“The Oklahoma Republican Party is in hot water again, this time for comparing food stamp recipients to animals. A post that appeared Monday on the Party’s Facebook page reasoned that food stamp recipients, like animals, “will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.”

“The post read: “The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing this year the greatest amount of free Meals and Food Stamps ever, to 46 million people. Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us “Please Do Not Feed The Animals.” Their stated reason for the policy is because “The animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.” Thus ends today’s lesson in irony #OKGOP.”

“Party Chairman Randy Brogdon said early Tuesday afternoon that “the party’s Facebook post reflects the general opinion of most Republicans in Oklahoma and throughout America.”

“What people keep forgetting is the fact that, in order to learn how to survive on their own, wild animals need to be pushed into danger and hunger. That way they are forced to think for themselves and learn how to cope with problems. It is the same with humans. If poor kids are given handouts instead of being taught to think and act for themselves, they will depend on other people their entire lives,” Brogdon said.

He also added: “But that’s not what’s dangerous here. Have you noticed that no matter how much food wild animals receive in nature, and especially in zoos all around the world, they are not tamed by it and because of it? That also goes for poor kids – regardless of the fact that they receive free food which they have not done anything to earn, they still grow up to be mostly criminals and law breakers. That really ought to be enough to wise us up and make us change our ways.”

Brogdon concluded by saying: “After all, there is great wisdom behind the saying, ‘Give a man a fish and you’ll have fed him for the day. Teach him how to fish, and you’ll have fed him for a lifetime.’”