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Editorial
See other Editorial Articles

Title: So that's what they mean by the “War on Poverty”
Source: [None]
URL Source: http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/ ... hats_what_they_mean_by_the.php
Published: Mar 18, 2011
Author: PZ Myers
Post Date: 2011-03-22 17:25:22 by CadetD
Keywords: cashless, society
Views: 1933
Comments: 91

Minnesota is leading the way. Our Rethuglicans have figured out how to end poverty: by making it illegal to have money if you're poor? Wait, that makes no sense.

Minnesota Republicans are pushing legislation that would make it a crime for people on public assistance to have more $20 in cash in their pockets any given month.

Lest you think our most contemptible lawmakers have no heart at all, consider that this is the generous version of their earlier plan.

This represents a change from their initial proposal, which banned them from having any money at all.

I'm not sure what they're thinking. If they're so poor, the only way they could have any money is if they stole it from a rich guy? Or something? Maybe they're just setting up a perfect Catch 22: now the police can roust someone who looks poor, and if they've got no money, send them to jail for vagrancy; if they've got more than $20, arrest them for possession of illegal currency.

Some people don't believe me. Here's the link to the proposed legislation. They want to give all benefits via a debit card so they can restrict and monitor purchases. And if this is their sole source of income, that means they're only allowed a cash allowance of $20/month. Control, control, control.

Section 1. [256.9870] ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER DEBIT CARD. Subdivision 1. Electronic benefit transfer or EBT debit card. (a) Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) debit cardholders in the general assistance program and the Minnesota supplemental aid program under chapter 256D and programs under chapter 256J are prohibited from withdrawing cash from an automatic teller machine or receiving cash from vendors with the EBT debit card. The EBT debit card may only be used as a debit card. (b) Beginning July 1, 2011, cash benefits for programs listed under paragraph (a) must be issued on a separate EBT card with the head of household's name printed on the card. The card must also state that "It is unlawful to use this card to purchase tobacco products or alcoholic beverages." This card must be issued within 30 calendar days of an eligibility determination. During the initial 30 calendar days of eligibility, a recipient may have cash benefits issued on an EBT card without the recipient's name printed on the card. This card may be the same card on which food support is issued and does not need to meet the requirements of this section. (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), EBT cardholders may opt to have up to $20 per month accessible via automatic teller machine or receive up to $20 cash back from a vendor.

Click for Full Text!


Poster Comment:

http://wonkette.com/440932/minnesota-republicans-to-outlaw-poor-people-having-money; Link to legislation: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0171.1.html&session=ls87

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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 8.

#8. To: CadetD (#0) (Edited)

Perhaps politicians should only be paid $20 a month, and simply volunteer their time for the greater good.

FormerLurker  posted on  2011-03-22   20:05:22 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


Replies to Comment # 8.

#12. To: FormerLurker (#8)

Perhaps politicians should only be paid $20 a month, and simply volunteer their time for the greater good.

Public service should be that "Service". Not a road to riches. The Congress makes more than 95% of the population! Let them make a "living wage", whatever the average income is for the average tax payer. No Perks. No free haircuts. No more than Joe Bananaballs on the street makes. If the average wage goes up. so does theirs. They get into Social Security, no exception. No free insurance. Oh yes, and they can retire at 65 with just exactly what Ol' Joe gets, not after two terms with a free ride for the rest of their lives.

Luke The Spook  posted on  2011-03-22 20:52:00 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#74. To: FormerLurker (#8)

Perhaps politicians should only be paid $20 a month, and simply volunteer their time for the greater good.

how about doing away with politicians and not print the bogus twenties the fed calls money as they'd be done away with also.

IRTorqued  posted on  2011-03-24 00:51:17 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


End Trace Mode for Comment # 8.

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