Kicking kids when they’re down — that’s the GOP way!
Michigan is in deep shit, and the Teabillies aren’t helping.
Senator Bruce Caswell’s (R-Asshole) new budget proposal would require that children in the Michigan foster care system only be allowed to purchase clothes from used clothing stores.
Yeah, let that sink in.
Caswell says he wants to make sure that state money set aside to buy clothes for foster children and kids of the working poor is actually used for that purpose.
He says they should get “gift cards” to be used only at Salvation Army, Goodwill or other thrift stores.
“I never had anything new,” Caswell says. “I got all the hand-me-downs. And my dad, he did a lot of shopping at the Salvation Army, and his comment was — and quite frankly it’s true — once you’re out of the store and you walk down the street, nobody knows where you bought your clothes.”
Gilda Jacobs is CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services. She’s not a fan of the thrift shop gift card idea.
“Honestly, I was flabbergasted,” Jacobs says. “I really couldn’t believe this. Because I think, gosh, is this where we’ve gone in this state? I think that there’s the whole issue of dignity. You’re saying to somebody, you don’t deserve to go in and buy a new pair of gym shoes. You know, for a lot of foster kids, they already have so much stacked against them.”
Caswell says the gift card idea wouldn’t save the state any money.
You see, when you get older and become a hip- (-ster or -pie), shopping in second-hand clothes stores is cool. And hip. But when you’re a kid and you’re told that “No, I am not going to buy you those oxblood three-hole Doc Martens, let’s go to the thrift store and we’ll find you some suitable shoes” it really sucks because all your friends have Doc Martens and why can’t you have them and you know they’re expensive, but Mooooooom!! I REALLY WANT THEM!!”1
Ahem.
What were we talking about?
Oh yeah. Republicans are assholes.
[via The Michigan Messenger]
1 I saved up my allowance and bought them. It took forever. I wore the hell out of those shoes. Then I gave them away to Goodwill. It’s the circle of shoe life.
This is along the same thought lines as people who scream about poor people having cell phones. WHY ARE THEY AT THE FOOD BANK IF THEY HAVE A CELL PHONE BLAARRRRGGG.
And I mean…there’s no shame in shopping at thrift stores, but telling kids that they deserve nothing more than used stuff because they’re not well-enough/privileged enough? That IS fucking shameful. God, they really just view anyone who’s not like them as being lumps of dirt, don’t they?
Shorter wingnut = how are we gonna look down on the peasants if their beggar spawn is out of uniform. duh
I swear, Democratic campaign ads must point out this type of shamefulness over & over until people that decide to vote for these fools realize that by doing so they are condoning their proposals. If Dems don’t do this, then they’re the fools…and I don’t think they are. The Republicons are giving them this election on a platter, if nothing but THEIR words are repeated.
So, if foster kids in Michigan want money for new clothes, I guess they’re going to have to get it the old-fashioned way: knock some yuppie over the head, snatch their wallet or purse, and buy whatever the heck they want. That’s the old drop so you can shop technique.
Damn it, ABL, I wish you still cross-posted at Balloon Juice more often. I am absolutely ruled by routine, and BJ has become part of my web routine. Your site will eventually become a part of that routine as I also enjoy your co-bloggers here. However, it’s not a routine unless it’s consistent, so it always takes a while to alter said routine. In the meantime, I only end up reading you about once per week lately, which is far too little. My only consolation is that once per week, I get to read a week’s worth of awesome.
Angry Black Lady:
As I scan your blog I notice a problem.
You feast more on the “Indictment that is AT HAND”, outraged over some EXTERNAL (Republican Conservative) proposal or action but…………
As we look at the vast stack of MISSTEPS that brought the “Vulnerable People” to the point of being vulnerable to the blunt instrument attack by the evil GOP – you seem unprepared to speak to this.
On this holiday weekend I am exploring the question of “WHO’s Shoulders Does SOCIAL JUSTICE Reside On?”
I see Mexicans marching near the state capital in Georgia protesting against the new illegal immigration law that is likely to be passed. NONE OF THEM seem to put the same indictment upon the GOVERNMENT of MEXICO – who, having failed to provide SOCIAL JUSTICE per their position of AUTHORITY – the masses of people were driven to MOVE – regardless of the legality of such.
Help me out Angry Black Lady – is it reasonable to say to the Parents of Michigan who are producing children -
“YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE OUTCOMES of your COPULATION ACTIVITIES – because if you bring a child into unfavorable conditions – your child MIGHT be put into the Foster Care System where an EVIL REPUBLICAN might try to KILL HIM.
IS THIS what you want to do to your genetic seed which you have birthed?”
Hows is that for using the Republican Threat to INFLUENCE the BEHAVIOR of “The Vulnerable People” for the Better in their own lives INSTEAD of lining up their votes for the Democrats?
When you get a situation like Flint and Detroit where there are NO MORE REPUBLICAN THREATS to vote against at the city level – the organic strength built up in the people will be appreciated.
