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Children, the "Real Silent Majority"

Posted on: August 02, 2007

By Kelley R. Benningfield

To me, it is the children of the poor vs Wall Street, as I watch FOX and CNBC (a little bit more, greed, hedonism, libertarianism, etc.”) My personal experience was with the applications for 87 children to receive aide when I belonged to a service organization. I interviewed the parents of these children in their residences during a period of approximately two and a half years. The organization’s Golden Samaritan Rule; the child would be helped regardless of whether the parent was single and going to college, or single and visiting the bars at least once a week. In other words, there was no distinction as to which child would be helped.

Some needs of low income children are; dental work, glasses, immunizations, Head Start, etc. There may be problems with the Head Start Program, but that is why we have experts to correct the problems; an example is George Bush correcting educational programs with his No Child Left Behind Act.

No, I don’t think it would be a waste of money after probably billions (trillions?) spent on projects by the government.

A few examples, probably among millions;

1. Two bridges in Alaska, Nowhere and Young, cost approximately $451 million; supposedly the money is now with the governor of Alaska.

2. 1,776 Ear Marks, 309 to the Military most providing jobs in Congressional Districts.

3. The top 10% of farmers get 80% of the subsidies; this problem might be corrected this year. Two examples are Ted Turner receiving approx. $590 thousand (a past report was that this was for raising buffalo.) Scotty Pippen (retired basketball player) received an estimated $298 thousand. Also, review Sen. L. Craig’s F2F Program and sheep subsidies.

4. The Government giving out No Bid and/or Cost Plus contracts; millions lost by Hailburton and others.

Bernake, the Federal Reserve Chairman, testifying before Frank’s committee spoke about helping the poor.He talked about solving poverty through education, and that the average income is increasing.

1. One comment, education is a way to a better life. While the poor are spending years improving their education, the children need help. One statistic of many that Frank noted only 3.4% of educated people received a real wage gain over the past few years.

2. The use of the word average to me is propaganda. The term median would be more appropriate. Bush spoke about the Tax Rebate, with everyone receiving an average rebate of approximately $1,000.00. I received $736.00, Bill Gates was estimated at between $7-8 million, and Bush was estimated at $60,000.00. In averaging income you have the multi millionaires, Gate, Buffett, Turner; who will give a rosy scenario by covering the salaries of people in Watts, Appalachia, etc.

Bush’s actions as Governor of Texas seems to have set the standard for Idaho, “Specifically the court found that Texas has failed to inform families about the benefits available-even when asked…” Idaho State Journal.

Let’s begin with ex-Governor Kempthorne’s legacy;

1. A permanent tax cut to the wealthy supported by those in poverty; it was stated that earning less than $22,000.00 received no break, but did support the tax cut because it was based on all income received by the state, such as Sales Tax.

2. A program on Channel 8 talked about thousands of Idaho children going hungry.

3. A June 15th article stated that Idaho refused Food Stamp assistance to 13,000 people

4. “The number of extremely poor people in Idaho grew 58% from 2000 to 2005 – the third fastest growth in the nation.” Idaho Statesman (“A family of four with two children and an annual income of $9,903 – half the Federal Poverty Line – was considered severely poor in 2005.”) Idaho Statesman

Let’s take a look at Otter’s short time as Governor.

1. Remember all of the brouhaha about the Otter standing up for the poor with the grocery tax relief bill, was a farce. Seems like everybody forgot that the people making under $22,000.00 have been contributing to the permanent tax break since Kempthorne’s reign as Governor. There is revenue from other sources “Idaho has 84 Sales-Tax Exemptions. At least $500 million isn’t collected…“Idaho Statesman

2. Mrs. Kempthorne has complaints about the possibility of Otter canceling one of her pet programs for the poor. I noticed that Otter accomplished what one of our local Republican Leaders (Parrish) complained about on a TV program, and that was providing the poor with an extra Snickers® Bar. (It appears Otter managed to get this rebate to the poor cancelled.) The reason is Parrish was already paying for WIC (Women, Infants & Children) and other programs. He complained he couldn’t afford to buy his wife a new car.

A rich man was supposedly asked how much money he needed to be happy, he replied, “A little bit more.”

Much of the information from above is from memory, and I try to write out information long hand as I see or hear it on TV.

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