A Lesson in Irony

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as the Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to distribute (in 2012-13) the greatest amount of free meals (and food stamps) ever, to 46 million people.

Meanwhile, the National Park Service, a part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us “Please Do Not Feed the Animals.” Their stated reason for the policy is because “The animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.”

(Anonymous, edited by Nathan)
Scott’s comments: Must be why SNAP was reduced this November.

Nathan: I don’t recall who (perhaps Mark Twain?) it was that first said, “You get more of what you subsidize, and less of what you tax.”  We’ve been subsidizing “hunger” and dependence on government-supplied food for more than 150 years on the reservations, and nationwide since LBJ’s “Great Society” (almost 50 years ago).    It started out at 2-3 million, so yes, Virginia, government programs CAN be “successful” for certain definitions of success.  And for certain limited time periods.