/* Written 5:25 PM Apr 12, 1998 by [EMAIL PROTECTED] in web:p.news */
/* ---------- "[PNEWS] Workfare: Operation Coverup" ---------- */
The NY Times is running a four day series on NYC's Workfare programs:
Today (4/12/98): "An uncertain road to a real job."
Monday: "A Low-cost city labor force."
Tuesday: "The scramble for child care."
Wednesday: "Trimming the rolls; Tough or too touch?"
The Mayor, according to the first article, has apparently ordered members of
his administration to say N*O*T*H*I*N*G in response to NY Times or any other
queries about WEP.
"City Hall's message seems to be that the press -- and the voters and
taxpayers -- should celeberate what the Mayor decrees to be reforms but
should not look beyond the press releases, or check the record, or ask
difficult questions," said Bill Keller, The Times's managing editor. "That's
a remarkably cyncial view of the responsibilities of public office."
Sound familiar?
What really horrifies in this matter is the ticking clock that will drive all
people off welfare after a maximum lifetime support of 5 years (and much
less in many nearby states). Any one who knows anything about the subject
is aware that 2/3 or more of those on welfare are children; many others are
variously disabled.
And, of course, thousands of our CUNY students have been and are being driven
out of college by the WEP program, blocking their efforts to get off welfare.
Ed Kent [EMAIL PROTECTED]
