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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEditorial board of @DMRegister slams Scott Walker for demonizing people on food stamps
oh oh---Walker is trying to be the Come-back kid in IOWA!
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Jonathan Cohn ?@CitizenCohn 8m8 minutes ago Ann Arbor, MI
Editorial board of @DMRegister #IOWA slams Scott Walker for demonizing people on food stamps http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/caucus/2015/09/18/editorial-stop-demonizing-americans-using-food-assistance/32501439/ #p2
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/caucus/2015/09/18/editorial-stop-demonizing-americans-using-food-assistance/32501439/
Editorial: Stop demonizing Americans using food assistance
The Register's Editorial 12:02 a.m. CDT September 18, 2015
Scott Walker (Photo: Charlie Neibergall)
Although the GOP presidential debates have featured little discussion about poor Americans, politicians have numerous options for helping them. From increasing the minimum wage to tax credits to funding libraries, theres an action every politician can get behind. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers idea for lending a hand: Make low-income people pee in a cup.
During a recent visit to Iowa, the Republican presidential candidate reiterated his support for making people who apply for food stamps undergo a drug test. The objective, he said, is to ensure they are clean so they can get jobs. He ignores the fact that the majority of able-bodied Americans using the food assistance program do work. In fact, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has proven effective in supporting work, according to data analyzed by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: More than 80 percent of recipients work in the year before or the year after receiving SNAP.
Yet Walker told The Huffington Post: Its not a punitive thing; its a progressive thing.
Actually, it is a not-allowed-by-federal-law thing. It is also a demonize-the-poor thing. But his effort is hardly a surprise.
Republicans have repeatedly advocated drug testing for Americans applying for cash welfare. Courts have repeatedly put a stop to the practice. And the lessons learned from these ordeals contradict the stereotype that people who rely on public benefits are addicted to drugs.
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Yet wasting taxpayer money, evidence and those pesky constitutional rights dont matter much to those on a mission to portray the poor as scofflaws sponging off the system.
Interestingly, Walker and politicians have not demanded bodily fluids from other Americans who benefit from publicly funded programs. They dont target seniors on Medicaid, corporate executives enjoying tax incentives, farm subsidy recipients or children eating free lunch at school. Weve heard no demands for drug tests to receive a Social Security check or Pell grant. But if youre a financially struggling American seeking a meager amount of federal money in the form of cash welfare or food stamps, these politicians are thirsting for your urine.................
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)My brothers used to deliver you, way back then, smile. I am glad to see this editorial, especially since you are right there in the middle of the build up to the caucuses. Stay strong.
WI_DEM
(33,497 posts)high-fiving each other because there man is the object of a DM Register editorial--even if it is to chastize him. I'm sure they are saying, "Our base agrees with us."
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)what a full on support of Walker has side affects? Notice the outward migration from Wisconsin,and what you are seeing is the moderation of Medias Right Wing shift,and the 1%ers and their Mouth Pieces are feeling the shift of trust. Koch Family as well as the Walton's are the funding sources for most of these anti Pauper Class Laws or Regulation. Walker is just carrying water for the ALEC crowd,the Guy has always been a empty shallow person,and he will do what ever is in his benefit to get by.
riversedge
(70,243 posts)Grassley is from Iowa --and is joni ernst.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Our so called Party Leadership did a big Turd on their last Iowa Senatorial support. They did the same crap in South Dakota with Tom Dachle when the Sioux Falls Sunday Edition ran a pro Republican two page Center Fold and the DNC was no were to be seen. Schumer?
postulater
(5,075 posts)I am going to Madison to welcome him back from the Capitol steps and ask him if he is intimidated yet.