Cal Thomas: A nation on food stamps

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MARY REICHARD, HOST: Today is Thursday, November 6th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Mary Reichard.

LINDSAY MAST, HOST: And I’m Lindsay Mast.

Two federal judges recently ordered the Trump Administration to restore funds to the SNAP food stamps program. This week President Trump said he’ll use a contingency fund to cover about half of SNAP benefits through the end of the month…but if the government doesn’t reopen, SNAP benefits will once again cease.

REICHARD: WORLD commentator Cal Thomas believes the shutdown provides an opportunity to reevaluate the program.

CAL THOMAS: Now would be a good time to ask why so many Americans seek food assistance. There are an estimated 42 million people receiving food aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program…or SNAP. According to the USDA the figure represents just over 12 percent of the U.S. population. In one of the richest nations on Earth, that isn’t something to brag about. It is, or at least ought to be, a disgrace.

While many Americans rely on the program, it is an open secret that abuses are not uncommon. Over the last 30 years administrations have reformed portions of the food stamp program. The most recent in the so-called Big Beautiful Bill. It included changes to SNAP eligibility, benefits, and how the program is administered. The reforms shouldn’t stop there. A good next step would be the elimination of mistakes, waste, and fraud in the SNAP program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture administers SNAP for the states. It estimates that in fiscal year 2023 nearly 12 percent of SNAP benefits—were in its words— “improper payments.” In layman’s terms that’s fraud and other errors totaling about ten and a half billion dollars.

While overpayments from household errors and administrative mistakes make up the largest portion of these improper payments, the USDA and other experts also report significant issues with benefit trafficking and recent surges in theft. For example, a 55 percent increase in fraudulent transactions occurred between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

The first food assistance programs were established in 1939 during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration. Like so many other government programs, when the Great Depression ended and the need for food assistance subsided, the programs continued and new people were added, even during periods of prosperity.

Following the elimination of improper payments, there should be a focus on the able-bodied who are not working. There is a work and job training requirement for people receiving SNAP benefits. Whether those without children are meeting that requirement should be investigated. The goal should be to wean people off government assistance and toward financial independence. The elderly and those with physical or mental disabilities who qualify, should continue receiving food assistance.

Whatever happened to children caring for their parents who are in need? Adult children with resources should be required to help their parents before turning to the government.

Senate Democrats continue to use SNAP – as well as air traffic controllers and other vital services – to extort political capital from Republicans. So far it appears to be working. A recent Quinnipiac poll found that voters blame Republicans slightly more than Democrats for the shutdown. Too many Americans believe they are entitled to other people’s money and that it is the government's responsibility to take care of every citizen—and some non- citizens—from cradle to grave. Maybe Congress should be listed among those who are “non-essential” and have their pay suspended. Watch how quickly the government would open again should that occur.

Nearly every problem has a solution. The problem for politicians is that if they solve a problem, they no longer have an issue with which to bash the other party. As long as holding on to political office remains their top priority, nothing will change. More people will come to rely on government, which will likely help the Democrats—at least in the short term—but it will be bad for the country and the people who have become addicted to government.

I’m Cal Thomas.

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