We have a candidate for Hypocrite of the Week.
Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-TN) agitated against food aid for poor Americans included in the Farm Bill during last week’s House Agricultural Committee debate, accusing the government of stealing “other people’s money.” [...]
While Fincher interprets food assistance for the needy as “stealing,” he has not similarly condemned the Farm Bill’s massive agricultural subsidies. In fact, he supported a proposal to expand crop insurance by $9 billion over the next 10 years. Fincher has a great personal stake in maintaining these particular government handouts, as the second most heavily subsidized farmer in Congress and one of the largest subsidy recipients in Tennessee history.
To recap — SNAP benefits for the poor is an example of the government ‘stealing other people’s money,’ but providing subsidies to rich congressmen like Fincher is alright.
I’m glad we’re on the same page.