Stop Taking From the Poor to Give to the Rich

This letter to the editor, by Joyce Santo appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on May 8, 2025.

People joined our April 19 “Stop the Cuts” rally at Hudson’s Bandshell because federal budgets and tax systems shouldn’t take from the poor to give to the rich.

As reported by American Progress, DOGE has already made 23 cuts in our congressional district — WI CD 7 — including canceling $400,000 in Local Food Purchase Agreements and a Social Security office lease.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R–WI) voted for a House budget resolution that would force even more cuts to fund more than $5 trillion in tax breaks for the richest Americans.

Here’s what that means for people in WI CD 7:

About 747,209 people live in the district. Roughly 149,441 (20%) are under 18, and 171,858 (23%) are 65 or older.

Just over 9.8% live in poverty.

SNAP cuts would affect 30,059 households (9.2%).

Medicaid cuts would affect 166,900 people (around 22% of the total population in the district).

Supplemental Security Income: 15.7% statewide.

Veterans Administration nationwide: plan for 23%, according to a memo obtained by the Associated Press.

We are our neighbors’ keepers. We’re all better off when everyone’s better off. Tell Congress to stop taking from the poor to give to the rich.