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THE CRISIS OF W-2 IN MILWAUKEE
It comes as no surprise that since the implementation of W-2, or Governor
Tommy Thompson's Welfare "Reform" in Wisconsin, Milwaukee is in the throes
of a crisis of unparalleled proportions. As more people are faced with the
awful reality of their situation: losing government aid, having to work in
minimum wage jobs, receiving no day care, and having families to support,
tough decisions are having to be made. Skipping meals is common for adults
and children, since the local food pantries are facing severe shortages due
the dramatically increased demand for help. Some are having to leave the
state or face the prospects of becoming homeless themselves. according to
statewide data, there were alarming changes in people who were using
shelters between 1997 and 1998. 52% more families said they were evicted.
42% more families stayed in shelters between 1 and 6 months. 145% more
families reported NO income. In addition, the number of families receiving
food stamps in Milwaukee County has fallen nearly 10% in the last year.
The
situation has remained the same over the past few years. Milwaukee, almost
overnight, has developed na enormous homeless population, complete with
shanty towns existing underneath area bridges. One large community which
exists under the 27th Street viaduct, a large bridge which spans the
industrialized Miller Valley, had erected cardboard shelters and collected
furniture in an attempt to make a small, livable community. This community
was raided and destroyed by city workers, obviously with the approval of our
elected officials, taking away what little shelter these people had from the
cold Milwaukee winter.
The city of Milwaukee's officials as well as the state government is turning
against it's poor, and, Giuliani-like, is preferring that they simply
"disappear". Tommy Thompson has declared W-2 a huge success, blatantly
ignoring the truths behind it's "success", and the many families that have
plummeted into abject poverty due to his policies.
As one woman, facing the consequences of this reform said, "We're not nobody
to them. They don't care what happens to us, just so long as no one really
sees what we go through every day. They don't see my babies crying because
they're so cold. I can't afford no heat. I work, but $6.50 an hour and some
food stamps ain't enough for the four of us. My mom has been helping us, but
what's gonna to happen when we run out of money? She's been saving up for
retirement, but now most of that money is gone. I don't know what we're
going to do. Some other women aren't so lucky, they don't have no one to
help them. We go to St. Ben's (food pantry) a couple times a week, and they
give us what they can, but sometimes it ain't enough." This woman is not
alone.
We need to stand up to these policies today. We need to not only end these
people's suffering, but also give them the opportunity to follow their hopes
and dreams. These people can not achieve anything while they are slaves to
the welfare system or trapped in minimum wage jobs. Together, we can stop
this enforced poverty and the system which causes it!
The above article is by Analisa L. Drew, a member of Youth for Socialist Action in Milwaukee, WI.
Twin Cities Socialist Action
P.O. Box 14087
Dinkeytown Station
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Email us: mnsocialist@excite.com
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