To the Editor:

Someone please explain to me why two of the richest people in the world would want to take food, medical help, and shelter away from the poorest, most needy people in our society.

The most popular talking point is: There is fraud in the system. Fraud is present in every system ever created. Fraud can easily be minimized, but when did it become acceptable to punish the innocent for the acts of a few?

If anyone reading this had the power: Would you go to court to block SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] benefits? The current administration did. In doing so, they endangered infants, toddlers, the poor, and the elderly. How is this American?

Poverty will always exist. It is inevitable. But, like fraud, it can be minimized, but only if our leaders have the will to do it.

Two of the richest people in the world have more money than they need, or could ever spend in 100 lifetimes. Yet they are driven to make more. Fine. Make as much as you can stuff in your pockets, but leave a little bit for the most helpless among us.

The administration has the ability to minimize fraud. That step takes some intelligence and the will to do it. The administration has the ability to minimize poverty. That step takes love and compassion.

Oops — I just answered my own question.

William Goergen

Guilderland