09/11/07:GOP Targeting Programs For Poor - Illogical, Cruel - written by Peggy Wireman, Monona

Gop Targeting Programs For Poor Illogical, Cruel

The Capital Times :: EDITORIAL :: A9

Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Peggy Wireman, Monona (WNPJ member)

They are trying to cut two programs benefiting low-income people, the Homestead Tax Credit and health clinics for low-income women, primarily in rural areas. Almost 90 percent of the benefits of the tax credit go to those with incomes less than $17,500, the equivalent of under $9 an hour in wages, and over 60 percent of the benefits go to those with incomes under $12,500. The clinics provide a variety of services including cancer screening.

In both cases the Republicans are inaccurately portraying the programs.

They claim the tax credit for homeowners and renters is a windfall to college students. Yet less than 9 percent of the beneficiaries are under 25 and it is unknown how many are college students, but only those not claimed as dependents are eligible. Almost 45 percent of the benefits go to individuals whose entire income comes from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and railroad retirement payments.

I question whether eliminating these programs would save money. Some of those living on disability insurance and Social Security would cut expenses by eliminating fruits and vegetables and cutting their heat and air conditioning below what is necessary for their health, leading to unnecessary emergency hospital visits and transfers to nursing homes.

Those young people who are putting themselves through technical college or university may be forced to drop out, reducing their future earnings and tax contributions. Some people may become homeless or even turn to illegal ways of earning money.

The information given out about the clinics is misleading, implying that their major work is to give birth control information to 15-year-old girls without their parents' knowledge. The clinics provide a variety of services including birth control for married adults and screening for cancer. The Republican purpose seems to be to deny birth control to low-income rural women, ironic since they are the ones least able to avoid another child.

The result of shutting the clinics would be unwanted pregnancies, and increased costs for treating cancers at a late stage and some unnecessary deaths.

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Dear Editor: Are the Republicans trying to save state money or punish the poor?

They are trying to cut two programs benefiting low-income people, the Homestead Tax Credit and health clinics for low-income women, primarily in rural areas. Almost 90 percent of the benefits of the tax credit go to those with incomes less than $17,500, the equivalent of under $9 an hour in wages, and over 60 percent of the benefits go to those with incomes under $12,500. The clinics provide a variety of services including cancer screening.

In both cases the Republicans are inaccurately portraying the programs.

They claim the tax credit for homeowners and renters is a windfall to college students. Yet less than 9 percent of the beneficiaries are under 25 and it is unknown how many are college students, but only those not claimed as dependents are eligible. Almost 45 percent of the benefits go to individuals whose entire income comes from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and railroad retirement payments.

I question whether eliminating these programs would save money. Some of those living on disability insurance and Social Security would cut expenses by eliminating fruits and vegetables and cutting their heat and air conditioning below what is necessary for their health, leading to unnecessary emergency hospital visits and transfers to nursing homes.

Those young people who are putting themselves through technical college or university may be forced to drop out, reducing their future earnings and tax contributions. Some people may become homeless or even turn to illegal ways of earning money.

The information given out about the clinics is misleading, implying that their major work is to give birth control information to 15-year-old girls without their parents' knowledge. The clinics provide a variety of services including birth control for married adults and screening for cancer. The Republican purpose seems to be to deny birth control to low-income rural women, ironic since they are the ones least able to avoid another child.

The result of shutting the clinics would be unwanted pregnancies, and increased costs for treating cancers at a late stage and some unnecessary deaths.