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Our rapidly fraying social infrastructure

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Chante Morrison of Galesburg was a working single mother of two daughters when she applied for the state’s subsidized day care program in July.

Morrison, who said she earned about $10 an hour, then learned that the state had changed eligibility criteria for the program and that she earned too much money to qualify.

“I was denied child-care assistance I so desperately needed,” Morrison said at a hearing at the Capitol Tuesday morning. “Soon after that, I lost my job because I couldn’t find affordable day care.”

Morrison was one of more than two dozen people who testified Tuesday against changes in the state’s subsidized day care program imposed by Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration. The changes, which require recipients to earn far less than before to qualify, will make the program inaccessible to 90 percent of those now eligible, opponents contend. For example, a single parent with one child used to qualify with up to $2,400 a month in income. Now the limit is about $660. Co-payments have also increased. […]

Sessy Nyman of Illinois Action for Children said the impact of the changes have become evident. Applications are down 50 percent from a year ago, and caseloads are down by 9 percent after a month. According to a survey conducted by the organization, 21 percent of parents had to turn down a job or quit a job because they could not get the subsidized day care.

* Erickson…

Since the rule went into effect, day care owners say they have had to turn away dozens of families seeking day care for their children.

Dawn Meyer, owner of 17 Rogy’s Learning Centers in central Illinois and the Chicago area, said she allowed 163 children who previously used the subsidy to stay enrolled even though her company is no longer receiving money for the subsidy from the state.

“We wanted to keep these families working,” Meyer said.

But, she said she is no longer accepting families who would have qualified under the old guidelines, and she has laid off 31 teachers because of the drop in the number of children being served,

Ugh.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:35 am

Comments

“People, families, business, they’re just gonna haveta adjust. Servin’ people is just killin’ this state, just killin’ Illinois… ” - Fake Gov. Rauner

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:40 am
These working-low-wage parents should drop their kids off at the Governor’s Office and let the Superstars babysit them since they don’t seem to be doing anything else right now.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:43 am
Will this get the Working Poor to the voting booth.

Comment by tobor Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:46 am
This is such a no-brainer! Simply a bad choice to make, for jobs, families on the edge, and overall government spending —

Worse, it wasn’t made because we are at a “budget impasse,” but rather as a policy position. Most likely an Arduin import.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:47 am
How is this saving the State any money? It appears all that is occurring is moving the clients from one line item, subsidized day care to another, welfare.

Over time, it is likely to cost the state more money in welfare benefits. Did any of the superstar think this idea through and guess the consequences?

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:49 am
===Worse, it wasn’t made because we are at a “budget impasse,” but rather as a policy position.===

Ball game.

The premise that this a budget casualty as opposed to a policy choice is just blatantly false, to be… kind.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:49 am
ComeOnMan
Every body knows that who services in the GA in 2023 or 2024 is much more important than day care today. Get with it already.

Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:50 am
“21 percent of parents had to turn down a job or quit a job because they could not get the subsidized day care”

“she has laid off 31 teachers because of the drop in the number of children being served”

Tea party economic growth, brought by the misanthropic dorm roomers (big h/t to Wordslinger) and “superstar” types with $120,000 four-month contracts.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:53 am
The super rich hate welfare unless it benefits them, and they u$e their influence to maximize that often. Welp, very often moms go on welfare when they lose proper day care. So much for the “bootstraps” cliche when you purposefully break the fingers of those who want to work

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:55 am
Yep, bringing more jobs to Illinois.

Comment by Rufus Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:55 am
Thanks Bruce.

Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 9:57 am
I never thought that every single Illinois GOP GA member would follow like sheep such a reactionary and stupid course of action.

It’s a penny-wise, pound-foolish rejection of the best of welfare reform, the GOPs signature domestic policy initiative of the last 25 years.

More than anything else, this reveals who the governor really is and his complete ownership of the GOP caucuses. It also shows the clout of the Ounce of Prevention Fund when the rubber meets the road.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:01 am
The interference of government in the market prevents enactment of the obvious time tested historical solution:

The creation of right to work zones where mothers can bring their children to work with them and where child labor law exemptions hold along with minimum wage law exemptions.

