This is the Insurgent Radio Kiosk for Tuesday, August 20th
Higtower Commentary
Action Calendar
Government for the rich, the poor be damned
While the Trumpistas are presently plowing a multibillion-dollar subsidy into big grain farms – they’re using a tangle of federal red tape in a mingy effort to deny a meager level of food assistance to millions of poor families.
To qualify for food aid, federal rules say that a family of three should have an income under $27,000 a year. But with rents, utilities, health care, and even food prices constantly rising, millions of Americans can’t make ends meet on such a low income. Thus, 40 states have stepped in to loosen that restriction so families at least get the basic nutrition they need. Trump’s minions demean these people as welfare moochers, but overwhelmingly they’re working families, children, the elderly, and Americans with disabilities. And the benefit is hardly lavish, averaging only $127 a month – but even this modest outlay has proven enormously successful in mitigating poverty.
Congress actually authorized states to make such pragmatic income adjustments in a 1996 revamp of the law. But – look out! – here comes Trump’s reactionary ag secretary, Sonny Perdue. He recently rose up on his hind legs to proclaim that naughty state officials are using that authority as a “loophole” to circumvent Trump’s federal authority. So Sonny and Donnie are demanding a whole new bureaucracy of “eligibility police” to monitor the financial assets of food stamp recipients. They’ll spend tens of millions of your and my tax dollars to harass the poor in an autocratic hope of nabbing a couple of hungry families who have a dime more in assets than miserly Trumpistas claim they should have.
What we have here is government by plutocratic authoritarians who’ll gleefully dole out millions in tax breaks and subsidies to wealthy families, then just as gleefully take food off the tables of poor families.
“The Cruel Farce of Cutting Food Stamps,” The New York Times,
“Closing the food stamp loophole,” Austin American Statesman, July 28, 2019.
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It’s today’s Action Calendar!
A free re-entry Service Fair for those rejoining our community after being incarcerated will be held today from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Madison-Area Urban Ministry office, 2115 South Park Street. This fair will focus on education and employment services. Individuals aged 18 and older are welcome to attend. For information, phone 256-0906.
Clean Sweep Hazardous Waste Site is open year-round at the county landfill and operates Tuesdays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 to 10:45 a.m. Clean Sweep will be closed Sundays, Mondays and Holidays. There is a fee per drop-off. Clean Sweep is located at 7102 US Highway 12 in Madison. More information at danecountycleansweep.com.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Dane County offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for those 55 and older. Volunteers can make difference at the Henry Vilas Zoo, The River Food Pantry, Prospect Gardens, the Community Action Coalition, the Wisconsin Historical Museum and elsewhere. Phone 441-7891 for information.
The mission of Canopy Center is to prevent child abuse and neglect, strengthen families, and promote healing of those affected by abuse. They have many volunteer opportunities. Visit canopycenter.org for more information.
The Insurgent Radio Kiosk welcomes your commentaries on subjects of interest to the W.O.R.T. listening community. Commentaries are limited to two minutes. If you’d like to do a Kiosk commentary, visit wortfm.org/kioskcommentary.
The Kiosk is available online at wortfm.org/kiosk.
This has been the Insurgent Radio Kiosk heard weekdays at 5:00, 6:30 and 9:00 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m. I’m Greg Geboski. Submit announcements at least ten days in advance of the event at wortfm.org/kiosk/announcements.