Compassion Is Common Sense

Last month, I visited NVRH. During my short time there I met a lovely elderly lady. We were both seated in the waiting area. She was recuperating from surgery and regaled me with the details of aging and health care. The snow was just starting to melt, she shared how the winters were tough— mobility and all— and she was looking forward to summer — specifically, the St J Farmers’ Market.

This lovely lady benefits from SFMNP/ Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. This program is designed to encourage and offer healthy food choices. Per the USDA.gov site it also Increases the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities through farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agricultural programs.

This certainly reads like a win/win to me -- healthy living for seniors while supporting our local and fragile agricultural community! Good for us, what a great program: the USA sure does treat its citizens well!

As she shared her love for kale (yuck) I could not help but worry for her and others like her. It had not come to bear yet, but at that time DOGE was just starting to ransack federal offices and Social Security and many of our social safety nets were at risk of defunding or complete termination. She was blissfully unaware, I let her be. Maybe I was wrong?

Not likely. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggests that the present administration is poised to cut billions of dollars from subsidies that benefit low income, disabled and the elderly in our communities. Many of these dollars will come from SNAP, SFMNP and similar programs. How do we feel about letting our neighbors, friends, coworkers and possibly family go without essential items like FOOD? But wait, there is more… winter is almost over, allowing us a few months to figure out how Vermont will replace the funds formerly known as LIHEAP /Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.(The specifics of this program should be self explanatory). The question now is…how do we feel about COLD AND HUNGRY neighbors, friends, coworkers and possibly family? Your answers say a lot about who you are. Think and act with compassion.

Remember…most of us are 3 months closer to financial ruin than we are to entering the realm of unthinkable wealth. All these budget cuts and “savings” benefit no one except the ultra wealthy.

This doesn’t feel like winning.

You can make a difference. All politics are local. Start with your rep, move on to your state senator then call Bernie, Peter and Becca. Send a letter to the White House. Your voice counts. Never assume that your elected official is doing all that they can on your behalf. Be issue specific —give them hell and/or give them support, be polite either way.

5calls.org will provide details and background on issues that may concern you. The platform shares talking points and provides your legislature’s phone number. All you do is dial, read and repeat. Do something before it is too late to do anything.

“This is a moral moment. It is not left or right, it is right or wrong”—Cory Booker

Robin Migdelany

Waterford, VT