April 19, 2006
A HAND OUT, NOT A HAND UP?:
Mayor Overrules 2 Aides Seeking Food Stamp Shift (SEWELL CHAN, 4/18/06, NY Times)
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg took the rare step yesterday of overruling his own top two social service officials, deciding not to pursue a federal waiver that would make it easier for able-bodied childless adults to receive food stamps. [...]In explaining the administration's decision not to seek the waiver, [Deputy Mayor Linda I. ] Gibbs said in a statement, "This potential policy change is not consistent with the mayor's goal of helping New Yorkers become self-sufficient." [...]
The decision stunned advocates for the needy, who had been pressing for more-generous food stamp policies since the mayoralty of Mr. Bloomberg's predecessor, Rudolph W. Giuliani, who opposed most public assistance programs under the argument that they discouraged work and subsidized dependence.
"It looked like we were departing from the Giuliani era's stinginess and cruelty when it came to dealing with poor people," said Douglas Lasdon, executive director of the Urban Justice Center, a nonprofit law firm that sued the city, under both mayors, over food stamp rules and procedures. "This has not been an administration that has bowed to the political winds. It is a bit petty and odd."
By what right can opponents of self-sufficiency for the able-bodied be said to be their advocates? Posted by Orrin Judd at April 19, 2006 10:50 AM
New York City's unemployment rate in February was 5.3 percent, which is just above the national average, while the state's 4.7 rate was below the national average. If you're trying to give able-bodied workers more food stamps in this economy, your economic model is a little skewered.
Posted by: John at April 19, 2006 5:08 PMAble-bodied childless adults who receive food stamps are called "parasites", something that we don't want here.
Posted by: ic at April 19, 2006 6:16 PM