Governor Scott Walker is creating a road to fascism in a hurry in Wisconsin. Not only does his “budget repair bill” hand over utilities to private industry but now this tea party conservative wants to privatize food stamp allocations.
This plan would allow a for profit corporation to decide who gets food and who doesn’t. On top of this 20 million dollars will be taken away from Wisconsin in Federal aid for help.
Walker’s proposed 2011-’13 budget would take this work from the remaining counties and centralize it with the state by using a private contractor to do much of the work. The Walker administration estimates that the proposal would save $48 million per year and eliminate 270 positions.
If this corporation makes a mistake, who does a person call? When a service is privatized that corporation is ONLY answerable to shareholders and depending on the contract the state signs, the corporation may have that job for 3, 5, or even 10 years before anything can be rectified.
In a recent report by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to privatize work determining who is eligible for food assistance in the state would violate federal law and could expose the state to a loss of more than $20 million in federal money, federal officials say.
In an April 14 letter to state Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith and Children and Families Secretary Eloise Anderson, Ollice Holden, a Midwest administrator for the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, warned that the work of interviewing applicants and deciding who is eligible for the Wisconsin FoodShare program needs to be done by public workers who are essentially civil servants. If not, he said, the state could lose some of the federal funds supporting FoodShare, the successor in Wisconsin to the food stamp program.
In a statement released Thursday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “Recent state agency privatization initiatives in Texas and Indiana have been complete failures, marked by technical difficulties, staffing shortages, and inadequate training of private call-center staff and resulting in adverse impacts on the state and its people.
“USDA will continue to work with Wisconsin to improve its program delivery and integrity so that the most vulnerable people in the state receive the nutrition benefits they need,” Vilsack said.
Walker’s proposal is just the latest strain on the state’s partnership with the federal government on FoodShare.
From Michigan to Wisconsin, these tea party Governors are allowing corporations to strangle our resources. Over in Michigan emergency managers are busy privatizing schools left and right.
Watch out, the next step may be privatizing the Great Lakes.
Image: Tennessee Guerrilla Woman
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What the h___ is going on in this country? These people were elected to govern, not dictate and persecute.
I dont know but,as in my post below,I know we must all Demand something be done about these guys NOW!
what are you whining about? These guys know what’s important! That’s why they’re keeping the queers from getting married.
One thing I think is often overlooked is that food stamp money is handed out like free candy. I’ve been on them, I know. I shut down my account after moving in with someone, previous to that I could not find a job and did not have a home, ok so I qualified… but the thing is- when I asked to shutdown my account they sent two letters the address I listed telling me I had more money to spend(about 200). This is after I told them I no longer needed the card and shut it down. Look at how they have increased 1000% since they have inplemented food stamps years ago, and now it looks like a credit card so people aren’t embarrassed. I’m embarrassed that people who probably don’t need the full amount they are getting ARE embarrassed, I mean it is just free money.
But still, you got help when you needed it didnt you. And others get help when they need to. Maybe you should try and find out how that system works internally. Not being mean or nasty, its jsut a thought
He is right,you got help when you needed it,and you are a grownup-do you know how many millions of little children depend on those food stamps and a free school lunch,or they would have nothing to eat?!In this country-the USA,I dont think Republicans give a damn,but the rest of us do!I would rather some people who dont need food stamps as badly,and most do,get them,than for ONE child to go without food in any day,anytime! Last week I rescued a tiny newborn kitten,and she is doing fine.Her formula costs $14 a can.Do you think I want a CHILD to go without food& milk?Not hardly.Not in this country.Thats NOT who most of us are These godforsaken Repubs may be but true Americans take care of each other.NOT suggesting that you would want that either,but its too easy to slip into listening to the nonsense of those people who only”claim”to be Christians.
My husband tore both rotator cuffs working a $750 wk job. He now gets $150. I applied for foodstamps. We were denied the first 3 months and now receive $160 a month for a family f four. If we didn’t own our home we would be on the street. I’m working 6 day work weeks just to get by. Handed out like candy? I think not.
internet access can be had for free in some places, restraunts, libraries, bookstores
and you don’t even have to buy anything, so the internet crack was really not something
to be serious about
An unnecessary and snotty remark.
