They Took Your Liberty

.... and sold it back to you as compassion

The Truth About SNAP, Rights, and the Constitution

In a world where freedom is increasingly traded for the illusion of security, it's time to confront a harsh reality: "When a nation trades freedom for dependency—this is the future it builds." We've seen this play out in real time with government shutdowns and the fallout on programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). But before the blame game spirals into looting and chaos, let's cut through the noise and set the record straight.

No, Trump and Republicans Didn't "Cut Off" Food Assistance

First things first: Neither Donald Trump nor the Republican Party has "cut off" food assistance. This isn't about heartlessness or lack of compassion—it's about the law. Under the Antideficiency Act, no one in the government—not the President, not the USDA, not a single bureaucrat—can spend a dime that Congress hasn't appropriated. Violating that? It's a federal crime.

When a shutdown hits, programs like SNAP don't "run out of compassion." They run out of legal authority to operate. Congress has to vote to reopen funding before new benefits can flow. And here's the kicker: Congress can't even vote on spending during a shutdown. Blaming the President for this is like yelling at a firefighter for not using a hose when the city's water supply has been cut off. It's absurd, misleading, and designed to stoke fear.

The Twisted Definition of "Rights"

Now, let's dismantle the word that's being weaponized to confuse and control: "rights." The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee food, housing, or healthcare as inalienable rights. What it does protect are negative rights—safeguards against government overreach in your life. Think freedom of speech, religion, property ownership, due process, and self-defense. These are the bedrock of liberty, ensuring the government can't interfere without just cause.

Positive rights? Those are the ones that require others (usually the government, funded by taxpayers) to provide you with something—food stamps, welfare, subsidized housing. These aren't birthrights etched in the Constitution; they're legislative programs, subject to budgets, votes, and political whims. SNAP isn't a right; it's a safety net, and a temporary one at that.

This dependency culture has lulled too many into complacency. It's a wake-up call: No one is entitled by law. Be grateful for the help when you need it. Use it as a hand up, not a handout. But always remember—it can vanish in an instant, often wielded as leverage in political battles. In this case, Democrats are using it against the very people they claim to champion.

Politicians' Emotional Rewrite of the Constitution

When politicians proclaim, "Food is a human right," they're not quoting the Founding Fathers—they're manipulating your emotions to rewrite history. Once you buy into the idea that comfort and security are entitlements, you'll surrender your freedoms to anyone promising to deliver them. Freedom empowers you to pursue happiness and prosperity. Socialism peddles the fantasy that you're owed it.

But here's the unvarnished truth about socialism: Constitutionally, you are not owed. Democrats know this as well as Republicans do. Senate Democrats have voted against the continuing resolution (CR) that would reinstate funding for SNAP and other programs a staggering 13 times, prolonging the crisis for political gain. They're using your vulnerability as blackmail to push their agenda.

For these programs to restart, Democrats must drop the theatrics and reopen the government. No more leveraging people's livelihoods for political points.

Share the Hope, Not the Fear

It's time to reject the fearmongering and embrace the hope of self-reliance. True compassion isn't government dependency—it's empowering individuals to build their own futures. The Constitution was designed to protect your liberty, not chain you to the state. Don't let them sell it back to you disguised as kindness.

If this resonates, share it widely. Knowledge is power, and in this fight for freedom, the truth is our strongest weapon.

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• Friday, September 19, 2025, Roll Call No. 528 (44-48)
• Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Roll Call No. 535 (55-45)
• Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Roll Call No. 537 (55-45)
• Friday, October 3, 2025, Roll Call No. 543 (54-44)
• Monday, October 6, 2025, Roll Call No. 545 (52-42)
• Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Roll Call No. 551 (54-45)
• Thursday, October 9, 2025, Roll Call No. 558 (54-45)
• Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Roll Call No. 571 (49-45)
• Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Roll Call No. 572 (51-44)
• Thursday, October 16, 2025, Roll Call No. 573 (51-45)
• Monday, October 20, 2025, Roll Call No. 576 (50-43)
• Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Roll Call No. 581 (54-46)
• Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Roll Call No. 590 (54-45)

Since the shutdown began, no Democrat votes have changed. The slight changes in vote tallies can be attributed to attendance.