Curse FDR for the 1938 (I believe) law that obstructs wealth creation by the poor and poor children. /snark off

Comment by Glenn Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:01 am
When we make it so that people who want to work can’t afford to go to work…I don’t even know how to finish that sentence, but it is all kinds of BANNED WORD-up.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:01 am
Can someone from the Rauner administration explain how people losing their jobs as a result of this change in policy helps to grow the Illinois economy? Anyone???

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:04 am
Boy, if social service providers had a real advocate close to the governor, that had away or influence over him, man, what a big difference choices like this woukd face…

… If the governor knew of someone close to him that social problems mattered to them.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:04 am
In all seriousness, Rauner continues to call upon the Democrats to pass a budget with a tax increase component.
As has been demonstrated, Madigan, in particular, does not have the votes to do so.
If there was ever a time for Durkin and Radogno and their caucuses to step up, now is the time. The Pass has expired.
Time for them to show some leadership — a proposal, a concept, an idea. Something.
Step up GOP. You now have the power you’ve been wanting. You may even get some Democrats to go along.

Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:07 am
There was an old expression: Penny wise, pound foolish (I believe it was in Poor Richards long ago). This move to cut off 90% of those eligible, however, is penny and pound stupid. Could someone please explain to the Gov and his team that when people work, they pay taxes, can purchase items and pay sales taxes and generally create the economy — because I’m thinking no one ever pointed that out to any of them.

Comment by Not quite a majority Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:08 am
The governor doesnt have a social agenda. These are just numbers. Shameful truth.

Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:08 am
Illinois Family Institute program:

Keeping mothers home with their children, where they belong!

/s

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:11 am
You own it, governor rauner. The dam has sprung leaks and if it isn’t fixed soon, the whole thing crumbles and washes away everything in its path.

Including every single thing you say you want.

Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:11 am
Switching the working poor to welfare still sticks in the craw of people like Rauner. This is about punishment and shame. It feeds the ego and superiority complex of the 1% so well. Who else would those people tsk-tsk about?

Comment by AnonymousOne Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:13 am
“Can someone from the Rauner administration explain how people losing their jobs as a result of this change in policy helps to grow the Illinois economy?”

No, but there were several business people at yesterday’s hearing explaining how this change in policy HURTS the Illinois economy by making it harder for them to recruit and keep employees. They cited specific examples of qualified and motivated job applicants that had been forced to turn down job offers because they could no longer afford child care.

Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:14 am
This policy also hurts parents who pay their own way and DON’T take advantage of CCAP — providers are being forced to cut staff or go out of business, which leaves fewer day care options for all parents.

Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:17 am
Fewer workers equals less tax money for IL. 1. How much tax money will IL lose from working mothers or fathers whom have to quit work to care for their children? 2. Does the tax money from these people jobs offset what they rec’d for child care?

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:21 am
Being a thoughtful GOP GA member was outlawed when Bruce Rauner, himself, warned the members they, the GOP GA elected members mind you, “you don’t want a $&@#% problem”

Thus, the Raunerite Caucuses were born.

… Ken Dunkin soon followed, and the Blago Dream of a Governor’s Caucus started to take shape… at the cost… of Illinois.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:21 am
Collateral damage…each and every one of them/us.

Comment by Gumby Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:21 am
Substitute “small business” for “provider” and see how these news stories read.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:23 am
–This is about punishment and shame.–

Why do you think Durkin trotted out Ives to defend the indefensible? Because she’s the brains of the outfit?

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:28 am
I’ll ask Illinois Action for Children the same question I asked Voices for Illinois Children, and the inevitable Hearing and Looking Out For Illinois Children…

When the state was balancing budgets with borrowed money over the past decade or so, essentially jeopardizing the ability to pay for these services today, were these groups objecting? Because that would have been the time to say something, back when current expenditures were being paid for with tomorrow’s money.

Comment by nixit71 Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:28 am
What happens to the working poor whom are forced into welfare? Will children start being abused by their parents because they lost their job?

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:30 am
And of course Rauner claims he has no “social agenda”.

Comment by Slugger Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:30 am
nixit–Don’t single out thesocial service providers. Everyone should have said something.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:32 am
Rauner is fond of the concept of “Crisis creates leverage”. He should keep in mind that it also creates desperate, ticked off people.

