Before You Yell ‘Get a Job’

By Will Crois

Special to the Express

SNAP, also known as food stamps, has been canceled, reinstated, and canceled again several times in the past few days. The most recent cancellation came after Trump appealed to the Supreme Court to halt the distribution of food assistance to eligible recipients.

SNAP is a lifeline for those unable to buy food—though it doesn’t cover anything hot or prepared. Trump’s rhetoric has led many to believe that the root of America’s problems lies with the needy, the elderly, and the infirm,those who are physically or mentally unable to work.

This has fueled the cruel chant, “Get a job,” often from people who lack understanding of social service work or empathy for those who truly need help.

Being elderly, disabled, or mentally unstable makes holding a job impossible for many. Employers rarely accommodate frequent absences or part-time limitations caused by such conditions.

No president in U.S. history has ever taken food away from their own citizens. Trump claims widespread fraud in the system,and while some fraud may exist, punishing millions of innocent people is never justifiable.

Residents of Niagara Falls may remember the unnamed city judge who once jailed an entire courtroom because a cell phone rang and no one admitted to it. He was later removed from the bench for “abuse of power.”