Your problem, Constructive Feedback, is that you have “Scanned” her blog, you have not READ it. Just because she does not address EVERY SINGLE POINT in EVERY SINGLE POST does not mean she has not addressed them at all, many times.
Does it make you feel better about this proposed legislation to go the “this wouldn’t be a problem if they didn’t rut like rabbits” Fischer route?
Does it change the fact that legislators want to treat CHILDREN with no say in their birth or situation like the cast-off clothes they want them to be FORCED to wear????
Foster children don’t deserve fresh, un-worn clothes to wear, EVER, because their birth parents are irresponsible??????
Two wrongs don’t make a right, and you seem like a self-righteous dillhole.
ha! thanks denise. i think your assessment is spot on. in fact, i don’t even know what said dillhole is blathering on about.
I think he’s worried about your Spite Babies.
How they doin’, by the way?
[quote]Two wrongs don’t make a right, and you seem like a self-righteous dillhole.[/quote]
Denise:
My, my, my – its a good thing that I asked to be notified on this particular thread or I never would have known about my dill flavored “self-righteousness”.
Once again you appear to have a problem with addressing the situation at hand beyond your ideological myopia.
Per my research It appears that OLD OR NEW(!!!) each parent gets an $80 per year stipend to purchase clothing. This BEFORE the new legislation is even considered. (Note the ‘Evil Republican’ has since dropped the proposal about used clothing. Foster parents are now free to spend the money per their own choosing.)
So now I ask you “Denise The Republicans Need To Give Us Our Social Justice Because I Don’t Protest Against Democrats” advocate – lets imagine you are a foster parent and you are given an $80 clothing fee for the two children that you take care of for a total of $160.
I will even “repent” and say that the long reach of the government need not REGULATE the money down to this small amount. They’d probably spend more money enforcing the policy than any net benefit that it would produce.
With that said “Denise The Republicans Need To Give Us Our Social Justice Because I Don’t Protest Against Democrats” advocate – DO YOU BELIEVE that it is reasonable for the Foster Parent to be provided with some VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES on shopping tips for the 2 children under your protection so that the money that the state gives coupled with the money that YOU have to spend is MAXIMIZED beyond what a Korean retailer in the local mall selling you FUBU, Sean Jean and G-Unit (All made in China or the Philippians) would charge you for new merchandise? IF shopping at a consignment store or the local Goodwill – BOTH OF WHICH – resell clothing that has been cleaned and reconditioned would translate into more clothing for the foster child – is this still EVIL in your view?
Surely you are not telling us that there is NOT a problem with misplaced values (and money) invested into name brand clothing as a means of saving face socially??
Yet, it seems, that the Republican Governor/Republican Legislator is always the greater threat than some people’s ability to see the rational best interests of the children who are at risk.
(I already know which passage she is going to key upon folks)
(I already know which passage she is going to key upon folks)
You mean the bold print one with the racial stereotypes that you purposely tossed out because you’re a douchehat who thinks he’s clever???
Wow, let’s just go with the “all foster kids are black because black people fuck like rabits and don’t take care of their kids who all want to wear FUBU and Sean John and Baby Phat to go with their grills and their bling” for a moment, SINCE THAT”S OBVIOUSLY WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.
Last time I checked, there was not a lot of that available at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Big Lots, Target, etc.
No body is talking about taking foster kids on a shopping spree at Gucci, you dillhole.
Take a look at these stats
http://www.nationalfostercare.org/facts/fostercare.php
and then tell me with a straight, human face that for an average two-year stay in fostercare, children deserve to have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING NEW TO WEAR, EVER.
Then go diddle your asinine self with a rusty pitchfork, you trolling tool. You’re a monumental jackass.
they are totally evil. period.
nothing comes close to their evil.
I just love the assholes that want to cling to stereotypes as the justification for their douchealisciousness……never mind the fact that not all foster kids are there because mom and dad fuck a lot and are just too lazy and welfare dependent to take care of their “spawn”.
Plenty of kids are there because mom and dad are DEAD and no relatives could/would take them, or there were domestic/sexual abuse issues, or incarceration, or just plain old Mom and Dad are working their asses off but can’t make ends meet so the state stepped in. In any scenario besides the death one, yes, parents need to step up and fix the problems, but the kids do not deserve to be treated like peasants by the system, either.
Dill hole is blathering because you hurt his poor wittle feewings by pointing out that the party of fetus love does not give a shit about them once they clear the birth canal, you mean black librul lady!!!!!!!!!
It’s so MEAN of you to point out to dillholes that they are being dillholes!!!!
Bully.
[quote]Plenty of kids are there because mom and dad are DEAD and no relatives could/would take them, or there were domestic/sexual abuse issues, or incarceration, or just plain old Mom and Dad are working their asses off but can’t make ends meet so the state stepped in.[/quote]
Dillhole here.
Denise – (I would not be surprised if you are all over people who call OBAMA out of his name – aren’t you? I am inferior to Obama and don’t deserve the same respect in political discourse. I understand).
I have a brother in New Jersey WITH A FOSTER KID to-damned-day!!!
