Minnesota Republicans say: Poor people with money should be outlaws

[B5C]

Minnesota Republicans say: Poor people with money should be outlaws

St. Paul, MN – Minnesota Republicans are pushing legislation that would make it a crime for people on public assistance to have more $20 in cash in their pockets any given month. This represents a change from their initial proposal, which banned them from having any money at all.

On March 15, Angel Buechner of the Welfare Rights Committee testified in front of the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee on House File 171. Buechner told committee members, “We would like to address the provision that makes it illegal for MFIP [one of Minnesota’s welfare programs] families to withdraw cash from the cash portion of the MFIP grant - and in fact, appears to make it illegal for MFIP families to have any type of money at all in their pockets. How do you expect people to take care of business like paying bills such as lights, gas, water, trash and phone?”

House File 171 would make it so that families on MFIP - and disabled single adults on General Assistance and Minnesota Supplemental Aid - could not have their cash grants in cash or put into a checking account. Rather, they could only use a state-issued debit card at special terminals in certain businesses that are set up to accept the card.

The bill also calls for unconstitutional residency requirements, not allowing the debit card to be used across state lines and other provisions that the Welfare Rights Committee and others consider unacceptable.
http://www.fightbacknews.org/2011/3/15/minnesota-republicans-say-poor-people-money-should-be-outlaws


It gets worse for the poor and the workers.

[Bud Struggle]

You wonder how they even think of these things.

[#FF0000]

real talk republicans in the united states have completely lost their fucking minds.

[Ele'ill]

I dare them.

[Bud Struggle]

I dare them.

I don't see them having much trouble with going after welfare recipients. I don't think there's much solidarity between them and the working poor. It's the same reason they can take away rights from prisoners. The working poor (in America at least) identify with other workers--even if they are their employers. They's why unions fail so often.

The real enemy of the Proletariat isn't the Bourgeoisie. It's other members of the Proletariat.

[#FF0000]

I don't see them having much trouble with going after welfare recipients. I don't think there's much solidarity between them and the working poor.

we'll see how that goes as more of the working poor are forced drop the "working" part.

[Dimentio]

Alright, a catch 22.

Isn't public welfare consisting of some monetary subsidies?

I could understand the point that public welfare should be time-limited, though I don't appreciate it. But this legislation seems to be about punishing unemployed and sick people in some kind of purely Fascist style.

Moreover, it is against the tenets of "The American Dream". In the American Dream in it's most extreme form, you simply leave people alone, and one out of a thousand poor people are maybe surviving by inventing something or buying or finding a winning lottery ticket. This is actually locking people in perpetual poverty.

It's like illegalising abortions or drugs. These kinds of laws are basically meant for scaring people from being poor - like poverty is some kind of choice.

I concede that there are existing a few anti-social people who are basically living off social systems, but 700$ a month is piss in the Ocean.

The reason why most people are trying to find a job is not because of economic pressure, but of social pressure and the curse of loneliness which follows an idle existence.

Most "welfare parasites" I've encountered have been people who either are unemployable because of mental issues, or people who have been so badly treated by others that they resort into hating the entire world.

I don't think "welfare parasites" are a big cost, not in comparison with the bankers or those muppets who buy companies just to do insider trading before they take out their profits and leave 100 000 people unemployed.

I hope this will awake the American public.

[Bud Struggle]

we'll see how that goes as more of the working poor are forced drop the "working" part.

Yea at 10%ish unemployment to a good deal it's about sombody else. At 20% I think it will hit home. But then again I don't think it will go there. I think the managers and the government knows that. They are greedy--but they aren't stupid.

[Ele'ill]

I don't see them having much trouble with going after welfare recipients. I don't think there's much solidarity between them and the working poor. It's the same reason they can take away rights from prisoners. The working poor (in America at least) identify with other workers--even if they are their employers. They's why unions fail so often.

The real enemy of the Proletariat isn't the Bourgeoisie. It's other members of the Proletariat.

The biggest obstacle is organizing effectively. Thus far into 2011 we've seen that obstacle crushed- globally- with people viewing each other's struggles as one.

[Dimentio]

I don't see them having much trouble with going after welfare recipients. I don't think there's much solidarity between them and the working poor. It's the same reason they can take away rights from prisoners. The working poor (in America at least) identify with other workers--even if they are their employers. They's why unions fail so often.

The real enemy of the Proletariat isn't the Bourgeoisie. It's other members of the Proletariat.

The real enemy of the people in general is a dangerously addictive system built on growth which is not simply sustainable. A system which requires that products are made to be replaced because of intentionally faulty design or trend fetischism.

