I did read the article. My main point was that EBT was increased as an emergency measure, so it seems reasonable that it should return to the previous level bef

I did read the article. My main point was that EBT was increased as an emergency measure, so it seems reasonable that it should return to the previous level before the pandemic. I realize the article makes a point about further cuts, and that is a different matter. I think 8-year-olds spending more time inside their house in front of a TV or tablet than a prisoner is much more tragic and sad than an industrious 8-year old who wants to go out and make life happen for themselves and not becoming an obese child to later develop hypertension and diabetes from being a couch potato. I don't want people to suffer. I don't know where you get that. I grew up without phones or TV in the 70s. I didn't know my childhood and crime-ridden neighborhood (highest in NYC for 8 years) would fill several Oprah shows. Aside from the intermittent violence, my friends and I were happy. Saving up for that telescope and working for things for myself created who I am today. And although anecdotal, I can tell you that seeing them turned in for cash for beer and cigarettes doesn't fit the rosy-glassed narrative of those who only read about it. I would also make the argument that I believe people also ate less. All of my working class neighbors were slim and generally fit from working manual labor and not eating today's large-sized portions. We have more than ever in this country than ever before, so to postulate that it's worse doesn't seem to fit my experience. I've also lived in a an Indonesian rice-farming village in Java for a year where 40% of the homes or more had dirt floors. I've traveled and lived in many other places for about 15% of my life, and self-reliance is not a myth, and it brings happiness and confidence to most people. I believe there are people that neither working for themselves or relying on others works for them, and this is truly sad, but not everyone can be saved from themselves or society.