The subtext is that the Global Hawk can become a replacement for the sorely missed SR-71 Blackbird, the best spy plane ever created. Despite its flaws, the SR-71 allowed for complete crew safety, rapid tours of targets, and undetected coverage of any location. However, due to budget constraints and the rise of satellite monitoring, the program was retired.

The Global Hawk has the potential to do what satellites cannot do: be mobile. Satellites must stay in orbits for long periods of time, closely, but not completely monitoring a target. A Global Hawk, however, can stay in one area for hours, with no human risk.

R&D, requiring years of materials, work, and money, has to be factored into costs. No weapons supplier will work at a loss, making each model released not only priced, but priced with its share of the entire R&D burden. In this case, the operating cost of a Global Hawk comes in at a cool $222 million.

In comparison, a standard Lockheed WC-130, a “Hurricane Hunter,” costs a base $48.5 million, not counting maintanence, fuel, and staff. While temporarily more economical, it is ultimately a greater burden than an unmanned craft.

No, really – the Global Hawk has a wingspan of 130.9 ft, while a base 737 reaches 93 ft (or 112 for the larger model).

Carbo loading is a diet theory that stresses, before long periods of fasting or exercise, eating large amounts of carbohydrates. The idea is that the “banks” of stored energy will be enough to give an extra boost, breaking down into glycogen to be burned by the body. The diet has been deemed scientifically effective.

This meal plan, while filling and a good base, is spiked with carbohydrates, empty calories, and fats, mostly from the pasta. While a reliable source of energy, it promises later health issues, sluggishness, and possible obesity. However, the lentils and chickpeas are an extremely wise choice, a source of protein and base nutrients at a low cost.

The missing factor to balance it are vegetables, which provide the vitamins and minerals needed to fully render a meal.

Catch up on Day 1 of Ron’s journey!

“Energy level” is the last thing you would expect to evaluate, but the most important: food is designed to fuel. In order to function in society, a certain amount of energy is needed, preventing sluggishness, sleepiness, and accidents. Because SNAP benefits are so minimal, most on the program do not get access to the foods most capable of supporting daily work, whether in school or at a job, sharply decreasing performance. Without good, healthy food, a cycle of tiredness and struggle becomes prominent.

Panera’s average hourly pay for typical day-to-day jobs registers at or around minimum wage. While minimum wage provides a bottom standard for pay, it is not actually a living wage – most are required to work another job to be able to support themselves off of $8 per hour. As a result, even the relatively well-paying Panera is often not enough to support a worker at standards we would consider acceptable.

In fact, SNAP benefits are not increasing. Since 2012, the average monthly benefit, around $132, has not significantly changed, despite fluctuations in the food economy and resources. Given that, in the same time period, the cost of food on average rose 1.4%, this means that SNAP recipients have less spending power than ever.

As McDonald’s sample monthly budget shows, there is little to no wiggle room for those living at or below poverty. And extra income is in fact already indebted to basic costs, like food or power, and cannot be put aside for medical bills or other preventative care. This means a hard choice between living without hunger or living without health.