Young: Shutdown lesson — don’t depend on D.C.
The recent federal government shutdown has highlighted a critical vulnerability in the reliance on Washington for essential social programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As Congress struggles to agree on budgets, the repercussions are felt most acutely by those who depend on these programs for basic needs, such as food security. The shutdown serves as a wake-up call, underscoring the urgent need to decentralize aid and empower state and local governments to manage relief efforts independently. By shifting funding and administration of programs like SNAP away from the federal level, communities can ensure that assistance remains consistent and accessible, regardless of political gridlock in Washington.
The case for localizing aid extends beyond mere reliability; it also encompasses the adaptability and accountability of programs managed at the state and local levels. Local governments are often better positioned to understand the unique challenges faced by their communities, allowing for more tailored responses to poverty and food insecurity. Moreover, historical evidence, as presented by historian David Beito in his book “From Mutual Aid to the Welfare State,” illustrates the effectiveness of neighborly support systems that thrived before the New Deal era. This suggests that individuals and local organizations can play a pivotal role in addressing poverty, filling the gaps left by federal programs. The statistics are encouraging; Americans donated approximately $550 billion to charities last year, demonstrating a robust culture of generosity that can be harnessed to support local initiatives.
In light of these insights, it becomes clear that the solution to poverty relief lies not solely in government intervention but in a collaborative approach that combines federalism with grassroots efforts. By fostering a spirit of community involvement and encouraging private donations and volunteerism, we can create a more resilient safety net for those in need. The latest federal shutdown serves as a stark reminder that reliance on Washington can lead to uncertainty and inefficiency—it’s time to take matters into our own hands and build a support system that truly reflects the needs of our communities. As we move forward, let us embrace the idea that we can do what Washington cannot, ensuring that help is always available for those who need it most.
The federal shutdown is over. Here’s one big takeaway: We need to depend less on Washington. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food aid program’s vulnerability shows how government failure puts people at risk.
Shutdowns make the federal government too unreliable to be solely entrusted with helping the poor. When people need help, they should be able to get it. Almost everyone agrees on that, regardless of politics. The question is how to deliver that help.
When Congress cannot agree on a budget, SNAP recipients are an unintended casualty. The solution is to move aid out of Washington and closer to home, so national political spats have no bearing on whether hungry families can afford food.
Government-run relief programs should be funded at the state and local levels to the greatest extent possible. SNAP is administered by state governments but depends almost entirely on federal funding, which makes it unreliable. States should transition to funding and running their aid programs without federal involvement.
There are other benefits to reform. Programs run at lower levels of government tend to be less distant and impersonal, more adaptable, more accountable, and have fewer long-term dependency problems. It is easier to fix a problem in your own town than it is to solve one halfway across the country from a Washington office building.
Private aid tends to work better than government aid. Everyday citizens should consider donating and volunteering at a local food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter and look for other ways to help people in their community. Americans gave $550 billion to charities last year, according to the National Philanthropic Trust. That makes us among the world’s most generous donors, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of our income. We have the means to succeed where Washington fails.
The historian David Beito’s book “From Mutual Aid to the Welfare State” shows the rich history of neighbors helping neighbors in pre-New Deal America and how that degraded when Washington took over the job. Even in a society much poorer than ours is today, people found ways to help each other out.
Although government aid has crowded out a lot of private aid, that private infrastructure is still there in the form of non-profits, churches, families, friends, and neighbors. More importantly, the will to help is still there. Anyone who puts their mind to it can do what Washington can’t. So why not you?
The most important lesson from the latest federal shutdown is this: Don’t trust Washington, and don’t give the politicians there any more power.
Poverty relief is just one example out of many that demonstrate why a combination of federalism and private initiative can provide higher-quality services that are not affected by federal shutdowns.
Ryan Young is senior economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI)./InsideSources
