The rich and powerful scapegoat the poor

The poor and low income workers are scapegoats, portrayed as undeserving and bilking the government.

Politicians use misleading phrases, such as “putting them back to work” and “able-bodied” to stoke anger and gain support for draconian policies. It’s a tactic that well serves wealthy, powerful people lobbying to cut taxes and deregulate so they may have even more wealth, while we get little.

Recipients of government programs such as SNAP (food nutrition), housing assistance, and Medicaid are disabled, elderly, low-income workers — or children.

Qualifying for, and keeping, assistance is rigorous.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, less than 1 percent of SNAP recipients are found to be actually ineligible. Compare that to under-reporting of business income at 18 percent (a loss of $125 billion in tax revenue) between 2008 and 2010, or 63 percent by non-farm sole proprietors.

The poor and low-income workers rarely live in desirable situations. I have seen it while performing medical social work. In order for them to heal, they need adequate food and lodging.

All had to routinely provide current proof of income. If they didn’t, they’d lose their benefits. That included an elderly woman with early dementia who was not up to the tasks required.

Many disabled people with crippling MS or severe mental health disorders depend on Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance.

These are the faces of the poor that I know, not the “cheats” portrayed for political gain.

We are all one pre-existing condition or natural disaster away from living in their circumstances.

This story was originally published July 21, 2017 at 9:49 AM with the headline "The rich and powerful scapegoat the poor."