You’re exactly right, Rachel...and you just put your finger on the actual scandal.
SNAP didn’t explode because Americans suddenly got lazy. It exploded because the corporations this regime worships...don’t pay a living wage...then run to taxpayers to subsidize their payroll. Walmart...fast food...logistics...private profit...public survival.
Here’s the quiet con:
They slash wages → workers can’t live → government steps in → corporations pocket the savings → politicians blame the poor.
SNAP isn’t the failure. Wage suppression is.
And...every “cut benefits” scream is really a cover story for corporate welfare.
Excellent!! Once again, you hit this nail on so many heads! This is one issue that makes my lips purse of their own volition when brought up by some ignorant asshole.
WHO decides which kids get birthday treats?? DON’T get me started!
#HoldFast
Jack,
I do hope you know what a difference it makes for US knowing that you care enough to share all of your rich, deep resources to help us understand the roots of what goes on around us that could easily be missed and/or misunderstood. It matters.
You are sincerely appreciated.
Here’s to a happy, healthy 2026 (Lordy, do you BELIEVE it?) for all of us!
Rae, that lip-pursing reflex? That’s your moral compass kicking in before your brain even finishes the sentence.
Because...you’re right...WHO decides which kids get birthday treats is one of those quiet... soul-rotting questions...that exposes how cruelly upside-down the whole conversation has become.
We nickel-and-dime children while excusing billion-dollar THEFT in broad daylight. That’s not policy failure. That’s VALUES failure.
And let me say this clearly, because it matters:
What you wrote right here? This is why I do the work.
Knowing that people like YOU...feel a little less alone...a little more grounded...a little more equipped to see through the noise...that’s the point.
Understanding the roots...changes how you carry the weight. It turns confusion...into clarity. Anger into direction. Isolation into RESOLVE.
So...thank you, for paying attention...for holding the line...for refusing to let cruelty masquerade as common sense.
Here’s to a 2026 that’s healthier...steadier...and...yes…somehow already knocking at the door. (Lordy indeed.)
I would gladly pay a lot more money towards SNAP every year in my taxes, rather than having my tax money go towards ICE concentration camps, corporate subsidies to petrochemical companies, tax breaks for the 0.1%, etc. But maybe if we didn't have all the money going toward all this stuff I'd rather not have it go toward, we could put some funding towards getting folks out of poverty far enough that they wouldn't need SNAP anymore.
That is truly what needs to happen. These billionaires that spend money on frivolous things like bezos and his50 million dollar wedding in Italy with some bimbo that looks like plastic. If they paid even half of their taxes image how people could be lifted up in this world.
Know what really pisses me off? For years I have heard people smirk about welfare, SNAP, even medicaid as entitlement. Like these poor folks aren't rich enough, smart enough, good enough to do for themselves and have to rely on the gu'ment for handouts. Well, kiss my lily white arse! I've been there, and I'm smart, good, and deserving of a living wage. Show me someone on SNAP who wouldn't rather receive a sustaining paycheck, or get up out of his wheelchair and go to work.
My SNAP story: I had just been discharged from the Army. My husband was still in, but he was a low rank. We had two kids and one on the way (the reason I got out). We were eligible for SNAP. When we got it, a friend took me to the grocery store. He had an old Mercedes that his parents gave him. A man followed us out of the store and said, "Why are you on food stamps when you have a Mercedes?" Judgmental people are everywhere. You never know someone's circumstances. Maybe they're escaping domestic abuse. Maybe they lost their job, or their job doesn't pay enough. Maybe they can't work because of illness. Show people some compassion.
When the AI bubble bursts, we must not allow the billionaires to be bailed out. Let their self-induced collapse be the beginning of a just economy. The banks were bailed out and they took control of foreclosed homes, instead of the money going directly to the homeowners, who could then pay their mortgages. We must think that the commons (all of us together) is too big to fail. Let the demise of the billionaire class be the consequence of their own arrogance and greed.
I receive snap benefits and damn these people! I liked your analysis of the situation, but to me it’s ridiculous how it’s thought about. I thank God everyday that I was blessed with a brain that sees through all this “noise” that’s being thrown at us, but it is so wrong on so many levels. My frustration on everything just drives me crazy! I SEE!! I just hope a majority of us sees too!
Jack there are always a small percentage that cheat any system. But veterans and those that need help with drug addiction, the single mothers that have been left to take care of the kids alone. Then there are the repugs that don't want abortion but will do nothing after the baby is born or even during the pregnancy if the mother runs into serious problems. I read Caroline Kennedy's daughter comments that if the drug had not been available during her last pregnancy she would have had poor outcomes as it saved her life.the cruelty is beyond pale and the grift and greed is just as bad. Thank you for this piece it really spells it out about keeping people down. #HOLDFAST
Absolutely….it is about control. First we control those who have limited control over anything, children. Then we control their parents…. Usually they are on minimum wage jobs so they are not a civically engaged and cannot afford to slap down help. Then, we continue to move up control on others in society. All done with a pious smile on the lips, condescending attitude, and hatred because these folks are lesser beings. It is all control, it is all blame the innocent, it is all because the wealthy scream MORE! I was livid when I found out this regime decided to sanction children. First, it was Minnesota, then EVERY child that may receive SNAPs. This is cruel and unusual punishment for being born….without a silver spoon.
