offered a “clean” Continuing Resolution (CR) bill that would have maintained the status quo in terms of government funding … kept the government functioning … and allowed for debate on critical issues.” This does not sound correct. First, the word “clean” should make one question. And if the bill will allow ACA credits to expire, is that clean to cut the budget supporting healthcare insurance to over 20 million Americans? Is that “status quo” in terms of funding? Is the government “functioning” if it kicks 20 million from previously budgeted ACA healthcare insurance credits? The author’s definition of clean is dirty.
The author seems to forget how often Republicans were in the minority during the shutdown doing effectively exactly what Democrats are doing today. He’s old and simple minded stuck in the 70’s or before.
Now he says: “But let us not confuse economic hardship with starvation” He claims the facts: “According to government data, approximately 10,000 people die annually from malnutrition. These are typically elderly individuals with severe physical or mental illnesses, including Alzheimer’s — or homeless people battling addiction and mental health issues.” His numbers are incorrect, and God knows his demographics are. Seem more like an artifact of his urban myths from the 70’s.
Today, in modern times, the government says that deaths attributed to malnutrition have more than doubled in the U.S., from about 9,300 in 2018 to approximately 20,500 in 2022. Basically, last time Trump helped, malnutrition doubled in America. Sure, not starvation, but death is death and malnutrition is a big contributor. Sure, old people and the sick are more susceptible, but why does Horist write them off? Not important? NIMBY?
Then he tells us to “buck up,” cuz it’s worse in Africa.
Then he’s on to fraud. He forgets to mention most welfare and social security fraud is owned by business, and most small business is owned by Republicans. At the author’s 100M fraud, it’s less than we spend supporting Argentina and Israel. And it’s mostly conducted by business, which is mostly owned by Republicans. Matter of fact, large businesses too have about 70% Republicans on mahogany row.
But the best is the bottom line: I really don’t care if the author wants to eat his own while shitting where he eats. The top ten states for percent participation receiving SNAP: New Mexico (24.3%), Louisiana (19.5%), West Virginia (18.2%), Oklahoma (17.2%), Oregon (17.0%), Illinois (16.2%), Alabama (15.4%), Massachusetts (15.2%), Nevada (15.0%), and North Carolina.
In raw numbers, the top ten states are: California (5.4M), Texas (3.4M), New York (2.9M), Florida (2.9M), Pennsylvania (1.9M),
Illinois (1.9M),Michigan (1.5M), and Ohio (1.4M), and North Carolina (1.4M).
Not to worry though, most Democratic states have contingency plans. Red states, not so much. But they get 50% of their SNAP. Personally, I would steal before going hungry. At least in jail you get three hots and a cot.
Starving, no. Hurting, yes. And it’s totally in Don’s hands. And most of the hurt is being done by Republicans to Republicans who take a knee and ask for more, more, more. They really spoke a lot on Tuesday, hahahahahaha
(I realize I will get a “told ya so,” “obessing,” and many other kind words from the author who promises not to respond.) His resume indicates he has a Black daughter. Mine does not. Matter of fact, my bio does not attempt to take advantage of my kid’s race.
Dunger you keep bringing up Larry’s black daughter. Why? Only a racist would keep mentioning it. You have brought it up more than once recently. Larry am I right?
Willie … You are right. Franks brings up the fact that we are a multiracial family since the 1970s over and over. He seems to see it as some sort of negative. It makes no sense, but Frank says a lot of things that make no sense. I agree that it does seem to be the rooted in racism. I fostered kids who were part Native American, Our extended family includes Asians and Mexicans. Would that bother Frank? I am guessing that Frank has never adopted or fostered any young people — especially of diverse backgrounds. The very idea is beyond his frame of reference. I am very proud of my family. We exist as a positive example of tolerance and acceptance. No bigots in the Horist household.
Larry, Twas you that brought up your daughter’s skin color in your Amazon bio issued to sell your book on racism. It’s still there. Did you forget again? I only repeated your words without any intent except to say it seems a strange thing to do. I agree, it makes no sense so why did you do it?
You did it. I pointed it out. And now you get all defensive in denial of your own words. And you pick on me for what you wrote.
