Comments on: Marion Barry Becomes WaPo Poverty-Beat Reporter

By: DCexpat

DCexpat — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:10:10 +0000

Why don't folks who disagree with the dc welfare policy just move a couple miles away, into md or va? DC is what it is, and even changing payout schemes won't change tbe character of the pathetic masses in the city. Salvation is found just by crossing the border...

By: Rick Mangus

Rick Mangus — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 03:06:42 +0000

DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE and from a hack as well!

By: downtown rez

downtown rez — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:12:08 +0000

I can't really fault what you are saying, Jason.
However, I do think the proposal is all about framing the conversation in a way that leads one to believe that social services as they exist today are underfunded.
Regarding jobs training and other services, I'm pretty much in the You can lead a horse to water camp.
Maybe knowledge that there is a real cut-off point to social services will motivate the herd, but I don't know.

By: Jason Cherkis

Jason Cherkis — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:54:03 +0000

The phased in approach is a good idea if it's paired with real job training, and genuine oversight over social services. There are cheaper, best practices approaches than doing what we do now.

How about instead of awarding no-bid contracts to nonprofits, the city only engages in fee-for-service contracts? You get more bang for your buck, more flexibility in how you spend the money, and more oversight over those nonprofits.

How about actually assessing what the TANF clients need: GED classes, maybe pre-GED classes, job training programs, and actual job programs that can get people jobs, etc., etc.

As for whether cuts in social services are coming, they already are. That's a done deal. I'm hearing that there's going to be across the board cuts at DMH, and many providers are already starting to cut services. This Barry proposal is really not about funneling more money to social services.

By: downtown rez

downtown rez — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:32:15 +0000

Jason-
We wouldn't be in this place if Barry hadn't cynically and disingenuously proposed something he knew was a non-starter.
And you all in the media bit, and bit hard. Just like he (and whoever the real brains behind this is) knew you would.
But look at the strategy; how it sets the conversation up:
Yeah, we know in this time of budget crisis that we need to cut TANF, but first we need to increase spending so much more on other social services.
I say we just modify Barry's bill to phase in the 5 year limit. Otherwise, this damn thing will end up costing more than it will save.

By: Jason Cherkis

Jason Cherkis — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:14:27 +0000

Look: Limits on TANF are one thing. But should you impose limits when your social services and job training programs are inadequate to pick up the slack, when your schools have been beyond terrible for years and years, and when your councilmember seems more interested in developing make-work projects for his friends?

Even, former Bushie, Clarence Carter, director at DHS, has come out against Barry's proposal. He told the Post that the wait-list for job training programs is too long and most of the long-time TANF recipients wouldn't qualify because of literacy issues.

I hope we can get past the name calling and actually debate the issue.

By: downtown rez

downtown rez — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 18:05:27 +0000

I'm now leaning toward thinking that Barry knows changes to TANF are coming with or without him, and wants to establish some sort of conservative cred that would enable him to be at the table when these changes happen, rather than being left on the sidelines because people think he's an enabler. Essentially, he's trying to position himself to the right of Wells.

By: Sally

Sally — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:20:46 +0000

Jason Cherkis, poverty pimp.

By: Ward-8

Ward-8 — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:44:34 +0000

Here we go again the nay sayers and enablers concern about unfounded Bull S***, generation after generation will continue receiving aid until in a lot of instance they are given a swift kick in the back side to change their life. Granted, there are a few who will continue to require assistance however, having spent too many years in the City, I have seen too many baby machines who care less about working just live with moma and raise another generation of dependance. "Amen" to the Mayor for life for finally realizing this and not trying to be politically correct.

By: Rick Mangus

Rick Mangus — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:32:06 +0000

More liberal dribble, written by a non-professional, non-jouranlist hack!