GOP/MAGA- ProLife
Also GOP/MAGA- Sorry, no benefits for you or your children. Why would you have children if you can’t afford it?
Stupid is a stupid does. Inhumane is an inhumane does.
Pay a higher wage with benefits and support families. Then we don’t need to issue SNAPS at all.
I’m embarrassed to say, the ‘great’ state of Indiana voted to NOT increase minimum wage! One of a few states. Then they wonder why folks need rent assistance, utility assistance, food assistance….ARRRGH!
You nailed it Jack. In many states SNAP recipients on SSA and SSI are considered receiving ‘income’ thus when COLA goes up, SNAP goes down. It’s the mighty corporations that make the horrible food (Soda, Big Burgers, etc …) who should change their ingredients. However, one works, pays into benefits programs, agrees that later in life, after years of broken promises, they will receive their benefits yet, what happens, the benefits are decreased. It’s shameful, and despicable. Military, disabled, retired, you name it, receive reduced health, monetary, and food benefits. I wonder what happened in FL last night and what ‘they’ ate for the incoming New Year, 2026. I hear there is very nasty flu going around. Be safe, stay healthy and strong. Resist. Thank you Jack. Steady as we go.
Excellent explainer. You excel at this. This behavioral/surveillance/ control ethos - once you’ve described it - starts to reveal itself everywhere. And BTW, just a testimonial for becoming a paid subscriber. The deeper dives you take “below the fold” are absolutely worth it!
That’s what they want — for all of us to “adjust” and “adapt.” Thanks to people like you, I can “zoom out” and look at the bigger picture. SNAP is saving lives. Oligarchs are “the lazy bastards.” They can drink tea and eat cake.
Long term stability of any profitable enterprise requires long term stability of market demand.
Maintain a sub-potential physical + mental health level in a large proportion of the herd. Too sick to wake up and run away but healthy enough to be productive at work and in the trenches of war.
SNAP reform is a dosage adjustment applicable to a sector of the herd whose illness/productivity ratio has become top heavy.
The real issue: Why do so many people need SNAP benefits? The corporations this regime supports doesn’t pay a living wage. Thanks, Jack 👹
You’re exactly right, Rachel...and you just put your finger on the actual scandal.
SNAP didn’t explode because Americans suddenly got lazy. It exploded because the corporations this regime worships...don’t pay a living wage...then run to taxpayers to subsidize their payroll. Walmart...fast food...logistics...private profit...public survival.
Here’s the quiet con:
They slash wages → workers can’t live → government steps in → corporations pocket the savings → politicians blame the poor.
SNAP isn’t the failure. Wage suppression is.
And...every “cut benefits” scream is really a cover story for corporate welfare.
Thanks for saying it plainly!
-Jack
Excellent!! Once again, you hit this nail on so many heads! This is one issue that makes my lips purse of their own volition when brought up by some ignorant asshole.
WHO decides which kids get birthday treats?? DON’T get me started!
#HoldFast
Jack,
I do hope you know what a difference it makes for US knowing that you care enough to share all of your rich, deep resources to help us understand the roots of what goes on around us that could easily be missed and/or misunderstood. It matters.
You are sincerely appreciated.
Here’s to a happy, healthy 2026 (Lordy, do you BELIEVE it?) for all of us!
~Rae
Rae, that lip-pursing reflex? That’s your moral compass kicking in before your brain even finishes the sentence.
Because...you’re right...WHO decides which kids get birthday treats is one of those quiet... soul-rotting questions...that exposes how cruelly upside-down the whole conversation has become.
We nickel-and-dime children while excusing billion-dollar THEFT in broad daylight. That’s not policy failure. That’s VALUES failure.
And let me say this clearly, because it matters:
What you wrote right here? This is why I do the work.
Knowing that people like YOU...feel a little less alone...a little more grounded...a little more equipped to see through the noise...that’s the point.
Understanding the roots...changes how you carry the weight. It turns confusion...into clarity. Anger into direction. Isolation into RESOLVE.
So...thank you, for paying attention...for holding the line...for refusing to let cruelty masquerade as common sense.
Here’s to a 2026 that’s healthier...steadier...and...yes…somehow already knocking at the door. (Lordy indeed.)
-Jack
♥️
Forgot my namaste’, inspired the beautiful Buddhist monks currently walking across the country for peace. 🙏🏽
I would gladly pay a lot more money towards SNAP every year in my taxes, rather than having my tax money go towards ICE concentration camps, corporate subsidies to petrochemical companies, tax breaks for the 0.1%, etc. But maybe if we didn't have all the money going toward all this stuff I'd rather not have it go toward, we could put some funding towards getting folks out of poverty far enough that they wouldn't need SNAP anymore.
That is truly what needs to happen. These billionaires that spend money on frivolous things like bezos and his50 million dollar wedding in Italy with some bimbo that looks like plastic. If they paid even half of their taxes image how people could be lifted up in this world.