Bless your heart! When the kitten hits four weeks, cut in a little original type Daisy Sour Cream in the mix, which will do wonders for her internal flora and cause her to digest better. Pups, if that ever happens, do well with home-clabbered buttermilk added to whatever solid food you start them on.
I’m a pagan and pagans help others as well. I think the morons following Walker
need psych evaluations along with him. People in general should be helping each
other, not idiots in $1,000 suits cutting help to others who are having a rough
time. Jobs can be created if one has talent and there is a market tho. So the jobless
should check into this
Prove that you are not lying about this! What you claim is not the experience of many people I know who depend on food stamps! Why not publish the letters they sent you? I am sorry, but I no longer trust the veracity of right wingers who are intent on dismantling social safety nets! Your story, in my judgement, seems to be completely made up.
Congratulations. Then why not say weeding out the abuse would be just as
gratifying as cutting the help off from those that need it and don’t abuse it.
You didn’t. The point here is that a for profit operation might be sending
you a bill for the support you received based on your new income. For profits are
not for the people.They are for the profit. Get it.
I have a question.. Did you turn your card in? Further, did you go ahead and spend this money you did not need? You could have taken this card back to them did you??
It is not free money. It is assistance to provide food for yourself and/or your family. The amount has increased from ‘years ago’ because of inflation. The current maximum allotment for a single person is $200. As a single person, I know my food purchases total more than that each month and I don’t eat meat! The max for a family of 4 is $668. Good luck w/ that.
http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/food_stamp_benefit_levels.htm
I have to agree with coloradocathy on this one! WHAT are these people thinking??? Wait! I guess they AREN’T thinking!!
If you just stop feeding them they will die off and then the problem is solved. If you just keep feeding them it creates more of a problem.
@Donny – Remember that if you should ever lose your job and not be able to provide for yourself and/or your family!!
these teaparty idiots are going to keep pushing til there is civil war in this country. Others disagree, but I really do see it happening. I’m about 90% right (being conservative) about things I really don’t want to be right about. And I do have a very bad feeling about things coming in the next few years
The only thing we can really do is VOTE THEM OUT!!!! Start now planning on nominating and what officials in your area to contact. we have to start locally then go up the ladder. We need to vote out the idiots
Nah, we should just kill them, since they are trying to starve us.
This man,Scott Walker has to be brought down,and since he cant be recalled until Jan,,they must move quickly forward on the recalls for those Repub state lawmakers,the state senators and so on. That is what a whole lot of states are going to have to do,because they all must put the Democrats back in the majority,in the state level,and then these completely out-of-control and Loontune govenors will NOT be able to get any of this nutty stuff passed.Then,either recall the govenors when its time,or vote them out if its not too far off.But,like Florida,who already wants RID of Rick Scott,they have to wait until 2015 so,they got to do it another way.WHY would anybody,in any state,VOTE for these nuts?Florida KNEW that guy should probably have been in PRISON,but they elected him over a decent woman.WHY??And,I still say,Get the Feds in to Wisconsin&michigan and Investigate the Hell out of EVERYTHING!
Remember, vote at every opportunity. A lot of these people got in because their followers voted. Apparently many Democrats chose not to.
Why do I have the feeling that the voter’s affiliation may determine eligibility for food stamps, or, that if it isn’t clear from that, they may be required to state how they voted?
Lord,I hadnt even thought of that,but I bet you are right!However,that would seem to be even more reason for a Federal look-see.And,I did not realize Indiana and one other state had done this and its not working?My God,put these guys out asap.
I’m sure you’re right. It sounds so Cheneyesque.
Hey, I can be the rightest wing idiot I need to be, but that won’t really change my vote.
It doesn’t eliminate 270 positions, it just moves them farther away from public accountability.
And who is going to pay the private company to manage the program? The benefits are still paid for by taxpayers, with $20 million less than they had before thanks to Scott Walker.
and puts the profits into the pocket of some buddy of Scott Walker’s.
BINGO!!!
These positions are currently locally held in each county. Most workers won’t be able to pick up and move to the centralized call-center so there will be a loss of jobs. Right now someone can go see a live person to discuss their application in their county of residence. So much for that.
Also when the people go see someone local they can find out about other services that are likely to help people out like food pantries and other social services. The more we give these people a hand to help them back on their feet the more likely they are to get back on their feet.
