Shouldn’t we redirect our elected officials?

We know Congress considered how to balance the budget, but failed to adequately curtail the military-industrial corporate complex, approving such items as billions for genocidal nuclear weapons and an unrequested $551 million for B61 [nuclear bomb] Life Extension Program. Why have those self-proclaimed Christian Congress ignored Jesus' teachings, of blessing the peacemakers and caring for the least of these thy brethren?

While Western North Carolinians support the work of food banks, churches and pantries, food donations aren’t enough. Nearly 50 million Americans face hunger. Charity alone cannot meet the need. Congressional curtailment of programs that in the past helped low-income Americans put food on the table is the wrong way to reduce our nation's deficit.

Elected officials could make a real difference. Congress overlooked this in passing a new Farm Bill. They should reconsider strengthening hunger-relief programs like the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. With unemployment still high and many Americans struggling to make ends meet, and given associated healthcare, educational and economic costs of hunger, cuts to these programs are not only costly in the long run, but they are immoral.

— Lew Patrie
Asheville