Comment by CharlieKratos Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:36 am
Question to the post- Is JCAR going to re-address this?

From Ounce on Aug 11, 2015:
http://www.theounce.org/media/statement-JCAR-CCAP

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:38 am
Bruce’s plan to “Shake up Springfield”:

Wage class warfare by eliminating any social services….and this is supposed to convince us that lower wages are for the good of all.

Even the last imprisoned office holder couldn’t think of this.

Comment by Jack Stephens Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:41 am
All emergency rules are effective for 150 days. The Child Care emergency rules expire November 27. What to watch will be whether HFS can adopt its identical proposed rules — filed simultaneously — by then. If not, then the program reverts to its original levels, at least until the proposed rules are finally adopted.

The best way to slow down proposed rules is to snow HFS under with public comments. The texts of the proposed and emergency rules, including contact information, are here, pages 9731 and 10072, respectively.

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/register_volume39_issue29.pdf

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:42 am
sorry about the duplicate, feel free to delete one of the prior posts

Comment by kitty Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:43 am
What a way to run a state!

- put low-income families back on welfare that were working.
- reduce wages and benefits of union members, and the middle class in general - after all their wages are a hindrance to profit.
- possibly force a shut-down of the state universities because they have no money.
- take away much of the aid to those with disabilities or mental illness; domestic violence victims; etc.

Is there anything else I missed?

Comment by Chuck M Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:43 am
And yes, the proposed rules must be reviewed/acted on by JCAR too.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:44 am
Nixiit, your curiosity about the past is admirable if irrelevant.

But what makes you think this course of action has anything to do with budget balancing? Have you noticed any concern for fiscal responsibility from the Rauner administration?

If you’re interested in history, perhaps you should brush up on current events with its massive deficits and hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate welfare for Fortune 500 corporations.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:47 am
@word:

Yeah didn’t the state just hand out some unfunded mandates in the form of a government socialist entitlement to a Fortune 500 company?

Comment by Jack Stephens Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:53 am
nixit71 - Both orgs have been asking for revenue for nearly a decade. The Ounce, too.

Nice try, though.

Comment by late to the party Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:54 am
*DHS. Sorry.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:54 am
OW
While I could not agree more with your assessment of the GOP and creation of the Rauner caucus, I do find it reprehensible that the esteemed media and their owners continue to allow GOP members to be “victims”.
That paradigm is behind us.

Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:56 am
Thanks Nick Name:)

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 10:57 am
- Austin Blvd -

First, thanks.

To your point,

Although I feel those covering the statehouse do Yeomen work and some ate undercut by their own Editorial Board, the next level questioning of Rauner never seems to happen.

That is partially by design, since Rauner rarely strays from approved talking points, but is also by the design that Rauner’s own availability limits damage Rauner himself can do.

Also, Bruce Rauner “hired” ole Slip and Sue. What, Slip and Sue can’t handle policy issues up for discussion? She’s one step away from this whole state falling into her lap.

My point? Between controlling access and controlling message, the actual work horse reporters can only “expose” so much. They aren’t columnists, and if they were, we all saw how Ms. McQueary turned out under Editorial control, even if she believes the drivel she writes.

Unless Rsuner or Slip and Sue falter in a presser, they’re following a formula of limiting self inflicted damage which would lead to exposing their flanks on issues.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 11:06 am
Wordslinger 10:01am. You are exactly right. I worked over 30 years in welfare ($, Medical, Food Stamps) as caseworker, supervisor, and Regional level. Welfare Reform was the best thing by far. Rauner is Oh, fill in your own blank, it won’t be as nasty as mine I assure you.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 11:08 am
“The best way to slow down proposed rules is to snow HFS under with public comments.”

I’m not so sure about that. The minimum public comment period required by law is 45 days after publication of a proposed rule in the Illinois Register. For this rulemaking, that period ended on Aug. 31. If DHS met that minimum public comment period and collects all comments received up through and including the two public hearings, they have met their legal obligation and can move the rule forward to JCAR at any time.

Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 11:21 am
The pattern in administration policy is punishing to residents of modest means. It amounts to class warfare, a term Republicans use only when someone proposes a graduated income tax.

