By Betsy L. Angert | Originally Published at EmpathyEucates. December 24, 2013
‘Twas the day after Christmas through the [Senate and] House. We knew it was coming; once again promises of salvation would deliver a louse. The cuts were all hung by the chimney with care, in hopes thatUnemployment benefits soon would be there. On shoppers. On sales. On stockholders and hunger. NowSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Employers won’t mind. A little depressed economy and we will do just fine! Low wages and long soup lines, and why should we care? The answer is there. It is in the face of the children who look at us with wonderment. Stunned with the shortages the young can only stare.
A parent without adequate income cannot support his/her son. A child develops with love and great care. It is more than the hope that Saint Nicholas soon will be there. A little one is affected by more than just money. It’s the misery, the melancholy, and the lack of true meaning. Yes, Christmas is more than a holiday season.
The gift that is the greatest is the one we do not see. Security. Stability. And a life that is stress free.
No child is nestled snug in his bed, no visions of sugarplums dance in their heads when mamma has no money for her ‘kerchief, and Dad no dollars for a cap. With fewer financial resources there cannot be a warm winter’s nap. Without a job or unemployment benefits to meet their regular monthly expenses, there is no money for food, no shelter and surely no health care coverage. All would be fine but a bit too expensive. Cash coming into the home could be quite the cure. But today that is not likely. We know by the