Compassion anyone?

[enders-shadow.livejournal.com]

I cannot understand this whole SNAP debacle that is being played out and talked about. I do not understand how ANYONE can be against feeding the hungry. I am willing to concede that there will be waste and fraud. I cannot imagine what system(s) would not have *some* waste and fraud. That said, waste and fraud are bad, but, let's not go throwing the baby out with the bath water, eh?

Food is NOT an option for people. Neither is water. These two things are HUMAN RIGHTS as far as I am concerned. Nobody, anywhere, should be deprived of access to food and water. And you know what, these things, in their most basic form (ie. basic food staples, not fancy food feasts), should be free. That's right, free. For *every single person*.

I understand that to some cold-hearted demons out there, people only deserve food and water if they *work* for it. Well fuck that. Work is not the pre-requisite, IMO, for food or water. Those should be denied to NOBODY.

I have a question to ask folks here, and I'm not sure I will be able to stomach the responses, but here goes:

Under what circumstances should a hungry person be denied food/water?

Comments

[paft.livejournal.com]

And if you can't pay for it you should....

What?

Die from dehydration? Drink from rivers and ponds? Use lake water to mix baby formula or give your kid a cool drink

Yeah, let's REALLY up the infant mortality rate.

[cheezyfish.livejournal.com]

Food is a commodity. That isn't some statement saying people who can't pay deserve to starve.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

What's your alternative?

Are you really going to argue that a well has no value? that treatment plant workers do not deserve to be paid for their labor? and that or that irrigation rights should not be honored or negotiable.

Food is a commodity as well. Is it your belief that all farmers should be slaves servants of the state, and be required to work for free?

[paft.livejournal.com]

s: What's your alternative?

Not treating water like just another commodity.

I take it you're saying here that people dying from dehydration, cholera, etc., should just be considered the price of doing business.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

Not treating potable water like a commodity isn't exactly a valid option.

It IS a commodity.

[paft.livejournal.com]

So, just so we're clear on this.

You think people dying from dehydration, cholera, etc., should just be considered the price of doing business. It bothers you that they aren't, and that so many people who otherwise couldn't afford potable water have access to it.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

No

I'm just pointing out that your right to life doesn't magically put food in your belly or make your water cholera-free.

That you want someone to feed and to water you, but don't want to pay them. To me this is the attitude of a child. That or you are a master in search of slaves. Neither reflects well on you.

[paft.livejournal.com]

s: I'm just pointing out that your right to life doesn't magically put food in your belly or make your water cholera-free.

No, but treating water as just another thing to be bought and sold is likely to result in more cases of cholera and other water-bourne diseases.

s: That you want someone to feed and to water you, but don't want to pay them.

Nope. I pay for my food and for my water. I want people who cannot afford to pay for their food or water to be fed and watered.

The fact that you don't want that reflects badly on you. Not on me.