Yes there are unethical people who take advantage of the system but do you think that will get any better if it is privatized? Right now the government oversees it – so there is some accountability. Will there be once it is privatized?
All right, the dictators have gone too far. Looks like Wisconsinites are in for a long spring of protesting. Here in Michigan, the recall petition language has been approved. Someone already put up a fake petition site from Ann Arbor. If people sign it online, their signatures cannot be counted on real petitions. The real ones are not out yet. Thanks for letting me spread the word. Beware! These guys will do anything to stay in power.
Sally:So glad folks like you are working on this.There are alot of states and people at risk,but good places to start are certinly Wisconsin and Michigan.These guys Walker and Synder,are very dangerous, and I am very concerned.Not only that,but they WILL do ANYTHING,as you said,and the Nuts govenors in several other states are just watching MI.and WI.to see if they get away with it,so then they can do it too! I keep saying–Is Anybody calling Washington,D.C. for help up there?
Sally…Thanks for the info about the recall petition…am looking forward to signing my name to one…It just floors me as to how far these guys are pushing their own agenda. The democrats in Michigan have GOT to stand up and bring our state back to the real people…
You mentioned about protests all summer,and they should absolutely do that.However,you can tell that so far,at least,the protests havent really meant much to the likes of Scott Walker.Some folks noticed something that I watch for now,when he is speaking.Watch his eyes and then watch just his mouth when he talks.There is something not “right” about him,and its easy to spot if you watch closeups for several different events. I think he and these other Rethug govenors are very scary people.Any of these people running around with their crazy nonsense about our President,had better refocus on the guys who really ARE a danger to all of us-these nutty govenors they got elected. Because I promise those little teaparty people that these guys will mow you down in a minute flat!Right along with everbody else.
My Mom and I said the same thing about his eyes during the campaign. We could just tell he wasn’t telling the truth. “Shifty Eyes” is how my Mom terms them. Too bad more people aren’t or don’t want to be better at reading body language. If they had looked closely, maybe we wouldn’t be in the mire we are in right now.
Also notice that his eyes always look the same,no matter what.There is no emotion shown about anything-ever.Like”dead eyes”,nothing reflected back at all! And.no matter what he is saying,his mouth is always held the same,and the cadence of his words,is always the same,neither ever vary.Your mom is right about “shifty eyes”too,but that absolutely complete lack of emotion(and I dont mean”cool&classy”,like Pres,Obama),something else going on with Walker,more like”nobody home”in those eyes,and you only see that on certin kinds of people,and usually those people are holding a number sign,while a police officer takes their picture,not running your state! Not being mean,just a scary fact.Somethings very wrong here.
@sherriww – What you say about his eyes is true. I don’t agree with those who make fun of him about the positioning of his eyes, but I DO agree with you. He could be telling us the saddest story in the world, and not a tear would fall. Look how he stands there tearing the State of Wisconsin apart and shows NO emotion!!!
I am not joking, does Walker have Asperger’s?
I am thinking the federal government should not just withold the federal funds,and then go away to let these guys hurt all the people.Despite what those Teabag Fools said two years ago,there is a VERY GOOD REASON for the FEDERAL GOVT.to have the final say on things.It is up to them to protect the citizens from crazy people hurting them,and these Rethug/Teabag govenors are being DomesticTerrorists and Washington needs to put a stop to it NOW.
Unfortunately, in many ways the Republicans have a strangle-hold on the government. The Republicans in the House are cutting every program in sight, certainly anything that involves government oversight of corporations. If a bill accidentally gets through the House, one Senator can kill it in the Senator, and that one Senator will be Jim DeMint of SC.
Just when you think this nonsense–er, “Common Sense”–can’t get any more ridiculous, we learn that Rust Never Sleeps!
“we learn” insert yet again “Rust Never Sleeps”
pretty transparent, in a way, isn’t he?
We’ve evidently missed the echelon apparently where private corporations no longer require profits.
Duh, so drunk today… strike “apparently.”
@nasty – It seems to me like that’s how a large majority of people are dealing with life in Wisconsin right now – by getting hammered enough not to care. What a shame!
Whats next? We have already had a tea party pine nut on here who advocates giving our rivers to corporations who as he states “would have an express interest in keeping them clean because they own them”.