Comment by nona Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 11:22 am
@Walker

The long term think through is that fewer women will have children they cannot financially support. When people feel confident the government will step in and shower child care and other services on parents, they freely procreate without taking personal responsibility for their actions.

Comment by Muscular Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 11:34 am
===When people feel confident the government will step in and shower child care and other services on parents, they freely procreate without taking personal responsibility for their actions.===

Lemme guess, big fan of Rep. Ives…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 11:42 am
Pity that Muscular’s parents could financially support him.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 11:49 am
Willie,

What’s your definition of a thoughtful Republican? It sounds like one who goes along with Democrat tax increases and added spending. This is rinsed and repeated every few years, while the state’s economy withers.

Comment by Muscular Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 11:51 am
Yeah, freeloaders they be. You bad people takin’ advantage of government. Showered with your free roads and elementary education. You freeloaders should all be ashamed as long as I have to pay my 3.75%.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:00 pm
The Rauner Jobs Plan: layoffs, cuts, and elimination!

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:07 pm
Rep. Ives wants income verification, paternity established, and aggressive child support enforcement before taxpayer funds are spent for someone on child care. Democrats oppose this responsible form of financial management.

Comment by Muscular Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:08 pm
“When people feel confident the government will step in and shower child care and other services on parents, they freely procreate without taking personal responsibility for their actions.”

Quit trolling.

Comment by Politix Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:08 pm
Muscular, would you prefer abortions to deal with all that promiscuous procreation? How about govt issued birth control? How about requiring permits before having kids?

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:09 pm
=Rep. Ives wants income verification, paternity established, and aggressive child support enforcement before taxpayer funds are spent for someone on child care. Democrats oppose this responsible form of financial management.=

Do you have any evidence that there is opposition to “paternity established, and aggressive child support enforcement”?

Comment by Flabby Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:15 pm
- Muscular -,

I would probably start as to the history of this program… Who was Governor when the program began?

“Who? Who?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:16 pm
==It amounts to class warfare, a term Republicans use only when someone proposes a graduated income tax.==

Or taxing retirement income.

Comment by nixit71 Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:16 pm
OW:
You speak the truth.
Despite, for example, the ability of Lee’s Kurt Erickson to write stories enabling readers to follow the breadcrumbs, the editorial boards that continue to paint the Democrat leaders as the sole problem.
Or, when the local TV news station finished its brief story about the State Museum being shut down, the viewers’ takeaway is the “budget impasse.”
Busy people have a hard time following the cause and effect.
It is just frustrating to see the GOP legislators continue to get their pass.

Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:19 pm
So less people working, more time for procreating. And the new children will be on the dole since the parents cannot afford to work.

Will these new children grow to be working citizens or will they turn to drug use and crime in an attempt to escape poverty? Perhaps if the social programs were there to help steer them done the best path, but….

The state of Illinois is heading down a very regressive road. Only time will tell if the dollar in taxes its citizens don’t pay today will be worth the pound of flesh they will pay in the future.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:19 pm
“Mrs. Rauner, what exactly do you do here to… help?” - the Two Bobs trying to help Ounce cut back those “not helping”

“While you take… no salary… Your husband, Mrs. Rauner, takes no salary too, and he’s not helping social services either… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:19 pm
@muscular:

How about Government Regulation of a Women’s Menstrual Cycle?

Comment by Jack Stephens Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:19 pm
OW the program began under Edgar. It used some of the TANF block grant dollars and was meant to encourage people to move from welfare to work. When I worked for the state this program was touted nationally as one of the reasons Illinois had been successful in reducing TANF numbers. It was a concept that it was better for a person to be a taxpayer and get the help they need to grow their resume. Preliminary data showed that many people did not need this help for a long time as they got pay raises as they got more employment experience and they gradually no longer needed the subsidy.

Comment by illinifan Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:20 pm
(Tips cap for dropping the knowledge by - illinifan -)

Jim Edgar, eh? Hmm. If I didn’t know better, he was a Republican governor. Seems like the program is pretty thoughtful. The math is pretty evident.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:24 pm
Muscular, even if that were true its akin to closing the door after after the horses have left the barn. We arent talking about hypothetical children here in a simulated world. These children exist, the choices for families to care for their children or go to work to support them are real.

