[Peace-discuss] Blame Welfare, Ignore Poverty and Inequality & *The Danville Plan*

[Jan & Durl Kruse]

Quotes from:
Blame Welfare, Ignore Poverty and Inequality by Joel F. Handler,  
Yeheskel Hasenfeld - 2006 -
   
Demonizing welfare allows the country to ignore the economic and social  
conditions that produce poverty and inequality – class, race, gender,  
the economy, and the inadequacies of the low-wage labor market.

It is more comfortable to blame the victim.

Instead of addressing poverty and inequality, we have demonized  
welfare, the program for poor single mothers and their families, and we  
continue our incredibly long history of blaming the victim. Now, with  
the sharp decline in the welfare rolls, we believe that we have solved  
the problem and that we can ignore the serious, widespread adverse  
effects of poverty. However, practically all other developed countries  
do a far better job than the United States in helping the poor.


Letter to News-Gazette:
Changes needed to make Danville safer
Sunday September 30, 2007

"Do it in Danville."

We heard that message for several years. It appears it also is being  
heard loud and clear elsewhere because it is bringing Chicago  
immigrants to Danville.

The growing influx of Chicago Public Housing and Section 8 people is  
eroding Danville's stability. Many are convicted felons, drug users and  
other criminal offenders. There has been a steady increase in thefts  
and burglaries, property damage, vandalism, shootings, robbery, etc.

There are huge amounts of drugs in Danville. Our streets have become  
unsafe. This is not a reflection on our police and law enforcement  
groups. They do a great job but they can't be every place at once.

Please note: Not all public housing residents are criminals, and some  
do attempt to keep their property in reasonable condition.

Here are some suggestions for city leaders:

– Probation should not be an option for anyone arrested or convicted of  
using, selling or having possession of any drugs. Probation only  
permits repeat activity.

– Judges should use more creative ways to punish offenders, such as  
making them stand on a street corner wearing a sign describing their  
offense.

– Encourage the public to document crimes with their picture/video cell  
phones and offer cash rewards for doing so.

– Public aid recipients should be drug tested before they receive their  
checks. Companies require drug testing before employees are hired and  
given a paycheck. Why should welfare money go for drugs?

– The city and county can develop a list of needed work items, such as  
picking up street and road trash.

MARK L. MEYER

Danville


Find this article at: 
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/opinions/letters/2007/09/30/ 
changes_needed_to_make_danville_safer
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