Hating on the poor still in fashion
Well, my article on the state’s CalWORKs program came out today in the Sacramento News & Review, and judging by the online comments we’ve already received, hating on the poor is still alive and well and still very much in fashion.
The story, about the governor’s proposal to scrap the state’s welfare-to-work program, was designed to put a human face on the issue, and featured Jennifer Taylor, a married woman with three children, who lost her job last November in the banking industry — a victim of the recession. Taylor, 37, has worked full-time all her adult life, and welfare was new to her, and a humbling experience.
My reporting showed that more than 86,000 Sacramentans participate in the CalWORKs program — 64,000 of whom are children.
We went to great lengths to show the work mandates required of Taylor and others to receive their cash grants, food stamps, and Medi-Cal.
Still, the comments were angry, and mean. “Give your children to foster care,” if you can’t afford to take care of them, wrote one reader. Others were upset that the state was asked to be a “parent” and suggested that churches, neighbors and comunities step up with a helping hand instead.
Although there was one, I expected more letters to lambast the governor for proposing to turn away $3.7 billion in federal matching funds by eliminating a program that would save only $1 billion in general fund revenue, while plunging more than 1 million children into further homelessness and destitution.
Where’s the outrage about that?
And where’s the kudos for Jennifer Taylor who’s both working and going to school, thanks to the CalWORKs program, to better her life, and her family’s?
When I set out to report this story, I thought I would be able to show readers, through Taylor’s story, just how vulnerable we all are in this economy, and how easy it would be for any of us to end up in her shoes.
Perhaps, at least for the people who have commented, that is too harsh a reality to contemplate. Perhaps, it is easier to blame, than to empathize, for to empathize would make it all too real.
Until next time.
Keep the faith.
–AY
Amy Yannello
The people who are saying things like “put them into foster care” need to take a moment and think about a time in their lives when possibly their own parents if not themselves and their children were in similar situations and how they wish there was anyone who was out there not just listen even if they couldnt help. Now those people also need to think what its like to be in the childrens shoes and also they need to do research on the fostercare system. There will still be public funding being thrown into the foster care system so thats just a very poorly thought out resolution. The fostercare system can be far worst than homelessness when it comes to the well being of these children. Most of the time the children are raped/beaten or even starved. Those people who are unable to empathize need to either step up to help or…..well thats the only resolution. If you aren’t helping to solve you’re contributing to.
Well said, Amy. I often wonder, too, where is the empathy in our society? I frequently say to myself, “there, but for the grace of God go I.” The reality, is that most folks who believe that they’re “middle-class” are far from being truly economically middle-class anymore; they’re barely a pay check or two away from the same fate they love to hate. We all have to work together, because we’re all in this together whether we realize it or not. Thank you for taking the time to share this woman’s story and her resolve.
Jeannie