In this aspect, people who receive food stamps are actually quite harmless. And they would probably cause much more trouble without social aid. Just look at Brazil.

Imagine how much it would cost you if your house require a defence wall with a surveillance system and you could get your arm chopped off at the next bus stop because some kid needs your watch so he'd be able to pay a crime lord who otherwise would burn his mom's shack.

[Amphictyonis]

Poor people without money are already outlaws. The USA has put millions of us in prisons from coast to coast. Many after Clinton "reformed" welfare.

[Dimentio]

Is loitering actually still a crime in the USA?

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

Is loitering actually still a crime in the USA?

In some places, yes.

[Dimentio]

In some places, yes.

Hahaha... then most of the youths in my town would have been arrested a long time ago. :cool:

[Amphictyonis]

Is loitering actually still a crime in the USA?

You should see the new laws so called "progressive" San Fransisco is pushing. Scores of thousands will take to the streets and protest war when Bush is in office but when it comes to the meat and potatoes of class struggle pfft...forget about it. The only reason I'm pooping on Democrats and liberals in this thread is because I hate to see teh "fuck Republicans lets support Democrats" mindframe manifest. The good cop bad cop routine fools too many people for my liking :)

Anyhow I hear security cameras hooked up to loud speakers are all the rage in England.

[Bud Struggle]

The real enemy of the people in general is a dangerously addictive system built on growth which is not simply sustainable. A system which requires that products are made to be replaced because of intentionally faulty design or trend fetischism. Well, it's worked quite well for most of the people for a very long time.


In this aspect, people who receive food stamps are actually quite harmless. And they would probably cause much more trouble without social aid. Just look at Brazil. I quite agree. If they didn't have at least some money--they would turn to crime and/or Revolution. Really the few dollars they are paid is well worth their silence.


Imagine how much it would cost you if your house require a defence wall with a surveillance system and you could get your arm chopped off at the next bus stop because some kid needs your watch so he'd be able to pay a crime lord who otherwise would burn his mom's shack. That's a good point. Because if the governmental system didn't take care of people--another system would take it's place. And that usually is an underground system that the government can't control. Much like the crime gangs in Russia, or the Black Market in Cuba and the Mafia in the US during the Depression.

These poor are definitely the WRONG people to go after and the wrong people to blame. And that's the problem with the Tea Party--they can be and often are rogue at the wrong time. The Republicans--no matter how bad they were would never do something like this.

[Dimentio]

Well, it's worked quite well for most of the people for a very long time.

I quite agree. If they didn't have at least some money--they would turn to crime and/or Revolution. Really the few dollars they are paid is well worth their silence.

That's a good point. Because if the governmental system didn't take care of people--another system would take it's place. And that usually is an underground system that the government can't control. Much like the crime gangs in Russia, or the Black Market in Cuba and the Mafia in the US during the Depression.

These poor are definitely the WRONG people to go after and the wrong people to blame. And that's the problem with the Tea Party--they can be and often are rogue at the wrong time. The Republicans--no matter how bad they were would never do something like this.

All social systems tend to work for some time. No social system is indestructible, but some systems are inherently self-destructive or destructive for their surrounding environment.

The current system is working on a paradigm that it should increase growth rates, and hence accumulate profits (which explains why for example CEO wages are increasing exponentially faster than worker wages).

It could work if it were just for the social factor (but slavery and feudalism also worked).

The problem is that the current system is utilising 133% of the planet's yearly regeneration capacity of biomass.

http://www.jhz.se/paskon/res/Default/vallgrav.jpg

The Easter Island tried that experiment. This is what happened with their ruling elite.

[RGacky3]

I don't see them having much trouble with going after welfare recipients. I don't think there's much solidarity between them and the working poor. It's the same reason they can take away rights from prisoners. The working poor (in America at least) identify with other workers--even if they are their employers. They's why unions fail so often.


Thats due to over 50 years of hard propeganda, but thats breaking down.


real talk republicans in the united states have completely lost their fucking minds.

Thats really the case, republicans arn't just corporatists anymore, they are something worse .. I don't know, they just hate working people.


Yea at 10%ish unemployment to a good deal it's about sombody else. At 20% I think it will hit home. But then again I don't think it will go there. I think the managers and the government knows that. They are greedy--but they aren't stupid.

Realy unemployment is already closer to 20% and it is hitting home.

Republicans are stupid.


Well, it's worked quite well for most of the people for a very long time.


Not for most of the people.


And that's the problem with the Tea Party--they can be and often are rogue at the wrong time. The Republicans--no matter how bad they were would never do something like this.

