The "HONOR" of Food Stamps

If you are anything like me you've asked yourself on more than one occasion if liberal thinkers (I know oxymoron) study the same script.  How else to explain the fact that at least two individuals Nancy Pelosi and Jessie Jackson have attempted to attach the word "honor" to food stamps.

Their contention is that Newt Gingrich's labeling of President Obama as the "Food Stamp President" should not be a derisive label but one of honor.  Nancy Pelosi even went so far as to challenge Christians to follow the adages of the Book of Matthew that refer to feeding the hungry and providing for the poor.  It is kind of interesting that liberals spend 1/2 of their time denying Christ and the other 1/2 wanting people to emulate Him.  Video available at: http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2012/03/24/Pelosi-Proud-More-People-On-Food-Stamps

They would have you believe that President Obama is performing an unparalleled work of charity by feeding so many hungry people.  But is it really charity when you are doing your good works with other people's money?  It would also stand to reason that if we were going to be bound to the scriptural adage about feeding the hungry we should probably adhere to the instructions from the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Thessalonians where he admonished them that "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."  So if we are supposed to take the Bible literally, both instructions would appear to be binding.

Didn't Nancy Pelosi's daughter make a short film about those she called "Welfare Queens" that showed able bodied men and women who were just looking for "Obama Money"?  One would have to question the "honor" in this wouldn't they?  There is also the story of the Austrian man who cut off his own foot rather than go back to work - but lets stick to this country shall we?

Please don't take this the wrong way, this is not an attempt to brand anyone as a slacker or malingerer but rather to exam what if any amount of 'honor' can be attached to the term "Food Stamp President'.  Are there people who need and deserve food stamps?  Absolutely.  But there is no question that many individuals are on food stamps simply because they can be.

Years ago someone requiring public assistance was looked down upon, this was hardly justified - but it certainly did happen.   Today the stigma attached to receiving food stamps is virtually non-existent and you have to wonder if that is a good thing.  Are we as American's filling a need, or are we simply acting as an enabler and rewarding bad behavior?  Unfortunately the answer is 'a little bit of both'.

Regardless of why food stamps are being provided (and you would be hard pressed not to say something to the effect of "Because the economy is so god awful") how does the President deserve a (quoting Nancy Pelosi here) "Badge of Honor" for becoming the President with the highest number of individuals on food stamps during his tenure?  What exactly is honorable about that?  It would seem that Pelosi and Jackson are desperately trying to put lipstick on a pig, but we all know that when it is said and done a pig is still a pig, lipstick or not.

Let's not confuse our children and grandchildren about what Honor really is all about.  Isn't it about sacrifice and patriotism and the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few?  Isn't it really about stuff like that?

According to Webster:

Definition of HONOR

1

a : good name or public esteem : reputation b : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition <pay honor to our founder>

2

: privilege <had the honor of joining the captain for dinner>

3

: a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office <if Your Honor please>

4

: one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit <an honor to the profession>

5

: the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon

6

: an evidence or symbol of distinction: as a : an exalted title or rank b (1) : badge, decoration (2) : a ceremonial rite or observance <buried with full military honors> c : an award in a contest or field of competition d archaic : a gesture of deference : bow e plural (1) : an academic distinction conferred on a superior student (2) : a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course

7

: chastity, purity <fought fiercely for her honor and her life — Barton Black>

8

a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity <a man of honor> b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance <on my honor, I will be there>

9

plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host <asked her to do the honors>

10

a (1) : an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge (2) : the scoring value of honors held in bridge —usually used in plural b : the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf

See honor defined for English-language learners »

See honor defined for kids »

Examples of HONOR

1. These people deserve to be treated with honor.
2. The team brought honor to the school.
3. The building was named in honor of the city's founder.
4. He was prepared to fight to defend his family's honor.
5. She has a keen sense of honor.
6. He would not do it as a matter of honor.
7. He's a man of honor.
8. It was an honor to be invited.
9. Many of the Persians, despite belonging to the Barbarian Other, come off with honor and dignity in his pages, even during the final narrative of Xerxes' invasion. —Peter Green, New York Review of Books, 15 May 2008
10. [+]more

Where do you think food stamps might fit into the above list?

Wouldn't the honor be found in reducing the number of families on food stamps by increasing employment rolls?  It sure seems that way to me.

PMA