Americans Want Military Cuts; Congress Favors Cutting Food Stamps

…Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters today he opposes the House measure even though it sought to protect defense spending, because “it’s not balanced, it’s not fair and ultimately the Senate isn’t going to accept it either.” [If Panetta’s position surprises you, remember that the top U.S. military and intelligence leaders say that debt is the main threat to our national security.

The plan would reduce spending by about $310 billion over a decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. It would cut off food stamps to 1.8 million Americans, according to CBO, while reducing aid to millions more. About 280,000 children who receive food stamps would no longer be automatically eligible for free school lunches, CBO said.

The measure would make it easier for state governments to cut enrollment in Medicaid, the health care program for the poor, and eliminate Social Services Block Grants, which fund programs such as “Meals on Wheels.”…

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/05/overwhelming-majority-of-u-s-citizens-want-deep-and-immediate-cuts-in-military-spending-but-congress-votes-to-slash-food-stamps-and-other-social-programs-to-preserve-high-military-budget.html