TDS on full display!!!! Get some help, you definitely need it.
Willie: it’s his bio that I keep repeating. It’s associated with his book he’s trying to sell. I just wonder why it seems so important to him and his book.
As to racist, I guess if repeating what Larry said makes me a racist, you got me nailed. Then again, you just repeated it too. “Only a racists would keep mentioning it.” Isn’t that what you said and think.
And the bio keeps running and running and running. It’s still there, repeating it every day.
Are you saying that Larry should not be proud of his daughter? You come across like the old democrat party from several years ago. But I know that your opinions haven’t changed much
Larry, Willie et al: one more time. I only repeated what Larry said, verbatim, in his bio he uses to sell his book. Negative, no. Stupid, yes. Over and over? Only repeated in response to Larry’s stupid statements that make no sense especially since LARRY is the one saying it. Racism — ditto. Larry writes a book about racism and tells the world his daughter is Black in the bio you wrote to sell your book. Goes out of his way to address skin color. Yeah, I’m the racist pandering to an audience by pimping out my daughter’s non-white heritage to sell a book about racism. I never said you were a bigot, I will say you are more of a pimp.
Larry, you know I have saluted your adoptions and yes, I have fostered many, kids or otherwise. I have also tutored and even volunteered to take folks skiing. Paraplegics for a time. Who cares and who boasts about this? Unlike you, I don’t trumpet it nor pretend I am superior to folks for doing it. Tween me and my God.
Folks, and Larry too: ask yourself this simple question: do your bio’s include your kid’s skin color(s)? Do you tell folks you have a White kid? Black kid? Now, Blue would be worth mentioning, but other standard races? Why does Larry do it and why does he kvetch so much about it when I noted the oddity? Obviously, given his book’s deep discount, it did not sell books, but why did you do it Larry?
Now, Larry could have addressed this easily by just saying “oops,” fixing the bio, and treating his daughter like the rest of us treat our kids: colorblind. But that’s not the way of the win-lose pugnacious prick who picks this fight and then blames me for his use of the word Black in association with his own daughter, for Christ’s sake. Give it up Larry. You did it. It’s yours to own. And it’s still there on Amazon for the world to see. What an idiot.
Frank Danger … Do you ever stop being an idiot? I mentioned my Black daughter in the book bio because it is relevant to my history. Also she is in the book as part of my Black experience. You will not that she is not — and never has been — in my PBP profile. Of course you continue to engage in insults and name calling. But to suggest the fact the I do not hide the fact that I have a Black Daughter in this case. And you keep doubling down on your stupidity and ugliness because you are obsessed — and perhaps a little jealous. Several times you said you were no longer going to be on PBP — but you hardly miss a day. That makes you a mental weakling. You just cannot control you obsession — and it makes say stupid stuff. But carry on, With every posting, you expose yourself. I do not need to respond all the time because anyone reading your posts know you for what you are.
No Larry, in your mind, or lack thereof, I will always be an idiot. And in my mind, you are a pugnacious prick and always will be. Well, actually a pugnacious pygmy prick, heh heh.
Good for you to acknowledge that you wrote about your daughter’s skin color in your bio. I realize that was a big ask by myself. Huge step for you to tell the truth.
The book’s inclusion of her to prove your Black experience makes sense. You need all the support you can get no doubt for your dubious diatribe. Twas all I asked when all I did was repeat what you wrote about her skin color in asking you to finally own up to the why of doing such a weird thing?
So far, no one on PBP has admitted to telling others, especially in their resume’s and bio’s, their kid’s skin color. It was not out of line to note your bio’s weirdness in this regard, especially given the book’s subject matter.
Hide her being Black? I never questioned that misbelief on your behalf once again attempting to say what I think without my thinking it. I questioned why anyone would mention their kid’s skin color? “Hey, meet Charley, he’s Green.” I don’t know anyone who hides their kid’s skin color, but I would say no one but you ever mentions it. Yours’s was the anomaly where you have not only acknowledged that you knowingly did it, called out her skin color, but admitted you did it because of your book. Like I said, pimping her out. Or was she a victim of the Democratic inner city machine? Not that she’s a whore, but you are saying that you used her to sell your book.