Comment by relocated Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:30 pm
Agressive child support seems to assume that the absent parent is working and not incarcerated. Of course in Rauner’s utopia, the absent parent would not even have the potential benefit of union scale wages.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:30 pm
From welfare to work! What a concept (that apparently was working——until this governor).
Who ever would have thought this stuff would happen in this state before the election? Other than class warfare, really, what is this governor thinking?

Comment by AnonymousOne Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:31 pm
thanks OW tip of the cap is better than a wag of the finger

Comment by illinifan Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:37 pm
Aggressive child support also assumes that the absent parent is not psychotic or abusive and won’t be prompted to track down the custodial parent/children and harass or threaten them, either. Supposedly, the child support case requirement was tried in New York and later rescinded, in part because of this very problem.

Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:40 pm
HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 1, Episode 72

Diana makes a list of people to call to reassure them funding will come after a budget. Diana’s state employee tries to discourage her. Bruce makes wager on Cubs-Pirates for water, fuel, and cash as Bruce offers Portillo’s Strawberry shakes. Goldberg writes letters to towns threatening to shut off utilities, “ck” gets prank chain email by PAR alumni.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:44 pm
The General who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good work for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom. -Sun Tzu Art of War

Wondering who out of this entire fiasco will emerge as the jewel of the kingdom.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:46 pm
Seems to me that we should be rewarding parents who are trying to support themselves and their families, by easing their minds about the quality of the child care they have, and by helping them get it. I would much rather my tax dollars went to help people who are trying to be responsible, than those who do nothing. However, even with those that do nothing, I don’t want to see children starving. Let’s face it, quality day care is expensive but it also gives children a good head start in life. Anyone who thinks someone who works a minimum wage job (even two wage earners doing this) can afford quality day care for an infant or toddler is just living clueless about financial costs. Call a day care facility and ask them what their prices are. This exactly the reason that a lot of my younger relatives have only one income and one stay at home spouse.

Comment by thoughts matter Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:50 pm
This stuff smells like Darth Arduin.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:02 pm
Arduin was the hired help. The governor has already gone to the wall on this at JCAR and in the GA.

The buck stops with him.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:07 pm
Oh I agree Word, but I have to believe that the initial idea was Arduins’.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:23 pm
I wish there was an analysis of lost the lost tax revenue from the laid off teachhers and parents who can no longer work along with the cost in decreased economic activity. I bet the savings in the end if any is a pittance. Add to that the real human cost, and the rule was callous and ultimately won’t help our finances one bit.

Comment by Me too Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:00 pm
Muscular:

I almost want to take your comment as snark. Because you can’t possibly be serious in your defense of Rep. Ives. Her comments were indefensible.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Maybe it’s time to go there. Start right in front of the Museum of Science & Industry, just East of the campus of the University of Chicago. Turn left. Go North. Lake Shore Drive. Sheridan Road.
Green Bay Ave. Just how many miles does it take you to realize this is one of the richest areas on the planet? How much more money flows through
LaSalle street than Wall Street every minute of every day? This is a great place to be wealthy.
That we can can’t organize ourselves to take care
of our children, our former civil servants, it’s
on us.

Comment by Illinoisvoter Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:32 pm
The problem (admittedly of many) as I se it is that becasue humans in general are flawed and will always seek the path of least resistance starts at this womans decision to have children in the first place. Our Federal Governmnet, state government and populace as a whole seems to jump first and look second. She did not have the money to have one child let alone two. Did she forget that they were exspensive?? Ramifications and repercusions people!! We need ALL of these services to be suspended for as as it takes for everyone to not be dependant upon them (path of least resistance) then and only then willmwe be truely better off.

Comment by Bjorn Seelander Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:42 pm
Governor Legree - Chapter XL

Then the poor beggar approached the Governor, and pleaded to him, saying:

“Gov’nah, if you was sick, or in trouble, or dying, and I could save ye, I’d give ye my heart’s blood; and, if taking every drop of blood in this poor old body would save your precious soul, I’d give ’em freely, as the Lord gave his for me.”

“Oh, Gov’nah! don’t bring this great sin on your soul! It will hurt you more than’t will me! Do the worst you can, my troubles’ll be over soon; but, if ye don’t repent, yours won’t never end!”

