By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
The U.S. Census Bureau now estimates that more than four out of 10 schoolaged children in Milwaukee live in poverty. This new revelation about the recent poverty spike comes in tandem with the new information about the relative scope of the problem. It seems that poverty now has a firm grip on the entire state, which includes: urban areas as well as the suburbs.
True enough, this census tract data provides only a glimpse of the Great Recession, from 2007 to 2010. And Republicans are quick to distance themselves and point out that this deplorable economy is on Barack Obama’s watch. This is completely disingenuous and belies the real truth. Most of our current economic woes were set in place before President Obama assumed office.
You do the math: two unnecessary (as well as costly) military excursions (Iraq and Afghanistan), an unfunded prescription drug plan (Medicare Part B), the creation of a whole new federal bureaucracy (The Transportation Safety Administration) and, last but surely not the least in terms of expense, the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Where were these so-called Republican penny-pinchers when their president, George W. Bush, was bankrupting the country?
As we all know, Scott Walker has only been governor since January, but it in many respects it feels much longer than that or the equivalent of a dog year. The Walker administration has definitely made its presence felt, in terms of further victimizing the poor and working-class families in our state. It reads like a bad novel:
- Usurped collective bargaining rights for most public employees
- Cut spending for public schools by $1.6 billion statewide
- Cuts to both Earned Income Tax Credit and Homestead Tax Credit programs
- Cut $500 million from Medicaid programs (BadgerCare and Family Care)
- And, the coup du grâce, 65,000 poor, elderly and young children will lose their medical health care coverage (Medicaid) before the end of this year.
There is little question that the misery level in this state has increased exponentially since this governor took over. And, it looks fairly certain that Mr. Walker will have to face a recall election next year. He now claims that he is looking forward to “talking to the voters.” Yeah, right (and pigs can fly)! Where was this willingness to engage Wisconsin voters before now?