Falling through the cracks

A lot of people outraged by this story today. It is infuriating and sad to read about the callous disregard our ruling class shows to the children of poverty, especially when the state cuts off welfare from mothers of young children. But this is the part I found the most revolting:

Faced with flat federal financing and rising need, Arizona is one of 16 states that have cut their welfare caseloads further since the start of the recession — in its case, by half. Even as it turned away the needy, Arizona spent most of its federal welfare dollars on other programs, using permissive rules to plug state budget gaps.

So I ask, what programs did the money go to? And why was there a shortfall in the budget that needed to plugged in the first place? Guessing, but willing to bet most, if not all, of those states are being run by Republicans who passed out tax rebates to corporations and the wealthy like Easter candy.

Meanwhile, the children of this enforced, abject poverty grow up in (often abusive) households where petty crimes and other desperate measures to survive are routine. Underfunded schools in the ghetto aren't going to show them the way out, so many willl take up the same lifestyle. Some two thirds of the boys and men will get arrested. Leaving single mothers to start the cycle again.

If you think about it, it's a helluva long range plan to keep all those private prisons filled to capacity.

[More posts daily at the Detroit News.]