Common Dreams
by Cynthia Bogard

09/01/05

It's harrowing enough to leave town in one's reliable vehicle armed with luggage, credit cards and cash, bound for some well-heeled friend or relative who lives at a higher elevation. It's quite another thing to leave with no cash, no car, no credit and no out of town relatives with room to spare. Poor people without employment typically depend on very local resources for their survival, especially when money and food stamps run out. Even in the most generous northern states, public assistance checks usually run out in the middle of the third week of the month no matter how good at budgeting a mother may be. The last ten days of the month are spent trading what resources you have for what you need, calling on those who owe you a favor, asking for leniency in paying for necessities and pawning the few worthy possessions you own. And waiting for the check." [Editor's note: The true nature of the welfare state is laid bare. And all the government (left and right) is concerned with is 'keeping order', while thousands die - MLS]

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0901-31.htm


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp