Republicans Plot to Starve Food Stamp Recipients

Yeah, I know, that sounds sensational. But it's really, really not.

Senator David Vitter (R - Galt's Gulch) has introduced a bill that would force all food stamp recipients to show photo ID when using their food stamps.

From Mother Jones:

On Wednesday, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) introduced a bill that would force recipients of food stamps to show a valid photo ID to buy food. Anti-hunger advocates say that because many poor people cannot afford to purchase government IDs, the requirement would make it harder for low-income Americans to eat.

Vitter says the bill is designed to cut down on fraud. "Using a photo ID is standard in many day-to-day transactions, he said upon introducing the bill. "My bill will restore some accountability to the program so it's not ruined for people who use it appropriately."

I haven't had to show a photo ID at any point this year. Maybe once in December. And David Vitter knows this. He's not an idiot, by any stretch of the imagination. This isn't some ill advised policy that pays no regard to the lives of the poorest Americans.

This is intentional. David Vitter knows that there's more fraud in congress than there is in our food stamp program. They know that there's very little voter fraud, except that perpetrated by their own party. This is nothing less than an intentional attack on the poorest Americans.

They're trying to keep poor people from accessing the public safety net this country has spent generations building and defending, to punish them for voting Obama. Like Christie's bridge closure, this has nothing to do with policy, and everything to do with political retribution.

It seems Republicans want to cut down on unemployment by eliminating the unemployed. Their health plan? Don't get sick, if you do, die quickly. Their economic plan? Don't lose your job. If you do, starve quickly. Their education plan? Get into private school. If you don't, see our previous solutions.

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