U.S. Army Rushes Food Assistance to Avert Hunger Crisis in Arlington

Hi Yupette,

We appreciate your features about the extravagant tax-borrow-spend programs and policies of Arlington County Government. Turns out there IS a serious and significant hunger crisis in Arlington, caused by  massive gentrification, tax increases, no increase in the minimum wage, and cuts in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) assistance and the end of long term unemployment insurance orchestrated by Tea Party Members of Congress. So hundreds more families are seeking food assistance every week. Added to the 10% of Arlington residents (about 33,000) who already receive some kind of food assistance.

What to do? Call out the U.S. Army to help deliver food to hungry Americans to avert a hunger crisis where thousands of residents in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States are facing prolonged malnutrition.

Meanwhile, it's Gala season for Arlington's Elite, including the four members of the Arlington Board of Supervisors who are enjoying being 'comped' with thousands of dollars in free tickets to various local extravaganzas where they make gentrification redevelopment and tax-borrow-spend luxury infrastructure deals with their corporate and non-profit cronies.

Anyway, nice to know that the Pentagon is capable of delivering a few hundred pounds of food to hungry Americans after spending about $5 Trillion since 9-11-01 helping people in the Third World.

Robbie, 22204

County Board Accelerates Tax, Borrow, Spend for Vanity Projects While Pentagon Slashes Budget

Hey Yupette,

Did you happen to read the front page of today's New York Times, "Pentagon Plans to Shrink Army to PreWar Level"? While the County Board and Barbara Donnellan are taking tax (via a corrupt residential real estate assessment system), borrow, and spend (including a $12 million slush fund new in FY 15) to a new level the Department of Defense is preparing to both limit pay increases and cut benefits for members of the Armed Forces and reduce their numbers

Here's an excerpt from the Times article that should give everyone in local governments something to be concerned about, but will likely have no effect whatsoever:

"Mr. Hagel will take some first steps to deal with the controversial issue of pay and compensation, as the proposed budget would impose a one-year salary freeze for general and flag officers; basic pay for military personnel would rise by 1 percent. After the 2015 fiscal year, raises in pay will be similarly constrained, Pentagon officials say."

Meanwhile back in Fiscal Fantasyland, located at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard in Neverland-on-the-Potomac, transportation planners are ready to tap into the FY15 slush fund to design multiple streetcar systems.

Later,

Peter, 22201