Let me begin by saying I only know enough to be dangerous and am willing to listen as objectively as possible to alternatives.
Call me a bleeding heart liberal but the following article is disturbing. Though why after 8 years I would continue to be surprised, I have no idea. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in a secure country but I think our security should be wrapped in warm blankets and food on the table not in body bags flown from Baghdad.
For anyone who has helped with the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), the second paragraph is frightening. Recent discussions with friends who work for the Veteran’s Affairs Administration warn of a crisis not only for veteran’s who are currently enrolled in services, but a crisis for those who return with needs far greater for far longer. I do indeed appreciate the sacrifices our service people make. They volunteer for this hell. There are those who say if they volunteer, “they” know what they are in for. It would seem to me if our Commander in Chief has the wherewithal to call for troops, he darn well ought to back up their “volunteer” care. It needs to be noted that benefits enjoyed (rightly so) by full time army personnel are NOT often open to National Guard and reserve troops. Healthcare, housing subsidies and other benefits are simply not offered. Since the reserve was not designed to serve as they are currently serving, those troops perhaps rely on regular employment in the civilian world to take care of some of those needs. I don’t know the whys of this but am outraged by the consequences of short sightedness.
By the way, did you know disability insurance excludes injuries caused by war? Just an FYI.
It appears the Administration can indeed say truthfully they increased funding, yet with our economy slowing exponentially and jobs losing benefits, this will not be enough to handle any variation of any economic indicator that will affect those on the margins.
Jesus tells us the poor will always be with us but we are also reminded that when we feed, clothe, or attend to one of these, we also tend to the Christ.
See below and for more:
http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/article/detail/1881
The Administration released its proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2009 on February 4. It proposes an increase for the Department of Defense, cuts to health care programs, and about $2.4 billion less for domestic discretionary programs other than Homeland Security. Domestic discretionary programs include most of the housing, human service, veterans, education, and infrastructure programs that help low-income people. After
accounting for inflation, these programs would be cut by 4 percent from last year.
Funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Grants would increase by $50 million (3 percent), much less than is necessary even to keep up with increasing renewals of permanent supportive housing. The proposal does not include a prisoner reentry initiative, which the Administration proposed in previous years, or a rapid re housing for families initiative which was funded by Congress last year. The budget for Section 8 includes $75 million for additional HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers, which should fund an additional 8,000-10,000 vouchers for homeless veterans.
Many mainstream housing and services programs would be cut substantially. Housing Choice Voucher funding is $1.3 billion less than is needed to continue housing families that are currently assisted. The shortfall could result in at least 100,000 vouchers not being renewed. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program would be cut by $659 million, or almost 20 percent. The $654 million Community Services Block Grant, which alleviates the causes and conditions of poverty, would be eliminated. The budget also proposes to cut Medicaid by $18 billion over 5 years.
The Administration's budget is a proposal. Congress will make decisions on actual Funding levels later this year.
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