This time a 15 month old who’s mother lost her because she preferred getting high to taking care of her child. If I recall she is only 19 years old.
YET for some reason you expel more passion (or is that venom?) going after “Conservative Individuals” who dare make note that the MAJORITY OF THESE PARENTS ARE NOT DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That the FAMILY will typically take in the orphaned children and MOST OF THE TIME when the STATE takes the kids – it is usually because of UNFIT PARENTS. They will either put the parent(S) on a “Performance Management Plan” so the child is not at risk or find permanent placement with another relative.
WHY is it so important for you to assume that the “no fault orphan” channel is as prevalent as you suggest?
I will even help you out by creating a wallet sized card for you to distribute to as many “At Risk Parents” as possible. It will say:
“Do Not Allow The Republicans To Make Your Kids Wear Commercial Hand-Me-Downs!!!! Form Strong Relationships With Your Fellow Parent And Make Note Of The LIFE SKILLS That Are Listed On The Back.
TOGETHER WE CAN STOP THE TEA PARTY BACKED REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS FROM SNATCHING UP YOUR CHILDREN”.
Back Of Card:
1) Maintain A Consciousness Of ‘Self-Respect’
2) Have This Consciousness Flow To How You Treat Your Own Body
3) Apply This To What You Allow To Be Ingested Into Your Own Body In The Way Of Food & Intoxicants
4) In Maintaining Your Consciousness Make Sure That You Accompany Yourself With Those Who Share These Mental Values Or Is Willing To Yield To Such A Consciousness
5) Build And Maintain A Relationship That Is Based On Such Respect
6) Do NOT Become Intimate With A Person Who Has Not Committed To Such A Consciousness
7) Know That When Your Two Seeds Are Joined Together To Produce Blessed Fruit That This Being Will Acquire The Spirit Of Respect As It Has Been Established In The Relationship
8) Since Our People and/or Our Society Are In Need Of A Corrective Course We Must Make Sure That This Member Of The Next Generation Is MANAGED As Such As His Or Her Own Consciousness Will Be Formed Based Upon This Management Doctrine
9) When This Child Becomes Of Age Share This List With Him/Her
10) Know That Regardless Of If You Choose To Comply With This List OR You Reject It Because You Don’t Like The Author – YOUR CHILD Is Going To STILL Grow Into A Certain Consciousness Per The Communication That His Beautiful Mind Receives Via The 5 Senses.
Signed “Constructive Dillhole”
You really should slow down and READ instead of scan, you might realize what an ass you are making of yourself. I said ” In any scenario besides the death one, yes, parents need to step up and fix the problems, but the kids do not deserve to be treated like peasants by the system, either.”
You are throwing shit at the wall trying to make your ignorance of the core issue here less obvious. Deflect all you want, but at the end of the day, foster children do not deserve to be treated like second-hand children by the government that is supposed to be helping them weather a situation that was in no way caused by the children themselves. All your righteous indignation at the parents does not change the fact that Republicans want to treat innocent children like cast-off shit, and you think that’s just fine and dandy if it “sticks it to liberals”.
You’re not sticking it to liberals, you’re sticking it to kids, and that makes you a class a douchebag dillhole.
End of story.
A friend just suggested that we take it one step further by only allowing foster children to wear burlap sacks. But that’s not really going to have the desired effect unless we also stamp those sacks with “UNWANTED BY PARENTS”, to shame the kids into not being such government leeches.
The sad thing, being in Michigan, one of the most successful businesses is Goodwill. They’ve opened like 4 more of them in my town in the last couple of years. The unemployment rate is estimated to be 35% in my hometown.
“I never had anything new,” Caswell says. “I got all the hand-me-downs.
Apparently, the guy is still working through childhood issues.
I agree with points from both DcMartin and Constructive Feedback, i have read about Michigan unemployment percentage, and i have family in Michigan.
I have a problem with kids in foster-care most of time the kids are abused because some of the foster-care parents are in it for the money, not for the kids. You hear the stories all the time.
I agree the kids having kids should really think before they take that step of bringing a child into this world.
I grew up on the west coast and my first job pay-check just cover the rent. I got shoes, tops from the good-will and people would say i like your shoes, i would say thanks. My mother raised six kids along after our father died and she made it work, i learned to make it work also.
Jan.5,1970 i got a data entry job at an Insurance Company on the West Coast Blue Cross of California and worked my way up to a computer operator/Network Communication/ Help-Deak level 2. for (36) years, what i learned is that you have to walk before you run.
I had positive people behind me, i didn’t hang-out with negative people, just couldn’t do it and i’m so glade today i was stonger person at such a young age.
I think this is what Constructive Feedback is saying. I retired in 2006 and relocated in Memphis Tn where i was born, i see the young people they are so lost and have a mind of their own, you try to talk with them they call you names.
DcMartin i know the subject have been address, but fallen on death
ears. I wont the kids in foster-care to know its not the cloth you wear, its whats in your head that count. Stay in school and get the best education you can it will pay-off for you years down the road. when you become Ceo, or President of your own company.
Any thing is possible if you only believe.