- By Deb Meeker
- Opinions
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joiners to tout his bipartisan attitude. Here about three quarters of the way through this very brief video, Tom tells us that there is a "broad spectrum of supporters of up-state western NY coming together, because they're "cut from the same cloth...." From this statement one would think Mr. Reed was turning over a new leaf and ready to work in a bipartisan manner.24 hours later, In the July 19th, piece from Lansing Star Online, written by Elizabeth Shaffer, Tom's Deputy Communications Director, Rep. Reed is back to the same old blame game. Reed is quoted as saying : “SNAP funding remains completely preserved in this bill and still, Democrats refuse to support our nation’s farmers. As frustrated as I am that House Democrats are only interested in playing politics, I am more frustrated that they refuse to stand with farmers. Partisan politics is the only reason they had to oppose the Farm Bill.”
So it is all the Democrats fault Rep. Reed? One of the farmers interviewed in this piece said “In a perfect world we would get this all done at once and have it behind us, for the agriculture community it is important that we get a farm bill done so we can make plans for the future.”
I guess Rep. Reed wasn't listening to that farmer. And the others quoted, did not say anything about being happy that the Farm bill was cut into two parts; just that they want it done soon. Furthermore Rep. Reed knows that if the Farm bill isn't passed by October of this year, all funding for SNAP will stop, leaving thousands of elderly, disabled and children food-insecure.
Deb Meeker
Lansing
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