Depends what you mean by Rogue, they are NEVER, NEVER gonna so something that the chamber of commerce, prostperity for America or freedom works disagrees with.

[Bud Struggle]

Thats due to over 50 years of hard propeganda, but thats breaking down. You really believe that?


Thats really the case, republicans arn't just corporatists anymore, they are something worse .. I don't know, they just hate working people. They don't hate anyone. They aren't Emos. They are just in it for the buck.


Realy unemployment is already closer to 20% and it is hitting home.

Republicans are stupid. They are winners. They maybegoing overboard with this last set of proposals, but that remains to be seen. They do well in elections.


Depends what you mean by Rogue, they are NEVER, NEVER gonna so something that the chamber of commerce, prostperity for America or freedom works disagrees with. By rogue I mean upsetting the status quo. You don't really need to antagonize people on welfare. Paying them off works just fine. Mostly people like that don't vote--why get them upset and get them out to vote?

[RGacky3]

You really believe that?


Yeah, look at the level of class consciousness lately, people are talking about the banksters, the executives and so on, US uncut, the building up of the union movement, and so on, its not at a point where it is a major threat yet but people no longer believe in the system.


They don't hate anyone. They aren't Emos. They are just in it for the buck.


Its more than that, its very much a class thing, this is beyond the buck. A lot of right wingers (the limbough types) take their ideology from a deep seated perverse relationship to power.

(did you just learn that word Emo?)


They are winners. They maybegoing overboard with this last set of proposals, but that remains to be seen. They do well in elections.


The people that vote for them are stupid, the actual republicans don't actaully believe what they say.

They do well in elections when most people don't vote.

[Per Levy]

Thats really the case, republicans arn't just corporatists anymore, they are something worse .. I don't know, they just hate working people.

yep, working people, people of colour, poor people, homosexual people, people who dont whorship christianity(or at least their branch of christianity). did i forgot someone?

[Per Levy]

Realy unemployment is already closer to 20% and it is hitting home.

that is very true, many unemployed people arent even counted as being unemployed(that also is true for the most countrys in the world through). and many working poor have 2 or 3 jobs in order to stay alive, its sick.

to the topic: well thats terrible, i hope they wont get it through. seriously, is just me or is the usa becoming fascist?

[Dimentio]

that is very true, many unemployed people arent even counted as being unemployed(that also is true for the most countrys in the world through). and many working poor have 2 or 3 jobs in order to stay alive, its sick.

to the topic: well thats terrible, i hope they wont get it through. seriously, is just me or is the usa becoming fascist?

USA 2020: "Today, President Palin met with Supreme National Coordinator General Petraeus to discuss the on-going hunger riots in Chicago. The President is reported to have an approval rating of 89%. Everything is fine."

[Tim Finnegan]

Its more than that, its very much a class thing, this is beyond the buck. A lot of right wingers (the limbough types) take their ideology from a deep seated perverse relationship to power.
I agree. There's a prominent classist streak in right-wing rhetoric, as strong as the racist, sexist and homophobic streaks, and even more ubiquitous. That can't be overlooked if one is to fully understand what we're dealing with.

[Revolution starts with U]

You have to understand they've been tricked into voting republican for 30 or 40 years now. THIS time they will do something about abortion, immigration, taxes, spending, gays, etc... and yet the republicans sell them out to the corporate interests time and time again.
Being the uneducated backwoods hicks they are ;) (they're my extended family I can say thatl. Fuck you) they don't come to the logical conclusion that republican rhetoric is just that; rhetoric.
Instead they get angry. I mean REALLY ANGRY! And they're not going to take it anymore. Those worthless welfare bums (themselves, check the data) aren't going to take any of their money anymore... which is true. The people at the top will continue taking it like they always have, and now even more :D

Republicans are idiots who have gone bat shit crazy

[Bud Struggle]

You have to understand they've been tricked into voting republican for 30 or 40 years now. THIS time they will do something about abortion, immigration, taxes, spending, gays, etc... and yet the republicans sell them out to the corporate interests time and time again.
Being the uneducated backwoods hicks they are ;) (they're my extended family I can say thatl. Fuck you) they don't come to the logical conclusion that republican rhetoric is just that; rhetoric.
Instead they get angry. I mean REALLY ANGRY! And they're not going to take it anymore. Those worthless welfare bums (themselves, check the data) aren't going to take any of their money anymore... which is true. The people at the top will continue taking it like they always have, and now even more :D

Republicans are idiots who have gone bat shit crazy

You're on a ROLL! :D

[Jose Gracchus]

Does anyone have this bulletin from a source other than the FRSO-FB paper?

[ChrisK]

I dare them.

I triple dog dare them.