Privatation will be under no rules or regulations as to who can get or receive services. The money to run them would still come from our taxes, which means the corporation would invest that money. Making money for them on our money. Frankly, I trust the government more than a private corp. The corp would in all cases pass on the employee cost to us
I am afraid that almost” anything”may be next.There is absolutely no way that,before the new Rethug govenors got in,with all the TP help,and too many voters staying home,that all these guys didnt have a very big plan in place,to take over the U,S. state by state,and we all missed it. Again,Domestic Terrorists ,all of them,and the Feds need to get busy,if they arent already!
On the bright side, the language to recall Rick Snyder was approved today. So they have like 90 days to get 800,000 signatures. I need to look up the time limit, not sure about the 90
“DETROIT, April 29 (Reuters) – A group seeking to force new Michigan Governor Rick Snyder into a recall election cleared a first hurdle on Friday when an election panel approved the proposed wording on petitions seeking voter support.
Michigan Citizens United would have to amass more than 800,000 signatures, or 25 percent of the votes cast in Republican Snyder’s election in November, within a 90 day period to put the question to a vote at the next election.
Voters in Michigan can file a recall petition six months after Snyder’s term began under Michigan law, unlike Wisconsin where petitioners must wait at least a year into new Republican Governor Scott Walker’s term to start a recall bid.
Under Michigan law, the wording of the petition was put before an election commission in Washtenaw County as Snyder’s residence of record. A representative of the governor did not immediately respond to the commission’s ruling.
The Michigan group said on its website Friday that it wanted to gather 1.1 million signatures for its petition and noted that it would need to submit them by August 5 for the question to appear on the statewide ballot in November.”
Yes,that is VERY good news!Now-GO MICHIGAN-GO! You can do it!And,in doing it,you folks in Michigan will be the starters for what brings ALL these guys Down! If you cant get 800,000 signers,then there would be something SERIOUSLY WRONG with the people of Michigan,and I diont believe that for a minute,so I Know you can do it and so many will give thanks to you all! Come On Wisconsin-you are doing GREAT TOO! Get those Repubs OUT of your statehouse now,and then Get Rid of Scott Walker asap!
These people are nuts. Some of us in California still remember the nightmare of ENRON and Pete Wilson’s privatization of Electricity/gas: rolling black-outs!
[...] From politicususa, 4/30/2011 [...]
Wisconsin can count me in even though i live in New Jersey. We do not need A domino effect of Scott Walker.. transitioning into the other states.
With the Economy in such disaray, The Motel industry is hanging on; reason being,,, They are filled with New Jersey’s homeless. The homeless that i have come across are occuping these motels and are either unemployed, or working more than one job to survive.
Good for You! I know NJ well,and I forget to mention what a terrible mess you have out there sometimes,but I know you do.And,that is EXACTLY what is going to happen,probably was PLANNED to happen-that if those states govenors get away with this,it is absolutely going to spread to at least 20 more states real fast,maybe more.So,everybody,everywhere needs to start putting the brakes on it now,before it spreads!
[...] Governor Scott Walker is creating a road to fascism in a hurry in Wisconsin. Not only does his “budget repair bill” hand over utilities to private industry but now this tea party conservative wants to privatize food stamp allocations. (Read more) [...]
Scott Walker is every bit as sneaky and conniving as he looks. It’s as if he spends every waking hour of his existence thinking up ways to screw over Wisconsites. There IS something about his eyes, which in my opinion are the window to his true character. They look dead and emotionless, which reflects his utter lack of empathy or compassion. He decided to sell any integrity he ever had in order to serve the equally soulless Koch brothers.
@Anne – I agree with you 100% – well said!
[...] is ONLY answerable to shareholders and depending on the contract the state signs, More → Blog this! Bookmark on Delicious Recommend on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share via MySpace Share [...]
[...] Do you look forward making the call to your wireless company to correct billing information? Well, this is what Walker and the GOP have in mind for the Wisconsin Food Share program they want to turn the program over to a private corp. Please read the article “Scott Walker Unveils His Wisconsin Food Stamp Starvation Scheme̶… [...]
[...] for Wisconsin is to allow a for profit corporation to decide who gets food and who doesn't.Source:http://www.politicususa.com/en/wisconsin-walker-food-stamps Posted by Mr Gift at [...]
