There are an estimated 42 million people receiving food aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. The figure represents 12.3 percent of the U.S. population, according to the USDA. In the richest nation on Earth this is not something to brag about. It ought to be a disgrace.

SNAP is a casualty of the government "shutdown," though two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to restore funds to the program.

Now would be a good time to ask why so many Americans seek food assistance. A starting point that should get political support (at least from Republicans) would be the elimination of mistakes, waste and fraud in the SNAP program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers SNAP for the states, estimates th

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