The beggar’s pleas feel upon the deaf ears of the Governor as he turned his back, signaling to his staff to continue torturing this poor creature.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:56 pm
@2:42-

“…humans in general are flawed…”

Your statements above just made your point.

******
“Make no judgments where you have no compassion.” Unknown

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:19 pm
Bjorn, wow. Nicking this program perpetuates a cycle of poverty and unemployment. It puts people on welfare. It harms children. The supossed savings without accounting for lost tax revenue, increased welfare and food stamp costs, and decreased economic activity is 150 million. The savings is smoke and mirrors. But even if every penny of it was real it amounts to $4.06 for each of us. Are you seriously that callous, that you would literally throw thousands of people out of work and deeper into poverty to save 4 bucks. One frappuccino is more important than people’s livelihoods.

And this isn’t a givaway to the poor people you detest so much. It’s a givaway to low wage employers. You see if these people can’t work, there’s a smaller labor pool. It’s like food stamps. If working full time you’re still starving,you are going to demand more money. Read above, there were employers complaining. The reason they were doing so is because it’s harder for them to find people willing to work for the low wages they’re offering. Child care assistance was a conservative idea. Seriously, what kind of draconian society do you want to live in?

Comment by Me too Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:32 pm
Sorry the savings is 52.3 million. 150 million is an estimate including ither things as well. It still works out to $4.06 for you and me though. I’d gladly pay it.

Comment by Me too Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:35 pm
@ Demoralized

Rep. Ives raised important policy questions. Her presentation of the policy ideas could have been better though. It was a left leaning blogger that slapped her with a nasty name rather than address the policy positions.

Comment by Muscular Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:07 pm
Muscular: my comment was followed by “/s.” That was meant to signify snark, in case you ever need to use it.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:12 pm
===Her presentation of the policy ideas could have been better though.===

lol

Ya think?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:15 pm
==woman’s decision to have children==

Aren’t some who are against “welfare” also against abortion? Can’t have it both ways, as I see it. And, by the way, it takes 2 to make that child. Perhaps there should be some serious contemplation by those dads about deciding to have those children.

Comment by AnonymousOne Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:18 pm
Quoting myself(sorry): “I’ve wondered why the Illinois Dems behave like this (unwilling to propose much-needed revenue reform to resolve the state’s fiscal problems). The most plausible explanation … is that the constituency the Dem leaders really serve … has significant overlap with Rauner’s base.”

An interesting Op Ed in the NYTimes claims that, nationwide, the Dems and Repubs have become similarly beholden to the wealthy.

“Democrats represent a majority of the richest congressional districts, and the party’s elected officials are more responsive to the policy agenda of the well-to-do than to average voters. ‘’

“On economic issues, however, the Democratic Party has inched closer to the policy positions of conservatives, stepping back from championing the needs of working men and women, of the unemployed and of the so-called underclass.”

That would explain the behavior of Madigan and several of the legislators he controls, despite their claim to be champions of the middle class and workers. Case in point: Rep. Nekritz and her eager support of the unconstitutional SB-1 pension “reform”.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/07/opinion/how-did-the-democrats-become-favorites-of-the-rich.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=opinion-c-col-left-region&region=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region

Comment by X-prof Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:41 pm
“Now the limit is about $660.’ If true that is ridiculously low.

“Rep. Ives wants income verification, paternity established, and aggressive child support enforcement before taxpayer funds are spent for someone on child care.”

If true, these are reasonable requirements. Unless, of course, there is some hidden agenda above and beyond those requirements.

Comment by Federalist Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:15 pm
“the Democratic Party has inched closer to the policy positions of conservatives, stepping back from championing the needs of working men and women, of the unemployed and of the so-called underclass.” Liberal give-a-way policies haven’t made things better — folks wised up, got fed up. It comes with age, and the most reliable voters aren’t kids.

Comment by lostpurple Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 8:24 pm
from the wealthiest — make that wealthiest social liberals. The wealthy conservatives go to the GOP.

Comment by X-prof Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 8:09 am
So. As usual. ‘I got mine. Bend to my dictatorial orders. Maybe I’ll let you get a crumb. Ha Ha; that was a joke at the end.’

Comment by sal-says Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 5:14 pm