To the editor:

As our country toils through the current government shutdown (well, government aside from money “found” to pay for ICE and military operations, and funds “gifted” from corporate megadonors looking toward quid-pro-quo — for the Trump Ballroom vanity project), the agriculture department, which is responsible for funding SNAP benefits and other hunger-alleviating programs, announced that money for most nutrition programs in the country would not be available as of Nov. 1.

Could the executive branch have instructed the secretary of agriculture to “find” funds for hungry families? Could the president have asked the CEOs of major corporations to wait on gifts for a gilded event space, and maybe, just maybe, do something to benefit the people in this country who aren’t beneficiaries of huge salaries, golden parachutes and multi-million dollar bonuses for … Oh, I don’t know, funny social media posts maybe? Could the speaker of the House call Congress back into session, then both House and Senate start talking and working out a budget resolution?

The answer is no. Tearing down the East Wing, approving extra-judicial killings in international waters, pointing fingers, trolling the libs and giggling over AI-generated videos all take up too much bandwidth.

Sorry, folks, it looks like you’ll just have to ignore those hunger pangs. Maybe stop by the back door of the Trumpish Ballroom when it’s finished; they might have leftovers for you.

On a less snarky note, local food pantries can help provide at least some relief; for anyone who’s held back so far, please look into the ways your neighbors and communities can help. But calls, letters and emails to your congressional leaders can have an impact, too.

Peter Wilson

Lake Clear