I do not usually deal with anything political on this site, but our times have become so extreme that I cannot pretend that writing and politics are disconnected in any way. Writers must speak our conscience.
Regarding President Trumps’s budget plan to make drastic cuts to Meals on Wheels, I remind everyone of that great writing, which was a morality tale and one of social critique: A Christmas Carol.
The ghost of his dead business partner, Jacob Marley, pays a visit to Ebenezer Scrooge to offer him a chance at redemption:
“But you were always such a good man of business, Jacob,” faultered Scrooge,
who now began to apply this to himself.
“Business!” cried the ghost, wringing its hands again. “Mankind was my
business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forebearance,
and benevolence, were, all, my business.” (Dickens 21)
The soul of a society, the spirit of a people, and the decency of a nation are largely determined by the treatment of the less fortunate. Cutting funding in any way for Meals on Wheels, which delivers food to those who might not otherwise eat, including many veterans, is an act of evil. We would do well to heed Dickens’ admonition.
Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol. New York. Bantam. 1997.
Thank you French, I was very disturbed to find that the plan is to defund Meals on Wheels and the free lunch program for underprivileged school kids (whose lunch at school may be the only one they have all day). It sickens me to see this heartless administration’s hateful and careless agenda come into play. Thank you for the article, I couldn’t agree more…Scrooge indeed.
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You are very welcome.
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Hi Heartafire 🙂
I agree with you wholeheartedly.
I was literally horrified by Mulvaney trying to justify these cuts by asking about the ‘return on investment’ for these programs.
So what is the ROI?
Oh I don’t know…some folks might not starve….
That’s an EXCELLENT return as far as I am concerned.
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Thank you!
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So heartless. Thank you Lady G. It’s a mystery to me why this administration is allowed to continue it’s destructive agenda with restraint.
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Thanks for responding 😉
I simply do not understand it either 😦
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I couldn’t agree more, Charles. It seems the whole situation is getting worse by the day…
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Unfortunately, yes, it is.
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You notice meanness never starts from the bottom and works up, it always starts at the top and works it’s way down leaving those at the top well able to take care of themselves.
Hugs
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Yes, it does, and thank you.
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I understand your hesitation to write about anything political on your blog. I’ve struggled with this, too. I appreciate you deciding to write and not normalizing what is abnormal. And you did it with class and decorum. I think the Meals On Wheels news struck a cord with many of us. Great Literature has always been the torch of truth. Thank you.
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You are very welcome!
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Oops! Chord* Autocorrect, grrrr.
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Not a problem!
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It is evil, completely evil. I hope more and more people in the US find the courage to speak out against this, as you have Charles.
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Thank you!
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Brilliant! It describes Trump’s plan to a “tee”! Great post!! Love it! Karen 🙂
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Pen and Paper and commented:
By https://charlesfrenchonwordsreadingandwriting
Perfect depiction of a person who would actually strike down, “Meals on Wheels” , school meals for underprivileged kids, and more cruel and unnecessary cuts that will harm less well off working families than I can write in this comment.
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Thank you!
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No amount of claims of “patriotism” can mask the stench of self-interest surrounding supporters of the cuts to “liberal-branded” programs like these. Democracy is about ALL of us, not just those who are rich or want to be — nor at the very least, any alleged “majority” who are about to find out why silence is indeed a virtue.
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Thank you for an excellent comment!
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Reblogged this on alkaplan.
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Thank you for the reblogging!
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I appreciate your willingness to go to a very difficult place.
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thank you!
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It’s terrible where this country is heading into these days. We really need to act fast before things get even worse…
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We need to speak out and to vote.
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Exactly!
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Which reminds me, Russia (the country operated by his pal, Vladimir Putin) is starving.
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Good point.
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My heart goes to you and what is happening in your country, here in Europe we hadnt heard about this latest intention to make America great again… great comparison with Scrooge, it is unfortunately accurate.
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Thank you, and I wish it were not a great comparison. Unfortunately, greed and blind self-interest are raising their very ugly heads.
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