You are wrong, I have missed many a day recently on PBP, that makes you a liar. But we all knew that. I have mostly only come back to respond to asshole comments like this specifically directed to me. And a few comments, but not many, and pretty short. For me at least. I look forward to leaving again if you could just leave me alone.
FYI: as far as your “Black experience,” sir, you will never be Black, you can’t have a Black experience. Sorry. Just like you could never express the Black experience to your kids, whatever their color. You have to be Black to have that unique experience.
If you come at me, expect a response in kind. I keep telling you that, but it does not sink in. And even though it will never be said, you can imagine that somewhere my future responses, if you continue to bait me, is the idea: “Larry’s daughter is still Black.” You know, like the old SNL tag line: “Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead” from the 70’s. It’s as priceless as Spanky given your feigned insult.
What’s to own? Dunger are you saying that Larry “owns “ his daughter? You’re digging yourself a hole and sounding more like the Jim Crow democrats. A person’s children shouldn’t be a factor in a political discussion. But I guess I forgot that your party is a party of tokenism.
Harold, are you really that stupid? Larry wrote it, he owns it and all of your pointed comments. I only repeated what he wrote which somehow puts you off the reservation about me, the guy who did not originally post that fact his daughter is black in the bio he wrote to sell his book about racism.
Are you really this dumb?
Let me ask: how often have you announced your kids skin color much less put it in your written bio or resume?
That’s what scary Larry did; I just repeated it to call him out for pimping his daughter’s color to sell books.
Are you folks really this dense to not see who’s on first here. Crickey, what fools.
Dunger you people have no shame. Here’s a lesson I learned from earlier years. Color doesn’t matter. I agree completely with MLK. I don’t think that you mean to be racist. You just don’t know any better. Yes, all of my kids are white but here’s a surprise My 4th gggrandfather was a black guy who was freed from slavery by serving in the revolutionary war. I didn’t know that until a few years ago. And I’m damned proud. I don’t call myself African American. I’m a white guy with African heritage. And I would shout it from the rooftops.
Slick Wille: “You people?” WTF is that? I have no “people.” Shame? Are you retarded? All I did was note what Larry wrote and you get your panties all in a bunch. And you keep calling me a racist for things Larry wrote. You have 4 grandfathers? That explains a lot….. Yes, there is blood from many races in all of us. Part of my lineage is Slovakian, it’s a major crossroads with so much mixing of the blood, makes one’s head spin. My Irish part gives me so Viking. Who the fuck cares much less “shout it from the rooftops?” But you said: “would.” So, like me, like anyone I know, you don’t go shouting this out, you certainly don’t put it in your resume or bio’s, right? Tis my point —– Larry did. And now he admits it. And now he admits it’s because of the book. Tis all I asked, an explanation. And I am good with it, so I suggest you leave it the fuck alone because you are sounding even stupider than your normal asininities.
FYI: been here since 1866, spouse since the Mayflower, but, sorry, don’t track race so just don’t know, don’t care. You see, unlike Larry, I know that all men are created equal, so I agree with you: “color doesn’t matter.” And that was my point, to Larry, it mattered enough to put it in his bio. And now we know why: his new book. I wonder if it was there at the beginning or did he add it when he hit the book with the deep discount?
Dunger you have been called out and you’re embarrassed. 4 grandfathers. Ok. Here goes. My great great great great grandfather. I apologize. I forgot that I was posting to an idiot. Larry knew what I meant if and when he read my message. I’m also a Polock from my mother’s side. Does that mean anything? Probably not. So keep your racism mentality. And keep teaching people of color what they should think and how to vote. Also don’t forget to mention them being too stupid to have voter ID. I think it’s funny every time I hear that shit.
West Virginia Willie: sure, as you say, you have four grandfathers and they are all great. Good for you. I only have two, like most normal folk. As to the rest of your rant, who knows what you mean? More important, who cares. Nice term for your Polish heritage. Trying to bait me? Well, they always said you were good at it, a regular master baiter. And a great lover since you practice alone, so, so much.