When I feed the poor, they call me a saint, but when I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.
~ Dom Helder Camara ~
Know what really pisses me off? For years I have heard people smirk about welfare, SNAP, even medicaid as entitlement. Like these poor folks aren't rich enough, smart enough, good enough to do for themselves and have to rely on the gu'ment for handouts. Well, kiss my lily white arse! I've been there, and I'm smart, good, and deserving of a living wage. Show me someone on SNAP who wouldn't rather receive a sustaining paycheck, or get up out of his wheelchair and go to work.
"Meanwhile, we lose orders of magnitude more money to:"
* the financial penalties which disappear with pardons!
#HoldFast
My SNAP story: I had just been discharged from the Army. My husband was still in, but he was a low rank. We had two kids and one on the way (the reason I got out). We were eligible for SNAP. When we got it, a friend took me to the grocery store. He had an old Mercedes that his parents gave him. A man followed us out of the store and said, "Why are you on food stamps when you have a Mercedes?" Judgmental people are everywhere. You never know someone's circumstances. Maybe they're escaping domestic abuse. Maybe they lost their job, or their job doesn't pay enough. Maybe they can't work because of illness. Show people some compassion.
When the AI bubble bursts, we must not allow the billionaires to be bailed out. Let their self-induced collapse be the beginning of a just economy. The banks were bailed out and they took control of foreclosed homes, instead of the money going directly to the homeowners, who could then pay their mortgages. We must think that the commons (all of us together) is too big to fail. Let the demise of the billionaire class be the consequence of their own arrogance and greed.
I receive snap benefits and damn these people! I liked your analysis of the situation, but to me it’s ridiculous how it’s thought about. I thank God everyday that I was blessed with a brain that sees through all this “noise” that’s being thrown at us, but it is so wrong on so many levels. My frustration on everything just drives me crazy! I SEE!! I just hope a majority of us sees too!
Great analysis Jack. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy new year. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦⛄️
Jack there are always a small percentage that cheat any system. But veterans and those that need help with drug addiction, the single mothers that have been left to take care of the kids alone. Then there are the repugs that don't want abortion but will do nothing after the baby is born or even during the pregnancy if the mother runs into serious problems. I read Caroline Kennedy's daughter comments that if the drug had not been available during her last pregnancy she would have had poor outcomes as it saved her life.the cruelty is beyond pale and the grift and greed is just as bad. Thank you for this piece it really spells it out about keeping people down. #HOLDFAST
Absolutely….it is about control. First we control those who have limited control over anything, children. Then we control their parents…. Usually they are on minimum wage jobs so they are not a civically engaged and cannot afford to slap down help. Then, we continue to move up control on others in society. All done with a pious smile on the lips, condescending attitude, and hatred because these folks are lesser beings. It is all control, it is all blame the innocent, it is all because the wealthy scream MORE! I was livid when I found out this regime decided to sanction children. First, it was Minnesota, then EVERY child that may receive SNAPs. This is cruel and unusual punishment for being born….without a silver spoon.
GOP/MAGA- ProLife
Also GOP/MAGA- Sorry, no benefits for you or your children. Why would you have children if you can’t afford it?
Stupid is a stupid does. Inhumane is an inhumane does.
Pay a higher wage with benefits and support families. Then we don’t need to issue SNAPS at all.
I’m embarrassed to say, the ‘great’ state of Indiana voted to NOT increase minimum wage! One of a few states. Then they wonder why folks need rent assistance, utility assistance, food assistance….ARRRGH!
You nailed it Jack. In many states SNAP recipients on SSA and SSI are considered receiving ‘income’ thus when COLA goes up, SNAP goes down. It’s the mighty corporations that make the horrible food (Soda, Big Burgers, etc …) who should change their ingredients. However, one works, pays into benefits programs, agrees that later in life, after years of broken promises, they will receive their benefits yet, what happens, the benefits are decreased. It’s shameful, and despicable. Military, disabled, retired, you name it, receive reduced health, monetary, and food benefits. I wonder what happened in FL last night and what ‘they’ ate for the incoming New Year, 2026. I hear there is very nasty flu going around. Be safe, stay healthy and strong. Resist. Thank you Jack. Steady as we go.
Excellent explainer. You excel at this. This behavioral/surveillance/ control ethos - once you’ve described it - starts to reveal itself everywhere. And BTW, just a testimonial for becoming a paid subscriber. The deeper dives you take “below the fold” are absolutely worth it!
That’s what they want — for all of us to “adjust” and “adapt.” Thanks to people like you, I can “zoom out” and look at the bigger picture. SNAP is saving lives. Oligarchs are “the lazy bastards.” They can drink tea and eat cake.
Long term stability of any profitable enterprise requires long term stability of market demand.
Maintain a sub-potential physical + mental health level in a large proportion of the herd. Too sick to wake up and run away but healthy enough to be productive at work and in the trenches of war.
SNAP reform is a dosage adjustment applicable to a sector of the herd whose illness/productivity ratio has become top heavy.