1) What will happen as a result of these cuts?
If the House of Representatives go ahead and approve the bill which seeks to cut the budget allocated to food stamps, the empirical effect will be very visible. First, benefits to the poor will reduce by about 90 dollars a month. This is likely to affect over 850,000 households that depend on these benefits, most of which are in California. Another effect is the fact that the people who are homeless and without any source of income will suffer. These people are usually given about $176 allotment of food stamps. This will be no more. The House first reduced the budget allotment by 11 billion dollars. This affected the many poor individuals by reducing their food stamps by $30. The final empirical effect that is most likely to occur is that over 4 million poor people in need will be pushed out of the program.
There are many ethical issues that are of concern as far as the food stamp reduction is concerned. These values will be harmed. The first ethical principle which this country holds dear is ‘Care’. The advantaged members of the society should care for the disadvantaged ones. If the House passes that bill, this principle will be harmed. The other principle likely to be harmed is ‘Commitment’. The Constitution of the United States ensures commitment to the equality of all citizens. Inequality will increase if this Bill passes. Many more people will be driven to abject poverty and hunger since food stamps will be reduced. ‘Trust’ is another ethical principle that will be harmed. The citizens of the United States trust their government to take care of them. However, if this Bill passes, this trust will be violated.