First off in Wisconsin we call it foodshare not foodstamps. Secondly, single adults and those who apply for badgercare core plus is already handled by a privatized company called the enrollment service center. The state has a contract that started with the Doyle administration. County economic support specialist handle those that receive social security and families.
Anybody else see this aspect: Walker also would like to privatize WI prisons. Parents of starving children will do what they have to, to keep their kids alive, including stealing food to feed them. Then we can lock these desperate people up in private for-profit prisons. FINALLY! The poor can make a contribution to the rich. Great for unscrupulous big business and governors who take their money. Not so great for poor people OR tax-payers.
[...] Read more. Related Posts:Food stamps rolls continue to riseMore Americans on food stamps = more $$$ for Bill Daley’s bank!Food stamp usage soars among working familiesCriminal probe a-chuggin’ toward Scott WalkerRove heaps praise on WalkerPowered by Contextual Related Posts May 1, 2011 // General // No Comments // [...]
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[...] for Wisconsin is to allow a for profit corporation to decide who gets food and who doesn"t.Source:http://www.politicususa.com/en/wisconsin-walker-food-stamps ( Leave a comment [...]
I live in New Jersey where we privatized most of the motor vehicle department about ten years. We had the same screaming and yelling about how everything will go to hell and hand-basket and, you know what, motor vehicles is ten times better and half the cost from when the state ran it a decade ago. Use to be a half day affair just to get a title and license plates – now you’re in and out in 15 minutes. Your governor just might be on to something. Unless, of course, you work for the state, get great benefits and work at a pace that would make a sloth look fast.
Link?
@producer – You said, “Your governor just might be on to something. Unless, of course, you work for the state, get great benefits and work at a pace that would make a sloth look fast.”
I retired from state service about three years ago, and I am very thankful! I worked hard, put in extra time, gave 110% and tried to help everyone. In the end I received a plaque and a thank you (at last!)
State workers are NOT the sloths you put them forth to be. They are dedicated people who are now going to be getting less money and pay more for their benefits. Choices now will be to retire (if old enough) to work a part-time job (if they can find one) or try to find a job in the private sector that pays what they made BW (before walker)!!
Why isn’t Governor Walker swinging from a lamp post?
This guy needs to be stopped.
THEN VOTE THE PR&CK OUT OF OFFICE, ALONG WITH HIS COHORTS!!!
Form a de jure jury and throw Scott Walker away. He can’t stay in office if he’s in jail, like any job you will lose if you’re in jail. Fuck “recalling” walker, let’s just put him away.
What makes it all the more interesting is that Milwaukee County workers allegedly defrauded the FoodShare program while under Walker’s watch as Milwaukee County Executive. http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/119794529.html
The man is a paragon of virtue, isn’t he?
Why shouldnt rights on FREE food be limited? Why should something be handed out to people who contribute nothing from society, instead take as much as possible? These programs need to be streamlined and become even more limited than they are. I see countless people abuse the food stamp program, from people selling 100 dollars worth of food for 50 bucks, to people buying 12 red bulls and a snickers at local gas stations. There should be a limit on foodstamps and there should be a verification that they are being used for actual consumable foods. I understand people fall on hard times, but there should be a 2-5 year limit on earning benefits from the state, including WELFARE. If you cant figure out how to fix your problem in the allocated time, im sorry its not the taxpayers responsibility to help you anymore. This is just people taking advantage of the system. Find a local charity, food pantry, church, make friends that will help you, get a job, go to school ( hell, school programs are offered to dam near EVERYONE). Like I said, I understand people come upon hard times, but again, its not my responsibility as a hard working individual to continuously support people who do nothing to better their situation and constantly have people raising my taxes because they (politicians) want to appease to every group and give everything to everyone. You want my sympathy, do something to improve your life, the life of your kids and the situation your in. 2-5 years is MORE than enough time to improve your situation.
[...] Scott Walker Unveils His Wisconsin Food Stamp Starvation Scheme [...]
Every government function put in the hands of private vendors has ended up costing as much or more, PLUS a huge chomp taken out by the vendor. To keep the cost to the state the same, and pay the vendor’s graft, the needy recipients will take a huge cut.
That’s not speculation. That’s what has happened every time — and the only possibly outcome of privatizing Medicare. Having greedy corporations decide who should get a cut of the food stamp pie, when their share is what’s left over, will sicken and likely kill babies, children, and their parents.