Congress’s recent cut to food stamps is deplorable in a Dickensian sort of way.

The act reminded me of the famous line uttered by Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.” 

Ebenezer Scrooge’s callous response to why he didn’t donate to charity was questioning if there were jails or workhouses. 

Such a statement is nearly devoid of any sort of perspective, much like the bill passed by the House of Representatives. 

As a surprise to no one, the Republican-led House passed the bill with a narrow majority of 217-210. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor directed this bill from it’s inception – his strings being tugged by Tea Party conservatives. 

It seems the fringe group who is holding the Grand Old Party by the neck was not complacent to retreat back into the shadows after it orchestrated a government shutdown. Now it has to go after one of the most disenfranchised groups in America.

The Tea Party, a group of people who enjoy cosplaying as 250-year-old white guys, have come to the conclusion that food stamp spending has gotten out of control. 

Republican Representative Marlin Stutzman from Indiana claimed on the House floor that the bill would eliminate loopholes and put America on a fiscally responsible path. Why does Congress have a thing for balancing budgets on the poor?

In the past 12 months, 57 multi-billion dollar companies based in the U.S. have found a way to pay zero percent of their earnings in taxes. Companies such as Verizon, MetLife, and Broadcom have discussed schemes to not pay their fair share.

It’s a tidy little arrangement. This year, Verizon spent over $10 million lobbying members of congress. 

Companies buying their way into the club means they do not have to worry about Congress sending the taxman to their door.

While you might think our lawmakers would carry a little bit of shame, given 47 percent of all federal legislators have a net worth upwards of $1 million, but it is just the opposite.

We all expect Congress to be terrible when it comes to everything, but even some Americans seem to carry disdain for the poor.

Mark R. Rank, a professor at Washington University in Saint Louis, found that 40 percent of Americans between the ages of 25 and 60 will live at least one year under the poverty line. Also, 54 percent will be lucky enough to simply straddle the line for a year or more. Thank your lucky stars you aren’t poor now because one day you may be.

The bright side of this whole food stamp debacle is there is a good chance these cuts will not see the light of day. President Barack Obama threatened to veto if the bill reached his desk. 

The bill may even die in the Democratic party-led senate. 

However, the fact that we even have to have the argument these days is a testament to how many Scrooge’s get elected.